ELITE 12
The 2026 Elite 12 UNITED STATES marks a new extension of the Chinese Restaurant Awards, recommended by Taste Advisors across the United States and selected from this year’s Top 20 Honourees. The final 12 reflect a rapidly evolving Chinese and Taiwanese dining scene — from restaurants rooted in regional traditions to a new generation bringing fresh perspectives to these cuisines. We invite diners to travel, explore different cities and taste the recommended signature dishes selected by our Taste Advisors. And the journey does not end at 12: discover all of this year’s Top 20 Honourees, each offering another compelling expression of the richness and diversity of Chinese and Taiwanese dining across the United States. The Elite 12 is not ranked; the final 12 restaurants below are presented alphabetically by their English names.
