China Cafe

A true gem in the village of Manlius, where I consistently have great food and service.read more

Very cute, rustic ambiance. Very friendly service. They take reservations if you have a hankering…read morefor one of their alcove tables. Had the cranberry salad with grilled chicken and their homemade poppyseed dressing . It was very good. I'd get an appetizer, dessert or a side though cause I was still a little hungry when I left.

Cranberry salad

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Chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting

Scenic Root

4.2(127 reviews)

Last review was 7 years ago and Scenic Root is still out here doing their thing and doing it well…read more We've been going since the early days and it's one of those places you just know is going to be good every time. I ordered the tropical salmon and was side eyeing the coconut a little, but wow... it all came together perfectly. Sweet, tangy, and the salmon was cooked exactly right. Service never disappoints, and whoever was behind the bar deserves a shoutout because that blackberry margarita was dangerous. I went back for round two and I'm not sorry about it. Dessert was a dense chocolate cake that didn't even last long enough for a photo, which says everything. Consistently good food, fabulous drinks, and a cozy atmosphere that makes you feel like family.

I have had Scenic Root on my "must go" list forever it seems, so was excited to finally check it…read moreout. We had an amazing meal and definitely made for a great date night! We ordered the bang bang shrimp appetizer, and the batter was so crispy and also fluffy (almost like a battered haddock but lighter) - awesome! The bang bang sauce has great flavor, but slightly too mayo forward for my preferences - but ate it up nonetheless and would get them again! I also ordered a blackberry margarita- which I will say was strong, but the flavors were great. When I asked if they minded giving me a couple Slices of lemon and some simple syrup (and yes I admitted that it was a ME problem, not that they made it poorly- it was just stronger and I'm a big wimp!) , they promptly, no questions asked said "we got this" and put the drink back in the shaker and added some simple syrup (mind you I was totally fine with just a little shot glass of it to dump in my drink!) - so the willingness to be so helpful was very appreciated. As for our entrees, one of us ordered the Cajun Alfredo and one of us ordered the Tropical Salmon, both were made incredibly well, and the flavor and seasoning was fantastic! The Alfredo sauce when I tried it was lovely, not so thick and "artery clogging" as some Alfredo can be, but coated the noodles beautifully and packed a flavorful punch. The salmon was cooked perfectly, and the pineapple and coconut in the rice made for an amazingly delicious dish. We were also fortunate to sit at a window overlooking the swan pond and then take a nice walk around the pond. So lovely- cannot wait to go back!!

Front of building

Tropical Salmon

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Cajun Chicken & Sausage Alfredo

Diwan Restaurant

4.8(47 reviews)

I dined here with a coworker a couple of weeks ago. I hadn't been since they opened, but the…read morequality hasn't diminished one bit. Our server was the son who's one of the owners and it's obvious how much he cares about the restaurant and his guests. We really felt taken care of in a way that tands out compared to a lot of restaurants. The dining room was busy but he always took the time to check on us, joke with us, and make us feel absolutely welcome. We both got mocktails. Mine was so flavorful and refreshing, just the right mix of tart and sweet. For our first course we got the spicy feta hummus which is homemade and served with homemade pita. The bread was warmed and very light. The hummus was rich. I loved the kick of the spices and the creaminess of the feta, the exact right amount of heat. For my main I got the fried cauliflower wrap with lentil soup. The soup was warming, well spiced, and perfectly comforting. The wrap was unreal in its flavor. Well seasoned cauliflower fried the exact perfect amount, fresh lettuce and tomato, a creamy sauce. Divine. I was stuffed halfway through but soldiered on because it was so delicious I couldn't put it down. Very reasonably priced as well. Didn't have a bad bite or sip here and I suspect that if I ordered everything on the menu, I'd love it all. This is an outstanding mediterranean restaurant in a city that has no shortage of them. Absolutely worth the drive out to Manlius. Go watch the swans, walk around town, and have a wonderful meal here, you won't regret it.

