Shanghai offers a wide variety of culinary options, from Asian food to Western food, from roadside stalls to Michelin-star restaurants. There is no doubt that you'll find something you like.
Hot Pot (火锅; huŏguō)
Hot pot is a favorite amongst our Chinese friends, especially in the winter. Although there are many kinds of hot pot in different regions of China, the dining traditions are the same everywhere. Hot pot basically consists of a pot with a boiling soup into which you place raw meat and veggies.The foods cook for only a few seconds after being placed into the boiling soup. Then, they can be eaten with a dipping sauce.
Qīngzhēn Restaurants
If you’re short on cash but still want to have a nice meal, go to a qīngzhēn” 
(清真) restaurant. Because these restaurants are run by Chinese Muslims, they don't serve any pork. However, you will be able to find delicious roast lamb sticks (羊肉串; Yángròu chuàn), and lāmiàn (拉面), a Chinese dish of hand-made noodles. These restaurants are easily recognized by their green decorations, the white hats worn by staff, and Islamic pictures on the wall.
Chinese snacks (小吃; Xĭaochī)
With a food stall on nearly every corner of the street, you will never go hungry in Shanghai!
Bāozi (包子) is a round and steamed pastry with some kind of filling, usually consisting of meat or vegetables. Most people eat this kind of snack for breakfast. It’s tastiest when it’s still warm.
Jiăozi (饺子) is more or less the same as bāozi, but it’s shaped like a crescent and is usually cooked or fried, instead of steamed. Most people dip the jiăozi in a soy-vinegar dipping sauce and/or hot chili sauce.
Stinky tofu (臭豆腐; Chòu dòufu) is one of the favorite snacks of the Shanghainese. Foreigners, on the other hand, try to avoid the snack due to its horrific smell. But don’t let the strong odor deter you - it can be extremely delicious.
Western and other Asian food
Alongside the thousands of Chinese restaurants, you'll also find a vast number of foreign restaurants in Shanghai.
Australian food
Kakadu
Australian food and beer. Every Sunday you can go there for an all you can eat BBQ with free beer - all for the price of 150 RMB.
Address: 8 Jianguo Zhong Lu, near Chongqing Lu
建国中路8号, 近重庆路
Tel: 5468-0118
Belgian food
Delight Food
Belgian-style brasserie, specializing in classic Belgian cuisine and assorted Italian snacks.
Address: No. 27, Lane 3338, HongMei Rd. (near Yan'An W. Rd.)
虹梅路3338弄虹梅休闲街27号(近延安西路)
Tel: 6401 1790
Thai food
Coconut Paradise
Reservation
is recommended.
Address: 38 Fumin Lu, near Julu Lu
富民路38号, 近巨鹿路
Tel: 6248 1998
Chiang Mai
Good Thai food at reasonable prices.
Address: 1019 Kangding Lu, near Yanping Lu, Jing’an
康定路1019号, 近延平路
Tel: 5228 1588
Crêperies
La crêperie
Address : 1 Taojiang Lu, near Dongping Lu, Metro Line 1 Hengshan Lu Station
桃江路1号, 近东平路，地铁一号线衡山路站
Tel: 5465 9055
Ô Delice
Sweet crêpes, galettes, croques and waffles.
Address:3219 Hongmei Lu, near Chengjiaqiao Lu
虹梅路3219号, 近程家桥路
Tel: 5428 0598
Buffets
Bricco café
All you can eat Italian food, as well as 2 drinks for only 100 CNY. Wednesdays from 7pm.
Address: 158 Chengdu Nan Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu, Metro Line 1 Huangpi Nan Lu Station Exit 1
成都南路158号, 近淮海中路，地铁1号线黄陂南路站一号口
Tel: 6387 9188
Punjabi
All you can eat Indian food and free flow of beer and soft drinks for only 110 CNY. Every day.
Address: 5/F, 627 Huaihai Lu, near Sinan Lu, Former French Concession
淮海中路627号5楼, 近思南路
Tel: 6472 5464
To find a restaurant, you can check the following sites:
http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/category/event-tags/dining
http://www.smartshanghai.com/dining/
Western fast food
Since Shanghai is a westernized city, you can find fast food chains such as McDonald’s (麦当劳; Màidāngláo), KFC (肯德基; Kĕndéjī), Starbucks (星巴克; xīngbākè), Pizza Hut (必胜客; Bìshèngkè), … all around the city.