Connecticut’s 8 Best Old-School Chinese Restaurants And These Favorites Made The Cut
One of these restaurants carves Peking duck right beside your table, in a dining room dressed in white tablecloths. Another pairs lo mein with live piano tunes. I love that those touches still exist.
The list also includes a family-run spot that has served customers since 1987. It still brings out those crunchy noodles with duck sauce before the meal. That small ritual alone makes me hungry.
Across Connecticut, these restaurants keep the classics alive. Pu pu platters, crab rangoon, and wonton soup still rule the menus.
Some add dim sum carts, koi ponds, or fiery Sichuan specials for good measure.
I can’t think of a better excuse for a family dinner out. Old-school Chinese food is comfort you can share across a big table. So which booth will you grab first?
1. Golden Palace Chinese Restaurant
Since 1987, one family has kept the woks hot on Route 32. That kind of staying power earns a top spot on any old-school list.
Golden Palace stands as the oldest continuously run Chinese restaurant in southeastern Connecticut. The Fan and Yuen families have served guests here for generations.
Dim sum is the daily star, served from morning into the afternoon. Look for the Golden Palace Shrimp Dumpling, honey roast pork, and scallion pancakes.
Prefer the classic American-Chinese route instead? The menu covers General Tso’s chicken, crab stuffed shrimp, and ginger garlic lobster.
The Puu Puu Platter shows up here too, ready for sharing. House-roasted duck adds another reason to order a little extra.
Before the food even lands, expect those crunchy noodles with duck sauce. That simple starter feels like a handshake from the past.
The space is booth-lined, clean, and nicely decorated. Afternoon dim sum brings a lively buzz, while dinner tends to feel quieter.
Timing matters if you want calm. Sunday afternoons and Friday evenings are the busiest, so weekday lunches offer more breathing room.
Vegetarians get a full menu of their own, which helps mixed groups. Kids are welcome too, and high chairs are available.
Planning a celebration? A private dining room is available, and the restaurant accepts reservations.
Hours stretch from 10 a.m. most days, so dim sum for brunch is easy. Weekend nights run a little later for dinner fans.
With a huge menu and decades of practice, you can order boldly here. Bring friends and turn the table into a tasting tour.
Address: 2173 Norwich-New London Turnpike, Uncasville, CT 06382.
2. Butterfly Chinese Restaurant
Lo mein with a live piano soundtrack? On Farmington Avenue, that pairing is simply part of the plan.
Butterfly Chinese Restaurant is a roomy sit-down spot where live piano tunes fill the air. Weekends bring karaoke, so shy singers may want an extra egg roll first.
The menu sticks to beloved standards done with care. Sesame chicken, crab rangoon, and house fried rice are menu highlights.
Want something a bit fancier? Peking duck sits on the menu, along with butterfly shrimp for a dish that matches the name.
Soup fans should try the subgum wonton soup. Szechuan Double Delight offers a vegan pick with some kick.
The General Tso’s chicken earns attention for both flavor and presentation. It’s a familiar order that still arrives looking sharp.
Night owls, take note. Butterfly stays open past midnight most days, and until 1:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
That makes it a rare West Hartford option for late-night food. Sundays close earlier, at 9 p.m., so plan accordingly.
Full vegan and vegetarian menus mean nobody gets stuck with plain rice. That’s a thoughtful touch for a restaurant with such classic roots.
The room works for groups, and a private dining room is available. Catering is offered too, if you want the feast at home.
Friday and Saturday nights draw the biggest crowds. Weekday lunch is a calmer way to enjoy the place.
With music, karaoke, and Peking duck under one roof, dinner here feels like a small event. Call ahead, since reservations are accepted.
Address: 831 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06119.
3. Great Taste Chinese Restaurant
Few dinners come with tableside carving, but Great Taste makes it happen. Peking duck is sliced right in front of you here.
White tablecloths set the tone in this New Britain dining room. The atmosphere calls back to Chinese restaurants of the past, in the best way.
Owner Kam Kwok has run restaurants for over 25 years. That experience shows in the polished, attentive service.
