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CAFE CHINA

Updated

Phone: (201) 675-2288

Address: 59 WEST 37 STREET 10018

TLDR

Acclaimed Sichuan cuisine w/ a Michelin star legacy. Perfect for groups & dates. Standout spicy soft shell crab & cumin lamb [1].

Reddit Sentiment for CAFE CHINA(based on 113 Reddit opinions)

61% Positive28% Neutral8% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

chinese 76sichuan 27szechuan 3chinese 32sichuan 14beef 3View All

Neighborhoods

Midtown

Instagram Posts References

Summary
Summary

Recent Articles

Details

This Midtown Chinese restaurant, a former Michelin-starred establishment, offers a vibrant atmosphere perfect for groups and dates. It's celebrated for its authentic Sichuan cuisine, with standout dishes like spicy soft shell crab and cumin lamb [1]. The restaurant boasts a visually appealing interior and an extensive menu that includes popular items like the Shredded Beef With Hot Green Pepper [2].

Food Overview

Cafe China is highly regarded for its authentic Sichuan cuisine, with many users recommending it for its bold flavors. Popular dishes include the Shredded Beef With Hot Green Pepper [1], braised beef in red soup [2], Kung Pao chicken [3], and duck fat fried rice [4]. While generally praised, some reviews mention inconsistencies or a preference for other Sichuan restaurants that have opened more recently [5]. There are also mentions of good vegetarian options [6].

Highlights / Recommended

"Highly recommended dishes include the Shredded Beef With Hot Green Pepper, braised beef in red soup, Kung Pao chicken, duck fat fried rice, and pork dumplings in chili oil. The crispy eel and spicy soft shell crab are also noted as excellent choices."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • kung pao(3)
  • shredded beef with hot green pepper(3)
  • duck fat fried rice(2)
  • crispy eel(2)

Customer Sentiment

Customers generally have a positive sentiment towards Cafe China, often recommending it for its authentic Sichuan flavors and suitability for group dining. Some feedback indicates that the quality might have varied after relocation, with a few preferring newer establishments [1].

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About CAFE CHINA

This post and its comments highly praise the Shredded Beef With Hot Green Pepper dish, with multiple users calling it amazing, perfect for lunch, and a frequent order [1, 2, 3]. Other recommended dishes include duck fried rice and crispy fish fillet [4].
While Cafe China is considered good, one commenter suggested that it is less memorable than Che li for braised pork and doubted its quality for that specific dish compared to other Sichuan restaurants [1].
Cafe China is enthusiastically recommended for its Szechuan cuisine, with users highlighting dishes like kung pao chicken, duck fat fried rice, and pork dumplings in chili oil [1, 2]. The restaurant is described as having a casual vibe despite potentially being Michelin-starred and is considered authentic by some [3].
This post reviews the Kung Pao dish at Cafe China, noting it's quite good with excellent seasoning but suggesting improvements in chicken texture and sauce consistency [1]. Some users prefer other Sichuan restaurants like Chili, believing it to be superior since the move [2, 3].
Cafe China is repeatedly recommended as a 'legit' and authentic Szechuan option in Midtown, with one user specifically recommending the 'braised beef in red soup' as an alternative to poached beef [1, 2, 3, 4].
Cafe China is recommended in Midtown for its ability to accommodate groups of 9 people, with positive remarks about its food and reliability for gatherings [1, 2, 3].
Cafe China is highly recommended for its Sichuan food, with users traveling across town for takeout and specifically praising the cold noodles with chicken [1, 2].

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Sos Please Help Travelling To New York For The

"Suggests Cafe China on 37th St, highlighting its private room options as excellent for events and mentioning a past event cost of approximately $80 per person."

Positive
May 9, 2026View Comment →

From post: Heading To Nyc And Dont Want To Leave With Regrets

"This commenter recommends Cafe China."

Positive
May 6, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Places Have Become Part Of Your Regular

"The commenter believes the quality of Cafe China, especially at the first location, used to be better."

Negative
May 6, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Places Have Become Part Of Your Regular

"The commenter inquires about what happened to Cafe China."

Neutral
May 6, 2026View Comment →

From post: What Is Your Most Frequented Restaurant

"Cafe China is listed as a frequently visited restaurant."

Positive
May 6, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Places Have Become Part Of Your Regular

"The commenter lists the old Cafe China as a 'fallen fav'."

Negative
May 4, 2026View Comment →

From post: Options For Quieter Italian And Chinese In Midtown

"Following up on Cafe China, this commenter mentioned Chili, located a block away. The chef from Cafe China opened Chili at the old Cafe China spot, and noted there are many Sichuan places in that area."

Neutral
Apr 29, 2026View Comment →

From post: Options For Quieter Italian And Chinese In Midtown

"This commenter suggested Chili as an option, noting it was opened by the previous chef from Cafe China at the old Cafe China spot. They also mentioned the prevalence of good Sichuan restaurants in the area."

Neutral
Apr 29, 2026View Comment →

From post: Options For Quieter Italian And Chinese In Midtown

"This commenter expressed a strong liking for Cafe China, stating they could eat there every day."

Positive
Apr 29, 2026View Comment →

From post: Options For Quieter Italian And Chinese In Midtown

"This commenter suggested Cafe China on 37th street as a very good option for Chinese food."

Positive
Apr 28, 2026View Comment →

From post: Looking For Dinner Restaurant For 9 People No

"This commenter recommended Cafe China in Midtown, stating it has never disappointed them for family or friend gatherings."

Positive
Apr 8, 2026View Comment →

From post: Looking For Dinner Restaurant For 9 People No

"This commenter agreed with the suggestion of Cafe China."

Neutral
Apr 8, 2026View Comment →

From post: Looking For Dinner Restaurant For 9 People No

"This commenter suggested Cafe China in Midtown."

Neutral
Apr 8, 2026View Comment →

From post: Favorite Crab Dish In Nyc

"Recommended the fried soft shell crab at Cafe China."

Positive
Apr 8, 2026View Comment →

From post: Favorite Crab Dish In Nyc

"Recommended the fried soft shell crab at Cafe China."

Positive
Apr 8, 2026View Comment →

From post: Antidote Vs Birds Of A Feather

"This commenter mentions Cafe China positively in association with Birds of a Feather."

Positive
Apr 5, 2026View Comment →

From post: Unusual Food Near Msg

"This commenter states that Cafe China serves Szechuan food."

Neutral
Apr 5, 2026View Comment →

From post: Unusual Food Near Msg

"Cafe China was listed as a recommendation near MSG."

Positive
Apr 4, 2026View Comment →

From post: Iso Chinatown Restaurant That Gives Out Fried

"This user recommended Cafe China."

Positive
Mar 27, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Hong Shao Rao In Nyc

"This user provided a link to Cafe China."

Neutral
Mar 27, 2026View Comment →