From simple Take-Out to exotic Asian Fusion, American’s have had a love affair with Chinese food that stretches back almost as long as The Great Wall itself. Cantonese, Mandarin, Polynesian, Hunan – with so many varieties its no wonder that Chinese Restaurants continue to be among the most popular in any region. And while South Florida is perhaps better known for Ethnic dishes you’re more likely to find in “Little Havana” than “Chinatown” if you’re in the mood for Dim Sum, or just some Chicken Chow Mein like they used to make in the “Old Neighborhood”, you’ll find what your looking for right here.
Tropical Chinese 7991 Bird Road Miami, 33155 (305) 262-7576 Mon-Fri 11:30am-10:30pm; Sat 11am-11:30pm; Sun 10:30am-10pm Entrees: 20.00 – 40.00 Don’t let the location in an unassuming strip mall fool you, Tropical Chinese is probably one of the best Chinese Restaurants in South Florida. It may be a little off the beaten path in West Dade County, however if you are really interested in excellent food it is worth the trip and the slightly higher prices then you expect to pay in most neighborhood Chinese Restaurants. At Tropical you will find the typical Chinese fare, all with a little extra “Miami Spice” of course –but they are particularly known for their unique Clay Pot Specials, the aroma of which wafts enticingly through the air long before you pull up to the place. One of the best? Garlic Spinach and Prawns, a delectable mix of fresh garlic cloves, shrimp, and garden fresh spinach bubbled to perfection.
Miss Yip’s Chinese Cafe 1661 Meridian Ave Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 534-5488 Su-Thu 12:00 noon-11:00 pm, Fri & Sat12:00 noon-12:00 am Entrees: 15.00-25.00 Miss Yip’s is former New York upscale Restaurateur Jennnie Yip’s High Concept Hong-Kong inspired Chinese restaurant here in Miami. Step into Miss Yip’s and it’s like walking into Shanghai circa 1930, but instead of nefarious spies or smugglers lurking about expect to find the freshest, most elegant selection of home made Dim Sum any where on the planet. The menu abounds with over a dozen varieties filled with the tenderest, tastiest pork and chicken to equally scrumptious vegetarian selections featuring fresh veggies, mushrooms and tofu. Entrees are 14.95 and up, and there is a ‘”Shanghai’s Express Lunch Special” from 12-6PM with an excellent selection priced at $10.88
Mott Street Chinese Restaurant 1295 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd Hollywood, FL 33009 (954) 456-7555 M-Sat 11:30A- 10:30P, Su 1:00P – 10:30P Entrées: 10.00 – 25.00 There is no lack of trendy upscale Asian Fusion type restaurants in South Florida. But if you are looking for just a very good neighborhood Chinese Restaurant, you will find it just minutes off of the beach in Hollywood at Mott Street. If you are an ex-New Yorker like this reviewer, you know Mott Street is the famous drag in Chinatown, where everybody’s favorite restaurant was referred to simply by its address – 28 Mott, 60 Mott etc. So in a neighborhood like Hollywood Beach that is home to so many expatriate New Yorkers, if you are going to have a name like Mott Street, you’d better live up to the reputation. And this one certainly does. Like its Chinatown namesakes expect fresh dishes served in large portions brought to the table steaming hot. Come hungry and be prepared to share. Many people will tell you they judge a Chinese Restaurant by it Egg Rolls and Wonton Soup before they even order a dish – both here are probably the best I have ever tasted, and of course there are never ending bowls of those oh so crispy noodles dipped in duck sauce.
Yeung’s Chinese 954 41st Street Road Miami Beach, FL 33127 (305) 672-144 M-Th: 11:30A-10P, Fri-Sat: 11:30A – 11P, Sun: 5P-10P Entrees: 10.00 – 25.00 Yeung’s is a traditional family run Chinese Restaurant, the kind where the family would live above in my old Brooklyn neighborhood. He may not live on premises but here Mr. Yueng will great you every night, and probably will be the one to take your order if you call in over the phone as well. The food is fresh, moderately priced, never greasy or fatty and prepared in the best of authentic Mandarin and Cantonese styles. The selection of Stir Fried dishes are expansive and tasty, but feel free to suggest your own woked to order choices. Friendly service in a simple atmosphere, if you’re staying nearby Yeung’s deliverers locally – if you live nearby no doubt you already know that, and most likely your delivery person by name.
