Shanghai Red’s Oyster Bar

the person who answers the phone, michael, is rude
will never darken those doors again

This place is a little dive in a busy area. You will drive right past it if you’re not looking. The food was awesome, the staff are very laid back and cool. They have awesome t-​shirts you can but as well. My wife got the fish tacos and they were out of this world she said. I got salmon with rice that was cooked perfectly and my daughter got the coconut shrimp these things were jinormas. We ate outside around 5 or so and they had fans blowing keeping the air circulating and a band was going to play later, but we didn’t stay. Price wise it was reasonable. We highly recommend eating there.

Delicious Fish Tacos! Great casual place with good service and amazing food. Music entertainment and all the staff were very friendly.

Food and service was excellent. Ambar helped answer all questions and took care of us since my mom didn’t care for Margarita. I would not go again in heat of day the flys were out in full affect. Tacos and oysters were yummy, especially grilled shrimp taco. I would go back later in day when flys would be better when we are visiting area again.

Had the bucket of shrimp, oysters on the half shell, the fish tacos and grilled shrimp tacos. They did not disappoint. The calm chowder was just alright. Great atmosphere and friendly service. Definitely going back.

Service is really great at this place but unfortunately it doesn’t make up for the bad preparation of food! I order surf and turf and both my steak and my lobster were bad :/​lobster was over cooked so I had to send it back twice and decided not to have it at all. The steak was a good medium rare, but you could tell that it was a very cheap piece very chewy.
Fish tacos were great. Stick to fish tacos! :)

Campechana shrimp cocktail and the Flat Iron Steak. Tastes amazing and fun atmosphere! Enough said.
P. S. Multiple bars to order from or regular table seating everywhere outside/​undercover for those rainy days

Their Fish Tacos are amazing!
This is def. our to go to place to eat and have a couple of beers. With Palm Springs booming lately, the wait is insane! We went on a Thursday and were told the wait time was 2 hours! Other than that, their service is great and did I mention their fish tacos??? :)

Incredible Fish Taco Heaven. Fast fast service. Top notch bar. Love me some Palm Springs food.

We original gotten sat at the bar, which would have been ok, except for the fact that the bar doesn’t have a place to rest your feet. It was uncomfortable because it was easy to slide off while trying to balance when you feet don’t reach the bars on the chair. We eventually asked to be moved a table.
The food itself was good, we got the appetizer sampler, the calamari and a few fish tacos.
I enjoyed every thing except that the fish in the tacos tasted a bit soggy.
We would still probably return if we’re back in Palm Springs and give it another shot.

Seriously, one of the best fish tacos EVER.
The grilled mushrooms were AWESOME.
Take note from Anthony Bourdain and do not leave Palm Springs without paying a visit to Shanghai Red’s!

Food was great 5 star all the way! Bartender really on point with the patrons (Mike), servers really going above and beyond (Ricky), food is something special, nothing like it in the Palm Springs Area.

I have not yet tried the other one but BEST FISH TACOS EVER. Their tortilla must be made of crack because it’s just so. damn. good. Shanghai has become a must stop for every Palm Springs trip. You can find it right behind the Fish Market Grill and it’s so worth the find!
It’s a small bar with several seats outside and sometimes have a live band and then some high tables inside with the bar which is first come first serve. The place gets crowded quick and especially during happy hour. Happy hour will get your fish tacos at $ 1 cheaper ($ 3.95 instead of regular $ 4.95) price.
I recently tried the shrimp tacos and I was in love! Considering how much I love shrimps in general, that actually does not come to much surprise.
Service is great every time and the drinks here are strong as hell! I hit food coma + drunk each time!

Last Monday, the guys and I need some seafood in our lives. Shanghai Red’s was the place of choice.
After finding parking close by, we walked ourselves down the entrance steps. We were greeted by a host/​waiter promptly. He had a wait a bit since there was a bit of a crowd that night. Once all of us were seated, we had a look at the menu and ordered up. The seating is outside, yet inside at the same time, like an enclosure. A nice spin on outside dining. They have space heaters placed around the dining area if anyone is cold… which I was! I did not like the lighting for where we were seated. It was a bit dark for my taste which made it a bit difficult to read the menu. Don’t get me wrong, there is better illuminated seating around the restaurant.
A couple of the guys order a bucket of shrimp for an appetizer. They were happy at first with it but disappointed to find out that it wasn’t a «bucket» of shrimp. I feel its a good size for a lovely couple, but not for a bunch of hungry men! I ordered a cup of seafood gumbo to start. Pretty flavorful and thick. Crunchy with the addition of crackers provided. And for my main eats, I ordered the jumbo coconut shrimp tempura. The shrimp was nice and big. A bit tangy than I am used to but still good. The veggies on the side should be more generous. I had more broccoli than any other vegetable.
My dining experience here was pretty good. Unfortunately, the night ended with a spilled water on the table by our waiter. I guess it happens you know? Luckily my guy did not get wet.
fin.

