Old Shanghai Restaurant in Milton Keynes

Quiet when we arrived but did get busier as the evening went on. A true family restaurant with father cooking and his daughter and wife in front of house. Not Chinese food but Cantonese which I prefer and they do have a pretty wide range of dishes to choose from. We started with the complimentary prawn crackers and opted for the Hors D'oeuvre - spring rolls, Prawn Toast, Chicken Satay Skewers with a fantastic satay sauce, crispy seaweed and smoked shredded chicken . Everything was well cooked, piping hot and nd a great starter. Main courses of chicken sweetcorn with Cashew nuts and a lemon chicken with noodles followed both of which were excellent. Adequate portion with delicious sauces and extremely tasty - couldn't fault it. I finished with my normal Cointreau Coffee and it is still the best tasting liqueur coffee I have ever had. No matter where I have been U.K. or overseas, I have yet to taste better. Couple of beers and cokes finished the meal which came in at £35 per head which included a tip (left to the diners discretion rather than automatically being included) As for background music - old 60's/70's songs which brought back so many memories whilst taxing the brain box - thanks to Shazam for helping out.

Friendly, good service and tasty food 👍🏽

We had a take away and everything was terrible. The Singapore fried noodles and the egg fried rice were the worst. No flavour and very dry. We had not been there for years. It was a good place, sadly there is no reminiscent of its old days

Great food, great staff, good value for money

I ordered the prawn in black bean sauce and my partner had chicken curry the chicken was dry and chewy and my prawn in black bean sauce made me feel sick and I still am the next morning the food came out to quick as in we ordered it and 2 minutes later it came

First time eating at this restaurant and it will be the last time too unfortunately. The place is itself is a little tired and in need of a revamp, it was also quite gloomy and I know these are old buildings but there were stand heaters by the table to warm it up. We had a dinner reservation on a Thursday and the place was empty for the entirety of the meal which was a bit awkward. Some of the dining area is separated by some bead type drapes and in the gloom you could see someone down there portioning out prawn crackers and the waitresses would go down there and wait for you to finish etc. just a bit of a weird set up and felt like you couldn't really relax. Sadly, the food was not great. It came out so quickly after ordering that it can only have been microwaved. The portions were on the small side and the meat was dry and chewy. I'm sorry to give a negative review but it just wasn't great and despite the staff being very friendly, I would not go back.

Worst Chinese I’ve ever had and I’m 62 years old. 70 pounds thrown in the bin. I couldn’t and wouldn’t give it to my dog!

Do not order the Thai green chicken curry It’s awful,chicken in a green water broth Blimey it’s got no taste Total waste of money

Had a takeaway this evening. Gave me chicken curry instead of beef curry. It was weak and tasteless. Also the thai green curry was absolutely tasteless and bland, like dishwater! The complimentary crackers were stale. The quickest waste of £29 ever, straight into the bin. Dont waste your money, go elsewher. Jasmine cottage across the road is superb food.

Collected a takeaway order and can say that what we were served was by far the worst Chinese takeaway food I have ever had. The food was bland and the standards of ingredients used were so poor. Ordered special friend rice and the prawns were so small, you could barely see them. The crispy shredded beef with chilli was in a sauce that was watery and flavourless. The food served here is simply not good enough.

Came with the family. We ordered the same amount of dishes we would at any Chinese restaurant that we go to. Food was good quality and tasty but portions were tiny. We left all feeling hungry still. Had to pop into tesco around the corner to buy some snacks

Cosy interior and good service so a shame the food wasn't good. Soups and crispy duck was OK but the mains we had were so salty as to be almost inedible.

Sadly it was very quiet for a Saturday meal. Food here is fantastic and it's a really nice restaurant. Sad to see only 2 or 3 tables booked. Great staff and great food.

Oh dear. Sadly not a very enlightening visit. Restaurant needs a refurb. Food lacklustre and expensive-it got cold very quickly ; whatever happened to those little table food warmers fuelled by tea lights from the olden days? Won’t be returning; a shame …

We ordered a takeaway consisting of sweet and sour chicken, Singapore rice, crispy chilli beef and duck. The duck pancakes were lovely and tasty but we weren’t overly impressed with the rest of the food. The sweet and sour chicken was OK but didn’t have many vegetables; the Singapore rice was lacking a lot of ingredients like beef, pork, more prawns and chillies; and the crispy chilli beef was by no means crispy at all - it was in a very watery, oily liquid which had made it very soggy and chewy. We weren’t very impressed and won’t be back unfortunately.

