Best Chinese Restaurants in Walnut Creek
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Modern China Cafe
Late-night Chinese with an all-day happy hour and patio energy.
Notable Picks
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.
8.1
Modern dumpling house with a Shanghai lean—think soup dumplings, pan-fried buns, and a concise small-plates lineup. Clean, quick, and consistent for downtown shoppers and office lunches.
Must-Try Dishes:
Xiao long bao (soup dumplings), Q-Bao pan-fried pork buns, Cucumber salad
What Makes it Special: Shanghai-style dumplings and buns in a streamlined, modern setting.
Sit-down dim sum with a neighborhood feel steps from Civic Park. Baked BBQ pork buns, har gow, and scallion-tossed wings make it a reliable weekend brunch fix.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baked BBQ pork buns, Har gow (shrimp dumplings), Salt & pepper wings
What Makes it Special: Crowd-pleasing dim sum favorites without the long Chinatown waits.
Worthy Picks
#4
Peony Garden
7.8
Broad Cantonese-leaning menu with dim sum selections at lunch and spacious dining rooms, including a back patio. A dependable choice near Broadway Plaza for multi-generational dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prawns lettuce cups, Beef chow fun, Sichuan-style chicken
What Makes it Special: Large-format menu and rooms that work for big parties.
7.8
Compact counter-service shop turning out dumplings and small plates with punchy flavors. It’s the fast, budget-friendly option steps off North Main.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pan-fried pork buns, Shrimp & chive dumplings, Spicy wontons
What Makes it Special: Speedy dumpling counter with surprising range for the price.
7.6
Downtown Mandarin menu with familiar American-Chinese staples and quick lunch combos. A straightforward sit-down option steps from the Locust Street theater corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
General Tso’s chicken, Honey walnut prawns, Beef chow mein
What Makes it Special: Speedy lunch specials downtown with friendly service.