Shanghai has one of the most quietly impressive vegetarian dining scenes in Asia. Rooted in centuries of Buddhist culinary tradition and energised by a new wave of health-conscious chefs, the city offers everything from budget noodle stalls to Michelin-starred tasting menus — all entirely plant-based. Whether you follow a strictly vegan lifestyle or simply want to eat lighter while travelling, you will find the variety here genuinely surprising. This guide covers 17 vegetarian and vegan restaurants across Shanghai, organised by meal type, so you can plan your days around great food.

Getting here is straightforward from Singapore. Book your flights early to lock in the best fares, then arrange your airport transfer in advance so the journey from Pudong International Airport into the city is seamless from the moment you land.

Browse a wide selection of places to stay across every budget and neighbourhood. From boutique properties in Jing'an to sleek towers in Pudong, there are excellent options for every type of traveller.

Located at 227 Yanping Lu in Jing'an District, Duli is a plant-based Sichuan bistro that has built a loyal following for its bold, unapologetically spicy cooking. The kitchen leans into seasonal produce and uses it to recreate classic Sichuan flavours without any animal products. Spicy vegan pork wontons, mala tofu, and generously portioned rice bowls are the staples here. Prices run between SGD 23 and SGD 34 per person, and the restaurant is open daily from 11am to 10pm.

Tucked on the fourth floor of the Wood Zone at Taikoo Li in Pudong, Qingchun Perma brings a refined, sustainability-focused approach to contemporary Chinese vegan cuisine. The colourful dumplings, herbal soups, and turmeric rice bowls are as visually striking as they are satisfying. The setting is sleek and modern, fitting comfortably within the upscale Taikoo Li complex. Expect to spend between SGD 29 and SGD 38 per person; lunch runs from 11am to 2pm and dinner from 4:30pm to 9pm.

On the second floor of 49 Huaihai East Road in Huangpu, Hui Yuan Su Shi Fang is one of the city's most dependable Buddhist-tradition vegetarian restaurants. Large portions, homemade sauces, and fair pricing make it a favourite for both locals and visitors. The sweet orange mock chicken, seaweed dumpling soup, and truffle dumplings are dishes worth ordering on their own. Open from 10:30am to 8:30pm, with prices between SGD 19 and SGD 29 per person.

Set on the second floor of Shiguang Li Mall at 230 Ruipin Road in Xuhui, Lin Hu SuShi is a calm, well-designed restaurant that uses warm wood tones and live plants to create a genuinely relaxing atmosphere. The menu puts vegetables at the centre rather than treating them as substitutes. Beancurd with cumin, stir-fried aubergine with basil and chillies, and wild mushroom soup are among the standout dishes. It sits near Longhua Temple and Middle Longhua Road station, making it easy to pair with a cultural visit; prices range from SGD 29 to SGD 38.

On the fourth floor of Bohua Plaza at 388 Shanhaiguan Road in Jing'an, Ru Pure Vegan draws diners in with a bright, open interior and a stylish terrace that looks out over the city skyline. The cooking blends fusion elements with Chinese flavours in inventive ways — durian flatbread with mint and avocado chocolate mousse with purple yam crackers are signature dishes that give a sense of the kitchen's creative range. There is also an afternoon tea service from 2pm to 4:30pm. Prices run from SGD 29 to SGD 44.

At A4-1, 800 Changde Road in Jing'an, Yangege Hotpot turns the familiar Shanghai hot pot ritual into a fully vegetarian experience without any sacrifice in depth or flavour. Each diner gets a personal copper pot, and the table fills with Yunnan mushrooms, handmade dumplings, and rich house-made broths that reward slow, communal eating. It is an interactive and social way to spend an evening. Prices range from SGD 42 to SGD 48, and arriving before 6pm or booking ahead is strongly advisable.

