Shanghai Me

From the team behind fellow DIFC restaurants Ciprani and GAIA, design and appearance are important at Shanghai Me. Inspired by 1920s Shanghai it’s a luxe setup with opulent furnishings and a romantic, mood-lit terrace.

Shanghai Me is a pan-Asian restaurant with plates that cover the region, and not limiting itself to China, as might be assumed from the name.

The menu is wide ranging, from sesame prawn toast, sweet and sour chicken and duck salad to wagyu kushiyaki, miso cod and Singapore noodles, giving guests a culinary tour of the region.

There’s even a dim sum ’library’, to give an idea to the extent of options available here. Little parcels of deliciousness include classics like prawn and truffle har gow, chicken xio long bao and vegetable crystal bao dumplings.

Highlights include the savoury wagyu and kimchi dumplings (with the perhaps surprise ingredient of tiger prawn) and steamed chicken and scallop versions.

Another restaurant in DIFC that boasts a hidden bar (along with GAIA, Alaya, Sucre et al), within Shanghai Me can be found at Bund Lounge. This tiny bar is secreted away behind a mirrored door and can only fit in around 20 patrons when it opens at midnight, all of whom are well-dressed and sipping on carefully crafted cocktails. We advise arriving early or staying late to sample the extent of the cocktail offering.

Shanghai Me is glamorous, modern restaurant in the heart of DIFC that serves dishes to match.