Best Chinese Restaurants in Upper East Side-Yorkville
4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Wa Jeal Sichuan Chili House
Sichuan spice discipline that rewards a focused, heat-forward order.
Notable Picks
8.2
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Hidden Gems Heaven
A Sichuan-leaning neighborhood favorite where the best plates hit that clean, spicy balance—numbing heat, savory depth, and enough freshness to keep you eating. It’s at its best when you commit to a focused Sichuan order instead of mixing in too many Americanized classics.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dan Dan Noodles, Peking Duck, Kung Pao Chicken
What makes it special: Sichuan spice discipline that rewards a focused, heat-forward order.
Worthy Picks
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A high-velocity Yorkville takeout shop that delivers the NYC Chinese takeout canon with dependable execution and fast turnaround. The best move is to order like a regular—one fried-rice or lo-mein base, one saucy protein, and one soup or dumpling side—so it lands as a complete meal, not a pile of extras.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wonton Soup, General Tso's Chicken, Lo Mein
What makes it special: Classic NYC Chinese takeout done fast, hot, and reliably.
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Comfort Food Classics
A fast-casual dumpling counter that works as the ZIP’s most reliable “dim sum energy” grab-and-go: lots of dumpling formats, quick turnaround, and an order style that rewards focus. Treat it like a dumpling run—one fried, one boiled/steamed lane—and you’ll leave happier than if you try to cover the whole board.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pan-Fried Chicken Dumplings, Assorted Boiled Dumplings, Wontons with Spicy Sauce
What makes it special: Fast dumplings made for repeat, no-drama ordering.
#4
Asian 83
7.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
A low-key neighborhood Chinese spot that fits best as an easy, no-friction meal—quick service, simple plates, and a local rhythm that works for solo orders or casual pickup. Treat it as a “one main plus one side” place to keep the experience clean and satisfying.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried Rice, Lo Mein, Dumplings
What makes it special: A neighborhood Chinese go-to for simple, quick meals.