We really enjoyed the food and wonderful atmosphere. The menu was very vast and interesting and we can’t wait to visit again to try other dishes. The service was fantastic and helpful when ordering since this was our first visit.

The bartender is AMAZING, had some of the best cocktails ever. I recommend the 2046 and golden plum. The shrimp fried rice with Chinese sausage was super flavorful, and the sausage and shrimp combo was great. The potstickers were crispy and perfect.

Having had authentic Sichuan in Sichuan, this is one of the better renditions of the cuisine in the US. Even had some surprises. The small chicken pieces in chiles (La zi ji ding) was very authentic and had the right peppercorn taste. The slow cooked fatty pork had good flavor but could have been a bit softer. But the big standout was the green peppercorn fish which was flavorful, fresh, and had the numbing spice with a different fresh flavor than the traditional toasted Sichuan peppercorn. Definitely recommend as a midtown destination for the modern decor too.

+4

This place is a fantastic Sichuan restaurant! 🍴 Cafe China 🇨🇳 offer a fantastic selection of authentic Chinese dishes! 🍽️ Definitely try the Pork 🐖 Buns, Shumai dumplings 🥟, Kung Pao Chicken🐔 (be warned that this and most of the entrees are spicy 🥵). Staff 👨‍🍳 is friendly, welcoming, and professional! Service is quick and the ambience 🎶 is wonderful! The place is beautifully decorated. 🛋️ I wish I knew about this place earlier!

+6

Our first time there. It was great at the bar and also at the dinner table. Service was great and food was tasty. Some of the dishes can be a little too spicy for some.

*EDIT* THEY ARE VERY KIND!!! I lost my purse in the bathroom and they kept it for me and verified my identity too. Soooo kind and made my day. I have my purse back now! This was my first time- and I was not disappointed! The portions of entrees are huge, definitely splitting size if you got any dim sum. The scallion pancakes were the best I’ve ever had! Red bean ice cream and scallion pancakes were my favorite!

The absolute best Chinese restaurant in NYC, as someone who has tried basically every well known/well rated Chinese establishment in NYC. Food is authentic and delicious and I get food here at least once a month.

We went here when in the neighborhood. We went at lunch time without reservations. We waited a few minutes but were quickly seated at a table for two. The restaurant is long and narrow. There is a dining room with more space than where we were seated. Our table was a typical two-topper for NYC. I sat on the bench and my table mate sat in the chair opposite. Because the restaurant offers lunch specials we had that. Service was quick and efficient . They offer specialty cocktails. I had the 2046. It was delicious. I had double cooked pork and my table mate had a beef rib dish. Both came to the table promptly. They offer both white and brown rice. Lunch comes with an appetizer. We were so pleased with all the food. The tables are close together but like so many places in NY our neighboring tables were polite. We were seated up front so got in on the bustle of the front-of-house with guests coming and going and to-go orders being shuffled around. It was fine with us.

+5

Was so excited to hit this spot after hearing all the hype and the previously owned Michelin star. The food was incredible. While the food was great, I kept comparing it to Chili (the chef and the entire staff of cafe china stayed back with the chef to create a better sichuan restaurant). I highly recommend Chili over Cafe China or try both and make your own decision:). We got the - cold noodles (4/5) really great but felt it lacked sauce. - spicy cucumbers (4/5) - while this was great, it was a tad bit too spicy. Chili puts garlic on their cucumbers which made theirs better for me. - peanut dumpling (10/5) probably the most ingenious dumpling filling I’ve had. Peanuts are such a great addition to dumplings and I wonder why we don’t see it enough. - cabbage (10/5) - this was definitely the highlight of the meal. The charred cabbage was perfectly cooked and marinated and I couldn’t stop eating it. - ma po tofu (4/5) - while the flavors were on point, the dish lacked spice and sauce. It was too dry to eat it with rice. Some spice would’ve added a nice kick here. The ma po tofu at Chili is to die for. Definitely check it out! Pro tip: they now allow reservations so reserve ahead to avoid waits.

+5

Came here because it has a Michelin Star. They don’t take reservation unless you are party of 8. So just walk-in and wait for your text. The line move pretty good. The restaurant is small but it has many seats. Food and atmosphere and staff were great. Staff were very friendly and attentive. It has great drink selection too. They were really thorough with our allergy and I do appreciate it. I would like to try some other menu when I come back here!

+6

Loved this restaurant. Highlights were the lobster with ginger and the scallion pancakes.

Beautiful place. Nice for group gathering! Eggplant in garlic sauce is incredible 🍆🍆🍆 Mushroom dish is great too! Love all that spicy and numbing feeling! Dim sum are so-so.

+5

I’m from Sichuan myself and the food is incredible. Generous amounts of spicy and numbing (Mala). Servers are very attentive and friendly.

They don’t take reservations for parties under 8 people. The three of us arrived at 6:30pm on a Saturday night, put down a name and mobile number, and hung out at a nearby Irish pub until they called us; it was fine. Prices are great. The three of us ordered the classics and it came out to under $60 per person. You have to get the tiger salad and mapo tofu. Love that they have a no tip policy; just like in China. I will be coming here often.

