The iconic domed Citizen's Savings Bank building, now a branch of HSBC, on the corner of Bowery and Canal, across the street from the entrance to the Manhattan Bridge

Neighborhood · New York

Chinatown

The iconic domed Citizen's Savings Bank building, now a branch of HSBC, on the corner of Bowery and Canal, across the street from the entrance to the Manhattan Bridge

Best timeMay–Oct
From you
Nearest airportLGA · 8 mi
Typical stay$149/night
On this page

Overview

Manhattan's famous Chinatown is a lively neighborhood, full of good values in restaurants and food shopping. Also on sale are cheap knockoffs of designer labels made in China, and all sorts of trinkets and toys. Chinatown is a much larger neighborhood in population and area than it used to be a few decades ago, and for all practical purposes encompasses most of "Little Italy" and a large portion of what was traditionally called the Lower East Side, north of Canal Street and on the north side of the Manhattan Bridge overpass. Indeed, in a real sense, it can be said that the center of Chinatown is no longer on Mott Street between Canal Street and Chatham Square (though that stretch is well worth visiting), but has moved further north and east to East Broadway between Chatham Square and Pike Street and Grand Street between the Bowery and Chrystie Street, where locals shop for foodstuffs - and you can, too, for good values.

Chinatown has also been growing more diverse, becoming a bit less of a Chinatown and more of a China and Southeast Asia town, with a growing presence of immigrants from Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc., albeit with many of them being ethnic Chinese. And inasmuch as it remains a Chinatown, it is no longer dominated by Cantonese people the way it used to be. For example, Eldridge St. between Division and Broome Sts. is now known as Little Fuzhou, due to a recent influx of Fuzhounese immigrants who have given Chinatown a new flavor.

5 sights · 1 things to do · 24 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 7 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Chinatown

Chatham Square

Chatham Square

At this square at the confluence of several major streets, there is a memorial archway to Chinese-Americans who died in World War II which has some interesting calligraphy. Also in the square is a statue of Lin Zexu, a C…

Columbus Park

An excellent place to relax and people-watch. Early in the mornings, people practice their tai chi there. If you're interested, some of these people might teach you a little bit of it. At times, a group of women practice…

Museum of Chinese in the Americas

Museum of Chinese in the Americas

Exhibits on the history and culture of Chinese-Americans.

Museum at Eldridge Street

Museum at Eldridge Street

The museum, a non-sectarian cultural organization based in the restored 1887 National Historic Landmark Eldridge Street Synagogue, presents the culture, history and traditions of the great wave of Jewish immigrants to th…

Italian American Museum

Mulberry and Canal Street

When many tourists arrive in Chinatown, they are greeted by the stench of dead fish that are sold along the streets. It's definitely a sight worth seeing since it is a distinct quality of Chinatown.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 29°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby New York City)

Jan: 3.3 in rain3.3"Jan: high 40°F, low 29°F40°29°JanFeb: 2.9 in rain2.9"Feb: high 43°F, low 30°F43°30°FebMar: 4.0 in rain4"Mar: high 50°F, low 36°F50°36°MarApr: 3.9 in rain3.9"Apr: high 61°F, low 46°F61°46°AprMay: 3.6 in rain3.6"May: high 72°F, low 56°F72°56°MayJun: 4.0 in rain4"Jun: high 81°F, low 66°F81°66°JunJul: 4.3 in rain4.3"Jul: high 86°F, low 72°F86°72°JulAug: 4.4 in rain4.4"Aug: high 84°F, low 71°F84°71°AugSep: 3.9 in rain3.9"Sep: high 77°F, low 64°F77°64°SepOct: 3.8 in rain3.8"Oct: high 66°F, low 53°F66°53°OctNov: 3.2 in rain3.2"Nov: high 55°F, low 43°F55°43°NovDec: 4.1 in rain4.1"Dec: high 45°F, low 35°F45°35°Dec

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

  • From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
  • LGA LaGuardia Airport, New York — 8 mi away (major hub). Directions
  • EWR Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark — 9 mi away (major hub). Directions

For general purposes, the D or B subway lines to Grand Street are optimal for accessing Chinatown. The J and Z to Bowery leave you a little north of the center of Chinatown. The F train to East Broadway leaves you toward the eastern edge of the neighborhood. The 6, N, Q, R, W, J or Z to Canal Street leave you a few blocks west of the center of the neighborhood though in the midst of the excitement, congestion, and vendors of Canal St (this is generally the best stop for shopping for anything other than foodstuffs). Further afield, it is also possible to take the 4 or 5 to Brooklyn Bridge or the 2 or 3 to Park Place and walk north and east. The A, C, or E trains that stop at Canal and 6th Av. and the 1 train, which stops at Canal and Varick, are far west of the neighborhood though walkable in good weather.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

  • Places to stay listed here: about $50–$200 a night (typical $149), from 7 listed prices.
  • Typical meal: about $6 per person at listed restaurants.
  • Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$70, mid-range ~$200, comfortable ~$300.

