Small Group: Shanghai After Dark Food Tour with 9 tastings
Description
Explore the magic of Shanghai after dark! As dusk falls, Shanghai lights up—and so does its food scene. On this 3.5-hour guided walking tour, you'll explore the city's most cherished local eateries and historic food streets. Throughout the evening, you’ll dig into authentic Shanghai flavors while soaking up the city’s electric atmosphere. Highlights include sinking your teeth into legendary Pork Chops with Sticky Rice Cakes and crispy Spring Rolls, exploring bold Sichuan dishes, enjoying traditional dim sum, and finishing with a heritage dessert. Along the way, your guide will bring the city to life with stories of old Shanghai and the diverse culinary traditions that shape it today. What makes this tour special? You’re not just a guest—you’re treated like family. We skip the tourist crowds and head straight to the neighborhoods where locals go after dark, so you can experience the real warmth and hospitality of Shanghai’s nightlife. Trust us—this is a night you won’t forget.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Yunnan Road, Shanghai's famous 'Gourmet Street.' It's packed with decades-old, time-honored restaurants serving the most classic and authentic Shanghainese dishes. It's a must-visit for anyone wanting to taste the real, traditional flavors of the city.
The Great World (大世界)，opened in 1917, this wasn't just an amusement park; it was the absolute heart of Shanghai's entertainment universe for decades. In its heyday, you could come here and find everything: acrobats tumbling, magicians performing, opera singers, comedy shows, fortune tellers, and even just cheap, delicious street food. It was the ultimate escape for everyone, from wealthy socialites to everyday workers. It was the place to see and be seen. Now, it's more of a curated museum of fun, but its spirit is absolutely timeless.
Step into the geographical center of Shanghai and discover a site of dramatic transformation. In the 1920s and 30s, this was the famed Shanghai Racecourse, the playground of international elites. Today, it's a symbol of modern China, housing world-class cultural venues. The square's evolution from a symbol of colonial past to a proud public space perfectly mirrors the larger story of Shanghai itself—a city constantly reinventing itself while honoring its history.
Wangjiasha: The King of Shanghai's Dim Sum.Founded in 1945, this legendary eatery has earned its reputation as the undisputed champion of traditional Shanghainese snacks and seasonal delicacies. Locals flock here for generations-old recipes perfected over decades. For an authentic taste of Shanghai's heritage—beyond tourist traps—Wangjiasha offers a genuine, time-honored experience. It's not just a meal; it's a bite of the city's history.
Nanjing West Road: Where Old-World Glamour Meets Ultra-Modernity As one of the world's most prestigious shopping streets, Nanjing West Road is Shanghai's undeniable showcase of luxury, power, and style. This iconic boulevard is a canyon of gleaming skyscrapers, flagship stores for every major global brand, and five-star hotels.This is more than a shopping street; it's a timeline of Shanghai's ambition. Stroll past the legendary Portman Ritz-Carlton and the tranquil Jing'an Park, reminders of its cosmopolitan heritage. Then, witness the breathtaking future at landmarks like the LV "Starship" Maison and the towering Plaza 66. The true magic of Nanjing West Road lies in this constant dialogue between its historic, tree-lined sections and its jaw-dropping, futuristic segments.
Wujiang Road Pedestrian Street, located in central Shanghai's Jing'an District, is a historic and iconic snack food destination. Originally a bustling market street, it was redeveloped into a modern pedestrian zone but retains its vibrant culinary spirit. It's famous for offering a dense concentration of both classic Shanghai snacks and Chinese regional specialties in a lively, casual atmosphere.
Shanghai Zhangyuan, also known as Zhang Garden, was the largest and most modern public park in late 19th-century Shanghai. Opened in 1885 by a Chinese businessman, it was much more than just a garden—it was a famous entertainment complex featuring a traditional Chinese garden, a theater, a photography studio, restaurants, and even an early outdoor skating rink. It quickly became the city's most fashionable social hub, where people from all walks of life, including foreigners and locals, gathered to see and be seen. It was a symbol of modernity, where the public could experience new technologies like electric lights and watch hot-air balloon demonstrations. Although the original park closed in 1918 and the land was developed into residential lanes, its legacy as a pioneering public space remains. Today, the area has been revitalized, with its historic shikumen houses transformed into a high-end retail and dining destination, blending its rich history with contemporary life.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(21)
My wife and I absolutely loved this tour! Jane was a spectacular guide: knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about Shanghai's culture, history, and arts. Every stop came with fascinating stories that made the experience so much more than just a food tour. Now, the food selection was outstanding. Jane chose an exquisite variety of authentic dishes, each one a delight, and the pacing was perfect. We couldn't have asked for a better culinary experience. This was one of the highlights of our time in Shanghai, and we highly recommend it!
Dear Explorers, Thank you for your generous words! We're truly delighted that you and your wife had such a memorable time with Jane. Her passion for Shanghai’s culture and history shines through, and we're so glad you enjoyed both the fascinating stories and the wonderful food selection. Coming from true foodies like yourselves, your praise for the authenticity and variety of the dishes means a great deal to us. We're honored to have been a highlight of your trip, and we'd love to welcome you back for more culinary adventures in the future! Cheers, Monster Day Tours Team!