I came here for the mapo tofu! A specific Chinese dish I enjoy that’s made of tofu cubes, a spicy lightly hot sauce, sometimes with ground meat and often served over rice. Not sure if I found this because of a listicle about it but I’m glad I did. This mapo tofu had a savory taste that seemed heavier on the bean sauce. Light spiciness, not as intense as that at Spicy Moon. One other item that stood out was they use a tofu that is more firm than the usual silky one I’m used to. I’m not sure if I like that better or less but overall it was really enjoyable. Atmosphere is nice and I loved the nook that I was seated at (see pics). I’ll be back for the tofu and hopefully other dishes next time too.

+3

Really a gem. Be careful not to over order. Dumplings are fantastic. Spicy fish is great and easily for two. String beans where supper.

+2

10/10 always. Fair prices and great ambiance. It’s my monthly spot with my friends because it’s always solid food and easy.

Great restaurant for authentic Chinese food across a variety of regional cuisines. Think of Cafe China as the greatest hits menu for your cravings. We came as a large group, which I'd recommend as the dishes are large and best eaten family-style. We got 3 appetizers and 3 mains for 7 people, and some fried rice and white rice to help absorb the spiciness of the dishes. For apps we got the pan fried pork buns, dan dan noodles, and crispy eel wuxi. For mains we ordered the Chungking spicy chicken, spicy cumin lamb, spicy fish fillets, and eggplants in garlic sauce. Everything tasted delicious, so I'm just going to call out my favorites. The pan fried pork buns were incredibly juicy, while the fish and chicken were both pleasingly spicy with the Sichuan peppercorns. Will be back here to try more dishes in the future.

+2

Food is authentic Szechuan, but it's been adjusted to suit a wider audience. Spice levels have been adjusted on certain dishes, and other items have a touch of sweetness. Still a faithful representation and certainly excellent food. Would not hesitate to visit again.

Fantastic upscale Chinese food! The atmosphere was classy and the servers were incredible. The food was also very good and would certainly come back for a nice date or even hanging with friends.

+6

Wonderful Chinese food here. Being a Chinese myself, I can tell you that non of their dish is Americanized. If you go there, please try their fish. It’s so delicious and it reminds me of local Chinese restaurant a lot. Their service is also incredible. I had one dish that’s not warm and they just made a entire new one for me. I didn’t even ask them to do that. I would say if you only go to one Chinese restaurant while visiting NY, you can come here and you won’t regret it.

+3

Cafe China has been awarded a Michelin star for six consecutive years from 2012 to 2017. The decor is super cool with vintage posters and antique cameras and lamps, it really feels like old Shanghai. The food is super tasty but definitely packs some heat if you're into spicy Sichuan cuisine. For me, it was a little less spicy, but that's just my personal preference.

+4

Great as always. Very sophisticated, delicious food. Interesting cocktail ideas. On the more expensive side but not ludicrous

Relocated restaurant where me and my sister used to visit. Unfortunately, the building that they’re currently in has no liquor license (as of December 15, 2021), but the bartender advised us that it will approximately take about a month for them to be able to serve cocktails. They used to have amazing cocktail selections and we’re looking forward for them to return to action next year (2022). Some people might feel their food too salty, but if you order in the right combination, your mouth will experience an amusement park of tasteful journey. I’m definitely visiting more after their bar is back in action🍹

+4

This restaurant is one of my favorite Chinese restaurants in the city so far! I don’t understand how this place got 4.3 stars only! It’s got the style, the vibe, the atmosphere, the friendly staff ( our server Daniel was amazing), the delicious fresh food, reasonably priced wine and so on and on… The interior is amazing that makes you feel like you are in one of Wong Kar-wai’s movies! AMAZING!! I’ll definitely absolutely go back! And you should too!!

+6

Note: lobster is back in the menu. Cafe China has a new location ( see pictures ). It will be open in a couple of months.. Ask Ming for a consistent great lobster. I have to change my review about Cafe China (see below). Today, I was in Cafe China and what a difference: the attention of the service, the perfection of the execution, cheff Chen in the kitchen prepared one of the best lobsters I ever had. The place is relaxing and welcoming. Do not miss the opportunity.... Difficult to get a reservation over the phone or if you are one person. I remember when there was plenty of space. I guess what Michelin can do for you. I do not completely understand what the fuss is about, I like the consistency of Shun Lee Palace. I mostly take out in Cafe Chi

We spent Christmas Eve at this restaurant with our kids and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the dining experience, especially considering it was a Chinese restaurant. They have an excellent selection of wines and cocktails. My husband and I enjoyed the well-crafted old-fashioned and lychee martini. The menu offers a wide variety of appetizers and entrees, and we ordered approximately 10 dishes to share among the six of us. Every dish we tried was delicious, but our favorites included the pork dumplings in chili sauce, dandan noodles, eggplant, triple pepper chicken, and shrimp. Additionally, we were impressed by the nicely decorated private rooms upstairs, which are perfect for larger parties. We are looking forward to returning to this restaurant on our next visit to the city.

+6

Pig ear dish, Dan Dan noodles, and poached snow peashoot were really good. Overall we enjoyed our meal!

Kicked off our inaugural supper club at Café China and it absolutely delivered. Killer food, great vibe, zero notes. Soup dumplings were so good I could honestly eat them for every meal.

We had a large party with no reservations and they were very accommodating. The food was authentic and amazing. I think we tried everything on the menu between our table. The two menu items that stood out to us were the fish blossom and the duck fried rice.

