Modern design and food with a view

One of the understated dining rooms of Shanghai's New Heights restaurant.

Visitors to Shanghai flock to The Bund to view the waters and architecture, but come meal time, one of the city's most popular restaurants is a welcome addition to the day's itinerary. For those who want to get a taste of the modern side of Shanghai's flair, New Heights is a great place to indulge in a meal. The Three on the Bund building itself is a Shanghai landmark -- a seven-story, post-renaissance structure built in 1916, and New Heights is perched on its top floor.

Wood, glass and buffed aluminum create a slickly understated environment that blurs the line between upscale dining and upscale cafeteria. The terrace and windowed walls give breathtaking views of the Bund and Pudong District across the river -- the restaurant's key draws. As a consolation prize, another frosted glass wall receives a real-time projection of the Bund. Come night, the stars compete for attention against the flickering city skyline and reflections shimmering in the water.

The food is decent, though prices can be steep (one steak costs over 700 yuan). The 118 yuan set lunch (two courses and a soft drink), however, is perfectly reasonable. The modern continental and Southeast Asian menu offers characteristic dishes like salmon with lemongrass sauce or a classic burger with onion jam. Like a number of high-end restaurants in China, service can be inconsistent. But when people pay high-end prices, they have the right to expect high-end service, and New Heights doesn't always deliver.

Address: 7th floor, Three On The Bund, No.3 Zhongshan Road, Shanghai