No. 3 Warehouse Shanghai – Is this Viral Futuristic Restaurant Worth It?
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If you’re looking for a futuristic restaurant in China, then you must visit No. 3 Warehouse in Shanghai.
This Cyberpunk eatery looks like you’ve been transported to the future or have landed on another universe entirely.
It’s famous for its spaceship interiors and innovative menu of creative cuisine.
This futuristic restaurant often goes viral on social media, and the wait times for tables are typically 2-3 hours long. But, is it worth it?
Here is a complete guide to the viral Number 3 Warehouse Restaurant with everything you need to know before you visit.
What is No. 3 Warehouse in Shanghai?
Warehouse Number 3 is a hugely popular chain of innovative restaurants in Shanghai.
They are famous for their futuristic interiors and affordable menu of creative cuisine.
Each dish is steeped in Chinese culinary tradition, but made with a modern twist and presented with artistic flair.
It’s often coined ‘the most futuristic restaurant in the world’ due to its Cyberpunk spaceship interiors.
It often goes viral on social media and is so popular that queues for tables are often well over 3 hours long.
Where is No. 3 Warehouse in Shanghai?
There are actually a few Number 3 Warehouse restaurants in Shanghai.
But, the most popular branches you will have most likely seen on social media are located in:
- New World City Branch on Nanjing Road
- Sky Vanke Plaza Branch in Qingpu
I decided to visit the flagship store in the New World City Mall by People’s Square on Nanjing Road as it was the most convenient location.
Shanghai is a huge city, and the viral No. 3 Warehouse in Qingpu is over an hour away by metro from the city centre. I’d love to go next time.
Good to know: Google Maps doesn’t work in China, and even with a VPN to crack the “Great Firewall”, it’s horrendously inaccurate. It’s best to download AMap for directions and opening times.
Do you need a reservation?
One of the most frustrating parts of visiting No. 3 Warehouse in Shanghai is that you cannot make a reservation beforehand.
It’s a case of showing up and waiting in line for the next available table. It runs on a first-come, first-served basis.
As this restaurant is so popular and often goes viral on social media, wait times can be very long. Especially at peak times or on weekends.
Indeed, I visited on a Friday night around 6 pm and had to wait almost three hours for a table.
You can’t really leave the area either, as you’re given a paper ticket and you need to be there when they call you.
They do have seating available near the restaurant where you can comfortably wait for your turn.
They even have a water machine and hand out bags of snacks to tide you over.
Important: Don’t fall for any scams. People will try to sell you a closer ticket. They are counting on you not being able to read Chinese, and the ticket will definitely be out of date or a fake. Someone tried this on me, but I luckily realised and shooed them away.
What is it like inside No. 3 Warehouse?
As soon as you walk inside Warehouse Number 3, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the future.
This inventive restaurant looks like the interior of a spaceship with mirrored walls, flashing lights, ribboned tables, chrome decor, and lush foliage.
I felt like I had walked into a scene from Blade Runner 2049 or Cyberpunk 2077. Or, maybe, that I had landed in another universe entirely.
I couldn’t wait to order from their creative menu as I had heard nothing but good things.
What’s on the No. 3 Warehouse menu?
No. 3 Warehouse is famous for its innovative menu of creative cuisine. Every meal served here is a work of art.
They have a vast menu of Chinese dishes, each with a modern, artistic twist.
Whether you order candy floss drinks, soup served in a vase, storybook flame-grilled ribs, Peking duck with caviar or a tofu served on a bicycle.
You can be sure it will be both flavourful and unique. It’s also very affordable.
To browse the menu, you will need to scan the QR code on your table with the Alipay or WeChat app.
You then add items to your basket and order when you’re ready. You pay by scanning another QR code on those apps later.
What is the food like?
As I had waited over three hours for my table at No. 3 Warehouse, I was starving by the time I sat down to eat.
So, I definitely overindulged on the menu even though I am only one person.
In my defence, everything looked so delicious, and it wasn’t overly expensive. My entire meal was just over £20, which is a total bargain.
Here is everything I ordered and my honest thoughts on the menu.
Candyfloss drinks
Firstly, I ordered one of their famous candy floss drinks. They have both rose flavour and matcha milkshakes.
I’m not really into creamy drinks, but this smoothie was really thick and flavourful.
The candy floss was also really tasty, and they even come around and top it up with a fresh cloud if it’s looking a little sad.
Creative mains
They have a massive range of fusion food to order, including Durian Pizza, Crab Roe Noodles, and Flaming Tea-Infused Ribs.
I decided to order their glazed pork ribs topped with pineapple served in a mirrored jewellery box.
I also ordered a grilled seabass dish with soy sauce and a bowl of plain rice to pair with it.
Both of these dishes were so tasty and cooked to perfection.
An otherworldly dessert
As someone obsessed with celestial things, I was eager to try their “Starry Sky Journey” dessert, an alien planet made out of marbled chocolate.
You receive a hammer with it, and I was so excited to crack into my chocolate egg, fully expecting a sweet treat inside.
To my horror, it was filled with crispy dough, cold prawns, potatoes and mayonnaise. I was so shocked.
Don’t get me wrong, the chocolate planet was still tasty. But I wish the inside were filled with ice cream, fruit or sweets.
It wasn’t the end of the world, but I was not expecting that at all.
Is No. 3 Warehouse in Shanghai worth visiting?
Yes, No. 3 Warehouse is well worth visiting despite the long wait times for tables.
China is a leader in futuristic attractions, and this innovative restaurant is a great way to experience that.
The Cyberpunk interiors will make you feel like you’ve been transported to another universe entirely.
The menu is also amazingly creative, tasty, and affordable. I would transport myself back in a heartbeat.
Make sure to visit No. 3 Warehouse in Shanghai. It’s out of this world!
Opening hours
No. 3 Warehouse is typically open from 10/10.30 am to 9/9.30 pm every day. Closing time really depends on demand.
I was seated quite late after a three-hour wait and didn’t end up leaving until 10 pm.
The mall was closed by then, and so finding an elevator out was a bit of an adventure.
It’s best to visit out of peak dining hours to avoid long wait times. Early in the morning or early evening often has shorter wait times.
My top tips
- Arrive as they open for lunch or go for an early dinner (around 4 / 5 pm) to avoid long wait times (typically around 3 hours).
- Do not visit this restaurant on a public holiday, such as Golden Week in October or Chinese New Year in February, as wait times will be astronomical.
- Chinese restaurants do not typically take cards for payment. Make sure to have Alipay / WeChat downloaded to pay for your meal.
- You can book vouchers on platforms like Klook, but you will still have to wait for a table. There’s no jumping the queue.
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