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Café China

(Now Closed)

Chinese Restaurant and Szechuan Restaurant$$$$

Garment District, New York

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Café China

The experts at Travel + Leisure and Eater recommend this place

260 Tips and reviews

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Angela WenDecember 5, 2015
Been here 5+ times
Food is awesome but the cocktails are amazing! The decor is vintage Shanghai, the food is authentic and perfect level of spice. Get the Chungking fish and the husband wife appetizer.
Elika Real EstateJuly 19, 2018
Shrimp Dumplings and Cumin Lamb I enjoyed. Great room, great food & great bartender. Next time will bring the family. After 24 years in NY finally a great Chinese Resturant I have found in Manhattan.
Al SOctober 27, 2015
Been here 5+ times
The spicy Chungking chicken and vegetable fried rice with mustard greens are exceptional. This is one of if not the best Chinese spot in NYC. It gets busy though so plan accordingly.
Marie La RueApril 9, 2022
New updated location of this NY institution. Go with a large group to sample as many dishes as possible. Crispy eel is incredible. Mapo tofu and King Pao chicken are favorites.
EDUARDO ROMERODecember 1, 2018
Very good. The dumplings on chili oil are delicious! Portions are big, for a couple order two entrées and a dish. It can be really crowded, but it is definitely worth it.
Cole KennedyJuly 27, 2018
Take a very large group of people and eat a ton of food. Preferably on an expense account. Preferably at lunch so you can use the collective food coma as an excuse to go home early.
PureWowAugust 5, 2016
Old-school Shanghai favorites like steamed whole fish ($24), tea-smoked duck ($21) and smoked dumplings in chili oil ($8) are leagues above your run-of-the-mill takeout. No offense, General Tso. Read more
Chefs FeedOctober 2, 2015
"The braised sole in red soup is an incredible modern adaptation of an old school dish. It's spicy with a subtle heat, and has a rich mouth feel with tofu and crunchy veggies." Chef Russell Jackson Read more
Ashley ChanOctober 2, 2016
The dumplings here are the best. Come here for the pork dumplings in chili oil and xiao long bao, they're comparable to the ones you get in Asia!
Lori LuoAugust 10, 2014
Café China continues to serve up refined takes on Sichuan cuisine. Even after many years, the Spicy Diced Rabbit and Three Pepper Chicken continue to deliver on spice and flavor.
EaterOctober 8, 2013
Cafe China serves all your Sichuan favorites in a dining room that evokes 1930s Shanghai. Standout dishes include spicy diced rabbit, baby black lamb, and "Szechuan pesto chicken." [Eater 38 Member]
ℳ𝒶𝓎♍February 16, 2022
Iconic Café China is your exceptional Chinese spot in Manhattan. Authentic Schezuan food, laidback atmosphere and unmatched drinks and service
Serious EatsFebruary 10, 2015
A modern Sichuan restaurant decked out in vintage 1920s Shanghai decor. The focus here is on quality, not quantity, with expertly cooked proteins and a smart hand with the spices.
Allen YangAugust 7, 2014
Really good Sichuan food; can't go wrong with any of the entrees. Try the "Fish Blossom" entree, which is hard to find in NYC. Also one of the classier Chinese restaurants in Manhattan.
Raquel GCApril 20, 2017
I would go as far as saying it was the best Chinese food i have ever had so far. Pork dumplings in chili oil are a must so is the cumin lamb
DoubleDeuceMarch 22, 2019
There's definitely a good reason that it's Michelin rated. So so so good. Great to get a lot of places and share with friends. Definitely could use an extra toilet though.
Twinkle DenoyoAugust 31, 2017
This place is very authentic, even the waiters dont speak much english so be patient. We got the dan dan noodles and some dumplings and everything was good! Crowded spot but worth it!
ChenyuApril 4, 2013
Been here 25+ times
Don't miss five spiced beef - reminds me of China. And love the tofu w celery. The dumplings are ok(thick skin - not my fav) in love with cafe china& they r on seamless with 1 Michelin too
Sam WinnickMay 6, 2015
Most authentic and tasty joint! I love it here! The chili dumplings, sesame noodles and spicy beef are just a few of the favorites!
Lori Jenkins-McClureAugust 12, 2013
Came in right before 10pm and they still let me order take-out. I'm a vegetarian and I got steamed green beans and veg dumplings. Amazing! I wasn't brave enough to try the ma po tofu. Thx cafe china!
Tao TaoSeptember 14, 2014
Pork dumplings in spicy sauce, eggplant and cold noodles (appetizer) were amazing. Not cheap but excellent Chinese food. Good atmosphere too
Derek KanJuly 4, 2013
Been here 10+ times
One of the best Chinese restaurants I've been in NYC. Szechuan style - but goodies from other regions as well. Deserves that 1 star from Michelin
Kayvon TehranianMay 7, 2017
