China Live in San Francisco, CA

4.2(2,896)San Francisco, CA
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Solid choice

Rated 4.2 stars based on 2896 reviews.

  • Family-friendly
  • Budget-friendly
  • Quick service

Best for / Not ideal for

Best for

  • Families
  • Quick meals
  • Large groups

Not ideal for

  • Quiet atmosphere

At a glance

San Francisco, CA • 4.2★
China Live in San Francisco, California offers an unparalleled Chinese buffet experience in the heart of North Beach. With a massive dining space that's a visual feast, this restaurant is perfect for large groups and families. Their all-you-can-eat buffet features traditional Chinese dishes, expertly prepared and presented with flair. From water dumplings to duck, every bite is a delight. Whether you're dining in or taking out, China Live's convenient services make it easy to enjoy a delicious meal.
This family-friendly Chinese buffet welcomes diners of all ages. This buffet provides good value for money.
Address
644 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA, North Beach, San Francisco, California
Phone
(415) 788-8188
Today
12:00 – 9:00 PM
Rating
4.2 (2,896 reviews)

What stands out

🍽️Delicious food

Multiple reviewers praise the taste and flavor

👥Friendly service

Attentive and helpful staff

✨Fresh, quality food

Multiple reviewers mention the freshness

📋Huge selection

Lots of options to choose from

View reviews →

Before you go

🅿️Parking available

Convenient parking for customers

♿Wheelchair accessible

Accessible entrance and facilities

🍺Alcohol served

Beer, wine, and cocktails available

Photos

10 photos

Hours & Location

Status: Hours available

Regular Hours

7 days
Monday
12:00 – 9:00 PM
Tuesday
12:00 – 9:00 PM
Wednesday
12:00 – 9:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 – 9:00 PM
Friday
12:00 – 9:30 PM
Saturday
4:00 – 9:30 PM
Sunday
4:00 – 9:00 PM

Popular Times

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

Amenities & Services

Accessibility, service options, and dining details

Accessibility

Wheelchair, parking, and more
Wheelchair Accessible

Amenities

Available facilities and features
Bar onsiteGender-neutral restroomRestroomWi-FiFree Wi-FiCurbside Pickup

Atmosphere

Ambiance and setting
CasualTrendyUpscaleNoise: Noise level

Dining Options

Food and beverage choices
LunchDinnerCateringCounter serviceDessertSeating

Service Options

Dine-in, takeout, delivery
TakeoutDine-inDeliveryReservations

Takeout service is available. Delivery service is offered.

Parking

Parking availability
Bike ParkingBusiness Parking parking

Parking is available for customers.

Payment Methods

Accepted payment types
Business Accepts Credit CardsAccepts Google PayBusiness Accepts Apple Pay

Highlights

Special features
Fast serviceGreat cocktailsGreat tea selectionServes local specialty

Food & Drink

Menu offerings
noneAlcoholBeerCocktailsCoffeeComfort food

Planning

Reservations and groups
Lunch reservations recommendedDinner reservations recommendedAccepts reservationsUsually a wait

Reviews

2,896 reviews

Reviews

Customer reviews available

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common answers about this buffet

Is China Live a good restaurant for large groups?

Yes, China Live is suitable for large groups, with a lively atmosphere and seating arrangements that can accommodate bigger parties.

What is the atmosphere like at China Live?

The atmosphere at China Live is lively, vibrant, and fun, with a modern and beautifully designed space that includes open kitchens and various cooking stations.

Is the food at China Live delicious?

Yes, the food at China Live is delicious, with many reviewers praising the flavors, presentation, and quality of the dishes.

Can I make a reservation at China Live?

Yes, it is recommended to make a reservation at China Live, especially for large groups or on weekends, as the restaurant can get very busy.

Is China Live expensive?

Yes, China Live is considered to be on the pricier side, with some reviewers noting that the portions are large but the prices are high.

Does China Live have a unique dining experience?

Yes, China Live offers a unique dining experience, with an open layout, various cooking stations, and a modern twist on traditional Chinese cuisine.

Are the portions at China Live large?

Yes, the portions at China Live are generally large, with many reviewers noting that the dishes are perfect for sharing.

Does China Live have a lot of options for dishes?

Yes, China Live has a large menu with many interesting items, including a variety of Chinese and Asian dishes.

Show 4 more questions

Are there vegetarian options available at China Live?

Yes, China Live has vegetarian options, including dishes like Dongbei vegetarian long postickers and green beans.

How is the service at China Live?

The service at China Live is generally friendly and attentive, but some reviewers have noted that it can be slow or rushed at times.

What are the peak hours at China Live?

China Live can get very busy, especially on weekends and in the evenings, with some reviewers noting that the restaurant is loud and crowded during these times.

Is China Live a kid-friendly restaurant?

Yes, China Live is kid-friendly, with some reviewers mentioning that their toddlers enjoyed the food and atmosphere.