My wife and I visited Diwan for dinner for the first time last night (7/10/26) after hearing so…read moremany great things about it. We were excited to finally give it a try, and the food absolutely lived up to the hype. This was easily the best Middle Eastern food we've had in Central New York. We started with the hummus appetizer, which was fresh, flavorful, and paired perfectly with the delicious house-made and warm pita. I ordered the beef and lamb gyro, and my wife had the beef kebabs. Both meals were outstanding, and we'll definitely be back for the food. Unfortunately, what keeps me from leaving a five-star review was the service we received from our server, Megan. I'm not sure whether it was because we arrived about an hour before closing or if she was simply having an off night, but from the beginning, the service felt rushed and inattentive, and it never improved. Just a couple of minutes after we were seated, she asked if we were ready to order. When we said we were still looking over the menu, she simply replied, "Okay," and walked away without asking if we had any questions or explaining the menu. My wife had to stop her as she was walking away to ask what drinks were available. A few minutes later, when she returned to take our order, she took our appetizer order and my wife's entrée order while looking around the dining room, said "thank you," and immediately started walking away without taking my order. I had to stop her so I could order my meal. During our meal, while I had my gyro in hand and was about to take another bite, I noticed her standing beside our table preparing the payment terminal. My wife looked at her, the server said "sorry" and then set down the payment terminal on the neighboring table instead. Once we were finished, she handed us the payment terminal and then asked whether we'd like dessert or coffee, after already presenting the check, which felt a bit odd. After I paid, I was in the middle of selecting how I wanted my receipt when she took the payment terminal away before I could finish, leaving me unable to receive an itemized receipt for our meal. The food was exceptional, and we'll absolutely be back because the kitchen deserves every bit of the praise it receives. That said, we'll be requesting a different server next time. The service we experienced tonight was disappointing and didn't match the quality of the food. On a positive note, there was another server working this evening who was incredibly friendly and welcoming. I didn't catch her name, but she left a much better impression and reflected the kind of hospitality we were hoping to experience.

Front counter, they do a great take out

Falafel!

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Fool

Asian Cafe

4.6(61 reviews)

2.5 mi

Customer service is amazing, the flavors are rich and full. Portions are more than enough, we just…read morewish they had Thai tea

Very clean albeit spartan place. Mainly takeout but there are 6 tables of 4 for dine in. I chose to…read morefine in. Extremely friendly owners and waitress. The portions are huge and inexpensive so if I was eating solely for value I'd give them 5 stars. Got the Kung Pao Chicken and the Jumbo Shrimp with Garlic Sauce. The shrimp was my favorite of the two with the shrimp being cooked just right. The Kung Pao chicken was fine, just didn't have much spice to it (personal preference I guess). They do have a nice hot sauce on the side at each table.

Booths with chili oil.

Kung Pao Chicken

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Beef rice bowl

Good Times Sushi

4.3(58 reviews)

Our second time here with kids and we LOVE it. The place itself is very humble, kind of like a…read morecountryside diner - it is cozy and friendly - you will be taken care of right away the minute you step in. The personnel are polite and quick, and your food will be ready in a blink of an eye. And the food here is of much better quality than some of the upscale sushi places!! Delish. All of it. We've tried probably half of the menu and every dish is great. Thanks so much guys, we're coming back for sure!

I want to preface this review by saying that there was only ONE person (cooking and waitressing)…read moreworking a rather busy weekday lunch time so that could be a major factor for my low review. The wait for a sashimi and sushi platter was rather long, it took over 45 mins for my order to come out from the moment I placed it. The presentation was excellent but the taste was not. The sushi rice from the California roll and nigri was also very mushy and not flavorful. The fish itself was decent, not the freshest but not the worse either. The miso soup was lukewarm and kind of bland. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice, it's definitely going for a cozy Japanese restaurant type of vibe with the wood walls and flooring. That being said, there were too many things that made my experience not so great. I'd like to try this restaurant again maybe when they're not so short staffed and can focus on the quality of the food better.

