Shun Lee Cafe

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1. EB

   EricB

   New York Area

   17 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   17 reviews

   Dined on January 19, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Nostalgia. Best old school wonton and chicken chow mein since childhood

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2. MM

   MingtheMerciless

   New York Area

   21 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   21 reviews

   Dined on January 16, 2023

   overall2food3service1ambience3

   Last time was bait & switch and we ended up eating in Shun Lee West next door because they took reservation as Shun Lee Cafe even though it was closed during Covid. This time we arrived for our 2:30pm reservation and were told the kitchen was closing as we were being seated. We were repeatedly asked to place our order so I gave up reading the menu just picked the basics for a quick meal. The waiter seated us at a tiny 2ft by 2ft table when the restaurant was empty. The "soup" dumplings were dry and it wasn't because the broth leaked. It's my last time eating there.

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3. SL

   SexyLittleMinx

   New York Area

   43 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   43 reviews

   Dined on January 15, 2023

   overall3food3service3ambience3

   Much smaller portions for more $$$ Too Many Dim Sum items not available.

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4. G

   Ganymom

   New York Area

   21 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   21 reviews

   Dined on January 14, 2023

   overall3food4service2ambience3

   I was there on a busy Saturday night with lots of shows at Lincoln center across the street. Service was poor. Appetizers came quickly but we waited 45 minutes for an entree. People were frantically trying to get checks before curtain time and it was hard to get a waiter to stop. Our reservation was 2 hours before our curtain and we needed every minute of it due to slow service. Food was very good but doesn’t make up for poor service.

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5. EG

   ElizabethG

   New York Area

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 14, 2023

   overall5food5service4ambience4

   Great for dim sum before an afternoon event at Lincoln Center across the street

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6. LJ

   LauraJ

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 8, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   My Granddaughters, ages 13 and 11, and I enjoyed a delicious lunch at Shun Lee Cafe before attending a Sunday Matinee at the Met. We had fun choosing from the dim sum offerings and sharing an appealing assortment of dumplings, noodles, and turnip and scallion pancakes. The girls gave the meal a two thumbs up. The wait staff was helpful and attentive without being intrusive. The ambience was relaxed and stylish, and I especially appreciated that the tables were well spaced and noise level was very comfortable. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Sun Lee if you’re looking for well prepared food at a reasonable price.

   Report
7. GU

   GaryUWS

   New York Area

   12 reviews

   4.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on January 8, 2023

   overall4food4service5ambience4

   Glad to be back at the Cafe after a few years.....it has remained a reliable good meal in the Lincoln Center area.

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8. JA

   JessA

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 8, 2023

   overall3food2service3ambience4

   I have been going to Shun Lee Cafe for more than a decade and always had superb Dim Sum. The quality has plummeted. Not worth it.

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9. M

   Manny

   New York Area

   51 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   51 reviews

   Dined on January 7, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The cafe is a very casual restaurant. No pretensions. Food was excellent. We had a variety of Dim Sum plus two entrees. The brand mariner pawns were the best ever. Will return when in the area again.

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10. S

    Suza

    New York Area

    12 reviews

    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall4food2service3ambience4

    Dim sum not hot and mediocre. Service was good and atmosphere lovely.

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11. AR

    AtulR

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    1.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience3

    Over priced no taste food served. Waiters were rude and expected high tips. They rush you to order and also foods are served right away. You don’t get to breathe. Soft drinks are flat. Lemonade isn’t lemonade there. They give you Mountain Dew or something weird.

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12. f

    forest

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 27, 2022

    overall1food3service1ambience3

    The food was very good, but NOT AT ALL worth the price. I could have had the same dim sum from my local Chinese food place around the corner. It was over $200 for a few plates of dumplings and spring rolls. The service took way too long as well. I had to ask for something 3 times over a 20 minute period before they finally brought it over to me, and they didn’t listen when I stated how much of each item we wanted. I will not be going back here.

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13. JR

    JoeR

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food at Shun Lee is ALWAYS OVER THE TOO DEELISHOUS!! The Dim Sum and entree dishes are the best! Always love our dining experiences at Shun Lee. Highly recommended for those who love great Chinese cuisine. Bring your wallet for the Beijing Duck, it’s well worth it!!

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14. LM

    LoriM

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 21, 2022

    overall3food5service2ambience3

    Food was delish as always. But the waiters didn’t even give us water or menus until we sat for 30 minutes.

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15. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 21, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    This was some of the worst food and service I’ve had in NYC in a very long time. The prices were outrageous for the quality and portion of food in each serving. An order of Dim Sun was only 3 pieces for $12 and it was served lukewarm. An order of spring rolls only had two rolls and they were very small, and again room temperature. Then, for the entrees, which were approximately $32 each, the portions and quality were poor. The meat looked like something you’d receive from a local take out eatery or perhaps worse. Also, multiple times I had to get up to ask for more of something and even for the check I had two get up twice. There was no ambiance at all and the room we were seated in had the feel of a cheap diner (in the cafe). Their proximity to Lincoln Center keep them in demand, but I would have rather had some street vendor kabobs than the terrible food they served up. They shouldn’t even be allowed to be featured on Open Table. If I could give zero stars I would have given them that score.

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16. LR

    LindaR

    New York Area

    20 reviews

    4.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on December 18, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience3

    We ate at the cafe. Service was ok but had to flag down someone to ask for soy sauce, twice. Food was very good, prices high. Maybe a better experience in the dining room? Would try again though!

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17. s

    sbww

    New York Area

    137 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    137 reviews

    Dined on December 17, 2022

    overall3food4service4ambience3

    Food was excellent and service attentive but took forever to come out of kitchen, waited an hour for the main course.

