Shanghai Lao Fandian (Shanghai Classical Restaurant)

上海老饭店

Cooking Shanghai's home-style benbang food since 1875; the star is a whole stuffed duck

Hours

Trip.com: 11:00–14:00 and 17:00–20:30; 2025-2026 blogs say 10:00–22:00, so sources differ

Budget

¥150–300 per person

Address

242 Fuyou Road at Lishui Road, Huangpu

It began in 1875 as a small eatery called Rongshun Guan and took its current name when it moved here in 1965. Its benbang cooking technique is listed as national intangible cultural heritage. The big traditional-style building sits at the bazaar end of Yu Garden; tell the ground-floor staff how many you are and they send you up to the first-floor hall. The dishes that earn the name are eight-treasure duck, a whole bird stuffed with glutinous rice and steamed, and river shrimp fried crisp in their shells. Round tables of family get-togethers fill the hall, so evenings are loud.