Epic
Xujiahui, Shanghai
Bar in Shanghai, China
Book with PearlWhy go
Epic is an address-led Xuhui option to treat as flexible rather than destination-level. Book it if Gaoyou Road suits the night and the group does not need confirmed cuisine, pricing, or a clearly defined drinks program; for a more specific Shanghai dinner brief, compare YongFoo Elite or Franck Bistrot first.
About Epic
Epic is a Shanghai venue with a smart-casual dress code. It may suit diners who are already comparing options in the city. For a broader scan before committing, use our full Shanghai restaurants guide, our full Shanghai bars guide, our full Shanghai hotels guide.
Book it for a simple Shanghai plan, not for a fully signposted dining brief
The strongest case here is practical: Epic is in Shanghai, it may suit diners who are already comparing options in the city. For a broader scan before committing, use our full Shanghai restaurants guide, our full Shanghai bars guide, our full Shanghai hotels guide.
Epic works best as an option to evaluate directly rather than a destination booking based on reputation signals. If a specific food style, budget, reservation structure, or drinks-led plan matters, compare it with venues whose details are clearer before locking the night.
Who should choose it over a better-defined peer
Choose Epic if the group is comfortable with a smart-casual Shanghai plan and can confirm the missing details directly. Skip it for a milestone dinner where cuisine, spend, service style, dietary planning need to be known in advance. For other Shanghai options, compare it with Franck Bistrot, YongFoo Elite, Malt Fun, Wu Kang Lu, or Xing Guo Lu.
Quick reference: Shanghai venue; smart-casual dress code; use for flexible plans only after confirming the details that matter to your group.
Planning details
- Hours
- Mo-Su 19:00-02:00
- Location
- 17 Gaoyou Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China, 200031
- Website
- epicgames.com
- Phone
- +862154111189
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Epic is the kind of refined, quietly confident restaurant that thrives away from spectacle. Set on a low-rise, pre-war street in Xuhui, it leans into the residential scale of Gaoyou Road: lots of plane trees, smaller rooms and a neighbourhood audience. The writing frames the kitchen as the principal draw — food earns loyalty here rather than elaborate dining theatrics. That gives the place a sophisticated, intimate character that appeals to food-literate locals and visitors who prefer nuance over flash. The result feels historic in its setting, quietly modern in its seriousness and discreetly rewarding to those who value provenance and craft.
Best For
Epic is best encountered in the evening, when its position on Shanghai's fine-dining map matters most. The neighbourhood context and the piece's emphasis on culinary seriousness make it a natural pick for dinner-focused outings and intimate occasions where the meal itself is the main event. It suits couples and small groups of diners who are seeking thoughtful cooking rather than a scene-driven night out — locals and return visitors who prize flavour, technique and a quieter setting over spectacle. For anyone prioritising food-first experiences in Xuhui, Epic fits the bill.
Ordering Tips
The write-up signals a kitchen that prefers to lead with well-considered dishes, so a guided or recommendation-led approach pays off. Start with the house specialties noted by the venue — the city-inspired cocktails — and ask the staff what the kitchen is highlighting that night. Given the restaurant's fine-dining positioning and audience of food-literate locals, servers are likely to steer you toward sharing plates or chef-recommended sequences that showcase technique and seasonality. Keep requests simple and trust the kitchen's priorities; the address rewards diners who favour restraint and focus over maximalist options.
Planning details
Hours
Mo-Su 19:00-02:00
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Wu Kang Lu, Notable alternative
- Malt Fun, Notable alternative
- YongFoo Elite, Shanghainese, Shanghainese
- Xing Guo Lu, Notable alternative
- Franck Bistrot, Notable alternative
Bar context
How Epic compares in Shanghai
Epic is the least defined choice in this set, so the recommendation is narrow: use it when Xuhui convenience matters more than knowing the exact cuisine, price tier, or drinks format in advance. YongFoo Elite is the clearer pick for Shanghainese dining, while Franck Bistrot gives diners a more legible bistro brief.
For ambiance-led exploring, Wu Kang Lu and Xing Guo Lu are better cross-shops if the street or neighborhood mood is part of the plan. Malt Fun is the peer to check when the night is more drinks-adjacent than dinner-first.
Bottom line: Epic works as an easy fallback, but YongFoo Elite and Franck Bistrot are safer for diners who want a more predictable experience before they commit.
Explore Shanghai
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Epic guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Epic
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epic | Shanghai | ; | Top 500 Bars 2026 · #3472025 Asia's 50 Best Bars · #74Tatler Best Bars Asia-Pacific 20252024 Asia's 50 Best Bars · #542021 World's 50 Best Bars · #41 |
| Wu Kang Lu | Shanghai | ; | No published awards |
| Malt Fun | Shanghai | ; | No published awards |
| YongFoo Elite | Shanghai | Shanghainese | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in Asia RecommendedMichelin Guide Shanghai Jiangsu Zhejiang 20262025 OAD Top Restaurants in Asia Ranked · #4542025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in Asia Ranked · #3992023 OAD Top Restaurants in Asia Recommended |
| Xing Guo Lu | Shanghai | ; | No published awards |
| Franck Bistrot | Shanghai | ; | No published awards |
How Epic Shanghai compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to Epic?
Epic's dress code is smart casual. Aim for neat city wear rather than very casual gymwear or beachwear.
Is Epic good for a special occasion?
Only if you are comfortable confirming the key details directly. Cuisine, price, hours, service style, menu information are not the strongest choice for a celebration that depends on a tightly defined dining plan.
What should a first-timer know about Epic?
Go in treating Epic as a Shanghai option with limited detail in this guide. The confirmed point is the smart-casual dress code; for menu, pricing, hours, reservations, check directly before you commit.
Does Epic handle dietary restrictions?
There is no cuisine, menu, or dietary-accommodation information for Epic in this guide, so there is no basis to promise specific support. If dietary needs are important, confirm directly before booking.
What are alternatives to Epic in Shanghai?
For comparison, consider other Shanghai options such as Franck Bistrot, YongFoo Elite, Wu Kang Lu, Xing Guo Lu, or Malt Fun. Use the comparison to check which venue has the clearest fit for your preferred cuisine, budget, timing, occasion.
What should I order at Epic?
Review the current menu directly before deciding whether it suits your plans.
