Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Golden Dragon – San Francisco
Golden Dragon - San Francisco
Photo from Golden Dragon
Golden Dragon at a glance
San Francisco Chinatown
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 19 of the guests
#2277 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#264 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Average
5.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
72
Reviews
45.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic food
- Peking duck
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- Noisy atmosphere
- Bad hygiene
The Chinese restaurant, Golden Dragon, invites you to experience authentic flavors right in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Chinatown. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for enjoying a delicious meal, whether you’re dining in, grabbing takeout, or opting for convenient delivery.
This spot is known for its welcoming vibe and a menu that caters to various tastes, making it a great choice for your next culinary adventure in the city.
Overview: Introducting Golden Dragon
Golden Dragon offers a compelling culinary experience, particularly with its Chinese food which many find very tasty and original. Dishes like the Peking duck receive high praise, suggesting a kitchen that knows its craft.
The value proposition is also noted as reasonably priced . However, the dining experience can be a mixed bag.
Some patrons encountered grumpiest service , with issues like staff demanding tips . The terrible atmosphere and noise levels also detract from the overall enjoyment, making conversation difficult.
Average
5.3
out of 10
72
Reviews
45.8%
Satisfaction
31
negative
8
neutral
33
positive
Overall, Golden Dragon registers an average Restaurant Score of 5.3 , reflecting a somewhat balanced experience. Customer Satisfaction sits at 45.8% , indicating a mixed reception from diners.
This assessment comes from 72 customer observations, with 33 positive remarks and 31 negative ones, suggesting a noticeable split in opinions. The kitchen truly shines, with Food scoring a strong (7.1), making it the clear highlight.
However, other aspects pull the overall score down. Service (4) is noted as average, while Value (3) also falls into the average category.
The Ambience (2.6) is where the restaurant struggles most, often described as a significant drawback for many.
What people like
- Authentic, tasty food
- Excellent Peking duck
- Reasonable pricing
What people don't like
- Unfriendly, demanding service
- Noisy, poor atmosphere
- Questionable hygiene
Golden Dragon presents a clear case of culinary strength overshadowed by operational weaknesses. With a Recommendation Score of 5.6 , it’s a place you might consider if authentic Chinese flavors are your top priority and you’re willing to overlook other aspects.
If you prioritize a pleasant dining atmosphere and attentive service, you might find Golden Dragon disappointing. However, for those seeking genuinely tasty Chinese dishes, particularly the duck, and are prepared for a more casual, bustling experience, it could still be worth a visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Golden Dragon
Food (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 89% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the food! Overall, its a pretty good showing with a solid score of 7.1, though customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 62.2%. Based on 23 positive opinions out of 37 total, many diners rave about the delicious taste and originality, especially highlighting dishes like the sesame chicken, Peking duck, and pot stickers.
The food quality and generous portions also get a lot of love. However, it's not all perfect, with 6 negative opinions pointing to some areas for improvement. A few folks mentioned issues with food being greasy or not served at the right temperature, and there was even a concern about stomach issues afterward.
Specific items like the egg drop soup also received criticism for lacking flavor, and some found the tea bags disappointing.
Food
37
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
6
negative
8
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great taste
- Original cuisine
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Stomach issues
- Lukewarm food
- Greasy dishes
Often praised
- foodloved a ton of food to take back home
- Chinese foodChinese food, very tasty and original
- food tasteessen ist aber trotzdem lecker
- ChineseRegarding Chinese food, it was very tasty and original. If you come to San Francisco, you must eat Chinese here.
- Chinese cuisineBonne cuisine chinoise
- Peking duckThe Peking duck was excellent.
- Roasted duckRoasted duck are highly recommended
- assorted mushrooms w/bean sproutstry the assorted mushrooms w/bean sprouts
- choicesthe choices are abundant
- dishestout nos plats étaient bien préparé
Frequently criticized
- egg drop soupThe egg drop soup lacks spices.
- foodonly order a few things
- food temperatureessen nur lauwarm
- greasyIt wasn't all super greasy
- stomach issuesone of us had stomach issues afterwards
- tea bagsdisappointed they serve tea bag
If youre looking for tasty and original Chinese cuisine with generous portions, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some dishes might be a bit greasy or not perfectly hot, and theres a slight chance of a mixed experience.
