Best Chinese Restaurants in San Francisco
50 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Taishan Cuisine
Authentic Taishanese dishes served late into the night.
Essential Picks
9
A cult favorite specializing in Taishanese cuisine, offering claypot rice and other regional specialties until 3 AM.
Must-Try Dishes:
Yellow Eel Claypot Rice, Taishan Roast Chicken, Braised Goose
What makes it special: Authentic Taishanese dishes served late into the night.
Notable Picks
#2
Mister Jiu's
8.9
Modern Cantonese from chef Brandon Jew in a polished Chinatown dining room with a seasonal, technique-driven menu. A destination for refined banquets, precise wok cookery, and thoughtful cocktail/wine pairings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roast duck (seasonal banquet), Wontons in chili oil, Scallion pancake
What makes it special: Michelin-lauded modern Cantonese with exacting technique and seasonal menus.
8.7
Modern Cantonese from chef James Yeun Leong Parry (opened 2025) featuring refined small plates and dim sum–style creations at dinner. Expect pristine technique—stone-milled cheung fun, roasted meats—and a polished room fit for occasions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crab Rice Roll (cheung fun), Gold Coin Bao (liver mousse & coppa), Whole Roast Duck or Lacquered Quail
What makes it special: Dinner-only, chef-driven Cantonese with elevated dim sum–style plates.
8.7
Long-running Chinatown standard for assertive Sichuan cooking—fiery chili oil broths, peppercorn tingle, and big shareable plates. Expect lines at peak hours, quick pacing, and well-executed classics that remain a local benchmark.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chongqing chili chicken, Spicy fish fillet in chili broth, Cumin lamb
What makes it special: Benchmark Sichuan flavors with heat, aroma, and crowd-pleasing shareables.
#5
Dragon Beaux
8.6
Polished Richmond destination from the Koi Palace team serving creative, high-execution dim sum by day and hot pot at night. Expect refined technique (colored XLB, sea bass dumplings) and smooth, well-orchestrated service in a sleek room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Five-Color Xiao Long Bao, Crab Roe Siu Mai, Salted Egg Yolk Lava Bun
What makes it special: Inventive dim sum rooted in Koi Palace craftsmanship.
8.6
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Cantonese spot from R&G Lounge founder Kinson Wong serving a broad daytime dim sum menu in an upscale Embarcadero setting. Expect precise staples (har gow, siu mai) alongside baked tarts and seafood specials with bay views and polished service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp Har Gow, Pork & Shrimp Siu Mai, Baked Portuguese Egg Tart
What makes it special: Elevated Cantonese dim sum with Embarcadero views from a revered local restaurateur.
8.6
Full-service Cantonese dim sum in a compact SoMa dining room, with carts replaced by made-to-order classics. Locals come for precise har gow, cheung fun, and a steady lunch service that runs like clockwork.
Must-Try Dishes:
Har Gow (shrimp dumplings), Siu Mai, Rice Noodle Rolls (cheung fun)
What makes it special: Handmade dim sum with restaurant-service polish.
8.6
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
Long-running spot (since 1992) known for wok-seared Hunan and Szechuan favorites with dependable portions and seasoning. Locals come for balanced heat, crisp textures, and fast, friendly service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salt & Pepper Prawns, Mongolian Beef, House Chow Fun
What makes it special: Decades of consistent wok flavor with dialed-in spice.
#9
Yank Sing
8.6
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Trendy Table Hotspots
Cart-service dim sum institution at Rincon Center known for precise execution and a deep selection from classics to seasonal specials. Locals book it for business lunches and weekend family meals where consistency and pacing matter.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kurobuta Xiao Long Bao, Siu Mai, Roast Duck
What makes it special: Third-generation cart-service dim sum with a Bib Gourmand pedigree.
