5 Best Chinese Restaurants in Sacramento, California to Try

California’s capital boasts a Chinese food scene that’s both rooted in history and riding the crest of innovation.

The city’s neighborhoods—each with their own character—offer a dizzying array of flavors, from iconic dim sum to fiery Szechuan. Here are five essential stops for Sacramento’s Chinese food lovers:

1. Frank Fat’s

A Sacramento fixture for over 80 years, Frank Fat’s is more than a restaurant—it’s a living landmark.

The Fat family runs the city’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, famous for honey walnut prawns, Peking duck, and their world-class banana cream pie—a nod to their place as California’s fusion pioneers. Politicians, families, and food critics share the big round booths, feasting on potstickers and snow-pea chicken.

You’ll spot photos of celebrities and local legends on the walls, and feel a sense of tradition that makes every dinner special.

2. May Garden

Beloved for its bottomless tea, bustling weekend dim sum (steamed BBQ pork buns! shrimp dumplings! chicken feet!), and banquet-sized Cantonese menu, May Garden offers a social dining experience without equal.

The kitchen excels at live seafood—try the ginger scallion lobster or steamed whole fish. Regulars recommend arriving early on weekends to beat the crowds of families and business groups.

3. Joy Luck Cuisine

Szechuan specialists with a loyal local following, Joy Luck nails everything from spicy boiled fish to hand-shaved dan dan noodles.

You’ll find families passing around platters of cumin lamb and green peppercorn chicken, while spice lovers delight in the mala hotpots and cold appetizers.

Don’t be shy about asking for recommendations; the friendly staff love to introduce diners to lesser-known regional dishes.

4. Ruyi Garden

Nestled in South Sacramento, Ruyi Garden is the destination for Vietnamese-Chinese hybrid fare—think, wok-fried rice cakes, spicy green beans, and savory roasted duck, all with a distinctly Southeast Asian twist.

The bright, plant-filled dining room and fresh ingredients make every meal feel both comforting and innovative.

5. Panda Express—Midtown

Sacramento’s centrally located Panda is uniquely beloved for its above-average staff friendliness and reliability—fast service, always piping-hot orange chicken, fresh veggies, and a clean, airy dining room make this a favorite for time-crunched Capitol workers and local families alike.