Best Rated Restaurants in Chinatown
Golden Dragon
Address: 816 Broadway
Golden Dragon is arguably one of the most iconic restaurants in Chinatown. Established over 50 years ago, it is renowned for its dim sum and Cantonese cuisine. The restaurant offers a wide selection of dumplings, buns, and noodle dishes, all prepared with fresh ingredients and traditional techniques. Locals and tourists alike flock here for its authentic and affordable food. The shrimp dumplings and barbecue pork buns are a must-try. Golden Dragon's popularity is evident by the long queues on weekends, but the wait is well worth it.
Cuisine Specialties: Cantonese, Dim Sum
Top Dishes: Shrimp Dumplings, BBQ Pork Buns, Pan-Fried Turnip Cake
Ambiance: Casual, family-friendly
Price Range: $$
Why You Should Go: Consistently ranked as one of the best dim sum spots, Golden Dragon is the go-to place for those looking to experience traditional Cantonese flavors. Its convenient location in the heart of Chinatown and reasonable prices make it a popular choice.
Peking Duck House
Address: 28 Mott Street
When you think of Peking duck, this restaurant should immediately come to mind. Peking Duck House is known for serving one of the finest renditions of this famous dish outside of Beijing. The duck is prepared with precision – roasted to perfection with crispy skin, then carved table-side for an impressive dining experience. It’s served with homemade pancakes, hoisin sauce, and thinly sliced cucumbers and scallions, giving diners the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Cuisine Specialties: Beijing-style, Peking Duck
Top Dishes: Peking Duck, Scallion Pancakes, Stir-Fried Green Beans
Ambiance: Upscale, perfect for special occasions
Price Range: $$$
Why You Should Go: For a luxurious meal and a show-stopping dish, the Peking Duck House is a standout. Its elegant setting makes it ideal for celebrations, and the Peking duck is a must-try for food enthusiasts.
Joe's Shanghai
Address: 9 Pell Street
If you're a fan of soup dumplings, then Joe’s Shanghai is the place to be. It’s one of the most famous restaurants in Chinatown and has even attracted a celebrity clientele over the years. Joe's signature dish is the xiao long bao (soup dumplings) – dumplings filled with hot broth and savory pork or crab meat. The key to eating these dumplings is to carefully bite a small hole in the dough to release the steam before slurping the soup and devouring the entire dumpling in one bite.
Cuisine Specialties: Shanghainese, Soup Dumplings
Top Dishes: Crab & Pork Soup Dumplings, Sautéed Bok Choy, Salted Pork Rice Cakes
Ambiance: Casual, bustling, ideal for groups
Price Range: $$
Why You Should Go: Joe’s Shanghai has been around for decades and is a must-visit for anyone who loves soup dumplings. It’s often crowded, so be prepared to wait, but the delicious dumplings are worth it.
Nom Wah Tea Parlor
Address: 13 Doyers Street
A Chinatown institution since 1920, Nom Wah Tea Parlor is a historic restaurant that serves a combination of traditional dim sum and modern fusion dishes. It's famous not just for its food but also for its nostalgic atmosphere, which takes you back in time with its vintage décor. The menu offers both classic dim sum items like har gow (shrimp dumplings) and siu mai (pork dumplings), as well as innovative dishes like truffle and mushroom dumplings.
Cuisine Specialties: Dim Sum, Fusion
Top Dishes: Egg Rolls, Har Gow, Truffle Mushroom Dumplings
Ambiance: Retro, casual
Price Range: $$
Why You Should Go: Nom Wah offers a unique blend of old and new, making it a great spot for both traditionalists and those looking to try something different.
Great NY Noodletown
Address: 28 Bowery
Craving noodles? Look no further than Great NY Noodletown, a local favorite for late-night eats and a hot spot for its delicious bowls of noodle soup. Open until the early morning hours, this is the place to go for comforting dishes like roast pork noodle soup and congee. The roast meats, especially the roast duck and crispy pork, are another major draw, often selling out quickly due to their high demand.
