Ocean City Restaurant in Philadelphia, PA

4.1(534)17.11 - 38.95Philadelphia, PA
CantoneseSeafood
CallDirectionsWebsite
Solid choice

Rated 4.1 stars based on 534 reviews.

  • Family-friendly
  • Budget-friendly
  • Quick service

Best for / Not ideal for

Best for

  • Families
  • Large groups
  • Quick meals

Not ideal for

  • Fine dining seekers
  • Quiet atmosphere

At a glance

Philadelphia, PA • Price 17.11 - 38.95 • 4.1★
Ocean City Restaurant, a renowned Chinese buffet in Center City East, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a culinary haven that offers an all-you-can-eat dining experience. With a 4.1-star rating and over 534 reviews, this Chinese restaurant has earned a reputation for its exceptional service and mouth-watering dishes. From casual to fast service, the restaurant provides a comfortable atmosphere for guests to enjoy their meal. Reviewers rave about the great tea selection and local specialty dishes, making it a top choice for those seeking a unique dining experience. Whether you're taking out or dining in, Ocean City Restaurant is a great option for Chinese buffet lovers.

Good to know

  • Ocean City Restaurant has a listed address in Philadelphia, PA, so visitors can confirm the exact location before going.
  • The page includes a 4.1-star rating from 534 reviews.
  • Hours are listed on the page; verify current hours before making a special trip.
  • Website and phone details are available for checking current menu, hours, or availability.
  • Photos are available on the page to help preview the restaurant before visiting.
This family-friendly Chinese buffet welcomes diners of all ages. This buffet provides good value for money.
Address
234 N 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA, Center City East, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Phone
(215) 829-0688
Today
10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Price
17.11 - 38.95
Rating
4.1 (534 reviews)

What stands out

🍽️Delicious food

Multiple reviewers praise the taste and flavor

👥Friendly service

Attentive and helpful staff

📋Huge selection

Lots of options to choose from

⚡Quick service

No long waits

View reviews →

Before you go

🍺Alcohol served

Beer, wine, and cocktails available

🥡Takeout available

Order to go

🍽️Dine-in available

Eat in the restaurant

🚚Delivery available

Delivery service offered

Signature Dishes

8 popular dishes mentioned by diners

Top picks

Restaurant Open For Sunday Dim Sum Brunch×2**Great Tea Selection****Local Specialty Dishes**

Also mentioned

Food· $18.95Portions GenerousPrices ReasonableService Quick And AttentiveWait Time Long

Extracted from diner reviews and FAQ answers.

Not the Fastest

Score 25/100 · 2 positive signals
Quick bite score25/100
Speed signals
0/30
Grab-and-go
0/25
Budget-friendly
5/20
Time commitment
15/15
Convenience
5/10

What works

  • Moderate pricing
  • Ideal for quick meals

Keep in mind

  • No takeout option

Scored from service speed, takeout options, pricing, meal format, and lunch availability.

Regional Specialist 🏮

Cantonese regional cuisine · score 55/100
Authenticity score55/100
AuthenticCantonese

Regional dishes detected

Dim Sum

Detected from menu, FAQ answers, and restaurant name.

Trusted Rating

✅ 4.1 weighted · 534 reviews
4.1weighted · raw 4.1 from 534 reviews
Highly Trusted
Review volume vs. city median534 / 190 median
0950 (Rock Solid threshold)
Rating spread on Yelp
5★
4★
3★
2★
1★

Relative share of Yelp ratings by star — bar length shows how ratings skew, not exact counts.

The trusted rating blends this place’s raw score (4.1) with the city average (4.18) using a Bayesian formula. Places with fewer reviews are pulled toward the city mean; places with 950+ reviews carry their rating at nearly full weight.

Photos

1 photos

Hours & Location

Status: Hours available

Regular Hours

7 days
Monday
10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Popular Times

See when it's busiest
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

Pricing

Price range 17.11 - 38.95
Price range17.11 - 38.95
Menu items include pricing. See the menu section for item details.

