Why Royal Seafood is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family

Royal Seafood is widely recognized as a prime destination for dim sum enthusiasts in New York City's Chinatown. Renowned for its traditional dim sum served directly from carts, this restaurant provides an authentic and immersive culinary experience that brings together friends and families over shared dishes. The atmosphere is vibrant and communal, featuring spacious and carpeted interiors with large round tables perfect for group gatherings. This setting encourages leisurely meals where diners can savor an array of flavors and textures, from delicate har gow (shrimp dumplings) to sticky fried rice and rice rolls with beef and shrimp. One of the unique charms of Royal Seafood is its offering of less common delights such as chicken feet and snails in black bean sauce, which add to the adventurous and genuine dim sum experience. The restaurant is known for its consistent popularity, often bustling especially on weekends, though weekday visits, particularly brunch times, can provide a more relaxed ambiance with shorter waits. In addition to the food, the social dynamic plays a significant role, as sharing dishes fosters connection and enjoyment among friends. Located conveniently in Chinatown, it also benefits from proximity to cultural attractions and nearby hotels, making it a convenient meeting spot. Overall, Royal Seafood combines traditional culinary practices with a warm, lively atmosphere, making it an excellent place for friends to meet, indulge in classic Cantonese dim sum, and create memorable dining experiences.

Here's what people think of Royal Seafood

As of recent, Royal Seafood holds a 4-star rating based on 1352 reviews.

Reviews for Royal Seafood reflect a favorable consensus with an overall rating around 4.0 stars out of 5 by over a thousand reviewers. Many customers appreciate the authenticity and traditional approach to dim sum, praising the restaurant for maintaining the classic cart service that enhances the dining experience. Positive highlights include diverse and flavorful dishes like the har gow, sticky fried rice, and savory rice rolls, as well as the adventurous options such as chicken feet and snails in black bean sauce, which some find delightful. Reviewers often mention the spacious and comfortable dining room that accommodates families and large groups, creating a welcoming environment for socializing. Additionally, the staff is described as friendly and helpful, contributing to a pleasant visit. However, some negative reviews note that while the food is tasty and affordable, it may lack top-end quality or involve use of frozen ingredients and MSG, which could affect purists seeking impeccable freshness. Others remark on occasional long waits during peak times and mention that the variety can be limited compared to other establishments. Despite these critiques, many find Royal Seafood to offer good value and a genuine dim sum experience that is not to be missed in New York City. In summary, the restaurant is well-regarded for its authentic atmosphere and solid menu, with minor drawbacks in quality consistency and crowd management.

Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)

Wil Yuen

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

During our trip to NYC we came here on 2 separate occasions once for dinner than later for dim sum. Food was pretty good, much better than at home.

Nang Kham Phoo Lay

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Love it but in the weekends and at lunch time, you have to be patient to get a seat. You have to tell them how many people and they will give you a token number. Authentic and delicious! We had like 8 different dim-sum and it costed around 50 which is not bad. Make sure you give tips to the server at the door before you leave!

J Y

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Came here because of the Google map reviews, but really disappointed by its obsolete dining atmosphere and not great dim sum. 😮

Jamie L

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Coming back to this restaurant was such a nostalgic experience. As a little girl, I used to come here for dim sum with my parents, and now, returning as an adult and ordering whatever I want feels completely different. I can’t say the quality has stayed the same—or maybe my taste buds have just changed over the years. That said, they still serve decent dim sum, and the cart ladies are as warm and friendly as ever. If you’re planning a visit, it’s best to come early, though expect a wait. By the afternoon, they often run out of popular items like shrimp rice noodle rolls—one of my favorites!

Christina

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Horrible experience. Didn’t bother to take pictures since the food was mid. The overall service just makes this place not even worth going. There were only 2 tables that were occupied and the whole place was basically empty. Wanted to grab something to eat since it was the family’s first time in New York (Not a first time for me, and I usually go to New York quite often) and the restaurant was just conveniently close by. When we first came in, no one even bothered to ask how many people or even seated us??? We even waited over 10 minutes. It even gets worse when we ordered food, especially soup, and they didn’t even give us any spoons… No condiments on the table either. Didn’t even bother to ask if we needed anything. Why did we have to go hunt them down just for the most basic things that should have been accommodated for us? Honestly, I will not come here again. There are a ton of other great Chinese food spots in Chinatown, and I would rather much go elsewhere. Side note: I went during dinner time (5PM) on a Saturday.

How to reach Royal Seafood

Why rally at Royal Seafood with your friends? Royal Seafood, located in the heart of New York City’s Chinatown, is a vibrant, bustling spot perfect for social gatherings and celebrations with friends or family. The atmosphere is lively yet comfortable, designed to host big groups around spacious round tables that encourage sharing and conversation. Whether you’re planning a casual Sunday brunch or a festive dinner, this place offers more than just a meal; it provides an experience centered on camaraderie and indulgence. The signature dim sum service, with traditional carts gliding between tables, allows everyone to pick and choose small, flavorful dishes at their own pace, making it both interactive and fun. With a well-earned 4.0 rating from over 1,350 reviews, the restaurant balances quality and authenticity, making it a reliable destination for groups who appreciate fresh seafood and classic Chinese flavors. The combination of delicious food, a friendly environment, and efficient service creates the perfect backdrop for memorable moments with friends.