+2

Really enjoyed our dinner here. Fabulous authentic selection with many food and beverage choices for our group. Service was excellent. Will definitely come back the next time we come back to NY

The atmosphere is kind of like a Chinese restaurant from an old school action film. It's pretty sleek and clean but nothing fancy. Fits the trendy vibe for a solid Chinese food joint. The food does not disappoint. The chili chicken is good but the pork belly and fermented tofu is killer. Satisfying dumplings. Good steak and peppers. Tea smoked duck had a unique taste to complement any meal. Highly recommend giving this place a try.

Authentic Chinese in Midtown! Every dish was all packed with flavor!! Went there with a large group and had a native Chinese speaker who ordered everything for the table, which was great because the menu was huge. Lots of vegetarian and vegan dishes, and every one was full of flavor and wonderfully aromatic spices. From what my friends said the meat dishes were also great. I highly recommend the green beans, the spinach with mushrooms, and the Japanese squash. We also had a fantastic sweet rice with red bean paste dessert that was satisfying and not too sweet at all. Perfect place for a big group or just a solo meal.

Simply OMG. The food here is nicely prepared, the presentation and the taste! 10/10. Had a few things on the menu and was blown away but the diversity of flavors. The service was very welcoming and professional and I had a great time! You know the food is good when everyone at the table is quiet.

+6

The dim sum, garlic eggplant, and green tea ice cream are delicious! Service was speedy. We arrived at 5pm without a reservation and got seated within 10 minutes! Not a place to have a private conversation because you are seated very close to other patrons.

The spicy beef dish is really big. Unless you don’t mind taking things home, it may be wise to only order it if you have a party of 3 or more. Great vibes. Solid pre-theatre option in midtown.

I went here for lunch during the week, and it was my second visit. I love the decor of the place; it’s not what you expect from the outside and is a pleasant surprise. There’s an upstairs and a downstairs; I’ve sat in both areas and they’re equally as nice. This time around, my coworker and I shared the Hot and Sour Wonton Soup, which was delicious. I expected the broth to be more “red” and spicy (per the photo on the menu), but instead the color was more brown and the taste more sour than hot. The wonton’s were ok, but I probably wouldn’t order that dish again. We each also ordered a bento box; I got the Spicy Fish Fillets bento box with pickled veggies and the veggie dumplings, and my coworker got the Mapo Tofu box with spicy cucumbers and pork dumplings. I LOVED the fish bento box! The fish was super crispy and the pickled veggies were delicious. There was a super tasty dipping sauce in the middle; not sure what it was but I wish there was more of it!! I also ordered the plum juice and I wish I could inject it straight into my veins. It was SO good lol! Overall, the food here is great and the prices are perfect. Looking forward to my next visit.

+2

Fantastic food, a Shanghai style decoration. Hope you are ok with spice food, but it’s ok if you are not. 😆

Favorite Chinese restaurant by far!! My Chinese friend brought me here for the first time because of its authentic Chinese cuisine. It’s not Americanized if you will. Simple decor, very attentive service and delicious, wide selection menu. While my company enjoyed many meat dishes, I am vegetarian and had plenty of options to select from as well. Definitely recommend. Restaurant has multiple floors, nice bar and clean bathroom.

Jul 24 Dinner 4 of us All very delicious food Service 9/10 quick but maybe because we are seated near the kitchen. See below. Ambience 7/10 maybe because we are seated at behind near the kitchen and under the stairs but overall the decor are nice. And the place is big inside.

+4

Drinks, food, service, ambience, all great! Really enjoyed the crispy fish filets and the duck! The fried rice was subtle but so tasty! Cocktails were really good! Found a new gem in NYC!

NativeNYC

Thank you to Elvis, Dylan and everyone at cafe china for an unparalleled experience. The food, drinks and service keep you coming back for more. My favorite place in all of NYC. Must try: 5 spice beef, bbq baby ribs, crystal shrimp dumplings, spicy soft shell crab, braised whole fish, to name a few. Every dish I’ve tried is delicious, every server I’ve had is thoughtful and on point, and every lychee martini served is made with love. 5 stars all around.

Billy Xia

Authentic Szechuan food with a creative twist. Every dish we ordered was delicious and hit the spot with the right amount of spice and flavor. Surprisingly reasonably priced. Even though we didn’t try the cocktails the menu and names looked definitely interesting. Very cute and chic decor inside. The only downside is that it was very loud so we had to shout to each other throughout our meal. Will be coming back.

+1

Julie Mitchell

Loved the space! So cute and cozy, went on a day it was raining and that made it a bit empty and special. Three people and we shared: duck, Dan Dan noodles, mapo tofu, spicy cucumbers, fish fillet. The fish and cucumbers were my absolute favorites, and the Dan Dan noodles and duck were really good too. I always have this with mapo tofu, there’s a peppercorn that tingles that I don’t really like but I think if you liked it it would be good. Maybe like 87 for all that? Really enjoyed, and loved the ambiance/decorations. Great job!

Ali Bakhsh

I’ve been coming to Café China for years, and it never disappoints. The food is consistently great. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever ordered something I didn’t like here. The scallion pancakes, in particular, were a standout on my most recent visit — perfectly crispy, flaky, and packed with flavor. Overall, just a reliably great spot that continues to deliver.