At 1037 Yuyuan Road near Jiangsu Road, Fu He Hui sits at the very top of Shanghai's vegetarian dining hierarchy. This Michelin-starred restaurant has earned a place on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list through its exceptional seasonal Chinese tasting menus built around ingredients such as roasted morels, lotus-root soup, and wild mushrooms. Set menus run from SGD 110 to SGD 167, with tasting menus from SGD 148 to SGD 186 and optional tea pairing at an additional SGD 53 per person. Advance booking is essential and the kitchen accommodates dietary customisation on request.

On the ground floor of Shanghai Palace at 77 Songshan Road near Huaihai Middle Road, Zao Zi Shu has been serving Buddhist-tradition vegetarian food since 2001 and has earned an enduring place in the city's culinary landscape. The restaurant serves no alcohol or eggs and stays true to traditional mock meat preparations rather than trending plant-based alternatives. Mushroom satay skewers, sweet lotus root, and pumpkin rice are reliably good choices. Prices are accessible at SGD 12 to SGD 29, and avoiding the 12pm to 1:30pm peak hour makes for a more relaxed visit.

At 441–445 Nanjing West Road, Godly is Shanghai's oldest vegetarian restaurant, operating continuously since 1922. In that time it has hosted politicians, artists, and celebrities, and it remains a significant cultural institution as much as a dining destination. The menu is built around traditional mock meat dishes: smoked mock duck, soy-based lion's head meatballs, and stuffed lotus root carry a nostalgic quality that speaks to generations of Shanghai vegetarian cooking. Prices start from SGD 11, making it one of the most accessible entries on this list.

At 349 Xinhua Road, Wu Guan Tang — whose name translates loosely as the "Hall of Five Senses" — takes a quietly philosophical approach to plant-based eating. The kitchen avoids deep-frying and processed ingredients entirely, focusing instead on seasonal produce prepared simply and cleanly. Steamed okra with sesame, tofu with seaweed, and stir-fried fiddlehead ferns are representative of the style. The atmosphere is rustic and unhurried, with back garden seating available when the weather cooperates; prices range from SGD 19 to SGD 34.

At 20 Nanquan Road in Pudong, near the Lujiazui area, San Wei Shu Wu feels more like a neighbourhood café with strong literary leanings than a conventional restaurant. Bookshelves line the walls, handwritten poems appear alongside the menu, and solo diners are made to feel entirely welcome. Mushroom dumplings, cabbage rolls, and soy-braised peanuts are homemade and satisfying. The restaurant even offers a small discount to diners who bring a book review, which gives a clear sense of its personality. Prices run from SGD 13 to SGD 23.

On the ground floor of Jing'an International Center at 89 Yutong Lu, Hey Guac! brings a Tex-Mex vegan approach to Shanghai's dining scene. The build-your-own bowl and wrap format means every visit can be different, with options including vegan beef, guacamole, roasted corn, and jalapeños, all finished with fresh house sauces. Portions are generous and the food travels well, making it a solid option for an on-the-go lunch. Prices sit between SGD 13 and SGD 17, and the limited seating means takeaway is often the smarter choice.

At 360 East Tianlin Road, Even Noodles Sing (Wǎn Yángchūn) opens as early as 6am and serves handmade noodles in vegetable-based broths alongside tofu rolls and seasonal accompaniments. It is a neighbourhood staple rather than a destination restaurant, but that is precisely its appeal — honest, comforting food at prices between SGD 9.50 and SGD 13. Early risers will appreciate it as a breakfast stop, and it works equally well for a light early dinner before heading out for the evening.

Inside Jiuguang Department Store at 1618 Nanjing West Road, Chunfeng Songyuelou operates as a casual counter-service spot specialising in freshly steamed baozi and vegan dumplings. Fillings rotate through combinations of chives, vermicelli, and mushrooms, all served with in-house dipping sauces. It sits on one of Shanghai's busiest retail corridors, making it an efficient pit stop while exploring the area. Prices are among the most budget-friendly on this list, ranging from SGD 9.50 to SGD 15.