See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.

Sample 2-day itinerary

Day 1

  • Morning Chatham Square, Museum at Eldridge Street
  • Lunch iM Star Cafe
  • Afternoon Mulberry and Canal Street
  • Dinner Golden Unicorn
  • Evening Vivi Bubble Tea

Day 2

  • Morning Columbus Park, Museum of Chinese in the Americas
  • Lunch Tai Pan Bakery
  • Afternoon Italian American Museum
  • Dinner Fay Da Bakery
  • Evening Ten Ren Tea Time

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

If you want to have a really cheap meal, or it's really nice weather, consider buying something on the street (the fried chicken cart that you may find on Canal or Walker Street right near the triangle between Canal, Walker, and Baxter Streets serves really tasty legs and wings, for example) or a cheap prepared thing such as is sold at the Bangkok Center Grocery on Mosco Street between Mott and Mulberry, and eat it in Columbus Park or another park as a kind of impromptu picnic.

If you'd rather have a sit-down meal, Chinatown probably has the largest number of inexpensive restaurants in Manhattan. They range from the "rice, soup, and four side dishes" steam table places to the "4 dumplings for $5" establishments to full-service restaurants like Great NY Noodletown and Noodle Village, which abound in dishes "on rice," noodle soups, and congees for around $7 or less, and on up to a seafood specialist like Oriental Garden, where specially requested, highly prized varieties of live fish and seafood can run up the bill somewhat. But what Chinatown lacks is anything truly high-end.

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

    Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

    Photos

    The iconic domed Citizen's Savings Bank building, now a branch of HSBC, on the corner of Bowery and Canal, across the street from the entrance to the Manhattan BridgeThe Eldridge St. Synagogue, once a major institution in the Jewish ghetto that was the Lower East Side, is still a vital institution, but is now in Little Fuzhou in the heart of ChinatownOne of the many bargain stores in Chinatown; the picture is from 2004, so adjust prices up accordinglyLocal specialties on the streetThe Manhattan Bridge, emptying its traffic onto the BoweryLombardi's PizzeriaThe beautiful Bowery Savings Bank, one of many banks in this neighborhood of much frugality. However, this building is now an event space, and no longer accepts deposits except for wedding receptions and other parties in its classy interior.St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, a historical NoLIta landmark, 260 Mulberry St. between Prince and HoustonChatham SquareMuseum of Chinese in the AmericasMuseum at Eldridge StreetChinatown

    Map

    Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

    Understand

    The Chinatown area also encompasses what little remains of Little Italy, an area which is essentially comprised of a few blocks of Mulberry Street north of Canal, plus a bit on streets perpendicular to Mulberry (such as the block between Mulberry and Mott on Grand Street, or part of it). Little Italy is almost devoid of Italian residents nowadays, and is primarily a kind of tourist theme park, but still contains a few eateries with reputations. What used to be the northern end of Little Italy, now called NoLIta (which extends north to Houston Street), is a quieter residential area, less touristy, but with upscale boutiques, and more often frequented by New Yorkers than SoHo, of which it is in some ways an eastern extension, nowadays.

    Get in

    By subway

    For general purposes, the D or B subway lines to Grand Street are optimal for accessing Chinatown. The J and Z to Bowery leave you a little north of the center of Chinatown. The F train to East Broadway leaves you toward the eastern edge of the neighborhood. The 6, N, Q, R, W, J or Z to Canal Street leave you a few blocks west of the center of the neighborhood though in the midst of the excitement, congestion, and vendors of Canal St (this is generally the best stop for shopping for anything other than foodstuffs). Further afield, it is also possible to take the 4 or 5 to Brooklyn Bridge or the 2 or 3 to Park Place and walk north and east. The A, C, or E trains that stop at Canal and 6th Av. and the 1 train, which stops at Canal and Varick, are far west of the neighborhood though walkable in good weather.

    By MTA bus

    Several city bus lines including the M9, M15, and M103 traverse Chinatown.

    By long distance bus

    Chinatown is the home of several super-cheap long distance bus companies. You can take buses from Manhattan's Chinatown to other Chinatowns in Boston; Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; to various cities further afield; and to casinos in Atlantic City. Ticket offices of the various bus companies are scattered throughout Chinatown, including those of Eastern Coach and Lucky Star Bus, among others.

