Must-Visit Shanghai Spot: 13DE MARZO Bear Cafe Experience

While planning my Shanghai trip, I was scrolling through social media and stumbled upon a place that immediately caught my eye. Its main draw? Adorable teddy bears hanging from the drink cups at a cafe called 13DE MARZO! The sheer cuteness factor meant I knew I had to check it out. While good coffee is always a plus, sometimes it’s these quirky, unique experiences that truly make a trip memorable. This spot has blown up recently, becoming notorious for long queues. So, here’s my detailed review, including essential tips on how to pre-order and skip the wait.

How to pre-order at 13DE MARZO Cafe

During my visit in April, the weather was lovely, so we decided to start at the Wukang Mansion and enjoy a walk to the cafe, taking in the surroundings. Finding the cafe was straightforward using a map app like Gaode Maps (高德地图) – just search for “13DE MARZO”. The walk itself was enjoyable, passing other popular spots like the well-known % Arabica coffee shop.

We decided to pre-order our drinks via WeChat right before setting off from Wukang Mansion. WeChat is pretty much essential in China. You just need to find the official ’13DE MARZO’ account within the app, make your selections, and pay using WeChat Pay. Pro tip: Install WeChat and link your payment method before your trip to Shanghai. It makes things incredibly convenient once you’re there.

Even though we visited on a weekday afternoon, the app estimated a 45-minute wait for our drinks. This actually worked out well, as it allowed us to take a leisurely stroll from Wukang Mansion and explore the area a bit more. Be warned: I’ve heard wait times can easily stretch to an hour or two, especially on weekends or during peak season! Thankfully, the WeChat ordering system shows real-time estimated wait times, so definitely check it before and after ordering to time your arrival.

Arriving at 13DE MARZO: The Wukang Road Hot Spot

After the walk from Wukang Mansion, it was exciting to finally see the cafe in person, instantly recognizable from the photos. The signature teddy bear perched on the second-floor balcony seemed to welcome us. As expected, the place was packed, both inside and out, with people ordering and waiting. Seeing the crowds definitely reaffirmed that pre-ordering was the right move – especially crucial when you want to make the most of your travel time!

While you can order directly at the counter upon arrival, be prepared for potential chaos around the counter and a significant wait even after you order. This is why, as mentioned earlier, I can’t recommend the WeChat pre-order method enough! It genuinely makes the experience much smoother.

The pickup area was a hive of activity. Drinks were constantly being prepared and handed out, clearly showing how popular the cafe is. To collect your order, you head to the pickup spot and show the staff your order number from WeChat. They’ll either hand over your drinks or let you know if there’s a short additional wait. We were told it would be about 5 minutes longer than estimated, so we waited briefly.

After about five minutes, we showed our number again and received our drinks. A little tip: It seems like drinks might sometimes be ready but not immediately called out due to how busy it gets. So, once your estimated pickup time arrives, it’s worth proactively approaching the staff with your order number just in case – you might get your drink a bit quicker!

Here’s what we ordered:

Iced Cafe Latte
Grape Jasmine Iced Tea

And finally, the moment we were waiting for! Our drinks arrived with the signature adorable teddy bears dangling from the cups. Honestly, they were just incredibly cute! Snapping photos amidst the bustle was a bit hectic, but we managed a few quick shots before finding a spot to sit across the street.

At around 30 RMB per drink, the price felt quite reasonable for Shanghai, especially considering you get the cute teddy bear included! No wonder it’s so popular. The bears have little Velcro patches on their paws, allowing them to ‘hug’ the cup – a clever touch, particularly for drinks with shorter straws like our iced latte. Taste-wise, the coffee was surprisingly decent, and the Grape Jasmine Iced Tea was refreshingly fragrant and sweet. For photos with a bit more color pop, you might consider the Grapefruit Jasmine Iced Tea instead.

Once you’ve finished your drink, the bear becomes a lovely little souvenir of your Shanghai trip. The cafe’s location is also super convenient, being very close to the famous Wukang Mansion, making it easy to combine both into a pleasant walking tour route.

Final Thoughts: Is 13DE MARZO Worth the Hype?

So, what’s the verdict on Shanghai’s trendy 13DE MARZO bear cafe? Overall, the enjoyable drinks and the undeniable charm of the take-home teddy bear make it a spot worth checking out during your trip. However, its immense popularity means long waits are almost guaranteed if you just show up. Seriously consider using the WeChat app to pre-order and pay. Arriving at your designated pickup time lets you bypass the queue and enjoy the cute drinks and bears hassle-free – definitely the recommended way to experience it!

[Dian Dou De Shanghai (点都德) | Hongmi Chang Fun, Hagau, Shomai, and More]