Spicy Ramen , Poke Bowl , Las Vegas roll

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The Daily Diner

3.9(75 reviews)

0.0 mi

Oh my lanta!! Yall, this place is my new favorite the decor, the atmosphere is adorable. Its like…read morestepping back in time to the good Ole days. The service was fantastic and friendly. The older gentleman who brought out our food kept coming and checking in and telling funny jokes lol. The food was out of this world! Huge plates, and perfectly seasoned. I ordered the pumpkin and chocolate pancakes and some home fries, and hubby got the country fried steak fries and eggs and we both ate until we couldn't anymore. Perfection!

The wait staff are great but the food was terrible! I ordered Oatmeal and it was like eating glue!…read moreI also had a pancake and I could have bounced it off a wall it was so dry! The omelette that my friend got was watered down! Plus we had to wait 45 minutes for our food!! I'm not a fan.

Inside (IG: ea_yelpelite)

Ghoul Goblin Milkshake

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Orange Creansickle Milkshake

Dark Horse Tavern

4.3(246 reviews)

4.9 mi

We had a great experience at Dark Horse! The service was excellent--very attentive without being…read moreoverbearing--and our food came out incredibly quickly. My dad had the prime rib special and Thai chili fried pork bites, my mom had the chicken summer salad, and I ordered the steak salad. Everything was delicious, cooked perfectly, and full of flavor. The atmosphere is casual and comfortable, making it a great spot for an easy, enjoyable meal. We'll definitely be back!

I will start this as I always do by saying I don't give out five stars unless I am really blown…read moreaway I have not been here for a few years, but nothing has changed. This place is still awesome. It does not have an extravagant menu but everything on the menu is delicious. Portion sizes are great. Service is awesome and the ambience is cool. This is one of my favorite places to come in the Syracuse area. It is now back on the top of my mind so I will be frequently coming back. I suggest you do the same.

Seated at table by the bar. Very cute and cozy environment.

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Outside

Manlius Fish Fry

3.6(18 reviews)

0.4 mi

Everything was delicious, especially the PIDE AND LAHMACUN and the Fresh Lamb shish, french fries,…read moreand the most tasty was the grilled chicken wings. The service was amazing probably one of the best services i've ever had. I think everyone should go and try it, one of the best restaurants i've ever had. Thank you so much for all the nice workers!!

This food was spectacular! There were two people working today and both were super friendly and…read morehelpful while ordering. The prices were reasonable and the food is very clean. This is a restaurant I will definitely come to again. After eating this, I don't feel weighed down. The dining area is clean and neatly organized, and it's really quiet ( in this case idk if you'd like that or not) but I would 10/10 recommend!

Fried Clam Strips

Fried Shrimp

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Burned old oil chicken tenders

Taichi

4.7(6 reviews)

5.3 mi

I really like this plaza in Dewitt on Erie Blvd. I heard there was another Taichi that opened up…read moreout here, so I stopped in. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and so clean, comfortable and bright. The lady at the counter was very nice and helpful. You can put in your own order at the counter or fill out a sheet for her to work from. I decided on the Ramen Noodle Bowl. I got Tonkatsu broth and pork in it. It comes with 1/2 egg, green onion, bamboo shoots and little fish cake slices. It came out quickly and it was very flavorful with just enough pork for my taste. Next time I might get more vegetables, but it was very satisfying. They have a small refrigerator with other drink choices which is nice if you don't want bubble tea or smoothies.

Cute in a Japanese Hello Kitty kind of way. Got the ramen with pork with the spicy tonkatsu broth (…read morewhich seemed like the tonkotsu broth with a dollop of hot sauce put on top, which was spicy by the way). It was good.

Photo by Amelia Beamish

Pork Tonkatsu Ramen

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Photo by Amelia Beamish

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9 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Negar V.

12 years ago

The food is good and cheap . The portion is more than enough for one person. Its seating area is not very good. But it is perfect for to-go. read more

Cindy S.

9 years ago

The food was OK but nothing special. They could have used more flavoring, it was a little bland. However they were pretty fast.

Rick L.

12 years ago

been going there since it opened up. it never disappoints. always fresh and excellent. I live in Manlius also.

Jodi G.

