This Prada Café & Restaurant In Shanghai Was Designed By Wong Kar Wai & Looks Like A 1930s Film Set

It's one thing for a dining spot to be inspired by filmmaker Wong Kar Wai. But a restaurant designed by the legend himself? Now that's what we'd call a must-visit location! Situated in Shanghai, Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai is a restaurant and café created through a collaboration between Prada and the celebrated Hong Kong director.

Photo from Prada

Operating out of the historic Rong Zhai villa, the space features a stunning 1930s Shanghai-inspired design reminiscent of the great director's films In the Mood for Love and Happy Together. It's filled with moody lighting, vintage glamour, and interiors that are so cinematic, it wouldn't look out of place for Maggie Cheung to walk past in a cheongsam at any moment.

Photo from Prada

Spread throughout the beautifully restored mansion are several different rooms that each offer a slightly different vibe. There’s The Pastry Shop for elegant desserts, The Caffè for your mid-day coffee fix, and cosy spaces like The Study and The Library that feel straight out of an old Shanghai novel.

Photo from Prada

Art lovers will also appreciate the thoughtful little details. The décor here mixes Prada’s contemporary art pieces with elegant Chinese antiques, while traditional woodblock artworks from the Rising Clouds, Blooming Flowers series add pops of colour and heritage. There's also a corridor that features lighting designed to echo the rhythm of scenes from In the Mood for Love!

Meanwhile, The Dining Room hosts the restaurant’s main fine-dining experience, while The Terrace offers a breezy open-air setting that channels vintage European cafés.

Photo from Prada

Just like in Wong Kar Wai’s films, the interiors are dripping with style and drama. One key design concept you’ll notice is tête-bêche — mirrored and inverted forms that appear throughout the space. In other words: reflections, symmetry, and plenty of Instagrammable spaces for your fitchecks.

Photo from Prada

Another particularly interesting spot is The Terrace, located just beyond The Caffè. It reimagines Arcadia Hall (once Shanghai’s first open-air lounge for women) and features 1930s Italian bamboo furniture with subtle Chinese design influences. The seating style even references traditional cross-leg seating associated with femininity in early Shanghai society.

Photo from Prada

Of course, the food is just as thoughtfully curated as the interiors. The menu blends Italian and Chinese culinary traditions, crafted by Executive Chef Riccardo la Perna alongside Pastry Chef Diego Crosara. Expect refined fusion dishes such as raw crab and citrus duck breast, where ingredients and techniques from both cuisines come together in creative ways.

The restaurant has already gained international recognition, earning Two Forks in the Gambero Rosso Top Italian Restaurants 2026 Guide. In other words: the food is pretty legit.

Photo from Prada

Beyond dining, the venue also functions as a cultural hub. The third floor houses The Apartment, a private space celebrating Prada’s heritage with exclusive products and bespoke services. The villa will also host art exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year, making it part restaurant, part gallery, and part cinematic experience.

Reservations are required and can be made through the Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai WeChat mini-program. Alternatively, you can book a table via telephone at +86 21 2218 0388 or email [email protected].

Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai
Address: No.186, North Shaan Xi Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai
Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm
Lunch & Dinner Menu | Coffee Menu

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