    On foot or by bicycle

    You can of course walk to Chinatown. If you're coming from Brooklyn, you can cross the Manhattan Bridge. Note though, that your view will be partially blocked by a protective mesh, and that you will be periodically rattled by the B, D, N, and Q trains crossing the bridge. But on the plus side, you will exit on Bowery near Canal Street in central Chinatown. Another bridge that can be crossed from Brooklyn to Manhattan is the Williamsburg Bridge. After crossing the Williamsburg, you will be left on Delancey Street, a few blocks east of the northeast corner of Chinatown. All things being equal, though, it is most pleasant to cross the Brooklyn Bridge and then take the short walk to the southern reaches of Chinatown from the pedestrian exit.

    There is a bike path on the Manhattan Bridge, and the walkway over the Brooklyn Bridge doubles for most of its length as a bike path; the Williamsburg Bridge also has a bike path.

    See

    The main attraction in Chinatown is just walking through the neighborhood, visiting the above-mentioned shopping streets.

    Parks and squares

    Chatham Square

    See Chatham Square

    At this square at the confluence of several major streets, there is a memorial archway to Chinese-Americans who died in World War II which has some interesting calligraphy. Also in the square is a statue of Lin Zexu, a Chinese scholar who opposed the opium trade in the 19th century.

    at the intersection of The Bowery, East Broadway, Park Row, Mott and Worth Streets
    MapsWebsite

    See Columbus Park

    An excellent place to relax and people-watch. Early in the mornings, people practice their tai chi there. If you're interested, some of these people might teach you a little bit of it. At times, a group of women practices traditional Chinese fan dances. Also, there are usually basketball tournaments in the summer you can either participate in or watch. In the afternoon when school is out, many adolescents hang out in this park.

    📍 Bayard Stbetween Mulberry and Baker Streets
    MapsWebsite

    Museums

    Museum of Chinese in the Americas

    See Museum of Chinese in the Americas

    Exhibits on the history and culture of Chinese-Americans.

    📍 215 Centre Stbtwn Howard & Grand Sts🕒 Wed-Sat 11AM-6PM, Sun 11AM-4PM💲 free, suggested donation: $10/adult, $5/concessionChecked Aug 2024
    MapsWebsite
    Museum at Eldridge Street

    See Museum at Eldridge Street

    The museum, a non-sectarian cultural organization based in the restored 1887 National Historic Landmark Eldridge Street Synagogue, presents the culture, history and traditions of the great wave of Jewish immigrants to the Lower East Side drawing parallels with the diverse cultural communities that have settled in America. The museum offers guided tours of the synagogue, new exhibits and programs -- including concerts, neighborhood walking tours and film screenings.

    📍 12 Eldridge St🕒 Sun-Fri 10AM-5PM💲 $15/adult, $10/concession, $8/child☎ +1 212-219-0888Checked Aug 2024
    MapsWebsite

    See Italian American Museum

    📍 151 Mulberry Stat Grand St🕒 Opening in its new home in Oct 2024; previously at 155 Mulberry☎ +1 212-965-9000Checked Aug 2024
    MapsWebsite

    Do

    Do Mulberry and Canal Street

    When many tourists arrive in Chinatown, they are greeted by the stench of dead fish that are sold along the streets. It's definitely a sight worth seeing since it is a distinct quality of Chinatown.

    Maps

    Buy

    Most shops in Chinatown accept cash only. Canal Street east of Broadway is a paradise for bargain hunters and people looking to buy counterfeit knock-offs of high-end clothes and accessories. If you want to impress people back home with the fake Louis Vuitton bag you got for $30, this is the place to go. Also look at the stores that line Mott Street between Canal and Chatham Square.

    NoLiTa has become synonymous with avant-couture boutiques. Some stores are so idiosyncratic that they appear not to sell anything at all, yet are perpetually crowded and passionately trendy.

    Shop Elizabeth Center

    If you want to purchase cute Asian accessories or dolls, Elizabeth Center (also known as EC, for short), is the right place for you to shop. Once you enter, go down the escalator and all the shops downstairs sell cute Asian merchandise. If you want to take sticker pictures, EC has it too. It's on the first level in the far left corner of the building.

    📍 15 Elizabeth Center
    Maps

    Groceries and food to go

    Shop Aji Ichiban

    Hong Kong snack shop, very popular with locals and tourists alike. The staff are friendly and give samples.