China Grill 404 Washington Ave. Miami Beach, FL (305)-534-2211 Mon-Thurs 11:45am-midnight; Fri 11:45am-1am; Sat 6pm-1am; Sun 6pm-midnight Entrees: 25.00-45.00 Trendy, sexy South Beach. You come here as much to take in the scene and people-watch as to dine. Yet every type of cuisine is represented in that unmistakable SoBe style, and Chinese is no exception. One of the first real “must see” restaurants on South Beach, China Grill still dazzles the corner of 5th and Washington with its prismatic lighted façade, and still delights patrons with an equally dazzling and ever changing display of Fine Asian cookery on the menu. China Grill is pricey, but it serves family style portions meant to be shared. There is entertainment nightly, usually a DJ spinning House Music and Top 40’s, and China Grill recently added Dragon, a back room fresh Sushi and Sashimi bar.
New Chinatown Restaurant 5958 S Dixie Hwy South Miami, FL 33143 (305) 662-5649 Mon-Thu 11:30am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-11:30pm Sun 12pm-11pm Entrees: 10.00 – 25.00 New Chinatown prides itself on fresh all natural cooking and ingredients. And that is reflected in the delightful tastes of all of the dishes on the menu. Upscale without being standoffish, New Chinatown has an interesting wine list, a rarity in typical Chinese Restaurants. In an area where many restaurants come and go, New Chinatown has been a part of the Miami landscape for almost 25 years. Their Generals Chicken is the best I have had this side of “old” Chinatown and the Peking Duck is as genuine as any on Mott Street, served with plenty of pancakes. Start off with some crispy egg rolls, mouth-watering spareribs and Egg Drop Soup with crispy noodles, and it just gets better from there.
Christine Lee's 17082 Collins Ave North Miami Beach, FL 305-947-1717 Daily 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. (lunch); 4 - 10:30 p.m. (dinner) Entrees: 13.00- 25.00 Christine Lee herself started this restaurant over 35 years ago. And today her daughter Mary keeps the tradition going from a time when “Asian Fusion” meant you could still get a great steak on the menu. Here you still can along with, pasta, lamb chops, and all of your Cantonese favorites. If you are looking for just the very best in a traditional Chinese restaurant you can’t go wrong with Christine Lee’s. Under Mary’s management Szechwan specialties have been added, such as the Black Bean Dragon - Tender marinated fresh chunks of lobster combined with white meat chicken in the chef's special black bean sauce and homemade rice wine, garnished with steamed broccoli – and there is nightly live entertainment.
Bamboo Garden 1232 NE 163rd St North Miami Beach, FL 305-945-1722 Sun-Thu 11:30 a.m.- 10:00 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.- 11:30 p.m. Entrees: 10.00 –15.00 You’ll find the typical Mandarin and Cantonese “Americanized” Chinese Food favorites all prepared fresh and delicious to be sure at Bamboo Garden, if that is your cup of tea so to speak. However if you want to be a little more daring and sample some truly wonderful and bona fide oriental cuisine, ask for the “Little Chinese” menu where you will find such gastronomic gems as Kung Pao Frog's Legs and beef tripe with preserved mustard greens. The traditional dishes are served in large portions easily enough for three or four to share. The Hot and Sour Soup is terrific. Family friendly, Bamboo Garden has a kid’s menu, and does delivery locally.
Chanlowe Chinese Restaurant 78 Canal St Doral, FL 33166 305-882-0511 Mon-Sat 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Entrees: 12.00-25.00 Looking for an alternative to typical Chinese cooking, check out Chanlowe’s. There Chef Joe Lowe prepares “real” Chinese food in only one of three styles, Cantonese, Sichuan and one of which you may not be familiar with, Gobi. But if you are a fan of Indian Cuisine or one of those who are part of the “Some Like it Hot” crowd - I suggest you try the curry infused Gobi items. Chef Joe prepares a creamy Curry Sauce and then applies it lovingly with a not too heavy hand to Chicken, Pork, Lamb, Shrimp and Vegetable Dishes. The Sichuan dishes are also prepared to order to the diner’s hotness preference.
Chifa Chinese Restaurant 12590 N Kendall Dr Kendall, FL 33186 305-271-3823 Daily 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Entrees: 15.00 – 25.00 If nothing else Miami is known for it’s ethnic diversity which is reflected in some rather unusual yet delightful combinations of cuisines. Chifa is the word for “Chinese Restaurant” in Peru, and they are as popular there as they are here. But Peruvian-Chinese cooking has its own unique spin on the dishes you may be used to here in the States. Chifa Chinese Restaurant has captured that brilliantly. As you may have surmised from some of the other reviews on this page I am a big fan of Egg Drop Soup, on Chifa’s menu you will find versions that are as exotic as they are delicious, such as Asparagus Egg Drop Soup with Asparagus and Chicken or Fuchifu an Egg Drop Soup with Chicken Livers and mixed Chinese Vegetables. If you enjoy Peking Duck try its Peruvian cousin, or duck prepared any one of over a dozen other succulent ways on Chifa’s menu
The Top List of Best Chinese Restaurants - Miami, FL