Today, L’s Café pays homage to Eileen Chang and looks much the way this popular café might have looked in the 1940s. When you enter the quaint red brick building the first thing you notice are the bookshelves that line the café walls. You can browse through the collection of Chang’s writings, other literary works, books on Chinese culture and history, or even pick something up for the children. The charming café has been restored to its former brilliance, boasting beautiful hardwood tables, chairs and floors to create a soothing and comfortable atmosphere which is perfect for light conversation or a gathering of intimate friends. Besides the main floor area, there is also additional seating upstairs for dinner parties, a VIP area, and a private off-street patio.
If the atmosphere alone isn’t enough to draw you in, L’s Café also provides excellent service and a great array of options for your dining and drinking pleasures. The staff are attentive, knowledgeable, and dressed in elegant qipaos reminiscent of the 1940s. L’s Café not only serves a wide variety of freshly made coffees and handcrafted cocktails but also boasts an eclectic menu containing both international and Asian style fare with a variety of different menus and specials throughout the day. Depending on the time of your visit, L’s has separate lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner menus. Prices are more than fair with lunch sets beginning at 38 RMB. » continue
L’s Café pays homage to Eileen Chang and looks much the way this popular café might have looked in the 1940s.
L’s Café is not just a great place to relax but is also an ideal location for private meetings and group or company functions. Additionally, L’s also routinely hosts functions for several Shanghai chambers of commerce, wine tastings, networking groups, book readings and musical events. Next time you are planning something out of the ordinary or simply need an escape from the daily grind, why not take a step back in time to Shanghai in the 1940s and head down to L’s Book Café. ✖
Editor’s Note: L’s was formerly named Colorful, which is why its signage and stationary still show Colorful as its name. According to a staff member, the “L” in L’s Book Cafe is for “Ling,” the last character of Eileen Chang’s Chinese name, 张爱玲 (Zhāng Àilíng).
L’s Book Café
(formerly Colorful)
195 Changde Lu, near Nanjing Xi Lu
常德路195, 近南京西路
Metro Line 2 Jing’an Temple Station
I had lunch there the other day. Ordered a salmon sandwich and got a tuna sandwich instead, but it was still good. Very comfortable atmosphere and the walls lined with books made me feel all scholarly. Free Wi-Fi too. Will go there again for sure.
nice…will visit this place for sure. do they have other books aside from the ones written by ling?..what will happen if you accidentally spill coffee on one of the books? will you pay for it?hehehe
Heh I’m sure most of the books there are not by Eileen Chang. And I think you can buy books there so it’s probably the standard you-break-you-buy policy.
I know it’s ironic but I’d like to go there to read a book on my iPad. Great place to just chill for a while.
nice!!!!you have an iPad? so the pic you posted last time in facebook about people lining up for the iPad? youre one of those guys huh?hahaha=)
Angelo.. they definately have other books. The books there are all for sale, and you can browse through any you want while sitting, but if you spilled your drink on one you would be buying it, as from what I’ve been told
@Angelo — No man, I went across the street and bought it at Best Buy the next morning. After I got it, people were still in line at the Apple Store.
@David – hmmm i see…still looks really nice. looks like a perfect place for mozimogo meeting or something=)
@Daniel – yeah i heard they have this “you break we replace” policy which is always good…or maybe the sales guy just said it wrong?