Just in time for a break from the daily grind, the National Week holiday is almost upon us, which means ample free time to either travel abroad or stay in town to eat and drink all the things. We vote for the latter. So here’s some new openings to get your consumption-related plans started.

Bar Leone

The biggest news this month is the announcement that Bar Leone – Asia’s No. 1 bar for the last two years running, according to World’s 50 Best Bars – is opening in our own backyard (in Huangpu District) this coming fall. Guests can expect their signature cocktails, aperitivo-style service, and the bar’s renowned snacks across two floors. Bar Leone, which originally debuted in Central, Hong Kong less than three years ago, orbits the concept of ‘cocktail popolari’ – or ‘cocktails for the people’. The revived classics-style libations hospitably served are unpretentious, approachable, and downright smashable, inspired by the neighborhood bars of Rome’s backstreets. 

READ MORE: Bar Leone – Asia’s No. 1 Bar – Set to Open in Shanghai This Fall

Rambu, backed by Jun Nishiyama and Alice Fan (of Sage), Tiger (of Ambra), and Chad Zhu (of Bar Choice), is set to soft open next month in the old Mavis space at 966 Wuding Lu with seating for 36 guests. The food with be a contemporary twist on southeast Asian fare, with a focus on Malay, Singaporean, and Indonesia cuisine specifically. Expect casual, approachable dining with chef Jun’s signature imaginative style.

Giogio

Giogio is a new Italian eatery by Giordrano Zizzi on Maoming Lu, showcasing the homestyle flavors he grew up with in Puglia. While Zizzi never received any formal culinary training, his menu is a tribute to his nonna, the wonderful woman who taught him everything there is to know about cooking from the heart. The menu sees comfort fare from the heel of Italy’s boot, with dishes like orecchiette with bitter leafy green rapini, seafood cavatelli, roman artichokes, octopus stewed with tomatoes, and the like. Downstairs is the first outpost of Giolitti gelato – the famous gelato brand featured in the 1953 film Roman Holiday. The gelato brand has big plans for China – 100 stores in the next five years.

Kebaba

Kebaba will soft open an even larger space (with seating for 25 inside and 12 outside) on Yanping Lu near Wuding Lu, bringing late night (and all day) kebabs to those north of Huaihuai Lu. The menu, for the time being, is the same as the original location (kebab sandwiches, wraps, bowls, and fantastic fries), but will soon expand to include sweet potato fries, potentially falafel down the line, ice cream, and drinks like draft beers, simple cocktails and highballs, and coffee beverages.

READ MORE: Late Night Döner Kebabs See the Light of Day at Kebaba

Just next door to it, neighborhood coffee hangout Yummy House has taken up shop after relocating from its original digs around the corner on Wuding Lu. And, half a block down, hoarding is up for Dough Ahead, with the tagline “from farm to bakery.”

Lusfen陆丝芬

Lusfen陆丝芬 is a modern Guangxi luosifen 螺蛳粉 (river snail and fermented bamboo shoot rice noodle soup) shop on Ruijin Er Lu that opened just two months ago. After several popups around town, the owner decided to open her own brick-and-mortar space, with seating for about 15 people. The menu sees heaping portions of luosifen (RMB30-48) in either original, mushroom, or beef ball broth, or dry stir-fried. Diners can choose the quantity of veggies, doneness of the noodles, and spice level, along with a host of add-ons (from braised duck foot to Hucheng fried tofu puffs.) Pro tip: the seasonal pickled fruits are a must!

A French seafood bar, Pépite, will open on Donghu Lu by the end of next month, brought to us by the teams behind Babar and Blaz (Simon Briens and consulting French chef Rembrandt). It will be a small space that opens to the street during warm weather, with seating for 25. Petite sharing plates will match the convivial feel, served out of an open kitchen. Think fresh and carefully-sourced fish and shellfish seared on la plancha, cured and thinly sliced, or served whole with vegetables, sides and desserts. There will also be a regularly rotating menu based on fishing seasons and fresh daily arrivals.

This up-and-coming restaurant group also just opened Cantonese hotpot restaurant Fangdu on the second floor above Blaz and Cellar to Table in the previous Hundo spot, and is expanding even more with FUFU: a lifestyle development on Donghu Lu that will house a mix of F&B and retail experiences with ample outdoor seating and a sprawling rooftop terrace for events. The first venues are slated to open by the end of November.

7 Riverlight

7 Riverlight is a new patisserie and café that opened this summer in the old Crush Wine Bistro spot. The Nordic-leaning pastry lineup is strong – AOP Butter & Honey croissant, pistachio rose Danish, honey cake with Devonshire cream, cardamom roll, a variety of donuts, sweet and savory styles of focaccia, and more – plus sandwiches and coffee drinks. With such snap-worthy viennoiseries, 7 Riverlight has all the makings of becoming the next wanghong (internet famous) bakery.

Cila

Other movements around town include: Kaptya Turkish Restaurant is set to open in the previous Viva Portuguese Restaurant space on the corner of Wuding Lu and Shaanxi Bei Lu; modern, spice-forward Northwest China bistro Cila has relocated to Shaanxi Nan Lu, around the corner from Julu758…

Suzie's Garden

…And Suzie’s Garden has now become the new Ottimo. Both restaurants are/were operated by VOS Families (previous operators of Shanghai institutions like SOiF, Ottimo, LeDAiLY, theWarehouse, Suzie’s, and ma-ia-ki, which has since been rebranded as Wuhuama in INS). After the uproar over Ottimo’s closing last year, it has been brought back, in new form, as an amalgamation of the Suzie’s Garden and Ottimo concepts. Along with the design and layout, the menu also sees a combination of the two venues’ styles, resulting in a Western bistro with Italian and French flair roster of plates, plus the same well-curated wine list found at all VOS Families venues.

EHB

Onto the closures, the biggest cut comes from the announcement earlier this month from the EHB team that they are closing September 28. This Michelin star Nordic resto was backed by Chef Esben Holmboe Bang of Oslo-based three Michelin Star-restaurant Maæmo. This was his first venture abroad. The kitchen was helmed by Michelin’s 2024 Young Chef Award winner, Viviane Mello, serving up strong farm-to-table vibes against a Nordic backbone.  

READ MORE: 2 New Nordic Fine Dining Meals – Promise & EHB – Which is Worth Your ¥?

Anokhi

French wine bar Mavis also shut its doors this month, along Wuding Lu as did late night Latino club Revolution Cocktail, right down the street on Yanping Lu. Modern Indian Anokhi has also closed up shop in The Weave, and La Creperie is no longer operating its Reel Mall location (however all other La Creperie locations are still open.) 

Along with Revolution's closure, another big nightlife loss is impending with Celia set to close in November after selling to Chinese club Heim. You've got these last two months to enjoy Celia's deep house sets before they sail off into the night.