+2

Gri Shi

Delightful Lunch Experience. I recently had the pleasure of dining at Cafe China. And thoroughly enjoyed my visit. The overall experience was outstanding, thanks to the delicious food, cozy atmosphere, and attentive service. Our bartender, Edward, provided exceptional care, ensuring our lunch at the bar counter was memorable. The menu offerings did not disappoint. Standouts included the savory Ma po tofu, flavorful purple and white rice, perfectly cooked string beans, and tender shredded chicken with yellow chives. The spicy cucumber appetizer, however, fell short of expectations. Instead of the anticipated spicy kick and perfect marinade balance, it consisted of fresh cucumbers topped with a few red peppers, lacking flavor and seasoning. Despite this minor misstep, I highly recommend this place. Reservations are essential, as wait times can reach 40-60 minutes. Our bill totaled $112 for two people, including six dishes and hot jasmine tea – a reasonable price for the quality and quantity. Kudos to the team for the elegant business card design, reflecting the restaurant's attention to detail. Our rating - 4.5/5. Thank you and good luck.

+6

tanuja bhowmik

I've visited this place many times over the years and it never disappoints. I love ordering the sautéed string beans and spicy fish fillet every time I go. The portion size was good, but I think it has decreased recently.

+3

Iun Chen

Delicious and filling! Would go back. We had a reservation and were promptly seated. Ordering was smooth, drinks were delicious, food flavorful and filling, and service was attentive. Since it’s family style, the split among four people landed us about ~$30-50 before tip. Space is pretty big for the location but you need a reservation for most days since it’s smack middle of midtown. Highly recommend!

Alex Zhang

I have been wanting to try this place for a very long time. finally pop in for a visit during lunch time on a weekday. it really exceeded my expectation. there are so many sichuan restaurants in NYC and it's already hard to top one another. but the food here is really unique and the service is a top notch. Love their old shanghai decor makes it cozy and quiet enough to be able to talk to each other without screaming. there are multiple floors even seats that best for solo as well. The dish most wows me is the spicy soft shell crab. there are so much crab in it and loaded with flavor. Tea Smoked Duck is very juicy with smoky taste. Pork Dumplings in Chili Oil is one of the best flavor in NYC, it's very authentic taste with a little sweet and a little spicy. the lucky cup sake is very easy to drink if you want to take advantage of their happy hour price for only $8 There are some lunch bento specials as well, if you are not a person to share. there are also plenty to choose from.

+1

Kristine Stefanija

One of my favorite spots for Chinese food and great peaceful atmosphere in New York!! It feels like you’re traveling in time to 1930’s Shanghai. Peaceful, cozy, incredibly delicious! The loofah with dried scallops and mapo tofu are my favorites! I highly recommend this spot!

Justin Ton

What an experience. Food and service were phenomenal and the food and drinks. Wow. Great Szechuan taste. Super authentic. My new favorite chinese spot in the city!! The Fried fish and green beans with eggplants were amazing. All the sides and appetizers as well were phenomenal.

Celebrated Lunar New Year at Cafe China in NYC and it was nothing short of spectacular. The food was the real star. Every dish captured the bold, complex flavors that make authentic Szechuan cuisine so unforgettable—fragrant chili oil, mouth-tingling Sichuan peppercorns, deep layers of spice balanced with precision. You can tell this is the real deal, not a watered-down version. Each plate arrived beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. What impressed me most was the abundance of vegetarian options. So often, celebratory meals revolve around meat-heavy dishes, but here the vegetable preparations were just as thoughtfully crafted and deeply satisfying. From perfectly stir-fried greens to richly seasoned tofu dishes, every bite felt intentional and celebratory. Cafe China made our Lunar New Year feel truly special—authentic cuisine, vibrant flavors, and a menu inclusive enough for everyone at the table. Already looking forward to coming back. 🧧✨

Great spot if you are craving family style Sichuan cuisine. The portions were generation and they did not skip over the seasoning. Staff is very attentive and the aesthetics of the restaurant reminds me of a Wong Kar-Wai film.

We made reservation for this place and we’re taking to a corner table on the second floor. We had an amazing Waiter who was friendly and instructive and descriptive of the dishes. There were so many things on the menu that we wanted to try but had to settle for three starters and three main courses. I can easily say that we were all pleased with what we ordered, and we all said that we wanted to come back to this place. For me, it was possibly the best Chinese restaurant in the city so many of the other Chinese restaurants seem to be all the same . I think this may have to do with the fact that.this is Szechuan cuisine and from what I tasted possibly the real thing We started with their signature Lucky Lychee Cocktail, an Old Fashion and I had sake. For starters we shared the Peking Duck with Steamed Buns, Pork Dumplings In Chili Oil, Dan Dan Noodles. We loved all of them and notice their unique taste. The duck could have been hotter even though no one thought otherwise. For the mains, we tried Curiously Tasty Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, Poached Snow Pea Shoots, Shrimp Fried Rice With Chinese Sausage. We loved them all. The vegetables were fresh, crisp, delicious. The rice was not oily but just the right moisture & flavor. We took most of the Curiously Tasty Chicken home as we could not finish and it tasted better the next day. Not curious at all since the spices liberated most of their flavors overnight. The atmosphere was electric and thankfully not your normal Chinese decor. We were treated courteously and professionally by the staff and as it was our first time guided nicely by our waiter. Definitely going back!!

