New December Stores in Shanghai: Innisfree, MUJI & More

If you’re hunting for fresh places to explore in Shanghai this December, you’re in luck. From a massive Korean beauty café to Japan’s famed lifestyle brand expansion, a wave of new stores and concepts have just landed—or are about to—in the city. Whether you’re into coffee, books, or casual fine dining, there’s something new worth bookmarking.

This December, Shanghai welcomes two major openings: Innisfree’s global flagship store and MUJI’s largest China flagship, both debuting unique experiences including a specialty coffee bar, a bookstore, and a natural-focused restaurant.

Innisfree Global Flagship & Green Café

Opening on November 25 at Shanghai’s bustling Nanjing Road, Innisfree’s new global flagship—reportedly its largest ever—is set to become a key photo spot and shopping destination. Located at 299 Nanjing East Road in the Hongyi Plaza (near Henan Middle Road), it’s more than just a cosmetics store. Shoppers can find exclusive products not available elsewhere, reportedly in huge variety. A major draw is the in-store Green Coffee offering: high-grade coffee beans paired with Korean milk for a rich, aromatic brew. There’s also a bird-shaped oatmeal lollipop cake inspired by traditional Jeju snacks, featuring nuts and a playful design. Both food items bring a café-like experience into the beauty retail space.

MUJI’s Largest China Store: Books, Food & More

MUJI’s new China flagship opens in December at 755 Huaihai Middle Road, billed as the brand’s largest in the country. Beyond clothing and household goods, it introduces MUJI BOOKS—a concept originating in Japan and now making its second global appearance here. The bookstore section is a highlight. Additionally, the third floor houses the Cafè&Meal MUJI, a restaurant that focuses on 'shizen shoku' (food in its most natural state), emphasizing original flavors through simple, authentic cooking methods. It’s not vegetarian, but it is intentional about how food tastes when minimally processed.

More New December Openings Across Shanghai

Beyond Innisfree and MUJI, several other notable venues are opening or operating in December across Shanghai:

• Tao Yuan Juan Cun (Xintiandi): A nostalgic Taiwanese-style breakfast spot serving signature dishes like savory soy milk, steamed buns, and crispy fried dough. Their famous pork and egg-filled congee and other comfort foods draw early crowds. Average spend: around 31 RMB. Address: 150 Hubin Road, 1st Floor, E02-E03.
• inWE Tea (Yangpu District): A modern tea café blending Chinese tea culture with Western presentation. Their tea-and-milk drinks, such as the '100,000 Volts' blend, combine tea flavor with creamy texture and a caffeine kick. Average spend: around 33 RMB. Address: 72-80 University Road.
• Do Coffee: A hybrid café and evening bar with a rugged-industrial yet cozy interior. Offers multiple zones including a reading nook, projector space, and large terrace. Serves coffee into the night and transitions into cocktail mode. Average spend: around 51 RMB. Address: 80 Zhengxue Road, Yangpu District.
• PHENOMENAL: A minimalist takeout coffee shop built from repurposed cargo containers. Specializes in pour-over, cold drip, and espresso. Serves coffee with custom coffee ice cubes to preserve flavor, and pairs drinks with imported milk. Also offers creative plant-based drinks with pumpkin, matcha, and cocoa. Average spend: around 25 RMB. Address: 145 South Shaanxi Road, 1st Floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Innisfree’s global flagship store open in Shanghai?

Innisfree’s global flagship store opens on November 25, 2015, at 299 Nanjing East Road in Shanghai’s Hongyi Plaza, near Henan Middle Road.

What makes MUJI’s new Shanghai flagship different?

MUJI’s new flagship at 755 Huaihai Middle Road is its largest in China and introduces MUJI BOOKS, a concept previously only launched in Japan. It also features a 'shizen shoku'-focused restaurant called Cafè&Meal MUJI that emphasizes natural food flavors.

Does the Innisfree store in Shanghai have food?

Yes, Innisfree’s Shanghai flagship includes a Green Café that serves specialty coffee made with high-grade beans and Korean milk, plus a bird-shaped oatmeal lollipop cake inspired by Jeju street snacks.

What is the Cafè&Meal MUJI concept?

Cafè&Meal MUJI is a restaurant inside MUJI’s new Shanghai flagship that focuses on 'shizen shoku'—preparing food to express its most natural taste through simple, authentic cooking, without being strictly vegetarian.

Are there any other new cafés or food spots opening in December?

Yes, other December openings include Do Coffee (a café and bar hybrid), PHENOMENAL (a cargo-container coffee shop), Tao Yuan Juan Cun (Taiwanese-style breakfast), and inWE Tea (modern tea café), all located in different Shanghai neighborhoods.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Café Pairings

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral notes, perfect with Innisfree’s floral-inspired green coffee. For a richer pairing with MUJI’s shizen shoku dishes, their PWN Golden Mandheling offers full-bodied chocolate and nut tones. Both beans highlight the clean, natural profiles that complement the new Shanghai stores’ food and drink offerings. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.