#10
Dumpling Kitchen
8.5
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Shanghai-leaning menu known for xiao long bao, crisp-bottom shengjian, and family-style plates that travel well. Steady service and a tight operation make it a dependable neighborhood standby on Taraval.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork Xiao Long Bao, Pan-Fried Pork Buns (Shengjian), Wontons in Chili Oil
What makes it special: Skillful Shanghai-style dumplings with reliable execution all day.
#11
San Tung
8.5
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Home of SF’s cult dry-fried chicken wings—crackly, sweet-savory, and peppery—backed by a fast-moving Chinese menu. Locals line up for half-orders to sample both dry and sauced styles, plus easy shareables.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dry-fried chicken wings, Wet wings (sweet-savory glaze), Cold noodles with peanut-sesame sauce
What makes it special: Definitive SF dry-fried wing technique with lightning-fast kitchen.
8.5
Duboce Triangle outpost of the Shanghainese standby known for xiao long bao and chewy stir-fried rice cakes. Late closing hours make it a reliable post-show dumpling fix with quick counter service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), Stir-Fried Rice Cakes (chao nian gao), Pan-Fried Pork Buns (shengjian bao)
What makes it special: Handmade XLB and rice cakes served late with steady quality.
8.5
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Third-generation dim sum institution (founded 1958) that turns weekend late mornings into cart-service ‘brunch’ with soup dumplings, har gow, and crispy bites. The atrium setting and colorful steamers make for easy, camera-friendly spreads.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shanghai Soup Dumplings (XLB), Har Gow, Roast Duck Buns
What makes it special: Cart-service dim sum with decades of pedigree.
#14
Dumpling Home
8.4
Hayes Valley standby specializing in hand-folded dumplings and soup buns made all day behind glass. Since 2020, it’s earned lines for clear, savory xiao long bao and reliably fast, efficient service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Juicy Pork Xiao Long Bao, Pan-Fried Juicy Pork Buns, Sesame Chili Wontons
What makes it special: Handmade soup dumplings with unusually clear, balanced broth.
#15
Dumpling Story
8.4
Mission Valencia address for soup dumplings, shengjianbao, and shareable small plates with a polished, modern feel. The kitchen focuses on precise wrappers and clean broths, making it a reliable pick for dumpling-centric dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork xiao long bao, Shengjianbao (pan-fried soup buns), Spicy wontons
What makes it special: Technically dialed soup dumplings and pan-fried shengjianbao on Valencia.
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Sweet Treats Escapes
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
High-volume Chinatown counter turning out hot, freshly fried pastries alongside classic dim sum. Expect fast-moving lines and consistent execution on donut-adjacent favorites like sesame balls and fried dough sticks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sesame Balls (Jin Dui), Chinese Donut (Youtiao), Sweet Egg Puffs
What makes it special: Takeout-only pace with reliably fresh, fried pastries.
#17
Hunan Chef
8.4
Family-owned since establishment, this traditional Chinese restaurant excels at authentic Hunan cuisine with popular weekend brunch featuring Chinese breakfast items. The salt and pepper pork chop draws devoted regulars who appreciate generous portions and bold flavors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salt & Pepper Pork Chop, Sweet Rice Roll (Fan Tuan), Seafood Tofu Clay Pot
What makes it special: One of few places serving authentic Chinese breakfast in the Tri-Valley
#18
Mama Ji's
8.4
Castro staple focused on Sichuan flavors alongside a small dim sum selection. The kitchen balances heat and fragrance on classics while keeping service brisk and friendly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chongqing spicy chicken, Mapo tofu, Dan dan noodles
What makes it special: Well-executed Sichuan dishes with dependable heat and balance.
#19
Mr Szechuan
8.4
Spicy-leaning Sichuan spot known for late-night hours and a broad menu that runs from dry-fried wings to numbing hot pots. Locals hit it after games or work for bold flavors and quick service well past midnight.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chongqing Spicy Chicken, Boiled Fish with Chili Oil (Shui Zhu Yu), Dry-Fried Green Beans
What makes it special: Open until 1am with true Sichuan heat and depth.