A Chinese Sichuan menu amid upscale 1930s Shanghai-inspired decor. The atmosphere is classy and unique, perfect for a nice dinner date or a small private gatherings (there are themed rooms that beautifully decorated). Great for a little photoshoot, too. Food is also delicious!

+1

mii

Everything is delicious！I often end up ordering too much, but if I can't finish it, I can take it home.

Linsey mackey

So good! And not alot of wait time. Will definitely be back. A friend and I came before we went to see a movie. The lime tra was good! We also got the Scallion pancakes, veggie dumplings and Kung Pao chicken.

Ben Teich

Cafe China is an absolute gem! We tried a variety of dishes, including the crispy eel, dan dan noodles, peppercorn chicken, pan-fried pork dumplings, duck fried rice, sweet and sour ribs, and more. Every dish was packed with flavor and well-balanced. The crispy eel was delightfully crunchy, the dan dan noodles had the perfect kick, and the duck fried rice was rich and savory. I loved the peppercorn chicken, it was the best I’ve ever had. The spice levels were spot on, and while some dishes had a fiery kick, there were plenty of milder options for those who prefer less heat. The portions were generous, the ingredients tasted fresh, and everything was very reasonably priced for the quality. If you’re looking for authentic and delicious Sichuan cuisine in a cozy atmosphere, Cafe China is a must-visit! We’ll definitely be coming back for more.

+5

The food was perfectly seasoned and so tasty. The kung pao chicken was exceptional, as was the fried rice with shredded duck. Service was excellent. I should also mention that the ambience wa…

The food was perfectly seasoned and so tasty. The kung pao chicken was exceptional, as was the fried rice with shredded duck. service was excellent. I should also mention that the ambience was warm…

The food was perfectly seasoned and so tasty. The kung pao chicken was exceptional, as was the fried rice with shredded duck. Service was excellent. I should also mention that the ambience was wa…

A big fan of the cuisine! Went during lunch and it wasn't terribly crowded to get a table for two! The pork belly and the duck fried rice paired beautifully-- wish we got more food to try however…

Such an incredible explosion of delicious flavors, I would go back again and again. Loved all the items we ordered. The soup dumplings were some of the best I've had in the city. The star of the …

This was my 2nd time here and it was just as good. We ordered 3 things to share- the kung pao chicken, shredded beef with green chili and the shrimp fried rice with sausage. The food is delicious.

This was my 2nd time here and it was just as good. We ordered 3 things to share- the kung pao chicken, shredded beef with green chili and the shrimp fried rice with sausage. The food …

This was my 2nd time here and it was just as good. We ordered 3 things to share- the kung pao chicken, shredded beef with green chili and the shrimp fried rice with sausage. The food is delicio…

Wow. This place was in nearly every list of NYC recommendations that I read, and I can see why. A really authentic dining experience with lovely staff and wow, the food is so good. Make sure you ha…

Wow. This place was in nearly every list of NYC recommendations that I read, and I can see why. A really authentic dining experience with lovely staff and wow, the food is so good. Make sure you ha…

service was very good staff were attentive despite the busy restaurant food was absolutely lovely, seemed very authentic, food came out very quickly, the restaurant had an amazing atmosphere and …

Great Chinese in the heart of NYC. We loved the shrimp dumplings and moved on to the Dan noodles and sea bass which were both authentic, tasty and perfectly prepared. Also enjoyed the pickled veg …

Cool vibes and genuinely yummy food. Highly recommended - the string beans, pork pot stickers and soup dumplings were the highlight.

Quick and courteous service. ambience is cozy and good is really excellent. No reason not to go especially if looking for a nice meal near grand central!!!

Lovely atmosphere , great food cooked beautifully , the chef is excellent , wanton soup delicious as was the kung pao chickenn .

A taste of Sichuan in the neighborhood. We had a family styled meal with a few iconic Sichuan dishes. We skipped on the mapo tofu though it’s also very much a Sichuan staple, because our friend who’s been here before said that it was OK. Amongst the food we tried, the Double Cooked Pork was definitely my favourite. Pair it with some rice or fried rice and you got yourself a good hearty meal. The rest of the dishes were good though not amazing. If you can make a trip to Flushing or their sibling restaurants “China Blue” or “Birds of a Feather”, I’d probably skip out on this particular location. The interior decor and the ambiance is wonderful though, and the service was good and prompt. It felt very homely and definitely had an older Chinese charm.

+2

Tried the chungking chicken, soft shell crabs, garlic eggplant, and jellyfish. The chicken and crab were really good, but I've had better garlic eggplant elsewhere. Did not really like the jellyfish though. There is a nice atmosphere but there's a decent wait. Good to try out once.

Got a private room, good furnishing but sparsely decorated. As expected of a Michelin star place food was excellent though serving nornal for a Chinese restaurant. Lots of dishes, portions a bit small compared to nearby area. Pork belly in clay pot with sour veggies was way too salty, the only dish most at the table didn't like or finish. Mapa tofu a bit overcooked. Ice cream with mochi ears was nice finish.

+6

Everything is very good! The tea I ordered was super flavorful, and as you can see in the pic, it’s real deal!!! I love the flavor and the heat. However it’s not spicy enough for me and my friend 😂😂 even though it’s shows 4 🌶 on the menu, feels like 1.5 for me, not a big deal I just with it could be more spicy. Other than that this place is great! Server very kind too!

