WALDORF Astoria Club, Three on the Bund, Bund 18, Fairmont Peace Hotel, The House of Roosevelt - the architectural gems along the city's famous river strip have been converted into destinations for the finer things in life in recent years. But the Bund is not all about history, glamor, legendary hotels, high fashion and fine dining. Tucked inside the magnificent buildings and lanes, one will find lifestyle boutiques and even cultural exhibitions. The area also boasts some vibrant art spaces that are geared toward showing the best in contemporary art.

House of Roosevelt - Courtyard Bistro

Other than boasting the biggest wine cellar in town, the House of Roosevelt is also home to the only open-air courtyard restaurant on the Bund. While the al fresco dining experience at the first-floor Courtyard Bistro caters for light-hearted conversation, one can opt for the elegance of the indoor setting as well. Including a choice of one starter or one soup, one main course, and one dessert, the bistro offers business lunch sets for 98 yuan (US$15.36) per person. On the a la carte menu, appetizers and soups range from 38 yuan to 88 yuan, and main courses include fish, steaks, and pasta from 88 yuan to 298 yuan. House of Roosevelt also encompasses a rich history along with its fine cuisine - it was founded by US President Theodore Roosevelt's great grandson, Tweed Roosevelt. The nine-floor building faithfully represents the Roosevelt family's long-standing relationship with China with its beauty, success and taste.

Address: 27 Zhongshan Rd E1

Athanu Café & Lounge Bar

What was once a control tower that provided weather reports for Shanghai decades ago now houses the three-floor Atanu Café & Lounge Bar, where one can indulge in food, drink and a majestic panoramic view of the Bund. The café and bar is located at the historic Meteorological Signal Tower, a building that was reconstructed in 1907. In the afternoon, one can enjoy a cake-and-coffee set for 65 yuan (US$10.18), or choose from a variety of salads, sandwiches and simple finger foods. The bar offers cocktails ranging in price from 70 yuan to 85 yuan. However, until September 30, Atanu's summer special includes Aperol spritz and Italian mojitos for 50 yuan each. With its interesting interior inspired by a fusion of old and modern Shanghai and an impressive open-air terrace perfect for lounging and good conversation, it is no surprise that the place is packed every weekend.

Opening hours: 11am–2am

Address: 1 Zhongshan Rd E2

Tel: 3313-0871

Long Bar

The Waldorf Astoria Club is housed in an exquisite landmark building that was originally the legendary Shanghai Club, which opened in 1911. Long Bar is built to the specifications of the original 1911 bar at the Shanghai Club, which was once the longest bar in the Far East. Today, a seat at the Long Bar represents an appreciation of refined elegance from a bygone era. Every element of the bar has been carefully studied and reproduced from archival photographic records. Opened only about a year ago, the bar is one of the most popular night spots on the Bund featuring an extensive choice of single malt whiskies, best enjoyed with the Long Bar's selection of premium Cuban cigars. A selection of cocktails includes The Waldorf Cocktail (88 yuan/US$13.79), one of the signature drinks of the Waldorf Astoria Bar in New York at the beginning of the 20th century. Check out the oyster bar, which features a wide variety of beach farmed oysters (priced at 58-88 yuan per oyster) flown in directly from the US at least twice a week to ensure freshness.

Opening hours: 2pm-1am

Address: 2 Zhongshan Rd E1

Tel: 6322-9988

Life Gallery

Tucked down a lane along Shanghai's historic Bund, Life Gallery strives to show that cashmere can be used for a lot more than just sweaters. Using only the best-quality cashmere from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the boutique offers hand-made cashmere scarves, clothing, and will soon provide bedroom accessories like pillowcases and bedding. With a blend of silk, linen and cashmere, the boutique creates lightweight clothes that are comfortable, yet chic. Life Gallery has clothing for men, women and children from toddlers to teenagers. While scarves range from 500 yuan (US$78.36) to 6,000 yuan, cashmere tops for the fall season are 1,500 yuan to 2,000 yuan. The boutique also plans to design a bedroom display on its second floor to showcase cashmere home accessories and children's wear. A workshop is also being planned for tailor-made products.

Opening hours: 9am–9pm

Address: Bldg 2, 8 Zhongshan Rd E1

Tel: 6301-5585

Annabel Lee

Annabel Lee's flagship store is tucked inside a lane next to Bund 7. A wide selection of elegant lifestyle accessories and gifts are elegantly displayed. Annabel Lee's young Chinese designers are steeped in Chinese culture, proudly displaying their cultural refinement to the world, yet espousing an international vision of creativity. The themes of each collection derive from traditional Chinese culture, using motifs like lotus flowers, garden architecture windows and dragons. From shell-made napkin rings (30 yuan) and silk tissue holders (90 yuan) to silk embroidery cushion covers (950 yuan) and cashmere blankets (1,800-3,800 yuan), originality and modern design are incorporated in each piece. The signature material is silk and the brand only uses the best silk in China. Other fine materials include premium Chinese cashmere, natural linen and cotton. Most of the products are hand-embroidered, using the famed Su-style embroidery from Jiangsu Province, which has drawn world attention with its simple but sophisticated style and delicate craftsmanship.

Opening hours: 10am-10pm

Address: Bldg 1, 8 Zhongshan Rd E1

Tel: 6445-8218

Shook!

Hidden in the prominent Swatch Art Peace Hotel is Shook!, a restaurant that wishes to whisk you to wherever your palate desires through its extensive menu of Japanese, Chinese, modern Western and Southeast Asian cuisines. Along with an impressive wine cellar that offers vintages from 1945 through 2011, Shook! lives up to its promises of freshness and innovation. The open-kitchen also invites diners to see the chefs as they prepare your meal. While one can pick from an extensive menu that includes the noteworthy Snow White Dancing Prawns (210 yuan) and Cajun Style Seabass (210 yuan), the Time Bar also offers both innovative and classic cocktails, including the signature Caviar Royal that is created with molecular mixology techniques. With an average bill of 500 yuan for food and 200 yuan on drinks, Shook! is not a place for those on a tight budget.

Opening hours: 11:30am–2:45pm, 5:45-10:45pm (restaurant); 11:30am–1am (bar, Monday to Saturday)

Address: 5/F, 6/F, The Swatch Art Peace Hotel, 23 Nanjing Rd E. (Bund 19)

Tel: 2329-8522

Peace Gallery

The most talked-about, high-profile restoration project on the Bund is one of the area's most signature properties - the former Cathay Hotel, now the Fairmont Peace Hotel. During the restoration process, as many designers were consulted as possible. After the hotel opened, the Peace Gallery was set up on the mezzanine floor as a small museum to celebrate the hotel's fascinating history. On display are items and memorabilia including the hotel's silver tableware, porcelain, crystal and antiques that decorated the rooms. Art Deco furnishings, newspapers and photographs of the hotel and its celebrity visitors, brochures and books that tell the tale of the grand old hotel are also on display. The exhibit is divided into three periods -- Cathay Hotel (1929-1952), Peace Hotel (1956-2007) and Fairmont Peace Hotel, which opened in 2010 after the restoration was completed.

Opening hours: 10am-7pm (no admission charge)

Address: 20 Nanjing Rd E.

Tel: 6321-6888 ext 6751