We Ranked Connecticut’s 9 Best Old-School Chinese Restaurants And Here’s Who Made The Cut

Everyone seems to have that Chinese restaurant order they could recite without opening the menu. The real loyalty begins when the restaurant remembers it too.

Old-school spots inspire that kind of devotion.

For generations of diners in Connecticut, neighborhood Chinese restaurants have been dependable places for familiar favorites served without chasing every new dining trend.

Ranking them was considerably less straightforward.

History mattered, but nostalgia alone could not decide the order. The food still needed to give us a reason to understand why customers return when countless newer choices are available.

Then came the inevitable disagreements.

How do you compare restaurants when one wins you over with a dish you have ordered for years and another makes you reconsider your usual favorite?

Eventually, we had to choose. The final ranking celebrates the places where old-school Chinese dining remains something people are genuinely excited to come back for.

1. Great Taste Chinese Restaurant, New Britain

Some restaurants simply become part of the neighborhood routine. Nearly three decades of steady cooking have helped Great Taste build a loyal following among New Britain families.

Regulars return for familiar favorites, while the long menu leaves plenty of room to try something different. Even first-time visitors should have little trouble spotting something tempting.

Lighter sauces are part of the appeal, allowing vegetables, seafood, and meats to bring more of their own flavor to each dish. General Tso’s chicken remains a popular classic, alongside pork fried rice, boneless spare ribs, and crab Rangoon.

Those ready to branch out can consider Peking duck or sizzling Mongolian beef, while steamed dishes offer a simpler option.

Inside, the atmosphere is polished without feeling overly formal. Conversation comes easily, and servers can help make sense of the lengthy selection when deciding what to order.

Small touches, including warm towels at the end of some meals, add an old-school restaurant feel.

The restaurant serves diners at 597 W Main St in New Britain, with takeout available for nights when dinner at home sounds better.

After years of serving the community, Great Taste continues to balance dependable favorites with dishes that give regulars something different to order on their next visit.

2. Peking Tokyo, Mystic

Don’t let the name fool you. Peking Tokyo, often listed as Johnny’s Peking Tokyo, serves Japanese food, but its Chinese menu is the reason old-school fans keep coming back to Mystic.

It sits at 12 Coogan Blvd in Mystic, inside a small shopping plaza near the town’s busy visitor area. That makes it a handy stop after a day of sightseeing, when tired feet and hungry kids need a comfortable seat fast.

Indoor tables are the main draw, and outdoor seating has also been offered.

The Chinese side of the menu reads like a classic chop suey house list, with soups, appetizers, poultry, duck, pork, beef, seafood, noodles, and fried rice. Happy Family is a crowd-pleaser, mixing scallops, pork, shrimp, beef, and chicken in one generous dish.

General Tso’s chicken and Golden Chicken with sesame seeds cover the sweet and crunchy cravings.

Want something that looks as good as it tastes? Try the Lover’s Nest, served inside a crispy noodle basket, or the Dragon and Phoenix, a showy pairing that feels made for sharing.

Staff are often described as quick and helpful, even when the room gets busy. Since a group can order from both Chinese and Japanese menus, it is easier to accommodate different tastes at the same table.

3. Golden Palace, Uncasville

Since 1987, one family has kept the woks hot at Golden Palace, and that kind of staying power is rare. The restaurant describes itself as the oldest continuously run Chinese restaurant in southeastern Connecticut, which makes it a true local landmark.

Recent renovations gave the space a thoughtful glow-up without erasing its history. Plum trees and folded, angular designs greet guests at the entry.

In the main dining room, a sweeping field of lights calls to mind traditional Chinese lanterns, giving the space a warm and peaceful feel.

Afternoon dim sum is the headline. Small plates arrive one after another: shrimp dumplings, soup dumplings, crispy chicken wings, scallion pancakes, pineapple buns, and roast pork buns.

Dinner fans have just as much to love. House-roasted duck and crab-stuffed shrimp stand out, while Seafood Chow Fun brings lobster, jumbo shrimp, and scallops together with Chinese vegetables.

Classic picks like lo mein, sweet and sour chicken, and crab Rangoon keep the old-school spirit strong.

Local praise has followed, including a hidden-gem mention from CT Magazine and several best Chinese restaurant honors from Norwich Magazine. Visit at 2173 Norwich-New London Tpke, Uncasville, CT 06382, and confirm dim sum hours before you go.

4. Butterfly Chinese Restaurant, West Hartford

Planning a birthday dinner for twenty people? Butterfly Chinese Restaurant might be the easiest answer in West Hartford.

For close to thirty years, it has served sit-down Chinese meals at 831 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06119.

Private banquet rooms are a big part of its charm, with spaces that can hold groups of roughly 25 or 45 guests. That makes it a go-to for graduations, family reunions, and team celebrations.

The main dining room stays comfortable for smaller outings too.

The menu walks two paths at once. One side offers the Chinese-American comfort foods many of us grew up with, like General Tso’s chicken, sesame chicken, and boneless spare ribs.

The other side explores Sichuan and Cantonese cooking, with double cooked pork belly and Peking duck among the highlights.

Curious about the house name? The Butterfly Shrimp, a chef’s specialty, wraps shrimp in bacon and pan-fries it with mixed vegetables.

It is a fun choice when you want something you won’t find everywhere.

Diners with special needs are well looked after. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available, spice can be adjusted, and a health food section offers steamed dishes with sauce on the side.

Meats and vegetables are delivered fresh, a detail that helps keep the cooking bright and clean.

5. Shanghai Gourmet, Orange

Ready for some variety? Shanghai Gourmet serves a broad mix of Chinese and Asian dishes, with plenty of choices for sharing around the table.