+1

The service was excellent: very efficient, no overly friendly waiters that make you feel obliged to converse, food comes out super fast - everything you look for in a midtown restaurant. There was no bad dish. Had to order their famous cold noodles. We liked the sauce, BUT there were a few strands of noodles (not the entire noodle strand but part of it) that were DRY - like, they’ve been sitting out for long, and there are parts of the noodles that weren’t coated in sauce which then dried out. Really?! Is it a dish that is not good there, so people don’t order it often? Or just a bad day? In any case, I bet the Michelin judges were served better ones haha, unless they really like the texture of dried out noodles ;)

+6

Amazing Sichuan cuisine. No wonder the restaurant has a Michelin star. Food was very good , service was very quick , waiters and waitresses were very polite. Will visit again.

+3

Anxious awaited to come visit. Maybe it was an off day or close to end of shift. But the pork soup dumplings were lack luster. Everything was amazing - Duck fried rice, dumplings jn chili oil, and Dan Dan noodles (best value on the menu).

Visited during lunch time and the food was better than expected. I wish they had a wider choice of beer, including draft beer. I also highly recommend the double cooked pork, or something that was similar.

Came here for family dinner. We got a good spead of the dishes on their menu. Everything was pretty good but the fish we got was a little too numbing it's not enjoyable anymore. And we never got the bowl of rice we ordered but that's ok the fried rice was good.

+4

We came here on weekday evening, and it’s pretty crowded and almost impossible to get a table without making reservations in advance. The food was okay - i enjoyed appetizers much more than the main dishes. Would look forward to trying other main dishes next time.

+2

Delicious. Perfect spot to go for Chinese dishes on a cold, snowy Sunday afternoon. The ambience is elegant, dim and great for dates or meeting with friends. The service was difficult to find at times, staffing was definitely not an issue, it just seemed that they were not as aware or as attentive. The dishes themselves were delicious. The tea soaked duck however, was barely edible as almost the entire dish was fat. I love the skin, but when the fat is accounting for 75% of the actual dish, it becomes sickening to eat any more than three bites. The drinks are strong, but for the $15 price, I’d expect some type of garnish, not foam from the ice shaker or small bits of ice leftover.

+2

Interesting restaurant to go to as a vegetarian. Chinese food is not normally too vegetarian. However, we ended up here as one of our party had a good vegetarian experience in the past. We enjoyed their various vegetarian dishes, especially their beans were great.

+4

Much larger restaurant than I thought with a few different seating options. They only seat full parties, you can wait at the bar. All of their signature cocktails are $15 and were pretty good. Very kind service! Definitely get dishes to share. We tried the potstickers, sautéed string beans, and dan dan noodles. The potstickers were good but didn’t impress me. The string beans were delish, and the noodles were yum as well with the proper sauce & flavoring ratio. Yay! Highly recommend a booking in advance.

+1

Everything at @cafechina was consistently in the upper rank for me in terms of Sichuan food in NYC. They are more on the oily side compared to their other competitors, but I enjoyed most of them. The husband and wife appetizer (beef tripe and tendon) was average and my favorite was probably the bamboo shoots, which I don’t see in other places as often.

Good vegetarian options! The Ma Po Tofu is really good. Also, the oil in this restaurant is clean.

+2

Good spot for Sichuan cuisine. Some of our favorites were the Husband & Wife Special (tripes), the Fish Blossom and the Curiously Tasty Chicken. The Eight Jewel Rice Pudding dessert was also pleasantly refreshing.

+6

Cafe China serves Sichuan cuisine with lots of red pepper marks to be found on the menu. The decor is Chinese themed, modern, and clean. We got several items on the menu all of which were very good with the exception of the duck dish. The duck is smoked and not crispy at all. I was imagining more of a Pecking duck style dish but this is the opposite of what I was expecting, so really I guess it’s on me for not knowing. Nonetheless I enjoyed my meal and appreciate the attentive staff and efficient service that was provided.

+1

Great spot if you’re looking for something different before a show. Could be spicier. Cumin lamb and eggplant best dishes.

It's a decent place for some Chinese and it's a pretty big space so we had no trouble being seated. The food was ok but suffering from the usual pitfalls of being very oily or fatty (especially the scallion pancakes). I only got through half of my portion of pork ribs before surrendering to it in shame. A strange point I had to mention about the shiitake mushrooms stir fry is that it has an ingredient in it that somehow numbs your mouth and leaves behind a strange, dry aftertaste. It's likely I'm just too white for these ingredients but I felt it's worth mentioning for other equally melanin challenged folks who may want to visit.

+1

BC Q

A nice eatery with s bar on ground floor with lots of rooms on upper levels. This restaurant is nicely fitted out with subtle Chinese accents. Staff are friendly & efficient. We dropped by without a reservation & managed to get in albeit with a 90 min time frame as reservations were made. The food was varied with an emphasis on Sichuan cuisine. We were promptly served & dishes arrived fast & piping hot. The spice levels were a little mild but still very tasty. Prices are higher than normal Chinese restaurants in the area but deservedly so. A nice place to come with family or a group of friends. Reservations welcomed & best if are more than 4.

