Same building, same elevator—but while FLAIR upstairs commands all the attention, AURA Lounge below barely makes a sound. Tucked into the 52nd floor of The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, the space channels Art Deco design as a nod to Shanghai's glamorous 1920s-30s golden era. It's not large, but surprisingly intimate and quiet—the kind of place suited for a birthday celebration, a business chat, or hosting out-of-town friends, rather than a spontaneous Tuesday night drop-in. It's also earned a spot among the 37 hotel bars named to Forbes Travel Guide's 2026 Best Hotel Bars list.
Both floors share the same view of the Lujiazui skyline and the Huangpu River. The difference is that AURA puts the focus back on food and drink themselves.
The dinner highlight is the Chilled Seafood Tower (¥888)—a whole Canadian lobster, four freshly shucked oysters, prawns, mussels, abalone, and clams, making it the best value item on the menu. The lobster and oyster portions alone make it worth the price. The accompanying seafood soy sauce replaces the usual sharp mignonette, adding a layer of umami—a subtle but thoughtful touch. The portion is generous for a cold platter meant for two; you'll only realize partway through just how much food there really is.
For those skipping seafood, the Cassoulet Confit de Canard (¥398) is another route—duck leg confit with leek cream, Dijon mustard, white beans, and diced bacon, rich enough to sink you into the sofa. Add the Triple Cooked Duck Fat Steak Fries (¥88)—fries triple-fried in duck fat until crisp, dusted with parmesan. For dessert, the Ritz-Carlton Cake (¥98) pairs 66% Caribbean dark chocolate with Grand Marnier, walnuts, and candied citrus peel. The Grand Marnier is subtle, letting the dark chocolate carry the dish—a solid finish for dark chocolate lovers.