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18. SM

    SusanM

    New York Area

    16 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on December 17, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Tried and true classic near Lincoln center

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19. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 16, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience2

    Food was cold Service was extremely slow They never asked if we even wanted drinks or dessert Way past it’s prime

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20. PL

    PhyllisL

    New York Area

    1 review

    vip
    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 16, 2022

    overall2food2service1ambience2

    Disappointing to say the least.

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21. S

    Sephia

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2022

    overall1food3service1ambience1

    This was perhaps the worst NYC dining experience I have ever had beginning with the service. There seemed to be only one waiter servicing many tables. We had to get up each time we wanted to order anything and find him. He didn’t understand English very well and communication became a shouting match. The overpriced food was mediocre. He brought the entree before the soup and we had to ask him to take it back. It took forever to get the check and when it arrived it was incorrect. There was no manager to be found. Needless to say, I will never go back to this awful restaurant.

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22. m

    markc

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 14, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    Easily the worst service experience I have had in almost 50 years of dining out. Ignored for first 15 minutes after we were seated then I had to basically tackle a waiter to get menus. After another 10 minutes of being ignored, I again had beg for someone to come take a food order. 15 minutes later, I grabbed a waiter and begged for a drink order, which miraculously arrived 10 minutes later. 2 of our appetizers were delivered around the same time and approximately 30 minutes later -- over an hour since we ordered -- a waiter informed us that our entree was unavailable. At that point I threw my napkin on the table and we walked out. I will never return.

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23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 14, 2022

    overall1food3service1ambience3

    The restaurant was woefully understaffed and the service was terrible. I felt bad for the 3 servers who were tying to manage the large number of tables. The ambiance was terrible because every table was annoyed and frustrated - one man started screaming at the waitstaff and manager. There were two hosts at the front of the restaurant who just kept seating more tables when they should have been handing out menus or in someway helping the waitstaff. I used to love Shun Lee cafe but this was a terrible experience

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24. P

    Puncher

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 12, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience3

    Nice space. Your table is not next door to yet another table. The food is your basic Chinese/American cuisine. Good for Lincoln Center diners.

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25. SS

    StickerShock

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 11, 2022

    overall3food5service3ambience3

    I was shocked by how expensive the dim sum was — and I’ve lived in NYC for 20+ years and am used to large restaurant tabs. For the same money that I spent at Shun Lee, I could have eaten at Daniel (a Michelin-rated restaurant)!

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26. IK

    IngridK

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on December 9, 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience1

    Rude service. The waiter pressured us to eat quickly. Poor quality food. Dirty bathroom. Non covid rules. And very expensive Beijing duck without any side and 10 minutos for preparation and 15 to eat (world record) Shun Lee never again

    Report
27. LD

    LindaD

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I have been dining at this restaurant for many years and it’s the best Chinese food. Will continue to eat at this restaurant

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28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Perfect quiet early dinner!!

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29. KR

    KRRD

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 6, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    We went before a show at Lincoln center! Food was very good! We got lost going there, and were quite late. Our hostess was so sweet & told us not to worry and seated us promptly. We chatted with fellow diners, and enjoyed the evening

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30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 26, 2022

    overall1food2service2ambience3

    I’ve been eating at Shun Lee Cafe (dim sum) for forty years. Went there expressly for dim sum. They had no pork buns. No rice noodles stuffed with beef or shrimp or duck. No bacon-wrapped shrimp balls or crab claws. They didn’t have half the normal rotation of items. Why did I go there? Beats me. After 40 years, I’m done.

    Report
31. S

    Suzzym

    New York Area

    20 reviews

    4.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on November 25, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    The Singapore curry noodles are to die for! Just need a little more room between tables - we were squeezed in with very little space between our corner window table and the next window table. There was no reason for that as the restaurant wasnt even half full at that hour.

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32. JR

    JoelR

    New York Area

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 20, 2022

    overall1food1service2ambience2

    Used to be great. Now it is just a tattered shadow. Cold, expensive, unremarkable and uninspired Chinese good.

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33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 20, 2022

    overall3food5service3ambience4

    Rushed service. Good food Needa a facelift

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34. JC

    JudyChas

    New York Area

    50 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    50 reviews

    Dined on November 19, 2022

    overall3food4service3ambience2

    Unbelievably expensive for “average” Chinese food. No longer on our Lincoln Center area restaurant list.

    Report
35. j

    jacquellines

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 15, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Perfect for dinner before a performance at Lincoln Center.

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36. JS

    JessicaS

    New York Area

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 13, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    We have been coming to Shun Lee for dim sum for over 20 years and this night was the most disappointing dining experience we have ever had. Shun Lee is one of the most well know and highly regarded restaurants in NYC and it has gone way down hill. The selection of dim sum was only a few dishes and the food on the carts were cold. There wasn’t enough staff, the tables around us were left dirty a long time after the previous guests had left. Our food took forever to arrive and after several inquiries we requested the manager to no avail. We will regrettably never return.

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37. WB

    WilliamB

    New York Area

    28 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2022

    overall5food4service4ambience4

    The service was rushed, service was slow, not a large variety, food was not hot. The party of four made the occasion, not the food. Very disappointed but generous with rating.

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38. SS

    ShelleyS

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2022

    overall3food2service3ambience2

    Food was not hot and appetizers arrived with main course. Disappointing.

    Report
39. p

    potota

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    First time try this restaurant. We ordered chicken with pepper and fish filet with wine sauce. The food is very fresh and tasty with right amount of sauces used. Highly recommended for people enjoy healthy Chinese food.

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40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Charleston

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 8, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience3

    Very disappointed, walked in and thought the restaurant was closed. Dim Sum tasted like it was sitting for hours. Service was off and communication with the servers was difficult. I’ve been a customer of Shun Lee for 40 years and will not be returning.

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