DOWNTOWN-NORTH. With its sleek, modern interior and understated black-and-white color scheme, this is one of the most stylish Chinese restaurants in Shanghai. Housed in a renovated old Chinese mansion, the home-style Shanghainese cuisine includes dishes such as sliced you tiao (fried bread sticks) with shredded beef, a whole chicken in green onion soy sauce, and an impressive stuffed duck. This restaurant is ideal for an intimate dinner or a crowd, thanks to several dining rooms of various sizes. METRO: Line 2, Jiangsu Lu Station

HONG QIAO/GUBEI. The owner of this Italian restaurant spared no cost in creating his own opera: marble, antique furniture, Gianni Versace uniforms, vaulted ceilings, a fireplace protected by a plaster Zeus, and Italian fabric on the walls and furniture. Indeed, this is generally considered the best Italian restaurant in Shanghai. With dishes like their deep-fried calamari and prawns, hearty risotto, and fresh grilled fish, it is little wonder. METRO: Hong Mei Lu

HANKOU. This north-side restaurant is located on Zhongshan Bei Er Lu. The restaurant is simply decorated ­ featuring Mao emblems on the walls ­ and is extremely popular with the people in the area. The food is influenced by the Dong Bei region in northern China, which means you'll see a lot of cabbage and potatoes as well as some pretty excellent barbecue. Particularly well done is their chao rou la pi (pork with cold noodles) and ji cai fen (shredded cabbage with clear-cut potatoes).

BUND. This café, which serves light meals, coffee, and tea, is popular among area professionals and young people. An outdoor balcony offers cityscape views, while guests enjoy great Italian espressos and cappuccino drinks. Inexpensive snack options include chicken, ham, or tuna salad sandwiches. METRO: Huang Pi Nan Lu

DOWNTOWN-NORTH. This coffee shop is decked out in modern style, with black-and-white chairs and a cozy sofa perfect for enjoying coffee and tea with fresh Danishes and muffins. Lots of area professionals stop here during the day for the lunch special, which includes a drink, soup, and a pasta or rice dish for one low price. METRO: Jing An Si