As 2024 comes to a close, the culinary world in Shanghai is both bidding farewell to beloved institutions and eagerly awaiting the delectable delights that 2025 promises. Every new year brings fresh trends, fads, and phenomena to tantalize taste buds, but this time, it’s also a moment of reflection as iconic establishments close their doors, making way for bold newcomers to rise — phoenix style.

Cheers to the foodie rollercoaster ahead.

La Barra: Rising from the Ashes

It’s a win for the night owls — La Barra has officially reopened in its old location... well, kind of. After the Armada Group shocked Shanghai by announcing the closure of its entire portfolio (Bonica, La Barra, La Mezcaleria, and Loggia) back in August, they’re staging a comeback by revamping half of their original space.

Here’s what’s new:

• The Setup: Bonica and La Barra are now merged into one two-storey venue (La Barra), connected by a newly constructed internal staircase.
  
• Downstairs Vibes: Evenings here feature laid-back lounge energy paired with internationally-inspired bistro bites crafted by consulting chef Alexander Bitterling. You might recognize him from Fuxing Bakery and a string of standout projects like Something, Hunter Gatherer, and Thought for Food. Fan favorites like the four iconic tacos from the now-shuttered El Paisa also make a glorious comeback.
  
• Upstairs Energy: The club vibe you know and love — house music, late-night beats, and good times all around.
  

For now, the venue is an after-dark affair, but come Chinese New Year, weekend brunches will join the party. It’s a "rising from the ashes" moment for La Barra, and we’re here for it.

Coquille: Refreshed and Revamped

Coquille, one of Shanghai’s most elegant seafood-centric fine dining spots, closed in November for a top-to-bottom makeover. Reopening mid-December, it has embraced a modern, show-stopping vibe:

• New Décor: Mustard yellow paired with black-and-white coral-patterned prints.
  
• New Layout: Live seafood tanks as the centerpiece.
  
• New Menu: Expect performance-heavy dishes like flambéed seafood tableside, French onion soup gelato, and a foie gras chocolate bar among many other showstoppers.
  

Coupled with music by Victor Aime of Le Baron, it’s a lot of drool-worthy showmanship, ideal for all you influencers-in-the-making out there aiming to build up Douyin content.

A Modern Spanish Marvel: Nébula

Sneaking in a soft opening before Chinese New Year, Nébula introduces modern Spanish fine dining to Changning’s CPARK. The kitchen is helmed by Spanish Michelin-starred Executive Chef Jonathan Rubio, who arrives on the Shanghai scene with 15 years of experience under his belt, starring at venues like Michelin-one-starred IKARO in Logroño, Spain, and as the Executive Chef of KRIOLLO in Ecuador.

• Menu: A ¥1,280 set menu, dubbed “fun dining,” that balances tradition with innovation.
  
• Wine List: Over 240 bottles, featuring 80 Spanish wines from 21 regions.

Picture a blend of the culinary cultures of Spain, Ecuador, China and Japan that culminates in dishes that respect tradition while also innovating. The restaurant is outfitted in interstellar-inspired elements, designed by Gan Nian Design, the team behind Keeze interior. Paintings are customized by Danish abstract artist Lis Just. Reservations are required for this intimate experience, featuring an eight-seater chef’s table and exclusive dining spaces.

1929 by Guillaume Galliot: A Historical Gem Reimagined

Nestled in the nearly century-old historic Jinjiang Hotel (formerly the Cathay Mansion), 1929 by Guillaume Galliot is a collaboration between renowned Michelin-starred French chef Guillaume Galliot and the innovative onefifteen brand. The name 1929 is a nod to the year this architectural icon was built by the Sassoon family, one of the most influential dynasties in modern Shanghai history.

Step inside, and the space seamlessly marries the grandeur of the past with the sophistication of contemporary French design. It’s not just dining — it’s an immersive journey through time.

• The Layout: From the open kitchen showcasing the craft of culinary artisans to an exclusive chef’s table seating eight, every detail oozes refinement. The main dining room offers intimacy, while the bar lounge downstairs and the second-floor bar salon invite guests to sip cocktails inspired by Asian spice trade routes.
  
• The Menu: Rooted in French tradition with a touch of Asian flair, the menu reflects Chef Galliot’s two decades of experience in Asia. Daily execution is in the hands of Italian Head Chef Marco Morandini, whose résumé includes Michelin-starred icons like Caprice and Estro in Hong Kong, Il Ristorante Niko Romito in Tokyo and Beijing, and Alain Ducasse at Morpheus in Macau.
  

Likesome Chicken Pot: A Hotpot Sensation

Shanghai’s hotpot scene just got a fiery new contender. Loft Hotpot at INS in Fuxing Park has rebranded into Likesome Chicken Pot, the trendiest hotpot chain hailing from Guangdong. Specializing in Chaoshan-style chicken hotpot, this newcomer delivers a menu as exciting as it is comforting.

• The Star Dish: Their signature chicken pot is made from free-range, 180-day-old mountain forest chickens, freshly slaughtered daily for maximum flavor.
  
• Other Highlights: Don’t miss the Giant Grouper hotpot (featuring 20-kilo fish shipped fresh daily), Indian gooseberry chicken pot, Hong Kong-style fish maw and chicken soup, and satay hotpot.
  
• Affordable Luxury: Slurp up oysters at just ¥13 each, while most diners leave with tabs between ¥100 and ¥180 per person.
  

In just the first six days of operations, it’s already climbed to Huangpu District’s 5th hottest restaurant according to Dianping.

Pomodoro Italian Comforts inside the new PAC Mall

Located in the newly opened PAC mall on Wuding Road, Pomodoro — Italian for “tomato” — delivers everyday Italian comfort food. Backed by the team behind Il Teatro in Xintiandi, it offers a menu spanning Italy’s culinary traditions, from north to south. Highlights include:

• 24-hour proofed pizzas with perfect crusts.
  
• Freshly made pastas that feel like a warm hug.
  
• Venetian-style cicchetti for bite-sized indulgence.
  
• Grilled seafood, juicy steaks, and Italian pastries.
  

With an average check of just ¥100–¥150 per person, Pomodoro is a pocket-friendly way to indulge in la dolce vita. For al fresco enthusiasts, the 100-square-meter outdoor terrace is the cherry on top.

Genial Kitchen (Yongkang Road):

This Taiwanese eatery opened its doors last month with a menu of crowd-pleasing classics at equally pleasing prices. Think beef noodle soup that comforts the soul, braised pork rice that hits all the right notes, and homemade pineapple cakes perfect for gifting — or just for yourself.

Closures

Onto the closures, this month we reported how the shuttering of the Camel Group shocked the city, closing the doors of all their venues — The Bull & Claw, El Santo, D.O.C, and Kin Urban Thai — overnight on December 1. This represented one of the highest-profile expat-founded F&B closures in recent years, after the surprise closures of Element Fresh and City Shop.

Another one that really rocked the boat, Shanghai's longest-running English-language food delivery app, Sherpa's, announced its end on December 31, concluding a 25.5-year run in our beloved city.

Others that bit the dust as of late: Simply Thai, La Maison (RIP that incredible terrace), the club that no one could ever find aka Stardust, American-style beer bar Mad Dragon, and BOR Eatery (which will hold its last day of service for brunch on January 1).