Shanghai Lounge

I hadn’t been to Shanghai Lounge in years and back then it didn’t leave much of an impression. I was surprised to see the menu now focused on Sichuan cuisine—turns out they have a new chef from Sichuan! We ordered a mix of dishes, and the Sichuan flavors really delivered: 5/5 Sweet and Sour Crispy Fish – Surprisingly good! The sweet and sour balance was spot on—flavorful but not overly sweet. The batter was light and crisp, though it could’ve been a bit crispier. 3/5 Wonton in Chili Oil – A bit disappointing. The sauce lacked depth and saltiness. Overall the flavor is too mild. 4/5 Stir-Fried Cabbage – Crisp and flavorful, though the portion was on the smaller side. Still, a solid veggie option. 2/5 Soup Dumplings – A request from my non-Chinese friend. They were fine but not the highlight here (not a traditional Sichuan dish). The total came out pretty reasonable. Service is fast and friendly, and the atmosphere is relaxing. I’d recommend sticking to the chef’s specials and Sichuan dishes. Worth checking out if you’re nearby!

We had dinner here and ordered the dry pot beef and the sour soup lamb. This place offers authentic Chinese (Szechuan) cuisine at very reasonable prices. The servers were also very warm and friendly.

Shanghai lounge rocks because it's not trying to prove anything this is freshly prepared Chinese food the traditional way and the ingredients are pretty good love their eggplant love their shrimp love their soup buns and love their service oriented owners and servers that want to make you happy. I am raising the rating of the food to five stars. I visited recently and the food was more than excellent. I think this is the best Chinese restaurant in DC..cucumber salad and soup buns yum!

Celebrated with my friends here, the atmosphere, the food, the staff, and customer service were outstanding. We had a great time her and left with full belly. Food was on point and much better than most other places. Enjoyed the experience. Best of all everything was sooooo clean.

Total Score: 6.60 Bathroom: 4/5 Very grassy look. Pretty unique! Customer Service: 4.5/5 Very nice and courteous. Also made some small talk with us and very friendly too! Ambiance: 4.75/5 Truly a shanghai lounge loving the decor and the cat pillow!! Food: 3/5 Food was okayyyy. Dumplings were flimsy and veggies were soggy Wow: 0/1 Normal Chinese restaurant Total Score = BR + CS + 2*AM + 5*FOOD + WOW

