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China Live, San Francisco, CA
This restaurant now offers Takeout

This restaurant now offers Takeout

Bring the restaurant to you. Order and pay for food directly on OpenTable.

China Live

4.6
4.6
2581 Reviews
$30 and under
Chinese
China Live, Eater's "Restaurant of the Year," features fresh, seasonal Chinese cuisine cooked from specialized stations that merge traditional Chinese and Western culinary equipment. Our main dining area, with views of our exhibition kitchens, plays centerpiece, appointed with chairs and tables all handcrafted in China from reclaimed Chinese elm. We also offer outside dining.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 88 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Chinese, Asian, Chinese (Sichuan)

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (415) 788-8188

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Owned/operated by

    Asian and Pacific Islander

  • Executive chef

    George Chen

  • Catering

    We offer delivery via multiple Delivery Services (i.e. DoorDash, Caviar, GrubHub, etc), plus Zesty & Moby Dish. If interested in learning more please email events@chinalivesf.com

  • Private party facilities

    China Live can host everything from intimate parties of 10 people to large reception-style events for up to 825 with multiple sensory experiences.

  • Private party contact

    Nicole White: (844) 860-7139

  • Neighborhood

    Chinatown

  • Cross street

    Stockton & Grant

  • Parking details

    In addition to Street Parking, there are also several public parking options: North Beach Public Parking @ 735 Vallejo St. and Vallejo Parking Garage @ 766 Vallejo St.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 2,581 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    Chinese

  • San Francisco

    Most Booked

  • San Francisco

    Most Booked 1000-Point Tables

Sort by

  1. EmilieK

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We’ve dined here many times and it never disappoints! From the time we arrived until we left it was excellent! Thank you !
  2. EliM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Incredible Chinese food. Every dish was a winner with flavor, texture, and super fresh ingredients. The sesame ice cream desert is not to be missed!
  3. RLMK

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We sat in the very back in the retail area. It was lovely and much quieter than rest of restaurant which is exactly what we were looking for. Food was delicious really. Service fee of 20% included which is fine bcuz the servers were excellent. We’ll be back!
  4. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall2food4service2ambience1
    Really disappointed with the experience. I will say the food was great, but I made this reservation a month ago for family who was visiting, but when we arrived the table wasn't ready for 30 min after our reserved time. That was fine, but then we were sat in the very back of the restaurant in a gift shop? Our waiter then didn't come by for a very long time, and when we asked for something he said "I'll try my best but I have a table of 21 I'm helping right now". I totally get if you're busy but that's not really our fault? It was just a shame after we had waited so long for this reservation and really looked forward to it.
  5. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall1food3service3ambience1
    Loud restaurant. Not a good place to have a conversation
  6. Joanna

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fabby place and Fabby food - visit every time we are in SF
  7. Carlitos

    Mexico City

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excelente dinner everything was great - the dumplings , Peking duck , chicken , noodles - don’t forget to try the ice cream to finish Special thanks to waitress Cristina - she was exceptional - friendly efficient and knowledgeable…. Thanks - we hada great night
  8. MountainMama

    Denver

    27 reviews

    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service is a highlight and go with server recommendations - they know what's tasty!
  9. MichelleZ

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The host people were amazing and were able to accommodate our group inside vs outside. The food was amazing!
  10. shellebelle

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Our waiter was awesome, the food was fabulous and the experience is great! Out of town friends loved it!
  11. RedLori

    San Diego

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love this place, we try to come here each time we come to SF. The service is fantastic and the food superb We’ll be back…
  12. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very accommodating staff and delicious food! I will say the chive bread wasn’t as expected
  13. BrotherofPasquale

    San Francisco

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Good options for diverse tastes. Either spicy or mild, you can get it. Quality ingredients, especially the BBQ Pork Char Siu and Duck pockets.
  14. EricH

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was superb and atmosphere was energetic but not too noisy
  15. CHARLESS

