Best Instagram Worthy Wonders Chinese Restaurants in Midtown East
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Hutong
Tableside flaming duck presentation and stunning Art Deco interior evoke 1920s Shanghai glamour
Notable Picks
#1
Hutong
8.7
Award-winning Northern Chinese restaurant serving fiery dim sum and signature tableside Flaming Peking Duck in a glamorous Art Deco setting inspired by 1920s Shanghai. The elegant space in the Bloomberg Building draws a sophisticated crowd for both power lunches and evening cocktails.
Must-Try Dishes:
Flaming Peking Duck, Ma La Chili Prawns, Dan Dan Noodles
What makes it special: Tableside flaming duck presentation and stunning Art Deco interior evoke 1920s Shanghai glamour
#2
53
8.6
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Girls Night Out Approved
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Group Dining Gatherings
A MoMA-adjacent, art-forward dining space delivering polished Pan-Asian plates with a strong Chinese backbone. The room is glamorous and high-energy, and the kitchen nails crowd-pleasers like elevated dumplings and clay-pot rice.
Must-Try Dishes:
Black truffle xiao long bao, Kung pao quail, Crispy rice clay pot
What makes it special: A three-level, art-infused spot pairing luxe ambiance with Chinese-leaning hits.
#3
TAO Uptown
8.5
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Trendy Table Hotspots
Massive Pan-Asian restaurant anchored by a dramatic 16-foot Buddha statue overlooking a koi pond, serving Hong Kong-style Chinese alongside Japanese and Thai dishes. The theatrical space draws tourists, celebrities, and midtown professionals with its consistently executed dim sum and scene-y atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy Rice Tuna, Peking Duck, Lobster Wontons
What makes it special: Cathedral-sized dining room with 16-foot Buddha creates unforgettable theatrical ambiance