Shanghai Lounge is a hidden gem in DC’s Georgetown neighborhood, offering some of the most authentic and fiery Chinese cuisine in the DMV area. Just a few blocks from Georgetown’s bustling main streets, the restaurant exudes traditional Chinese charm, with decor rich in vibrant colors, intricate artwork, and decorative accents that evoke a sense of heritage. On this visit, we indulged in a selection of spicy dishes, each showcasing Shanghai Lounge’s skill in balancing heat with nuanced flavors. We began with the **Spicy Beef Tendon**, a standout appetizer with a perfectly tender texture and robust, chili-infused flavor that makes it a must-try for spice lovers. Next, the **Scallion Pancake** surprised us with its uniquely crisp layers and distinctive flavor—better than average, with a crunch that elevates the familiar dish. The **Steamed Pork Soup Bun** was a delightful palate cleanser, though the filling leaned toward the sweet side, and the dumpling skin was slightly thicker than that of more delicate varieties. For something more adventurous, we tried the **Duck’s Blood Cake with Beef Tripe in Spicy Chili Soup**. The broth was rich and deeply flavorful, and although they had run out of duck’s blood cake, a mix of duck and pig’s blood cake made a satisfying alternative. Lastly, the **Grilled Whole Seabass with Spicy Chili Sauce** was a masterpiece, perfectly cooked with tender flesh and a spice-laden sauce that added depth without overpowering the fish. Service was attentive and welcoming, enhancing the experience in this cozy spot. Shanghai Lounge has rightfully earned its place among the best for spicy Chinese fare in the area, and we’ll undoubtedly return to explore more of its bold and expertly crafted dishes. 11-17-24. ### Shanghai Lounge: A Second Szechuan Revelation After my first encounter with this fiery Szechuan restaurant in Georgetown, I found myself irresistibly drawn back, my craving for authentic Szechuan spice growing stronger with each passing day. Today’s revisit to this hidden gem only solidified its place in my culinary heart. Here’s what graced our table: - **Boiled Duck Blood Curd Szechuan Style** - **Spicy Boiled Fish Filets** - **Dry Pot Spicy Beef** - **Spicy Beef Tendon** - **Pan-Fried Chicken Dumplings** The **Boiled Duck Blood Curd**, much like my initial tasting, delivered the same velvety texture and bold flavors that left me enamored. It was a pleasure to find the **Spicy Boiled Fish Filets** equally stellar—silky fish paired with a broth bursting with numbing heat and fragrance. The **Dry Pot Spicy Beef** was a revelation, each bite offering a masterful balance of spice, umami, and smokiness. Meanwhile, the **Spicy Beef Tendon** stood out with its chewy, satisfying texture and expertly seasoned spice profile. To round off the meal, the **Pan-Fried Chicken Dumplings** provided a comforting contrast, golden-crisp on the outside and juicy within. Each dish reaffirmed the kitchen's dedication to authentic Szechuan cooking, its boldness and depth of flavor evident in every bite. I’m already planning my next visit, eager to explore the menu further. Shanghai Lounge is, without a doubt, a must-visit for anyone chasing the thrill of true Szechuan cuisine.

If you are looking for great Chinese food, don't go to Chinatown, go here. Traditional dishes that are amazing. The hand made soup dumplings are great. I really enjoyed the spicy fish broth. The Cummin lamb is also a must try dish at this location. I have returned a year later and I’m already looking forward to my next visit to Georgetown to explore more of this amazing cuisine. My experience was outstanding! Lyn provided exceptional service—she was attentive, answered all my questions, and offered fantastic recommendations. Again the spicy fish was a true highlight, with perfectly balanced flavors and the delightful kick of numbing Sichuan peppers. Every detail was spot on. While the restaurant may appear small from the outside, don’t be deceived—there’s plenty of space upstairs to accommodate larger parties. If you’re searching for authentic Chinese food, this spot is a must-visit. Highly recommend!!!

The food here was great. We were looking for some authentic Chinese food and came across this restaurant but thought it looked a little localized but tried it anyway. They have good Szechuan food and the lady waiter there was so so sweet - she was so excited for me to try out the cumin lamb. The food absolutely did not disappoint (at least the dishes we had) and we'd definitely go back to eat again. The atmosphere was below avg as it was dingy and the smell wasn't great so I wouldn't call it a vibe, but if you're looking for authentic Chinese food, this is a good spot.

I can't wait till they have a few tables or a little window bar! Sidebar: (Does anyone remember that "mom and pop" Korean place run by the older couple in Mt. Pleasant? Or the early days of Thai X-ing on Fla Ave!? That was an EXPERIENCE, and memories I'll always cherish) I went a la cart all the way on the Appetizer Menu: ~The Dan Dan Noodles!!! The al dente chewiness and perfectly spiced (peanut?) sauce... was so comforting on a cold a.. night. ~The Soup Dumplings and the dipping sauce, were honestly unexpectedly flavorful and truly tasted hand made. If they're not home made, these chefs work some cooking sorcery. They were much more substantial and flavorful than the bland ones I had at that trendy "Soup Dumpling" place in Ballston. (so unremarkable I can't recall the name) ~ Service : We ordered ahead, walked the 15-20 minutes and it was piping hot and ready by the time we arrived. The food was still warm by the time we got home. My 3 appetizers totaled $22 w/ tax and they fully satisfied my hunger, and I'm a thick 6' 2" dude. Ambience: TBH I wasn't paying attention due to the stimulating convo I was having, but it seemed sufficiently clean and tidy/ well maintained, and unpretentious. I like that.

