Gong De Lin (West Nanjing Road)

When you see that sweet and sour pork and fried shredded eel are on the menu you may doubt if the food is truly vegan but fear not – all the mock-meat and fish is made with either veggies, soy product or mushrooms. This institution of Shanghainese vegan cooking has been serving plant-based dishes in disguise since 1922. Its annexed shop now sells cake and snacks freshly made in-house, such as the tasty mugwort rice dumplings.