Cantonese classics, hot chicken and natural wine: Here is where to eat and drink in LA's Chinatown.
Face it, Angeleno: It’s Chinatown. And the menus there are often worth the cross-city trek. If you’re still thinking of cash-only, lazy-Susan feasts, well, there are still plenty of those around. But these days, you’re just as likely to stumble on a great burger, a Filipino feast, a natural-wine bar or a cure-all cocktail lounge.
That’s the fun of eating and drinking in this particular neighborhood: Despite its name, Chinatown refuses to stay in one culinary lane. The neighborhood’s three main plazas—Far East, Mandarin and Central—are packed with everything from decades-old institutions to newer spots that have made the area into a destination in its own right. Come hungry, bring cash and be willing to explore.
We’ve rounded up the Chinatown restaurants and bars worth a visit, whether you want a bowl of beefy pho, a double-dipped French dip, Nashville hot chicken or a great glass of wine.
RECOMMENDED: See more in our full guide to things to do in Chinatown
What is it? Alvin Cailan’s burger shop and butcher counter in Far East Plaza.
Why we love it: The massive DH Burger combines a 10-ounce dry-aged patty with provolone, garlic-confit mayo, pickles and caramelized onions.
Time Out tip: The DH Burger takes a little time to cook, so don't expect fast food. Or order for pickup!
Address: 727 N Broadway 117, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Daily noon–9pm
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What is it? A sprawling Chinese banquet restaurant.
Why we love it: With more than 200 dishes, including Peking duck and whole pan-fried fish, this is maximalist Chinese dining in the best possible sense.
Time Out tip: Bring a group and settle in for a full lazy-Susan feast—and ask the waiter for recommendations that might not be on the English-language menu.
Address: 913 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11am–9pm; Sat, Sun, 11am–9:30pm
What is it? Nashville hot chicken from Johnny Zone, served at the original Far East Plaza location.
Why we love it: The chicken is crispy, juicy and available at heat levels ranging from Country to Howlin’.
Time Out tip: Most of the business has migrated to the Pasadena location, but the Chinatown original still takes walk-in and delivery orders.
Address: 727 N Broadway 128, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Wed–Sun 11am–7pm
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What is it? A cozy neighborhood Chinese restaurant serving affordable classics.
Why we love it: The house special tofu is the standout, while chow fun, deep-fried pork chops and Sichuan-style eggplant are also worth ordering.
Time Out tip: This is the kind of place where ordering several dishes to share pays off.
Address: 625 W College St 109, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Tue–Sun 10am–8:30pm
What is it? A Japanese sandwich shop serving katsu, curry and konbini-inspired grab-and-go items.
Why we love it: Chicken and pork katsu are the classics, while walnut shrimp and wagyu offer some splurge-y options.
Time Out tip: There’s essentially no seating, so pre-order for a quick lunch on the go.
Address: 736 N Broadway 105, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Tue–Sun 10:30am–6pm
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What is it? A family-owned Teochew restaurant in Far East Plaza, open since 1982.
Why we love it: The noodle soups, pan-fried leek dumplings and the fried Chinese donut sticks are highlights.
Time Out tip: If you want dinner, order food to go in the afternoon; this is a daytime-only operation.
Address: 727 N Broadway 103, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Tue–Sun 9am–6pm
What is it? A Filipino restaurant in Far East Plaza specializing in chicken inasal, pork belly lechon and natural wine.
Why we love it: The spectacular atchara, flavorful inasal and crispy lechon make this one of Chinatown’s essential Filipino restaurants.
Time Out tip: Currently temporarily closed for repairs and renovations, so check before visiting.
Address: 727 N Broadway 120, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5:30pm–10pm
What is it? A Cajun deli, restaurant and market packed with New Orleans specialties.
Why we love it: Po’boys, jambalaya, beignets and housemade cured and smoked meats make this one of L.A.’s best Big Easy outposts.
Time Out tip: Leave time to browse the grocery section for hard-to-find Southern spices, plus an array of meats like andouille sausage
Address: 207 Ord St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Mon–Thu 10:30am–3:30pm; Fri, Sat 12:15pm–8pm, 8:15pm–10:30pm; Sun 12:15pm–7pm, 7:15pm–10:30pm
What is it? A Northern Baja-style taco shop known for housemade tortillas and punchy salsas.
Why we love it: The fish tacos, Zuperman and vampiro make this a Chinatown fave.
Time Out tip: It’s close enough to Dodger Stadium to make this a go-to for pre- or post-game meals
Address: 702 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Mon–Sat 11am–8pm
What is it? An old-school Vietnamese bánh mì shop at Broadway and Ord.