I love everything! This really satisfies my craving for Chinese food not in just taste but in ambiance. In DC there is a tendency to have everything newly renovated, efficient, and to commercialize the small business. This place has really kept its charm, its still a brick-and-mortar restaurant that has hand-painted decals on the wall. We were immediately greeted by welcoming staff. The pleasant part of this experience was how encouraging the customers were. Once we told the waiter it was our first time there, those listening were eager to tell us what to order, but overall everyone said that everything on the menu was delicious! I think that's a really good sign that they have been here for a long time, kept people well fed, and most heart warmingly, kept people well taken care of. We trusted the opinion of our waiter and got a variety of really good dishes that were also affordable! I really appreciate a Chinese restaurant that sticks to nostalgic flavors. Nothing too sweet. We got to really taste the umami that's brought out of steamed pork and smokiness from chili oil. There is also a really underrated tea selection and over time we were realizing that the tableware was adorable down to the spoons and tea pots!

Just ordered for the first time in a year or so. Uber delivery. Disappointed. Used to be top notch Chinese food. Went from B+ to C leval food. The memory of slightly crispy Kang Pao chicken with lots of chicken and peanuts and a sauce with a kick to it is now replaced with slightly soggy chicken with lots of green peppers, onions and a handful of peanuts in an uninspired sauce. Don't worry about eating a hot pepper because there were none. LO Mein with chicken. Consisted of overcooked noodles in a bland sauce with chicken? Yup, after hunting for a couple of minutes I found a few slivers of chicken hiding beneath the bland noodles. Perhaps 50 cents worth of protein. Another one is off our list.

Stopped by this location after an afternoon in the Dumbarton oaks garden - absolutely a pleasure to speak with the staff. It's a pretty laid back shop that gets a ton of to go orders with both Chinese Chinese & American Chinese food where both sides are quite delicious. Will come back for the dry hot pot !

Shanghai Lounge is a classic fast food Chinese stop and you can get your regular selection of lo mein, soups, fried rice, and spicy meat with veggies. The inside is a little grimy so I always takeout and the only con is that in my opinion, the food doesn't reheat well, so I prefer to order only what I would eat that day. Otherwise, the food is tasty and the prices aren't bad.

The intestines were my favorite part of the meal!! It was not too fatty and had a little kick of spice to it. If you can eat intestines, I highly recommend. It's on their new menu. Also on the new menu, we got the sweet and sour pork. The pork does have bones in it, but the sauce is delicious. This was my friend's favorite. For a veggie dish, we ordered the mapo tofu. I thought this was lacking compared to other mapo tofus I've had but I usually like more meat and smaller softer tofu in my mapo tofu. You might really like this. Service was good and quick. Everyone there spoke Chinese and were very friendly. The interior of the restaurant is decorated nicely. Check out this place for more authentic chinese food if you're in Georgetown!

This food is so good!!! This might be the best mapo tofu I've ever had!!! The people are also very friendly. I love real Sichuan food and it can be hard to find, so this is my new favorite!

Amazing place! Many menu items... the ambiance is just perfect. A small, friendly place with big flavors and fantastic flawless service. On Sunday, it was easy street parking. Great portions, and both of my items were perfect, I can't wait to go back and try other entrées.

My only gripe with this place is that it's all the way in Georgetown Otherwise, everything is pretty on point. Service is good. Food is excellent. Top dishes I'd recommend: - soup dumplings - general tso's (SO crispy and good) - salt & pepper prawns (huge and crispy!) When I heard this place won AWARDS for general tso's I was like... Ok how good can it really be right Lemme tell you, it can be pretty freaking good. I was amazed every time I took another piece of chicken. Highly recommend

Was really craving some soup dumplings and found this place through Yelp in Washington Georgetown. It isn't a big place but the owner is pretty sweet. The pan dry hotpot was decent and the soup dumpling was not bad too. The milk tea was surprisingly good too, not overly sweet like most places. It is a nice Asian fusion place.

