Where to Eat this April: A Spring Guide to Vegetarian Restaurants in Shanghai

April in Shanghai is the ultimate "refresh" button. As the city turns lush and the cherry blossoms do their thing, there's no better time to lean into a light, plant-based vibe. Whether you're a lifelong vegan or just a "flexitarian" looking for a clean meal after a long walk, Shanghai's vegetarian scene is world-class.

From Michelin-starred mansions to hidden temple noodles, here's where to find the best spring flavours right now.

The "Treat Yourself" Spots (Michelin & Zen)

If you're celebrating something special or just want a meal that looks like art, these spots are legendary:

福和慧 (Fu He Hui) is undoubtedly the benchmark of Shanghai's vegetarian dining. Located on Yuyuan Road, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers seasonal tasting menus that change with the rhythms of nature. The spring menu is especially noteworthy, with creative dishes like perilla chickpea spring rolls and tomato desserts that highlight the true essence of each ingredient. Set in a historic mansion, the space radiates Zen-like elegance, making it ideal for special occasions.

📍 Address: 1037 Yuyuan Road, Changning District

⏰ Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30-14:00; Dinner 17:30-22:30

💰 Average: 1,182/person

叶叶菩提 (Ye Ye Pu Ti) is another highly acclaimed spot. Its Taiyuan Villa branch is housed in a heritage building featuring small bridges and flowing water, creating a meditative atmosphere. The "Mountain Home" set menu evolves with the seasons, with exquisite dishes such as jade-like bean curd, lotus seed pod buns, and "gold and jade fill the hall" that resemble edible art.

📍 Address: Taiyuan Villa, 160 Taiyuan Road, Xuhui District

⏰ Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00

💰 Average: 488/person

The Old-School Legends

You can’t talk about Shanghai food without paying respects to the classics that have been around for a century:

春风松月楼 (Chunfeng Songyue Lou) is Shanghai's oldest pure vegetarian restaurant, founded in 1910 and renowned for its "vegetarian noodles, dim sum, and dishes." Its pure vegetarian steamed buns are a signature at the City God Temple area, fragrant right out of the steamer. The noodle broth is slowly simmered with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and soybeans, resulting in a pure, savory taste.

📍  Address: 23 Bailing Road, Huangpu District (near Fangbang Middle Road)

⏰  Opening Hours: 07:00-20:00

💰  Average: 37/person

功德林 (Gong De Lin), a century-old establishment, is famous for its classic "stir-fried vegetarian crab roe" and "pineapple sweet-and-sour vegetarian pork," crafted so skilfully they could almost pass for the real thing.

📍  Address: 441, 445 Nanjing West Road, Huangpu District

⏰  Opening Hours: 06:30 - 09:30, 11:00 - 13:30, 17:00 - 19:30

💰  Average: 75 / person

Fresh and Trendy

Want something cool, creative, and easy on the wallet? These are the current "it" spots:

庆春朴门 (Qing Chun Pu Men), popular from its Lingyin Temple origins, has earned Bib Gourmand recognition from Michelin. Its locations in Taikoo Li Qiantan and Xintiandi Dongtai Li are both highly popular. Dishes like black truffle wild rice pine nut rice, osmanthus-flavored taro, and quinoa peppery tofu are creative and wallet-friendly. A special spring menu adds to the appeal.

📍  Address: 111 Ji'an Road, Huangpu District

⏰  Opening Hours: 10:30 - 21:00

💰  Average: 107 / person度粒Duli stands out with its unique approach—creative plant-based cuisine infused with Sichuan flavors—bringing a fresh and vibrant energy to the city’s vegetarian dining scene. Founded by Dutch vegetarian Thijs, the restaurant skillfully combines the bold, aromatic essence of Chengdu cuisine with Western cooking techniques, completely challenging the stereotype that vegetarian food is bland or boring.

Mapo Tofu with Hummus is a star dish that creatively blends Chinese mapo tofu with Western hummus. Fragrant, mildly spicy chili oil coats silky tofu and creamy hummus, served with freshly baked pita bread. The rich layers of flavor have been described by diners as "a sophisticated, complex taste reminiscent of foie gras."

📍  Address: 227 Yanping Road, Jing'an District

⏰  Opening Hours: 11:00 - 22:00

💰  Average: 147 / person

Hidden Gems & Temple Eats

Sometimes the best food is found in the most unexpected places:

龙华寺 Longhua Temple: Locals swear they have the best vegetarian noodles in Shanghai. It’s the perfect, peaceful lunch after a morning of exploring.

📍  Address: 2787 Longhua Road, Xuhui District

⏰  Opening Hours: 07:00 - 15:30 

💰  Average: 20 / person

April Insider Tips

Book Ahead: For the fancy spots like Fu He Hui, you definitely need a reservation. For the trendy spots like Qing Chun Pu Men, try to go slightly before or after the main lunch rush to  avoid the lines.

Bon appétit, and see you next month for our next pick!