10 years ago

This place is quick and easy for a lunch or dinner stop. Food is always delicious and place is clean.

BrittanyMoenRealtor _.

283

2 years ago

China Cafe is always delicious & fresh. Great customer service. Delivery is fast! 5 star rating!!!!

Mack B.

8 years ago

Been going here since they opened. Awesome food, friendly owners, definitely give it a try

Jay J.

10 years ago

My second favorite Chinese restaurant after China Road. Haven't been disappointed yet.

Josh H.

15 years ago

Best Chinese restaurant in the area by far.

Jing W.

15 years ago

the best Chinese food in Syracuse

China Cafe - chinese - Updated October 2026

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People who viewed China Cafe also viewed

Chang Jiang

3.1

(22 reviews)

We've never been disappointed with our food from here and during COVID I swear it's even better!!…read moreThis is the only place we order Chinese from. Your food is always ready in 10 or 15 minutes and is always piping hot. Our go to favorites are steamed dumplings, wonton soup, sweet and sour chicken and the beef green curry. The flavors are consistent and never disappoint and the food always tastes fresh. They took extra precautions during COVID setting up 'barriers' and the like when you go in to pick up.

My daughter decided to order take out from here and I was not impressed. The wonton soup had an…read moreunpleasant flavor and the Chinese barbecue was a bit chewy. The only thing I sampled that was decent was the General Tso chicken. It was well seasoned and soft to the bite.

China Chen

4.4

(36 reviews)

Called for pick up, went in to get the food and was helped fairly quickly. The food was all very…read morehot and fresh. When I was in there I saw two employees making wontons by hand fresh. Would recommend for quick Chinese take away in the area. Was about 40$ for 3 people food

I have been craving some really, really good authentic Chinese food for a while now, and while I…read morewas in the area, I immediately checked Yelp to see what people were saying about this spot. The reviews looked promising, so I called ahead and placed my order. They told me it would be ready in about 10 minutes, which was perfect. I ordered wonton soup, orange chicken, and house fried rice (my favorite because you get the mix of chicken, shrimp, and sometimes pork). I completely forgot to take photos when I first got my food, so the pictures I posted are actually from the leftovers I brought to work the next day for lunch -- which also shows they give solid portion sizes, pretty typical and generous for a Chinese restaurant. The staff was very kind, and one thing I really appreciated was that they had utensils and sauces set out for customers to grab themselves. I feel like a lot of restaurants can be a little stingy with sauces or charge for every extra, so it was refreshing to be able to take what I needed without having to ask. For that alone, I'd give them five stars for customer service. As for the food, it was good -- not bad at all -- but I personally wanted a little more flavor and seasoning. I would definitely eat here again, but I'm still on the search for my go-to Chinese spot. If anyone has recommendations for a place with bold flavor and great seasoning, let me know!

No 1 Kitchen

3.5

(24 reviews)

I love the food from China Cafe! Never had anything that I wouldn't order, again! Not much…read moreambiance and you really only speak to the lady behind the counter when you give your order, but, it's fast, convenient and delicious!

I was in Manlius and decided to get a quick snack and I remembered hearing about #1 Kitchen. I…read morelooked over the menu and it was pretty typical for most Chinese restaurants. I ordered an egg roll and Shrimp Fried rice. The egg roll was nice and crisp and very hot. Sadly, like almost all egg rolls these days, it was mostly cabbage. The Shrimp Fried rice had a nice amount of shrimp but was a little bland. I brought most of it home and the next day I reheated it with more vegetables and some Asian sauces I had. I would go back and try another dish. (I'm sorry I didn't take pictures)

Beijing Chinese Food

3.9

(15 reviews)

We order Chinese food once every couple of months and since our usual place was closed for the day…read morewe decided to try Beijing on a whim. Very glad we did! First off, this place is largely a take out spot, they have a couple small tables. The interior is what you'd expect from a take out spot, nothing super appealing but fine. They could clean it up a bit and take down the old entree pictures up top that are discolored and decades old. There is a small step down from front door to side walk, that can take you off guard if not aware. The service was nice and efficient even on a busy Friday evening. The food was excellent. The lo mein was cooked perfectly, not too oily and firm texture. The house fried rice was excellent, a lot of shrimp. My spouse raved about the general tsos chicken, which he liked a bit better than our usual spot. The prices are more than reasonable, we'll definitely be back soon.

