Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. New York / Tri-State Area
  4. Manhattan
  5. Midtown East
Shun Lee Palace, New York, NY
Shun Lee Palace, New York, NY
Shun Lee Palace, New York, NY
Shun Lee Palace, New York, NY
Shun Lee Palace, New York, NY

Shun Lee Palace

4.0
4
1609 Reviews
$31 to $50
Chinese
May 1, 1995 The New York Times , "The Joys and Tribulations of Upscale Chinese, Two Stars
June 17, 1998 The New York Times "The Vanishing Haut Cusine by Ruth Reichl, Two Stars
Jan 26, 2011 The New York Times "Is Recreated Dinner" Nixon to China by Florence Fabricant
June 13 2001 New York Post "Meanwhile, back at the Palace" by Steve Cuozzo, Two Stars
2013 Forbes Magazine's Restaurant Guide. The Excellence of Shun Lee Palace. Three Stars
2007 AOL. "New York City Best Chinese Restaurant"
2012 LocalEasts. "New York City Best Chinese Restaurant"
silky service" and "absolutely the best above Canal Street" decorated by Adam Tihany.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 p.m.


Booked 10 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Cuisines
    Chinese
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 3:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 3:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (212) 371-8844
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Ling Shing Ping
  • Catering
    We can cater any location in Manhattan, for up to 100 guests.
  • Private party facilities
    We have two private areas, one that can accommodate 18-24 guests and one that can accommodate 20-30 guests.
  • Private party contact
    Andy or Patrick: (212) 371-8844
  • Neighbourhood
    Midtown East
  • Cross Street
    Between 3rd and Lexington Avenues
  • Parking Details
    Discount parking available after 6:00pm in garage next door.
  • Public Transit
    E, V & 6 trains to 53rd Street/Lexington Ave
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,609 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.0
4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.1Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 3.9Ambience
  • 3.6Value

NoiseModerate

1,609 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    An institution. I had been there with my grandmother when I was a child and went last night with my 30 year old son. The food was great and the waiters were incredibly attentive. Kudos!

    Is this helpful?

  2. LuisA

    New York Area

    17 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience3
    Used to be better. Would I go again? Probably ! They ca do better with little effort

    Is this helpful?

  3. DonS

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall2food1service4ambience3
    We’ve been to this restaurant at least six times… all very enjoyable! This time was a different story… food was tasteless, overcooked, a scarcity of vegetables in the dishes and expensive! Apparently, new management and chef… never going back…

    Is this helpful?

  4. BobF

    New York Area

    50 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    50 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    another excellent dinner at Shun Lee Palace! Always an awesome start with the best Wonton soup along with the best crispy noodles in NYC!... Amazing, to be on top of their game for 50 years!

    Is this helpful?

  5. LeslianneB

    Washington DC

    29 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on September 6, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    It has been many years sine we were at Shun Lee Palace. We went for lunch. I thought the food was a little bland, but tasty enough.

    Is this helpful?

  6. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    13 reviews

    3.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience3
    Staff rushed us out of the restaurant even before we were done. Didn’t even ask about dessert and it was only 9pm

    Is this helpful?

  7. KatieB

    New York Area

    30 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on August 31, 2023

    overall2food5service2ambience4
    The food as usual was superb. very very overpriced! $12 for an Egg Drop soup is excessive.. We walked in and were asked if we had a reservation? only 3 table in the whole place. It is really our of my price range and probbly won’t return.

    Is this helpful?

  8. RonaldS

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great dining experience. Peking duck was amazing. We shared one order among five for an appetizer.

    Is this helpful?

  9. VMar

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience3
    Would not return and don’t recommend. Food is mediocre and service is non attentive. Take the order, drop the plates, remove the plates kind of service. Server was hostile from the moment we asked for the restaurant week menu. We did not get the crackers that everybody else got on the table. We ended up ordering off of the regular dinner menu because the options for the 3 course restaurant week were cheap and it would have been a rip off as priced at $60/person. I left exactly 10%gratuity with the hope the server would come and ask if everything was ok with the service. All we received were bad looks and more hostility. Why adhere to restaurant week and instead of treating it as a tool to bring in new customers treat the customers with disdain.

    Is this helpful?

  10. RalphM

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Shun Lee Palace was one of the great NY restaurants. It’s decline sine the sale is terrible.

    Is this helpful?

  11. SusannahS

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Elegant atmosphere, gracious service, excellent food.

    Is this helpful?

