TLDR
Sophisticated Chinese American small plates paired with an expansive wine list. Perfect for adventurous eaters and wine lovers in a chic, intimate setting.
Instagram Posts References
Lei Wine is a stylish wine bar that focuses on quality bottles and offers a polished, intimate atmosphere.
An intimate spot with a menu that changes often, known for dishes like cumin-braised lamb noodles and clever bathroom decor.
Resy highlights Lei, a celebrated Chinatown jewel box where chef Patty Lee serves innovative Chinese American dishes alongside a global wine list.
Lei is an exemplary Chinatown jewel box offering a unique blend of Chinese American cuisine and a global wine program.
A standout wine bar in Chinatown serving modern Chinese American fare in a jewel-box setting.
Bryan Kim reviews Lei, a Chinatown wine bar offering French-leaning wines and creative Chinese-American small plates, perfect for drinks and a light bite or a date night.
Details
A sophisticated Chinatown gem, this wine-focused establishment offers a unique perspective on Chinese American cuisine, moving away from traditional tropes to deliver creative, non-traditional small plates [1], [2]. The menu features inventive dishes like strawberry-glazed short ribs and sesame shao bing with butter, all designed to harmonize with a global, French-leaning wine list [1], [3], [4]. While the atmosphere is intimate and candlelit, the spot is popular enough that securing a seat can be challenging following its recent industry recognition [1], [5], [6].
Food Overview
The kitchen excels at innovative Chinese American fusion, moving past standard classics to offer refined, modern dishes [1], [2]. Highlights include celtuce, Berkshire black sausage, and sticky toffee rice pudding, though some diners find specific main courses like the cat's ear noodles to be merely average [5], [6], [7].
Highlights / Recommended
"Highly recommended items include the strawberry jam-glazed short ribs, warm sesame shao bing with butter, and the creative celtuce dish [1], [4], [5], [6]. Diners also frequently enjoy the sticky toffee eight-treasure rice pudding for a sweet conclusion [5], [6]."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •celtuce(3)
- •lady edison jinhua ham with thinly sliced seasonal fruit(2)
- •warm sesame shao bing with a cold pat of butter(2)
- •sweet and sour braised short rib(2)
- •fried whiting(2)
- •sticky toffee rice pudding(2)
Caveats
Due to its recent awards and popularity, the restaurant can be difficult to get into and frequently feels very loud [6].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About LEI
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Restaurant Vibe Similar To Thursday Kitchen In
"A simple recommendation for the restaurant."
NeutralFrom post: 1st Time Tourist Only Concerned With Making The
"Recommended for great plates that have Asian cuisine influences."
PositiveFrom post: Seafood Restaurant Recommendations That Are Must
"Listed as one of four distinct seafood styles in the city."
PositiveFrom post: Looking For Restaurants Under 100 In Manhattan
"Recommended in a list."
PositiveFrom post: Looking For Unique Dessert Spots In Nyc With
"Lei Wine Bar is mentioned alongside Cosme, Oxomoco, Bistro, and Bar Bete."
NeutralFrom post: These Are The Nyc James Beard Award Winners 3
"The user expressed frustration that Lei has become difficult to get into after winning an award, noting it was a great hidden gem wine bar but is now consistently full shortly after opening."
NegativeFrom post: Lei Doyers St Chinatown Wins James Beard Best New
"Replying to a user who found Lei's win confusing, this commenter simply asked 'Why', seeking further explanation for the sentiment."
NeutralFrom post: Lei Doyers St Chinatown Wins James Beard Best New
"A user expressed that while Lei is good, its win for best new restaurant doesn't seem to make sense to them."
NeutralFrom post: Lei Doyers St Chinatown Wins James Beard Best New
"A user commented on the post about Lei winning a James Beard award, humorously noting that award ceremonies seem to favor wine bars."
NeutralFrom post: These Are The Nyc James Beard Award Winners 3
"The user enjoyed the wine and found the food good but not exceptional. They particularly liked the black sausage appetizer and sticky toffee rice pudding, though found the 'cat's ear noodles' main course just average, considering the establishment a strong wine bar."
NeutralFrom post: Are There Any Similar Restaurants Akin To Foxface
"This user commented that lei wine is currently very loud."
NegativeFrom post: Are There Any Similar Restaurants Akin To Foxface
"lei wine was suggested as a wine bar with a snack bar as a potential alternative."
NeutralFrom post: New York Times Top 100 Restaurants X Michelin
"Lei is listed on the NYT top 100 list for 2026 with a Michelin selection."
NeutralFrom post: Any Restaurants That Serve Morels Now That Theyre
"This wine bar offers scallop crudo and stuffed cabbage dishes that include morels."
PositiveFrom post: Last Visit Before 1st Baby Lower Manhattan Or
"Lei Wine Bar is listed as a recommended restaurant."
PositiveFrom post: Tried Lei In Nyc This Past Weekend It Was Really
"This commenter agreed that the celtuce and sticky treasures pudding are very good. They also mentioned cat's ear as part of their ideal order."
PositiveFrom post: Tried Lei In Nyc This Past Weekend It Was Really
"The original post mentioned trying Lei in NYC and finding it really good. Specifically highlighted the celtuce dish."
PositiveFrom post: Nytimes The 100 Best Restaurants In Nyc 11100
"This is one of many restaurants listed by the commenter from the NYTimes list."
NeutralFrom post: Spots Where Bar Seated Meal Is Great
"Lei wine bar is mentioned as a good option for bar side dining."
PositiveFrom post: Where Would You Go As Your Last Meal In Nyc
"For dinner as part of a hypothetical 'day of last meals,' the commenter lists Lei Wine Bar among their choices."
Positive