The hotel’s four distinct restaurants and bars offer a wide variety of wellness-oriented culinary experiences
Shanghai, China (January 16, 2025) — Alila Shanghai’s four restaurants and bars capture the essence of the city, artfully blending local traditional elements with contemporary sophistication. While each outlet offers a distinct dining experience, they all share a respect for seasonality, a commitment to sustainable practices and the use of premium ingredients. Helmed by Executive Chef Chuck Xing, the focus is on culinary wellness, embracing a ‘farm-to-table’ philosophy, providing diners with fresh, locally-grown produce, and presenting authentic flavors while honoring culinary traditions.
Indulging guests’ appetite for variety, Alila Shanghai’s dining concepts include Garden Pavilion, a Japanese grill, 500 Weihai Road, a modern Chinese restaurant, Chayan @ 5TH, a tranquil teahouse, and Secret Roof, a chic coffee bar that transitions each evening into a vibrant cocktail lounge.
Aligned with Alila’s core values of sustainability and environmental respect, the hotel minimizes its environmental footprint through a comprehensive approach. This includes a robust waste management plan, and a water conservation scheme. A fifth-floor organic garden cultivates fresh herbs and vegetables, such as lemon thyme, radishes, Shanghai bok choy, and spinach, directly supplying the hotel’s various outlets.
“Catering to discerning tastes, Alila Shanghai has assembled a team of award-winning chefs and culinary experts to deliver exceptional dining experiences," says General Manager, Jatwen Yap. “Located throughout the property, our four restaurants and bars are characterized by forward-thinking creativity, a sustainable-first approach and authentic native flavors."
Garden Pavilion
Encircling Alila Shanghai’s central courtyard, Garden Pavilion boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding the space with natural light and offering guests unobstructed views of the tranquil lake and surrounding greenery.
Within this serene setting, Chef Bian’s mastery of Japanese cuisine truly shines, showcasing seasonal ingredients in their natural state. Drawing on his 20-plus years of experience working in robatayaki restaurants, Chef Bian skilfully blends Japanese culinary traditions of seafood harvesting and live-fire cooking over coals, with fresh seafood sourced from local waters.
Available during lunch and dinner, the à la carte menu includes Black Throat Seaperch from Zhoushan. Marinated in salt and sake, the robatayaki-style fish develops a rich, oily flavor that retains its natural, savory essence. The Grilled Australian Wagyu Beef M7 with Rice is another specialty where charcoal is added tableside, imparting a captivating smoky aroma to both the beef and the accompanying rice.
Open throughout the day, Garden Pavilion offers convenient breakfast sets, elegantly presented on individual trays. Guests can choose from curated menus featuring Chinese, Japanese, or Western options, all showcasing authentic, vibrant flavors. Set lunch options, such as Braised Eel, Grilled Hokei Mackrel or Teriyaki Chicken, highlight Chef Bian’s expertise in robatayaki-style grilling and are served with seasonal sides, soup and rice.
With seating for up to 76 guests, the restaurant offers flexible seating arrangements while the open kitchen adds a touch of culinary theatre.
Operating Hours
Breakfast
(Monday – Friday) 6:30am-10:30am
(Saturday – Sunday) 6:30am-11am
Lunch
(Monday – Friday) 11:30am-2:30pm
(Saturday – Sunday) Noon-2:30pm
Dinner: 5:30pm-10pm
Located on the L level, 500 Weihai Road is Alila Shanghai’s flagship Chinese restaurant. Chef de cuisine Scott Bao leads the culinary team, showcasing modern Shanghainese cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood. Having honed his craft at several Michelin-starred restaurants, including 28 Hubin Road at the Grand Hyatt Hangzhou, he garnered critical acclaim for his innovative approach to Shanghainese cuisine, seamlessly blending tradition with contemporary techniques.
Passionate about sourcing sustainably grown ingredients and supporting local farmers, Chef Scott creates a unique dining experience that introduces guests to the versatility of local vegetables, paring these ingredients with sustainably sourced seasonal meat and seafood. 500 Weihai Road fosters a deeper connection between diners and their food by sharing the origins and provenance of each dish, ensuring the quality and freshness of the ingredients.
