Ruijin Guesthouse - the old Morriss villa
by cheezecake_deli
The Morriss family, Shanghailanders who owned China's first English language newspaper (North China Daily News) and the Shanghai Canidrome, built a series of attractive mansions and villas in the heart of the old French Concession in the 1920s. After 1949, the estate was used as a private retreat for Communist Party officials. The buildings have been restored these days, and now house the Ruijin Guesthouse. They are set in an attractive, manicured garden - a piece of tranquility in the heart of bustling Luwan. Although there are guards at the entrance to the grounds, any decent looking person can wander in and have a look. Also here are the popular Face bar, a branch of the excellent Xiao Nan Guo restaurants, and Lan Na Thai restaurant.
Cool bar
by Uppsala_swimmer about Face bar
A very nice bar, called the Face bar with a mix of Chinese and expat crowd. It is located in Building 4, Ruijin Guest House Gardens, 118 Ruijin Er Lu, close to Maoming Nan Lu. (Its in the garden next to this road, can eb hard to find, ask someone) The old-world interior décor includes ancient South East Asian and Indian artefacts, arranged very tastefully. The drinks are quite expensive but strong. There is a pool table too and a restaurant upstairs. No..but pretty upscale
Luwan, the old French Concession
by cheezecake_deli
The old French Concession of Shanghai, now Luwan district, is an enchanting part of the city for a stroll. It contains old villas and apartment blocks, and is lively with shops and restaurants. Some minor sights in this area are Zhou Enlai's former residence (on Sinan Road), Sun Yat-sen's former residence (on Xiangshan Road), Fuxing Park (off Sinan Road) and Taikang Lu Art Street (off Jianguo Middle Road). Also here is the lovely Ruijin Guesthouse (see tip). Maoming South Road is full of bars and a trendy hang-out at night.
Good Spanish Tapas in Shanghai
by crewrower about Tapas Bar
There is a cozy Spanish tapas bar on Maoming Road (near the Ruijin Guest House) that serves authentic and tasty tapas. There are many meats and veggies to choose from, and of course lots of drinks - the sangria is not bad, it's strong though and at RMB90 for 500ml, pricy in my opinion. Try to get an upstairs seat if you can, but on weekends sometimes all the tables are reserved in advance. Tapa dishes range from RMB20-65 (USD3-8), so the bill can add up quite quickly actually. However, it's a decent place to go now and then to kick back, or a good choice if you're in Shanghai for a short period of time, and want a break from Chinese food, and want something casual and relaxed but not McDonald's. Sausages, greek salad, sangria (if you can handle it strong)
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Forum Posts
Dining at French Concession
by THLIN
Hi All,
I will be leaving for Shanghai for a very short trip; from 25~27 Jan. I really want to have a good lunch in the last day of my trip in a nice restaurant at French Concession. I tried to book M on the Bund (Yes, it is not in the FC), but they close until 31st. So could anyone suggest an alternative for me to eat in the French Concession? My bugest for lunch is ~RMB200 (could be lower than this.)
Thanks in advance for your kind help.
THLIN
Re: Dining at French Concession
by ellyse
Your request is pretty difficult since 27/1 is the 2nd day of Chinese New Year and most places would be closed, whether nice or not.
Any particular cuisine preference?
I would suggest that you try the outlets of South Beauty (on Yan'an Zhonglu, and also on Taojiang Lu), Lanna Thai (in Ruijin Guesthouse), Baanthai (on Fuxing Zhonglu), or any of the restaurants in Xintiandi.
Re: Dining at French Concession
by THLIN
Thanks. I think Xintiandi would be my last choice...
Anyway maybe I should try some really local delicacy in the street. Haha...
Re: Dining at French Concession
by ellyse
Those vendors will all be at home for their Chinese New Year family reunion.
