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Restaurant Reviews List > San Francisco Bay Area Restaurant Reviews > San Francisco Restaurant Reviews > Financial District / Embarcadero Restaurant Reviews > Asian Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Reviews for Shanghai 1930

Shanghai 1930 reservations
This restaurant is no longer available. Continue your search at OpenTable.
Shanghai 1930

133 Steuart Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

The Best contemporary Chinese in the Bay Area...selected 'Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants' and full *** rating by the San Francisco Chronicle. Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence wine list and service. Live 'free' jazz nightly in a romantic supper club atmosphere evocative of Shanghai in the 1930's when it was called the 'Paris of the Orient'! ****If you are intending to order the Beggar's Chicken, please call restaurant to order--24 hour notice is required.****

Dining Style: Fine Dining
Price: $30 and under
Parking: Valet
Cross Street: Mission
See more Shanghai 1930 details
Average Diner Rating
Overall Rating 3.5 out of 5 3.5 out of 5 (57 Reviews)
Food 3.5 out of 5 (Good)
Ambiance 3.6 out of 5 (Very Good)
Service 3.5 out of 5 (Very Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 2.0 out of 3 (Moderate)
Summary of Special Features

Diners classify this restaurant as:

  • good for groups (23)
  • special occasion (19)
  • fit for foodies (18)
  • romantic (16)
  • vibrant bar scene (15)
  • great for lunch (14)
  • neighborhood gem (11)
  • hot spot (7)
  • notable wine list (5)
  • late-night find (4)

Shanghai 1930 Reviews List
Overall Rating 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
"December 31st was the last day of the restaurant before closing for good. We were not told in advance there was a set menu with no ala carte options for that night. Many of the items we would not have chosen.

Perhaps it was for the best they are closing as service was impersonal. I heard the staff say identical things to each table. They mistakenly brought us the first course twice and when I pointed this out, the server asked- "What have you eaten so far?!"

It was a shame as I ate there several times before. Even though I usually reserved with Open Table there was no acknowledgement of previous visits. The food was unspired. If it were my restaurant I would have gone all out to make a last impression. Disappointing ending."

Food 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
Ambiance 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
Service 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 3.0 out of 3 (Energetic)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/31/2009
(review submitted 01/02/2010)
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Review 2 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
"Essentially this is overpriced Chinese food. You should get a lot more for what you pay. The quality is okay but I would enjoy the same food much more at a simple neighborhood chinese place for less than half the price. We paid $115 for two appetizers two meat dishes and noodles, plus two beers. Waay overpriced.
I was expecting more of a Chinese fusion place but was very dissapointed."

Special Features: good for groups

Food 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
Ambiance 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
Service 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 1.0 out of 3 (Quiet)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/29/2009
(review submitted 12/31/2009)
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Review 3 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
"Good location. We visited the Ferry building before dinner. The food was good, but not outstanding. Fairly generous portions. The wine list had a lot of holes in it but we did get a good bottle of reisling at a fair price. Excellent service and good value on the food."

Food 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Ambiance 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
Service 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 2.0 out of 3 (Moderate)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/29/2009
(review submitted 12/31/2009)
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Review 4 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 5.0 out of 5 (Outstanding)
"Our favorite appetizer is the "triple steamer" and
our favorite dish is the "crispy beef" dish. We have
not found a place that can duplicate the taste.
It is definately our favorite place to eat in San Francisco."

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, hot spot

Food 5.0 out of 5 (Outstanding)
Ambiance 5.0 out of 5 (Outstanding)
Service 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 3.0 out of 3 (Energetic)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/28/2009
(review submitted 12/30/2009)
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Review 5 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
"Please don't order any tea from this restaurant. They charged you a lot but gave you not enough tea leaves. I've never seen a restaurant that stingy before."

Food 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Ambiance 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
Service 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 1.0 out of 3 (Quiet)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/23/2009
(review submitted 12/30/2009)
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Review 6 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
"I enjoy have meals at Shanghai often. Great place for eating and meeting. I was disappointed in the service today and I have been disappointed with this service person before."