Phenomenal Szechuan food in a 1930's Shanghai setting. There's nothing as fun or tasty anywhere else in the neighborhood.
Melissa ChaiDecember 30, 2015
Authentic Chinese in midtown! Try the sautéed snow pea shoots with garlic when they're in season and tender (i.e., not in the summer)
Harish HoonFebruary 2, 2015
Dan Dan noodles, pork dumplings in chili oil, cumin lamb and three pepper chicken. And yeah.. the lychee cocktail washes things down well.
Bruce HaydonDecember 14, 2017
Great dumplings and authentic Chinese dishes. Sometimes crowded, but consistently good. Worth the wait in line. Just be aware this is not healthiest Chinese food - lots of fried.
Nicolette RomeroOctober 11, 2014
Everything we tried was so flavorful! Standout dishes were the pork dumplings, dan dan noodles, kung pao chicken and the beef with green chilies. Your mouth will leave on fire!
Douglas EllimanJuly 21, 2014
A traditional Sichuan menu with gorgeous Shanghai decorations from the 1930s. Although the restaurant is very trendy, the menu remains traditional. We love the spicy Sichuan style chicken.
Travel + LeisureMarch 19, 2013
The soup dumplings are an essential New York bite: Shanghainese xiao long bao with soy-vinegar- ginger sauce. More places to eat like a local: tandl.me/12ufz7c
Christian DickmannFebruary 5, 2017
Dumplings in chili oil are fantastic. three pepper chicken is great, but be warned: it is very spicy (and I like it spicy) and has no sauce for the rice.
ChenyuMay 14, 2013
Been here 25+ times
Try the mouth-watering chicken (with peanuts and sesame ) beyond expectation. Tea-smoked duck is huge portion & take long time to prepare - worth the wait :)
Dee HJune 28, 2016
Wonton soup, pork dumplings in chilli oil are phenomenal! Delivery is super fast.
Leah LiDecember 11, 2014
Be forewarned that all the dishes tend to be on the salty side. That being said, everything is still delicious! Try the husband and wife, mouth-watering chicken, and cucumbers to start.
Savannah PetrickJanuary 8, 2016
great decor & good food. skip the ginger duck- it's primarily peppers (?) with tiny shreds of duck & hardly any hint of ginger. I half thought they brought the wrong dish. soup buns all had holes ☹
Neel HajareJuly 23, 2018
Pork dumplings in chili oil, Chungking spicy chicken, and spicy cumin lamb were all great!
What's Good HereAugust 24, 2015
The pork dumplings in chili oil appetizer is packed with flavor. Stir up the spices in the oil and drizzle on each dumpling.
Michelin Travel & LifestyleDecember 2, 2013
Sample 3-pepper chicken with meat so tender, skin so crispy, & peppers so fiery that diners have been known to swoon. – Green Guide Editor
Tom LaiMay 12, 2017
Everything is good! They only take reservations for large group though
FreshNYC p}-:{>February 21, 2015
This Michelin-acclaimed Chinese art-deco restaurant “elegantly” dishes out authentic regional Sichuan cuisine in a “period” environment transporting diners to the “golden Era” of 1930s Shanghai. Read more
Kendall WolzMarch 15, 2014
Awesome food. Family of four ordered four different dishes. We should have only ordered too. Lots of left overs. Loved the Kung pao and three pepper chicken
ChenyuDecember 22, 2012
Been here 25+ times
Am from China and The five spice beef cold dish made me feel like back home in china. Highly recommend ! Not a fan of their dumplings cuz the cover quite thick
Tasting TableJune 22, 2012
The fiery eats at this spot are a great way to spice up a Midtown lunch. Look for three dishes that are new to the menu: Lamb Hot Pot, Steamed Pork in Lotus Leaf and Chinese Broccoli: Read more
kate kJanuary 18, 2015
Szechuan pickled vegetables are surprisingly tasty. Dumplings in chilli oil excellent - slightly sweet. Dan Dan noodles disappointing - dig for the greens at the bottom.
Joanna FlammOctober 25, 2015
Food is good, nicely decorated with 1950s flare. Great for a date or dinner with your parents (if your parents can handle spicy food).
Jess HueyMay 5, 2018
pretty good refine Chinese food ~ had the pork dumplings in chili oil, Dan Dan noodles, three spice beef, cumin lamb and fish stew
Leslie TengJuly 16, 2016
Good spicy dumplings and tea-smoked duck. Dandan noodles are decent. Mapo tofu was genuinely spicy.
7th.ListMay 19, 2012
Try - Five-spice beef; spicy beef tendon; spicy diced rabbit; pork sandwiches; pickle and fish stew; chungking spicy chicken. Ambiance - A pretty and low-key attempt to summon 1930s Shanghai Read more
KathNovember 26, 2015
Get Dan Dan noodles!! Coming in before 7pm dinner rush. They don't take reservations for party under 4.
Chris PolloneJune 4, 2015
Tasty Sichuan. More upscale than Szechuan Gourmet. If you're alone, grab a seat at the bar during lunch.
Tom DiMaggioMay 29, 2017
Best Chinese food and it's not even close. If you're around for lunch, the lunch specials give you plenty and for amazing prices.

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