Cozy, authentic Shanghainese restaurant & bar that harkens back to my childhood. It's a family business that serves both lunch and dinner and focuses on preparing classic dishes carefully. It sets itself apart with friendly and efficient tableside service. The fixed-price lunch menu is a great value. And that's saying something for Georgetown. I adore the orange chicken here. The very fresh citrus sauce gives the dish a noticeable depth that's lacking at other Chinese eateries. The garlic pork entrée has a real zing; it features a lovely dark sauce that brings out the flavor of all the ingredients. Not to be missed are the house handmade dumplings -- they're marvelous. The dumplings can be stuffed with various fillings. I get the vegetable ones, and make sure they're pan-fried. An excellent dipping sauce accompanies this appetizer. The miso soup is not the best, however. I've been a customer off and on since they opened, in 2011. Shanghai Lounge has staying power for all the right reasons. It's worth a trip.

Good service and great food!! We even got free bubble tea for Mother's Dayhighly recommend their frog dish

One of the best Chinese food spots in this area! And it's at a reasonable rate. The place is very cute and the service is good. The soup dumplings are amazingg. The portion sizes are also great too.

Excellent Lo Mai Gai and Crispy shrimp with walnuts. Delicate shrimp dumplings and hearty tofu soup. Great service and ambiance! I'll be back!

Words cannot compare to how great the staff, food, and little restaurant is. I stumbled across this place while walking around Georgetown and was beyond pleased when I finished my meal. The level of authenticity for Chinese cuisine is spectacular. At the end of my meal I also grabbed a taro milk tea with boba and it was the happy ending to my meal. The staff is so kind and accommodating, and I had a wonderful conversation with each. I'm grateful to have stopped and found a place that reminds me of my grandmothers cooking.

Authentic, with some dishes not seen elsewhere. But also wasn't very impressionable. It's good - but just take-out Chinese good, in my opinion - if anything. I had the A5 - golden mushroom salad (was just okay), the A9 - Shanghai steamed pork buns (was delicious even if they were each tiny and only had pork options for these soup dumplings), B1 - crispy shredded beef (was okay), and P6 - sautéed vermicelli with ground pork (was okay).

My dad and I have been ordering carry out from here once a week for many years now. Our favorite dishes include the Kung Pao Tofu, Dry Hotpot (all in 1 meal!), sad/hally eggplant, shredded pork with chilis, tiger peppers, and szechuan fish. I swear shanghai lounge makes up 25% of my total diet. The staff are always very nice and accommodating and I hope this place stats around forever.

Nice little spot in Georgetown area. Recently acquired under new management, but kept the same menu for the time being. From speaking with the employees, they are looking to add some Szechuan dishes! Everything ordered was tasty and flavorful! The service was courteous and fast. Parking was whatever you can find along Wisconsin Avenue. Would definitely be back for more! Enjoy!

I've ordered from this restaurant a few times now, and it has beat out my usual go to (withholding the name to protect the innocent lol). I've had egg drop soup, which was very flavorful and helped soothe my upset stomach, and vegetable fried R8. Lovely Fried Rice 私房炒饭, as well as spring rolls beore. I've never had spring rolls this flaky or fresh. They were delicious and the vegetable fried rice is the best I've had in the area. Last night, I ordered the Black Mushroom with Shanghai Bokchoy 香菇菜心 and a side of fried rice. This is where the star is deducted. The fried rice side, while flavorful, is a bit on the dry side. However, the entree was delicious! Now, the true test. My boyfriend is very picky about his Chinese food, but he devoured the chicken fried rice he ordered last night. He was a bit iffy on trying Shanghai Lounge since he is also a creature of habit, but trusted my taste buds and has now declared it "our spot." You will have leftovers, but that's fine because youll want them. Thats how good they are.

