18 Best Chinese Restaurants in Charlottesville

“Wow! Ate dinner here and it exceeded my expectations. As someone who’s previously lived in New York City, I temper my expectations when getting dim sum elsewhere. However, this was excellent and satisfying

Vegetarian options: Plenty of options

Parking: Limited number of spaces

Kid-friendliness: High chairs available

Wheelchair accessibility: Didn’t notice any stairs“

“Everything we tried was so delicious and fresh, not to mention inexpensive! Ive never had hot and sour or wonton soup that seemed so deliciously made from scratch. The music playing in the cafe was uplifting and refreshing and the staff was helpful and happy. This is the only place I visited twice while in Charlottesville and I guarantee I'll be back.“

“This rating is in the “hole in the wall Chinese” category to be clear. Honestly better rice than I expected with decent amount of veggies and things. Chicken broccoli was good, better than average sweet and sour chicken. My expectations were low but the food was better. To be clear there is no atmosphere, it’s a counter with covid guards still up and supplies stacked in the main room; no tables or chairs. I’d also so more expensive than average, 2 entrees and fried rice for $46 🤷🏻‍♂️“

“Having never experienced authentic Chinese food previously, our minds are blown every time we get to visit. There is a whole range of spice and flavor that I’ve never had before, and we love everything we’ve tried here. We love the Chicken Hotpot, the fried eggplant, the fish dishes, and the sautéed spinach when they have it. We are slowly working our way through the Chef Specialties, and everything has been fantastic!

The folks who work here are very kind!“

“This restaurant falls in line with the life lesson of fast, good, and cheap (you only get to choose two). It was fast and good. The server at the counter was very friendly and I did not have to wait long. A good solid choice for Chinese in the Charlottesville area. The sweet and sour chicken was very good, I really enjoyed the sauce on the side. The fried rice was good, not overly oily. A solid 4/5, liked it, and will most likely be back.

Wheelchair accessibility: Street level, would be able to get in with a wheelchair rather easily. Would need two spots, though.“

“This is the best and only place I go for Chinese food in the whole city. I could eat here every day, $2 for extra protein and it will blow your mind how much food you get. If you haven’t already stop and get yourself some dinner form here, today!“

“It was great love it I will be back again“

“this was delicious, i wish they were closer to us (home, but if you are in Cville and around route 29, check them out!) ... we were in Cville area and had the need for dinner and drop in, probably 10 to 15 mins and it was ready. friendly. good food. decent price.“

“The food here is so good and the service is very fast. It’s in the perfect spot to walk to the corner and grab lunch if you work at UVA. The chicken curry combo comes with dumplings and a bun and is a great deal. The dumplings are perfection!“

“The food is good for Chinese American classic take out. Reliable, good portions. They are good at honoring requests for removing things where possible (like no veggies in fried rice). And if your app of choice offers adding extra sauces and such for a small charge, they do pretty good at putting it in the bag. (Aside - I really appreciate when that's an option on an online ordering app menu. I'll pay for extra dumpling sauce or whatever, just give me the option to add it to my order. Which this restaurant does on the app I used and I got plenty of extra sauce. ) Important to note though - if you want something subbed (white meat instead of dark, etc.) you should call your order in.

Parking: Parking is limited but cars aren't there for long. Just get it delivered.

Kid-friendliness: It's very much a take out only place. You won't be staying there to eat so it's not really an issue.“

“Not going to lie that man on 29 location really upset me 🥹Had to be a misunderstanding I talked to Luka the same day(she was in the middle of working hard doing something else at another location) and SHE AS ALWAYS IS SO AMAZING she heard me out over stood and she made the way I felt go away just by hearing me out I have always loved their food since day one one the mall 🏌🏾‍♀️👏🏾🫂🫂“

“I have never gone to a buffet restaurant that wasn't disgusting. The food at Garden East is fresh and very well prepared; the mixed vegetables, five slice chicken, string beans with garlic sauce, and whole mushrooms with oyster sauce were of homemade quality--deliciius and simple. The pan fried dumplings contain a perfectly respectable pork, ginger, and scallion filling, but the time they spend in the service try reduces the actual wonton leathey and unpleasant. Of course, avoid the sushi and I would not recommend that you eat the large pieces of fried frozen fish sitting in murky liquid. The dessert area offers tiny pieces of tasty chocolate and coconut cakes, but you must avoid the chocolate pudding (because it's tacky to eat pudding in public) and the rock hard lychees.
I want to stress that this is easily the only buffet restaurant I would ever go back to, and if I had to choose between going to Garden East or any of the Chinese of Thai places in Charlottesville, I would pick Garden East every time.“

“We can always count on a delicious meal when we visit the Tea House. The food is fresh, the menu is diverse, and the service is excellent. The owners and staff are kind and hardworking people and we love supporting this local small business.“

“Food is still as good as I remember it from over 10 years ago. Everything is made fresh and has individual flavors.

Owner's attitude has gotten worse over the years, very typical of Asian Tiger mom. Come here if you want a place that serves up mostly authentic Taiwanese dishes at a good price point with not too much fuss. Ignore the rudeness and you might be able to just enjoy the flavors of the food.

I'll skip this place next time I'm in Cville.“

“Don’t let its humble exterior fool you- Kyoto restaurant has amazing food and excellent service. Each vegetable is cooked to perfection and selected to create a unique and inspiring fresh take on classic Japanese cuisine. The waitstaff made us feel like a guest in their home and the seafood was fresh. Take your family out to dinner at Kyoto tonight, you deserve it.“

“We were going here since they opened, before that we went to Red Lantern. I’m assuming we will go back to Red Lantern because the last two times the shrimp lomein was terrible and so was the egg rolls! I always complemented them on Yelp, gave great reviews on Yelp. This last time the lo mein was chopped up, which I have never seen before as many times as I have ordered it.. I work hard for my money and expect decent food when eating out. The food was being replaced from where they messed up the first time on this order and I was told if it was messed up this time there was no replacement and that overcooking happens, but for the egg rolls to be burnt and chewy. I guess we will be going back to Red Lantern. It’s bad when you drive 15 miles to go to a restaurant at 15 miles back home and your food is not correct or cooked properly!“

“I have been coming here since I was a kid and have not found another Chinese spot that tastes as good as this. I don't live in the area anymore but I always get Jade Garden when I am here. The food is always so hot and fresh. The flavors have remained consistent throughout the years. I am not sure why the ratings are low because it is hands down the best Chinese food I have ever had. The fried chicken wings with pork fried rice and sesame chicken are my favorite. Hot oil on the side is a must. I wouldn't be so quick to judge a book by its cover with this one.“