Arizona’s Chinese food scene continues to earn national recognition, and one Tempe restaurant has now been singled out as the state’s best. Tasting Table recently released its list of the best Chinese restaurants in every state, selecting Old Town Taste in Tempe as Arizona’s top choice.
The ranking highlights the restaurant’s authentic flavors and has sparked conversation among local diners, many of whom have their own favorite Chinese restaurants across the Phoenix metro area.
Ranking
Tasting Table named Old Town Taste in Tempe the best Chinese restaurant in Arizona.
In its roundup, the publication praised the restaurant’s spicy chicken and Szechuan-style stir fry, describing it as a standout in Arizona’s growing Chinese dining scene.
“This restaurant offers something different in a saturated Chinese food market in Arizona,” wrote Tasting Table’s Elettra Pauletto.
According to the publication, the rankings were based on a combination of professional reviews and customer feedback.
Recognition
Old Town Taste has also received praise from local chefs.
Former Valentine chef Donald Hawk told The Arizona Republic in 2025 that Old Town Taste is his personal choice when dining out on his days off.
The recognition adds to the restaurant’s reputation among both food professionals and regular customers seeking authentic Chinese cuisine.
Restaurant
Old Town Taste specializes in regional Chinese dishes and is known for bold Szechuan flavors.
The restaurant is open daily for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., closes for a staff break, and reopens for dinner from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 9 p.m. on Sundays.
It is located at 1845 E. Broadway Road in Tempe.
| Restaurant | Location | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town Taste | Tempe | Spicy chicken, Szechuan-style stir fry |
| Great Wall Cuisine | Phoenix | Dim sum, shrimp shu mai, Chinese broccoli |
| Mekong Palace | Mesa | Dim sum, seafood, roast suckling pig |
| Shaanxi Garden | Mesa | Northwestern Chinese cuisine, malatang |
Valley Favorites
While Old Town Taste earned the statewide recognition, several other restaurants are frequently recommended by local food writers.
Great Wall Cuisine in Phoenix has been a destination for dim sum since 1992 and remains a longtime favorite for dishes such as shrimp shu mai, egg noodles, and Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce.
Mekong Palace, located in Mesa’s Mekong Plaza, offers traditional dim sum alongside specialties including live seafood, sizzling plates, and whole roast suckling pig.
Shaanxi Garden in Mesa focuses on the cuisine of northwestern China and is especially known for its hand-pulled noodles, lamb dishes, spices, and its highly regarded malatang.
Dining
Metro Phoenix has developed one of the Southwest’s most diverse Chinese food scenes, with restaurants representing a wide range of regional cuisines beyond familiar American-Chinese dishes.
From Szechuan and Cantonese cooking to Shaanxi specialties and traditional dim sum, diners have a variety of options throughout the Valley.
Because of that diversity, choosing a single “best” restaurant often comes down to personal taste and the style of Chinese cuisine a diner prefers.
Outlook
Old Town Taste’s recognition by Tasting Table highlights the growing appreciation for authentic regional Chinese cuisine in Arizona. While food rankings often inspire debate, the selection also shines a spotlight on the broader Chinese restaurant scene across metro Phoenix, where longtime favorites and newer establishments continue to attract loyal customers.
FAQs
Which restaurant was named Arizona’s best Chinese restaurant?
Old Town Taste in Tempe received the top ranking.
Who published the rankings?
The rankings were published by Tasting Table.
What dishes is Old Town Taste known for?
Its spicy chicken and Szechuan-style stir fry.
Where is Old Town Taste located?
1845 E. Broadway Road in Tempe, Arizona.
What other Chinese restaurants were highlighted?
Great Wall Cuisine, Mekong Palace, and Shaanxi Garden.