I ordered dumplings, lo mein, and a pork dish from this place. Literally everything they delivered was revolting. Even the steamed white rice was bad. It was all a greasy, disgusting mess. I tasted each dish and then threw it all straight in the trash (outside, so it wouldn't stink up the house). Never again. Just horrible.

This restaurant is cozy, clean, warm, and friendly. The chef has a great mixture and seasoning of spices in the dishes. I recommend the garlic cucumber, very flavorful. I ordered the rice rolls and cumin chicken. Highly recommend this restaurant!

Great place to try lots of regional dishes at a very reasonable price. Shanghai Lounge does a good job of attractively plating and presenting all the favorites with good flavor and distinct textures. Some of my favorite items here are the shanghai steamed pork bun, which has a nice flavor with the pork filling though it was a bit light on the soup. The house-made scallion pancakes which are nicely pan-fried with a good number of layers and not too salty. The shanghai stir-fried pork with rice cake which had a nice chewiness to the rice cakes and a strong helping on black pepper. The sichuan chili boiled fish which was more fragrant than spicy, with a good level of tenderness to the fish. The mushroom chicken which had nice tender chicken with a good mix of flavorful mushroom. The fried tofu hot pot which was intensely flavorful, with a very strong flavor of garlic and onion that helped to heighten the flavor of the dish. Finally, the cumin lamb which was prepared very tender and had the pepper and onion absorb all the delicious flavors of the dish. The fat was rendered out perfectly to avoid any gamey flavor. Overall, great place to enjoy delicious dishes with others. I'd definitely come back here on another trip in the future.

We came here on a whim after our original dinner choice didn't work out. We're glad that we did because everything we tried was solid. We got the pork dumplings which we quickly regretted not ordering more. The hot and sour soup also ended up being perfect for a rainy day. The Ma Po Tofu had some great flavor but could of used some more spice. We also tried the cucumber salad and scallion pancakes. The cucumber salad was a nice refreshing palate cleanser. I would probably skip the scallion pancakes next time, since it just felt like it was missing something without a sauce. Overall, good food and a place that I would definitely come back to and try some of the other dishes.

Excellent choice if you're looking for authentic Asian food. Small restaurant located in the Georgetown neighborhood. We tried many dishes among the ten of us that went as a group. All were excellent. Service was slow but that's to be expected with the large group that we came with and surprised them with. They were able to get us seated quickly and were attentive to our needs. This is a great choice if your looking for authentic Asian food in DC.

Spicy beef and King Pao shrimp were appetizing. Dumplings too The statuesque young man is friendly and well mannered. The Ambiance is warm and familial. It is a place to come back to The only drawback: The Restrooms. Wooden and narrow stairs to the restrooms are not well lit and unsafe. People can fall. Then the smell is not pleasant. The restaurant should invest in its restrooms. Three stars instead of Five because of the Restrooms.

Servers are great, restaurant is cute. Food is fine, it's not the best Chinese in the area, but may be the best in Georgetown.

This is one of the best Chinese food I've had in DC. I stumbled upon it on a walk and tried the dry hot pot which was my favorite and most interesting thing I've had there to date. they use a numbing spice powder and the taste is very dynamic. I was really enjoyed their Mongolian beef but I substituted the rice for noodles. Service wasn't the best but I definitely have returned for takeout

The food has gone way down here; ordered out last week and it was terrible: signature dish is hot pot, and we tossed it. Sad...we have loved this place for years.

Cute cozy restaurant on one of the main streets in Georgetown. I got the pork pan friend dumplings that were very good, served with a sweet vinegar sauce. I also got the chili fried chicken entree which was amazing. It is spicy, even when I asked for the mild version, but oh is it good! Will be back!

I love this place! Best Chinese food that I've had in DC for a very long time now that Chinatown is sadly disappearing. The decor is is cute with a vintage feel. The food is stellar, try the Farmhouse Pork and Hunan Pork. Also, i can't say enough good things about the staff. Overall, a great restauran!

