10 Restaurants That Will Delight Omnivores and Vegetarians Alike Monday, 04 October 2010 00:00 Written by Andrea Burzynski

Does your group of friends resemble a microcosm of Shanghai’s diverse expat population?  If so, something as seemingly simple as deciding where to meet for dinner can present an unexpected challenge.  Once you’ve accounted for everyone’s palate, location, and budget, what if you find out that one of your friends is (dun dun DUN) a vegetarian?  Before you convince yourself that this will end with everyone nibbling on celery stalks while secretly pining for juicy steaks, check out this cheat sheet of restaurants whose menus include plenty of quality vegetarian options, in addition to more carnivorous offerings.

1. Mistral

Try to snag a table on the second floor of this rustically chic converted lane house that serves Spanish fare with European influences.  Let bespectacled chef Joaquin Campos advise your selections from the chalkboard menu, which include copious shellfish-based dishes, and a velvety eggplant hummus.  Most dishes can be ordered in either tapas or full portions.  If you’re still craving after-dinner drinks after ordering from the good and extensive wine list, Tara 57, Shiva, The Apartment, el Coctel, and La Rhumerie are all within easy walking distance.

Vegetarian Recommendation: Goat Cheese with Carmelized Onions

2. Bella Napoli

A cozy neighborhood haunt with red checkered tablecloths, Bella Napoli specializes in southern Italian food, with options both light (roasted chicken with rosemary and thyme) and rich (ham and mortadella tortelloni with ham and cream sauce).  Practice your Italian with owner Guido, and try the tiramisu if you have room.

Vegetarian Recommendation: Ravioli di Zucca e Taleggio con Burro e Salvia (pumpkin and taleggio ravioli in butter sage sauce)

3. Haiku by Hatsune

Really, a sushi place that’s vegetarian-friendly?  It’s true.  Thoughtfully crafted and satisfying veggie rolls cut through the usual vegetarian confines of miso and edamame, and a wide selection of cheekily named traditional rolls ensure that there’s something for everyone.  Unlike most of Shanghai’s teppanyaki places, Haiku’s food and atmosphere make it suitable for a date or even a business dinner.  The sake-based cocktails are worth a try, even if you don’t usually like sake.

Vegetarian Recommendation: Sweetpea rolls

4. Cantina Agave

Although it may disappoint those fresh off the plane from Mexico, this place is one of Shanghai’s most solid bets for Mexican basics in a fun, casual atmosphere.  Many items on Cantina’s menu are open to customization, so you can order either meaty or vegetarian versions of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and nachos.  Accessorize your food at the salsa bar.  Along with Mexican-themed brunch fare, there’s also a great weekend deal for margarita-loving senoritas and senors.

Vegetarian Recommendation: Quesadilla with vegetarian filling

5. Element Fresh

A veritable Shanghai institution, EF serves up the type of internationally underrepresented American food that often gets overshadowed by McDonald’s and its greasy compatriots.  In short, that means large portions of fresh, uncomplicated salads, sandwiches, pastas, and burgers.  Their Asian-inspired lunch sets are a popular weekday lunch option.  There are locations around the city – even one for Pudongers – and free delivery for those days when you don’t feel like changing out of your sweatpants.  Look for their live jazz nights to please all of your senses simultaneously.

Vegetarian Recommendation: Roasted Eggplant Sandwich

6. Southern Barbarian

If you’re craving Chinese food that’s a little bit different (there’s cheese!), this artsy yet unpretentious eatery offers an omnivorous tapestry of Yunnan-style dishes.  Choose among options like sautéed pomegranate flowers, deep fried bees, spicy mint salad, and their famous fried goat cheese.  For those with less adventurous tastebuds, there’s an assortment of barbecued meats as well.  Sip a brewski from the huge, award-winning international beer menu as you take in the paintings on the walls.

Vegetarian Recommendation: Grandma’s Mashed Potatoes

7. That’s Amore

This is a great place to rest and refuel after an afternoon of shopping and gallery hopping at Tianzifang.  Try one of the many wood-fired pizzas as you relax on the fifth floor rooftop terrace, watching the crowds swirl through the lanes below.  Although the pizzas are the biggest attraction, the menu features an assortment of pasta and seafood, the latter of which is imported from the Mediterranean.  There seems to be enough amore for this trattoria that it has achieved a rare feat in the Shanghai F&B biz -staying open for more than five years.

