Ti-Akol Bistro is where a century-old building meets a fresh neighborhood vibe. This cozy bistro and bar is keeping the spirit of a beloved cafe-diner alive, while blending Shanghai nostalgia with a touch of Viennese charm.
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About Ti-Akol Bistro
Ti-Akol has a familiar space with homey yet modern interiors featuring comfy armchairs and booths perfect for lazy afternoons. The walls showcase large Chinese brushstroke paintings, framing a warm-lit bar.
Outside, a spacious terrace — currently wrapped in a winter tent — has a view of a small park at the intersection of Hengshan Lu and Jianguo Xi Lu.
It’s one of those quintessentially Shanghai spots where old and new collide: towering buildings loom, while a group of shushus hunch over a xiangqi chessboard perched on tiny foldable tables.
A Rich History
The building itself has a rich history, and was part of the Cavendish Court Apartments that was constructed in 1933. Before Ti-Akol, this corner was home to Keven Cafe, a Western-style diner that opened in 1997 and endured as a landmark cafe for 25 years.
According to Historic Shanghai, Keven Cafe was a pioneer of its time, “heralding a new generation of Western dining in Shanghai.” It served up classics like schnitzel, borscht, and afternoon tea, and was a neighborhood favorite before closing in Spring 2023.
Vivi, the new owner, has a personal connection to this space. A Shanghainese native, she grew up frequenting Keven Cafe. She later moved to Vienna, Austria, where she immersed herself in the city’s artsy vibe. Now, she’s returned to Shanghai to revive the iconic space with Ti-Akol — a nod to tea and alcohol. She’s even kept Keven’s Chinese name (凯文) as part of the Ti-Akol brand.
While the décor might not evoke old-school Haipai nostalgia, it still draws a loyal crowd, perhaps driven by muscle memory or a longing for the familiar.
On The Menu
The menu stays true to its neighborhood vibe, offering simple, well-executed dishes like salads, sandwiches, burgers, roast chicken, and a fantastic Goulash. Bar bites, alongside a few Austrian dishes and liquors, reflect Vivi’s time in Vienna.
The Mixed Salad with Pan-Fried Salmon is a solid salad, and comes with a piece of perfectly seared crispy skinned salmon. The salad itself is a fresh mix of garden greens, mango, soft-boiled eggs, and roasted tomatoes, served with balsamic and mustard dressing.
For something heartier, the Goulash is a must-try. This humble-sounding stew surprised with rich flavors and tender chunks of beef brisket. The stew of carrots, peppers, and celery is simmered with basil and rosemary, served with two thick slices of toasted sourdough.
Meanwhile, the Beef Cheeseburger is a satisfying choice. The juicy house-ground beef patty and smoky house-made bacon are worthy, coupled with a melted cheese slice, avocado smash, and a fried egg, served with thick fries. It’s a hearty, well-crafted burger that hits the spot without trying too hard.
The Beef Risotto is comforting. Creamy risotto is topped with tender beef fillet cooked to a perfect medium rare and sautéed mushrooms. It is subtly sweet, balanced by a tangy and savory red wine vinegar jus.
For a classic, the Roasted Chicken is a reliable choice. The half chicken, crusted with herbs, has clearly been brined for at least a day, resulting in juicy meat and crispy skin. It’s served with lightly roasted vegetables that retain a bit of crunch. The seasoning is light, making it approachable for the nearby crowd.
The Schnitzel is a modest rendition of the Viennese staple, served with grilled zucchini.
To cater to a younger crowd, Ti-Akol offers playful snacks like the Black Gold Chicken Nuggets, fried in a squid ink batter for a flashy twist. They also have regular popcorn chicken and a cold cuts and cheese board for those who prefer something more traditional.
As for more Austrian influence, they have Palatschinken for dessert, thin Austrian pancakes that are similar to crepes, paired with jam and cream. Each serving comes with two pancakes, and there’s also a combo for ¥88 that includes two cups of coffee.
Austrian Vodka & Likor
In addition to running Ti-Akol, founder Vivi has also ventured into importing Austrian liquors, bringing a taste of her Austrian lifestyle to Shanghai. She’s partnered with Horvath’s Spezereyen, an award winning family-run producer of Austrian specialties, to bring in their range of spirits and liqueurs. The brand’s fruit and cream liqueurs, vodka, and gin make a showing at Ti-Akol’s bar.
The Kartoff line features premium vodkas and gin, all made exclusively from potatoes grown in a small region of northeastern Austria. The Kartoff Hazelnut Vodka is infused with roasted hazelnuts and nougat, and delivers a fiery finish with rich roasted aromas, a candy-like hazelnut essence, and a hint of malt. The Kartoff Gin is made in the style of a London Dry, and has botanicals of juniper berries, orange peel oil, lemon peel oil, coriander, aniseed, fennel, and ginger.
Liqueur flavors include plum, baked apple, apricot, and red wine for ¥48 or ¥68, served as a sparkling spritzer. Coming soon is the Strawberry Creme, which tastes like a strawberry and milk smoothie.
Also under Horvath’s is NUBIS, another brand of liqueurs with flavors like Mango-Maracuja, a tropical fruit infusion, Watermelon for a summery kick, and Strawberry Mint. These are perfect as a light and refreshing spritzers, available for ¥68 or ¥88.
All these are available as cocktails, classics for ¥58 each or signatures from ¥98.
Their ambitions don’t stop there, as they plan on finding distribution channels for the liquors in due course.
Ti-Akol is also available for private events, parties, functions, and celebrations. Call to inquire for packages with food and drink.
In Summary
While it might not be part of the hip and trendy bistro scene, Ti-Akol carves out its place as a simple, no-nonsense neighborhood bistro and bar. It is cozy, laid-back, and perfect for a quiet respite — whether you’re looking for a sunny spot on the terrace or for a low-key bar to sample some niche liquors.
Nomfluence Readers Deals
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*Limited to 5 portions a day, limited to one portion per table/per booking, first come first serve.
Ti-Akol Bistro
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