From 280 Bottles to a 450-Bottle Wall: Juniper Turns a Warehouse Into Shanghai's Biggest Gin Den

Banu quit her corporate job at the end of 2025 and moved her personal collection of 280 gin bottles into an old warehouse along Suzhou Creek, opening a restaurant-bar called Juniper. In under six months, that wall has grown to 450 bottles — reportedly the largest gin collection in Shanghai, nearly double what she started with at home.

The address is 195 Guangfu Road, a building with history of its own: it once housed the legendary restaurant Ultraviolet, now reimagined as a warehouse cluster of restaurants and concept stores. Juniper is split into three zones — a dining room, a bar lounge, and a soon-to-open chef's table centered around gin tasting menus.

The dining area keeps the warehouse's original high ceilings and columns, with earthy tones and warm evening lighting; on nice days, the side doors open and a few tables move outside — dogs welcome too. The bar area is an entirely different vibe: a wall of bottles stacked to the ceiling, so tall you'd need a ladder to reach the top shelf. At the end of the bar, a spotlit still isn't just for show — this is where regular gin tastings and distillation workshops happen, letting guests craft their own gin.

The Menu: From Duck Liver Croquettes to Argentinian Beef Skewers

The kitchen team has Michelin-starred backgrounds, and the menu leans into global flavors while weaving in Banu's Turkish and German family roots. The Duck Confit Water Chestnut Croquettes (¥98 for five) come coated in panko for a crisp bite, with the water chestnut's crunch balancing the richness of the duck confit — a solid opener. The Argentinian Beef Skewer (¥108), served with chimichurri and house-made pickles, features tender beef lifted by the sauce's acidity and herbs — understated but satisfying.

The standout of the night was the Moro Squid (¥128) — braised until extremely tender, set over dried tomatoes and hazelnuts, with a harissa-like tomato pepper sauce that builds heat gradually. The Smoked Cauliflower (¥68), drizzled with satay sesame sauce and topped with crushed cashews, has lightly charred tips and eats light. The Citrusy Capellini (¥68) layers lemon juice, lime zest, and finger lime for bright, fragrant notes — the angel hair is thin as silk, a refreshing alternative to the usual heavy meat-sauce pastas. For mains, the Sous Vide Short Rib (¥258) melts in fat, with a rosy pink center and silky jus, paired with sautéed seasonal vegetables and potato mille-feuille.

For dessert, the Black Tea Brûlée (¥68) with seasonal fruit was solid but unremarkable — the black tea flavor could come through stronger. The gin-infused Tiramisu (¥68), on the other hand, was more of a crowd-pleaser, making you wish the brûlée had leaned that direction too.

The drinks list is naturally the main event: the signature House G&T (¥68), built on Bombay, is the perfect entry point into that wall of bottles. Wine by the glass starts at ¥60, with bottles from ¥350. Whether you're here for the gin or the wine, Juniper has you covered.

Juniper is located at 195 Guangfu Road along Shanghai's Suzhou Creek. The restaurant, bar, and soon-to-open chef's table operate as separate zones — check with the venue directly for hours and reservations.