8.4
Long-running Cantonese-Filipino diner serving hearty breakfast plates, congee, and HK café staples from morning hours. Locals rely on fast tickets, big portions, and a wide mix of sweet-savory breakfast options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tapsilog (beef, garlic rice, egg), HK-Style French Toast, Congee with Century Egg
What makes it special: HK-style café breakfast meets Filipino silog plates under one roof.
8.4
Modern Chinese with an extensive gluten-free program and a serious cellar. Polished service and consistent wok work make it a reliable pick for business dinners and special family meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Singapore Noodles (GF), Chow Fun (GF sauce), Seasonal seafood stir-fry (GF modification)
What makes it special: Dedicated gluten-free preparations across noodles and stir-fries.
#22
Yin Ji Chang Fen
8.4
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Specialist for Cantonese cheung fun (rice noodle rolls) and congee with smooth textures and made-to-order fillings. A focused menu that rewards early visits and takeout.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Pork & Dried Shrimp Rice Noodle Roll, Oyster & Egg Rice Noodle Roll, Congee with Century Egg
What makes it special: Made-to-order rice rolls with silky, elastic sheets.
#23
Yuet Lee
8.4
Late-hour Cantonese seafood stalwart known for wok-fired salt-and-pepper plates and live crab. Crowded tables, quick pacing, and consistent cooking make it a reliable after-hours stop in Chinatown/North Beach.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salt & Pepper Squid, Ginger-Scallion Live Crab, Black Bean Clams
What makes it special: Late-night Cantonese seafood cooked hot and fast in classic style.
8.3
Neighborhood standby for Hunan and Mandarin dishes with reliable late hours on Polk. Go for crowd-pleasers done cleanly and quick service that works for post-show dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lotus Root Prawns, Mongolian Beef, Hunan Eggplant
What makes it special: Late-night Chinese comfort with a huge, Hunan-leaning menu.
8.3
Neighborhood stalwart for Northern Chinese comfort—hand-pulled noodles, hearty dumplings, and homestyle stews. Reliable flavors, big portions, and easy parking make it a weeknight go-to.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hand-pulled noodle soup with braised beef, Potstickers, Scallion pancake
What makes it special: Hand-pulled noodle craft and classic Northern staples.
#26
CA Noodle
8.3
Specializing in hand-pulled noodles made fresh daily, CA Noodle serves authentic Chinese noodle soups with rich broths and generous portions. The braised beef noodle soup and chili oil pork noodles consistently earn raves from noodle enthusiasts.
Must-Try Dishes:
Braised Beef Noodle Soup, Chili Oil Pork Noodles, Big Plate Chicken with Noodle
What makes it special: Fresh hand-pulled noodles with perfect chewy texture made throughout the day
8.3
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Cart-free, made-to-order dim sum in a bright dining room just off Portsmouth Square. Known for consistent execution and swift pacing for business lunches and weekend families.
Must-Try Dishes:
Har gow (shrimp dumplings), Siu mai, Baked BBQ pork buns
What makes it special: Made-to-order dim sum with quick turns and reliable pacing.
#28
Dim Sum Club
8.3
Cantonese dim sum and seafood with made-to-order staples and a dinner menu that stretches beyond steamer baskets. Locals come for har gow and cheung fun at brunch, then return for wok dishes at night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings), Siu Mai, Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun)
What makes it special: Dim sum service paired with a full Cantonese seafood lineup.
8.3
Contemporary Chinese-American eatery offering generous portions and a variety of dumplings, perfect for late-night cravings.
Must-Try Dishes:
XLB Soup Dumplings, Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken, Chubby Shanghai Noodles
What makes it special: Generous portions and a variety of dumplings.
8.3
Bustling Design District dumpling house where you can watch XLB and potstickers made to order; open to 10pm Fri–Sat. Locals lean on it for late-ish dinners before or after concerts and for consistent, shareable plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork Soup Dumplings (XLB), Shrimp & Chive Dumplings, Pan-Fried Potstickers
What makes it special: Handmade dumplings with visible production and late weekend hours.
