We're back with another round of Where We're Eating & Drinking — our first since that big 2025 openings roundup. This month: a Mexican newcomer from the Bottega crew, a revamped bistro in a much-loved location, and a hotdog joint with serious personality. Let's go.
La Diosa
What It Is
The Bottega Group — best known in Shanghai for their Neapolitan pizza and sleek dining rooms (Bottega and Atica) — is expanding its reach with La Diosa, a lively Mexican restaurant and bar. In Beijing, they've already made a name for themselves in both Italian and Mexican concepts, including El Barrio. This latest project brings that dual identity to Shanghai, with an emphasis on bold flavors and a party-ready vibe.
They've imported some serious talent for this one: In the kitchen they have Michelin-trained chef Jarrod Verbiak, where dishes like birria y consomé (79rmb) and al pastor "trumpito" (67rmb) reference tradition. Behind the bar, Rodrigo (originally from Mexico, also on the El Barrio team) and Tobin (from a fancy bar in LA) make drinks with logo-stamped block ice and house-blended spice rims.
You're there for food and drinks, yes — but also for a good time.
Where it is
Diagonal from Xiangyang Park and a short walk from Bottega in the K.Wah Centre. It shares a restored villa with Basement FG and upstairs neighbor Atica. The building was once part of The Mansion Hotel, now converted into another multi-concept F&B space. The entrance is subtle, to the right of the main doors, but inside opens into a two-level venue.
The Atmosphere
La Diosa leans theatrical: pink patio chairs, lotería-inspired wallpaper, bright pink neon signs on the walls. It's intentionally maximal. There's a long central bar, a mezzanine-level dining space, and a row of high tables by doors that open facing Xiangyang. During the week, cumbia and salsa play, but by Friday at 10pm, DJs shift to reggaeton and bachata, and the vibe tilts from restaurant to party. A live mariachi band occasionally joins for special events. The Latin American crowd gives it a sense of vibrancy — not just a restaurant theme.
The Damage
Expect to spend around 300–400rmb per person with drinks. Most dishes fall between 48–98rmb, with a few larger plates like the carne asada (248rmb). Drinks start at 35rmb — including house-made aguas frescas and horchata — and go up to 80rmb for cocktails like the cantarito. There's no happy hour yet, but one's in the works. Walk-ins are fine during the week, but it fills up on weekends — come midweek for a more relaxed meal, or late on Fridays if you're looking to party.
The Food
This isn't your typical Tex-Mex. La Diosa leans creative with a few twists on tradition, without losing sight of the source material. The pork for the al pastor is marinated in achiote, stacked, and seared on the flat top to mimic the crispy, charred edges of a vertical spit — a clever workaround that nods to method without importing a trompo. Tacos come in pairs (67–73rmb) and are meant to be part of a shared spread. Other highlights include the chile relleno (78rmb), crisped chicharron (78rmb), and the tostada de atún (38rmb). Most dishes fall between 48–98rmb, with the carne asada (248rmb) as the big-ticket item.
GRUMPY DOG
What it is
Run by five friends, Grumpy Dog is a neighborhood hot dog shop on Xiangyang Nan Lu. They first started with pop-ups in 2023 at Common Rare and spots like Goodman and Gong Wu. The name is a nod to their own offbeat personalities — "Grumpy" felt right, and the Chinese name "孤僻狗" adds a local pun. Design and merch are all done by Tiffany, one of the co-founders, also of Common Rare.
The name Grumpy Dog might ring a bell for long-time Shanghai diners — it echoes The Grumpy Pig, the much-loved comfort food spot by nightlife legend Gary Wang of The Shelter fame. While there's no direct connection, Grumpy Dog feels like a spiritual cousin: playful branding, comfort food, and local personalities behind it.
The Food
The menu is short but sharp: gourmet hot dogs, sides like roasted red pepper hummus on toasted brioche, and cucumber salad topped with dried fish (...this may not be a place for vegetarians). Sausages and buns come from vendors, but everything else — sauces, toppings, snacks — is prepped in-house. The flavor profile draws from Taipei with some light Japanese influence. Think elevated street food.
They also have different flavors of ice cream (38rmb) and a Taipei coconut ice-cream burrito w/ crushed peanuts (28rmb).
Where is it
Not a far walk from Yongkang, on Xiangyang Nan Lu, in a space that used to be a convenience store. It's actually nice to see something new opening outside the usual F&B hubs. It's a short walk to Hof Radio, Goose Island, and the quieter end of Yongkang. But we've got a feeling the block is about to get busier again.
The Atmosphere
The shop is compact and casual with five tables inside and two smaller tables outside. Somewhere kind of between kiosk and café. There is a counter, or bar style seating, but there's a waiter to take your order. So while "hot dogs" don't exactly say gourmet, the design and service do.
There's a little wall of merch inside to the left (hats, lighters, t-shirts, little japanese toy "hot dog" trucks), a fridge stocked with beers (try the Grumpy Dog Japanese Rice Oak Lager 35rmb), and good music playing through the speakers. Don Na and Leo curate rotating playlists, as Don Na is also a vinyl DJ, but they also plan to invite other DJs to build mixes in the future. It's pet-friendly.
The Damage
Hot dogs are either 48rmb or 58rmb. The latter being for the summer limited edition hot dogs. Sides run 38rmb and 58rmb with the exception of the burrata (88rmb), and beers range from 35–42rmb.
NOUvo
What is it
Nouvo is the new concept taking over the old Diner space on Wulumuqi Lu. Owned by Chase White (most recently known for Bar Blanc), Nouvo trades in the all-day-dining format for something built around lunch, dinner, and well-executed drinks. It's a beautiful corner location that's had a tough history: originally opened by Austin Hu (who passed away), then passed through a few hands and concepts that never really stuck. Now Chase is giving it a go. He's transformed it into something really open and bright, and for the first time, it feels like it might actually work.
Where is it
Right at the corner of Wulumuqi Lu, where the Diner used to serve croiffles and Reubens. It's not far from the lively Anfu area but just enough off the strip to feel relaxed. The new layout knocks out part of the old wall and replaces it with sliding doors, opening it up toward the street.
The atmosphere
The space already looks polished, even pre-launch: pink neon zigzags over the bar, a dozen circular tables, and lsleek high-backed stools replace the former booth-style setup. There's no patio, but the side that faces the intersection is now a set of sliding doors — great for an afternoon drink. Staff are upbeat, and the overall vibe is smart but relaxed. The vibe is modern neighborhood bistro — polished and unfussy, with a hint of Paris in the layout and menu.
The Damage
Drinks are well-priced: 55rmb for a sherry tonic highball, 65rmb for an elderflower spritz. Though we haven't tried the food yet, it looks promising. Larger dishes like seafood pasta and steak-frites range from 88–288rmb, while sides like fries and ratatouille go for 28–48rmb. The small dishes potato millefuille (68rmb) and beef tartare (158rmb) are definitely giving paris. With no posted hours yet, it's probably best to swing by late afternoon for now.
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