Fresh dumplings
The chicken xiao long bao is praised for fresh-tasting filling, larger baos and genuinely spicy chilli oil.
New Shanghai
Downtown Dubai
New Shanghai is a modern Shanghai-style Chinese restaurant in Downtown Dubai, with a calm, colourful setting and a menu that reviewers return to for dishes such as fragrant crispy duck and freshly prepared dumplings. It suits mall meals that feel a little more relaxed than a quick stop.
Reputation Score
4.7
★★★★★
3,504 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Crispy duck
Fragrant crispy duck stands out for its crisp texture and generous portions; one diner even made little sandwiches with it.
Menu guidance
Reviewers describe the service as attentive and helpful, including detailed menu explanations and recommendations that matched their preferences.
Quiet setting
The restaurant has a calm, peaceful atmosphere where conversation is easier despite being in a busy mall.
Fresh seafood
The steamed seabass and steak sea bass are both noted for fresh fish; the latter was carefully deboned.
Spicy prawns
Lava prawns are singled out as delicious, while another review compares the lava rock shrimps favourably with a familiar chain version.
Late welcome
A late 10pm visit still received friendly, helpful service, useful for diners finishing a Dubai Mall outing.
Tips for a Better Visit
Repeat orders. Ask the server to repeat your order back, especially when ordering several dishes, to avoid the mix-up one diner experienced.
Try dumplings. Start with the chicken xiao long bao if you enjoy a spicy kick; the review specifically praises its fresh filling and chilli oil.
Mention preferences. Tell the team about allergies or preferences when ordering; one reviewer said small changes were accommodated.
Check offers. Ask whether the entertainer buy-one-free-one offer is running during your visit; one family found it worthwhile.
Order saucy. If you prefer heavily sauced dishes, check the portion of sauce before ordering lava rock shrimp or General Tso’s chicken.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Unit LG - 126 - 4 Financial Ctr St
Rd - Downtown Dubai, Dubai
| Mon | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Tue | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Wed | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Thu | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Fri | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sat | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sun | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Sweet sauce
The shrimp and chicken wonton sauce was described as overly sweet, with star anise overpowering the dish.
Uneven noodles
One diner found the fried noodles too salty and the fried rice somewhat plain.
Bao texture
A review felt the xiao long bao skins could be softer and the filling juicier.
Dry chicken
The crispy chili chicken had good flavour but was reported to be a little dry.
Order confusion
One server misheard and forgot part of an order, so repeating it back is worthwhile.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
New Shanghai is a modern Shanghai-style Chinese restaurant in Downtown Dubai, known in these reviews for generous, flavourful meals and unusually attentive table service. The most useful starting points are the fragrant crispy duck, chicken xiao long bao, chicken wontons and lava prawns. The dumplings can be watched being prepared fresh behind a glass window, which adds a pleasant touch before the food arrives.
The setting is warm and lively without being overwhelmingly loud. Several diners describe it as calm, peaceful or cosy, making it easier to chat than in many busy mall restaurants. Families also mention enjoying fortune cookies, and one review found an entertainer buy-one-free-one offer worthwhile, though you should check whether that promotion is available during your visit.
Food was often reported to arrive quickly, including during a late 10pm meal. There are a few reasons to order selectively. One diner found the shrimp and chicken wonton sauce too sweet and heavy on star anise; another found the fried noodles salty and fried rice plain.
The xiao long bao skin and filling also drew a texture criticism, while the crispy chili chicken was a little dry. Prices are described as fair or relatively affordable by some reviewers, but another felt the menu could be more competitive. If you have allergies or preferences, mention them clearly, and repeat a large order back to avoid confusion.