Yes to: some of the best fish tacos I’ve ever had
Yes to: low-​key, local, no frills atmosphere
Yes to: never-​ending oysters
Yes to all and everything about this spot. If you leave Palm Springs without a taco from Shanghai Reds, you are doing yourself a disservice and you should turn that car around.
The fish is perfectly cooked and the flavor profile is balanced with the tartar sauce, lime and spicy. I’ll see you every time!

Great little bar and restaurant, better for smaller groups. The hubby and I found this place after doing a Unilocal search for dinner spots that were open later and saw that they closed at 10 pm, even on a Tuesday. The place is actually nestled within a little courtyard with other shops and eateries, called the «Fisherman’s Market and Grill» complex. Parking around the building or in nearby parking structure.
Anyhow, hungry and tired as we were, we ordered to our hearts’ content:
FOOD:
–Sautéed mushrooms — Really good and garlicky. A perfect side with steak and seafood. Big enough to share for 2 – 3 ppl. Great for dipping the garlic bread in! Which is free too, btw!
–Oyster shooters — made with vodka… I’ve honestly had better elsewhere, but nevertheless, worth a shot (haha! See what I did there??)
–Bucket of shrimp– we tried to order this, but they were out! Boooooo :(. So we had instead the:
–Shrimp cocktail– not bad, shrimps were big and fresh.
–Prime Steak and Lobster Tail entrées — this was our favorite. Prices were based on current market I think. Came to about $ 40 per entrée from what I recall. Not too pricey for that we each got! Steaks were cooked perfectly medium rare (as we requested), lobster tails were huge and plump, and the sides were perfect — we had one entrée the creamy pasta side (similar to a fettuccine), the other with a rice pilaf, and both with steamed veggies.
–Bloody Mary– pretty strong actually. One each was enough for us.
**HAPPY HOUR**
Also wanted to mention that we caught the late night happy hour, which is everyday 8pm-​close, and all day on Sundays, during the summer at least.
SERVICE:
Staff were friendly, but didn’t check on us much. We had to flag them down and wait for a bit at times although they weren’t very busy. I would imagine that if they were busier, then the wait time would be even longer. Also, the garlic bread was burnt the second time around… we had to toss aside a few inedible pieces.
All in all, I would definitely come back here. The food was delicious! I am a little bummed we forgot to order the famous fish tacos that everyone looks liked they are raving about here, but hey, I suppose that’s just another incentive for me to make another trip to Shangai Red’s soon!

Friday nights are great family fun with happy hour menu and live entertainment.
The fish tacos were melt in your mouth amazing (although the salsa was a little on the spicy side) and the house cab was nice and smooth.

For being in the middle of nowhere, the Palm Springs area has two really damn good things going for it: (1) COACHELLA~! and (2) underrated amounts of good food. You don’t exactly think of Palm Springs as a place that can deliver on fish tacos, but apparently Anthony Bourdain gave these fish tacos his certification. Well, at least what’s what my friend told me to convince me to come here. Bold claim buddy, especially since I consider Oscar’s Mexican Seafood in La Jolla the undisputed champion of fish and shrimp tacos.
Good food is good food though. I will definitely have to concede that the battered fish tacos are better than Oscar’s. Perfect fry up with the right amount of fish to give a great contrast of flavors. Seared ahi tuna taco was pretty legit as well, loved that sweet and tangy sauce that complimented the tuna very well. Not quite ready to say this shrimp taco was better, but it’s definitely close!
Honestly, I’m glad I capped myself at three tacos because if I were in my eating pomp, I would’ve attempted to crush double the amount. Shanghai Red’s is now for sure on the automatic list for when I come to Palm Springs. Love these tacos, they are as legit as advertised!

There are few little Precious surprises in life and this little desert gem is one of them! Reds is one of them!
We came here in a recommendation of a friend… I think I owe that friend a huge thank you!
Fish tacos are a thing of pure perfection and the lobster bisque had us from the first bite!

Came for tacos (5 stars)
Came on a Sunday afternoon and grabbed two seats at the bar.
We got beer and ice tea, and took at look at the happy hour menu.
Fish tacos, 2, for me.
Fish taco and a shrimp taco for D.
We watched Marco do his magic:
–batter the fish
–batter the shrimp
–prep the tortillas
–prep the plates
–check on the deep fryer
–let the shrimp and fish dry
–make the tacos
–serve
–got free garlic bread … thanks Marco!!!
It was time to eat, and the fish was nice and juicy, with the delicious garlic aoli, and with the hot sauces on the counter. I got to taste the shrimp, and it was delicious.
Happy Hour prices … you can’t go wrong.
It was worth braving the 106 degrees.
Yes, definitely worth coming back.