    📍 37 Mott Stnear Pell St
    Maps

    Shop Asia Market

    Renovated several years ago from a dusty, old grocery store with tight aisles and rusty shelves into a brighter, more spacious store with a wider selection of goods, Asia Market supplies a variety of Asian ingredients, snacks, and drinks. Usually the difficult, hard to find Southeast Asian ingredients will most likely be available at this store. Even if something you want isn't available, the staff here is very friendly. You may leave the brand name of the product you want and they may try to order it for you. There is also a vegetable and fruit stand outside the store. Basically, this may be your one-stop store to shop for everything. One good example of the products this store has is fresh kaffir lime leaves.

    📍 71 Mulberry Stbetween Canal and Bayard Sts☎ +1 212-962-2020
    Maps

    Shop Bangkok Center Grocery

    This modest-sized store contains a large quantity of Thai goods of various descriptions, and also sells inexpensive prepared sweet and savory items. Friendly, helpful service.

    📍 104 Mosco Stbetween Mott and Mulberry☎ +1 212-732-8916
    MapsWebsite

    Shop Deluxe Food Market

    This humongous store has almost anything you can think of and more, both raw and prepared. Seriously; go and see.

    📍 79 Elizabeth Stbetween Grand and Hester, entrances on Elizabeth and Mott Sts☎ +1 212 925-5766
    Maps

    Shop Malaysia Beef Jerky

    This is not a cheap snack, but their chicken and beef jerky are excellent and come in spicy and regular varieties. Unlike American-style jerky, Malaysian-style jerky is moist. Its sugar content may surprise you, so low-carb dieters, beware! There is nowhere to sit inside the store, so business is strictly for takeout.

    📍 95A Elizabeth Stjust south of Grand St🕒 9AM-6:30PM daily💲 Beef jerky: $28/lb; chicken jerky and pork jerky: $27/lb☎ +1 212-965-0796Checked Feb 2022
    MapsWebsite

    Book stores

    Shop Aeon Bookstore

    This subterranean bookstore is a neighborhood gem, with a carefully curated selection of books. The books are fairly prices and cover a range of topics, such as philosophy, art, culture, history, mysticism, and esoterica.

    📍 151 E Broadway⚠ Last checked Oct 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Shop McNally Jackson Books

    Formerly McNally Robinson Booksellers, this independent bookstore features an extensive collection of magazines, fiction, and nonfiction. The store also features a cafe, as well as a number of ongoing events, signings, book clubs and discussion groups.

    📍 52 Prince Stbetween Mulberry and Lafayette Sts; Subway: to Prince St or to Spring St🕒 Mon-Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-9PM☎ +1 212-274-1160
    MapsWebsite

    Shop 2 Bridges Music Arts

    2 Bridges Music Arts sells new and used records, tapes and books while staging exhibitions and events from their post in a Chinatown mall. The space is meant to host overlapping tendencies in experimental music, art and knowledge production internationally.

    📍 75 E Broadway #205⚠ Last checked Oct 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Knockoffs

    If you want knockoffs of designer labels, try the stores on Mott Street south of Canal first. There are other stores on Canal Street, but you may find them more expensive. And remember, you get what you pay for, so if you buy a knockoff watch and it lasts you more than six months, be happy. Price shop and don't be afraid to try bargaining.

    Eat

    If you want to have a really cheap meal, or it's really nice weather, consider buying something on the street (the fried chicken cart that you may find on Canal or Walker Street right near the triangle between Canal, Walker, and Baxter Streets serves really tasty legs and wings, for example) or a cheap prepared thing such as is sold at the Bangkok Center Grocery on Mosco Street between Mott and Mulberry, and eat it in Columbus Park or another park as a kind of impromptu picnic.

    If you'd rather have a sit-down meal, Chinatown probably has the largest number of inexpensive restaurants in Manhattan. They range from the "rice, soup, and four side dishes" steam table places to the "4 dumplings for $5" establishments to full-service restaurants like Great NY Noodletown and Noodle Village, which abound in dishes "on rice," noodle soups, and congees for around $7 or less, and on up to a seafood specialist like Oriental Garden, where specially requested, highly prized varieties of live fish and seafood can run up the bill somewhat. But what Chinatown lacks is anything truly high-end.

    Budget

    Eat Banh Mi Saigon Bakery

    VietnameseAmericanBakery / Café$

    This is in back of a jewelry and gem shop; no kidding! Both the Banh Mi Saigon (pork) and Banh Mi Ga (chicken) sandwiches are fantastic. Get them to go and eat them in a nearby park such as the one on the corner of Spring and Mulberry, a few blocks north and one block west. Note: Do not confuse this place with Saigon Banh Mi So at 369 Broome St, which serves sandwiches that are fine but nowhere near as good.

