The Best Chinese Food in San Francisco

Known for its colorful Victorian houses, iconic Golden Gate Bridge, laid-back culture and world-class restaurants, the northern California city of San Francisco buzzes with culture and technology. With more than 20 percent of the local population of Chinese descent, San Francisco offers some of the best Chinese cuisine in America. So where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out when in the mood for Chinese food? Welcome to our Tastemakers List. We've pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. San Fran has no shortage of authentic Chinese restaurants, and this list presents the absolute best Chinese food in San Francisco. Break out the chopsticks and book a table!

The OpenTable Team

10 Restaurants

Updated January 29, 2021

Restaurants:	China Live, Eight Tables by George Chen, Harborview Restaurant & Bar…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$$
Cuisines:	Chinese…
Neighborhoods:	Chinatown, Financial District / Embarcadero…

China Live

$$$$

Chinese

Chinatown

4.6

2453 reviews

This unique, modern marketplace offers artisan teas and snacks, as well as multi-course Chinese fare. Located in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown, it is a restaurant, bar, and market. With a goal to demystify Chinese ingredients, China Live helps diners understand the rich history and influence behind each dish. Their first-floor restaurant features a daily changing seasonal menu, as well as a Chinese earthen oven — which is perfect for slow cooking meats. Choose from a wide selection of dim sum, barbecue dishes, cold plates, seafood, noodle bowls, and much more.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

View Takeout Menu

Eight Tables by George Chen

$$$$

Chinese

Chinatown

4.6

256 reviews

Located on China Live’s second floor, Eight Tables dishes up some of the best Chinese food in San Francisco. Here, diners can enjoy elaborate tasting menus and highly creative cocktails. Known for offering an unforgettable experience, TIME Magazine named Eight Tables one of “the world’s greatest places: 100 destinations to experience right now.” Diners can choose from one of three dining options, all of which are multi-course menus. Crafted using the finest seasonal ingredients, each plate looks like edible art, plated with precision and beauty.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Harborview Restaurant & Bar

$$$$

Chinese

Financial District / Embarcadero

4.5

829 reviews

This elegant restaurant focuses on Cantonese Chinese cuisine while offering diners panoramic views of San Francisco's Bay Bridge. Known for their luxurious approach to dining, Harborview Restaurant & Bar dishes up specialty dishes, live seafood, dim sum, and traditional Cantonese dishes. Some of their most popular dishes include live Dungeness crab fried with salt and pepper, steamed Shanghai dumplings, and baked BBQ pork buns. This establishment also books parties and banquets, offering numerous private rooms. A happy hour menu is also available.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Z & Y Restaurant

$$$$

Chinese

Chinatown

4.5

254 reviews

Known for their full-flavor, spicy dishes, Z & Y Restaurant serves some of the best Chinese food in San Francisco. Both this restaurant and its chefs are well-known throughout the city, attracting visitors from near and far — including a number of presidents. The atmosphere is lively and casual, yet their dishes are bold and memorable. Offering an extensive menu, including various appetizers, soups, seafood, clay pot dishes, and more, the chef often suggests their spicy fish, cumin lamb, stir-fried crab, and Szechuan tan tan noodles.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

FANG

$$$$

Chinese

SOMA

4.3

2246 reviews

This trendy and modern establishment focuses on Chinese staples in a more upscale setting. Since 1988, the Fang family has offered a new approach to food that is unique from other area Chinese restaurants, particularly in terms of their techniques and flavor combinations. To start, sample their Northern-style pork dumplings or braised portabella mushrooms. From traditional wok dishes to irresistible seafood plates, each dish pairs perfectly with their carefully selected wine list or with one of their signature cocktails — including their Asian Citron tea martini.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Yank Sing - Stevenson Street

$$$$

Dim Sum

SOMA

4.6

1781 reviews

When searching for the best Chinese food in San Francisco, as well as a unique dining experience, Yank Sing won't disappoint. Offering diners a highly interactive experience, Yank Sing specializes in classic dim sum served from carts. While they focus on traditional dim sums, they have also taken this staple to new heights, serving up other dishes like duck by-the-slice. With over 60 varieties of dim sum to choose from, diners order from a selection of dishes presented on passing carts. For dessert, be sure to try their coconut cream roll or sweet sesame balls.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Yank Sing - Rincon Center

$$$$

Dim Sum

Financial District / Embarcadero

4.5

2829 reviews

At Yank Sing's second location, situated in the Rincon Center, diners will find white linen tablecloths and napkins, as well as floral centerpieces and bright lighting throughout. Their approach to dining never wavers, as they serve up fresh dim sum daily. Instead of diners ordering off a menu, they simply choose from a wide selection of options as servers push carts of freshly cooked dim sum through the room. Some of the options available include taro root dumplings, lettuce cups, BBQ pork buns, and much more.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

View Takeout Menu

Crouching Tiger Restaurant

$$$$

Chinese

Redwood City

4.4

204 reviews

This casual eatery features bright lighting, a large dining space, and wood accents. Specializing in spicy Sichuan and Hunan dishes, Crouching Tiger Restaurant is certainly a local favorite. No matter what diners are in the mood for, they can find it here. From eggs rolls to mu-shu pork, spicy prawns to sizzling beef plates, their authentic menu has diners coming back for more. During lunch, a number of specials are available, including everything from lemon chicken to curry lamb. Although laid-back in terms of the atmosphere, their dishes are anything but simple in terms of their flavor profiles.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Uncle Yu's at the Vineyard

$$$$

Pan-Asian

Livermore

4.7

1713 reviews

Situated in Livermore, Uncle Yu’s at the Vineyard is a classy bar and eatery, offering diners a “zen-like” experience. Independently owned and operated, the goal at Uncle Yu’s is to create an experience that diners will never forget. Sourcing the highest quality ingredients from local farmers and suppliers, they're committed to the success and growth of Livermore. Taking traditional recipes, they put their own modern spin on them, ensuring each dish is unique and memorable. Just some of the chef’s special starters include lobster shumai, wild salmon puff rolls, BBQ pork puffs, and vegetable tarts. As a main, diners can choose from a wagyu flat iron steak, roasted duck breast, Alaskan king crab fried rice, and more.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Chili House

$$$$

Chinese

Richmond District

4.3

318 reviews

While the interior of Chili House is fairly modest, their menu is anything but. Offering local diners Mandarin-style dim sum, as well as Sichuan-style cuisine, this restaurant is both authentic and creative. Located in Richmond District, Chili House is one of the few local restaurants that offer Peking duck — a dish that dates back to the Imperial era. Serving the public for more than two decades, Chili House has earned national acclaim for their commemorative, quality food. Diners can sample one of many dishes, including beef pork pancakes, house spicy tiger prawns, Beijing Dalu noodles, and dozens of other traditional menu items.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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The Best Chinese Restaurants