Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Evenings here are very civilized too,
making it a good place for a date. Two
cocktails and a tapas sampler cost ¥78.
Kommune
公社酒吧
gōng shè ji
25 Shaoxing Lu, near Ruijin Er Lu. 8am-8pm.
Popular and rather charming Austrian-style
café, almost managing that fin-de-siècle
vibe. You can't fault their strudel or Kaiser-
schmarrn - pancake served with apple
sauce. Free WiFi.
Wagas
沃歌斯
wò gē sī
Shop G107, Hong Kong World Plaza, 300 Huaihai
Zhong Lu. 7.30am-11pm.
Good-looking yet
wholesome food, decor and staff at this
New York-style deli. Order the Western
breakfast before 10am and it's half-price -
only ¥27 - with coffee only an extra ¥10.
There are also smoothies and frappés for
¥30, and wraps and sandwiches for just a
little more. It's also a good place for dinner -
after 6pm, their tasty bowls of pasta are half-
price at ¥28. At lunchtimes though it's rather
too busy.
Whisk
威斯忌
weì sī jì
1250 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Changshu Lu
subway stop. 8.30am-11.30pm.
Minimalist
decor and a chocolate-themed menu. They
do meals, but they're undistinguished -
come for the speciality hot chocolate or one
of the many varieties of velvety chocolate
cake naughtiness. Free WiFi - just try not to
get chocolate all over your laptop.
Xianzonglin
仙踪林
xiān zōng lín
671 Huaihai Zhong Lu. 10am-10pm.
A
Taiwanese chain café that specializes in
bubble tea - that's the sweet stuff with gooey
balls in it. The huge drinks list includes plenty
of oddities such as blueberry tea. Sip while
you sit on a swing - teenagers would love it.
i bā
Building 7, 210 Taikang Lu. 9am-10pm.
Hip
café located at the heart of Taikang Lu Art
Street - head north up the alley, take the
first left and it's just there. Very popular with
the designer set, especially for weekend
brunch when the courtyard outside fills up.
Deli sandwiches from ¥38.
La Casbah
卡西巴咖啡
k
k xī bā
1554 Huaihai Zhong Lu, opposite the library.
8am-10pm.
A tiny café, patronized by
students and English teachers, that deserves
celebrating for offering a decent coffee for
¥10. Also worthy of mention are the tuna melt
sandwiches, cheesecake and scrambled egg
breakfasts (¥25). The noticeboard is a good
place to look for flats, nannies or teachers.
Manabe
真锅咖啡厅
zhén guō kā feī tīng
85 Huating Lu, just off Huaihai Zhong Lu. 24hr.
The food at this coffee-shop chain is undis-
tinguished, but their breakfast deal - ¥25 for
pancakes and a coffee - is worthy of note,
and there is an extensive range of teas.
Old China Hand Reading Room
汉源书屋
hàn yuán shū wū
27 Shaoxing Lu, by Shaanxi Nan Lu
T
64732526. 10am-midnight.
Bookish but not
fusty, this is the place to come for leisured
reflection. There's a huge collection of
tomes to peruse or buy, many printed by
the café press, which specializes in coffee
table books about French Concession
architecture. Period furniture, big picture
windows and - what's that eerie quality?
Oh, silence. Afternoon coffee with a scoop
of ice cream and biscuits is ¥45. No meals.
Urban Tribe
城市山民
chéng shì shān mín
133 Fuxing Xi Lu. 9.30am-10pm.
It's a boutique
selling pricey knick-knacks really, but there's
a nice bamboo garden at the back. Coffee
served in a cute handmade cup costs ¥20.
Vienna Café
维也纳咖啡馆
wéi y
Jing'an
Always
奥维斯饭店
ào wéi sī fàn diàn
1528 Nanjing Xi Lu. 10.30am-midnight.
This
long-running diner is very popular, largely
thanks to the cheap lunchtime special
(served 11.30am-5pm): for just ¥20 you get
a Western meal, such as burger with fries,
and unlimited coffee.
Bandu
半度音乐
bàn dù yīn yuè
50 Moganshan Lu. 11am-11pm.
The best of
115
y nà kā fēi gu
n
