The Verdict
M ON THE BUND opened in 1999, making it one of the earliest international-standard restaurants to establish on the Bund, and its seventh-floor terrace with direct river views has maintained its position as one of the street's most desirable outdoor dining spaces across twenty-five years. The flamiche — a Belgian tart of leeks and cream that appears as a regular menu item — is the dish that M on the Bund's regulars cite as the preparation that has remained constant and most clearly communicates the kitchen's French and Mediterranean influences.
The Mediterranean menu reflects the tradition's best qualities: ingredients treated simply, flavour combinations relying on freshness and quality rather than elaborate preparation. The roast lamb and whole-fish preparations complete the essential ordering. The Glamour Bar — on the floor above the restaurant, with its own entrance and programme of cultural events — provides the pre- and post-dinner venue.
M on the Bund has maintained a cultural dimension across its existence: exhibitions, literary events, and performances in the Glamour Bar have made the building a gathering point for Shanghai's creative community since the city's cultural renaissance of the early 2000s.
Why It Works for Impressing Clients
M on the Bund provides the Bund address, the river view, and the Mediterranean kitchen in a package proven across twenty-five years of business entertaining. The combination of the outdoor terrace, the Glamour Bar for pre-dinner cocktails, and a kitchen that delivers without surprises makes M one of the most practically reliable options on the street.
Also in Shanghai
Explore the full Shanghai restaurant guide. See our Impress Clients, First Date, and Close a Deal occasion guides for curated picks across Asia.