We've been sitting on this one -- literally -- waiting for the heat to pass and the real patio season to begin. It's finally that time: a few glorious weeks when you can actually sit outside without frying. Here are some solid spots for outdoor brunches, drinks, and general sun-chasing. Some old favorites, some new additions.

Atica

Atica is a Spanish rooftop spot from the team behind Bottega, perched above Xinle Lu with leafy views of Xiangyang Park and a church dome or two. It's got two terraces, a big skylight, and a surprisingly serious Spanish menu designed by chef Ferran Edo Andreu—think seafood paella with lobster stock, crispy bomba croquettes, and salmorejo done right. Drinks lean heavily into sangrias and gin & tonics, with wines by the glass and free-flow brunch on the way. Feels like a real contender for best Spanish in town, especially if you're into sunsets and squid with your huevos rotos.

Atelier No.3

Atelier No. 3 is what happens when a top cocktail guy (Daniel An) teams up with a fire-loving chef from Xinjiang—part European bistro, part drinks lab, with a wood-fire grill at its heart. Tucked into Fumin Lu next to Funkadeli, it's a moody, stylish spot with velvet booths, two terraces, and a menu that swings from grilled turbot to bone marrow rice. The cocktails are the mainstay—playful, polished, and priced like you're in Shanghai 2023. Great for groups, dates, or anyone who wants their shrimp tartare with churros and a Negroni on the side.

BLAZ

Blaz Bistro has been quietly drawing a loyal crowd since 2020, hidden behind an office building on Donghu Lu with one of the most charming garden terraces in the city. It's French bistro cooking with a modern, seasonal bent—beef tartare, grilled maitake, and the occasional XO-dressed mountain veg—served in a lane house that balances warmth and polish. The terrace is leafy and relaxed; the dining room is all arches and mood lighting. It's stayed relevant where others have faded, thanks to thoughtful food, strong service, and a space that works equally well for dates or dinner with friends.

La Fontaine

La Fontaine is a design-heavy rooftop spot in Jing'an with rare, uninterrupted views of the temple's golden roofs -- best seen from its fountain-lined terrace that feels like it was built for lifestyle shoots. The menu leans light Western with some showstoppers: beef tartare, grilled octopus, clam rice, and a tiramisu lava cake that gets its own photoshoot. It's surprisingly affordable, with lunch sets under ¥100 and a popular afternoon tea set for two. Aesthetics are the main draw, but it holds up as a solid option for dates, solo coffees, or anyone who wants a little Paris-in-Jing'an moment.

Momento

Not the flashiest terrace in town, but Momento wins people over with its warmth—both the cozy green-themed space in the new PAC complex and the genuinely friendly staff running it. The vibe is laid-back and low-stress, with soft lighting, good music, and enough room to spread out over Spanish seafood rice, Basque cheesecake, and a shisha pipe if that's your thing. It's become a sleeper hit for afternoon brunches and chill evening catch-ups. No happy hour yet, but the prices are fair, and the welcome's worth lingering for.

Pastificio Momenti

Handmade pasta is the main event at Pastificio Momenti, where everything from the flour to the flourishes leans proudly Italian—think veal ossobuco ravioli, black truffle fettuccine, and rigatoni carbonara done the old-school way. The terrace at the Hong Shou Fang location is dog-friendly and low-key charming, ideal for long lunches or unhurried dinners with a bottle of something red. It's not flashy, but it's consistent, warm, and run by people who clearly care about the details. Good food, good service, and a pasta-making station you can actually watch—hard to beat that.

It has a full lineup of food and drink specials this season. Weekdays, they're doing a simple lunch deal: order a main and get a free soft drink, coffee, or tea, with the option to tack on soup, a side, or dessert for cheap — an easy Italian fix in the middle of the workday. Come evening, their daily happy hour (5–10pm) means bruschetta or truffle fries with two drinks for 82rmb, from spritzes to Bellinis. On Sunday, Sep 21, they're hosting a one-off Dining Party with a DJ, live ham carving, cocktails mixed by an Italian bartender, and a 258rmb set for two. It also kicks off Negroni Week, running Sep 21–28, with buy-one-get-one Negronis (60rmb each) and some limited-edition twists on the classic.

Pomodoro

At Pomodoro, it's all about honest Italian cooking -- Neapolitan pizzas from a 500°C oven, lasagna rolls baked with spinach and artichoke, and a surprisingly deep wine list for a casual spot in PAC. The terrace is roomy, relaxed, and pet-friendly, making it an easy pick for weeknight dinners or after-work drinks. Prices are low for the quality (under ¥100 per person is doable), and the kitchen's slow-ferment dough and solid ingredients show real attention to craft. Nothing fussy, just good pasta, good pizza, and a lot of regulars who know why that matters.

Pomodoro keeps things easy with a straightforward happy hour: from Sunday through Thursday, 4–11 pm, it's buy one, get one free on select drinks. A long window to double up, whether you're starting early or stretching out the night.

RAC

RAC Jing'an has been quietly doing its thing for years -- brunch by day, wine and plates by night -- without losing steam or charm. Set behind a lane off Wuding Lu, it's best known for its buttery galettes, crispy oysters, and one of the better rooftop terraces in the area (pet-friendly, too). The crowd's a mix of long-time fans and first-timers who stumbled in and stuck around for half-price wines from 5–7pm. Same team as Blaz, same easy confidence, just with more crepes and fewer mushrooms.

rong

New to the yearly Patio Porn list, Rong is already carving out a reputation as Shanghai's answer to Beverly Hills café culture—lush terrace, mood lighting, and cocktails that lean fruity and easygoing. By day, it's a leafy hideout with crab salads and truffle fries; by night, a soft-shift lounge scene with DJs, shisha, and just the right volume for flirting or catching up. The vibe is curated but relaxed, with staff who know you're here for both the drinks and the lighting. Popular with the well-dressed and mildly mysterious.

sultan

Sultan brings real-deal Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine to the PAC complex, standing out in a flashy new F&B hub that's mostly forgettable. Founded by a Turkish culture obsessive with backing from Istanbul's original SULTAN brand, it's all about charcoal kebabs, pide, MADO goat milk ice cream, and Turkish rice pudding with that perfect caramel top. The crowd's a mix of Middle Eastern regulars, curious locals, and homesick expats, all drawn in by the open kitchen, warm service, and shisha-friendly outdoor space. One of only a few spots in the complex worth knowing about.

Three Marks

Three Markets is a Mediterranean-inspired café-restaurant set in a restored heritage mansion on North Shaanxi Lu, complete with lemon trees, vintage tiles, and a sprawling garden courtyard thick with greenery. It's a Southern French mood delivered straight into Jing'an—ideal for brunch, photos, or just a glass-bottled coconut latte under the vines. The menu leans upscale casual: red prawns, seafood soup, burrata with grapes, and the occasional salted egg yolk pizza. You don't have to order much to enjoy the space, which is part of the draw—and part of why it's constantly showing up on Xiaohongshu.

Yaya's

Yaya's earned its stripes slinging late-night pasta out of a nightclub, and it's only gotten better since—still playful, still packed, now with one of Jing'an's cooler little terraces. The vibe is casual but clever, much like the menu: Xinjiang lamb ragu on hand-cut pappardelle, salted egg yolk carbonara, and a mapo tofu lasagna that actually works. Co-owned by an ex-architect and a branding pro, it shows in the design and the details. Feels like a place made by people who like eating and hanging out—always a good sign.