The holy month of Ramadan is a time for reflection, gratitude and sacrifice, but let’s get real here – it’s also very much about food. With an ever-increasing number of halal restaurants in Shanghai, you don’t have to look too far to look for that perfect place for iftar. Here are 8 great places everyone should check out in Shanghai during the 30-day festival. Even if you’re not fasting, why not join your Muslim friends for a good hearty halal meal and soak up the experience?
Al Beik – handmade Arabesque sweets
Cheese Kunafa – white cheese based dessert covered with crispy shredded phyllo dough
Looking for the perfect gift to share with friends? Try the handmade Arabesque sweets from Al Beik – a special Baklava box and Cheese Kunafa plate, both ¥188 down from ¥225. Delivered fresh from the bakery to your door.
Zhongshan International Plaza, Building B Lobby, 789 West Tianshan Road, near Xiehe Road // 天山西路789号中山国际广场B楼大厅, 近协和路
Phone: 5275 2035
Website: www.albeiksweets.com
Rumi – Persian grill
For the whole month of Ramadan at Rumi, the all-you-can-eat Persian buffet is 20% off – down from ¥158 to ¥125/person – available from 6pm to 10pm. Rumi serves an enormous buffet featuring the most authentic Persian grub in Shanghai, from lamb kofta and chops to salads with feta cheese and olives, yoghurt dips and rice with dates, plus loads of desserts. So much choice, yet so little time to devour it all!
53 South Shaanxi Road, near Xinle Road // 陕西南路53号, 近新乐路
Phone: 3356-1856 // 3356-6776
Café Sambal
Try a smorgasbord of Malaysian cuisine at Café Sambal, with 4 appetizers, 4 mains, 2 desserts and 2 drinks, to share as a couple for just ¥298. Ideal for those who are new to the restaurant or wish to sample a variety of dishes, this tasting menu will satisfy all cravings. Groups of 4 or more also dine on a special menu, 4 appetizers, 7 mains, 4 desserts and pitchers of drinks, for just ¥688.
Jiashan Market, A-37, 259 Jiashan Road, near West Jianguo Road // 嘉善路259弄37号A栋, 近建国西路
Bali Bistro
Taste the new Nasi Tumpeng Rama & Shinta volcano rices dishes for two at Bali Bistro. Traditionally in Indonesia, Nasi Tumpeng is served during religious festivals to give thanks to the gods, as the cone-shaped volcano rice resembles the holy mountain. What’s more, Bali Bistro offers a complimentary dessert called Kolak Pisang, made from palm sugar and coconut milk, especially for Ramadan.
75 Wanhangdu Road, near West Beijing Road // 万航渡路75号, 近北京西路
Bumbu
Choose between two delicious iftar dinner packages at Bumbu during Ramadan – see the full menu – each package contains 7 different dishes for just ¥58 or ¥68. Bumbu wishes you all the best during the fasting month, “Selamat menunaikan ibadah puasa!”
Lane 1, 555 West Nanjing Road // 南京西路555号1弄
Huxi Mosque (Putuo)
The area around Shanghai Huxi mosque in Putuo has a lot of great halal options and the streets will be bustling with Shanghai’s Islamic community before and after prayer time. Friday is the biggest night of the week when a huge bazaar takes over the streets, plus come the end of July it will get even bigger! Try some authentic Uyghur barbecue, breads, dried fruits and other tasty nibbles. Check out these photos of Huxi mosque from Shanghaiist, 2008.
Lane 3, 1328 Changde Road, near Aomen Road // 常德路1328弄3, 近澳门路
Xiaotaoyuan Mosque (Huangpu)
Xiaotaoyuan translates as “small peach garden”. Also known as Xicheng Mosque, it is one of the famous mosques in Shanghai, established in 1917. Anyone who has explored the streets surrounding Yu Gardens will know that the Islamic community thrives and there is always lots of food on sale. Shanghai Xiaotaoyuan Mosque is a transfer center for Muslims from all over China who want to go to Mecca by sea.
52 Xiaotaoyuan Street, near Yu Gardens // 小桃园路52号, 近豫园
Shanghai Pudong Mosque
Known to some as Pushou Mosque and established in 1935, it has become one of the largest mosques in Shanghai. Close to Yuanshen stadium, this is the most accessible mosque to Muslim people living in Pudong and is also the most multicultural with worshippers from Africa, Asia and elsewhere. Hence, you are likely to meet more English speakers who could guide you to somewhere nearby that’s doing good grub.
375 Yuanshen Road, near Shangcheng Road // 源深路375号, 近商城路
