Nestled in the heart of Manhattan's historic Chinatown, Nom Wah Tea Parlor stands as a living testament to the culinary evolution of New York City. Located at 13 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013, this establishment has become more than just a place to eat; it is a cultural landmark that bridges the gap between the past and the present. Since its inception, the parlor has served as a gathering spot for locals and visitors alike, offering a glimpse into the traditional tea house culture that once defined the neighborhood. Stepping through its doors feels like entering a different era, where the bustling energy of modern New York fades into the background, replaced by the comforting aroma of freshly steamed dim sum and the gentle clinking of porcelain tea cups.
The history of Nom Wah is deeply intertwined with the development of Doyers Street, a narrow, winding thoroughfare known for its unique character. Over the decades, the restaurant has maintained its commitment to quality and authenticity, preserving recipes and techniques that have been passed down through generations. While the city around it has undergone rapid transformation, the parlor remains a steadfast anchor, providing a sense of continuity and nostalgia. It is a place where stories are shared over bamboo baskets, and where the simple act of enjoying a meal becomes a meaningful connection to the heritage of the Chinese-American experience.
Key Highlights of the Experience
Historic Atmosphere: The interior design reflects a bygone era, featuring vintage decor and a layout that encourages communal dining and conversation, making it a unique destination for those seeking an authentic historical ambiance.
Traditional Culinary Craft: The kitchen focuses on time-honored preparation methods, ensuring that every dish reflects the classic flavors and textures that have defined Cantonese dim sum for generations.
Cultural Significance: As one of the oldest establishments of its kind in the city, the parlor serves as a vital piece of New York's social history, offering guests an educational and immersive look into the traditions of Chinatown.
Iconic Location: Situated on the legendary Doyers Street, the restaurant is perfectly positioned for those exploring the vibrant streets and hidden corners of one of Manhattan's most fascinating neighborhoods.
Beyond the food, the true essence of Nom Wah Tea Parlor lies in its ability to foster community. It is a space that welcomes everyone, from long-time neighborhood residents to curious travelers looking to understand the soul of the city. The service is characterized by a warmth that is often lost in the fast-paced environment of modern dining, emphasizing the importance of hospitality and the shared joy of a well-prepared meal. Whether you are visiting for a quick afternoon snack or a leisurely weekend gathering, the experience is designed to be both grounding and memorable.
As you navigate the vibrant landscape of New York City, a visit to this iconic tea parlor offers a rare opportunity to slow down and appreciate the craftsmanship behind traditional dim sum. It is a celebration of longevity, resilience, and the enduring power of food to bring people together. By honoring its roots while remaining relevant to contemporary diners, Nom Wah Tea Parlor continues to be a cherished destination, inviting all who enter to be a part of its ongoing story. It is not merely a restaurant, but a cornerstone of the community that continues to thrive in the heart of Doyers Street.
In conclusion, Nom Wah Tea Parlor remains an essential stop for anyone wishing to experience the authentic culinary landscape of New York City. Its dedication to preserving the integrity of its offerings, combined with its rich historical narrative, ensures that it will continue to be a beloved institution for years to come. When you find yourself in the vicinity of 13 Doyers Street, take a moment to step inside, enjoy the atmosphere, and savor the flavors that have made this parlor a true New York classic.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible seating
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Service options
Delivery
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service
Great tea selection
Serves local specialty
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Coffee
Comfort food
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Counter service
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Historic
Trendy
Crowd
College students
Family-friendly
Groups
Tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Usually a wait
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Parking
Paid street parking
Usually difficult to find a space
Menus
Dessert
Almond Cookies$2.50
Steamed Lotus Buns$5.25
Fried Sesame Balls With Lotus Paste$5.25
Steamed Phoenix Buns$5.25
Steamed Red Bean Buns$5.25
Chef’s Specials
Chinese Broccoli In Oyster Sauce (V)$13.00
Pan-Fried Noodle In Superior Soy Sauce$13.50
Salt & Pepper Pork Chops$16.50
Sweet & Sour Pork Chops$16.50
Turnip Cake With XO Sauce$13.50
Chinese Greens In Oyster Sauce$13.00
Salt & Pepper Shrimp$16.50
Shrimp & Egg-Fried Rice$15.50
Egg Fried Rice$13.00
Minced Beef Dumplings In Soup$7.25
Chicken & Cabbage Dumplings In Soup$7.25
House Special Dumpling In Soup$7.25
Dim Sum (Fried)
Turnip Cakes$6.25
House Special Pan Fried Dumplings$6.75
Rice Roll With Fried Dough$6.85
Shrimp And Bacon Roll$6.85
Pan-Fried Chicken & Cabbage Dumplings$6.75
Fried Shrimp Ball$6.85
Pan-Fried Shrimp & Chive Dumplings$6.75
Spring Rolls$5.50
Stuffed Eggplant$6.85
Original "OG" Egg Roll$8.50
Scallion Pancakes$5.50
Fried Shrimp With Bean Curd Skin$6.85
Pan-Fried Pork Dumplings$5.50
Sides
Steamed White Rice$1.50
Drinks (Non-Alcoholic)
Sanzo Sparkling Water$3.00
Soda$2.00
Bottled Water$2.00
Large Platters
Fried Dim Sum Sampler Platter$75.25
Rice Platter$59.00