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for lunch

Food 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Ambiance 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Service 1.0 out of 5 (Poor)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 1.0 out of 3 (Quiet)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/29/2009
(review submitted 12/29/2009)
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Review 7 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
"Food was great, Service was good, Room was tired and shabby. Bar was ridiculously loud."

Food 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Ambiance 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
Service 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 3.0 out of 3 (Energetic)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/23/2009
(review submitted 12/26/2009)
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Review 8 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
"We had a wonderful holiday dinner. The beggar's chicken was flavorful, it was even better than we thought it would be. The pork shank and fish on the vine were excellent, as usual. The service was not only very good, our server gave us good advice on our soup and vegetable selection.
We always enjoy our visit here."

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion

Food 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Ambiance 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Service 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 2.0 out of 3 (Moderate)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/23/2009
(review submitted 12/24/2009)
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Review 9 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
"I've been going to Shanghai 1930 since it opened over a decade ago. Since moving to the east coast, I haven't been back in a few years. I was pleased that the food was still excellent and the cocktails superb. The live jazz adds alot to a quiet, sophisticated evening out. While the place is no longer trendy and packed with people, I found the quiet atmosphere to be relaxing."

Food 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Ambiance 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Service 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 1.0 out of 3 (Quiet)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/21/2009
(review submitted 12/23/2009)
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Review 10 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
"I knew what I was getting--not so good Chinese food with lovely ambiance. It was exactly that--the food arrived at the table within 5 minutes of our order, making me think that everything was premade in the kitchen (it also wasn't very hot, temperature-wise, making me think that things sit around). One of the dishes (the duck in lettuce petals) was also overly salty. The atmosphere was nice and it wasn't noisy, which was a plus (we went on a night without live music). It was really expensive too (total tab with one glass of wine each came to almost $100 with tax and tip), considering the portion sizes. I probably wouldn't go there again unless I was really interested in hearing the music and then, I would probably just sit in the bar."

Food 1.0 out of 5 (Poor)
Ambiance 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Service 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 2.0 out of 3 (Moderate)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/15/2009
(review submitted 12/17/2009)
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Review 11 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
"Can get a bit noisy at lunch time when there are holiday group parties, but normally the noise level is reasonable. Nice piano bar for evening performances. The food is always creative and tasty."

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, late-night find, great for lunch, hot spot

Food 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Ambiance 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Service 5.0 out of 5 (Outstanding)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 3.0 out of 3 (Energetic)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/11/2009
(review submitted 12/16/2009)
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Review 12 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
"We did not feel the food was worth the price. Nicely decorated."

Special Features: good for groups

Food 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Ambiance 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Service 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 2.0 out of 3 (Moderate)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/10/2009
(review submitted 12/12/2009)
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Review 13 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
"I have eaten at Shanghai 1930 several times & always for a special occasion. Each time, we were given superb service & the food was excellent. Not this time. We rarely saw our server & he had no suggestions. I brought a newly engaged couple to celebrate & they did bring a complimentary dessert. Overall, I was disappointed & would not rush back. Also, it was a Saturday evening & for the first time, the restaurant was only half full."

Food 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Ambiance 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Service 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 2.0 out of 3 (Moderate)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/05/2009
(review submitted 12/11/2009)
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Review 14 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
"We arrived at 11:40AM for an 11:30AM lunch reservation and the place was empty, so we were a little concerned but by 12:15 it was packed.

The lunch specials were all intriguing and everyone seemed genuinely happy with their food, including a few people who requested vegetarian versions of a few dishes. Two of our group had Dim Sum and were also pleased. A more reasonable option than Han Sing? (but more limited of course)

Personally the spicy prawns were perfectly balanced and well-spiced without being caustic or burning. Will go back."

Special Features: good for groups, great for lunch

Food 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Ambiance 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Service 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 1.0 out of 3 (Quiet)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/07/2009
(review submitted 12/09/2009)
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Review 15 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
"Our experience at Shanghai 1930 was very good. We were greated promptly and taken to our table with in a minute of arriving. The food is always very tasty here. Friendly staff, attentive but not overly attentive."

Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion

Food 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Ambiance 5.0 out of 5 (Outstanding)
Service 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 2.0 out of 3 (Moderate)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/07/2009
(review submitted 12/09/2009)
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Review 16 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
"Really dull cantonese food for lunch in an interesting room that doesn't look quite fresh in the light of day. Server tried hard, but messed everything up."

Food 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
Ambiance 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Service 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 2.0 out of 3 (Moderate)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 11/13/2009
(review submitted 12/05/2009)
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Review 17 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
"We have been in this restaurant before and I was previously impressed by the food. Unfortunately, this time it was a bit mediocre. The steamed rice was pretty bad (how can you mess up steamed rice??) and the firecracker chicken was too dry. The pot stickers we had as appetizers were also sub par. The only good item we selected was the ribs. I think we had some bad selections since the last time the duck and the fish entrees were excellent. On the positive side, the service is good and the wine list is pretty decent."

Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot

Food 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Ambiance 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Service 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 1.0 out of 3 (Quiet)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 12/01/2009
(review submitted 12/04/2009)
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Review 18 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
"The food is consistently good, and I would have rated "Very Good" overall, if we'd not stopped in the bar before dinner. Service was excellent in the dining room, but rather chaotic in the bar; the house white wine was unavailable (although they did substitute it with another decent one for the same happy hour price), and the tab was incorrect (we got billed for four drinks someone else ordered, and it was corrected after we pointed out their error to them). Next time, maybe we won't bother with cocktails in the bar before dinner. Also, some of the furniture could use a little face lift; a lot of it is looking a little tired and worn out, which is not appetizing."

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, special occasion

Food 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Ambiance 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Service 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 3.0 out of 3 (Energetic)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 11/20/2009
(review submitted 12/04/2009)
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Review 19 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
"It was a slow,pre-holiday night so as a result we had incredible service. We loved the food: the Kow beef, the shrimp with garlic noodles. We tried the 3-tier dim sum dish and thought it was great. We can't wait to go again. We'd go for lunch and snack on appetizers."

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, great for lunch

Food 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Ambiance 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Service 5.0 out of 5 (Outstanding)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 1.0 out of 3 (Quiet)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 11/25/2009
(review submitted 12/03/2009)
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Review 20 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
"Great food, great scene, great music. Service was rather slow and we felt as though we were often looking for our waiter. The bar area is best place to sit in house and have soem food and drinks!"

Food 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Ambiance 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Service 2.0 out of 5 (Fair)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 3.0 out of 3 (Energetic)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 11/28/2009
(review submitted 12/02/2009)
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Review 21 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 5.0 out of 5 (Outstanding)
"Great place for Chinese food that is more upscale than the norm. I had the Mongolian lamb which was fantastic."

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion, great for lunch

Food 5.0 out of 5 (Outstanding)
Ambiance 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Service 5.0 out of 5 (Outstanding)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 1.0 out of 3 (Quiet)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 11/23/2009
(review submitted 11/23/2009)
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Review 22 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
"This was a great location for our lunch meeting. Not too loud so we could focus on the meeting and the staff was unintrusive. The food was good and easy for sharing with the other members of our table. The darker atmospehere added to the ambience."

Special Features: neighborhood gem, great for lunch

Food 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Ambiance 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Service 3.0 out of 5 (Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 1.0 out of 3 (Quiet)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 11/19/2009
(review submitted 11/22/2009)
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Review 23 for Shanghai 1930

Overall Rating 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
"The food and service were both great. The live jazz band is a big plus. I would not hesitate recommending this place."

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion

Food 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Ambiance 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Service 4.0 out of 5 (Very Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 2.0 out of 3 (Moderate)

By an OpenTable.com user
who dined on 11/19/2009
(review submitted 11/21/2009)
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Shanghai 1930 Based on the average of (34) ratings-only reviews
Overall Rating 3.7 out of 5 (Very Good)
Food 3.6 out of 5 (Very Good)
Ambiance 3.7 out of 5 (Very Good)
Service 3.7 out of 5 (Very Good)
Restaurant Experience:
Noise Level 2.0 out of 3 (Moderate)
160*600 Advertising Space