Top Rated Pizza Joints in Shanghai That Locals Swear By
Words by
Jian Wang
Shanghai's pizza scene has quietly grown into something worth talking about. Over the years I have eaten my way through dozens of places across the city, from back-alley slices to slick open-plan kitchens, and the top rated pizza joints in Shanghai now range from no-frills counters to full-throttle Neapolitan ovens. If you follow where the locals actually go, you will find the best casual pizza in Shanghai is less about hype and more about flour, fire, and timing.
Below are the spots I still return to, plus the small but real details that most visitors walk past.
1. Pizza Express (Pudong \ Century Avenue Location)
Address: 175 East Lujiazui Road, Pudong (Century Avenue area)**
I always take visitors here first because this Pizza Express is where I realized international chains in Shanghai do not have to mean a generic experience. The Lujiazui location sits slightly away from the densest cluster of shopping malls, and the staff remember regulars by what they drink, not what they order.
What to Order: Truffle Honey Pizza, and the Bianco pizza if it is still on rotation; both show how far the menu has drifted from the UK blueprint.
Best Time: Weekday lunch before 12:30 PM. The office crowd thins out and you actually hear yourself think.
The Vibe: Mid priced, open kitchen, slightly corporate after noon. The outdoor seats are nice in October but get too humid in August.
Local tip: Ask if the seasonal specials are still available. Once they sell out, they are gone for the month, and on certain weeks there is a Calzone on the weekend that is not listed. As Shanghai gets busier every year, this branch has become a kind of informal meeting point for expats and younger finance workers who have had enough of sky-high restaurant bills; you overhear startup pitches and internship stories almost every evening.
The deeper piece of Shanghai context here is how a European chain slowly learns Chinese crowd rhythms: the staff delay the last orders for office workers on late nights, and they adjust spice levels for the surrounding area without rewriting the menu.
2. Pizza Marzano (Xintiandi and other branches)
Address: Xintiandi is in the South Block, near the old Shikumen area; other branches in Kerry Centre and elsewhere**
Pizza Marzano is one of the earlier upscale-casual pizza options that locals actually defend, and it still shows in how busy the Xintiandi location gets on weekends. When people think about local pizza spots Shanghai returns in conversation, especially when comparing it to the waves of new Neapolitan places.
What to Order: Quattro Stagioni or the Pizza al Tartufo when budgets allow. The truffle oil here is restrained rather than perfumed.
Best Time: Early dinner around 6 PM; the terrace fills up fast and it can be hard to seat a group of four after 7 PM.
The Vibe: Stylish but not pretentious. The noise level rises noticeably after 8 PM when the wine orders pick up.
Local tip: Avoid the busiest holiday weekends here. If you are new to the area, remember that the original Shikumen streets were low brick lane houses; now the pizza is loud and bright, but the bones of old Shanghai are still in the walls around you.
3. Alimentari (Multiple Locations, including Ferguson Lane area)
Address: Ferguson Lane, near Changshu Road, and other branches**
Alimentari is where I go when I want something between a deli and a pizzeria. The pizza is not the only draw, but it is one of the best casual pizza Shanghai options if you like a Mediterranean mood with your margherita.
What to Order: Margherita or any seasonal vegetable pizza; the dough is thin and the toppings rotate with what the kitchen can source.
Best Time: Late morning on weekends, before the brunch crowd peaks. The light in the lane is good for photos around 10 AM.
The Vibe: Relaxed, slightly European, with a deli counter that distracts you from the pizza if you are not careful.
Local tip: The Ferguson Lane area is one of those pockets of Shanghai that still feels like a village inside a city. You can walk from here to old French Concession lanes in under ten minutes, and the contrast between the quiet alleys and the espresso machine hiss is part of the experience.
4. 48 Hours Pizza (Formerly in Jing'an area)
Address: Previously in Jing'an district, near Yongkang Road area**
This is one of the places that helped shift cheap pizza Shanghai conversations away from delivery apps and into actual storefronts. It was never fancy, but the slices were honest and the price was fair.
What to Order: Pepperoni slice or any of the daily specials; the crust is thin enough to fold but not so thin it collapses.
Best Time: Late afternoon, around 4 PM, when the after-work crowd has not fully arrived.
The Vibe: Small, functional, and a little loud. Not a place for long conversations.
Local tip: Check whether this location is still operating before you go; the area around Yongkang Road has seen a lot of turnover. Shanghai's rental market can close a good pizza place faster than a bad review. The history here is tied to the rise of small, independent food concepts that briefly thrived before the city's commercial rents climbed again.
5. Pizza Factory (Multiple Branches, including Jing'an and Pudong)
Address: Various locations, including near Nanjing West Road and Pudong**
Pizza Factory is where I take people who want cheap pizza Shanghai style without feeling like they are eating from a cardboard box. It is not artisanal, but it is consistent, and in a city that changes fast, that counts for something.
What to Order: Hawaiian or BBQ Chicken if you like sweeter profiles; the cheese pull is reliable.
Best Time: Weekday lunch, when the set meals are still available.
The Vibe: Bright, family friendly, and a little generic. The music can be too loud for some.
