VIBE

Despite New York being a melting pot of world cultures, this is still a town where it can be difficult to find authentic Cantonese food in a classy, and not overly kitschy, setting. Don’t be fooled by its unassuming awning on the Upper East Side: Café Evergreen is a surprising first-rate find for anyone craving good dim sum but wishing to avoid the noisy and crowded venues typical of Chinatown. Unlike its Downtown counterparts, the restaurant is clean, spacious, and comfortable (the interior is much larger than its exterior suggests, making it perfect for parties and large group lunches), and it serves impressively authentic dim sum fare, like pork buns and beef rice noodles.

CROWD

The hungry and the happy–a mix of in-the-know Asians and Upper East Side Chinese food enthusiasts

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Leave the heels at home, ladies. This place is super casual, so feel free to dress down in a vintage tee, jeans, and cool-yet-comfy sneaks.

GO HERE WITH

Friends; large groups; family; kids

WHY WE LIKE IT

Fantastic place for quality dim sum, all without those painful Chinatown lines! Also, since Evergreen is not in Chinatown, it’s pricier than its Downtown competitors, but it’s also much cleaner, the flavors more solid, and it’s friendlier to non-Cantonese food aficionados.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The staircase to the downstairs restrooms is slightly treacherous.

GOOD TO KNOW

Nonexistent lines mean fast service (all the better to quickly answer our growling stomachs!). Their website offers online ordering (USD 15 minimum) and delivery (within their Upper East Side range) for all menu items, be it dim sum, beef chow fun, or their gourmet ice cream. Note that the classic dim sum brunch (with carts and all) is only served on weekends.

CLOSEST COMPS

Jade Garden (London); Royal China (London)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to New York City.