Taikang Lu is an excellent shopping destination. It’s a little funky and artsy, but snazzy at the same time. Most of the shopping is actually located down an alley off of Taikang Road, which is where you will find Kommune – a great spot to stop for a sandwich or drink after some exhausting shopping.
Kommune’s menu is small, mostly Paninis, but it does offer very noteworthy daily specials. Be sure to first ask the waitress before ordering from the menu. A consistent offering on the special menu is a Panini with scrambled eggs, sun dried tomatoes, veggies and cheese... simply delicious! I also love the Mediterranean plate, which comes with fresh baked bread and veggies to dip in hummus, baba ganoush and tzatziki. Beverages range from coffee (30RMB for a latte) to wine by the glass or bottle (a bottle is about 90RMB).
Kommune’s most charming aspect is likely its outdoor seating located in an old fashioned Chinese courtyard. Bench seating and small round tables shaded by trees and umbrellas make for a perfect setting to enjoy a warm afternoon with friends. Kommune also has a barbecue in the courtyard, so bring your own meat or veggies and use the grill for a small charge.
How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Shanxi Lu Station. Exit onto Huaihai Lu. and head east for one and a half blocks to Ruijin Lu. Take a right, and then head south until you hit Taikang Lu about 15 minutes later. Take a left on Taikang Lu. This road has several small shops, but keep and eye out for In Shanghai (very cute t-shirts) about 5 minutes down on the left side of the street. There is an alley just before In Shanghai, where you need to take a left. Head down the alley and check out some of the cute shops before arriving at Kommune, which will be in the courtyard on the left.