8.3
Community-built café known for dialed-in espresso, house chai, and photogenic toasts in a compact, design-conscious room. A neighborhood staple that spotlights local makers and keeps the vibe upbeat and welcoming.
Must-Try Dishes:
House Chai Latte, Avocado Toast, Ham & Cheese Croissant
What makes it special: Small-but-mighty coffee program with photogenic plates.
#32
FANG
8.3
Modern Chinese from the House of Nanking team near Moscone, balancing Cantonese comfort with seasonal NorCal produce. Service is professional, and the menu works for both client lunches and low-key date nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sesame Chicken (house style), Chili-oil Wontons, Short Rib Fried Rice
What makes it special: Chef-driven Chinese plates with House of Nanking DNA.
#33
Far East Cafe
8.3
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Late Night Legends
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Banquet-style Cantonese institution (est. 1920) with high ceilings, private booths, and a seafood-leaning menu that runs later than most in the neighborhood. Ideal for groups craving classic sauces and big platters.
Must-Try Dishes:
Peking duck, Honey-walnut prawns, Salt & pepper crab
What makes it special: Century-old banquet hall experience with late seafood classics.
8.3
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Sit-down Cantonese spot on Ocean Ave with a full dim sum menu alongside seafood and banquet dishes. Ordering is by checklist, portions are generous, and it works well for groups or family meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Har gow (shrimp dumpling), Siu mai, Rice noodle rolls with shrimp
What makes it special: Full checklist-style dim sum with broad selection and seafood.
#35
Hai Ky Noodles
8.3
Little Saigon stalwart known for Cantonese-Vietnamese noodle soups and a legendary braised duck leg wonton bowl. No-frills setting, big flavors, and prices that keep neighborhood regulars coming back.
Must-Try Dishes:
Braised duck leg with wonton egg noodles, House special wonton egg noodle soup, Beef stew noodle soup
What makes it special: Beloved Little Saigon noodle house with an iconic duck-leg soup.
#36
Hong Kong Lounge
8.3
Longtime Geary standby known for a deep Cantonese menu and made-to-order dim sum. Portions are generous, turnover is brisk, and it’s a reliable pick for family-style lunches and casual banquets.
Must-Try Dishes:
Har Gow (Shrimp Dumpling), Pork & Shrimp Siu Mai, Baked BBQ Pork Bun
What makes it special: Big, classic selection with fast, efficient pacing.
8.3
Union Square staple for late-night Cantonese and Sichuan comfort—dim sum snacks, rice plates, and wok-fried noodles until 10 pm. Reliable portions and quick service make it a post-show standby near Powell.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shanghai dumplings, Chongqing hot-numbing noodle soup, BBQ pork over rice
What makes it special: Broad Hong Kong–leaning menu served late steps from Powell.
8.3
Lower Haight spot specializing in traditional Beijing duck carved to order with classic accompaniments. The broader Northern Chinese menu is dependable, but the duck set is the draw for groups and special nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Peking Duck (two-course set), Duck Bone Soup, Scallion Pancake
What makes it special: Traditional Beijing duck presented with classic sides and carving.
8.2
Chef-led modern Chinese with a seafood tilt—think oven-baked Chilean seabass, lobster noodles, and braised seafood bowls—in an elegant indoor-patio setup. It’s a polished Cow Hollow choice for date nights and celebratory small groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oven-Baked Chilean Seabass (red miso), Stir-Fried Lobster with Pumpkin Noodles, Braised Seafood Noodles (laksa broth)
What makes it special: Seafood-forward Chinese plates executed with fine-dining polish.
#40
Canton Village
8.2
Family-run since 1991, this roomy standby serves Cantonese and Szechuan favorites with steady pacing and generous portions. It’s a go-to for groups and classic comfort orders that land consistently.
Must-Try Dishes:
Walnut Prawns, Dry-Fried Green Beans, Szechuan Beef
What makes it special: Long-running Cantonese/Szechuan house known for reliability and portions.