I was in the mood for some good Chinese food....and I found it here. Teleworking from home and craving Chinese food for lunch, I scoured the web researching several restaurants and decided to take a chance on Shanghai Lounge. Finding decent a chinese food spot in DC is like looking for a needle in a haystack. With so many Chines restaurants and carry-outs within a block radius in the city, it still is a "hit or miss" situation....unless you head out to neighboring VA (Eden Garden Center / Baileys Crossroads) or Montgomery County, MD. Well, the food was not only appealing at Shanghai Lounge but was good....actually, very good! I ordered through GrubHub for takeout. It was prepared quick, fresh and fast. I ordered the General Tso Chicken, Cumin Lamb, Salt Pepper Prawns and Hot & Sour Soup. To start the Hot & Sour soup was just okay and was the least favorite. It was a little bland for my liking but still decent. The Salt Pepper Prawns on the other hand was really good. It was crispy and the shrimp were plump and juicy. On to the main dishes, the General Tso and Cumin Lamb, both were delicious. The General Tso Chicken was crispy with lots of actual chunks of chicken as oppose to breading. The General Tso's sauce was perfect.....great flavor, with hints of citrus and a light spicy heat. A thumbs up on this dish. The Cumin Lamb did not disappoint either. It was a huge portion and the thinly sliced lamb was tender and full of fresh ground cumin flavor, garlic and spices. Both dishes were reasonably priced and the generous servings paired with white rice provided more than enough to share. Overall, 3.5 to 4 Stars! The food was delicious and the service....was fast and friendly. Shanghai Lounge proved to not be a bad option at all. The menu is extensive and the prices are fair considering it is located in the pricey Georgetown neighborhood. Definitely a place I would try again.

Seriously... hands down...best mapo tofu in DC. And I have scoured DC in search of mapo. Han Palace (Conn. Ave) is next best and Da Hong Pao close third. Also don't miss the lamb dry hot pot here.

Best Chinese restaurant in Georgetown, if not all DC. If youre on the fence just go, you will not be disappointed

They didn't give me utensils, although I checked the box for utensils. So I'm supposed to eat with my hands? Also the food is mediocre.

Not too shabby! 3.5 stars but I'll round up! With my friend and boyfriend, the three of us shared: Apps -Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings, but on the menu it's A11: Steamed Pork Bun--but they aren't buns??) -Dan Dan Noodles (appetizer size) Mains -Lamb Dry Hot Pot: Probably my favorite thing we ate! -Crispy Green Beans -Sad Eggplant (Yes, that's what it is actually called on the menu. It was a large eggplant with noodles and veggies served on top.) Lamb dry hot pot was yummy! We shared this and we each got individual cups of rice at no extra charge. I liked the crispy green beans too and found them flavorful. Out of everything, the dan dan noodles were a bit disappointing and lacked sauce, but luckily it was just appetizer size. I enjoyed the soup dumplings (again, they should change the name on the menu to soup dumplings and not steamed buns!), but there wasn't a lot of soup inside. We all also thought the eggplant could use more flavor but the noodles and vegetables on top of the eggplant dish were pretty good. Service was good and the waiter answered all of our questions, like "What's the difference between the happy eggplant and the sad eggplant?" The answer: one of them is more spicy. I can't remember now if it was the sad or happy eggplant that is the spicer one. If you like spice, specify that more because none of the food items that were supposed to be spicy were actually that spicy. This is coming from someone who can typically only handle mild-medium spice. :P We walked over from 31st & Wisconsin in Georgetown and it was about a 20 minute walk from the main street in Georgetown, closer to the Safeway between Georgetown/Glover Park. With the lack of really delicious Chinese restaurants in D.C. proper, the food was comforting on a semi-chilly day and we all left with our bellies full and happy.