I got a takeaway from Old Shanghai based on the glowing reviews on Tripadvisor and choose it on this basis over the other two (cheaper) takeaways in Olney. I wish I hadn't! The food was pretty tasteless and certainly nothing special. The worst aspect of it was a dish containing Chinese cabbage - the leaves had small black spots all over them. Highly suspicious! The tofu was over-cooked and rubbery.

Good service, nice food but basic

I ordered the beef and black bean sauce for myself, thai green curry, rice and spring rolls. They make the BEST beef and black bean sauce and nothing will ever top it. Perfect balance of flavours in their dishes. Always feel amazing and perfectly full after a meal there. The restaurant has a very warm and welcoming feel to it, especially with their friendly staff. I always look forward to ordering with them.

It's been many years since I'd been to the Old Shanghai. Didn't disappoint. Service was fast and friendly. Good very good.

For 2 Vegans and 1 Vegetarian, the two waitresses who served us went the extra mile with catering for us

Good chinese meal for 4, staff are friendly. Another gem in Olney!

We had a meal as a couple to celebrate our anniversary. Restaurant was empty when we arrived at 6pm so service was speedy. Food came pronto and was authentic, fresh and tasty, portions not huge and we thought just right. Bottled Chinese beer was cold and yummy. Would go back for sure thank you

Wonderful service, very good food, we all enjoyed the evening, and not as expensive as expected. Will certainly go again.

Been couple times. Both times, booked table, service was efficient, food was good. Recommend.

have eaten in and had takeaway lovely food lovely staff

It was freezing in the restaurant and there was no heating except one very small electric heater. The portions of food were tiny and the amount of soy sauce provided (only on request) was a few drops in an even tinier receptacle. When I asked if I could please have some more, I was told that there was enough flavour in the food.

Been going here for 15yrs at Christmas. Never fails. Fab food

Food and service excellent, but take a big coat it's freezing in there.

Always Great food and great service a little gem.

Finally made it back after a long time and we were not disappointed! Everything including service, atmosphere and wonderful food was as perfect as we had remembered it to be. THANK YOU for a wonderful meal and evening.

Love this place, excellent food and service, lovely atmosphere when eating in and excellent quality even when getting a take away. 100% recommend.

From entering to leaving we had a lovely experience here. Staff all Covid compliant, friendly with high quality food cooked to perfection and served with no delays. On this visit, we enjoyed one of their fixed price meals (£18.50) which included a starter of seaweed, prawn toast, spring rolls, lovely smoked shredded chicken and a delicious satay. The mains consisted of sweet and sour pork, Kung Po chicken, beef in black bean sauce and the inevitable special fried rice - superb. Another excellent night out and a restaurant to be recommended.

So me & my family had a take away from this place & Honestly this was terrible, the food was so greasy & burnt, the chicken was undercooked & the portion size was tiny, I will never go to this Chinese again, the food was disgusting! We didn’t even eat it! Don’t even bother wasting your money, so disappointed.

After reading the reviews we were looking forward to good food, sadly we were disappointed. We started with aromatic lamb which was tasty, the vegetable pancake rolls were warm on the outside but fridge cold inside. The chicken satay skewers awful, sizzling steak mediocre however the egg fried rice was lovely. Overall the food was poor quality and overpriced. On a positive note the waiting staff were very attentive but we will not be returning, sorry.

Lovely to see the Old Shanghai back open and serving the same fantastic food as always. The menu was really easy to choose from; we went for the vegetarian set menu with an additional “Drunken fish” (which was as tasty as ever) and a king prawn dish, and as a meat eater, there was so much delicious food to fill us up. Beautifully cooked. The wine and Prosecco was served perfectly chilled and the service was first class. We felt very safe there, plenty of space between tables, lots of sanitiser and the toilets were really clean. A great night, thank you for looking after us so well and so safely!

A little bit pricey, but great tasting food

Still keeping us all going with delicious good value food.

The food just gets better at the old Shanghai.

