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China Live, San Francisco, CA

China Live

4.6 (3370)
$30 and under
Chinese
644 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 102 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Lively
  • Good for groups
  • Good for special occasions
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.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Chinese, Asian, Sichuan
  • Hours of operation
    Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 12:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri 12:00 pm–9:30 pm Sat 4:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    George Chen
  • Catering
    We offer delivery via multiple Delivery Services (i.e. DoorDash, Caviar, GrubHub, etc), plus ezCater, 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.
  • Delivery & takeout
  • 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

Experiences

  • Upstairs @China Live

    Multiple dates available
    Enjoy the China Live menu in our elegant upstairs dining room with featured cocktails from Cold Drinks Bar.
    Upstairs @China Live Photo

What 3,370 people are saying

China Live reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    Chinese

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
China Live offers a vibrant dining experience with "amazing food options" and "knowledgeable, helpful staff." While the atmosphere is lively and energetic, it can be "super loud." The restaurant features a unique marketplace and delightful dishes like Peking duck and dumplings. Note the "mandatory 25% service charge."

3,370 Reviews
  1. Kathy VIP

    San Francisco145 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Every single thing we ordered was better than ever. Don’t miss: -Seasonal Peking Duck salad (crunchy duck, pink grapefruit, beets, etc) -Scallion rolls w chili-lemongrass preserves -working hands dumplings w chili butter sauce -Kung Pao “firecracker” tofu Server was very knowledgeable and helpful. Can’t wait to return!

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  2. Robert

    Surrey1 review

    3.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Peking duck was very nice but I prefer more traditional style. Prawn and scallop dumplings were fabulous

    Is this helpful?

  3. Barry VIP

    Houston20 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Took a group of six for a business meal and had a great experience. The noise was a bit much at times for conversation, but the food and great service were worth it!

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  4. Nicole

    San Francisco1 review

    4.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    First time at China Live was last night ,birthday dinner for our son. We were looking forward as i had heard great things. Over all experience was good until the end when the bill came and our lovely waitress went on and on about how there is a automatic 25% gratuity included already (which we saw printed on the menu) but she let us know that she only receives 5% of that(the rest goes to back of the house ) people we don't see but work hard and she would appreciate anything additional. Left a bad taste in our mouth for sure, She shouldn't have to ask for that! Bad on you China Live for putting your staff in that position, we will not be returning due to bad business! i hope the waitstaff look for a better gig....

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  5. Rita VIP

    Portland9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I have been there for dinner, but never for lunch. What a great value the lunchbox. It’s not busy and the food delicious. This is one of the best deals in town.

    Is this helpful?

  6. ElizA

    New York City2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    First time visiting China Live, food and services was outstanding. I will visit again next time we are in San Francisco!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Adam VIP

    Cincinnati27 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent, authentic Chinese food! Had the dim sum, Dungeness crab rolls and Hong Kong fried rice! Highly recommend and love the atmosphere!

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  8. Kumara

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Never ceases to provide great tasting food even with bar seating for last minute reservations.

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  9. Kathleen

    Orlando6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Dinner was excellent. The Bang Bang Cold Sesame Noodle Salad had just the right amount of “spicy” and the serving was generous. We followed that with their famous pan fried pork dumplings, Shanghai chicken wings and the scallion bread. Everything was great but the scallion bread was the biggest surprise. These soft, glazed pillowy rolls, with the pepper jelly, were magical! A little sweet, almost dessert- like, they were the perfect end to a delicious meal.

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  10. Cheryl VIP

    San Francisco85 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    First dish of potstickers arrived in a minute and were cold…not hot as if they had been sitting around for awhile. This was acknowledged and they were replaced with hot potstickers. Beans were hot, shrimp dish lukewarm at best but service was inattentive so this was not dealt with. We have frequented this restaurant many times but now find it not as good as it used to be: overpriced for quality of food.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

China Live 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 3370 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. San Francisco
  5. Chinatown

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 102 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for China Live

644 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Stockton & Grant
  • Neighborhood
    Chinatown
  • Hours of operation
    Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 12:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri 12:00 pm–9:30 pm Sat 4:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Chinese, Asian, 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
  • 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
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    We offer delivery via multiple Delivery Services (i.e. DoorDash, Caviar, GrubHub, etc), plus ezCater, 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.
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