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CHINESE RESTAURANT AWARDS · 2026

ELITE 12

UNITED STATES

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.

Assorted Chinese dishes with lobster, rice bowls, dumplings, and wine on a wooden table.
Assorted Chinese dishes with lobster, rice bowls, dumplings, and wine on a wooden table.

Birds of a Feather

Brooklyn, New York

Sichuan

Assorted sliced roast meats plated on decorative yellow and white dishes with dipping sauces.
Assorted sliced roast meats plated on decorative yellow and white dishes with dipping sauces.

Bistro Na's

Temple City, California

Imperial Chinese

Crispy fried noodles topped with lobster, vegetables, and fresh herbs in a seafood stir-fry.
Crispy fried noodles topped with lobster, vegetables, and fresh herbs in a seafood stir-fry.

Four Kings

San Francisco, California

Modern Chinese

Assorted Chinese restaurant tasting menu with pork, custard tart, and pickled vegetables.
Assorted Chinese restaurant tasting menu with pork, custard tart, and pickled vegetables.

Fu Hui Hua

San Francisco, California

Shanghainese / Jiangnan

Two golden croissant pastries in white liners on a white plate, fresh and flaky.
Two golden croissant pastries in white liners on a white plate, fresh and flaky.

HK Lounge Bistro

San Francisco, California

Cantonese and Dim Sum

Gourmet crab salad served in a golden shell with purple edible flowers.
Gourmet crab salad served in a golden shell with purple edible flowers.

Kato Restaurant

Los Angeles, California

Modern Taiwanese

Slices of glossy roast duck on a yellow plate with greens and dipping sauces.
Slices of glossy roast duck on a yellow plate with greens and dipping sauces.

Mister Jiu's

San Francisco, California

Modern Chinese

Roasted duck on a white plate with dipping sauces and celery in bamboo steamer tray.
Roasted duck on a white plate with dipping sauces and celery in bamboo steamer tray.

MOTT 32

Las Vegas, Nevada

Modern Chinese

Beef stir-fry with peppers, onions, and cilantro in a sizzling skillet.
Beef stir-fry with peppers, onions, and cilantro in a sizzling skillet.

Sumiao Hunan Kitchen

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Hunan

Three seared scallops topped with salmon roe and chives in a steamer basket.
Three seared scallops topped with salmon roe and chives in a steamer basket.

The Happy Crane

San Francisco, California

Modern Chinese

Crispy fried chicken bites with fresh herbs on a white plate.
Crispy fried chicken bites with fresh herbs on a white plate.

Wenwen

Brooklyn, New York

Taiwanese

Pan-seared fish fillet plated with sauce drizzle and greens.
Pan-seared fish fillet plated with sauce drizzle and greens.

Yingtao

New York, New York

Modern Chinese