Manhattan's Chinatown, is second best to the mecca of authentic eats you'll find over in Flushing, Queens. Its accessible NYC location provides a full cultural immersion just steps from the buzzing streets of nearby TriBeCa and SoHo neighborhoods. Here you'll find plenty of noodle shops, dim sum halls, tea parlors, knick-knack shops and more. Its vibrant streets and downtown allure have started to attract more upscale and trendy spots to move in- offering a mix of world-class cuisines and contemporary options. The best of frozen-in-time dives, cash-only gems, and nostalgic charm still remains...
...and (in our opinion) Chinatown is only getting better.
RESTAURANTS
Cruise-ship like decor, dated chandeliers, bamboo steamers toppled high onto whizzing carts as far as the eye can see. No one does old-school dim sum on a more absurdly grand scale than Jing Fong. The food itself is appealing in a greasy sort of way, and lots of carts mean you'll fill your table up quickly.
LOCATION
20 Elizabeth St.
New York, NY, 10013
The OG Chinatown dim sum parlor (since 1920). This spot is a true institution, that recently underwent a contemporary update, adding more locations and offerings, while maintaining its nostalgic charm. With fill-in-yourself sheets, it's dim sum on demand all day long.
LOCATION
13 Doyers St.
New York, NY, 10013
A (comparable to most in Chinatown) upscale Dim Sum experience with an extensive menu of traditional dishes and fresh-out-the-tank seafood specialties.
LOCATION
22 Mott St
New York, NY 10013
Authentic Cantonese dim sum parlor with retro feels spread over multiple floors of a Chinatown office. Order on the sheet or try something different with a wide variety of classic dishes via fast-moving carts.
LOCATION
18 E Broadway
New York, NY 10013
Authentic Shanghainese Chinese round table restaurant with family-style seating and dishes. They're most famous for their soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao), which lives up to expectations.
LOCATIONS
9 Pell Street
New York, NY 10013
24 W 56 Street
New York, NY 10019
136-21 37th Avenue
Flushing, NY 11354
A no-frills Chinatown classic serving up traditional Shanghai style eats so expect things like soup dumps (with black truffles) & gloriously shiny Shanghai stir-fried noodles with vegetables.
LOCATION
21 Mott Street
New York, NY 10013
Wo Hop
Longtime restaurant serving Chinese eats in bright, no-frills digs amid customer photos. Open late.
LOCATION
17 Mott St
New York, NY 10013
Peking Duck House
With duck prepared just as beautifully as it is delicious, this contemporary Chinese restaurant in the heart of Chinatown always remains a favorite for those seeking out tableside-carved peking duck and other traditional Chinese staples.
LOCATIONS
28 Mott Street
New York, NY 10013
236 E 53rd St
New York, NY 10022
NOODLES & DUMPLINGS
Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles
Hole-in-the-wall noodle shop located on Chinatown's famed Doyers St, serving up namesake noodles, authentic dumplings and sides.
LOCATION
1 Doyers St
New York, NY
Great NY Noodletown
No frills noodle shop serving up thin noodles, duck and cantonese dishes like salt-baked seafood.
LOCATION
28 Bowery
New York, NY
88 Lan Zhou Handmade Noodles
Classic no-frills Chinatown nondescript shop serving up hand-pulled noodles, steamed and fried dumplings. They’re not only some of Chinatowns best, but with a platter of 10 for $3 they’re some of the cheapest.
LOCATION
40 Bowery
New York, NY, 10013
Xi'an Famous Foods
What started as a small food stall in Flushing, Queens, Xi’an Famous Foods has expanded to locations all over the city and has become the go-to spot for bowls of spicy noodles, soups and dumplings.
LOCATIONS
West Village, East Village, Nolita, Chinatown, Flatiron, Midtown, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Greenpoint, Flushing
photo by Nick Solares
Spicy Village
No-frills spot in serving up large portions of hand-pulled noodles (some of NYC's best), and dishes from Henan-province Chinese food.
LOCATION
68B Forsyth St
New York, NY 10003
Vanessa's Dumplings
Home of the legendary sesame pancake sandwich, Vanessa's also serves up some of the best pan-fried & steamed dumplings in the city, at incredibly low prices.
LOCATIONS
118A Eldridge Street
New York, NY 10002
220 East 14th Street
New York, NY 10003
70 Pine Street
New York, NY 10005
Joe's Steam Rice Roll
By far one of our favorite Flushing imports, Joe's Steamed Rolls are a must try! Made-to-order sheets of rice noodle batter are steamed into thin noodle sheets and rolled up with any of their incredible fillings: including beef, shrimp, pork, egg, char siu, and more.
LOCATIONS
(Canal Street Market)
261 Canal Street
New York, NY 10013
BAKERIES
Mei Li Wah Bakery
No-frills dim sum restaurant/ bakery serving up traditional steamed and baked buns, congee and rice noodle rolls.
LOCATION
64 Bayard St.
New York, NY 10003
Tai Pan Bakery
Pristine & vibrant Chinatown bakery with colorful fruit tartlets, mochis, cakes, and other Hong Kong-style sweet baked treats.
LOCATIONS
194 Canal Street
New York, NY 10013
37-25 Main Street
Flushing, NY 11354
Lung Moon Bakery
Classic Chinese bakery featuring sweet and savory specialties like moon cakes, egg custards, steamed pork buns, and many more traditional baked goods like macarons and cookies.
LOCATIONS
194 Canal Street
New York, NY 10013
37-25 Main Street
Flushing, NY 11354
Keki Modern Cakes
Small bakery specializing in bouncy, Japanese-style souffle cheesecakes, Taiwanese-style castella sponge cakes, and other delicate tarts sourced from fresh and local ingredients.
LOCATIONS
79 Mott St
New York, NY 10013
315 5th Ave
New York, NY 10016
ICE CREAM
Unmatched by any newcomers to the scene, this Chinatown shop is a favorite for NYC locals & tourists for its ingenious flavors.
LOCATION
64 Bayard St.
New York, NY 10003
A Japanese ice cream shop serving inventive flavors in a fish-shaped waffle cone.
LOCATIONS
119 Baxter Street
New York, NY 10013
294 Bedford Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11249
Thai-style rolled ice cream, with both dairy and vegan options plus unlimited toppings.
LOCATION
184 Mulberry St
New York, NY 10012