Laowai Street

Laowai street is situated in Shanghai. As the organizer of the re-naming program for Laowai Street,Zhang Wucai, once told the Global Times that laowai, a commonly used term for foreigners, shouldn't be seen as a negative word, despite the fact that some expats consider it to be one. "Shanghaiese people are open to laowai. We love the laowai in Shanghai, and it's a more brotherly way of calling expats," he said.

Regardless of the name, the street continues to offer the kind of food and ambiance suitable for a romantic dinner or spending a lazy Sunday afternoon. In addition to the new name, the street's organizers plan to emphasize the presence of foreign cultures on the street by inviting international bands and performers to dance and play instruments on the street. The 480-meter-long Laowai 101 boasts a number of reputable restaurants and bars from different countries. Since its grand opening eight years ago, the scope of its business has slowly grown to incorporate 6 Chinese restaurants and 23 Western style restaurants and bars. The following are some of its highlights:

Worldwide Breads
Bastiaan Bakery & Café provides fresh baked goods to a number of other well-known eateries and supermarkets with varying needs such as Latina, Parkson and Carrefour. That's why the variety of breads you find at Bastiaan Bakery & Café is extensive. Sixty different breads are produced on a daily basis.Ingredients for its breads are sourced from all over the world: flour from the Netherlands, Germany,Austria and the USA; butter from France and Ireland; sugar from South Korea. As a result, eating at Bastiaan is like a miniature Laowai 101 in itself - you can get a taste of something from almost everywhere.Best of all, compared to other expat-oriented bakeries in Shanghai, these quality breads and desserts come at very reasonable prices.

Shisha at Shiraz
Shiraz is the first Iranian restaurant in Shanghai. Named after Iran's ancient capital Shiraz, the layout of the restaurant makes you feel like you've actually arrived in Iran. Outside on the street, you also find seating of Iranian sofas suited for smoking shisha, a Middle Eastern water pipe filled with sweet, flavored tobacco.

Familiar flavors
Faith's Diner serves classic American comfort food. There's all day breakfasts of homemade waffles, bacon, eggs and sausages served with bottomless cups of coffee. Classics such as burgers and fries,meatloaf with mushroom gravy, and macaroni and cheese are also available.