    Palm Springs

    174 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    174 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My daughter and I enjoyed a Sunday evening meal at China live. The restaurant was continually busy during our meal. The service was attentive, and the food came out quickly but spaced appropriately in time. All the food was tasty, and it was nice to have different Chinese sauces at our table. It was a fun and tasty meal on our first dinner at China live.
  16. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Some of the best Chinese food I’ve ever. Service was amazing
  17. AndyS

    San Francisco

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The food was great and had a good selection! The Kung pow chicken was great.
  18. DavidS

    San Francisco

    53 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    53 reviews

    Dined on May 9, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience3
    Lively , at times deafening noise levels, hip, modern design and atmosphere. Good Chinese cuisine. Excellent dim sum. The deserts, however, were lackluster. Service was excellent.
  19. JamesG

    Atlanta Metro

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Everything was superb. Brought friends there for first time and they loved everything. Erica was a lovely server and was very personable — and attentive along the way. The only not so good was the short rib dish. A lot of char, chewy… not as desired. Coming from all the flavorful experiences we had with previous selections, ending with short rib was bummer. Overall, a joy and will continue to be back.
  20. Dino

    Los Angeles

    232 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    232 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    I love fried rice - the dry crispness but here it misses. It’s dried but the Yangzhou is veggies & steamed rice - no wonder other table had noodles. Crispy, golden stir-fried noodles. We loved the House Famous Kung also Chicken & the perfectly steamed Shanghai Xiao Long Bao ‘XLB’ Soup Dumplings. The Peking Duck in Sesame Pockets insanely good. It is the Mario Batelli equivalent Eataly for eat in and shop. Very popular and pleasant space
  21. GwenA

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was great. Server helpful and advised 3 - 5 dishes per couple. We had 3 which was perfect. We sat at bar. Can recommend scallop dumplings.... delicious. And the broken fortune cookie dessert was delicious and fun.
  22. SKSKSKSK

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience2
    The service was very slow and the food took really long to come ! The food was decent but priced high
  23. KMJP

    Denver

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    The only reason for my 4 stars instead of 5 is that the accustics is not good for convesation and music is too energetic for dinning. But, all-in-all highly recommend China Live!
  24. BrianC

    San Francisco

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on May 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food. I love the idea of shopping for kitchen goods whilst in a dining room. Brilliant. The host let us go upstairs to have a drink in the whiskey room. That was stunning and the bartender was great. Made delicious drinks. Only drawback is that I had the same drink in the restaurant that I had upstairs and it wasn't nearly as good. Totally not the same drink! But it had the same name. Maybe the bartenders downstairs need some retraining with the bartenders upstairs? It was that disappointing.
  25. Joel

    Oklahoma City

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food! Fun atmosphere! Really enjoyed the experience!
  26. OpenTable Diner

    New Mexico

    3 reviews

    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall1food2service3ambience3
    We were in town on vacation and saw that this was a popular venue. We were excited, however we’re quickly disappointed when the food arrived. It is a lively atmosphere, but a little too loud. The food was good, but definitely not authentic. It is Americanized Chinese cuisine, we were looking for more authentic vibe. And way too pricey for the food.
  27. OwenB

    Los Angeles

    43 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    43 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Really enjoyed our evening and our server Joshua was lovely! Thankyou!
  28. Thiza

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    2.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall2food1service5ambience2
    Food came out so fast after ordering. It tasted microwaved. Food was tasteless very bland. This place is a tourist trap
  29. juliej

    Central Coast

    8 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    I love China Live. Great dim sum. But it’s very noisy so you can only hear the person you’re next to. And one of our dishes was huge and a bit bland. I’d rather smaller, cheaper and tastier portions.
  30. RubyT

