Paulaner’s Sunday Brunch, Shanghai

Paulaner, Xintiandi 太仓路181号, 新天地北里, 近马当路 House 19-20, North Block Xintiandi, Lane 181 Taicang Road, 200021 Shanghai CHN +86 (021) 6320 3935, +86 (021) 6445 9189 paulaner@bln.com.cn Monday – Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m, Friday & Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. paulaner-brauhaus.com

Sunday in Shanghai is a special day enjoyed by all. For local Chinese, Sunday is family day, which usually means a family meal. And for expats and foreigners, Sunday also means a relaxing day with family and friends, also with Brunch. Paulaner’s Sunday Brunch is one of the best.

Paulaner doesn’t claim to have the best food. In fact, I’d argue that the Sunday Brunch food offerings may even hamper them. But what makes Paulaner one of the best places for Sunday Brunch is the people watching. I don’t think there’s any other place in ALL of Shanghai that offers better opportunities to see people in their Sunday best. With one of the largest outdoor seating areas in the most popular outdoor entertainment areas, Xintiandi, Paulaner’s location is maybe one of the most unwritten expensive pieces of property. People of all ages stroll by the restaurant so often, I be the developers are kicking themselves for not charging Paulaner more.

Under the tree lined and cobble-stoned walkways, Paulaner offers traditional western brunch items. The Bavarian Breakfast Combination and Mountain Cheese Special are the the more popular selections. These hearty breakfasts, are typified with grease, heartburn, and cholesterol – but I love it! After a night of drinking, these dishes help complete your weekend. I hate to complain about them, since I enjoy Paulaners so much. But the bacon is not crispy, but more chewy on the Bavarian Breakfast, as Chinese enjoy them. And the toasted bread, from the Mountain Cheese Special, is soggy and not toasted at all, seems to be more stale – if anything. My bloody mary was sour and lacked the spiciness that I come to know and love. But at least the orange juice was more than adequate.

Though the food is less than average, I’d still return to Paulaner with the sample outdoor seating. Springtime, and fall, is the best time to go to Paulaner.

What to Order: Bavarian Breakfast Combination and Mountain Cheese Special … great dishes after a night of drinking What not to Order: Bavarian Breakfast Combination and Mountain Cheese Special… not so good, if you were sober the night before

Rating 2 Pigs Price Range 2 $/¥/NT

Links SmartShanghai, City Weekend, Dining Secretary, Shanghai Expat, Facebook

Sundays means brunch at Paulaner’s Xintiandi and to people watch