Best vegetarian restaurants in Shanghai
13 venues in Shanghai rated S to B for vegetarian, every tier backed by cited sources.
As a fully vegan restaurant, it is inherently vegetarian-friendly; no animal products of any kind are used.
100% dedicated vegetarian restaurant — no meat on premises. Multiple sources confirm it is entirely plant-based or vegetarian, including the editor's description on SmartShanghai ('strictly plant-based') and numerous HappyCow reviews ('all vegetarian', '100% vegetarian/vegan only restaurant'). Operating since 1910 as a dedicated vegetarian kitchen.
100% vegetarian restaurant chain (Zao Zi Shu / Jujube Tree) – no meat, fish, or poultry on the premises. Dedicated vegetarian kitchen, confirmed by HappyCow listing, official Shanghai government guide, and multiple blog reviews. No accreditation required because the kitchen is structurally meat-free.
The venue is a fully vegetarian restaurant with no meat on premises. Multiple sources (HappyCow, Wanderlog, Slaylebrity) consistently describe it as a vegetarian or vegan-friendly fine-dining establishment. The kitchen is structurally 100% dedicated to vegetarian cooking, making contamination with meat impossible.
The restaurant is a dedicated vegetarian chain (Jujube Tree / Zao Zi Shu) with a founding philosophy of 'smoke-free, alcohol-free, egg-free, and meat-free' dishes. The Shanghai government guide confirms it is one of the first vegetarian restaurants in Shanghai, founded in 2001. Multiple HappyCow reviews and the Wanderlog listing consistently describe it as a fully vegetarian restaurant. The kitchen is structurally dedicated to vegetarian cuisine.
The venue is explicitly listed as a 'Vegetarian' restaurant on HappyCow, with a description stating it serves 'Chinese veggie dishes with mock meats'. Multiple HappyCow reviews confirm it is a vegetarian restaurant. The venue's name includes 'Homemade Vegetarian'. The Shanghai government website recommends it as a vegetarian restaurant. The venue is a dedicated vegetarian establishment.
The restaurant is fully vegetarian (and vegan), with all dishes free of meat, fish, and animal products. Supported by HappyCow listing, Culinary Backstreets article, and Wanderlog list. Reported closed as of Jan 2019.
As a fully vegan kitchen, the restaurant is inherently vegetarian. HappyCow category and reviews confirm no meat, dairy, or eggs are used. The Zhoushan branch is listed as vegetarian (Lacto/Ovo), but the Shanghai location is exclusively vegan, so vegetarian is covered with the same dedicated-kitchen confidence.
As a fully vegan restaurant, it inherently accommodates vegetarians with a 100% dedicated plant-based kitchen. All dishes are vegetarian.
Gongdelin is a 100% vegetarian restaurant with over 100 years of history, serving Buddhist-inspired vegetarian dishes. Multiple sources confirm no meat or animal products are used. The restaurant is described as 'fully vegetarian' and 'vegetarian Shanghai cuisine' with a Michelin award.
100% vegetarian kitchen — no meat, fish, or poultry on premises. Multiple sources confirm the venue is a dedicated vegetarian restaurant. Venue reported closed as of August 2022.
As a fully plant-based venue, the kitchen is entirely vegetarian. Same evidence as vegan classification.
Honest caveat, Venue appears to have permanently closed or relocated (multiple reviews in 2025 state 'These guys have moved and this is no longer here').
Listed as a vegetarian/vegan restaurant on SmartShanghai; editor description confirms dishes are made without meat (mock meats like tonkatsu and lemongrass chicken 'without the rou'). Implies a dedicated vegetarian kitchen (no meat on premises).
Other guides in Shanghai