Best Family Friendly Favorites Restaurants in Chinatown
17 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Philippe The Original
Credited as the birthplace of the French dip sandwich since 1908, with meat hand-carved and rolls dipped in natural roasting juices
Notable Picks
8.2
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
The 1908 original that put French dip on the map—beef hand-carved to order, rolls dunked in natural jus at the counter, sawdust still on the floor. The communal-table, cafeteria-line format rewards decisive ordering and a willingness to elbow in during peak hours. Go for the double-dipped beef and expect the experience to feel like a working lunch counter that happens to be a monument.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef French Dip Double-Dipped, Lamb French Dip, Pickled Eggs
What Makes it Special: Credited as the birthplace of the French dip sandwich since 1908, with meat hand-carved and rolls dipped in natural roasting juices
8.1
A historic, family-run Italian deli dating back to 1929, famous for stacked hot sandwiches and old-school market vibes. The counter-service setup makes it easy for families to grab lunch or picnic-ready bites near Elysian Park.
Must-Try Dishes:
D.A. Special sandwich, Italian meatball hot sandwich, Cannoli
What Makes it Special: Nearly century-old LA Little Italy deli with iconic sandwiches.
8.1
A bright, mission-driven café in Chinatown serving hearty breakfast plates with a light, healthy tilt. Expect well-executed classics, welcoming service, and a community vibe that keeps locals coming back.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sunny-side eggs with potatoes and toast, Chile relleno grilled cheese, Carnitas tacos (breakfast-adjacent)
What Makes it Special: Great breakfast with a real neighborhood mission behind it.
8.1
A busy Chinatown seafood-and-dim-sum room known for generous portions and reliable Cantonese cooking. Strong combined review volume supports its reputation for dependable banquet-style seafood.
Must-Try Dishes:
House Special Lobster, Salt & Pepper Shrimp, Walnut Shrimp
What Makes it Special: Crowd-pleasing Cantonese seafood at banquet scale.
8.1
A Chinatown institution since 1938, Phoenix Bakery is best known for its light strawberry whipped-cream cake and old-school American-Chinese bakery lineup. The counter-service setup is quick and efficient, making it a reliable stop for celebration cakes or a nostalgic pastry run.
Must-Try Dishes:
Strawberry Whipped Cream Cake, Bear Claws, Egg Tarts
What Makes it Special: Nearly nine decades of Chinatown cake-making anchored by the original strawberry cream cake.
#6
Yang Chow
8.1
A Chinatown institution since 1977 that invented slippery shrimp—crispy battered prawns in a garlic-forward sweet-spicy sauce that became an LA staple. The family-style format with lazy susan sharing works well for groups heading to Dodger games or seeking generous Cantonese portions without pretense. Expect a bustling dining room where speed varies but the kitchen delivers on its signatures.
Must-Try Dishes:
Orange Chicken, Yang Chow Fried Rice, Kung Pao Chicken
What Makes it Special: Chinatown institution since 1977, famous for inventing the slippery shrimp and drawing celebrity regulars before Dodger games
#7
Pho 87
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
A cash-only Chinatown stalwart running the same pho playbook since the 1980s, with brisket and oxtail bowls that draw purists who prioritize broth depth over ambiance. The indoor fish pond and fluorescent-lit dining room signal the no-frills deal—you're here for the soup, not the scene. Works best when you know your order before you sit down and have cash in your pocket.
Must-Try Dishes:
Egg Rolls, Brisket Pho, Oxtail Pho
What Makes it Special: Cash-only Chinatown institution with an indoor fish pond and no-frills authentic Vietnamese pho since the 1980s
#8
Nick's Cafe
8
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Old-school diner comfort that’s steady, generous, and exactly what you want before a day downtown. Expect griddle classics, brisk pacing, and a loyal morning crowd.
Must-Try Dishes:
Corned Beef Hash & Eggs, Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, Biscuits & Gravy
What Makes it Special: Reliable classic LA diner breakfast with big portions.
