Shanghai's 91-Year-Old Red House Restaurant Reopens on Huaihai Road

One of Shanghai's most beloved restaurants is back. Red House Western Restaurant, a 91-year-old institution on Huaihai Road, officially reopened on November 8 after a months-long renovation — and longtime customers have been returning for the flavors they grew up with.

A Shanghai Landmark Reopens on Huaihai Road

Founded in 1935 — originally as the Luo Wei Restaurant, named for its red facade — Red House became a fixture of Shanghai dining and was officially recognized as a China Time-Honored Brand in 2011. It sits at 845 Huaihai Middle Road.

The restaurant closed for its upgrade in March and returned for trial operations on September 30. Since the reopening, regulars have been coming back for the memories as much as the food.

From a Restaurant to a Place to Stay

The renovated restaurant covers nearly 1,000 square metres across four floors. The first floor holds a bakery and coffee area, the second floor has the main dining room and a bar, and private rooms occupy the third and fourth floors.

The new layout brings coffee, baking, full meals, and social dining together under one red-brick roof. The idea is for the brand to be more than a place for a single meal — a space where customers can linger and experience the building itself.

Classic Shanghai Western Food, Plus New Dishes

The menu keeps the restaurant's classic trio: potato salad, borscht, and fried pork chop, alongside long-time favorites such as baked escargots and baked clams.

More than 20 new dishes have been added, including braised beef and herb-roasted chicken, and the restaurant has created around 12 cocktails for the updated dining experience.

For Shanghai residents, Red House is part of the city's food memory. For international visitors, it offers a taste of how Shanghai developed its own style of Western food — and how a historic restaurant is working to stay part of everyday life in the city.

The restaurant's return is also part of the wider renewal of Huaihai Road, where historic brands are being woven together with retail, culture, and new lifestyle experiences.

Source: Kankanews