Amenities & Services

Accessibility, service options, and dining details

Amenities

Available facilities and features
RestroomMany vegetarian optionsAccepts credit cardsAccepts Android PayAccepts Apple PayAccepts cryptocurrency

Atmosphere

Ambiance and setting
CasualGood for groupsGood for kids

Dining Options

Food and beverage choices
BreakfastBrunchLunchDinnerDessertSeating

Service Options

Dine-in, takeout, delivery
TakeoutDine-inDeliveryReservationsCateringOutdoor Seating

Takeout service is available. Delivery service is offered.

Payment Methods

Accepted payment types
Credit CardsDebit CardsN F C mobile payments

Highlights

Special features
Fast serviceGreat tea selectionServes local specialty

Food & Drink

Menu offerings
AlcoholBeerComfort foodHard liquorSmall plates

Planning

Reservations and groups
Accepts reservations

Popular Dishes

3 dishes reviewers mention most
  • Sticky Rice In Lotus Leaf /$7.9511 mentions
  • Turnip Cake / 煎萝卜糕$7.956 mentions
  • Frog Stir-fried with Peanuts & Dried Marine Skin / 花生陈皮爆田鸡$34.954 mentions

Dishes most frequently mentioned in Yelp reviews.

Full Menu

27 items with prices
  • Hot & Sour Soup / 四季酸辣汤$8.95

    Spicy.

  • Peanut Dumpling / 潮州粉果 (中)$7.95

    Contains Nuts.

  • Sticky Rice In Lotus Leaf / (荷叶糯米饭 (大)$7.95

    Sticky rice with pork, mushroom, dried shrimp and salted egg yolk.

  • BBQ Pork Bun / 叉烧包 (中)$7.95

    Steamed barberque pork buns

  • Bean Curd Meat Roll / 蚝油鲜竹卷 (中)$7.95

    Steamed bean curd roll, stuffed with mushroom and ground pork.

  • Fried Vegetable Roll / 炸素春卷 (中)$7.95

    Vegetarian.

  • Baked BBQ Pork Bun / 焗叉烧餐包 (中)$7.95

    Baked bun filled with sweet pork filling, with glazed topping.

  • Salted Baked Silver Fish in Chili / 椒盐白饭鱼 (特)$15.00

    Deep-fried silver fish lathered in savory seasonings.

  • Salted Baked Squid in Chili / 椒魚 (特)$15.00

    Deep fried squid lathered in savory seasonings.

  • Mixed Beef Tripe / 萝卜牛什 (特)$9.95

    Chinese styled soup made with various cut beef tripe

  • Golden Beef Tripe / 柱侯金钱肚 (大)$7.95

    Steamed, marinated honeycomb beef tripe in red sauce. (not spicy)

  • Sponge Cake / 马拉糕 (大)$7.95

    Steamed soft sponge cake made with brown sugar.

  • Turnip Cake / 煎萝卜糕 (中)$6.95

    Pan fried turnip cakes with a light, crispy dried shrimp outer.

  • Stuffed Eggplant / 百花酿茄子 (大)$7.95

    Includes shrimp as filling. comes in three per order.

  • Sticky Rice In Cup / 生炒腊味糯米饭 (大)$7.95

    Pan fried sticky rice with pork, mushroom, dried shrimp and green scallions.

  • Salted Baked Shrimp in Chili / 椒盐中虾 (特)$15.00

    Deep-fried shrimp lathered in savory seasonings.

  • Preserved Egg Rice Roll / 香茜皮蛋肠 (中)$6.95

    Light rice noodle roll made with chinese preserved egg.

  • Fish Ball / 腊味鱼肉丸 (大)$7.95

    Steamed fish ball made with fish paste, cantonese-hong kong style.

  • Stuffed Pepper with Shrimp / 百花釀青椒 (大)$7.95

    Includes shrimp. comes in three per order.

  • Chinese Broccoli / 蚝油唐芥兰 (特)$15.00

    Steamed chinese broccoli served with sweet-savory oyster sauce.

  • Ginger Beef Tripe / 姜葱牛柏叶 (中)$6.95

    Steamed beef tripe cooked in ginger and scallion taste,

  • Diced Chicken with Peanuts / 宫保鸡丁$18.95

    Contains Nuts.

  • Tai Ji Style Fried Rice / 太极炒饭$19.95

    Shrimp and shredded chicken.

