50 Best Chinese Restaurants near El Cerrito

“I've recently both eaten in and picked up frozen dumplings and chive pancakes to make at home. My gut tells me they really want to be take out only based on the interior of late. Which I fine, the food is super easy to make at home and really, really good!“

“Wow. Had a great experience. Was staying at a local hotel, did my want “fat” food like fires or bread. I’m not a huge Chinese food eater, a little Panda or whatever, but this was amazing! A light crispy tempura like breading on the honey walnut chicken, the fried rice had great flavor. I can’t wait to come back.“

“Little Hong Kong feels like it has been here forever, and in a good way! A true neighborhood staple on San Pablo Avenue, sitting in its own standalone building with its own parking lot, which makes it easy.

It is family owned and run, and you can feel that in the way the place operates. The service is friendly, the atmosphere is relaxed, and nothing feels overdone.

This is classic Cantonese comfort food. Nothing flashy, just familiar dishes, consistently well made, and come in decently generous portions. It’s the kind of place people return to for years, even decades, because it delivers the same good experience every time.

In a time when prices seem to climb everywhere, it still feels reasonable, which adds to the appeal.

I have been coming here for years, and it continues to hit that simple mark. Good, honest food in a place that feels like part of the neighborhood.“

“If you want delicious food, at a good price, with great quality, I recommend this restaurant. The owners are very welcoming and friendly. The chef is consistent with all the food orders I have placed and that says a lot since my family and have been their customers for years.“

“Great food and we will definitely visit again“

“I've been coming to Uncle Wong's for 3+ years after taking a job in Oakland. Being born and raised in San Francisco, I've had great Chinese food. Uncle Wong's is the best! May the owner is so attentive and sweet. Turn off your phone and get to Uncle Wong's right now! Note:Take Out only for now.“

“I couldn’t be happier! The food was absolutely delicious—it totally satisfied my cravings. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and exactly what I was hoping for. On top of that, delivery was right on time, which made the whole experience even better. Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for great Chinese takeout!“

“Haven’t had Panda Express in awhile and decided to stop by. Friendly staff especially Gloria who was very kind and generous. Delicious food at a reasonable price.
Thank you again for the great team especially Gloria!
Definitely will be returning to this location.“

“Shrimp noodle roll - excellent
Glutinous rice & chicken dumpling - excellent
Crispy shrimp & meat tofu skin roll - good, would have been excellent if it's a tad saltier
Siumai - good but not outstanding
House special pan fried noodle - good with premium proteins
Dry-fried string bean - ok, a bit overcooked
Coffee-glazed baby back pork ribs - not good, the sauce was ok but the ribs had very little meat and not crispy enough on the outside. Koi Palace makes a much better version.

The prices were on the expensive side for dim sum. Service was excellent. Waiting to get into the (only) restroom required lots of shuffling to make ways for staff going in/out of the kitchen and cashier's stand.“

“Always great dim sum and dumplings.“

“Lovely Peking Duck experience, highly recommend. Visited with a group of 6 to celebrate a birthday and it was a great choice. Each dish was well presented, rich in flavours and felt very fresh. I was pleasantly surprised about their XLB too!“

“There’s so many authentic Chinese places in San Francisco, but it’s hard to find the American-style Chinese food I grew up with in suburban Georgia. I finally found it here, this place really hits home for me. The general tso’s chicken is delicious, and so is the hot and sour soup. They have a great value lunch special, it’s $15 for the whole combo including rice, soup, and egg roll.

If you’ve been looking for good American style Chinese food in San Francisco, this is the best I have found yet. I will definitely be coming back!“

“Superb! The cooking show is very nice!“

“California-style Cantonese cuisine! I really like the decoration style here, which always makes me feel better when dining here. The golden lotus chandelier and the gold and silver wire lamp are definitely the best decoration! 👍The pastries here are also worth mentioning! Pineapple buns, wife cakes, black sesame banana cakes with miso sugar!“

“Great dim sum. Friendly service. Great location in the fisherman’s wharf area where locals and tourists can enjoy the food and the scenary“

“I enjoy this restaurant very much. The food is excellent and fresh. it’s served hot every time. The servers can speed up with taking orders but otherwise, they are o.k. The restaurant is ok. The seating is too close for me but I get it. There’s No parking. It’s excellent.“

“Great food, service, and location. Clean, bright, with large glass windows looking out on Columbus and Broadway. Exceptionally clean bathrooms, which is uncommon in this business, and so definitely got our appreciation! We made reservations, so there was no wait.“

“食物美味，环境优美，服务很棒，下次再来“

“The taste is very good, I will go there again next time.“

“The taste is very good, I will go there again next time.“

“This place was great! Our table shared the pork xiao long bao, crispy dumplings, Dan Dan noodles, and cucumber salad. Everything tasted delicious. We had a bit of a wait outside the restaurant along with other groups and the restaurant was pretty much full, so I suspect it’s usually busy!“

“I enjoyed my Meal. I found the service excellent and Ti curry yum.“

“I real hole in the wall. No big sign so you have to know.