    📍 198 Grand Stbetween Mott and Mulberry☎ +1 212-941-1541
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    Maps

    Eat Bo Ky

    $

    Very inexpensive food, reliable soups that are especially welcome in cold weather. Very quick service. They have side dishes of offal (pig's ears, etc.) for those who like them. They are also known for their Teochew country-style duck. There is another branch with an identical menu at 216 Grand St., between Mott and Elizabeth. Cash only.

    📍 80 Bayard Stbetween Mott and Mulberry Sts.☎ +1 212-406-2292
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Eat Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

    Dessert / Ice cream$

    Enjoy the "regular" flavors like taro, green tea, lychee, black sesame, mango, and coconut (or the "exotic" flavors like strawberry, vanilla...), and don't neglect the sorbets. The owner also experiments and creates new flavors. Even though there is a Haagen Dazs down the street from this ice cream store, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is the go-to place for ice cream when you visit Chinatown. On a nice, sunny day, you'll most likely find a long line of customers outside the store waiting to purchase their ice cream. That is how popular this store is. If you really like the ice cream, you may purchase one of their Chinatown Ice Cream Factory t-shirts.

    📍 65 Bayard Stbtwn Mott & Bowery🕒 11AM-10PM💲 $8/1 scoop, $11.50/2 scoops, $15.50/3 scoops, $15.50/pint, $25/quart☎ +1 212-608-4170Checked Aug 2024
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Eat Fay Da Bakery

    Bakery / Café$

    This bakery offers a wide assortment of traditional and fusion buns, pastries, cakes, as well as an assortment of drinks and bubble teas. All their buns are freshly baked every morning so the quality and consistency is always there. It's a self-serve bakery so you can easily pick and choose while taking your time.

    📍 83 Mott Stbetween Canal & Bayard Sts☎ +1 212-791-3884⚠ Last checked Jun 2015 — confirm before you go
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Eat Fong On (宏安)

    ChineseSeafoodVegan / VegetarianVegan options$

    This family-run shop has been serving elaborate Chinese-style tofu pudding since 1933. Sweet or savory toppings available. If you've never tried tofu pudding before, it's worth having: surprisingly flavorful and different from other kinds of tofu you might be more familiar with. The shop also sells other Chinese snacks and drinks like sticky rice cakes, grass jelly, and herbal tea. Nearly everything is vegan (you can ask them to leave off the dried shrimps from the savory pudding).

    📍 81 Division St🕒 11AM–7PM Tue-Sun💲 $6–15☎ +1 (212) 261-7222Checked Jan 2024
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Eat Great NY Noodletown

    ChineseSeafoodBBQ$

    This restaurant, which is open late, has the feel of a Chinese diner. It can be very crowded at peak hours. Try the noodle soups ($5.25-7.95) and congees ($2.50-8.50), the ginger-scallion lo mein ($5.50), the barbecued items, and the salt baked dishes, but don't neglect the less inexpensive specials, like the dishes with chives or pea shoots (around $11.95-15.95, with different charges depending on choice of beef, chicken, shrimp, scallops, etc.).

    📍 28 Bowerycorner of Bayard☎ +1 212-349-0923Checked Feb 2022
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Eat Joe's Shanghai

    ChineseSeafood$

    This is the most famous of the Shanghainese restaurants in Chinatown, but not the best. Like most every other Shanghainese restaurant, it serves the popular "soup dumplings" (xiaolong bao in Chinese) which contain either pork or crab+pork with soup all within a dumpling. However, due to its popularity, here are some tips: Don't wait on line, go only at odd hours and order adventurously (get things like eel).

    📍 46 Bowery☎ +1 212-233-8888
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Eat iM Star Cafe

    ChineseFrenchAmerican$

    Small restaurant decorated with caricatures of Hong Kong celebrities on the walls. If you hit the morning stream of customers, you'll definitely have to wait for a seat since their breakfast is... to die for! Extremely cheap! This restaurant is the best restaurant to eat at if you're looking for something similar to the diners in Hong Kong. A mix of Chinese and American tastes. Definitely try their French toast, pan fried rice noodle, and iced milk tea!

    📍 19 Division Stbetween Catherine and Market Sts💲 Extremely cheap☎ +1 212-966-8988
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    Maps

    Eat Noodle Village

    $

    This is a very good restaurant and a good value. They serve their noodles nicely al dente and use good roast pork and roast duck. Their vegetables are fresh, too. Excellent rice dishes and casseroles, too — for example, they make a delicious spicy curried oxtail rice dish.