  • Xi Shi Fried Rice / 西施炒饭$19.95

    Fresh and dry scallop and shrimp.

Menu sourced from Yelp; items and prices may change.

Reviews

534 reviews

Customer highlights

  • Customers have left 534 reviews, with an average rating of 4.1 stars.
  • Review tags mention dim sum, carts, shumai, and soup dumplings.
  • Positive review text points to service, crab, buffet selection, and cleanliness.
  • Recent positive review text gives this page enough customer detail to compare it with nearby buffet options.

Reviews

Customer reviews available

Loading full reviews...

Frequently Asked Questions

Common answers about this buffet

Is the service quick and attentive?

Yes, the service is quick and attentive. Best dim sum in Chinatown, service is quick and attentive. We love coming here every weekend. Lots of options and everything is fresh, authentic and delicious.

Is the dim sum authentic?

Yes, the dim sum is authentic. Having traveled to Hong Kong and Mainland China I can say that the food here mimics the flavors and sparks inexhaustible memories from many meals shared with colleagues and friends.

Are the prices reasonable?

Yes, the prices are reasonable. Having traveled to Hong Kong and Mainland China I can say that the food here mimics the flavors and sparks inexhaustible memories from many meals shared with colleagues and friends.

Is the wait time long?

No, the wait time is not long. We came in at 1030am on a Monday and it was very quiet. We had great service and hot food ready on the waiting carts.

Is the food fresh?

Yes, the food is fresh. Lots of options and everything is fresh, authentic and delicious.

Are the portions generous?

Yes, the portions are generous. The dim sum itself is delicious, with well-balanced flavors, reasonable prices, and generous portions.

Is the restaurant open for Sunday dim sum brunch?

Yes, the restaurant is open for Sunday dim sum brunch. Go for Sunday dim sum brunch if you want to really get an authentic experience.

What is the rating of Ocean City Restaurant?

Ocean City Restaurant has a 4.1-star rating based on 534 customer reviews.

🍜Cultural Food Hub

A vibrant food district with diverse eateries, cafes, and cultural landmarks.

A vibrant food district with diverse eateries, cafes, and cultural landmarks.

Food & Dining
30
Transportation & Automotive
19
Retail & Shopping
11
Government & Public Services
10
Healthcare & Medical
9
Miscellaneous Services
8

106 nearby places across 13 categories

Nearby Places

Local services, shops, and points of interest

111 places nearby (arts & culture, finance, food, government, healthcare)

Museums & galleries

Artwork

Artwork

~0.3 mi
Bolt of Lightning: A Memorial to Benjamin Franklin

Artwork

~0.3 mi
Primary Dispersion

Artwork

~0.3 mi

Theaters & performance venues

City Winery

Theatre

990 Filbert Street

~0.3 miMo-Th 16:00-22:00; Fr 16:00-23:00; Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00
Website
F. M. Kirby Auditorium

Theatre

~0.3 mi
Sidney Kimmel Theater

Theatre

~0.3 mi

Banking

Abacus Federal Savings Bank

Bank

North 10th Street

~700 ft
MoreBank

Bank

~1050 ft
Citizens Bank

Bank

~0.2 miMo-Fr 09:00-16:00, Sa 09:00-13:00
Parke Bank

Bank

1032 Arch Street

~0.3 mi

Restaurants

Ocean City Restaurant

Restaurant

234 North 9th Street

~10 ftMo-Th 10:30-22:00; Fr 10:30-22:30; Sa 10:00-22:30; Su 10:00-22:00
+1-215-829-0688Website
Sang Kee Peking Duck House

Restaurant

238 North 9th Street

~40 ftMo-Su 10:00-22:45; Fr,Sa 10:00-23:45
Website
Megumi Japanese Ramen & Sushi Bar

Restaurant

915 Race Street

~390 ftMo-Tu,Th-Su 11:00-21:30; We off
+1 215-733-0129Website
Cily Chicken Rice and Thai Food

Restaurant

933 Race Street

~470 ftSu-Tu, Th 11:00-15:00, 16:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 11:00-15:00, 16:00-22:30
+1-215-982-1113
Red Kings B.B.Q. Bar

Restaurant

~480 ft
Ocean Harmony

Restaurant

~510 ft
Nine Ting

Restaurant

926-928 Race Street

~510 ftMo-Th,Su 12:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-24:00
+1-215-238-9996Website
David's Mai Lai Wah

Restaurant

1001 Race Street

~580 ft16:00-27:00
+1 215-627-2610Website
Ho Sai Gai Restaurant

Restaurant

~630 ft
M Kee

Restaurant

~640 ft
T-Swirl Crêpe

Fast Food

~700 ft
Ming River Side Walk House

Restaurant

~710 ft

Grocery & Markets

Luen Fong Food & Produce Inc.