Service (4 out of 10)
mentioned by 72% of the guests
Some diners found the customer service to be great, with chefs even satisfying wishes and servers being cool to kids. Many appreciated the food arrival being prompt, getting seated immediately, and generally experiencing good service. These positive experiences account for 7 out of 20 comments.
However, the overall sentiment for service leans heavily negative, with 13 out of 20 comments highlighting issues. Many reported waiters being unfriendly, staff eating during service, and even demanding tips. This contributes to a score of only 4, indicating an average performance, and a customer satisfaction of just 35%, which is quite poor.
Service
20
Reviews
35%
Satisfaction
13
negative
0
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Chefs satisfy wishes
- Food arrives fast
- Good customer service
What people don't like
- Staff demand tips
- Unfriendly staff
- Waiters ignore you
Often praised
- serviceservice correct
- chefsChefs can satisfied ur wishes
- customer serviceThe customer service was great
- food arrivalfood was brought out without much waiting
- seatingHowever, the sweet and sour pork was just okay, and the egg drop soup lacked spices. We were seated immediately, and the food arrived without much waiting. Overall, a positive dining experience with standout dishes.
- serverThe server was cool to my kid
Frequently criticized
- serviceI am unsure if this differential treatment was due to us being the only non-Asian patrons. Regardless, it was the worst and grumpiest service we have ever encountered, despite having lived in three countries and dining out frequently. This restaurant stands out for the worst experience.
- bad servicecharacterized by bad service
- demanding tipswaiters were demanding tips
- experienceWorst experience of our San Francisco trip
- staffpersonal unfreundlich
- staff eatingpersonal isst während gäste auch essen (es wurde laut geschmatzt)
- tipwaitress actually asked us for a $30 dollar tip in cash
- waitersThe waiters DO NOT LISTEN TO YOU, they were taking our order without listening to us.
When it comes to service, this place is a real mixed bag, leaning towards disappointment. While some have good experiences, the frequent reports of unfriendly staff and demanding waiters suggest you might want to manage your expectations or consider other options if service is a top priority.
Ambience (2.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
While there arent many glowing reviews, a couple of diners did appreciate the restaurants decor, noting a very golden decor and a cadre agréable or pleasant setting. It seems a small number of guests found something to like about the overall atmosphere. However, the overall picture for the ambience is quite bleak, with a score of just 2.6, indicating a poor experience, and customer satisfaction sitting at a low 22.2%.
Based on 9 total opinions, with 7 leaning negative, many found the atmosphere terrible, citing incredibly noisy conditions that made conversation impossible. Issues like poor hygiene, dead fish in the aquarium, and ew bathrooms were also frequently mentioned.
Ambience
9
Reviews
22%
Satisfaction
7
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Golden decor
- Pleasant setting
What people don't like
- Excessive noise levels
- Poor hygiene noted
- Dead fish visible
Often praised
- atmospherecadre agréable
- decorvery golden decor
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was also terrible
- bathroomsThe bathrooms.....ew!
- dead fishtote fische im Aquarium
- environmentNot fancy environment
- hygieneoverall hygiene was poor
- noise levelThe restaurant was 99% filled with Chinese customers, making it incredibly noisy. It was impossible to have a conversation with my companions.
- noisyBesides, terribly noisy, we couldn't hear each other.
If a quiet, clean, and pleasant dining environment is high on your list, this might not be the place for you. While some appreciate the decor, the overwhelming feedback points to significant issues with noise, hygiene, and overall atmosphere. You might want to look elsewhere if you value a serene meal.
Value (3 out of 10)
mentioned by 28% of the guests
While a single customer found items to be reasonably priced, the overall sentiment for value here is quite low. With a score of just 3 and customer satisfaction at a mere 16.7% based on 6 customer remarks, it seems most experiences lean towards disappointment rather than delight. The majority of feedback, however, points to issues like being charged for tea per person, misleading prices on menus, and unexpected charges.
Many also felt pressured regarding tip and even a specific 15% tip, leading to a feeling of being overcharged and dissatisfied with the overall cost.
Value
6
Reviews
16%
Satisfaction
5
negative
0
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonably priced
What people don't like
- Hidden charges
- Misleading prices
- Forced tipping
Often praised
- pricedreasonably priced
Frequently criticized
- 15% tipThe waiters were demanding tips and did not want me to leave what I considered appropriate. They insisted on a 15% tip, even though the service was poor.