Sit down, and complimentary Chinese tea arrives with crispy noodles and duck sauce. It’s an old-school welcome that many places dropped long ago.
The pu pu platter brings ribs, wings, egg rolls, and chicken fingers. It’s a shareable starter built for indecisive eaters.
Beyond the duck, sizzling Mongolian beef brings some drama to the table. General Tso’s chicken and orange chicken cover the familiar favorites.
Sweet and sour pork and pork fried rice also stand out. Hot and sour soup offers a classic opener with a tangy bite.
Vegan and vegetarian diners get full menus of their own. That’s a nice surprise in such a traditional setting.
Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest evenings. A Wednesday or Sunday night tends to be quieter.
The restaurant closes on Mondays, so don’t plan your duck cravings then. Reservations are accepted, which helps for a family celebration.
A private dining room is available for bigger gatherings. Takeout and delivery work when you’d rather eat on the couch.
Still, the tableside duck is reason enough to dress up a little. Some meals just taste better on a white tablecloth.
Address: 597 W Main St, New Britain, CT 06053.
4. Wang Palace
Veteran servers and a strip-mall address make a classic combo. Wang Palace on the Silas Deane Highway keeps it simple and satisfying.
The setting is relaxed, quiet, and casual. Longtime staffers handle the dining room, which adds a steady, familiar feel.
Start with wonton soup and crab rangoon. Then let sweet and sour chicken carry you straight into nostalgia.
Sesame chicken ranks among the menu highlights. Hot and sour soup is a vegan pick that still packs flavor.
Here’s a helpful detail for gluten-free diners. Many entrees and appetizers can be made gluten free, including orange chicken, sesame chicken, and egg rolls.
That’s a rare find at an old-school spot. It means more friends can join the round table.
Lunch specials are where the value really shines. Options like tangerine shrimp come with fried rice and wonton soup.
Scallion pancakes and pork with pickled cabbage soup add more variety. You can try something new without straying too far from comfort.
Portions are generous, so leftovers are likely. Tomorrow’s lunch may already be handled.
The restaurant closes Mondays and opens late morning the rest of the week. Weekend afternoons and evenings draw the biggest crowds.
Weekday mornings after opening tend to be calmer. That’s a smart window for a relaxed lunch.
Delivery and takeout are available if staying in sounds better. A full vegetarian menu rounds out the options.
Wang Palace proves you don’t need flash to win loyalty. Good soup and kind service go a long way.
Address: 1914 Silas Deane Hwy, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.
5. Shu Restaurant
Cloth napkins and Sichuan heat make a fun pairing. Shu brings both to a quiet corner of West Hartford.
The room has an old-world feel with tasteful decor. It’s casual, yet those napkins add a touch of old-fashioned polish.
This list leans American-Chinese, but Shu takes a spicier route. Its menu focuses on select Sichuan dishes.
Chongqing chicken is a big highlight for heat seekers. Mapo tofu and twice cooked pork follow close behind.
Curious about the seven flavor wonton? The name alone promises a busy plate, and it’s a vegan option too.
Dry pot delight is another bold pick. It’s a great dish to share when the group wants something lively.
Not ready for the spice? Scallion pancakes and sweet shredded pork offer milder paths.
Tea fans should take note of the strong tea selection. A hot cup helps calm the tingle from the chilies.
Service moves quickly, which is handy at lunch. The restaurant opens at 11:30 a.m. daily.
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings are the busiest. Weekday afternoons are easier for a quiet meal.
Families are welcome, and high chairs are available. A full vegetarian menu gives plant-based eaters plenty to explore.
Catering, takeout, and delivery round out the service options. Free Wi-Fi is a small bonus during lunch breaks.
Shu shows how traditional can mean more than one thing in Connecticut. Here, old-school comes with a fiery accent.
Address: 156 Shield St, West Hartford, CT 06110.
6. Oriental Bar and Grill
Koi ponds and dumplings under one roof? That’s the scene at this spacious stop on the Norwich-New London Turnpike.