Greengrocer

928 Winter Street

~290 ftMo-Fr 08:00-17:30; Sa 08:00-13:00
+1 215-928-9282Website
AsianFresh

Supermarket

146 North 10th Street

~750 ft
New World Laundromat & Food Market

Supermarket

~810 ft
S&D Market

Convenience

1037 Race Street

~880 ft
+1-215-928-8878
No. 1 Supermarket

Supermarket

~0.2 mi
7-Eleven

Convenience

917 Filbert Street

~0.3 mi
+1 616-772-0354Website
Jonathan Best Gourmet Grocer

Greengrocer

~0.3 mi
QQ Deli Market

Convenience

1231 Race Street

~0.3 mi
+1-267-243-5077

Cafes & Coffee

Prince Tea House

Cafe

203 North 9th Street

~330 ftSu-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-23:00
+1-215-560-8912Website
Matcha Panda

Cafe

~350 ft
Teassert Bar

Cafe

~380 ft
Miucha

Cafe

~470 ft
Mr. Wish

Cafe

216 North 10th Street

~490 ftMo-Th 10:00-21:00; Fr-Su 10:00-22:00
+1-267-457-2650Website
Chicha San Chen

Cafe

~530 ft
+1-917-330-1873Website
Chicha San Chen

Cafe

~570 ft
Drip Vietnamese Cafe

Cafe

225 North 11th Street

~840 ftMo-Th 09:00-17:00; Fr-Su 09:00-19:00
Tea Do

Cafe

132 North 10th Street

~840 ft10:30-00:00
Mango Mango Dessert

Cafe

1013 Cherry Street

~910 ftMo-Su 12:00-23:00
+1-215-922-2233Website

Postal services

United States Postal Service

Post Box

~570 ft
United States Postal Service

Post Box

~850 ft
United States Postal Service

Post Box

~930 ft
United States Postal Service

Post Box

~970 ft
United States Postal Service

Post Box

~0.2 mi
United States Postal Service

Post Box

~0.2 mi

Government offices

Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission

Government

~0.3 mi
Philadelphia Parking Authority Residential Permits

Government

35 North 8th Street

~0.3 mi
+1 215-683-9730
Federal Bureau of Investigation Philadelphia Field Office

Government

600 Arch Street

~0.3 mi
+1-215-418-4000

Public facilities

Public restroom

Toilets

~0.3 mi

Pharmacy & medical supplies

Neff Surgical Pharmacy

Pharmacy

~140 ft
Arch Pharmacy

Pharmacy

~0.2 mi

Other healthcare

Thai Beauty Spa

Massage

205 North 11th Street

~890 ft
Lollipop Massage Spa

Massage

1123 Race Street

~0.2 mi
The Tibet Steaming Palace

Massage

~0.2 mi
237 Spa

Massage

~0.2 mi

Alternative medicine

Long Life Chinese Herbs Inc.

Herbalist

~0.2 mi

Specialists

Cohen's Fashion Optical

Optician

1030 Arch Street

~0.3 miMo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa-Su 09:00-16:00
+1 215-238-1444Website

Primary care

American College of Physicians

Doctors

~0.3 mi

Other services

Vacant

Vacant

135 North 9th Street

~690 ft
Asia Crafts Inc.