Up on the eighth floor of 378 Wukang Road, LN Fortunate Coffee is a fully vegan café originally from Taiwan that has found a natural home on one of Shanghai's most architecturally charming streets. The European-style buildings lining Wukang Road provide a strikingly photogenic backdrop, and the café's own interior is calm and quietly styled — popular with remote workers and those looking for a peaceful afternoon. Light meals include rice bowls and sandwiches, while the pastry case offers egg-free and dairy-free cakes. The coconut cream cake and passionfruit cheesecake are particularly well regarded; prices run from SGD 9.50 to SGD 17. Note that LN Fortunate Coffee is closed on Tuesdays.

On the third floor of Grand Gateway 66 at 699 Zhongshan South 2nd Road in the Xujiahui area, Green Vege Cafe is a modern Western-style vegetarian and vegan café that works well for a long brunch or a relaxed afternoon. The menu covers veggie burgers, pasta, and low-sugar desserts made with dates, nuts, and coconut oil rather than refined sugar or butter. Window seats look out over the Xujiahui neighbourhood below. Prices range from SGD 17 to SGD 30.50, and the setting inside the Grand Gateway 66 complex makes it convenient to combine with shopping.

At the third floor of 408 Shanxi North Road near Beijing West Road, If Vegan is a plant-filled, light-drenched café with a flower shop on the ground floor that sets the tone for everything above it. The interior is thoughtfully arranged with natural textures and greenery. The kitchen offers soy-based "beef" dishes, fresh grain bowls, salads, and creamy desserts — the lemon avocado tart and matcha tofu cake are house signatures worth trying. Prices sit between SGD 15 and SGD 27, and arriving early secures the best window seats when natural light is at its most flattering.

Shanghai rewards curious travellers who look beyond the obvious. Book your activities in advance to make the most of the city's vibrant cultural offerings alongside its food scene.

For those who want a structured starting point, a single day can capture the breadth of Shanghai's vegetarian scene without feeling rushed. Begin the morning at LN Fortunate Coffee on Wukang Road — an oat milk latte and a vegan pineapple bun against the backdrop of that tree-lined street is one of the city's quieter pleasures. From there, make your way to Hui Yuan Su Shi Fang in Huangpu for lunch; the mock sweet-and-sour chicken and truffle dumplings are reliable crowd-pleasers that also happen to represent the restaurant's Buddhist culinary heritage.

Spend the mid-afternoon at Ru Pure Vegan in Jing'an, where the terrace is ideal for durian vegan cake and a pot of floral tea. As evening arrives, Yangege Hotpot is the natural conclusion to the day — personal copper pots, Yunnan mushrooms, handmade dumplings, and house-made broths make for an unhurried and deeply satisfying dinner. The interactive format works particularly well when dining with friends or family.

Beyond eating, Shanghai offers a full programme of experiences to fill any remaining hours. Yu Garden's classical pavilions and rockeries in the Old City, the sweeping views from the Shanghai Tower observation deck, a waterfront evening stroll along The Bund, and a ride on the Maglev — the world's fastest commercial train — are all within easy reach. Consider renting a vehicle for added flexibility when exploring neighbourhoods further from the metro network; car rental options for Shanghai are available through Traveloka.

Keep an eye on Traveloka promotions before your trip — seasonal deals on flights, hotels, and activities can bring the overall cost of the trip down considerably.

Traveloka is Southeast Asia's leading travel platform, trusted by over 100 million users across the region to plan and book trips with confidence. The app brings together everything you need in one place: flights to Shanghai from Singapore, a wide range of hotels spanning budget guesthouses to five-star properties, and a curated catalogue of local experiences and sightseeing passes for Shanghai. You can also arrange travel insurance and pick up a travel eSIM directly through the app before you depart, so you stay connected from the moment you land.

For vegetarian travellers in particular, having all bookings consolidated in one app simplifies the planning process considerably. You can compare hotel locations relative to the restaurants in this guide, check flight schedules, and organise your airport transfer without switching between multiple services. The Traveloka app is available on iOS and Android — download it before your trip and start planning your Shanghai vegetarian food journey today.