A highlight of the main menu is the Deep-fried Mandarin Fish, a reimagined Jiangzhe classic. This dish caters to contemporary palates with a refined ingredient selection and a focus on healthy cooking methods. Crispy Chicken, drizzled with low-temperature oil tableside, captivates diners with its enticing aroma and boasts a perfectly crisp exterior that encases succulent meat. Each impeccably plated dish subtly reveals intricate layers and seasonal ingredients, inviting diners to appreciate the natural flavors at their peak.
The seasonal menu reflects Chef Bao’s creative flair, refined cooking techniques and respect for Shanghainese culinary traditions. Special desserts include pepper sprout-infused Palmier, the welcome pastry, and Mango Sago Soup, which incorporates Western-styled mango chips, jelly and ice-cream into this traditional Chinese dessert.
Accommodating up to 60 guests, the restaurant boasts a warm and inviting ambience with neutral colors, symmetrical balance and intimate dining spaces created by banquette seating.
Three private dining rooms, welcoming guests to order from 500 Weihai Road or Garden Pavilion, provide the ideal setting for family gatherings, business meetings or celebratory dinners.
Operating Hours
Lunch
(Monday – Friday) 11:30am-14:30am
(Saturday – Sunday) noon-2:30pm
Dinner
(Monday to Sunday) 5:30pm-10pm
Chayan @ 5TH
Intimate and inviting, Chayan @ 5TH embodies the spirit of a traditional teahouse, reimagining time-honored rituals with a contemporary twist and offering seasonal afternoon tea services. Using herbs harvested from the hotel’s organic garden, the lounge bar serves an enticing selection of premium Chinese and Western organic teas, complemented by seasonal cold brews, iced teas and innovative tea-based cocktails, including the Green Tea-ni, a refreshing combination of green tea and vodka.
Chayan @ 5TH also showcases the exquisite artistry of Pastry Chef Bob, a renowned culinary talent with over a decade of experience leading pastry teams in three-Michelin-starred restaurants. Throughout his career, he collaborated with esteemed chefs at the pinnacle of the culinary world.
In addition to overseeing all pastry and bakery offerings throughout Alila Shanghai, Chef Bob meticulously crafts a daily selection of pastries and signature desserts for Chayan @ 5TH, which include Lemon Thyme Macaroon and Lemon Verbena Macaroon that present Alila Shanghai’s signature lemon thyme scent.
Welcoming up to 52 guests, the lounge features a calming green palette while the outdoor space invites al fresco dining and relaxed encounters.
Operating Hours
Monday to Sunday 10am-11pm (afternoon tea 2pm-5pm)
Remark: Live band performance Tuesday to Sunday 7pm-11pm
Secret Roof
Serving dual functions, Secret Roof seamlessly transitions from a relaxed coffee and tea bar during the day to a vibrant cocktail bar in the evening. Embracing the heritage and the modernity of Shanghai, Secret Roof promises to be the city’s most coveted destination for craft cocktails, stunning sunset panoramas and striking views over Zhangyuan’s historic rooftops. Boasting a striking crimson and burnt orange palette and an artfully arched ceiling, Secret Roof stands out against its surroundings with a vibrant energy and a boldly modern aesthetic.
Guests are invited to experience Secret Roof’s signature cocktail, Shanghai Essence. A harmonious blend of Limoncello, coffee, and syrup infused with lemon thyme presented in a Martini glass, this unique concoction embodies the essence of Shanghai – a city where tradition meets elegance and modernity.
Operating Hours
2pm-1am
Nestled in the historic Jing’an district, Alila Shanghai inspires inner peace within the heart of the city. As guests transition from Shanghai’s bustling streets to the quiet calm of the Alila Shanghai, the hotel serves as a sanctuary for quiet reflection. Comprising 186 guestrooms, including 94 spacious suites, the design captures the essence of Shanghai’s modern sophistication while honoring its rich history. Dedicated to guests’ well-being, Alila Shanghai’s four unique bars and restaurants embrace a farm-to-table philosophy, serving seasonal and sustainably-grown produce. The hotel’s versatile meeting spaces include an open-air terrace and five light-filled function rooms and can be configured for any occasion, from intimate dinners and conferences to cocktail functions and family gatherings. Beyond the hotel, Alila Shanghai guests are afforded rare opportunities to connect with the community. By immersing themselves in authentic encounters with local artisans and the surrounding environment, guests can discover centuries-old customs, develop genuine relationships, and gain a profound understanding of the Shanghai culture.