The best jianbing I've had outside of China. Crispy and not too salty. My wife said it's authentic Tianjin style.

The soy milk was amazing! Very smooth and slightly sweet even though it wasn't sweetened. No burnt taste.

Alas, he was out of tea eggs.

Friendly.“

“The food was a great mix of Latin and Cantonese flavors. It brought back many childhood memories of Chinese food in Northern Mexico while growing up. The owner was extremely warm and welcoming in sharing her cuisine that is from her home and heart.“

“Bring cash! Self-seating, so bring someone to save your spot or grab the bar seating against the wall. Order at the counter, your number gets called. Condiments are up front except Sriracha which is at every table.

Came on a Tuesday for a late lunch and it was still packed — clearly social media is driving a lot of tourists here for the rice rolls. Got the Rice Roll Express Roll out of curiosity but wished I'd gone with the Shrimp Feast instead. Not bad, just not my favorite. Also wasn't asked about my optional topping and ended up with cabbage by default, so speak up when ordering.

Would come back to try the Shrimp Feast.“

“We stumbled upon this place while exploring Chinatown as tourists, hoping to try some authentic Chinese food. The restaurant was packed, which gave us a good feeling, and it definitely did not disappoint. Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The beef with broccoli was tender, the noodles were delicious, and every bite felt homemade. Great portions, friendly service, and an authentic atmosphere. One of our favorite meals in San Francisco. Highly recommend if you’re looking for real, delicious Chinese food!“

“Great little noodle house, very friendly and helpful staff and the food is great. I got the pork in garlic sauce it's delicious and has a good kick I also got the street noodles not pictured but also very tasty. I liked the texture and doneness of the noodles the broth was very good as well.

I will say the place could use a little dusting and maybe a coat of paint ok the future to brighten it up some. Other than that I enjoy it and will be back“

“Had a delicious meal here with a large group. The restaurant was gracious about seating our party of 7 (we were also running late) and the starters and tea we ordered came quickly. We ordered cilantro tofu salad, basil curry potatoes, veggie pot stickers; lemongrass eggplant with mushroom balls and tofu; peipa tofu clay pot; peanut beef; mapo tofu; a sichuanese soup; and dry braised string beans. Of these my favorites were the potstickers, eggplant with mushroom balls, and string beans. (Everything was good but the mapo tofu and peanut beef leaned sweeter and I prefer more of a savory and mala profile). Would recommend this especially to anybody with a group who is looking to try a lot of dishes - it’s great for family style!“

“LetsSweet Kitchen is a Hong Kong chaan Teng restaurant in San Francisco South the market neighborhood, across the street from the Porsche dealer. We were in the area and decided to give them a try. Highly rated at 4.9 on Google, 4.7 on Yelp.

The place is clean, Service, friendly and food solid. Prices are higher than Chinatown, of course. Parking is a lot easier here. If you're in the neighborhood and want some Hong Kong style Chinese food, this is a good bet. If you're intimidated by Chinatown, this is a great place to go.

Food Picks:
Brad beef brisket rice with four piece wonton ($22.99) is a special during lunch and includes a drink. Ample quantity and good wontons and sold braised brisket flavor. The Hong Kong milk tea was strong and not too sweet. 8.5/10

Black pepper pork chop and onion over rice ($16.85) had reasonable quantity and was cooked just fine. The sauce was on the peppery side. 8.5/10.

Overall - Very Good
Food - Good
Decor - Very Good
Service - Very Good
Value - Good

Would we come back - Maybe“

“An egg noodle shop on Ellis Street in Little Saigon. The braised duck leg noodle soup is the bowl to order, the wontons deserve their following, and the homemade soybean drink is the right thing on the side. Ten to twenty dollars a head, and the taste does not drift between visits, which regulars notice. Thank you for the steady bowls. Five stars.“

“traveling and yelped this .. just go..“

“Ben Ben Hot Pot was the coziest hot spot experience I've had. I ordered the ox tail broth. It came with tender oxtail meat. There was a generous variety of ingredients to add and open access to tea and drinks. Our waitress knew just when to offer more broth and meats. The music was calm and the ascetic was clean and cozy. Great value at a low price, I will defiently be back !“

“Came here twice for lunch, and the food has been uniformly delicious. The service is friendly. At lunch time several tables were occupied by single dinners talking (loudly) on their phones for most of the meal which is why I bumped down one star for atmosphere.“

“Our daughter is obsessed with soup dumplings which we found at Fusion Dumpling. The traditional pork were great, but try the black truffle and wagyu soup dumplings. You won't be disappointed!“

“One of the best Cumin Lab seasoned with veggies, elegant radish and some red peppers!

Accompanied by herbal tea and delicious Thai Tea.

