Global Taste in Shanghai: A year-long celebration of international cuisine
Global Taste in Shanghai 2026, a year-long, citywide program, is going to weave international cuisine into the rhythm of urban life through seasonal themes and curated experiences.
With nearly 10,000 international restaurants representing 43 countries and regions, global dining has become an integral part of daily life for both residents and visitors in Shanghai.
Building on this foundation, the program channels Shanghai's culinary diversity into a structured, year-round calendar of food-centered activities.
Rather than a single festival, Global Taste in Shanghai is conceived as a year-round program built around a "4+12+1" structure, ensuring sustained engagement across the year.
The "4" refers to four seasonal flavor themes — Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Fusion — introduced every quarter. The "12" highlights monthly spotlights on individual countries or regions. The "1" centers on a Spring Festival-focused program that serves as a cultural and emotional anchor.
From January to March, Shanghai opens with a European flavors season, timed around major festivals such as Spring Festival, which falls on Feb 17 this year, and Lantern Festival on March 3. Activities are designed for both visitors and residents, with Italian, Spanish, and French cuisines featured in sequence.
From April to June, attention shifts to cuisines inspired by the Americas. Aligned with major city events such as the Shanghai Shopping Festival and the Shanghai International Film Festival, this phase emphasizes food as a form of travel, activating night-time dining and outdoor consumption through selected themes drawn from Mexican, Brazilian, and Caribbean cooking.
From July to September, Asian flavors take center stage. Linked to large-scale summer programs like the Shanghai Summer International Consumption Season, this phase focuses on family travel, young consumers, and inbound visitors, with monthly themes dedicated to Chinese, Southeast Asian, and South Asian cuisines.
From October to December, the program moves into a "flavor without borders" phase. Global food resources connected to the China International Import Expo are combined with city events such as the Shanghai Fashion Week and the Shanghai Marathon, with a focus on baking and desserts, wine and dining culture, as well as spices and culinary ingredients.
The emphasis is on festive international dining. Restaurants offering global cuisines, particularly those located in shopping complexes and dining streets, will present curated seasonal menus designed for holiday gatherings.
The focus shifts toward a food-themed carnival atmosphere. Aimed at post-holiday reunions and social activities, this stage combines international dining with cultural and sports programs, linking food experiences with popular attractions and major shopping areas.
Sources: General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, VCG