The neighbourhood surrounding Xintiandi, away from the pedestrianised commercial zone, has a working residential and commercial character that provides context for the restored lanes. The blocks east toward Madang Road and south toward Jianguo Road have local Shanghainese restaurants, tea houses, and the daily commercial life of the former Luwan district.
The Shanghai specialty 본店 deli operations — selling prepared cold dishes and marinated meats for home consumption — are concentrated in the working residential blocks here and represent the continuation of the culinary tradition that produced the Shanghainese cold dishes served in restaurants. Shopping at a local deli for cold cuts and eating them at a nearby tea house is a more local version of the Xintiandi dining experience.