Tucked away on Yanping Road in Jing’an, Sloppy Gin is one of those places you wish you had discovered on day one. It was started by self-taught baker Gin Yuanjie, who apparently called it “Sloppy” as a joke to lower everyone’s expectations. A rather dangerous strategy when everything coming out of the kitchen is this good.

They’re famous for their doughnuts and cinnamon rolls, but the flavours are anything but predictable. I had a cardamom bun, a bit like cinnamon roll’s more sophisticated Scandinavian cousin, and an absolutely phenomenal lemon and sage doughnut. Lemon and sage sounds slightly odd until you taste it, and then it makes complete sense. I also tried their spelt croissant, which was really, really good. Their pastries change with the seasons, so there is always something new appearing on the counter.

And then there is the shop next door, owned by Gin’s girlfriend, which makes the whole visit even better. It is a tiny treasure chest filled with beautiful French finds, little antiques, objects and gifts. The sort of shop where you go in “just to look” and inevitably leave carrying something.

So, should you find yourself in Shanghai and suddenly think, I cannot eat another dumpling, head to Yanping Road. Have a croissant. Have the cardamom bun. Definitely have the lemon and sage doughnut.

And then go next door.

Sloppy Gin
425 Yanping Road, Jing’an, Shanghai