Shun Lee Cafe

3.5

1531 Reviews

$31 to $50

Dim Sum

Make a booking

2 people

1 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 15 times today

Neighbourhood gem
Good for business meals

With Shun Lee Cafe conveniently located across from Lincoln Center, Dim Sum is just the ticket. The Cafe, a black and white checkerboard dining room, decorated with images from the Chinese calendar.
Terrific Dim Sum on rolling carts in constant motion and a variety of dishes in smaller portions completes the menu at Shun Lee Cafe. The Cafe is a great pre-theater stop for a “quick” dinner.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Dim Sum, Chinese, Asian
Hours of Operation
Closed Mon–Thu 11:00 am–9:30 pm Lunch Fri–Sun 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Dinner Fri–Sun 4:30 pm–9:30 pm
Phone number
(212) 769-3888
Website
http://www.shunleewest.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Sun-Dao Man

Location
43 West 65th Street, New York, NY 10023
Area
Lincoln Square
Cross Street
Columbus Avenue
Parking details
None
Public transit
1 train to 66th Street.
Additional
Banquet, Beer, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeout, View, Wine

Braised Szechuan Beef Soup Noodle*US$17.50
Soup Noodles with VegetablesUS$17.50
Young Chow Pan-Fried NoodlesUS$20.50
Seafood Pan-Fried NoodlesUS$21.50
Vegetable Pan-Fried NoodlesUS$18.50
Singapore Curry Rice Noodles*US$17.50
Lo MeinUS$17.50
chicken, shrimp or beef
Chow Fun (Wide Rice Noodles)US$19.50
chicken, shrimp or beef
Fried RiceUS$17.50
roast pork, chicken, shrimp or beef
Brown RiceUS$2.00

Entrees

Beijing Duck
- Half DuckUS$32.00
- Whole DuckUS$52.00
Prawns with Garlic & Scallions*US$23.00
Grand Marnier's PrawnUS$23.00
Beijing Style PrawnsUS$23.00
Heavenly Fish FiletUS$22.00
Tung Ting ShrimpUS$22.00
Sauteed Fish Szechuan Style*US$22.00
Chan-Do Chicken*US$21.00
Chicken with VegetablesUS$21.00
Three Pepper Chicken*US$21.00
Chicken with Three Different NitsUS$21.00
Beef with BroccoliUS$22.00
Beef with AsparagusUS$22.00
Crispy Orange Flavored Beef*US$22.00
Shredded Beef Sauteed with Hot Peppers*US$22.00
Sliced Pork Szechuan Style*US$21.00
Chicken W. Broccoli in Brown SauceUS$21.00

Simply Steamed, Poached & Braised

These dishes are low carb, and low in fat & sodium. Steamed dishes are served with a dipping sauce on the side, your choice of light soy with ginger, green curry sauce or* hot Szechuan sauce

Steamed Chicken and VegetablesUS$21.00
Steamed Fish Filet and VegetablesUS$22.00
Steamed Prawns and VegetablesUS$23.00
Braised Fish Filet in Roasted Chili Broth*US$22.00
Boiled Beef in Spicy Hunan Broth*US$22.00

Old Favorites

Chicken Chow MeinUS$20.00
Sweet & Sour Chicken or PorkUS$21.00
Shrimp in Lobster SauceUS$22.00
Moo Shu PorkUS$21.00

Vegetables

Szechuan Broccoli*US$18.00
Szechuan Eggplant*US$18.00
Sauteed String BeansUS$21.00
Buddha's DelightUS$18.00
Mo Po Tofu (with or Without Meat) *US$18.00
Sauteed Family Bean Curd with Vegetable*US$18.00
Sauteed Baby Bok Choy in GarlicUS$19.00

What 1,531 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

3.5

3.5 based on recent ratings

3.8Food
3.9Service
3.6Ambience
3.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Shun Lee Cafe offers a striking dining room and "outstanding Chinese cuisine," with highlights like shrimp in Grand Marnier sauce and impeccable service. However, be aware of weekend-only operations and potential booking issues. While some note the traditional charm, others mention steep prices and occasional service lapses.