What activities and features make Royal Seafood ideal for group meetups? First and foremost, Royal Seafood excels with its dim sum cart service—a quintessential social dining style where servers push carts filled with an array of small plates directly to tables. This interactive dining promotes sharing and discussion about favorite dishes, ideal for groups wanting an engaging meal experience. Dim sum selections range from shrimp dumplings and sticky fried rice to more adventurous offerings like chicken feet and snails in black bean sauce, catering to diverse tastes within a group. Moreover, the restaurant’s large, carpeted dining room is designed to accommodate extended families or friend groups, offering comfort and space to linger over meals without rush. The ability to order a variety of seafood dishes, all freshly prepared, ensures there's something for everyone, from delicate steamed buns to delicately seasoned fish. Besides the culinary aspect, the lively setting in Chinatown adds cultural richness to your gathering, with nearby sights and local shops that can extend your outing beyond just the meal. This makes Royal Seafood not just a place to eat but a hub of social and cultural interaction.

Why is Royal Seafood’s dim sum experience unique and engaging for groups? Dim sum at Royal Seafood is served on traditional carts seven days a week, an increasingly rare practice that adds both visual appeal and spontaneity to your meal. Instead of ordering from a static menu, guests choose dishes as carts roll past, inviting groups to try new flavors and discuss their picks, creating natural conversation starters. This style turns dining into an event; each dish is presented fresh and hot, allowing groups to sample a wide range of textures and tastes throughout the meal. For large gatherings, this format means everyone can customize their dining experience while sharing plates, fostering bonding through collective discovery. Items like perfectly steamed har gow, sticky fried rice, and flaky egg tarts are crowd pleasers, while more niche items offer culinary adventure for the curious. The communal aspect of dim sum encourages slower eating and extended interaction, which is ideal when you want to spend quality time catching up with friends or family over multiple rounds of delicious food.

What makes Royal Seafood’s location and setting suitable for hosting friends and family? Situated at 103 Mott Street, Royal Seafood boasts a prime spot in Chinatown, a vibrant neighborhood that enhances the overall outing. The restaurant’s interior, while not overly extravagant, is spacious and carpeted, creating a warm and inviting environment that accommodates groups comfortably. Big round tables are a staple here, specifically designed for social eating where dishes can be shared easily, promoting an inclusive dining experience. Its location also offers convenience, with nearby hotels and attractions making it accessible for visitors or locals planning a day out. After your meal, there are plenty of opportunities to explore Chinatown’s markets, tea shops, and unique boutiques, turning the meetup into an all-day adventure. The bustling streets and culturally rich surroundings add an energetic vibe, making your gathering feel lively and memorable without needing to travel far.

How does the food quality at Royal Seafood enhance group gatherings? Reviewers consistently praise Royal Seafood for its authentic and flavorful dishes, particularly the dim sum offerings which are considered good, fresh, and satisfying for the price range. While the variety might not be exhaustive compared to some competitors, the focus on quality ensures that each dish tastes great and pleases a wide array of palates. Whether you prefer popular items like shrimp dumplings or more traditional delicacies such as chicken feet, the food here does not disappoint. Groups benefit from this reliability because it reduces the gamble on what to order, making planning easier and the experience more enjoyable. The staff's efficiency and friendliness add to this positive impression, as they manage busy crowds well without letting service slip. This combination of good food, friendly service, and value is key to keeping everyone happy and engaged during your meetup.

What other group-friendly features does Royal Seafood offer? Beyond the food and ambiance, Royal Seafood’s staff and service style cater well to larger parties. The restaurant is known to handle high volumes of guests without overly long waits, especially during dim sum brunch hours on weekends, which is a boon for groups eager to start their gathering promptly. Sharing is encouraged by the dish sizes and the dim sum carts, promoting a casual, relaxed dining pace that suits socializing rather than rushed meals. Although some reviews note practical limitations, such as the absence of specialized seafood tools which might require a bit of DIY effort when cracking crab or shellfish, this is a minor inconvenience against the overall enjoyable dining experience. The environment also accommodates diverse groups, including families with kids or friends seeking a lively place to reconnect. Such flexibility and inclusiveness enhance the appeal of Royal Seafood as a meet-up venue.

How can visiting Royal Seafood connect you with a cultural experience? Dining at Royal Seafood is not just about food but also about immersing in a slice of New York City’s Chinatown heritage. The tradition of dim sum carts and the menu’s focus on authentic Chinese seafood dishes invite guests to experience culinary culture that has been cherished for generations. For groups unfamiliar with some dishes, this provides an educational and exciting opportunity to explore new flavors and textures together. The restaurant itself, surrounded by the mosaic of Chinatown’s streetscape and shops, creates a cultural hub where food and history intermingle. Friends and families dining here often find themselves sharing stories, opinions, and even learning about dishes from servers or fellow diners, fostering a deeper connection beyond the meal. This cultural richness adds a unique layer of enjoyment to any group outing, making Royal Seafood a go-to location for those who want their meetups to be meaningful as well as delicious.

Don't just take our word for it. Check out these other websites for more info on the Royal Seafood

• https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60763-d2487745-Reviews-Royal_Seafood_Restaurant-New_York_City_New_York.html
• https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g181716-d7323019-Reviews-or15-Royal_Seafood_Restaurant-Richmond_British_Columbia.html
• https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g181716-d7323019-Reviews-Royal_Seafood_Restaurant-Richmond_British_Columbia.html