Craft

~950 ft
Ex Machina Parlor

Hackerspace

319 North 11th Street

~1010 ft
Website
WHYY-FM

Studio

~0.3 mi
Website
PA General Store

General

~0.3 mi
The Philadelphia Inquirer

Newspaper

~0.3 mi
Rittenhouse Communications Group

Yes

211 North 13th Street

~0.3 miMo-Fr 09:00-17:00
+1-855-748-8266Website
Fantasy Printing

Printing

~0.3 mi

Hair services

Room 209

Hairdresser

~880 ft
Ben Hair Salon

Hairdresser

~1010 ft
Fashion Hair Mall

Hairdresser

~0.2 mi

Body art

Philadelphia Eddie’s Tattooing

Tattoo

Arch Street

~0.2 mi

Sports & recreation

Round1

Bowling Alley

~0.3 mi

Specialty stores

K&A Gift Shop

Gift

~1040 ft

Electronics & technology

Fay Fay Music

Music

~1050 ft

Sports & outdoor

Bike Line

Bicycle

~0.3 mi

General retail

Burlington

Department Store

~0.3 mi
Reading Terminal Farmers Market: 12th and Arch Streets

Marketplace

~0.3 miSu 09:00-17:00; Mo-Sa 08:00-18:00
Website
Little Thai Market

Marketplace

~0.3 mi
Market Place East Shopping Center

Mall

~0.3 mi
Five Below

Variety Store

701 Market Street

~0.3 miMo-Sa 10:00-19:00; Su 11:00-18:00
+1 215-625-3940Website

Clothing & fashion

DSW

Shoes

~0.3 mi
H&M

Clothes

~0.3 mi
claire's

Fashion Accessories

907 Market Street

~0.3 mi
+1-445-234-4310Website

Childcare & learning centers

Chinatown Learning Center

Childcare

~750 ft

Social facilities & assisted living

Our Brother's Place

Social Facility

907 Hamilton Street

~0.3 miSu,Sa 08:30-09:30 open "Breakfast", Mo-Fr 07:30-08:30 open "Breakfast", Su-Sa 12:00-13:00 open "Lunch", Su,Sa 16:30+ open "Dinner", Mo-Fr…
+1 215-236-7024
St. John's Hospice

Social Facility

1221 Race Street

~0.3 miMo-Fr 11:30-13:00
+1 215-563-7763Website
Good Shepherd Program

Social Facility

~0.3 mi

Blood donation centers

Philadelphia Red Cross Blood Donation Center

Blood Donation

700 Spring Garden Street

~0.3 mi
+1-800-733-2767Website

Gyms & fitness centers

L&M Studio

Fitness Centre

1035 Race Street

~860 ft
+1 215-900-5592

Sports facilities

Movement

Sports Centre

1010 Callowhill Street

~920 ftMo-Fr 07:00-22:00, Sa-Su 08:00-22:00
Website

Vehicle rentals

9th & Race

Bicycle Rental

156 North 9th Street

~540 ft24/7
+1 844-446-3346Website
7th & Race, Franklin Square

Bicycle Rental

208 North 7th Street

~930 ft24/7
+1 844-446-3346Website
11th & Wood

Bicycle Rental

1035 Wood Street

~980 ft24/7
+1 844-446-3346Website
11th & Vine

Car Sharing

~1010 ft
9th & Arch

Bicycle Rental

875 Arch Street

~1050 ft24/7
+1 844-446-3346Website
1013 Arch

Car Sharing

~0.2 mi
6th & Race

Bicycle Rental

160 North 6th Street

~0.3 mi24/7
+1 844-446-3346Website
12th & Callowhill

Bicycle Rental

403 North 12th Street

~0.3 mi24/7
+1 844-446-3346Website
11th & Filbert St.

Car Sharing

~0.3 mi

Parking facilities

Parking entrance

Parking Entrance

~880 ft
Parking entrance

Parking Entrance

~990 ft
Bicycle parking

Bicycle Parking

~0.2 mi
Parking entrance

Parking Entrance

~0.2 mi
Parking entrance

Parking Entrance

~0.2 mi
Parking entrance

Parking Entrance

~0.2 mi
Parking entrance

Parking Entrance

~0.2 mi
Parking entrance

Parking Entrance

~0.2 mi
Parking entrance

Parking Entrance

~0.3 mi
Parking entrance

Parking Entrance

~0.3 mi

Attractions

Reading Terminal

Attraction

~0.3 mi

Fuel & charging stations

Shell

Fuel

~0.2 mi