  12. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 26, 2023

    overall1food2service2ambience1
    The wait staff were inappropriately dressed. Service shoddy. Food not like the old days. Won’t go back

    Is this helpful?

  13. RobinH

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 13, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience2
    The food was mediocre and expensive. Except for the lobster which was excellent. The place is dusty.

    Is this helpful?

  14. RosettaW

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We had dinner of flounder and Chinese vegetables and soup dumplings. All was wonderful. The fish was fresh. The soup dumplings were tasty and the wrap was delicate. All in all a good dinner.

    Is this helpful?

  15. KarenR

    New York Area

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on July 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We have always loved Shun Lee Palace and are so glad to see that it is just as fabulous as we remembered! We plan to revisit in the very near future! Delicious food and beautiful, elegant dining room!

    Is this helpful?

  16. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food and service! We try to go as often as we are in the city!

    Is this helpful?

  17. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    totally went down hill. the absolute worst duck and even worse cold noodle. inedible !!!! totally went down hill.

    Is this helpful?

  18. Kitwald

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 27, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience4
    Disappointing. The food is not up to the standard that we had become accustomed to. Especially for the price. Agreed there was a new chef, however, what does that have to do with the quality of the food? The servers were agreeable, and very pleasant. We exchanged one dish for another, because it was inedible. This was my go to place for high end Chinese food but unfortunately it has gone downhill.

    Is this helpful?

  19. HelenM

    Los Angeles

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on June 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always an excellent experience. The martinis are the best.

    Is this helpful?

  20. Dartanian67

    Houston

    17 reviews

    3.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on June 26, 2023

    overall3food4service4ambience4
    Recommended by a friend, and a good choice. Old school dishes and ambiance reminds me of the places I grew up with. Prompt service, although I did seem to wait longer than expected for the bill. The men's room was unnecessarily dirty given how few patrons were there for a Monday night. But the food was delicious.

    Is this helpful?

  21. burksworks

    Phoenix

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on June 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Fabulous food. My partner and I had challenged each other to eat only shrimp dishes, except for one vegetable dish. We moved from the sublime steamed shrimp dumplings, to perfectly balanced shrimp in black bean sauce to the succulent stir fried (jumbo) shrimp with snow peas and water chestnuts served with dry sautéed string beans. Waiters helped, advised, and then quietly disappeared, only to reappear when we actually needed something. If I lived in Manhattan I would eat here once a week. No doubt.

    Is this helpful?

  22. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    33 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on June 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food. Best Bejing Duck in Manhattan. White table service. Great for a date or an expense account.

    Is this helpful?

  23. Michael

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on June 17, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience3
    Shun Lee closed during the pandemic and probably should have not reopened. The food is completely different now, not at all what it used to be. I have been going to Shun Lee for over 20 years so I know. For a very expensive restaurant, the food is now only so-so. Very sad to see this happen. Oddly Shun Lee West has gotten better over time, but Shun Lee Palace has taken a nosedive. The restaurant was near empty on a Saturday night for a reason.

    Is this helpful?

  24. JimS

    Houston

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 8, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    Unfortunately I was disappointed by this my first post Covid visit to the Shun Lee Palace. It used to be my go to Chinese restaurant while visiting Manhattan. It is still fairly good but not worth going out of your way. Sad but true,not the same since re opening.

    Is this helpful?

  25. TonyP

    New York Area

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on June 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The crispy dried shredded beef is a longtime star of the menu, and still deserves top billing. Don't miss it. The pork bun is also delicious as a starter, as is nearly everything on the menu. Old-school, polite, attentive service and a quiet atmosphere make it a prime place for either business or a romantic evening.

    Is this helpful?

  26. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Stand by classic which is timeless. Great food, friendly and familiar service, and some of the best Chinese food in NY!

    Is this helpful?

  27. DukeParent

    San Francisco

    42 reviews

    5.0

    42 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Old school Chinese restaurant vibe. Great food and service.

    Is this helpful?

  28. Jamie

    New York Area

    206 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    206 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience3
    I was disappointed in Shun Lee. I used to love it, but no longer.

    Is this helpful?

  29. LynnS

    New York Area

    104 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    104 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience1
    Huge disappointment! Shun Lee has always been one of our favorite New York restaurants. The service was rude, the food was barely above average, and the prices were ridiculously expensive for value received. I will never go back there!

    Is this helpful?

  30. HARRIET

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience4
    excellent food. recommend grand marnier shrimp. rice balls, moo sho pork

    Is this helpful?

