Golden Unicorn: Chinatown’s Grand Dim Sum Banquet Hall
Golden Unicorn is one of the last of the great Chinatown banquet palaces, a multi-floor dim sum institution running on East Broadway since 1989. You take a number in the lobby, ride the elevator up to a cavernous room of big round tables under red-and-gold decor, and let the carts come to you. It is loud, festive, and gloriously old-school.
The draw is classic cart-service yum cha: har gow, shrimp rice rolls, chicken feet, braised spare ribs and the photogenic pig-shaped custard buns, all wheeled past on trolleys. Come afternoon and evening it becomes a full Cantonese seafood restaurant, and the sprawling banquet tables make it a go-to for weddings, birthdays and any occasion that needs to seat a crowd.
What to Expect
There’s no drinks happy hour at Golden Unicorn. What is time-sensitive is the dim sum itself — carts run from opening into the mid-afternoon, so earlier is better for the widest selection, and weekend late mornings are peak (and walk-in only for smaller parties).
The Room
A bi-level, multi-floor banquet hall reached by elevator, packed with large round tables and dressed in celebratory red-and-gold. It seats hundreds, hums with cart traffic and conversation, and draws a mix of tourists and longtime Cantonese and Fujianese regulars.
Who Golden Unicorn Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Weekend dim sum | Roaming carts and a huge dining room make it the quintessential Chinatown yum cha outing. |
| Big group dinners | Round banquet tables comfortably seat large parties for shared Cantonese seafood. |
| Celebrations and banquets | One of the few remaining grand halls in Chinatown for weddings, birthdays and milestone events. |
| Special-occasion visits | Frequently named a top pick for a memorable, old-school dim sum experience in the city. |
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Golden Unicorn FAQ
Does Golden Unicorn have a happy hour?
No. Golden Unicorn is a cart-service dim sum and banquet restaurant with no drinks happy hour. The time-bound draw is dim sum, which is served from morning into the mid-afternoon.
When is dim sum served?
Carts roll from opening into roughly the mid-afternoon (about 3-4 PM), then the kitchen switches to an a la carte Cantonese and seafood menu. Go earlier for the fullest cart selection.
Do they take reservations?
Yes for larger parties and events, but during peak weekend dim sum hours smaller groups are typically walk-in only. Expect a wait on Saturday and Sunday late mornings.
Is Golden Unicorn good for large groups?
Absolutely. Its big round banquet tables and multi-floor dining rooms are built for large parties, weddings and celebrations.
Happy hour times and deals last verified June 2026. Details can change — confirm with Golden Unicorn before visiting for a specific deal.