Guests are greeted by the sight of hanging meats like barbecued pork and salt-baked chicken at this beloved Uptown restaurant. But the main attraction here is the Peking duck feast. A whole roasted duck is carved tableside and served with steamed bao, garnishes, and hoisin sauce. The remains are then used to make duck soup and fried rice. Call ahead to reserve the duck; alcohol is BYO. Sun Wah is a James Beard Award winner.

This unassuming family-owned Chinese restaurant in Uptown, on Argyle — traditionally more of a Vietnamese enclave — cranks out some of the more unique Cantonese food in the city. The short ribs, which come wrapped in aluminum foil at the table, are one of the best dishes for meat eaters. Other selections are solid. This restaurant is no fuss.

There are many places to get dim sum in Chicago but very few are still doing it like Furama. On weekends, servers push carts of food around the room for guests to choose from. The iconic dining experience features baskets of shrimp dumplings, barbecue pork buns, egg tarts, and more. Click here for orders to go.

The North Side is a relative desert for dim sum but this Lincoln Park space gives Chicagoans a reason to venture beyond Chinatown for their fill of buns and dumplings. D Cuisine makes its dim sum in-house and offers a full lineup all day long. Munch on classics like siu mai, chicken feet, and congee or go with the Guangzhou-style roasted chicken for an impeccable large course. Online orders can be placed here.

Set taste buds on fire with copious amounts of chilis and peppercorns. Lincoln Park’s Sichuan expert satisfies mala — the province’s famous mouth-numbing flavor — cravings with choices like mapo tofu, dandan noodles, and dry chili chicken. They provide warming comfort during the cold season and leave a lasting impression. Online ordering is done here. There are also locations in Edgewater and Wicker Park.

Proper tea is difficulty to find, but Shanghai Terrace, up in the Peninsula Hotel, delivers authentic flavors, take the beverage seriously. Some diners love to hate on the fact that an upscale Chinese restaurant with prices more than their neighborhood delivery joint exist. Don’t let that deter you: Shanghai Terrace with its ambience and attention to detail is worth every penny. There selection of seafood dim sum — and the Beijing duck service — make this spot worth a visit for a special occasion. 

Chicago doesn’t have as many hand-pulled noodle shops as diners might expect in a city this large. But in Streeterville, a minichain, Shang Noodle, sates those starchy cravings. It’s from the owners of Niu, a popular sushi spot. The noodle soups, headlined by Taiwanese beef, are great on cold days. The chow fun is also a great dish.

Lao Sze Chuan can get lost in the shuffle, but the restaurant is a pioneer, showcasing Sichuan cuisine to Chicagoans at a time when the mainstream was fixated on Cantonese food. There’s plenty of room for the many delicious regions of China, but Lao Sze Chuan ignited interest in Chicago as diners grew more comfortable with spicy food. From the dry-chili chicken (named after founder Tony Hu) to the cumin lamb, the greatest hits are worth a visit at any one of the chain’s locations.

Chicago native Henry Cai’s father worked in Chinese restaurants, and he’s been a student of the game, picking up cooking tips from a variety of chefs through the years until he launched a pandemic to-go only restaurant. 3 Little Pigs is a Chinese American wonderland with porky fried rice, dumplings, barbecue pork, and fried chicken sandwiches. Cai has moved his restaurant a few times until he found a space in South Loop, sharing it with Molly’s Cupcakes. It’s not a full-service spot, but at least Cai’s customers can sit down and enjoy their food on the premises for the first time. Cai’s only knock is he sorely needs more vegetarian options, but he’s working on it as he saves up for his dream: a full-service restaurant.

Arguably the finest dumplings in Chicago can be had in Chinatown. QXY specializes in soup dumplings filled with everything from pork and lamb to premium ingredients like lobster and sea urchin. Barbecue skewers are popular as well. Click here to order.

Devour a variety of meats at this Chinese barbecue favorite. The popular Beijing duck dinner feeds three to four people and comes with additional courses like fried shrimp and duck bone soup. Other menu highlights include soy sauce chicken, barbecued pork, and roasted pork.

Now with six locations, MingHin is one of Chicagoland’s most well-known Chinese restaurants. Dim sum is always solid and served all day, and the dinner menu boasts intriguing delicacies like braised bird’s nest soup and seared foie gras. Pro tip: The Macau-style roasted pork belly is a must-order. Carryout and delivery orders can be placed here.

Moon Palace Express is a family-owned takeout specialist that was recently revamped. In the back, the team has added cocktail spot Nine Bar, a sleek lounge with a tremendous bar bite menu. The 1-2 punch of Moon Palace’s kung pao chicken and Nine Bar’s fun drinks is tough to beat.

Yao Yao specializes in seafood in broth served with pickled veggies. In 2023, the Chinatown restaurant earned a place on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list which recognizes quality food for a good value. This is Sichuan food presented in a way that’s unique to the Chicago audience.

On the ground floor of 88 Marketplace, a location of the largest hot pot chain in China is thriving. Haidilao is a high-end restaurant that’s always bustling on weekends. The occasional robot will bring out ingredients like wagyu. The dancing noodles, pulled tableside, are a highlight. 

Highly regarded for its made-to-order dim sum and fresh seafood, Dolo is an essential dining destination. Stop in during the day for shareable buns and dumplings or dine at night and enjoy Cantonese staples and Cajun-style boils. As a bonus, customers don’t have to worry about finding parking since there’s a private lot. Order carryout and delivery through Dolo’s website.

Chicago’s oldest traditional Chinese bakery is home to a world of sweet and savory delights. Fill a box up with barbecue pork buns, egg tarts, sesame balls, cookies, cakes, and much more. The budget-friendly menu also features dim sum items.

Diners may be familiar with Sichuan cuisine but Da Mao Jia explores new territory, focusing on the street food of Chengdu. There’s an exciting selection of offal bites alongside regional dishes like spare ribs, Zhong dumplings, handmade sweet and spicy noodles, and diced rabbit. Just be ready for the bold and spicy flavors that pack a punch. Place orders for pickup and delivery here.

When Jade Court opened back in 2016, former Tribune critic Phil Vettel deemed it among the city’s best Chinese restaurants. The Cantonese spot shuttered in 2019 after owner Eddy Cheung passed away, but his daughter Carol revived it last fall at a new space in Hyde Park. The menu still features skillfully executed favorites like a Beijing duck feast and lobster and Dungeness crab prepared in various styles. Place carryout and delivery orders here.