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Imperial Restaurant
Master Critic Review
Imperial Restaurant
8.0
Up a flight of stairs in Chinatown Square, Imperial Restaurant runs an expansive, chandeliered banquet hall with several partitioned private rooms. It’s favored for dim sum service that still uses carts alongside an extensive Cantonese menu, making it a flexible choice for weddings, banquets, and mid-size celebrations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy Shrimp Dumplings, Siu Mai Pork and Shrimp Dumpling, Imperial's Peking Duck
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 6.3
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: A second-story dim sum and banquet hall with flexible private rooms that feel more under-the-radar than nearby icons.
Who should go: Hosts needing classic banquet layouts without hotel pricing.
When to visit: Weekend brunch hours for full dim sum plus room availability.
What to order: Crispy Shrimp Dumplings, Siu Mai, Imperial’s Peking Duck.
Insider tip: Request a corner private room with windows; it softens the noise from the main hall and photographs better for milestone events.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Chinatown Square plaza parking lot and nearby metered street parking; fills quickly on weekends — plan a few extra minutes to circle or use the paid lot behind the plaza.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual; most guests are dressed comfortably for family meals and celebrations.
Noise level: Lively to loud during dim sum and banquet service — conversation is possible at private tables, but the main hall can echo.
Weekend wait: Often manageable with a reservation; walk-ins may wait 20–40 minutes if private rooms are booked for events.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait outside peak dim sum hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good number of options across dim sum and Cantonese dishes (vegetable dumplings, tofu, noodle and greens plates).
Vegan options: Limited but workable — a few vegetable and tofu dishes; confirm sauces if fully vegan is required.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free program; some steamed seafood and vegetable dishes can be adapted — ask staff to guide choices.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for groups and celebrations than an intimate first date — the room is lively and banquet-style rather than cozy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for small parties, especially outside peak dim sum hours, but reservations are strongly recommended for larger groups or private rooms.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — spacious tables, quick dim sum service, and shareable dishes make it a fit for families; high-chairs are typically available on request.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, banquets, and dim sum gatherings where flexible private rooms and classic Cantonese menus are the priority.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate meal, modern small-plate dining, or strict dietary accommodations with dedicated labeling.