The menu covers everything from homemade scallion pancakes and dumplings to seafood, noodles, fried rice, and vegetable dishes.

Spicy options are available throughout the menu, including Szechuan dumplings and several dishes built around chile-forward sauces. Diners can balance the spicier choices with plenty of milder poultry, seafood, vegetable, noodle, and rice dishes.

The dining room keeps things comfortable and relaxed. Soft lighting balances the bold food, while the aroma of garlic and toasted spices hints at what is coming from the kitchen.

Staff can also help newcomers navigate the menu when unfamiliar dishes catch their attention.

Dumplings, scallion pancakes, stir-fried noodles, fried rice, seafood, pork, and beef give diners plenty of directions to explore. Crisp scallion pancakes are handy between hotter bites, and Kung Pao chicken provides a recognizable starting point.

Meals are served at 533 Boston Post Rd in Orange.

Sharing works especially well here, especially when the table mixes appetizers with noodles, rice, and a couple of larger entrées.

6. Shu Restaurant, West Hartford – 156 Shield St

Ever had a meal where passing plates around the table becomes half the fun? That is the rhythm at Shu, where Szechuan cooking turns dinner into a lively shared experience.

Round tables and spinning lazy Susans make it easy to sample someone else’s order, which is useful when the menu offers so many tempting directions.

The signature sensation comes from Sichuan peppercorns, which create their famous tingling, slightly numbing effect alongside the heat of chilies. Diners who prefer less fire can request a milder spice level and ease into the bolder dishes.

The dining room provides a calmer contrast. Low lighting keeps things relaxed, while aromas of garlic and toasted spices drift through the space.

Service is attentive, and staff can help steer newcomers through unfamiliar dishes or accommodate special requests.

Dan dan noodles are an excellent place to begin, bringing together nutty flavors and a noticeable kick. Chengdu dumplings arrive with spicy garlic sauce, while twice-cooked pork with leeks delivers another traditional choice.

Scallion pancakes provide a crisp break between hotter bites, and Kung Pao chicken offers more familiar territory.

Shu serves its Szechuan specialties at 156 Shield St in West Hartford.

Coming with friends makes the experience even better. Order several dishes, spin that lazy Susan, and turn dinner into a meal where everyone gets to try something different.

7. China Pavilion, Orange

Back in 1982, China Pavilion opened its doors, and it has been serving Orange ever since. Four decades is a long run for any restaurant, and this one got there by sticking with cooking methods handed down over generations.

Families feel at ease here. The interior is clean and comfortable, decorated in a classic Chinese style, and the mood stays calm enough for a relaxed meal with grandparents or little kids.

Guests often mention how welcoming and attentive the staff can be.

One feature truly sets China Pavilion apart: a full vegan menu. The kitchen uses non-GMO plant-based proteins and can adapt most dishes, so vegan tangerine beef and vegan chicken with broccoli sit alongside the traditional versions.

If someone in your group skips meat, this makes ordering simple and stress-free.

Of course, the old favorites hold strong. General Tso’s chicken, sesame chicken, barbecued spare ribs, lo mein, and chow fun are steady sellers.

Soup lovers can try shredded pork with pickle soup or hot and sour seafood soup for something a bit less common.

Readers of the New Haven Advocate voted it best Chinese restaurant in 2013, a nice nod to its quality. Find it at 185 Boston Post Rd, Orange, CT 06477, for dine-in, carry-out, or delivery.

8. Oriental Bar & Grill, Uncasville

Handmade dumplings are a labor of love, and the kitchen at Oriental Bar & Grill takes that work seriously. Dim sum here is prepared in-house, pleated by hand, and served fresh, which is reason enough to make the drive to Uncasville.

Start with the crystal shrimp dumplings. Their thin, almost see-through wrappers let the pink shrimp peek through.

Crystal vegetable dumplings offer a meat-free option, and pan-seared Chinese chive dumplings add a crispy, golden bottom that many diners love.

The setting adds to the fun. Water features and modern decor give the room a soothing yet lively energy, and it works well for both a quick lunch and a big family gathering.

Staff are known for being friendly and happy to explain dishes or help with dietary questions.

Beyond dim sum, the menu stretches into classic noodles like chow fun, mei fun, and lo mein. Peking duck is a showpiece worth ordering when you have a few people to share it with.

Some menu items can change with the seasons, so ask what is available that day.

Plan ahead on busy nights, since weekend evenings can fill up and reservations are a good idea. 867 Norwich-New London Turnpike, Uncasville, CT 06382, though calling first to confirm hours and location details is always smart.

9. Moon Star Chinese Kitchen, New Britain

Dinner can be easy. That is the appeal of Moon Star Chinese Kitchen, a casual neighborhood spot built for those evenings when cooking feels like one chore too many.

Orders move quickly, portions are made for sharing, and the menu sticks largely to Chinese-American favorites people already know.

Takeout plays a big role here, though grabbing a table for a simple meal works just as well. The atmosphere is unfussy and comfortable, making it an easy option for busy weeknights when everyone wants something different.

General Tso’s chicken brings the familiar sweet-and-savory combination, while boneless spare ribs and beef with broccoli offer other dependable choices. Crab Rangoon adds something crispy on the side.

Fried rice and lo mein can be paired with chicken, shrimp, beef, or roast pork, giving even picky groups plenty of combinations to work with.

Want more heat? Szechuan and Hunan selections add a spicier direction without forcing the entire table to follow along.

Hot and sour soup can round things out when something warm and comforting sounds good.

For the New Britain location, head to 483 W Main St, along a busy commercial stretch of the city.

Ordering for several people is where the menu becomes especially fun. Mix noodles or rice with a couple of contrasting entrées, open everything in the middle of the table, and let everyone build a plate their own way.