Shanghai is China's most cosmopolitan vegan destination, with over 520 plant-based venues spanning ancient Buddhist temple cuisine and cutting-edge modern vegan restaurants. The Former French Concession is ground zero for trendy plant-based cafés, while Jing'an hosts refined Buddhist vegetarian restaurants that have served meatless cuisine for centuries. Shanghai's mock meat tradition — featuring wheat gluten (面筋) and tofu skin (豆腐皮) preparations that are indistinguishable from real meat — is arguably the most technically advanced plant-based cuisine in the world. From street-side vegetarian xiaolongbao to Michelin-quality temple food, Shanghai delivers a vegan experience unmatched anywhere in Asia.

Last updated: April 2026

📍 Where to Eat Vegan in Shanghai by Neighborhood

Explore the best neighborhoods for plant-based food in Shanghai.

📍 Former French Concession (法租界)

Shanghai's trendiest area for plant-based dining — tree-lined lanes packed with vegan cafés, organic juice bars, and upscale Buddhist vegetarian restaurants along Wukang Road and Yongkang Road.

📍 Jing'an (静安区)

Central business district with high-end vegan restaurants, temple food near Jing'an Temple, and modern plant-based brunch spots in converted lanehouses.

📍 Pudong / Lujiazui (浦东 / 陆家嘴)

Shanghai's futuristic skyline district with hotel-based fine dining vegan menus, international plant-based restaurants, and the Longhua Temple vegetarian tradition.

📍 Xuhui / Tianzifang (徐汇 / 田子坊)

Artsy neighborhood with hidden vegan gems in Shikumen alleyways, creative fusion vegan restaurants, and traditional Shanghai vegetarian snack shops.

📍 Hongkou / North Bund (虹口 / 北外滩)

Historic district with traditional Buddhist vegetarian restaurants, affordable plant-based noodle shops, and the revitalized waterfront with modern vegan dining.

🌮 Local Vegan Dishes to Try in Shanghai

These dishes represent the best of local plant-based cuisine in Shanghai.

🌱 Mock Goose 素鹅 (Tofu Skin Roll)🌱 Mapo Tofu 麻婆豆腐 (Sichuan Tofu)🌱 Buddhist Mock Meat 素鸡素鸭 (Wheat Gluten)🌱 Vegetarian Xiaolongbao 素小笼包🌱 Shanghai Stir-Fried Rice Cake 素炒年糕🌱 Luohan Zhai 罗汉斋 (Buddha's Delight)

🏛️ Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine (斋菜) — Shanghai's Ancient Vegan Heritage

Shanghai's Buddhist vegetarian tradition dates back over 1,000 years, centered around temples like Longhua, Jade Buddha, and Jing'an. Chinese Buddhist cuisine (斋菜 zhāicài) is one of the world's most sophisticated plant-based traditions, featuring incredible mock meats made from wheat gluten (面筋), tofu skin (豆腐皮), and mushrooms that even dedicated meat-eaters can't distinguish from the real thing.

🙏 Jade Buddha Temple (玉佛寺) — Famous temple restaurant serving refined Buddhist vegetarian cuisine in a serene setting, including their legendary mock duck

🙏 Longhua Temple (龙华寺) — Shanghai's oldest temple with a vegetarian restaurant famous for festival banquets and traditional mock meat preparations

🙏 Gongdelin (功德林) — Legendary Buddhist restaurant chain founded in 1922, credited with popularizing mock meat cuisine across China

🙏 Jing'an Temple (静安寺) — Central Shanghai temple with adjacent vegetarian restaurants offering modern interpretations of temple food

Browse by Cuisine in Shanghai

Shanghainese 40 restaurants Chinese 11 restaurants Raw Food 5 restaurants Buddhist Chinese 4 restaurants

🍽️ Popular Vegan Dishes in Shanghai

🥟 Dim Sum 12 spots 🍰 Dessert 6 spots 🍰 Cheesecake 5 spots 🍳 Breakfast 4 spots

🌍 Popular Cities on VeganBites

Portland, Oregon 521 restaurants Berlin, Germany 514 restaurants Amsterdam, Netherlands 446 restaurants Bangalore, India 298 restaurants New York, New York 267 restaurants Paris, France 260 restaurants

Frequently Asked Questions

How many vegan restaurants are in Shanghai?

Shanghai has 70 vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants listed on VeganBites. Of these, 50 are fully vegan, 20 are vegetarian, and 0 are plant-curious. The listings cover 13 different cuisine types.

What cuisines are available for vegan dining in Shanghai?

Vegan restaurants in Shanghai span 13 cuisine types. The most popular are Shanghainese (40), Chinese (11), Raw Food (5), Buddhist Chinese (4), Creative Vegan (2), Fine Dining (1), Asian Fusion (1), Café (1). Options range from casual to fine dining across multiple price points.

Is Shanghai vegan-friendly?

Yes. With 70 plant-based restaurants and 50 fully vegan options, Shanghai is a strong destination for vegan dining. The city covers 13 cuisine types, providing diverse choices across different neighborhoods and price ranges.

What is the price range for vegan restaurants in Shanghai?

Vegan dining in Shanghai covers all budgets. 22 restaurants are budget-friendly ($), 32 are mid-range ($$), and 16 are upscale ($$$+). The most common price tier is mid-range.

✈️ Plan Your Vegan Trip to Shanghai

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🏨 Where to Stay in Shanghai

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✈️ Flights to Shanghai

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