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Family Friendly Favorites
Compact counter-service dim sum shop that favors speed, comfort, and solid execution over flash. The lineup of steamed dumplings, buns, and pan-fried cakes is dependable, making it a repeat stop for locals running errands in Chinatown. Expect no-frills seating and a quick in-and-out rhythm.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pan-Fried Turnip Cake, Pork Shumai, BBQ Pork Bun
What Makes it Special: Fast, focused dim sum counter with a tight Chinatown neighborhood pull.
#10
La Sorted's
8
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
A lively neighborhood pizzeria with airy sourdough-style pies, TVs, and a relaxed, come-as-you-are vibe. It’s ideal for families who want great pizza before a Dodgers game or a casual Chinatown outing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mamba Pizza, Mortadella focaccia sandwich, Classic margherita
What Makes it Special: One of LA’s better new-school sourdough pizza rooms outside the core.
8
A multi-decade Chinatown staple mixing Cantonese seafood with Hong Kong-style BBQ. It’s a go-to for late-night groups ordering clay pots, roast meats, and live-tank seafood without pretense.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ginger-Scallion Lobster, BBQ Roast Duck, Salt & Pepper Squid
What Makes it Special: Old-school Chinatown seafood-and-BBQ institution open late.
Worthy Picks
#12
El Paseo Inn
7.9
A sprawling open-air Mexican cantina on historic Olvera Street that leans into the full festive experience—tableside guacamole, mariachi on Sundays, and a patio that fills up with multi-generational tables sharing enchiladas and margaritas. Operating since the 1930s, it draws on atmosphere and tradition more than culinary precision, making it the right call when the occasion matters as much as the meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cadillac Margarita, Chicken Enchiladas De Mole, Tableside Guacamole
What Makes it Special: LA's oldest Mexican restaurant, serving on historic Olvera Street since the 1930s with live mariachi and a sprawling open-air patio.
#13
Sage Blossom
7.9
A bright Central Plaza dining room pairing classic Vietnamese comfort with a slightly more modern Chinatown vibe. The pho here is clean and balanced, with a lighter broth and tidy garnish plate that suits repeat lunch visits. A solid middle-ground option when you want dependable bowls and a calmer sit-down space.
Must-Try Dishes:
Combination Pho, Shaken Beef, Vegetarian Spring Rolls
What Makes it Special: Modern-casual Chinatown setting with reliably executed pho and Vietnamese staples.
7.9
A daytime dim sum and Cantonese seafood hall where rolling carts meet live-tank classics. The draw is traditional execution and a steady local crowd, especially on weekends.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steamed Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow), Roast Duck, Ginger-Scallion Fish
What Makes it Special: Traditional dim sum carts plus Cantonese seafood staples.
7.8
A classic Chinatown dining room serving Cantonese seafood, dim sum, and banquet staples. Known for generous portions and reliable wok work, especially on shrimp and crab dishes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Honey Walnut Shrimp, Garlic Crab, Pan-Fried Noodles with Seafood
What Makes it Special: Dependable Cantonese seafood for groups in the heart of Chinatown.
7.8
A sprawling Chinatown banquet hall that still runs traditional cart-service dim sum on Ord Street, where the har gow and siu mai come to your table on rolling carts rather than off a printed order sheet. It draws weekend crowds of regulars who know the move is to go deep on the Cantonese classics—Peking duck for the table, BBQ pork between rounds—at prices that make it easy to over-order without regret. Expect a loud, no-frills dining room where the energy comes from packed tables and fast-moving carts, not decor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Peking Duck, Har Gow, BBQ Pork
What Makes it Special: Old-school Chinatown banquet hall running traditional cart-service dim sum in a sprawling dining room on Ord Street
7.7
A 60-year-old Chinatown dim sum hall running one of the last traditional cart services in Los Angeles, where plates roll past and you point to eat. The food is reliable Cantonese banquet fare at prices that keep regulars cycling through weekly, though the room shows its age and service runs on a flag-down-your-cart rhythm that rewards initiative over patience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Har Gow, Shumai, Chicken Feet
What Makes it Special: Old-school Chinatown dim sum hall with roaming cart service, a format increasingly rare in Los Angeles