Salt & Pepper Platter$64.50
Chinese Broccoli Platter, Served With Oyster Sauce (V)(GF)$43.00
Noodle Platter$59.00
Sweet & Sour Pork Chop Platter$64.50
Chinese Greens Platter, Served With Oyster Sauce$43.00
Dim Sum (Steamed)
Shrimp Dumpling$6.85
Shrimp Siu Mai$6.85
Steamed Spare Ribs$5.75
Shrimp Rice Roll$6.35
Shrimp & Snow Pea Leaf Dumpling$6.85
Pork And Shrimp Siu Mai$6.35
Chicken Feet$5.75
Cilantro & Scallion Rice Roll$4.45
Shanghainese Soup Dumplings$6.35
Sticky Rice With Chinese Sausage$7.30
Rice Roll With Spare Ribs$7.95
Vegetarian Dumplings$5.75
Beef Rice Roll$6.00
House Special Roast Pork Bun$5.65
Steamed Bean Curd Skin Rolls$6.85
Chicken Soup Dumplings$6.35
Chicken Siu Mai$6.35
Plain Rice Roll$3.65
Photos
Reviews Nom Wah Tea Parlor
George Fine
16-06-2026
Nom Wah Tea Parlor is the oldest continuously operating dim sum restaurant in New York City's Chinatown. It offers a classic Cantonese dining experience, specializing in dim sum and Chinese pastries. The restaurant is located on the … More
Ron Ng
01-06-2026
As a HongKonger, this restaurant has the same hospitality and service you may expect from a Hong Kong restaurant. Which is fast pace, long wait and poor attitude. I don't blame them trying to flip tables as soon as possible and maximize … More
Brandon Mallis
27-05-2026
Rice noodle dumplings all day in every way!!! Love this Dumpling/Chinese spot in Chinatown. Haven’t had a bad thing yet and been going there for years. Expected to wait in line. More
Mat B
26-05-2026
Agree with other comments - very mid food. Nice venue with history, which I appreciate is kinda rare for the states. Grab a pot of tea and enjoy the venue. Also, they only take cash and amex. We got a good sampling of the food and some was better than others. Unfortuanly lots of fried (deep and pan) and the oil wasn't fresh. More
Adriana De Pitkin
25-05-2026
We’ve visited this restaurant multiple times and we love it! It’s one of the best dim sum restaurants in New York City. Our favorites are the Roast Pork Bun, Scallion Pancakes, Spring Rolls, Shrimp and Bacon Rolls. While it can get busy … More
anna k
30-04-2026
The dim sum here is, unfortunately, aggressively mid. This place has been in Chinatown since I was a kid, and somehow that history is doing all the heavy lifting now. The line is usually out the door and packed with non locals. I never felt … More
Konrad Strumidlo
24-02-2026
Food at this establishment is phenomenal. I'm addicted to those fried sesame balls...literally. This restaurant gets packed out on the weekends due to high foot traffic and sometimes language barrier can be an issue, but the food makes up for that. Must try. More
JV Ante
30-12-2025
One of the better Chinese restaurant that I always go to. This time was a bit of disappointment. The scallion pancake was just a crispy flat bread with barely a trace of scallion. The stuffed eggplant is always on point. … More
Samina Chowdhury
15-12-2025
This spot is NYC’s oldest dim sum restaurant, serving authentic Hong Kong style dim sum in Chinatown since 1920 and somehow the prices are still reasonable in this economy! … More
Ambre Leporcq Sourisseau
23-11-2025
The dumplings were good, but the noodles weren’t that great. I went at 11:30, and it felt like the food was leftover from the day before.
They only accept cash or American Express, which no one mentioned to me !!! They … More
Stephanie Tan
19-11-2025
Retro vibes, throwback to the good old days. Siew mai and fried crispy prawn beancurd rolls were good, and fried rice is simple with strong wok hey. It was interesting that they added celery to the fried rolls, added crunch to each bite. … More
Bethany Cardona
17-11-2025
this place is great. I do have to say the wait to get in is not ideal and I think you can get great dim sum at many places in Chinatown. maybe even better than here. the egg rolls are very interesting a soft creamy center wrapped in thin … More
Danielle Alvarado
14-11-2025
I know this is one of the top recommended dim sum places, but honestly, I wasn't impressed. I'd skip and try something else next time. The food was just... Eh. The egg roll was disgusting. Deep fat fried, dripping oil, with a gelatinous filling. We had way better food at small places in China Town. More
Bea Ferrao
06-10-2025
Went one hour before closing, place was quiet, lights were dim and it felt magic. An institution that thankfully hasn’t been changed, it was dining inside a museum full of history. … More
daniela mendoza
02-10-2025
the food was soo good! Tried so much from the menu and everything was delicious, line was long but definitely worth the wait! everything felt very homey, like comfort food your mom or aunties make. Definitely recommend, can’t wait to return More
Angel Marin
06-08-2025
The food was pretty damn good, some of the best in Chinatown. Prepare to be in line 30-45 minutes. Staff was friendly and food came out quick.
Definitely recommend this place and I will becoming back. … More
Jennifer Gomez
27-06-2025
It’s a cozy restaurant serving a delicious range of your classic dim sum options! Service was also great. I came here with my sister around noon Sunday and they sat us / served us right away. I highly recommend. More
Nhi Hoang
22-06-2025
All of these food and it was $23/person (tip included!!)
We got there early so there was no waiting at all. Highly recommend the Sui Mai, … More
Allie Ashman
18-06-2025
This place was a delight. It was authentic, food was delicious and arrived quickly. I will say, the service could be much better. Take a buddy and chat and you will be able to get over the surly manger. Regardless of this, I will be back happily! More
Natalie Krause
22-05-2025
Great vibes and yummy dim sum! My favorite were the soup dumplings and shrimp dumplings. Excellent value for the price, just make sure you have cash :) Beautiful interior and they served us very quickly. More
Reviews Nom Wah Tea Parlor