As a Shanghainese, I assure you this is the best authentic restaurant to taste south east China cuisine. Will come frequently 100%

About a 3-3.5: Shanghai Lounge is a 2-floor Chinese restaurant in the Glover Park neighborhood. Menu is extensive, offering items such as edamame, seaweed salad, Chinese cucumber salad, garlic salad, and small and pepper sol fish; soups; chicken/beef/lamb/pork/seafood/veggie entrees, and dry hot pot. The hubs and I came here for an early lunch, and we ordered: Dan Dan Noodles (ground pork, stir-fried Chinese sauteed vegetables, and noodles); Spicy Pork Wontons; Sesame Paste with Cold Noodles; handmade Pork Dumplings (xiao long bao); and, pan-fried pork dumplings. Both the noodle dishes were forgettable, as the noodles were slightly overcooked and were not drained properly, so the sauces and the noodle water made it a bit watered down. Same went for the spicy wontons - the dumplings could have been drained more, or the chili oil could have been more flavorful. The dan dan's sauce and the sesame paste were both bland, and we were disappointed, as we were looking for something spicy and savory. The xiao long baos were pretty tasty; the skin was thin, and while the broth seemed to have left each of the dumplings, they were still tasty. I just wished that the broth was contained! The favorite were the pan-fried pork dumplings - these were really delicious and I could have ordered 10 more of these! The skin wasn't too thick, and it was filled with juiciness. The dishes are quite small - think of shareables/tapas, but literally between 2 people. Service was very welcoming and friendly, and there are some seating on the main floor and more upstairs. I'd definitely come back for the pan-fried pork dumplings and the xiao long baos, if in the area. +pan-fried pork dumplings +xiao long bao (mostly brothless T___T) +friendly service +limited residential parking

This review is for dining in -- which I don't recommend if you have a group of more than 2. This restaurant prioritizes take-out over in-restaurant diners, and, fair warning, doesn't serve any alcohol at all. We came as a group of 10 with a 6 pm reservation and weren't able to leave until 8:30. The restaurant was empty other than our table, so it wasn't like they were slammed by both diners and take-out. The one waiter was very nice and funny, but would disappear for long stretches of time -- he was slow to take our entree orders which may have contributed to the wait. I hate to say this, but the kitchen pacing was really terrible it became clear to us that take out was being prioritized over our table. Two plates came out every 10 minutes. Specifically, one friend and I were the first to get our entrees a little after 7:30 (1.5 hrs after sitting down) and our friends at the end of our table didn't receive their plates until 8:15. We seriously wondered whether we'd get our orders faster if we ordered online and had it sent upstairs. :) The food overall seemed reasonably authentic to me, but I don't know a lot about Shanghai cuisine. I had been looking forward to the soup dumplings. The dough was nice but they arrived deflated, and true enough the interior was dry and had no soup at all. :( I ordered the chicken dry hot pot as my entree and it was missing half of the described vegetables -- the lotus root, potato, and green beans. It featured a fair amount of Szechuan numbing pepper but that's really all I tasted -- the flavor wasn't as complex as I was hoping for. On the plus side, I thought the side of crispy green beans was fantastic and I was glad to have ordered them, since they weren't in my hot pot. I think overall our group found the dishes to be fine but nothing special, with the exception of the walnut shrimp and the cumin lamb, which received good reviews but arrived dead last. All in all -- it was fine, but I wouldn't eat here again.

My daughter ordered food from this place Few issues: No chopsticks No spoons were given Ordered bubble teas only one straw was included The chips for soups were very Saghi and old. But the food was delicious.

