Amid cafes and small shops along the short stretch of Shaoxing Lu lies a cozy Viennese cafe perfect for lazy afternoons with a good book in hand or tea with friends. Attracting diners and tea-timers since 2004, the cafe features a pleasant European-style dark wooden decor accented by marbled tabletops and warm lighting.

An instant escape from Shanghai’s rush-hour buzz needs no more than a slice of the cafe’s delicious apple nut cake and a cup of Vienna Melange; although if your hunger is tending more towards the hearty, there’s no better time to try their ‘spaetzle mit gulasch’: Bavarian egg noodle/dumpling squiggles served with a rich, comforting meat stew. And for the sweet-toothed, the ‘kaiserschmarrn’, a traditional Austrian dessert of caramelized pancake dusted with powdered sugar and served hot with plum sauce, is a heart-warming ode to Austrian cuisine. European buffet brunch is available every Sunday as well.

More of a novelty experience than anything else, it’s best to head here with a few local friends well-versed in the skill of bargaining, if you can. If not, you should still venture out and see how well you fare striking a deal with the vendors. We’re not sending you here just to haggle—we promise a good meal in store.

First things first, enter the rows of live seafoood and take your pick from shellfish (including lobsters), various varieties of fish and even snakes—they really do have it all. You’ll pay by weight or quantity, depending on the catch.

Next, take your fresh pick to any of the adjacent restaurants which will cook them to your liking for a small charge. Market trips are a great option for those traveling in large groups, as costs can be shared and a greater spread of seafood sampled. Enjoy.