The food selection was local and very tasty. The walking helped digest the food and open up your appetite before the next course. Jane was very kind and knowledgeable of Shanghai history. It was a great experience that I would definitely do again
Dear Explorer, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled you enjoyed the local flavors and the pacing of the walk — it really does help make room for more tasty bites 😊. Jane will be so happy to hear your kind words about her knowledge and kindness. We'd love to have you join us again anytime. See you next time! Cheers, Monster Day Tours Team
This was a great evening out hopping local places for genuine local foods. Walking in the lively area of French and English quarters with lighting up is exciting itself but the stories that the guide Jane shared added more. I was alone but didn't feel any discomfort. I recommend this tour to any of food lovers.
Dear Explorer, Thank you so much for your kind words! We're truly glad you had a great evening exploring the local food scenes with Jane. It’s wonderful to hear that you felt comfortable and enjoyed her stories even on your own. We’d love to have you again anytime — happy eating, and thanks again for recommending the tour! Best Regards, Monster Day Tours Team
I signed up for this walking tour to get an introduction to the local food spots that local people frequent, rather than the usual tourist destinations, and I was not disappointed. Jane brought us to shops serving delicious noodles, wontons, and soup dumplings, while sharing the history of the places and buildings we passed along the way, giving us a glimpse into Shanghai’s past. She was an excellent guide who took great care of us throughout the tour. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone considering a walking food tour in Shanghai.
Dear Explorer, Thank you so much for this wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed discovering Shanghai’s local food spots with Jane. It’s great that she could share both the flavors and the stories behind the city’s hidden gems. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another tour soon! Best Regards， Monster Day Tours Shanghai
Jane took us on an amazing evening food tour through Shanghai. She always provided interesting information and context behind each dish. The tastings were very delicious and I had so much fun! I’d highly recommend this tour.
Dear Explorer, Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Jane! We're thrilled to hear you had such a fun and tasty evening exploring Shanghai with Jane. She’ll be delighted to know her stories and recommendations made the tour special. Thanks again for recommending us! Cheers! Monster Day Tours Team
Jenny made our first night in Shanghai a blast. Lots of great local and Szechuan food, plenty of interesting sights around Nanjing Road and lots of culture and history on what was a pleasant stroll around Shanghai. We would highly recommend!
Dear Explorer, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that Jenny made your first night in Shanghai so memorable—from the delicious local and Szechuan food to the sights and history along Nanjing Road. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back again soon! Kind regards， Monster Day Tours Shanghai
This is a wonderful way to get to know more about Shanghai and enjoy the local food scene. Our guide Jenny was excellent, having grown up in the city and able to tell us in a very real way about the changes. We enjoyed a lot of food and a personally guided tour that has increased our understanding of the city. The value of this tour is very good.
Dear Explorer, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're truly happy to hear that you enjoyed exploring Shanghai's local food scene with Jenny. Having a guide who grew up in the city really makes a difference, and we're glad her personal stories and insights helped you understand Shanghai on a deeper level. It's also great to know that you found the tour to be good value. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again someday! Cheers, Monster Day Tours Shanghai
This is a wonderful way to get to know more about Shanghai and enjoy the local food scene. Our guide Jenny was excellent, having grown up in the city and able to tell us in a very real way about the changes. We enjoyed a lot of food and a personally guided tour that has increased our understanding of the city. The value of this tour is very good.
Dear Explorer, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring Shanghai’s food scene with Jenny. Her personal insights truly make the experience special. It’s great to know the tour offered both great value and a deeper understanding of the city. We’d love to welcome you on another tour in the future! Best regards, Monster Day Tours Team
Really great tour, Jane was very nice and showed me a lot of great places and great food. A couple of the places we went would be difficult to get into without long waits but she made this all go seamlessly. I would 100 percent recommend.
Dear Wesley, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We really appreciate your kind words and thoughtful observations. It was an absolute pleasure sharing Shanghai’s food culture and vibrant nightlife with you. I’m so glad we could skip the lines and make the experience seamless. Looking forward to welcoming you back next time—there’s so much more of the city to explore together. Cheers! Monster Day Tours Shanghai.
I've lived in Shanghai for three years and thought I'd tried it all. Jenny proved me wrong. From the spicy chicken at Sichuan Resturaunt to the perfectly balanced coconut dessert in the end, every bite felt new . Jenny wove in history, local legends, and even stopped to show us the Former Jewish Recreation Club along the way. It's rare to find a tour that surprises a local. This one did. Thank you, Monster Day Tours Shanghai！
Dear Explorer， Thank you for this amazing review! It means so much to Jenny and the whole Monster Day Tours team. We're so glad you got to discover another side of Shanghai with us. From spicy to sweet, from food to history—this is exactly the kind of layered experience we want to share. Jenny says she was just the "city storyteller" for the day—it was having a guest like you who truly appreciates the stories that made the journey so special. Hope we get the chance to uncover more hidden corners of the city with you again. Thank you! Warmest regards， Monster Day Tours Shanghai
