Take a look at Prada's restaurant in Shanghai It is called Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai and was designed by Won Kar Wai

On March 31, 2025, Prada inaugurated its first standalone restaurant on the Asian continent. The result of a collaboration with acclaimed director Wong Kar Wai, the project is an emblematic point of connection between the visual worlds of Milan and Shanghai: through a succession of juxtapositions, the space sets the stage for a sophisticated dialogue in which art, history, and culture intertwine with gastronomy.

Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai perfectly reflects the philatelic concept of tête-bêche, which describes two stamps placed side by side but mirrored: this is the leitmotif that inspired Wong Kar Wai in designing the venue. The elegant design elements throughout the interiors and the elaborate details are a perfect synthesis of Prada's timeless sophistication and the historical charm of the Rong Zhai residence. Carefully curated with art pieces from Prada’s rich collections and fine Chinese antique furniture, the decor tells the captivating story of a solid and lasting connection—one that unites Prada, Shanghai, and Milan.

Enhancing the experience at Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai is the special exhibition Rising Clouds, Blooming Flower: a series of Shanghai-style woodblock prints created by Wong Kar Wai in collaboration with the historic art institution Duo Yun Xuan. Inspired by the television series *Blossoms Shanghai*, the works are divided into five sets, each named after the color of a cloud.

Prada has redefined the culinary experience

Moving beyond the traditional concept of a restaurant, Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai redefines the guest experience by offering refined cuisine and a curated selection of Italian pastries from late morning through dinner. The menu is a celebration of fusion and innovation, a creative marriage between Italian and Chinese culinary traditions, aiming for a dynamic balance of flavors. The dishes are crafted by Executive Chef Lorenzo Lunghi from the Ristorante Torre, who has previously worked at several Michelin-starred restaurants including Gambero Rosso and Saturne in Paris. The gastronomic experience ranges from classic Italian ravioli, skillfully paired with exquisite Chinese ingredients, to veal tonnato and citrus-glazed duck breast. Each dish is a creative fusion of Italian and Chinese tradition, culminating in a harmonious blend of flavors. The dessert selection is entrusted to Diego Crosara, world champion in pastry and gelato, who has been the Creative Pastry Director for Marchesi 1824 of the Prada Group since 2018.

With the opening of Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai, a new chapter begins for the Rong Zhai residence: while the second floor hosts the restaurant, the third floor is home to The Apartment, an exclusive space where Prada’s centuries-old heritage and exceptional craftsmanship are expressed through a selection of bespoke products and services.

The interiors of Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai

Created after the villa’s renovation in 2017, Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai offers a journey of discovery, in which each room honors its original function by showcasing artworks and antiques. Some spaces feature a distinctive stylistic theme, while others blend influences from Milan and Shanghai—but every corner is imbued with the harmony between Prada’s vision and Wong Kar Wai’s cinematic imagination.

Corridor is an evocative passage that immerses guests in the romance of the film In the Mood for Love. A rhythmic sequence of ceiling lights recalls Wong Kar Wai’s unmistakable visual language, while the woodblock prints from the Rising Clouds, Blooming Flower series heighten the evocative atmosphere and add historical and artistic depth to the space.

From here, guests enter The Pastry Shop, conceived as both a classic and whimsical Italian boutique, with handcrafted cherry wood and brass furniture recalling the first Prada store, opened in 1913 in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. A meeting point between past and innovation, this central space represents the dialogue between tradition, craftsmanship, and contemporary design. The delightful selection of individual desserts includes Italian pastry classics such as cassata, lemon delight, and tiramisu, all expertly reimagined.

At the heart of Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai is The Caffè: a lively gathering place centered around an elegant bar counter, crafted by local artisans through the restoration of wooden elements from the villa, and adorned with intricate wooden scrolls reminiscent of Shanghai’s early 20th-century venues.

Tucked inside The Caffè is The Study, envisioned as an intimate retreat connected to the garden and terrace. Carefully chosen furnishings and rare collectible pieces contribute to an atmosphere of refined sophistication.

The Caffè opens onto The Terrace, a modern reinterpretation of Arcadia Hall, the first open-air salon in Shanghai accessible to women at the turn of the 20th century. Furnished with 1930s bamboo tables and chairs, the terrace combines Chinese-inspired design with the classic crossed-leg seating traditionally associated with women.

The Library is the room of tranquility: the cultural influences of Shanghai and Milan meet and merge, inviting intellectual exploration with a collection of books dedicated to Chinese craftsmanship, decorative arts, and Italian design (including Murano glassmaking)—all themes present at both Rong Zhai and in Prada’s archives. A work from the Rising Clouds, Blooming Flower series, again in collaboration with Duo Yun Xuan Art Center, gives the room a sophisticated tone.

Guests are then welcomed into The Dining Room, an intimate and evocative space dedicated to culinary artistry: the beating heart of Mi Shang, it is a place with a romantic aura and seductive nighttime ambiance, evoking the dialogue between the cinematic world of In the Mood for Love and Prada’s refined aesthetics.

Beyond the incredible culinary experience, Prada Rong Zhai remains true to its unique role as the city’s cultural salon, continuing to host two art exhibitions a year and numerous events to foster multidisciplinary dialogue on urban cultural development.