+2

Jacqueline Aguilar

I found this place on the travel channel. If you’re into authentic Chinese food - definitely give this place a try. Their portions are decent. You can eat family style depending on how you order. My favorite were the pan fried pork buns and the pork dumplings. The rest of the group had the mouth watering chicken, cold appetizer - if you like cold chicken, go for it. (Otherwise you may not like it.) They also got the braised pork - had a lot of textures in it but the flavor was there. The Ma Po tofu was deliciously made and serving size was a good portion. We also ordered the shrimp fried rice - pretty good, fresh, not salty! 😋 Overall, the service was friendly and if we needed something after the food was served we had to flag down our waiter. Last but not least , we ordered the lucky cup sake, also good! 😊

Corky Luxembourg

Been wanting to come here for a since they moved a couple of years ago. Their old space, now called Chili, has a lot of the same dishes. My favorite there is Mr and Mrs Smith. Curiously named, I thought, until I came to Cafe China and saw the exact same dish called Husband and Wife Special. Instead I ordered the smoked tofu cold dish. Lots of spicy oil and numbing peppercorns. Could use some more peanuts and scallions in the dish but still tasty. The Spicy Fish was fried, and comes with lots of dried red peppers, cilantro and 2 limes. Delicate flavor and lightly fried. The tea program is on point. This oolong tastes like a 2nd batch from a high mountain plantation. Very good

Binoy Vasavada

Stylish spot serving up solid Sichuan fare with both authentic and crowd-pleasing dishes. The old-world Anglo Asian decor—chandeliers, balcony, and all—sets the mood nicely. We tried the scallion pancakes, pork dumplings in chili oil, kung pao chicken, Chungking spicy chicken, and fried rice with mustard shoots. The dumplings and kung pao chicken stood out, while the rest were good but not as fiery as the menu’s warning suggests (minus the occasional rogue pepper). Service was fine but could use a friendlier touch. Cocktails were well made and paired nicely with the food. Overall, Cafe China is worth checking out when you’re craving Sichuan—but it could use a little extra spark to make you want to come back.

A great place to try something new! I've never really tried Sichuan before, but this was a great introduction. My group had a reservation for Sunday night. The place has good ambiance and friendly se…

Crystal Shrimp dumplings and Pork Pot Stickers were the only two dim sum that I wanted. Having eaten here several times especially when it was in the original location of know the quality of the cu…

Crystal Shrimp Dumplings and pork Pot Stickers were the only two dim sum that I wanted. Having eaten here several times especially when it was in the original location of know the quality of the cu…

$18 chicken kung Pao. This was quite good. The criticisms I have are this, there's no Wokhei, I think they need to cook the chicken just a little more to impart some smokiness. Also just far room…

I am giving this place four stars but it should maybe be three. The only things impressive about China cafe were its extensive menu and its prices. Very busy at lunch on a Thursday. Once it filled …

The dishes show what good food means, the staff shows what good service means, and prices show what good value means. staff members create enjoyable memories through service. The flavors exce…

Enjoyed my meal here! It's a cozy spot and was pretty crowded on a Tuesday night but we ended up only needing a 20 min wait. Food was delicious, loved the veggie dumplings, scallion pancakes, the v…

Pretty solid Szechuan restaurant in Midtown! I made a reservation for a Saturday evening but when I arrived it wasn't terribly crowded. The staff were super friendly at explaining the menu and the …

The food was overall very yummy, and the portions were generous. My friends and I ordered four dishes and still had some leftover. My personal favorite was the double cooked pork, but my friends al…

Checked out this place spontaneously and loved the interior design and decor so much. It reminded me of a vintage hong kong cafe aesthetic. They had a bar area, a really cute tree, and tables in th…

Yummy sichuan food!!! Cafe China has been on my list for a while and I'm glad I finally got to try it! \n\nWe had a reservation and were promptly seated. The aesthetics of the restaurant were very …

A little pricey and mostly bento boxes for lunch specials. I got eggplant which was delicious but would have preferred to get two appetizers for variety…

A little pricey and mostly bento boxes for lunch specials. I got eggplant which was delicious but would have preferred to get two appetizers for variety…

Great spot, I walked in because it was very close to my hotl and I was tired. Really good Szechuan food, and the waiter was very patient and made good suggestions. I had pork dumplings followed by …

Great spot, I walked in because it was very close to my hotl and I was tired. Really good Szechuan food, and the waiter was very patient and made good suggestions. I had pork dumplings followed b…

We saw a review of Cafe China in a paper and decided to book. What a great restaurant!! Really fab atmosphere and delicious food. Just watch out for the Szechuan peppers - we couldn't feel our mout…

We saw a review of cafe China in a paper and decided to book. What a great restaurant!! Really fab atmosphere and delicious food. Just watch out for the Szechuan peppers - we couldn't feel our mout…

Felt like this place was a bit overrated. Price was not cheap but the food was not on the same level (the taste was very average and we could make them at home easily- for any Chinese who does a lot of home-cooking). Loved the lychee cocktail though. The fried eel was WAY TOO SWEET!!! I’m from the area where people eat eels often so I know how it’s supposed to taste like but their version of eel was too sweet that it was at the level almost unbearable. Maybe this restaurant was designed more for Americans, which was why they altered the taste of some dishes. Would not go again personally.

so close ... skip the buns and har gow ... at least when we were there (1pm, mid week ) insufficient volume to cook properly (imho kitchens that are pumping out steamed items and the like are able to cook them so that the filling releases the moisture and flavors that are essential). daikon ap was very very good as was the eggplant in garlic sauce. lamb with szechuan peppercorns lacked the abundance of peppercorns the table is accustomed to with this dish and it seemed this dish was held in the kitchen as the eggplant was cooking as the difference in temperture was noticeable. but was flavorful nonetheless. we had an issue with service as we had one gf'er who enjoyed one dish so much that we re-ordered another. it took three tries to get the correct dish. for the area, pricing was reasonable which was a surprise. clean bathroom. easily a 3.75 star even given the issues and can clearly be a 4 + with some better attention to detail. will be back.

