On the surface Shanghai looks like a city that is just discovering Coffee Culture, but hidden along the small side streets behind non-descript doors in the French Concession are an array of small cafes and bars that tread a fine line between exclusivity and no-one knowing they even exist.
The obvious upside to seeking out the hidden gems is to escape the crowds, but their less obvious benefit is that, unlike the more well known and conspicuous venues, hidden cafes are much more permanent fixtures, because they have a loyal customer base. That means they are more likely to be there for longer. And who doesn’t like a bit of exclusivity, right?
1. Monkey Lounge
10 minutes from the Secret Garden down an anonymous residential side street on Donghu Lu is Monkey Lounge, a quasi-secret cocktail lounge. It doesn’t open until 8pm, and the entrance is inconspicuous with a doorman who always seems to be well camouflaged in the dark.
Once you step inside though, you will see in a chic high ceilinged cocktail lounge, more reminiscent of Hong Kong than Shanghai; indeed it is not unusual to hear people speaking Cantonese there.
I said quasi-secret, because if you go there on a week night then you’ll be satisfied that you have found a real hidden gem, but on the weekend Monkey Lounge can fill up, particularly if they have a promotion that evening.
Address: 38 Donghu Road, near Huaihai Road, Shanghai
Contact: 021 6255 6000
2. Makoo Cafe
Tucked away just off of the bustling Changle Lu, Makoo Cafe is hard to find but certainly worth the hunt. Turn right at the end of Lane 339 and you’ll see a heavy wooden door that reveals a long rectangular space where plants and flowers abound. Ever wondered what a Zingiber Officinale looks like? Well wonder no more; this and other plant species are displayed on a chalkboard wall, accompanied by their Latin names. The sound of running water from a miniature waterfall mixes with the zen sound of folk music, giving Makoo a sort of day spa vibe.
The menu is small but carefully constructed, offering a well-crafted blueberry cheese cake (29RMB), a range of teas from TWG Tea Salon (36RMB per cup, 66RMB per pot), coffees and a matcha latte (35RMB). Opening hours here can be a little haphazard, so a quick call to check they’re open is recommended.
Address: 42, Lane 339 Changle Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu, Xuhui district, Shanghai
3. Cafe on Air
Combining chic design, great coffee and sweet treats, Cafe on Air is one of our favourite new spots to hang out. Walk down Lane 650 away from the busy Huaihai Lu, turn right and head towards the large, unmarked door. Within you’ll find a haven for caffeine addicts and laptop warriors, who congregate daily to enjoy this pleasant sanctuary.
Coffees start at 18RMB for a strong, rich espresso, and range up to 32RMB for a smooth and creamy latte. You can also grab a pour over coffee, tea or juice, all for 35RMB. As you’re ordering, it’s hard to miss the selection of sweets lining the counter; although it’s a tough call, our favourites are probably the German apple pie (42RMB), which is hearty and sweet and the cheesecake (40RMB), which strikes a delicious balance between fluffy and lush.
Address: 634, Lane 650 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Ruijin Er Lu, Huangpu district., Shanghai
4. Zen Cafe
Zen Life is a gorgeous little spot for decorative tea pots, crockery and vases, so it makes sense that their upstairs cafe maintains the same aesthetic and attention to detail. The small space with a triangular roof is hardly perceptible from Dongping Lu, and once you’re upstairs, you’ll easily forget about any exterior hustle and bustle.
Colourful prints hang from the walls and books are dotted about the space. Table lamps and chilled out tunes from the likes of Nina Simone combine to make Zen Cafe a relaxing stop, and comfy fabric covered chairs and cushions make it perfect for lounging.
Try a pot of the osmanthus oolong tea (65RMB) for a warming and soothing sip, or grab a cup of coffee, with prices starting at 22RMB for an espresso, or 34RMB for an Americano.
Address: Second Floor, 7 Dongping Lu, near Hengshan Lu, Xuhui district, Shanghai
5. Boonna
If you have to slip off to catch up on some work during your holiday then Boonna is a great place to do it. During the morning and early afternoon it has a quietly busy ambience to it, and thanks to the airy outdoor seating area it is a particularly nice place to work during the summer months. Boonna used to be exclusively the preserve of freelance writers and bloggers, but it is gradually attracting a broader clientele who come for a slice of tranquility.
The coffee is good and the food is the sort of café fare you find the world over: good, without trying to be too adventurous. The generous collection of books makes it a great place to do away some time in the late morning or even planning what to do about town for the rest of the day.
Address: 1690 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Hunan Lu, Shanghai
6. Cloudy Cafe
Quaint and a little nonsensical (in a wonderful way) is perhaps the best description for Cloudy Cafe. Spread over two rooms in an old house on Baoqing Lu (with a small garden terrace), you’ll find bookshelves of hats, old pictures and busts of a moose, deer and – our favourite – a unicorn. Big fluffy white clouds (of cushion fillers) hang over the tables adding to the fun and couches line the window seats giving on to garden views.
From a lengthy handwritten menu, the Americano is pricey at 35RMB but perfectly drinkable; or opt for a pot of tea (68RMB for green tea) which friendly staff members will attentively top up throughout your stay. The food is a little less inspiring with a fairly crumbly black forest cake at 55RMB and an average cheesecake (48RMB). But while the food and drink offerings might not wow, Cloudy is worth a visit for the interesting and whimsical decor and warm service.
Address: 1, Lane 9 Baoqing Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu, Xuhui district, Shanghai