    📍 13 Mott StBetween Chatham Sq. and Mosco St.🕒 10:30AM - 11PM every day💲 Chef's Specials: $8.50-14.50, Vegetable dishes: $3.25-6.75, Side Order: $1.25-9.75, Congee: $2.95-8.50, Dumpling Soup: $5.50-6.50, Noodle Soup: $5.25-8.50, Lo Mein Hong Kong Style: $6.50-11.50, Vegetables: $4.50-5.75, Dumplings: $3.75-6.95, Drinks: $1.25-3.50, Dessert: $3.50-5.50☎ +1 212-233-0788
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Eat New Sheng Wang

    Chinese$

    This is a very cheap place to eat, as you can easily fill up on a single dish. For example, their standout dish is 10 steamed pork dumplings for $3. Some dumpling connoisseurs consider Sheng Wang's dumplings the best in Chinatown today. Most of the rest of their dishes are noodle soups with hand pulled or peeled noodles made in house, and be warned that for a single person, trying to eat an order of dumplings plus a bowl of noodle soup is likely to be quite excessive. Also, one type of tripe they use in soups can be overly chewy. But you can't beat the value.

    📍 27 Eldridge StBetween Division and Canal Sts., down a short flight of outdoor stairs.🕒 10AM-11PM every day💲 $3-7 per dish☎ +1 212-925-0805
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Eat Spicy Village (大福星, previously known as He Nan Flavor)

    Chinese$

    This very informal eatery across the street from Sara Delano Roosevelt Park serves food from the province of Henan. All items are good, but the highlight is the Spicy Big Tray Chicken ($12.95), a very large soupy, stewy bowl of flavor, including cumin seeds and a generous helping of potatoes, that's not quite like any other style of Chinese food. Take at least one friend with you if you can, so you can share the chicken and some cold dishes. The proprietress is very nice.

    📍 68 Forsyth StBetween Hester and Grand St🕒 Daily 10AM-11PM💲 Appetizers: $1-6; Noodles and soups: $1.25-6.50; Specials: $1.25-12:95☎ +1 212-625-8299⚠ Last checked Sep 2015 — confirm before you go
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    Maps

    Eat Tai Pan Bakery

    ChineseBakery / Café$

    This bakery store offers numerous Chinese breads, delicacies, and both hot and cold beverages/snacks. It shares its name with a popular bakery store chain in Hong Kong.

    📍 194 Canal St☎ +1 212-732-2222
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Mid-range

    Eat Cafe Hong Kong

    ChineseChickenBakery / Café$$

    This restaurant was opened in 2013 by personnel from the defunct South China Garden, which used to be around the corner on Mott St. The portions are large and the food is delicious. This is in the estimation of many people the best Cantonese restaurant in Chinatown right now, and best to go to with at least a couple of friends and a big appetite, so that you can share a few dishes. If you like chicken, get the garlic fried chicken, which is one of their standout dishes.

    📍 51 Bayard StBetween Bowery and Mott/Elizabeth St.🕒 11AM-11PM every day💲 Appetizers: $3-6; Soups: $3-9.95 (the $9.95 ones serve 4); Salads: $6-7 (except Lobster Salad: seasonal price); Sandwiches: $2-5; Mains: $7.50-28, plus some seasonal-priced ones, but clustering between $12 and $16 for mains not based on rice or noodles; Lunch specials: $6.95 (11AM - 4PM)☎ +1 212-608-5359
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    Maps

    Eat Eileen's Special Cheesecake

    $$

    Some of the best cheesecake in the city, with individual-sized slices so that you can sample multiple flavors.

    📍 17 Cleveland Pl🕒 Mon-Fri 9AM-9PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-7PM☎ +1 212-966-5585
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Eat Hop Kee Restaurant

    Chinese$$

    A decades-old Cantonese restaurant with classic dishes (Roast Pork Lo Mein, etc.) Open late on weekends (until 4AM), but like many other Chinatown restaurants, cash only.

    📍 21 Mott St☎ +1 212-964-8365
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Eat Lombardi's Pizza

    Pizza$$

    The establishment in its current incarnation was opened in 1994, but describes itself as a continuation of "America's first pizzeria" (established in 1905). Their coal oven pizza is served by the pie, not the slice. Many New Yorkers think it has coasted off its prior reputation for years, but tourists can sometimes be seen lined up outside the door.

    📍 32 Spring Stcorner of Mott☎ +1 212-941-7994Checked Feb 2025
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Eat Ping's Seafood

    ChineseSeafood$$

    Good seafood restaurant especially the seafood pan-fried noodles & calamari. Also has dim sum. This place can get very crowded during weekend dinner.

