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Shun Lee Cafe, New York, NY

Shun Lee Cafe

3.8
3.8
1533 Reviews
$31 to $50
Dim Sum

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 5 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for business meals
With Shun Lee Cafe conveniently located across from Lincoln Center, Dim Sum is just the ticket. The Cafe, a black and white checkerboard dining room, decorated with images from the Chinese calendar.
Terrific Dim Sum on rolling carts in constant motion and a variety of dishes in smaller portions completes the menu at Shun Lee Cafe. The Cafe is a great pre-theater stop for a “quick” dinner.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Dim Sum, Chinese, Asian
  • Hours of Operation
    Closed Mon–Thu 11:00–21:30 Lunch Fri–Sun 12:00–14:30 Dinner Fri–Sun 16:30–21:30
  • Phone number
    (212) 769-3888
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Sun-Dao Man
  • Area
    Lincoln Square
  • Cross Street
    Columbus Avenue
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    1 train to 66th Street.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeaway, View, Wine

What 1,533 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

3.8
3.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4Food
  • 3.9Service
  • 3.8Ambience
  • 3.4Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Shun Lee Cafe offers a striking dining room and "outstanding Chinese cuisine," with highlights like shrimp in Grand Marnier sauce and impeccable service. However, be aware of weekend-only operations and potential booking issues. While some note the traditional charm, others mention steep prices and occasional service lapses.

1,533 Reviews
  1. Gary

    New York City

    84 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    84 reviews

    Dined on 22 October 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Dining room is still Striking, but needs a refresh

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  2. Nathalie

    New York City

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 2 October 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 1
    the spicy shrimp and scallops with hot peppers was gluey, sweet and not a hint of spice. Grossly overpriced for a very disappointing experience.

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  3. Arthur

    New York City

    59 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    59 reviews

    Dined on 27 September 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    very good food in a pleasant but somewhat worn setting.

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  4. Jess

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We have been there on a number of occasions and will come back in the future.

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  5. Susan Cohen

    New York City

    112 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    112 reviews

    Dined on 1 September 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    The restaurant was busy because the Cafe was closed, due to no AC. Service was neglectful: a table which arrived after we did was served and finished before us. We waited almost 1 1/2 hrs before we received our main courses. Dishes are expensive and portions much too large and not worth finishing or taking home. Flavorings were much too salty, gooey and tasteless, with protein amounts very minimal (Ants on a Hill, chicken lo mein). My scallop and shrimp dish had a coating that seemed like it had been put on way before it was cooked and did not seem freshly made. It was a disappointing dinner- we’ve been here before and service and food was better.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    Charlotte

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 July 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Haven’t been there in years and it was a shell of its former self.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Southwest Florida

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 July 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Despite my reservation with Open Table, Shun Lee Cafe was closed when I got there. I was told it was closed weekdays. My group of 6 was extremely disappointed, and we don't understand why Open Table or Shun Lee Cafe didn't notify us of this weekday closure. It is terrible to stand outside a closed restaurant. The Shun Lee restaurant next door offered to seat us, but that is a different venue, and we wanted the cafe.

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  8. LyndaG

    New York City

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on 1 July 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding Chinese cuisine! We had shrimp in Grand Marnier sauce that was absolutely delicious as were the spring rolls. The service was impeccable. We also enjoyed a pleasant drink at the bar before being seated for dinner. As Shun Lee is across from Lincoln Center, this restaurant has been a family pre-opera/ballet favorite for years, and it did not disappoint!

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  9. Jamie

    New York City

    228 reviews

    4.0

    228 reviews

    Dined on 26 June 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    To be clear.. this is the second time OpenTable made the reservation at the cafe but it’s closed and only open weekends. We ate at the main restaurant but the reservation didn’t carry over. I had to cancel and rebook! OpenTable needs to be more on top of things. Luckily the main restaurant wasn’t busy. We had a 7 pm curtain to make- it could have been a disaster

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  10. ROBERTS

    Dallas

    3 reviews

    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 2 June 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 1
    We booked through open table for the cafe serving dim sum but it was closed upon arrival and had to go into the restaurant where choices are limited and expensive. But prices Doubled! It was a rip off from wines to food items and will not return.

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FAQs

Shun Lee Cafe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 769-3888.

Shun Lee Cafe is rated 3.8 stars by 1533 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 5 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Shun Lee Cafe

43 West 65th Street, New York, NY 10023

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Columbus Avenue
  • Area
    Lincoln Square
  • Hours of Operation
    Closed Mon–Thu 11:00–21:30 Lunch Fri–Sun 12:00–14:30 Dinner Fri–Sun 16:30–21:30
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Dim Sum, Chinese, Asian
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    1 train to 66th Street.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Sun-Dao Man
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeaway, View, Wine
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