Oriental Bar and Grill serves Cantonese fare, dim sum, and sushi. The big room feels like a throwback banquet hall.
Dim sum is the main event. Shrimp dumplings and turnip cake lead the way for small-plate fans.
Beef chow fun is a hearty pick with wide noodles. Scallion pancakes make an easy add-on for the table.
Craving something different? Sushi rolls and pad thai also appear on the menu, so picky eaters have choices.
Portions run large, and prices stay friendly. That makes it a smart pick for big families.
The dim sum here draws comparisons to Hong Kong. That’s high praise for a meal in eastern Connecticut.
Doors open at 10 a.m. every day. Breakfast and brunch crowds can start their dumpling run early.
Saturday afternoons and evenings get the busiest. Weekday mornings and midweek evenings are calmer.
The space suits groups, and a private dining room is available. Reservations are accepted, which helps for birthdays.
A large parking lot makes arrival easy. That’s helpful when the whole crew comes along.
Note that delivery isn’t offered. Plan on dining in or picking up takeout instead.
A full vegetarian menu gives meat-free eaters room to roam. Kids are welcome, with high chairs ready.
Watch the koi between bites and order one more basket. Nobody ever regrets extra dumplings.
Address: 867 Norwich-New London Turnpike, Uncasville, CT 06382.
7. Ming Garden Chinese Restaurant
Want a meal that tastes like the 1990s? Ming Garden in Cromwell serves up that time-machine feeling.
This welcoming spot handles takeout with a spacious dining area for eating in. It’s casual, quiet, and refreshingly simple.
Families have followed Ming Garden from its old location to its current one. That loyalty says plenty about the cooking.
General Tso’s chicken and pepper steak are signature orders. Both arrive fresh and full of flavor.
Crab rangoon is a must for the starter round. The house special lo mein also stands out, and it comes in a vegetarian version.
Speaking of meat-free meals, full vegan and vegetarian menus are available. That’s a big plus for a classic takeout joint.
Prices stay friendly, which makes feeding a crowd easier. It’s a great choice for a casual weeknight dinner.
The owner brings a welcoming touch to the counter. Staff are pleasant, which matters when hunger strikes.
Hours take a little planning. Ming Garden closes Tuesdays and opens at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Other days start late morning or around lunchtime. Friday and Saturday stay open until 10 p.m.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings are the busiest. Calling ahead for pickup can save you some waiting.
Delivery is available if you’d rather stay home. Reservations are accepted for those dining in.
Free parking makes quick stops easy. Sometimes the best nostalgia comes in a paper bag.
Address: 199 Shunpike Rd, Cromwell, CT 06416.
8. Cheng Square
Singapore chow fun has a fan club, and Cheng Square might be its clubhouse. This Middlebury spot rounds out the list with generous plates.
The restaurant serves American-style Chinese classics with a fresh approach. Sushi joins the lineup for diners who like options.
Portions are big, so sharing is smart. Your fridge may thank you later.
Start with the Singapore chow fun, a standout dish here. Thin rice noodles make it a lighter-feeling choice.
The sesame shrimp combo platter is another strong pick. Combo plates are an old-school tradition worth keeping alive.
Sushi rolls add a modern twist to the menu. It’s an easy way to please a table with mixed tastes.
Families should note the kids’ menu. High chairs are available for the smallest diners too.
A full vegetarian menu also makes ordering easier. There’s something for nearly every eater at the table.
The vibe is casual and quiet. Counter service and table service are both offered, so quick stops work fine.
Tea lovers will find a good selection. Service moves fast, which suits lunch breaks along Straits Turnpike.
Cheng Square closes Mondays. The rest of the week opens late morning, with Sundays starting at noon.
Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday evenings are the busiest times. Weekday mornings and afternoons are calmer.
Delivery isn’t listed, so plan on dining in or takeout. Reservations are accepted for larger groups.
It’s a satisfying final stop on this Connecticut tour. Save room for one more noodle.
Address: 1655 Straits Turnpike, Middlebury, CT 06762.