Great to see you and the team back at the Old Shanghai. Without doubt the best Chinese restaurant in Bucks. Last nights meal certainly made up for what we have been missing for the past 5 months. We just cant resist the Gourmet Set Menu with the delicious Oriental Hot Hors D'oeuves. This was only our second visit out for us to a restaurant since lockdown, so what made it more enjoyable last night was that you have taken the Covid situation seriously, and ensured that your restaurant is a very safe environment to eat and relax in. We couldn't resist booking again for next Tuesday, for us and our friends. Thanks Alan and the team.

Great food both times I've been. Friendly staff.

Pleasant staff. Terrible food, Probably the worst I’ve ever had, absolutely swimming in grease and each course tasted the same. If you like the flavour of cooking oil this is the place for you.

Lovely place,good food,great for big eaters.set meal for two recommended

If you haven't been to this Chinese restaurant, it could be easily missed from the roadside as the restaurant is sat back from the high street, through an alleyway, where there is a board outside showing you the entrance. But it would be a shame to miss out. Warmly greeted and sat on time on a Saturday evening. Four of us decided on mixed starters and gourmet set menu which was £20 per head. Amazing value. We thought easier this way to have some choice. Mixed starters arrived quite promptly though a short wait for drinks. Chicken skewers, smoked chicken (touch dry) and needed a dip, seaweed, spring rolls etc. Then we got crispy duck and pancakes for the next course. Lovely food again. Only thing was onion and cucumber and dip came quickly but waited a while for the duck. Then the mains, so much food. Rice, sizzling prawn dish, chicken cashew nuts, sweet and sour pork, mixed veg, sticky beef. Fantastic. Great variety, good food and flavours. Felt slightly understaffed and slow on drinks and getting food but not desperate. Lovely lad doing serving, nice and pleasant attitude, well done. Definitely go again. Enjoy

I have been visiting this restaurant with friends every christmas & some birthdays for approx the last 15 years. I can honestly say that I haven't had a bad meal or bad service in all these years. In fact Im going there this evening and Im sure it will be as good as ever. I am a big fan of chinese food and would pick his overall the others Ive tried.

Who writes these reviews?Probably some local restaurant that is envious of the quality and standard of food that the Old Shanghai continually provides. In the 30 years that we have enjoyed the food and service that Alan and his team have provided, and we have visited twice in the past two weeks, we can say in all honesty that we have always enjoyed excellent food and service on the many many occasions that we have visited. Well done guys, and keep serving the community.

Dreadful service and dreadful food. The waitress managed to take rude to the next level. The table next to us even asked if she was that rude in confirmation that it wasn’t just them thinking it. As for the food....... Imaging taking ingredients and cooking them with no colour. Then take that food, cover it in snot and bung it in the microwave for 2 minutes. Literally 2 minutes after ordering our food it was on the table. I recently bought a microwave Chinese meal and that took 7 minutes as per instructions! In fairness, some of the staff were friendly but OMG the waitress we had just simply wasn’t. If you want to be greeted with “wot you wont?” and eat snotty food prepared with a ping then this is the place for you. If not then save yourself a shed load of money and get the meal deal from M&S.

Can definitely say this is one of the best Chinese restaurants in the area. The food is always delicious whether it’s eat in or takeaway. Service is always really friendly.

Very friendly, had a lovely meal will be recommending and I'll be back soon! Thanks again

We ordered over the phone using the website menu.Went and picked it up and trusted that all the food would be in there. Got home and it wasn’t our order, and we noticed we had been charged three times as much as our order. Went back to pick up our order and the person couldn’t of been more rude. I then told her that the prices on the website were different to what they charge and she couldn’t care less. (What a scam) Got home and the food was cold and to be honest really icky. Questionable coloured beef chow mein. Terrible. Wont be going back. Aviod

Probably one of the most consistent quality Chinese restaurants around - especially when the owner is looking after the cooking.A frequent haunt but last nights visit was exceptional. Crispy duck was exactly as named - crispy! The hosin sauce was super. Thick, tasty and plenty of of it complementing the duck perfectly.For our main courses, my wife had Sweet & Sour king prawn with my choice being chicken with cashew nuts in a black bean sauce.Both dishes were great with the chicken being cooked to perfection.One dish of egg fried rice was adequate for us both- we even left some.

