Phoenix Palace — Restaurant in New York

Let me preface that I grew up eating Chinese food and I'm going to be a bit more critical than usual. I recognize the twist that the chef is putting into the menu but some of the dishes did not hit the mark. The main star of the show is definitely the decor / vibes so if you are looking for authentic Chinese food I recommend looking for the more classic/institutional spots around Chinatown.

olive youtiao: the star of this dish is the laap churng dipping. good umami but not sure where the olive comes into play

dragon salad: lychee is an interesting addition but nothing stands out about this dish. light dressing.

scallop & vermicelli: I was most disappointed here. It was bland and pricy for what you're getting (2 scallops and a slurp of noodles) so I recommend getting them elsewhere.

fried cuttlefish: good flavor, good crisp and dipping sauce worked well. Skin did fall off a few times when trying to fork it. mussels: Great flavor and presentation but it is vaguely considered Chinese.

lobster sticky rice: decent but nothing to write home about. For being the priciest item on the menu it was easy to skip if I could do it again.

chili crab noodles: creamy and flavorful. one of the standouts here but again, what makes this chinese? I see this combination more as Thai flavors.

duck breast: similar to the scallops, local spots do it better. The sauce was also underwhelming.

snap peas: probably the lowest score here. it was unpeeled and I ended up chewing on a mouthful of fibers. It was under seasoned and small portioned.

Other gripes I had were: no chopsticks were provided off the bat; we had to request them so you can tell what demographic this place is catered to. Many of the dishes were difficult to scoop from with just the spoon and fork. small portion; high prices. Another sign of gentrification as it prices out the locals

I still think this is a good spot for a first time experience but there is no reason for...

UNBELIEVABLE. INSANELY AMAZING! Went to Phoenix Palace and was blown away by the whole experience. Let's start with the food ( Thank you Chef. You are a rockstar :) which is truly inspired. We tried to order as much as we could handle and EVERY SINGLE DISH is unique. The flavors so different from each other and from anything i have ever eaten. The mussels are out of this world. The vermicelli a beautifully seasoned delight. The lobster - rice dish had the most delicious texture and the rice combination was truly special. The cold tofu had a sauce that i never would have come up with. Creamy and oh so yummy. We tried the spicy beer- awesome. And the Fledermaus riesling is truly delicious. Now what makes Phoenix palace xtra special besides the great food is the team that works the front of the house. Every single person is wonderful, attentive, fun, engaging. Just people you like to surround yourself with. I can't wait until there will be chairs at the bar as well. The bartender is another wonderful person to chat with. And the design.... so so perfect. Unique, Inspired. Truly. From the vintage family pictures on the walls to the juke box at the entrance to all the small details that you see especially if you love design. Small scale Tv set in the corner and ceiling lamps fit for a queen. And since this is an old movie theater it would be epic to have old b/w movies run behind the screen above the bar and at the entrance. What else can i say people. Don't overrun this wonderful place after this review. :) We all want to be able to get in and enjoy every single bite on a regular base. Thank you PP team....

One of the best meals I’ve had in recent memory. Phoenix Palace in Manhattan’s Chinatown delivered one of the most memorable dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. This isn’t your typical Chinese restaurant — it’s a modern, creative twist on tradition that still honors the roots of each dish.

Every course had something special. To start, the olive yaotiao is a must—incredibly delicious and familiar twist on Chinese breakfast. The crab noodles were rich, comforting, and elevated with incredible depth of flavor—it was my personal favorite dish. The chilled tofu was light and refreshing, and the dragon salad had the perfect balance of texture and zing. The duck was a huge hit at our table — crisp skin, tender meat, beautifully seasoned. I also loved the mussels, which were so tender and fresh.

To end the night, the mango pudding with pomelo topping was the perfect dessert — refreshing, creamy, and just the right amount of sweetness. I also loved the gummies that came with the bill, which was super nostalgic of candies my family used to give me.

The service was top-tier — genuinely friendly, welcoming, and incredibly attentive without ever feeling overbearing. It made the whole experience even more enjoyable.

One note: it’s not ideal for vegetarians, as many dishes include meat or seafood, but pescatarians will find plenty of great options to enjoy.

If you’re looking to be truly impressed and want a culinary experience that steps off the beaten path of traditional Chinese fare, Phoenix Palace is a must. Highly recommend for food lovers craving innovation with soul. Bring a group and...