Really good and cheap take out Chinese. Exactly what I want and some of the better tasting I've…read morefound around town. The orange chicken and Singapore noodles were my favorite. Dumplings were a little too doughy for me and the springs rolls were good though could use a little more filling. Definitely my go-to Chinese food place.

Lin Li's Chinese Restaurant

3.8

(28 reviews)

Was looking for a quick bite on my way home and didn't want fast food. Found this take out place…read moreand stopped in to order. It appears any tables that were available are walled off and what they've done is set up an order booth with a slide for the money and a box to deliver the food without contact. I ordered a lunch special general Tso's with pork fried rice and the wait was less than 10 minutes. The meal came in a recyclable plastic container and was too piping hot and really good. Definitely recommend for someone in the north Syracuse area looking for takeout or someone like me passing through on I-81.

Pretty good for a Syracuse area greaser. If you're in the mood for good "bad Chinese food," look no…read morefurther.

Golden City

3.4

(31 reviews)

Best egg foo young I've ever had. Inside, it's just a classic Chinese to-go place. My beautiful…read morepregnant wife ordered a combo meal that was also good

Hadn't been here in a while; I use toove their wonton soup, but this visit was very disappointing…read more The employee was impolite, the wonton tasted overcooked, I didn't finish it. Gone downhill. Probably not coming back.

New Garden

3.6

(40 reviews)

This was our first time ordering from new Garden. I have to say so far this is the best Chinese…read moredelivery that we have had here in Syracuse and it was truly amazing. I had the chicken Kung Pao and my mother had the General Tso's chicken. Both were out of this world. They actually had flavor you could taste the different spices and garlic which is a first for us. Usually when you order Chinese take out everything borders on the line of the same or bland. We are looking forward to trying other things on their menu. Also, delivery was quite fast and on time especially considering it's a Friday and it's dinner hour. This was also the first time that I had ever used the online ordering system here in Syracuse. I was a little worried at first wondering if the order would actually get through and the restaurant realizing that they actually had an order in the first place. But, everything went very smooth. I received an order confirmation immediately after placing the order and I never had to call the restaurant to make sure that they were going to deliver. I highly recommend.

A good choice for Chinese takeout. The portions are very generous. I got a veggie lo mein with eggs…read moreand tofu with mixed vegetables, which came with white rice ($24). The lo mein was well seasoned but a bit too saucy. The tofu dish had a very good variety of fresh veggies but the sauce needed some soy sauce, was a bit bland. This place does have a good number of veggie and tofu dishes, so Ill give it another try. Ambiance is classic takeout; counter, some chairs and one table. Service was quick, i ordered online and waited just a couple of minutes after I arrived to get my food.

Taste of China

3.8

(20 reviews)

Service was very friendly and kept me informed on my order status as I arrived early…read more This is mostly a Take Out restaurant only. I didn't see table service area but there may have been a table available. Orange Chicken was very good. Boneless spare ribs excellent very little fat. Vegetable egg foo young was great. Lo mein was also good

For Americanized Chinese food style, this little stop is decent. We stopped by the other evening…read morefor takeout and found the service to be fast and pleasant. The food itself was hot and fresher than many other types of locations. The interior is fine, clean for ordering. I ordered coconut chicken, a dish I am always chasing to find after my favorite restaurant near my old college closed, and was pleasantly surprised by it's lightly sweet flavor. The chicken was not fully crunchy as you'd look for in this type of fried chicken dish but the serving was a good portion and had plenty of sauce. We also ordered steam pork dumplings and shrimp toast... now the shrimp toast is something you should not skip! It was very good, and better than many I have had from other restaurants. Not too oily and had a good amount of the shrimp sauce.

Big Bowl Inc

3.0

(22 reviews)