It’s great to see a Chinese restaurant that doesn’t cook everything in msg or for mass takeaway. Our third time there and we were again very happy with our decision. The restaurant is quaint, (more of an old pub feeling, which is great), service is very friendly efficient and knowledgeable. The food selection as you’d expect is good, but the taste is great ! We took their set menu, which was just right, plentiful and a good selection. Favourites; the duck, crispy beef (a must) sizzling prawns (wow, good size prawns and a slight kick) Wine list has a fair choice and is reasonably priced. Nice touch when chef brought the prawns to the table and asked how was the meal! Highly recommended Enjoy

I am sorry to disagree with others here but I got a take away and it was possibly one of the worst meals i have ever eaten from s Chinese restaurant ever. The crispy duck came charred and on the bone the sauce for it was miniscule. The curry sauce was like water and had an awful taste im sorry i will not be ordering from this place again and the price was the most expensive i have ever had the misfortune of paying. Thank you my taste buds need reviving now

food good apart from meat spring roll - tasted like sausage.chicken and cashew nuts not in yellow bean sauce as requested and on menu came with orange sweet sauce. and banana fritter swimming in syrup. i have had the fritter before elsewhere and usually comes separate so you can put the amount over you want.the rest of food and service was good

My family and I have been eating at this restaurant for many years. The food has always been on a tremendously high standard.When my wide developed g;gluten intolerance about ten years ago, the restaurant were really accommodating. They said that she could choose anything she wanted off the menu, and that they would adapt it so that the could have it. As a result, she has a choice every time of most of the menu - there are always a few things that she can't have but if she has asked for any of them, it is pointed out and alternatives suggested.

Great food and lovely atmosphere

First class in every way, dining area, staff help and nenu selection

food was great, service was great and the staff were very friendly, been before and had the best service and same with this time too. overall best food and service i had. food was so good i kept some for my lunch for the next day. cooked perfectly, can't fault it at all. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ service

The worst Chinese take away we have ever had.

Brilliant food Brilliant service Brilliant surroundings Friendly people Great range of menus Nice allround experience

The service and the food was exceptional. Highly recommend

I don’t think this restaurant is good for kids, they even don’t have high chair!

Noodles here are lovely as Is their food, have a beer with complimentary prawn crackers whilst you wait for your food , Lovely staff who make you feel very welcome

Very cosy ,lovely food, very good service

Great place hidden offf the main High Street. Staff lovely and the Gournet set menu for £20.50 was excellent! 2 bottles of wine total bill only £80 . Definitely return, did feel a little overdresssed as some but not all were quite casual.

Solid good chinese restaurant. Clean, no fuss and fast. Would recommend and eat there again.

Meal is very reasonably priced and great taste.

Great food, lovely service, always enjoy a takeaway Gourmet Meal for two from here... plenty of food for three people.

Great food, great service. Thoroughly enjoyed the evening

I am a Chinese and I was traveling with my parents. They could not really handle western food and it was quite difficult to find proper Chinese restaurant during our trip to Bulgaria and Romania. We were very happy with finding this restaurant. The deco was very new and tasteful. However there was no Chinese speaking waiters and the menu is only in English/Romanian. We especially got it confirmed that chef is Chinese before we ordered. Taste was authentic with ok portions. My parents even went back to order some

A good location, serving a wide range of food and drink in very pleasant surroundings, with a very quick and easy ordering service for takeaway

Great food, but the interior is starting to feel a little tired.

Visited on spec early Saturday night and got a table - any later we wouldn’t as it soon filled up. Very helpful friendly service and tasty food. We will be back thank you.

Went here for my mums 50th a few days ago and we all had an amazing time. Great food and outstanding service by the staff. Always topping up our water without being prompted and very happy to help. Food was amazing too. Would definitely recommend and will definitely be coming back. Thank you for such a good night!

We decided to order a takeaway meal as the food from this restaurant has always been very good. We were very disappointed as the food was tasteless and very poor quality. Most of the meal ended up in the bin.

If you are looking for a quiet place to enjoy you Chinese, then this hidden pearl is the place to go to. The restaurant looks like nothing from outside, but indoor is a warm and cosy atmosphere. The owner, who is doing most of the serving, is a warm and funny personality. Food is very good quality, taste and flavour, and the decoration is inviting. Price is average but quality is high. You definitely get more and better food and atmosphere here than what you are paying for.