Vegetarian Recommendation: Verdure Pizza

8. Vedas

Elegant and softly lit, the décor here is undeniably Indian without veering into over-the-top South Asian kitsch.  The freshness of ingredients is apparent, even in dishes simmered for a long time.  Vegetarian dishes are grouped together on the menu and clearly labeled as such, and are surrounded by classic tandoori items and curries.  For a discount off the usual prices, try the Sunday brunch: at 150rmb for an all-you-can-eat veggie-rich buffet plus unlimited beer, it’s one of the most affordable brunch options around.

Vegetarian Recommendation: Adraki Paneer

9. Cristal

Speaking of brunch, this glass-enclosed gem has come up with an innovative way of presenting its weekend fare: separate menus for vegetarians and omnivores.  Loosely French, the elegantly presented and health-conscious cuisine incorporates Asian touches: there’s Sichuan pepper in a labeyrie, a coconut turmeric sauce and tempura to accompany ravioli, and an amuse bouche that resembles Italian wontons.  Perfectly sized portions, a variety of flavor notes, and healthy ingredients and cooking methods translate to gastronomic satisfaction without a post-brunch food coma.

Vegetarian Recommendation: Barbajuan (brunch menu)

10. Enoteca/Enoterra

Although it’s no secret that this wine bar (which is undergoing a name change from Enoteca to Enoterra) maintains a lively list of vino from all over the world, its solid offerings go well beyond the hackneyed cheese and cold cuts platters.  The menu changes to reflect seasonal ingredients, and includes unexpectedly generous portions of things like duck sandwiches, gazpacho, and eggplant-feta phyllo casserole.  If you prefer the classics or are just tired of Shanghai restaurants stiffing you on fromage, the cheese plate here is tasty and excellent value for money.  For less crowding and a larger food menu, hit up the Taicang Lu location (near Xintiandi), which has a larger and better equipped kitchen than the Anfu Lu original.

Vegetarian Recommendation: Cheese Platter

What are your veggie-friendly go-to spots?

Comments 

 

#6 Great info — Richa 2011-04-19 19:00

Thanks for sharing this..Really informative. I am a vegetarian and its been really difficult to get good vegetarian food. I am an Indian and have been to couple of Indian restaurants but apart from Indian cuisine, its hard to find a place that serves veg food. There is no concept of veg food there which is so not fun..

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#5 Can't wait for your next blog!!! — Astrid 2010-10-16 08:31

yeah, yeah, yeah!!!!1

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#4 RE: 10 Restaurants That Will Delight Omnivores and Vegetarians Alike — Andrea 2010-10-15 13:23

@Astrid - thanks! More to come :)

In general, Indian restaurants are always a safe bet for vegetarians as well as Muslims. There's usually a vegetarian section of the menu, and plenty of pork-free options.

@messyfruit, I can definitely relate to your troubles about trying to eat veggie in Shanghai since I'm a vegetarian as well. As Julia mentioned, people just don't understand the concept outside the context of religion. I think that in a country where widespread starvation is such a recent part of history and many people still struggle to meet basic needs, it's unfathomable that we could reject meat in favor of "poor men's food" when something "better" is available to us.

I admit I have made some accommodations since coming to China - I'll now eat soup with meat-based broth, pick around the meat in dishes sometimes, etc., but still do my best to eat in the spirit of vegetarianism.

If you're sick of having conversations like the one in the beginning of Julia's article (and you will have a lot of them), definitely check out some of the places she lists. My personal favorite is Vegetarian Lifestyle, though I haven't tried them all. Good luck!

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#3 RE: 10 Restaurants That Will Delight Omnivores and Vegetarians Alike — julia 2010-10-06 10:30

@Messyfruit I am also a vegetarian and understand the pain of trying to find places to eat out in Shanghai. You might be interested in the article I wrote a few months ago about places to eat as well: http://www.shanghaidolls.org/blog/95-being-a-vegetarian-in-shanghai

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#2 Thanks so much — messyfruit 2010-10-05 13:25

This is great.. I have only been in Shanghai for a month and I'm vegetarian - eating out has been much harder than expected.

Thanks for sharing this info.

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#1 One of the best blog writer — Astrid 2010-10-04 06:58

WOOOW! I always love reading your blogs! They are very well written, easy to read and both very informative and creative! Thanks a lot indeed!
It is great to have options when you are with vegeterans or even muslims ... My friends are going to be soooooooo happy now! we will be able to eat together without a headache!!!You did an awesome work! Now, I am waiting for your next blog!!

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