3.5 Stars After a few search on Yelp because the restaurant that we planned to go was closed, we decided to eat at Shanghai Lounge. They have good reviews and ratings so we decided to give it a try. The outside looks like a house, like the one in Full House. Maybe because it is in downtown/Georgetown. Inside, it is small like what we imagined and it still looks like a house inside. They have a second floor and basement (for bathroom). It looks outdated and is very dark. The server was pleasant. My only issue was when we asked him if the servings are "to share," he said it is only good for 1 person. In reality, 2 people can share the entrees. The highlight of our meal was the Crispy Shredded Beef. It was delicious and flavorful. The Vegetable Lo Mein was delicious as well and it is very different from the Chinese take out restaurants. The Mushroom Chicken was alright. It really doesn't stand out at all and was my least favorite. Shanghai Lounge reminds me of the many reasons why I like going to Chinese restaurants that is fancier than Chinese take out. They price may be a little bit more expensive, but most of their food on the menu are superior than take out.

I really wanted to like this spot, because it is so conveniently located. I was also empowered by the positive reviews here, since some of them were during the pandemic. But my fears came true, this was painfully mediocre, leaning a 2-star review. Everything from the lukewarm, thick spring rolls to Lipton bag iced tea to overwhelmed staff trying to deal with takeout orders, reservations, and meal delivery services in a small space, it is painful to write this review. Mongolian beef has disproportionate amount of onions. The crispy eggplant has a hard shell of a batter. Sometimes I feel like picking some items may give the wrong experience at a restaurant that may thrive on other items. But my sense here is cost cutting, not having enough staff, and cutting corners in a sea of tough competition.

Randomly walked into this hidden gem!Shirley was really nice helping me to pick the items. For someone lived in China for over ten years, this place is definitely on my revisit list. Will try some other Sichuan dishes. The restaurant and restroom are quite clean. I super loved the warm taro bubble tea! Recommend 10/10!

First time here in DC from Los Angeles. I'm surprised with the quality of the foods and the authenticity. We were skeptical at first, but oh boy, the Shanghai pan fried rice cage, the cumin chicken, and cucumber salad are all delicious. Highly recommended.

Came here for a quick and easy takeout dinner while in DC. Everything was very tasty. Nothing knocked my socks off but the dumplings, hot and sour soup, and lo mein were all yummy and if I was in the area again and wanting this type of Asian cuisine I'd definitely come again. Quick service upon arriving and very nice employee at the takeout window.

The restaurant is named in Shanghai but Authentic Szechuan food is offered now. The decoration is definitely Chinese tradition style with very delicate details.

Pretty solid Chinese restaurant in Georgetown. Also a good walk up Wisconsin though, so be ready to work for it! Was in the mood for some delicious Chinese food for lunar New Years. Lowkey the family day at the Kennedy Center was a flop for my boyfriend and I, but we were still in the mood for some amazing food, especially vegetarian. Praise for yelp finding Shanghai Lounge! The lady who works in the front is a wonderful host and very personable. Will definitely tell you what her favorites are if you're in a stump of what to get. We started with the crab, asparagus soup and omg so delicious. Afterwards we shared the Kung Pao tofu and eggplant in brown sauce. Y'all.....so good. Like we ate it to the last drop, though a bit greasy, so worth it. Definitely give this place a try if you're feeling for some Chinese food but a step above the cheap stuff.

OMG, today I died & went to Shanghai Heaven!!! Ms. Flo & Mr. Jonathan were the perfect host & hostess! Warm, attentive, welcoming & friendly. Provided outstanding dining recommendations & conversation! We dined on Dan Dan Noodles, Salt & Pepper Prawns, Lo Mein Lover w/chicken, Shanghai Soup Buns & Jazmine tea...all beyond delicious!!! I'll definitely make it my business to visit Shanghai Lounge when I'm in Georgetown. Highly recommended! You can Thank me later (wink, wink), Lol.

Consistently excellent Chinese food. I have been eating in and taking out from Shanghai lounge for years. You almost can't go wrong with anything on their menu. If you are wondering what to order, simply ask the owners and they can make recommendations for you. I do like the soupy dumplings although these are best eaten right away.

Came for dinner on a Saturday night. Appetizer, spicy green beans Ordered kung pao tofu, crispy beef Bubble tea thai tee