Shisha at Shiraz

Shiraz is the first Iranian restaurant in Shanghai. Named after Iran's ancient capital Shiraz, the layout of the restaurant makes you feel like you've actually arrived in Iran. Outside on the street, you also find seating of Iranian sofas suited for smoking shisha, a Middle Eastern water pipe filled with sweet, flavored tobacco.

For dining, the selection of saffron-scented stews and kebabs provides a number of hearty choices; however, meat dishes on the menu are fairly expensive. Expect to pay at least 150 per person.

No alcohol is served at Shiraz, although they do serve authentic and unique Iranian teas. If you want to drink alcohol with your meal, Shiraz permits non-Muslim foreigners to bring their own alcohol to drink from teapots.

Familiar flavors

Faith's Diner serves classic American comfort food. There's all day breakfasts of homemade waffles, bacon, eggs and sausages served with bottomless cups of coffee. Classics such as burgers and fries, meatloaf with mushroom gravy, and macaroni and cheese are also available.

The looming fence, flickering candlelight and leisurely music played at Simply Thai makes for a calm dining experience. The service and food quality here are consistent with what you'd find at other locations in this Shanghai chain.

Other familiar Shanghai chains on the street include: the rather expensive but tasty, Las Tapas; the sports bar stand-by, Big Bamboo; the Canadian bistro, Julie's; and family friendly Blue Frog.