Shanghai, because of its rapid development into the modern world, attracts people from not only China but all over the world, especially those of Cantonese origin. Consequently, Cantonese Cuisine, also known as Guangdong Cuisine, has had a predominant place in Shanghai restaurants since its entry to the city over 140 years ago.

Cantonese Cuisine features fresh and delicious seafood. The typical Cantonese dishes are cooked with rare food materials and various seasonings. They generally have a clear and refreshing flavor. Additionally, Cantonese dishes usually have propitious names and dainty appearances, retaining much Chinese food culture and tradition.

Cantonese restaurants in Shanghai combine original Cantonese Cuisine with Shanghai Cuisine to suit the local dining customs. Western style dining can also be seen in the Cantonese dishes in Shanghai. Even though the dining experience is enthralling, the price nay be expensive for some budgets. Various dim sums, however, with Cantonese and Hong Kong styles are tasty and quite affordable.

 Recommended Cantonese Restaurants:

 Sunya Cantonese Restaurant
Chinese name: 新雅粤菜馆 (xīn yǎ yuè cài guǎn)
Specialties: This is an old Cantonese restaurant that opened in 1926 in Shanghai. The roast suckling pig is highly recommended, as it is a typical Cantonese dish.
East Nanjing Road Branch: No.719, East Nanjing Road, Huangpu District (near North Guangxi Road)
Operating hours: 11:00 - 14:00, 17:00 - 21:00
Average cost per person: CNY 110

Daning Branch: 301C-306C, 3F, 9E1Building, Daning Life Hub, No. 1978, Gonghe Xin Road, Zhabei District
Average cost per person: CNY 70

 Meixin Restaurant
Chinese name: 美心酒家 (měi xīn jiǔ jiā)
Specialties: This restaurant has been in operation since 1924. It serves typical Cantonese and Chaozhou dishes as well as delicious Hong Kong snacks.
Address: No. 318, South Shaanxi Road, Huangpu District
Operating hours: 7:00 - 21:00
Average cost per person: CNY 80

 Hang Yuen Hin
Chinese name: 恒悦轩 (héng yuè xuān)
Specialties: This three-story restaurant is a special place to dine and relax in Xujiahui Park. It offers a friendly environment and authentic Cantonese dishes, especially abalone, shark fin and edible bird's nest.
Address: No.290, Wanping Road, Xuhui District (inside Xujiahui Park; near Zhaojiabang Road)
Operating hours: 11:00 - 21:30
Average cost per person: CNY 300 - 400

 Xing Hua Lou
Chinese name: 杏花楼 (xìng huā lóu)
Specialties: Cantonese dishes, snacks and moon cakes (a special snack for the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival).
Address: No.343, Fuzhou Road, Huangpu District (near Shandong Road)
Operating hours: 7:00 - 14:30, 17:00 - 21:00
Average cost per person: 50 - 100

 Tan Wai Lou
Chinese name: 滩外楼 (tān wài lóu)
Specialties: The restaurant is located at the Bund, just opposite the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The night scene from the windows of the restaurant is very charming. Abalone and shark fin are recommended.
Address: 5F, No.18, East Zhongshan 1st Road, Huangpu District (near East Nanjing Road)
Operating hours: 11:00 - 14:30, 18:00 - 22:30
Average cost per person: CNY 700 - 1000

 Abundant Green Garden
Chinese name: 绿丰花园 (lǜ fēng huā yuán)
Specialties: This is a villa-styled restaurant with a garden and outdoor tables. Its Cantonese dishes are as agreeable as its environment.
Address: No.87, Wuxing Road, Xuhui District (near Hengshan Road)
Operating hours: 10:30 - 14:00, 17:00 - 22:00
Average cost per person: CNY 600 - 700

 Tanfu Cuisine of China
Chinese name: 谭氏官府菜 (tán shì guān fǔ cài)
Specialties: With about 100 years' history, this restaurant started its branches in Shanghai in 2002. The restaurant boasts the most luxury and expensive in Shanghai. It is decorated in a traditional Chinese style with red and gold as its main colors. The cuisine here is a special combination of cuisines from all over China, focusing on Beijing, Sichuan and Cantonese cuisines. Abalone, shark fin and edible bird's nest are recommended.

Changning Branch: 4F, No. 3190, West Yan'an Road, Changning District (near Chengjiaqiao Road)
Operating hours: 11:00 - 21:00
Average cost per person: around CNY 1500

Jing'an Branch: 4F, B Tower, Nanzheng Building, No. 580, West Nanjing Road, Jing'an District (the intersection with North Chengdu Road)
Operating hours: 10:00 - 23:00
Average cost per person: around CNY 1000

 Crystal Jade Restaurant
Chinese name: 翡翠酒家 (fěi cuì jiǔ jiā)
Specialties: It offers excellent Cantonese dishes and dim sums.

Xin Tian Di Branch: 2F, House 6 - 7, South Block, Xin Tian Di, Lane 123, Xingye Road, Huangpu District
Operating hours: 10:00 - 22:00
Average cost per person: CNY 120

New World Branch: B110, Hong Kong New World Tower, No. 300, Middle Huaihai Road, Huangpu District (near Madang Road)
Operating hours: 10:00 - 23:00
Average cost per person: CNY 120

Meilongzhen Branch: 7F, Meilongzhen Plaza, No. 1038, West Nanjing Road, Jing'an District (near Jiangning Road)
Operating hours: 11:00 - 15:00, 17:30 - 21:30
Average cost per person: CNY 150

 Zen
Chinese name: 香港采蝶轩 (xiāng gǎng cǎi dié xuān)
Specialties: It mainly serves Cantonese and Hong Kong dishes. Various dim sums are worthy of trying. Besides excellent dishes and services, the restaurant also conveys the Buddhist culture, just as its name 'Zen' implies a term in Buddhism.

Xin Tian Di Branch: No. 2 Building, South Block, Xin Tian Di, Lane 123, Xingye Road, Huangpu District (near Madang Road)
Operating hours: 11:30 - 23:00
Average cost per person: CNY 150 - 200

Sky Lake (Tianhu) Garden Branch: No. 1399, West Nanjing Road, Jing'an District (the intersection with Tongren Road)
Operating hours: 11:00 - 15:00, 17:00 - 23:00 (on weekdays); 11:00 - 23:00 (on weekends)
Average cost per person: CNY 150 - 300

Huaihai Road Branch: 3F, South Tower, Hong Kong Plaza, No. 283, Middle Huaihai Road, Huangpu District
Operating hours: 11:30 - 23:30
Average cost per person: CNY 200

Next: Dongbei Restaurants in Shanghai