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 27, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience5
    On my first visit the food was awesome the service was excellent. So much so that we left an extra $60 on top of the mandatory 20% they charged us. I was excited to share the experience with my niece. This time the service was not great. The waitperson did not acknowledge us, as I will admit we were seated by a large group. But we were the only other table in that area. He returned to that large group at least 4 times. I finally caught his eye by raising my hand and stating we are feeling like stepchildren here. This was after patiently waiting 20 minutes. That set the tone. It left me feeling some kind of way. It is what it is. Will I return? I'm not certain.
  31. SmitaS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 26, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Lively environment, unique layout of restaurant, most dishes excellent.
  32. KenjiC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Service is incredible! I would like to recommend to my friends.
  33. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 26, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Great place! Food is elevated and a bit more continental Chinese in both menu choice and flavor. Sea Bass was divine with a hint wood smoke and perfectly cooked. Szechuan Green Beans are a must. Noodles with bok Chou was just ok. Wish I could have ordered more! I will be back to try more. Causal and approachable design and atmosphere for Chinese a nice and unexpected surprise!
  34. JPP918

    Las Vegas

    159 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    159 reviews

    Dined on April 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    China Live was really good. We found this on OpenTable and it did not disappoint. The food was tasty and it had a vibrant atmosphere. We would definitely go again! Here’s the problem. They add onto your check stupid Democratic Socialist fees like a “San Francisco Mandate” which they claim they won’t remove/can’t remove, so we have to call our credit card company to remove these extraneous fees when we get home. I know it’s small, but people eating at establishments shouldn’t have to pay for California’s mistakes. Vote better. Try harder and clean up the mess you all created. We refuse to pay for ineptitude or your “mandates.” Your “mandates” aren’t laws and aren’t our mandates.
  35. timb

    Denver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food. Not your traditional Chinese food in Chinatown but excellent quality food and great vibe.
  36. Analama

    San Francisco

    32 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on April 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great cocktails, food and ambiance. This was a birthday celebration and the wait staff was friendly and accommodating. I would definitely have a large group here again!
  37. Barun

    London

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall5food3service4ambience5
    I had a great experience. I would definitely visit again.
  38. Coqui

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome food as usual. I’m a regular. Love this place! Celebrated my friend’s birthday. First time at China Live for him and his wife. They absolutely loved the food! Great service and atmosphere.
  39. ElizabethM

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was my first time eating here. We enjoyed every bite. Food was supper yummy. Service was exceptional. Loved the ambience. A fine dining experience!
  40. Yoly

    San Francisco

    49 reviews

    3.0

    49 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall3food4service4ambience4
    Even though the food was good, it wasn’t exceptional. The appetizers were tasty but overpriced at $20 for 4 SHUMAI pieces. We liked our server and the manager, but the female host with the long dark hair seemed cold and gave mean stares. The decor inside the restaurant was attractive and warm, and we enjoyed the vibrant and exciting vibe. However since the music was so loud, it was hard to have a conversation. The outdoor dining area was uninspiring with round tables too small to accommodate the plates.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from China Live using the Order Online button. China Live also offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. China Live also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (415) 788-8188.

China Live is rated 4.6 stars by 2581 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 88 times today
Google Map for China Live

644 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Stockton & Grant

  • Neighborhood

    Chinatown

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Chinese, Asian, Chinese (Sichuan)

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    In addition to Street Parking, there are also several public parking options: North Beach Public Parking @ 735 Vallejo St. and Vallejo Parking Garage @ 766 Vallejo St.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Owned/operated by

    Asian and Pacific Islander

  • Executive chef

    George Chen

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (415) 788-8188

  • Catering

    We offer delivery via multiple Delivery Services (i.e. DoorDash, Caviar, GrubHub, etc), plus Zesty & Moby Dish. If interested in learning more please email events@chinalivesf.com

  • Private party facilities

    China Live can host everything from intimate parties of 10 people to large reception-style events for up to 825 with multiple sensory experiences.

  • Private party contact

    Nicole White: (844) 860-7139

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