Indian Restaurants in Shanghai: Menu Guide (2026)
A good Indian meal in Shanghai starts with the restaurant’s actual style and menu. Choose between a thali, dosa, biryani or tandoori plate before adding extras.
Which format suits the meal?
Choose a thali if you want several small tastes. Ask what comes with it, since rice, bread and dessert vary.
Order a dosa for a different texture and lighter format. A tandoori plate or biryani suits a longer shared dinner.
How do you avoid duplicate orders?
First check whether the set already includes rice or naan. Then add one vegetable plate or dal only if the group needs it.
A biryani can cover the rice part of the table. Ask about portion size before also ordering a thali and separate bread.
How do you explain dietary needs?
For vegan food, ask whether the dish contains ghee, yogurt, cream or paneer. A vegetarian symbol alone does not answer that.
Name nuts, peanuts, sesame, wheat and egg for allergies. Ask whether a shared tandoor, fryer or prep surface is used.
Where should you fit it into Shanghai?
Choose a branch near your day’s metro line. A restaurant around Jing’an and one across the river in Pudong make different evening routes.
Save the Chinese address and the exact entrance. Check the lunch or dinner menu for that branch before crossing the city.
What are common menu mistakes?
Do not call every lentil dish “curry” or assume each dosa has the same filling. Read the named preparation.
Do not treat mild spice as an answer to dairy or nut concerns. Ask the kitchen separate questions for heat and ingredients.
FAQ: What do visitors ask?
What is the difference between thali and biryani?
A thali is a set of several dishes. Biryani is a seasoned rice main.
Can a vegetarian thali contain dairy?
Yes. Ghee, yogurt or paneer may appear. Ask what each bowl contains.
Is dosa gluten-free?
Its traditional batter uses rice and lentils, but fillings and shared surfaces vary. Ask the branch if gluten avoidance is essential.