Local tip: Use the app or WeChat mini program for coupons before you order. Many locals never pay full price here. This is a good example of how Shanghai's digital ecosystem shapes even the most basic dining decisions; the line between restaurant and platform is thin.
6. Napoli Pizza (Various Locations, including near People's Square area)
Address: Near People's Square and other central areas**
Napoli Pizza is one of those local pizza spots Shanghai residents mention when they want something quick, hot, and close to the metro. It is not trying to be a destination, but it is often the most convenient option in the busiest parts of the city.
What to Order: Margherita or any classic single topping; the simplicity is the point.
Best Time: Early evening, around 5:30 PM, before the dinner rush.
The Vibe: Fast, functional, and a little cramped. Not ideal for large groups.
Local tip: If you are transferring between metro lines at People's Square, this is a decent place to grab a slice without walking far. The area is one of the oldest commercial centers in Shanghai, and the layers of history are buried under the shopping malls and transit hubs.
7. Pizza Hut (Multiple Branches, including Nanjing Road and beyond)
Address: Nanjing Road, Lujiazui, and many other locations**
I know, I know. But Pizza Hut in China is not the same as the one you might remember from home. For many locals, it is the first sit-down pizza experience they ever had, and the menu has evolved into something distinctly Chinese.
What to Order: Durian pizza or the cheese baked rice if you want to understand how the brand localized. The cheese crust is still a crowd favorite.
Best Time: Weekday lunch or early dinner; weekends can be packed with families.
The Vibe: Bright, noisy, and very family oriented. The service is usually efficient.
Local tip: Do not judge this place by its foreign reputation. In Shanghai, Pizza Hut is a mid-tier family restaurant, not a fast food chain. The history here is about how global brands adapt to Chinese tastes, and how those adaptations sometimes circle back and surprise the rest of the world.
8. The Pizza Show (Small Independent Spot, Formerly in Jing'an area)
Address: Previously in Jing'an district, near some of the smaller side streets**
This is the kind of place that makes you realize how fragile the local pizza ecosystem can be. The Pizza Show was never huge, but it had a following among people who cared about dough and sauce more than branding.
What to Order: Whatever the special was that day; the menu was short and the kitchen was small.
Best Time: Early dinner, before the limited seating filled up.
The Vibe: Intimate, a little rough around the edges, and very personal.
Local tip: Check if this place is still open before you make the trip. Shanghai's independent food scene is full of short-lived gems. The story of The Pizza Show is tied to the broader narrative of small operators trying to survive in a city that rewards scale and speed.
When to Go / What to Know
If you are chasing the best casual pizza Shanghai has to offer, timing matters. Weekday lunches are your best bet for avoiding crowds, especially in central areas like Jing'an, People's Square, and Lujiazui. Weekends are family time, and places like Pizza Hut and Pizza Factory can be packed with kids and strollers.
For cheap pizza Shanghai style, look for set meal deals and app coupons. Many chains and smaller spots offer discounts through WeChat mini programs or delivery apps, and locals rarely pay full price. If you are after the top rated pizza joints in Shanghai, remember that some of the best options are in older neighborhoods like the French Concession, where the streets are narrow and the history is deep.
One more thing: Shanghai's pizza scene is still evolving. Places open and close quickly, and the best local pizza spots Shanghai residents talk about today might be gone in a year. Follow local food accounts on WeChat or Xiaohongshu for the latest updates, and do not be afraid to wander off the main roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Shanghai?
Most pizza places in Shanghai are casual, and there is no strict dress code. Smart casual is fine everywhere from Pizza Express to Pizza Hut. The main etiquette to remember is that tipping is not expected and can sometimes confuse staff. If you are dining in a group, it is common for one person to pay the whole bill, and splitting the check is not always straightforward.
How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Shanghai?
Vegetarian and vegan options are increasingly available, especially in central areas like Jing'an and the French Concession. Many pizza places offer at least one vegetarian pizza, and some, like Alimentari, rotate seasonal vegetable toppings. Fully vegan cheese is still rare, but you can find it at a few specialty spots. Look for menus labeled with the Chinese characters for vegetarian (素食) or ask staff directly.
Is the tap water in Shanghai safe to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?
Tap water in Shanghai is not safe to drink directly. Most locals and restaurants use filtered or boiled water. When you sit down at a pizza place, you will usually be served bottled or filtered water. If you are unsure, just ask for "开水" (boiled water) or buy a bottle from a nearby convenience store.
What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Shanghai is famous for?
If you are in Shanghai, you have to try xiaolongbao, the soup dumplings that are a staple of the city's food culture. While you are eating pizza, remember that the local specialty is not the pizza itself, but the way Shanghai adapts global flavors to its own tastes. For something sweet, try osmanthus wine or osmanthus-flavored desserts, which are seasonal and deeply tied to the region.
Is Shanghai expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
For a mid-tier traveler, expect to spend around 600 to 1,000 RMB per day, including accommodation, food, and local transport. A meal at a mid-range pizza place will cost between 80 and 150 RMB per person. Metro rides are cheap, usually 3 to 6 RMB per trip. Budget hotels or hostels can be found for 200 to 400 RMB per night, while mid-range hotels start around 500 RMB. Street food and local eateries can keep daily food costs under 200 RMB if you avoid the pricier international spots.
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