Located in the main Xintiandi square is Leyas, a modern Middle Eastern restaurant doing a posh take on the cuisine. It is the brainchild of head chef and founder Wael Accad, the man behind Lebanese chain [Eli Falafel](/listings/eli-falafel-shanghai-centre/).
The menu moves beyond mezze and kebabs into heartier share plates, including lamb shank over saffron rice and whole baked fish. Smaller plates run from Batata Harra, spicy potatoes, to Sambousek Lahme, a house-made pie with minced meat, pine nuts, and aromatics.
The space spans three floors, with a private room, a full bar, and two terraces for al fresco seating and shisha.