8.2
Castro dumpling specialist with a broad menu of northern Chinese comforts, from spicy wontons to scallion pancakes. Efficient service and later hours make it an easy meet-up before or after the bars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Xiao Long Bao, Spicy Wontons in Chili Oil, Scallion Pancake
What makes it special: Reliable late-evening dumplings and shareables in the Castro core.
8.2
Compact counter-service spot focused on Taiwanese and Shanghainese comfort: sticky rice rolls, beef noodle soup, and crisp-bottom buns. Limited hours, strong takeout game, and precise flavors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Noodle Soup, Pan-Fried Pork Buns, Sticky Rice Roll (Fan Tuan)
What makes it special: Tight menu of Taiwanese/Shanghainese staples with clean execution.
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Counter-style Clement Street standby turning out hot trays of har gow, siu mai, and baked buns at wallet-friendly prices. Expect quick moves, a steady line, and consistently fresh steamers ideal for grab-and-go.
Must-Try Dishes:
Har gow (shrimp dumplings), Pork siu mai, Baked BBQ pork bun
What makes it special: High-turnover steamers keep core dim sum classics hot and fresh.
8.2
High-energy Chinese spot known for late-night hours, all-day happy hour, and shareable plates. Bartenders move fast and the patio stays lively well past dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy wontons, Honey walnut prawns, Mongolian beef
What makes it special: Late-night Chinese with an all-day happy hour and patio energy.
#45
Peking Garden
8.2
Mandarin-Sichuan menu with retro comfort and big portions; known for sizzling platters and savory pork chops. Reliable option for groups wanting shareable classics.
Must-Try Dishes:
Peking Style Pork Chops, Sizzling Rice Prawns, Beef Chow Fun
What makes it special: Old-school Cantonese-Mandarin hits with sizzling platters.
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Neighborhood Cantonese standby known for a broad dim sum lineup—har gow, siu mai, and cheung fun—served alongside live-tank seafood. Locals rely on it for weekend family meals and reliable variety without crossing town.
Must-Try Dishes:
Har gow (shrimp dumplings), Beef cheung fun (rice noodle roll), Baked BBQ pork bun
What makes it special: Full dim sum menu with seafood house breadth at approachable prices.
8.2
Chinatown’s 1908 icon, newly revived with chef Zhouxi Quan preserving the handmade rice noodle rolls and Cantonese comfort staples. Go for cheung fun and jook, stay for the late-evening neighborhood energy in a narrow, old-school space.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ pork rice noodle roll (cheung fun), Fish jook (congee), Beef chow fun
What makes it special: Century-old Cantonese landmark with handmade rice noodle rolls.
8.2
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Quick Bites Champions
Modern, family-run dumpling house serving soup dumplings and Northern Chinese small plates alongside crowd-pleasing riffs. It’s the Marina go-to for shareable baskets, kid-friendly seating, and casual date-night dumplings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soup Dumplings (XLB), Sichuan Wontons in Red Oil, Grandma’s Pork Dumplings
What makes it special: Soup dumplings and playful fillings in a polished, family-friendly room.
#49
Yuanbao Jiaozi
8.2
Neighborhood favorite for hand-folded dumplings boiled, pan-fried, or in broth. A compact menu of noodle soups and rotating fillings makes it an easy stop for quick, comforting meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork & Chive Dumplings, Lamb & Zucchini Dumplings, Spicy Beef Noodle Soup
What makes it special: Handmade dumplings in multiple styles with swift counter service.
8.2
Chinatown sibling to Z & Y spotlighting Beijing-style roast duck alongside banquet-ready seafood. Expect crisp-skinned duck, spicy fish dishes, and efficient service in a lively, modern room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Peking Duck, Sichuan Poached Fish Fillet, Salt-and-Pepper Dungeness Crab
What makes it special: Crisp-skin duck meets bold, banquet-style seafood plates.