The evening meal service was good and the family who run the establishment were active in ensuring clients were well served and contented by their meals.

I was searching for a good Chinese restaurant in the Olney area and saw the entry for the Old Shanghai. The restaurant is situated behind a bright red door and the inside is deceptively large, the staff are friendly and efficient and the food is some of the best I have had. I highly recommend this restaurant.

I visited the restaurant for a special set menu to celebrate Chinese New Year. The atmosphere was most welcoming as the family were quite bivouacs enjoying their own new year celebration as well as serving the the full restaurant clients.

Great food , service and staff just love it

Good food but no highchairs for young children /babies

Have been going to this restaurant for many years. Menu is extensive and the food it's always good. We always enjoy or visits

Old Shanghai is hidden down an alley off the High Street, but worth a visit. Service is always good. The duck is particularly recommended. Food is consistently good.

Great food (especially the deep fried squid)

I have reviewed before and, once again, I am delighted to report that this restaurant is nothing short of excellent. Fabulous food, very friendly and efficient staff who recognise you from previous visits and a final bill that is very reasonable.

Very friendly. And always happy to help. My other half is a veggie and often asks if they can change a couple of dishes on the set menu and is never a problem.

I went here with some friends , the service was excellent, all our meals were extremely tasty and well presented and the final bill very reasonable. I would definitely come here again

Love eating at this place, great food, service and staff

The food and service is excellent, with lovely surroundings.

My first takeaway and it was oh so good, thank you :)

Realmente me apetecía comida china y no había estado en el viejo Shanghai durante varios años. Todavía sirve excelente comida a un precio razonable. Teníamos un pato, carne y el tofu (3) principales con especial arroz frito. Cada plato era muy sabrosa, bien presentada y de 2 a comer y beber por menos de £40 hizo que la comida excelente.

Viejo Shanghai sirve la mejor comida china en la zona. La comida siempre es fresca y caliente, y el servicio es atento. He estado yendo por años o para la cena o comida para llevar, pero recientemente se había retirado. Hicimos un viaje especial volver y tuvimos una cena deliciosa. Estaremos haciendo un viaje de regreso pronto.

A wonderfully presented restaurant with a large menu of excellent food and drink, served by helpful and friendly staff.

One of our favourite Chinese restaurants. Take out is great but take the time to dine in too as food is even better. Great service from very friendly staff

Hace poco nos hemos mudado a la zona y utilizamos este chino para llevar. La comida era horrible, calamar en el chow mein sabía a pescado. Carne crujiente estaba pegajosa, sin sabor y grasienta y el pollo con piña y jengibre en escabeche es muy desagradable. Muy decepcionados, ya que este no es un sitio barato y estabamos ansiosos de una buena comida. No volveré.

Really nice good, attentive staff and a good choice for veggies.

Obviously I have a local bias but this is the best Chinese food I've ever eaten. It's great either as takeaway or eating in, the waiting staff are lovely, and will let you take things home if you can't finish them in the restaurant. The crispy duck is brilliant, the smoked shredded chicken (bright red) is amazing, very salty and garlicy, the sizzling dishes are also very good.

Food always good and the staff are very friendly

Es una lástima que la revisión se evaluó como la comida era muy buena. Sin embargo, quedamos decepcionados con el servicio muy lento debido al hecho de que el llevar los clientes estaban teniendo prioridad sobre la casa de. Una gran fiesta con un llanto de bebé (8. 30:00 en una noche los inviernos) no ayuda y el radiador, que era una característica muy bienvenida fue apagado a las 8 de la tarde y el resto de la noche pasamos sensación fría. indudablemente Los diversos equipos de calefacción eléctrico era insuficiente para el espacio. La comida era muy buena, tengo que decir, pero no puede ser disfrutado por el tiempo cuando tienes todo lo que quieres hacer es llegar a casa y estar caliente. Tal vez trataremos de nuevo en el calor, pero no será en ningún apuro.

Hemos estado viniendo aquí durante los últimos 15 años. El servicio siempre es excelente y siempre nos reconocen. También utilizamos el servicio de comida para llevar que es tan bueno.

Disfrutamos de una comida china estándar (nada extraordinario), pero el servicio era muy bueno. El restaurante está en un edificio muy antiguo que lo convierte en un lugar pintoresco.