Why we love it: The inexpensive sandwiches come loaded with grilled meat or pâté, cilantro, jalapeño, and pickled vegetables on crusty French bread.
Time Out tip: Bring cash; this is a cash-only spot.
Address: 314 Ord St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Mon–Sat 7:30am–6pm
What is it? The 1908 sandwich institution that claims to have invented the French dip.
Why we love it: Double-dipped roast beef, lamb, pastrami or turkey with sinus-clearing mustard is about as old-school L.A. as lunch gets.
Time Out tip: Ask for the bread to be double-dipped in the meat juices.
Address: 1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Daily 6am–10pm
What is it? A no-frills Vietnamese restaurant known for its deeply beefy pho.
Why we love it: The broth has a funky, intensely beefy flavor that has made this family-run spot a Chinatown favorite.
Time Out tip: Come hungry—and don't judge the restaurant by its unassuming exterior.
Address: 1019 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Tue–Sun 11am–7:45pm
What is it? A Chinatown Cantonese institution and the original location of a Southern California restaurant group.
Why we love it: The huge menu covers everything from fried whole fish and Chinese omelets to hog maw and deep-fried intestine.
Time Out tip: Bring a group to really explore the sprawling menu.
Address: 301 Ord St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11am–9pm; Fri, Sat 11am–10pm
What is it? A longtime Vietnamese restaurant in Far East Plaza serving pho, bánh mì and other Vietnamese classics.
Why we love it: Everything here is reliably delicious, from the clean-tasting pho to the inexpensive bánh mì.
Time Out tip: The small dining room fills up quickly on weekends, so come early.
Address: 727 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Sun–Wed 9am–5pm, Thu–Sat 9am–5:30pm
What is it? A no-frills Chinatown institution specializing in inexpensive dim sum and Chinese baked goods.
Why we love it: The baked char siu bao, sesame balls, coconut buns and egg custards are particularly good.
Time Out tip: Don't overlook the bakery case.
Address: 210 Alpine St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Sun–Thu 9am–9pm; Fri, Sat 9am–10pm
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What is it? A longtime Chinese restaurant serving Mandarin, Sichuan, Hong Kong-style and American-Chinese dishes.
Why we love it: The slippery shrimp is the signature, but the broad menu makes this an easy choice for a classic Chinatown meal.
Time Out tip: If you don’t order the slippery shrimp, did you even go?
Address: 819 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11:30am–9:30pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–10:30pm
What is it? An apothecary-themed cocktail bar on the edge of Chinatown.
Why we love it: Botanical cocktails, a moody atmosphere and a patio make this one of Chinatown’s more polished drinking destinations.
Time Out tip: Choose your cocktail category based on what ails you, from a painkiller to a stimulant.
Address: 1746 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Thu, Sun 7pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 6pm–1am
What is it? A natural-wine bar from the team behind Silverlake’s Psychic Wines.
Why we love it: The tiny space has been transformed into a moody design object, with natural wines and beautifully plated snacks to match.
Time Out tip: Don’t sleep on the small plates, including melon and shrimp gildas.
Address: 980 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5–11pm; Fri–Sat 5pm–midnight
What is it? The Chinatown taproom of Northeast L.A.’s Highland Park Brewery.
Why we love it: A huge warehouse, experimental beers, a full kitchen and a sunny patio make it an easy place to settle in for a group hang for an entire afternoon or evening.
Time Out tip: Grab a patio table when the weather cooperates.
Address: 1220 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Mon–Wed noon–10pm; Thu noon–11pm; Fri–Sat 11am–midnight; Sun 11am–10pm
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What is it? The Chinatown taproom of Pomona-based Homage Brewing.
Why we love it: House beers, guest selections, natural wine, a patio and DJs make this a lively Chinatown hangout.
Time Out tip: Check the event calendar before visiting—some nights are considerably more party than taproom.
Address: 1219 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Sun noon–10pm; Mon–Thu 3–10pm; Fri–Sat noon–2am
What is it? The evening cocktail program at Steep LA, a modern tea house in Mandarin Plaza.
Why we love it: Tea cocktails and Asian-inspired bar snacks offer a welcome change from L.A.’s beer-and-cocktail circuit.
Time Out tip: Go after 5pm to experience the After Dark menu.
Address: 970 N Broadway 112, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Opening hours: Wed–Sun 5–11pm
Whether you’re in the mood for classics like mapo tofu or Peking duck, or are craving more of a dim sum experience, these restaurants will solidify L.A.’s claim to Chinese food domination.
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