+3

Let me tell you, if you want salt this is the place to go! There's not a saltier meal that I could ever imagine having. The flavor is definitely there but the salt level is there times 10,000. The drinks are not made lightly and are delicious, good thing because you need copious drinks to wash down all the salt. Don't get me wrong, I love salt however this is far too much. I measure my food based on if I could make it at home better, I feel like if I were to measure it against this it would be as if I dumped my entire bottle of salt in my food. It's a cool place to check out but I would definitely expect more from the big apple. They are very efficient, waiter came over with the Bill literally 20 seconds after the table was cleared which was cleared immediately after setting down our chopsticks. We also did not feel rushed at all and we were here at closing time.

+1

We were allured by the “only Michelin star Chinese restaurant in NYC”. Not sure how that’s possible to be honest. Had high expectations but both food and service spotty. Vintage = run down both inside and out. Soup dumplings and Kung Pao chicken were 5 stars but the other food 3. Beef and shrimp fried rice was bland and soulless. Service was polite but not that attentive we had to wave down waiter for every item.

+2

Food was amazing , not sure what was wrong with the staff. Several interactions were very strange, almost like they didn’t want us there. It was to the point of us asking to speak to a manager. Probably the reason I won’t come back.

Jay Buggy

We visited this restaurant during weekdays at 2 pm. There was no wait, and there were plenty of tables available. The ambiance was pleasant, but the food was not particularly impressive, and the service was quite lacking. The staff seemed preoccupied with chatting in the hallway instead of attending to our needs.

+5

lee songme

Many of my colleagues recommended this restaurant. However me and my other colleagues from China did not really like the food. In short, they were too salty and greasy.

+1

Dave E (BoozieFoodie44)

While the food was excellent the service was basically nonexistent. In fact while we were still eating the server came by and took our water carafe and never replaced it nor asked if we wanted an additional sake. Definitely suggest walking down a few blocks to the East and going to Chili as overall it is a much better meal especially the service.

Rating: 3.5 stars\n\nI came by here for a Holiday Party with my office. As we were a larger group, we had to make reservations ahead of time and were seated in one of the private rooms upstairs. \n\n…

Rating: 3.5 stars\n\nI came by here for a Holiday Party with my office. As we were a larger group, we had to make reservations ahead of time and were seated in one of the private rooms upstairs. \n…

The good:\n-cumin lamb, kung pao chicken, dan dan noodles, double cooked pork, and mapo tofu were all very solid\n-waiters were attentive\n-cute space for larger groups with coat rack\n\nTh…

The good:\n-cumin lamb, kung pao chicken, dan dan noodles, double cooked pork, and mapo tofu were all very solid\n-waiters were attentive\n-cute space for larger groups with coat rack\n\nThe bad:…

Early evening reservation on a weekday. Authentic Sichuan dining. Three dishes a bit much for two. Mapo toufo, green beans with eggplant--perfect. Gongbao chicken over-cooked and sauce was bland--a…

Early evening reservation on a weekday. Authentic Sichuan dining. Three dishes a bit much for two. Mapo toufo, green beans with eggplant--perfect. Gongbao chicken over-cooked and sauce was bland--a…

I'm extremely disappointed and honestly disturbed.\n\nThis is the SECOND time I've found a bug in food from Cafe China ordered via Uber Eats.\n\nThe first time, I gave them the benefit of the doubt a…

I'm extremely disappointed and honestly disturbed.\n\nThis is the SECOND time I've found a bug in food from Cafe China ordered via Uber Eats.\n\nThe first time, I gave them the benefit of the doubt…

I'm extremely disappointed and honestly disturbed.\n\nThis is the SECOND time I've found a bug in food from cafe China ordered via Uber Eats.\n\nThe first time, I gave them the benefit of the doubt…

Kitchen closes at 920 apparently even though it states 1030pm. Took an uber from JFK and would never come back because the staff was super rude.

Oversalted mapo tofu. Went there for dinner craving for good sichuan food. We ordered mapo tofu and kong pao chicken, two staples of chinese cuisine, hoping these would be safe choices. How wrong w…

Dear food lovers, don’t believe the Instagram videos and ratings, it’s all a bunch of ignorant people who have no idea how good food should taste. It’s all about advertising. This is my experience with this restaurant, and it’s horrible. I just put $42 in the garbage. Scallion pancakes should be called crispy dough because there’s absolutely no scallions in these pancakes apart from few traces. See the photos. Absolutely scam. Secondly the Mushrooms with spinach are not eatable because of the horrific amount of sodium. Salty as hell! They were damped in the trash. Lastly, the desert which is “Japanese pumpkin cake” is ok. Really nothing to talk about. This place has horrid food and expensive for nothing! I don’t recommend it.

+1