Shanghai Wifi Cafes
Free wifi access is a hot topic in Shanghai right now, as more and more large chains have started charging for their wifi or shutting it down entirely. Shanghaiist reported last month that local favorite Whisk as well as Element Fresh at both the Shanghai Center and K Wah Centre locations have axed their wifi. To counter the trend, here's our list of Shanghai cafes that still keep the free wifi faith.
Citizen Café & Bar: If you want both coffee and a for-real meal (as opposed to snacks) with your free internet, hit up Citizen Cafe & Bar. It's not as casual as our other listings, and they have a full menu and bar. It gets too busy to sit and use the wifi at night and during the weekend brunch, but the place is relatively quiet otherwise.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: This is one of the most well known and popular coffee shops with free wifi in Shanghai. Consequently, it's often hard to find a seat here, and the prices aren't cheap. However, they do have a lot of outlets, reliable net access, and great air conditioning.
Figaro Coffee: A large Filipino chain, Figaro serves house-roasted coffees with beans from all over the world. They serve large sandwiches, simple pasta dishes, and a variety of milkshakes along with the java. The Shanghai branch is just over a year old, but it's already a popular wifi spot.
Jamaican Blue: This is a small coffee shop serving blended coffees, sandwiches, baked goods, milkshakes, and salads. It's a little pricey, but its location close to the American school and the Regent Hotel is convenient.
Kowloon Icehouse: Another multi-branch local chain, Kowloon Icehouse is a favorite among coffeehousers and wifi-lovers for their reliability. They have plugs everywhere, reasonably priced food, and a laid-back staff. You can literally come here, order a coffee, and stay for hours. If you get hungry, they have plenty of cheap rice and noodle dishes.
Sasha's Shanghai: This more upscale cafe is housed in a historical villa with beautiful outdoor garden seating, and it may be one of the most serene free wifi spots in the city. The house also features a full bar and restaurant should your working day turn into a night out.
Valley Gourmet: Voted best business lunch spot by City Weekend, the small and cozy lunch venue serves freshly made Italian, American, and Asian meals for a decent price. Their wifi is notably dependable enough for sustained business use.
Vienna Café: This cozy, mocha-colored cafe is an intimate spot for whiling away the online hours. They serve excellent coffee and have a selection of homemade cakes. The small marble tabletops and bistro feel give the place a European vibe.
Wagas: Wagas is best for breakfast. Their prices are comparable to Starbucks, but their pastries are of a higher quality. In most other respects, their menu is overpriced for the city. It's also a good stop for a reasonably good cappuccino, an excellent slice of cake, or a French crepe. There are several outposts around Shanghai, and some have more outlets than others.
Zurigo: This joint is both a workspace and a coffee shop. It's built for people who need to meet for special projects but don't have a dedicated workplace. Zurigo serves Illy coffee and somehow eludes pretension generally. The officey part of Zurigo has printers, fax machines, long tables, free wifi, and lockers for members. If you get hungry, they have a small selection of catered sandwiches, salads, and pastas. UPDATE: Zurigo is apparently in the process of "relocating," though they're still running their website/blog as of this writing.
-- Amanda Kludt