1,531 Reviews

G
Gary
New York City
85 reviews
vip
4.0
85 reviews
Dined on 22 October 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Dining room is still Striking, but needs a refresh
Is this helpful?
N
Nathalie
New York City
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on 2 October 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 1
the spicy shrimp and scallops with hot peppers was gluey, sweet and not a hint of spice. Grossly overpriced for a very disappointing experience.
Is this helpful?
A
Arthur
New York City
59 reviews
3.0
59 reviews
Dined on 27 September 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
very good food in a pleasant but somewhat worn setting.
Is this helpful?
J
Jess
New York City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 14 September 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We have been there on a number of occasions and will come back in the future.
Is this helpful?
S
Susan Cohen
New York City
112 reviews
vip
2.0
112 reviews
Dined on 1 September 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
The restaurant was busy because the Cafe was closed, due to no AC. Service was neglectful: a table which arrived after we did was served and finished before us. We waited almost 1 1/2 hrs before we received our main courses. Dishes are expensive and portions much too large and not worth finishing or taking home. Flavorings were much too salty, gooey and tasteless, with protein amounts very minimal (Ants on a Hill, chicken lo mein). My scallop and shrimp dish had a coating that seemed like it had been put on way before it was cooked and did not seem freshly made. It was a disappointing dinner- we’ve been here before and service and food was better.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Charlotte
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 5 July 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
Haven’t been there in years and it was a shell of its former self.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Naples
1 review
vip
1.0
1 review
Dined on 1 July 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Despite my reservation with Open Table, Shun Lee Cafe was closed when I got there. I was told it was closed weekdays. My group of 6 was extremely disappointed, and we don't understand why Open Table or Shun Lee Cafe didn't notify us of this weekday closure. It is terrible to stand outside a closed restaurant. The Shun Lee restaurant next door offered to seat us, but that is a different venue, and we wanted the cafe.
Is this helpful?
LG
LyndaG
New York City
27 reviews
vip
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on 1 July 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Outstanding Chinese cuisine! We had shrimp in Grand Marnier sauce that was absolutely delicious as were the spring rolls. The service was impeccable. We also enjoyed a pleasant drink at the bar before being seated for dinner. As Shun Lee is across from Lincoln Center, this restaurant has been a family pre-opera/ballet favorite for years, and it did not disappoint!
Is this helpful?
J
Jamie
New York City
230 reviews
vip
4.0
230 reviews
Dined on 26 June 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
To be clear.. this is the second time OpenTable made the reservation at the cafe but it’s closed and only open weekends. We ate at the main restaurant but the reservation didn’t carry over. I had to cancel and rebook! OpenTable needs to be more on top of things. Luckily the main restaurant wasn’t busy. We had a 7 pm curtain to make- it could have been a disaster
Is this helpful?
RO
ROBERTS
Dallas
3 reviews
1.0
3 reviews
Dined on 2 June 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 1
We booked through open table for the cafe serving dim sum but it was closed upon arrival and had to go into the restaurant where choices are limited and expensive. But prices Doubled! It was a rip off from wines to food items and will not return.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Shun Lee Cafe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 769-3888.

Shun Lee Cafe is rated 3.5 stars by 1531 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

1 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 15 times today

Order delivery or takeout

43 West 65th Street, New York, NY 10023

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
Columbus Avenue
Area
Lincoln Square
Hours of Operation
Closed Mon–Thu 11:00 am–9:30 pm Lunch Fri–Sun 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Dinner Fri–Sun 4:30 pm–9:30 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Dim Sum, Chinese, Asian
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
None
Public transit
1 train to 66th Street.
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Sun-Dao Man
Additional
Banquet, Beer, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeout, View, Wine

Website
http://www.shunleewest.com/
Phone number
(212) 769-3888

Shun Lee Cafe

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dim Sum

Soups

Hot & Sour*US$9.00

WontonUS$9.00

Sizzling Rice CakeUS$9.00

Egg DropUS$9.00

Noodles & Rice

Braised Szechuan Beef Soup Noodle*US$17.50

Soup Noodles with VegetablesUS$17.50

Young Chow Pan-Fried NoodlesUS$20.50

Seafood Pan-Fried NoodlesUS$21.50

Vegetable Pan-Fried NoodlesUS$18.50

Singapore Curry Rice Noodles*US$17.50

Lo MeinUS$17.50

Chow Fun (Wide Rice Noodles)US$19.50

Fried RiceUS$17.50

Brown RiceUS$2.00

Entrees

Beijing Duck

Prawns with Garlic & Scallions*US$23.00

Grand Marnier's PrawnUS$23.00

Beijing Style PrawnsUS$23.00

Heavenly Fish FiletUS$22.00

Tung Ting ShrimpUS$22.00

Sauteed Fish Szechuan Style*US$22.00

Chan-Do Chicken*US$21.00

Chicken with VegetablesUS$21.00

Three Pepper Chicken*US$21.00

Chicken with Three Different NitsUS$21.00

Beef with BroccoliUS$22.00

Beef with AsparagusUS$22.00

Crispy Orange Flavored Beef*US$22.00

Shredded Beef Sauteed with Hot Peppers*US$22.00

Sliced Pork Szechuan Style*US$21.00

Chicken W. Broccoli in Brown SauceUS$21.00

Simply Steamed, Poached & Braised

Steamed Chicken and VegetablesUS$21.00

Steamed Fish Filet and VegetablesUS$22.00

Steamed Prawns and VegetablesUS$23.00

Braised Fish Filet in Roasted Chili Broth*US$22.00

Boiled Beef in Spicy Hunan Broth*US$22.00

Old Favorites

Chicken Chow MeinUS$20.00

Sweet & Sour Chicken or PorkUS$21.00

Shrimp in Lobster SauceUS$22.00

Moo Shu PorkUS$21.00

Vegetables

Szechuan Broccoli*US$18.00

Szechuan Eggplant*US$18.00

Sauteed String BeansUS$21.00

Buddha's DelightUS$18.00

Mo Po Tofu (with or Without Meat) *US$18.00

Sauteed Family Bean Curd with Vegetable*US$18.00

Sauteed Baby Bok Choy in GarlicUS$19.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Shun Lee Cafe offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Shun Lee Cafe restaurant rated?

Is Shun Lee Cafe currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information