Cuisine Specialties: Cantonese, Noodles
Top Dishes: Roast Pork Noodle Soup, Roast Duck, Congee
Ambiance: No-frills, casual, open late
Price Range: $
Why You Should Go: Known for its affordable, hearty portions and fast service, Great NY Noodletown is perfect for a quick, satisfying meal at any time of day.
Jing Fong
Address: 20 Elizabeth Street
One of the largest dim sum halls in Chinatown, Jing Fong is an experience in itself. With over 800 seats and a massive selection of dim sum, the restaurant is famous for its lively atmosphere and traditional rolling carts, where you can select your dishes. Jing Fong offers a wide range of dim sum, from dumplings and buns to sticky rice and chicken feet.
Cuisine Specialties: Dim Sum, Cantonese
Top Dishes: Shrimp Rice Rolls, Chicken Feet, Taro Puffs
Ambiance: Lively, communal dining, ideal for large groups
Price Range: $$
Why You Should Go: Jing Fong is the quintessential Chinatown dim sum experience. With its bustling environment and variety of options, it’s great for a fun meal with friends or family.
Wo Hop
Address: 17 Mott Street (Downstairs location)
For late-night diners, Wo Hop is a beloved Chinatown staple. Open since 1938, this basement-level restaurant serves classic Americanized Chinese dishes such as chow mein, egg foo young, and General Tso’s chicken. While the food may not be the most authentic by today's standards, it's a comforting and nostalgic experience for many.
Cuisine Specialties: American-Chinese
Top Dishes: General Tso's Chicken, Beef Chow Mein, Sweet & Sour Pork
Ambiance: Old-school, casual, open late
Price Range: $
Why You Should Go: Wo Hop’s longstanding reputation and no-nonsense approach to food make it a beloved spot for those seeking late-night comfort food in Chinatown.
Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles
Address: 1 Doyers Street
As its name suggests, Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles specializes in hand-pulled noodles made fresh daily. The chefs here put on a show, hand-stretching and slapping the dough until it turns into long, chewy strands of noodles. The menu features a variety of noodle soups and stir-fries, and you can choose from a range of toppings, including beef, lamb, and vegetables.
Cuisine Specialties: Northern Chinese, Hand-Pulled Noodles
Top Dishes: Beef Noodle Soup, Hand-Pulled Noodles with Vegetables, Fried Dumplings
Ambiance: Cozy, casual
Price Range: $
Why You Should Go: For an affordable and hearty meal, Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles is a great option. The hand-pulled noodles are the star of the show and are sure to satisfy your cravings.
Dirt Candy
Address: 86 Allen Street
While not technically in the heart of Chinatown, Dirt Candy is worth a mention for those seeking vegetarian fine dining with an Asian twist. Chef Amanda Cohen’s innovative restaurant offers a menu that celebrates vegetables in all their forms. Her dishes are visually stunning and incredibly creative, combining Asian flavors with cutting-edge techniques. The tasting menu is a culinary journey and a refreshing departure from traditional Chinatown fare.
Cuisine Specialties: Vegetarian, Modern Asian Fusion
Top Dishes: Carrot Buns, Korean Fried Broccoli, Brussels Sprout Tacos
Ambiance: Chic, modern, intimate
Price Range: $$$$
Why You Should Go: If you're a vegetarian or just looking for a unique dining experience, Dirt Candy is one of the most creative restaurants in the city. Its focus on vegetables makes it stand out in a district known for its meat-heavy dishes.
Conclusion
Chinatown offers an incredible range of culinary experiences, from hole-in-the-wall joints to high-end dining establishments. Whether you're in the mood for traditional Cantonese dim sum, hearty noodle soups, or innovative fusion cuisine, you'll find something to suit your taste buds. With so many excellent options, it's no surprise that Chinatown remains a go-to destination for food lovers from around the world.
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