    📍 22 Mott St☎ +1 212 602-9988
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    Maps

    Eat Shanghai Cafe Deluxe

    ChineseAmericanBakery / Café$$

    Can make the best Shanghainese food in Chinatown, but has some consistency problems. Many young Chinese-American couples have dates there. Do not be shocked if the check is delivered to you unbidden, but don't feel that it must be paid right away. It's easy to have a sizable meal here for around $15 and possible to eat here for less. "Temporarily closed for renovations" per their website as of June 2024.

    📍 100 Mott Stbetween Canal and Hester☎ +1 212-966-3988
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
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    Splurge

    Eat Nyonya

    AsianAmerican$$$

    This restaurant is part of a small chain with other Nyonya and Penang restaurants and is popular and crowded on weekends. Their roti canai is good. One word of warning, though: If you are looking for food like you had on your visit to Kuala Lumpur, for the most part, you won't get it here. Instead, you are likely to get very watered-down, Americanized versions of most of their Malaysian dishes. Expect to spend around $25/person for dinner.

    📍 199 Grand Stbetween Mott and Mulberry☎ +1 212-334-3669
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
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    Dim Sum

    For dim sum eating halls, especially those with carts, it is generally best to arrive by 10:30 or 11AM to beat the crowds and have fresh food that is hot.

    Eat Dim Sum Go Go

    Chinese$

    More expensive than the average Chinatown restaurant and catering to a mixed clientèle of Chinese and non-Chinese, it is many connoisseurs' favorite spot for dim sum in Chinatown. All the food is made to order; no carts. Some of their non-dim sum items are also good. Dumplings are mostly excellent — tasty, with a good texture and thin wrapper — but there have been some problems in the past with overly doughy buns that then got mushy from condensation, so you might consider avoiding those.

    📍 5 East Broadwayat Chatham Square💲 $15-17 per person for dim sum☎ +1 212-732-0796
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    Maps

    Eat Golden Unicorn

    Occupies a few floors. There is a bit more decor than at Jing Fong and the prices are a bit higher. Unfortunately, the food is mediocre.

    📍 18 East Broadwaycorner of Catherine☎ +1 212-941-0911
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
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    Eat Jing Fong

    It used to be housed in a huge eating hall on Elizabeth St. but moved into smaller quarters in 2021. The quality of the food is generally acceptable, if not refined, but it is best when fresh from the kitchen. They also have a new branch as of 2022 at 380 Amsterdam Ave at 78th St. on the Upper West Side, but do not assume the food is the same there.

    📍 202 Centre Stbetween Hester and Grand Sts☎ +1 212-964-5256
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
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    Eat Nom Wah Tea Parlor

    Chinese$

    Nom Wah was the first dim sum parlor in New York, opening in 1920. In 2011, they renovated, sprucing up the interior but leaving most of the old-fashioned feeling intact. A few new dishes were added, but the core of Nom Wah's menu remains Cantonese. They serve dim sum all day. Unfortunately, the quality of the items is not consistent.

    📍 13 Doyers StDoyers St is the curvy street that goes from Pell St to Bowery🕒 Sun-Thu 10:30AM-9PM, Fri Sat 10:30AM-10PM💲 Dim sum items mostly cost around $4-5 per order, but "Chef's Specials" are $5.50-12☎ +1 212-962-6047⚠ Last checked Nov 2016 — confirm before you go
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
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    Eat Ping's Seafood

    ChineseSeafood

    Medium priced, but according to some, the best dim sum in Chinatown (others vehemently disagree). They have exotic offerings such as calamari and sugar cane shrimp.

    📍 22 Mott Stat Mott St☎ +1 212-602-9988
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
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    Drink

    When in Chinatown, try some bubble tea. It's named for the tapioca/sago balls in the tea, which are sucked up with an oversized straw or eaten with a spoon. This kind of tea, which originated in Taiwan, has a popularity in New York that extends beyond the Chinese community, so you can find bubble tea houses outside of Chinese neighborhoods, but the greatest concentration of such establishments is still in Chinese communities like Manhattan's Chinatown and in Flushing, Queens. There are numerous bubble tea houses in Chinatown.

    Drink Ten Ren Tea Time

    Bar / Café

    Some of the best bubble tea in town, but price is slightly towards the expensive side compared to other bubble tea stores in the neighborhood.

