Whether you’re craving a romantic dinner, a casual lunch or afternoon tea, Shanghai is home to numerous glass-enclosed restaurants that offer both lovely views and excellent food.

Calypso Restaurant & Lounge

Located at the Jing An Kerry Centre, Calypso’s two-story glass house is nestled comfortably amid skyscrapers and office buildings.

This serene space was designed by famed Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, who is known for incorporating natural materials such as bamboo and paper into his designs. These traditional elements help soften the structure’s modern design, creating a relaxed environment for diners and drinkers alike.

Calypso serves Mediterranean cuisine on the first floor and cocktails on the second-floor lounge.

One menu stand-out is the Iberico pork chop (288 yuan/US$46). This slow-roasted dish is made from pork marinated in Spanish herbs and spices and then served with baked tomatoes.

Neapolitan-style pizzas baked in a stone oven are another menu highlight. The restaurant’s signature Calypso pizza (138 yuan) is made with San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, porcini mushrooms, black truffles, pecorino cheese and rocket leafs.

Calypso offers a full-range menu that includes vegetarian options like traditional parmigiana made with eggplant, buffalo mozzarella, tomato sauce and basil.

Early dinner sets are available from 5 to 6:30 pm on weekdays. These sets include three courses and are priced between 168 and 188 yuan per person.

Upstairs, live musical acts give the restaurant’s terrace an energetic vibe that is perfect for weekend evenings. Calypso features an extensive wine selection as well as a wine station where one can taste 24 different wines.

 

Address: 1515 Nanjing Rd W.

Tel: 2203-8889

Roosevelt Sky Restaurant

House of Roosevelt boasts some of Shanghai’s best Bund panoramas. Located on the eighth floor, the Roosevelt Sky Restaurant has a glass house that offers spectacular views paired with modern European cuisine and wines from the second-story wine restaurant.

Located on the northern end of the Bund, the House of Roosevelt building was originally constructed in 1920 as an office building. It was redeveloped as a multi-story dining establishment in 2008.

The restaurant’s foie gras, steaks, lobsters and clam chowder have been praised for their premium quality, and its afternoon tea set is also popular on sunny days.

 

Address: 8/F, 27 Zhongshan Rd E.

Tel: 2322-0800

The Kitchen Salvatore Cuomo

This modern Italian restaurant in Pudong New Area has an airy glass-enclosed dining area that overlooks the Huangpu River.

The menu features traditional Neapolitan pizzas baked in a wooden oven as well as pasta, steaks and seafood entries.

The weekday lunch sets starting at 128 yuan offer diners a great value.

 

Address: Rm 402, Unit D, 2967 Lujiazui Rd W.

Tel: 5054-1265

La Verbena

This Spanish restaurant in Lujiazui serves up tapas, sangria as well as a beautiful view of the Bund from a glass-enclosed dining area.

There is also an outdoor terrace with a view of the Huangpu River.

The menu features authentic Spanish fare like Iberico boar ham, seafood paella, stuffed squid and rice with pork ribs and Catalonia sausage. The lamp chops and cheese platter are also worth a try.

 

Address: 1/F, Unit E, 2792 Lujiazui Rd W.

Tel: 5878-9837

K1+3 Rooftop Cafe Bar

This casual and relaxed restaurant near People’s Square provides great views of downtown Shanghai from its glass-walled rooftop.

The menu includes a wide range of options, including pan-fried chicken steak, smoked duck breast in barbecue sauce and spicy prawn wraps.

One of K1+3’s charms is its serving containers resembling flower pots. Tiramisu, milk tea, pudding, fries and even pasta dishes are served in these characteristic dishes.

Address: 4/F, 456 Nanjing Rd W.

Tel: 3305-1136