Far East Cafe - Reviews

My experience at this restaurant was truly amazing. It's a place with over 100 years of history, established in 1920, and remarkably, it has maintained the same location, name, and art decor. The palace chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, which have been beautifully restored, the picturesque landscape screens, and the emperor’s throne were all brought over from China more than a century ago. While one might have attended a banquet upstairs, sitting in the restaurant on the 1st floor offers a different, more personal moment with history and delicious food cooked to order.

My experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. I sincerely hope that this is not the best Chinatown has to offer, as the food was bland and below average. The claims of being Michelin rated back in 2012 seem irrelevant now, especially since it's 2025 and the quality has not improved. I would advise finding somewhere else to eat; there is no doubt that another place will be better.

My experience at Far East Cafe was wonderful. We arrived via the California Cable Car and found the restaurant about half a block from Grant Ave. This historic establishment is one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in San Francisco. The owner or manager at the bar was incredibly nice and shared fascinating details about the restaurant's history. The beautiful and interesting banquet room provided a lovely setting for our meal. I thoroughly enjoyed the very delicious Prawn and Walnut dish, featuring very large shrimp. My wife's large Scallop entree was equally delicious. This is a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience Chinatown as it used to be.

I had a great experience at this restaurant. The portions were generous and the food was tasty. They offer a wide variety of dishes, which is a plus. The waitstaff were friendly and contributed to a pleasant atmosphere.

My experience at the restaurant was amazing, especially with one of their family meals. My kids ate everything and loved it. The meal was comprehensive, including soup, ribs, fried prawns, kung pao chicken, beef and vegetables, honey walnut prawns, and fried rice with prawns. We had leftovers, but they didn't last long. I believe this is probably the best Chinese food I have ever eaten.

My experience at the restaurant was okay, but the food was bland. The ambience was also just okay. The waiter was a bit too pushy, seeming more interested in maximizing sales than providing good service. Because of this, we will not be returning.

I used to go here on vacations as a kid, and in my opinion, this has always been the best Chinese restaurant in the United States. I remember visiting and we were always taken care of by a guy we called “Jack”. It's the best place to bring kids and enjoy extremely good food. Absolutely filled with family memories.

I had a very good experience and excellent service. If you're here, you absolutely must get the chicken wings – they are sooo GOOD! The staff was also very nice. Overall, it was a 5-star experience.

I’ve been a regular at this restaurant, but my most recent experience was shocking. On a Friday night, my Southeast Asian friend (with her service dog) and I accidentally walked into what turned out to be a private event. Instead of politely informing us, a woman (approx. Mid-40s) spoke to us with hostility and condescension as if we were children. Here’s what made it worse! I’ve been here many times as a WHITE male alone and have always been treated with courtesy. This was the first time I was treated with such open rudeness and the only difference was that I was with my friend. The contrast was glaring. WOW. What should have been a simple “Sorry, we’re closed for a private event” turned into an unnecessarily hostile encounter that felt discriminatory. I left deeply disappointed, EMBARRASSED to have brought my friend here, and questioning the integrity of a place I once supported. San Francisco deserves better. If respect and inclusivity are too much to ask, you shouldn’t be in business.

My experience at this restaurant was excellent. I was initially skeptical about the dish "Foo Kin Fried Rice", thinking it might be a joke for foreigners, but it turned out to be incredibly delicious. The staff were incredibly friendly and even went out of their way to recommend a bakery and a Dim Sum place for takeout. While it's possible to get one of the booths/cubicles for a more private dining experience, it's not guaranteed, so don't count on it.