I came in for dine in, food was super fast and delicious, rice was sweet and fresh. Thai tea and herbal tea were also freshly made and served.“

“The most authentic Hunan cuisine I've ever eaten!“

“Delicious and served with a smile. Great food“

“Yummy coconut custard bun! Can’t wait to go back and try more of the beautiful treats“

“The incredibly kind staff at this restaurant, Mei and Lai, opened their restaurant for our 80-person high school auction last week. Not only was the food delicious and plentiful, but they were so generous, efficient, and incredibly easy to work with. This is a very special place and the food is SO good! 5 STARS!“

“If you go to The Happy Crane for one thing, make it the Peking duck — it's the star of the meal, hands down. The lacquered skin arrives shattering-crisp and mahogany-dark, sliced into neat squares that crackle the second you bite in, with just enough rendered fat clinging underneath to keep it rich without being greasy. The meat itself is tender and well-seasoned on its own, so even the slices without much skin still hold their own.

What really elevates it is the spread that comes with it: paper-thin house-made wrappers, a rich hoisin-style sauce, and a beautiful spread of julienned scallion and cucumber alongside jewel-toned pickled plum wedges for a tart, palate-cleansing contrast. Building your own wraps at the table turns it into an interactive, genuinely fun course rather than just a plate of meat.

I'd actually met Chef James previously at a collaboration dinner at Nisei with Chef David Yoshimura, so I was curious to see his cooking in his own space — and this meal did not disappoint. His hand is precise and confident across the board.
We rounded out the meal with several other dishes, all well executed:

Beef shin & celery root — deeply savory, glazed and fragrant with herbs, comfort food elevated

Firecracker shrimp — whole prawns with a crackly, herb-flecked shell, a fun and messy start to the meal

Maine sea scallop dumpling — delicate steamed wrappers crowned with glistening ikura, elegant and briny

Crispy maitake cheung fun — silky rice noodle rolls with crisp mushroom and chili crunch, a great textural contrast

Chasiu iberico pork jowl — awesome. Tender, fatty, char-kissed pork under crisp apple and fennel, one of the standout bites of the night

Every dish showed real technique and thoughtful plating, and the staff matched that quality — warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly throughout the meal, which made the whole evening feel even more special.

But it's the duck that will bring me back — it's easily some of the best I've had in the city, and worth the trip on its own.

Perfect for a special dinner or anytime you want to treat yourself to a proper duck course done right. Highly recommend requesting the duck in advance if they offer it, as it's clearly the kitchen's showcase dish.“

“I worked here before and when it first opened!!! Such happy memories and so happy to see it’s still thriving!“

“loved it! duck was delicious!“

“At this location, the fried garlic is served separately—a detail I truly appreciate. I also really enjoy their thin egg noodles, which strike a perfect balance between chewy and tender without becoming overly soft. However, the dish tends to be quite oily, so if you prefer lighter meals, this might not be ideal for you.

My usual order is the Number 1 without kidney, with the soup served on the side. I also always add fish cake as an appetizer. The total cost for two regular dishes plus one appetizer comes to $53.75.

What I love about this restaurant is how it evokes the authentic flavors of Thailand’s street food, especially the dry yellow egg noodles. While it doesn’t include traditional Thai-style char siu or wontons, the taste remains quite close to home.

This well-established Chinese restaurant impresses me with its surprisingly clean restrooms, likely due to my morning visits. Parking can be difficult, as only metered street parking is available. The branch tends to be busy, so clear communication with staff is important. Although there may be a short wait, the service is attentive and friendly.“

“Classic Chinatown spot that delivers solid, honest Chinese comfort food. We ordered several dishes — a spicy noodle broth loaded with bean sprouts, scallions and chili oil that had real depth; a wonton noodle soup with generously filled dumplings in a clean broth; a sautéed offal dish with red onion and chili that was bold and well-seasoned; and what appeared to be a hot & sour soup with good body. Everything came out hot and fresh. The menu is trilingual (Chinese/English/Vietnamese) with a wide variety at reasonable prices. Service is efficient in true Chinatown style — don't expect pampering, do expect the real deal. A reliable stop if you want to eat well without fuss in the heart of SF's Chinatown.“

“The Dumplings are amazing!“

“Very good food“

“Will miss the place“

“Open once more and the Rice Noodle Rolls are back to original Grant Street quality with thicker noodle wrap outsides and more bbq pork inside! Same with the bbq pork Chow Mein!!“

“A very delicious place in Oakland’s Chinatown. I had their shandong chicken, dry fried green beans, salt and pepper pork and chicken and they were all excellent. The shandong chicken is your typical orange chicken, but they did something to the sauce that gives it this dark toasted caramel taste to it. The green beans I highly recommend, it’s lightly fried and then stir fried with their sauce that gives it a rich and umami flavor. Their salt and pepper options, my only complaint is that I wish they gave more protein. But other than that, a great place to stop by in Chinatown if you’re ever in the area.“

“Amazing! Great food, great portion sizes, great price! My boyfriend and I love to stop in here because the food is wayyyy better when we dine in. It’s so good though we love to order it as take out too. They’re also super knowledgeable and accommodating for my dairy allergy!“