    📍 79 Mott Stbetween Bayard and Canal Sts🕒 Sun-Thu 11AM-11PM, Fri Sat 11AM-midnight☎ +1 212-732-7178
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Drink Vivi Bubble Tea

    Bar / Café

    A small (with a grand total of three seats) but very popular branch of this bubble tea shop chain, with inexpensive drinks and some rather quirky decorations, like Homer Simpson sitting on a bench out front and little coin-operated prize machines to entertain you while you wait in line. The tea can have a weird chemical taste and also be kind of dilute at the same time; your mileage may vary.

    📍 49 Bayard Stbetween Elizabeth and Bowery Sts☎ +1 212-566-6833
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Drink Mr. Fong's

    Chinese

    This local bar is pretty chill on the weekdays, but it can get packed on the weekends. Chinese-inspired cocktails & bar bites, plus a jukebox.

    📍 40 Market St⚠ Last checked Oct 2019 — confirm before you go
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite
    • Bubble Tea, 49 Bayard St (between Elizabeth and Bowery Sts), ☏ +1 212-566-6833. A cozy, popular bubble tea shop with a fun, quirky atmosphere, offering a variety of bubble tea flavors. While known for its affordable drinks, some customers note that the taste can be hit or miss, with occasional chemical undertones or a lighter flavor than expected. Despite this, it's a go-to spot for those craving a quick, inexpensive bubble tea fix, with unique decor and a friendly vibe to enjoy while you sip your drink.

    Sleep

    Stay Best Western Bowery Hanbee

    A fairly typical Best Western, with Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfast, in a good location.

    📍 231 Grand St💲 $200-250Check-in 4PM · out 11:30AM☎ +1 212-925-1177
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    Stay The Bowery Grand Hotel

    Rock bottom accommodation. Single rooms are smaller than the size of a double bed, and the place is not exactly sparkling. Rooms have no roof, so there is no privacy, and you can hear everyone else packed in inches away from you. Wifi is slow. But you can't beat the price.

    📍 143 Bowery, New York💲 $50☎ +1 212-226 6655⚠ Last checked Apr 2017 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Stay The Bowery House

    Shared bathrooms, roof "garden", and bike rental.

    📍 220 Bowery💲 From $75 for a dorm bed☎ +1 212-837-2373⚠ Last checked Oct 2017 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Stay Comfort Inn Lower East Side

    If New York hotel prices have made you resort to sleeping under a bridge, this may as well be your choice (pardon the pun), as it consistently ranks as one of the lowest-priced decent hotels in the city, and is also almost literally located under the Manhattan Bridge. The location is a bit remote and not quite charming, but the hotel does not lack anything in its limited-service standards, although it is on the small side with only 43 rooms and most facilities sized to match.

    📍 154 Madison Street💲 $149, breakfast included⚠ Last checked Aug 2016 — confirm before you go
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    Stay Comfort Inn Manhattan Bridge

    Standard chain hotel, with Wi-Fi, decent breakfast, and pets allowed for a fee. Reviewers often note friendly service.

    📍 61-63 Chrystie St💲 $200-300Check-in – · out 11AM☎ +1 212-925-1212
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    Stay Sohotel

    Billing itself as "the oldest running hotel" in the city (the building has been housing a hotel for over a hundred years), the hotel is in an old building with rooms with hardwood floors and exposed brick walls, giving it a pretty unique feel. Lots of in-room amenities, although reviewers have noted issues with noise and cold showers.

    📍 341 Broome St💲 $175-300☎ +1 212 226-1482
    MapsWebsite

    Stay U.S. Pacific Hotel

    Simple, clean, and quiet accommodations in a great location near the Grand St. subway station. All rooms require at least 1 flight of stairs up from street level (no elevator). Many rooms have shared bathrooms for the floor, and the cheapest have no windows, but there are options with private bathrooms and windows. But it's a low price for a bedbug-free room.

    📍 106 Bowery, 2 Fl2 blocks north of Canal St.💲 $100-300Check-in 3PM · out 11AM☎ +1-212-226-0300Checked Dec 2025
    MapsWebsite

    Go next

    Obvious places to go next include the Lower East Side, which almost seamlessly merges with Chinatown on its edges and sometimes beyond, nowadays; the Financial District, such as the area near City Hall; SoHo; and Brooklyn across one of the nearby bridges. A somewhat more out-of-the-box idea is to go to Flushing next, to see an extensive and even more diverse Chinatown in Queens. There are vans that connect Manhattan's Chinatown with Flushing, but you might have to ask around to find them. They are sometimes on Division St. not far from the Bowery, and have been seen on Elizabeth St. near Hester and lately on Forsyth St. just south of Canal.

    Nearby

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