- chargethey were trying to charge us extra $80 for some food that we dis not orhter and did not eat.
- prices on menusMy experience at the restaurant was a mix of good and bad. The prices on the menus were incorrect, which was a bit misleading. My food arrived only lukewarm, which was disappointing.
- tea per personcharge tea per person
- tipLast straw was when they practically made us to leave a tip.
If you're considering a visit, be aware that many guests reported unexpected costs and felt pressured about tipping. It might be a place where you need to scrutinize your bill carefully to avoid surprises.
How are the prices at Golden Dragon?
You’re looking at roughly 29 per person – reported by 19 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what others spend, prices are quite varied, but most diners tend to spend between 11 – 30 $, suggesting a good mix of options for different budgets.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 19 most recent reviews.
Here’s how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco, offering good value for a mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Golden Dragon
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
8
Delicious Chinese Food, Pleasant Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. The Chinese cuisine was delicious, and all our dishes were well-prepared. Unlike some other Asian restaurants, the food was not greasy.
The atmosphere was pleasant, and the service was correct. I would recommend this place for its good food and nice ambiance.
- Chinese cuisine9
- dishes8
- food8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
Lively Chinatown Spot with Abundant Food Choices
My experience at this restaurant was lively and the location in the heart of Chinatown was excellent. Overall, the food was good and the choices were abundant.
- food8
- choices8
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Good Chinese Food, Excellent Duck
My experience at this typical Chinese restaurant was good. The Peking duck was excellent, and the yang chow fried rice was also good. However, the sweet and sour pork was just okay, and the egg drop soup lacked spices.
We were seated immediately, and the food arrived without much waiting. Overall, a positive dining experience with standout dishes.
- Peking duck10
- yang chow fried rice8
- sweet and sour pork6
- egg drop soup4
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Noise Level
- Loud
1
Extremely Loud, Poor Hygiene, Aggressive Service
The restaurant was 99% filled with Chinese customers, making it incredibly noisy. It was impossible to have a conversation with my companions. The overall hygiene was poor.
Go if you want to experience a Chinese local restaurant atmosphere. During the meal, my ears were bleeding, so I didn't leave a tip. The employee then glared at me and repeatedly asked 'No tip?
No tip? No tip? ' with an aggressive stare.
- noise level1
- hygiene2
- service1
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
Great Food, Not So Fancy Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. While the environment wasn't fancy, the food truly delivered on taste. We had a small group dinner and ordered four dishes.
The Roasted duck and fry rice were highly recommended and absolutely delicious. However, the Mapo tofu and garlic stir fry vegetables were just okay, a bit disappointing. I was also a bit let down that they served tea bags instead of loose leaf tea.
On the plus side, the portion sizes were generous and the prices were reasonable.
- food taste8
- Roasted duck9
- fry rice9
- environment1
- tea bags4
What Golden Dragon offers
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Golden Dragon Restaurant accessible for everyone?
Yes, Golden Dragon in San Francisco is designed with accessibility in mind. You will find a wheelchair accessible entrance, wheelchair accessible seating, and a wheelchair accessible restroom, ensuring a comfortable visit for all guests.
What dining and service options are available at Golden Dragon?
At Golden Dragon, you have several convenient choices. You can enjoy a relaxed dine-in experience with table service for lunch or dinner. If you’re on the go, takeout is available, and for ultimate convenience, delivery service brings delicious Chinese cuisine right to your door.
What is the overall dining experience like at Golden Dragon?
Golden Dragon has an average Restaurant Score of 5.3 and Customer Satisfaction of 45.8% . While the Food (7.1) is highly praised, Service (4), Value (3), and especially Ambience (2.6) significantly pull down the overall experience.
What are the culinary highlights at Golden Dragon?
Many customers praise the Chinese food as very tasty and original, with the Peking duck being a standout dish. The restaurant is also noted for being reasonably priced .
What are the main drawbacks of dining at Golden Dragon?
Patrons frequently mention grumpiest service and staff demanding tips . The atmosphere is often described as terrible and noisy , with concerns also raised about hygiene and the state of the bathrooms .