  31. wendyc

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall2food1service3ambience2
    The menu was not great & food was not fresh. Other places charges half the price. The place just seem outdated & food was not any better.

    Is this helpful?

  32. Lovegoodfood

    Tampa

    197 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    197 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall3food2service1ambience3
    What happened to this place?! Service was terrible, food was barely warm/borderline cold when it FINALLY arrived, and honestly, not up to their normal standards. Overpriced - $25 for string beans??! The bbq ribs were just bone and fat, vegetable steamed dumplings were dry and chewy, cold sesame noodles had no sesame to speak of, no heat and were overly sweet. MuShu Pork was decent (again, cold), shrimp fried rice was the best thing we had. Very disappointed and sad that this go-to midtown Chinese has lost it’s juju.

    Is this helpful?

  33. JudiR

    New York Area

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always love shun lee palace going there for over 40 years it’s great

    Is this helpful?

  34. PaulH

    Sydney

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience2
    Dreadful food, bad service, overpriced, more chairs crammed in than the deck of the Titanic Spring roll starter was clearly fried frozen as the centre was cool, prawns were served warm, crispy beef was soggy Waiters disinterested

    Is this helpful?

  35. weekdaydinner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious Peking duck. Attentive and courteous service. Look forward to going again.

    Is this helpful?

  36. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 27, 2023

    overall2food1service2ambience2
    I have been an avid patron for many years going back to the 80’s i believe, but have not been for a few years. My return was an excruciating experience, appalling, and somewhat embarrassing as I was entertaining a client. Shun Lee used to have the most sublime Beijing Duck in the city, possibly the country. Paper thin pancake, slivers of cucumber, delicious sauce , thin pieces of moist duck and a small piece of very crisp skin, with a preparer hovering to prepare extras as needed. What an unpleasant change…to be presented with pancakes akin to the size of pita bread, half inch chunks of cucumber, dry as a bone duck meat and large pieces of limp skin, all assembled in a thing that resembled an oversized burrito. Awful, inedible and apparently no oversight. Where is the legendary quality control of years past, where are the owners who built a legendary experience. My advice—avoid this place….seriously.

    Is this helpful?

  37. Hamptonsfoodie

    West Palm Beach

    11 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall3food2service2ambience4
    I am a huge fan of this restaurant. Been eating here for well over 20 years. Food and service were not good. Really disappointing. Food was greasy and had little taste. Obviously the pandemic took its toll on the service, ambiance, and especially the food and the restaurant just can’t come back.

    Is this helpful?

  38. HenryR

    New Orleans

    57 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    57 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience3
    Been coming here for over 30 years. Food has definitely changed, for the worse. Prawns, Air dried beef, baby eggplant are all but inedible. The waitstaff did their best and even had the chef prepare a second order of “crispy orange beef”, but the problem obviously resides in the kitchen either with the ingredients or chefs skill set. Just such a horrible shame, so many great meals, time to find someplace else for Chinese in NYC. (Also be aware that this neighborhood has changed significantly, and not for the better. We feel sorry for anyone who owns property here, the foot traffic is definitely ratchet)

    Is this helpful?

  39. PrincessPeach

    Toronto

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    1st time( though I had heard good things), it was so delicious. I think I could of got atleast another( maybe 2) orders of the soup dumplings. They were so good,I also tried the Buddha hand- it was great aswell. Worth the trip just to go there.

    Is this helpful?

  40. Eater

    New York Area

    69 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    69 reviews

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Very good traditional Chinese-American food. Handsome decor. Great cocktails. Pricey.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Shun Lee Palace does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats.

Shun Lee Palace is rated 4 stars by 1609 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 p.m.


Booked 10 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Shun Lee Palace

155 East 55th Street, New York, NY 10022

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Between 3rd and Lexington Avenues
  • Neighbourhood
    Midtown East
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 3:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 3:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Chinese
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress Code
    Business Casual
  • Parking Details
    Discount parking available after 6:00pm in garage next door.
  • Public Transit
    E, V & 6 trains to 53rd Street/Lexington Ave
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Ling Shing Ping
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (212) 371-8844
  • Catering
    We can cater any location in Manhattan, for up to 100 guests.
  • Private party facilities
    We have two private areas, one that can accommodate 18-24 guests and one that can accommodate 20-30 guests.
  • Private party contact
    Andy or Patrick: (212) 371-8844
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
Rentalcars Logo
OpenTable Logo