Nearby Places

Local services, shops, and points of interest

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

Museums & galleries

Jazz mural

Artwork

~220 ft
Language of Birds

Artwork

~240 ft
Biordi Art Imports

Art

412 Columbus Avenue

~380 ft
The Beat Museum

Museum

540 Broadway

~500 ftMo-Su 10:00-19:00; Tu off; We off
Website
Ping Yuen Mural

Artwork

~540 ft

Banking

Chase

Bank

~200 ftMo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-14:00; Su closed
+1 415-986-2198Website
East West Bank

Bank

1301 Stockton Street

~270 ft
Wells Fargo

Bank

~300 ftMo-Fr 09:00-17:00
CTBC Bank

Bank

~300 ft
East West Bank

Bank

1241 Stockton Street

~330 ft
ATM

Atm

~480 ft

Restaurants

China Live

Restaurant

644 Broadway

~20 ft
+1-415-788-8188Website
Café Broadway

Restaurant

674 Broadway

~90 ft
+1 415-956-1668
MyCanh

Restaurant

~100 ft
Dim Sum Bistro

Restaurant

675 Broadway

~110 ftMo-Su 08:00-16:00
+1 415 7887028Website
Eight Tables

Restaurant

8 Kenneth Rexroth Place

~120 ftTu-Sa 17:30+
+1 415 7888788Website
Tacorea

Fast Food

620 Broadway

~130 ft
Website
Broadway Dim Sum and Cafe

Restaurant

~140 ft
Yummy BBQ Kitchen

Restaurant

683 Broadway

~150 ft
+1 415-378-3768
Sam's

Fast Food

~150 ft
Yuet Lee Seafood Restaurant

Restaurant

~180 ft
606

Restaurant

606 Broadway

~200 ft
Molinari Delicatessen

Restaurant

~230 ftMo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 11:00-16:00
Website

Bars & Pubs

Cold Drinks Bar

Bar

644 Broadway

~40 ftSu,Mo-We 18:00+; Th-Sa 17:30+
+1 415 7888188Website
Bow Bow Cocktails

Bar

~250 ft
Nick's Liquor

Alcohol

~280 ft
Duster's

Pub

~300 ft
The Saloon

Bar

1232 Grant Avenue

~340 ft
+1-415-989-7666Website
Broadway Cigar & Liquors

Alcohol

~430 ft
Boardroom

Bar

~440 ft
15 Romolo

Pub

15 Romolo Place

~460 ftMo-Fr 17:00-02:00; Sa-Su 12:00-02:00
+1 415 398 1359Website
The Devil's Acre

Pub

256 Columbus Avenue

~500 ft
Vieni Vieni

Bar

~530 ft
Specs Bar

Pub

12 William Saroyan Place

~550 ft

Cafes & Coffee

V & J Cafe

Cafe

670 Broadway

~70 ft
+1 415-788-2822
Kiss of Matcha

Cafe

612 Broadway

~160 ftTu-Th 11:00-19:00; Fr-Su 10:00-21:00
+1 415 509 3043Website
Love Tea

Cafe

~230 ft
Caffe Trieste Annex Retail Store

Coffee

609 Vallejo Street

~330 ft
Caffe Trieste

Cafe

601 Vallejo Street

~340 ftMo-Su 07:00-22:00
+1-415-392-6739Website
New Pacific Court Cafe

Cafe

~380 ft
Caffè Greco

Cafe

423 Columbus Avenue

~440 ft

Waste management

Waste bin

Waste Basket

~200 ft
Waste bin

Waste Basket

~320 ft
Waste bin

Waste Basket

~410 ft
Waste bin

Waste Basket

~460 ft
Waste bin

Waste Basket

~490 ft

Postal services

Mailbox

Post Box

~240 ft
United States Postal Service

Post Box

~280 ft
United States Postal Service

Post Box

~430 ft
United States Postal Service

Post Box

~460 ft
Mailbox

Post Box

~460 ft

Specialists

Eye Studio

Optician

~200 ftTu-Sa 10:00-17:00
Dr. Cecelia Mui

Optometrist

~480 ft

Pharmacy & medical supplies

Walgreens

Pharmacy

Stockton Street

~250 ft
Website

Primary care

North East Medical Services

Doctors

~350 ft

Other services

Good View Trading

Kitchen

678 Broadway

~110 ft
+1 415-781-1388
Ko Company

Dry Cleaning

333 Columbus Avenue

~190 ft
Jing Ye Co.

Yes

1254 Stockton Street

~220 ft
Cole Hardware

Doityourself

627 Vallejo Street

~260 ftMo-Su 09:00-19:00
+1 415-432-2653Website
Erotic

Erotic

~270 ft
Chung Chau City Inc.

Yes

1230 Stockton Street

~280 ft
Ho Kee Market

Yes

~300 ft
Sun Sun Trading Co.

Yes

1226 Stockton Street

~300 ft
+1-415-989-9833
Asia Star Fantasy

Anime

~310 ft
Tan Tan Trading Co Inc.

Yes

~320 ft

Beauty & spa

Oriental House of Beauty

Beauty

~470 ft

Hair services

H.K. Anna Hair & Beauty Salon

Hairdresser

~480 ft
Hair salon

Hairdresser

~490 ft

Employment & recruitment

Yin Yin Job Service

Employment Agency

715 Broadway

~350 ft
+1 415-732-7728

Real estate services

Hogan and Vest Inc

Estate Agent

~350 ft

Professional services

King Fung Trading Co.

Company

~430 ft
Badger Maps

Company

539 Broadway

~500 ftMo-Fr 09:00-17:00
+1-415-592-5909Website

Financial & accounting services

Yee's Income Tax and Accounting

Accountant

Pacific Avenue

~480 ft

Sports & recreation

Playground

Playground

~240 ft

Parks & amenities

Auspicious Clouds | Heavy Fog

Bench

~400 ft
Bench

Bench

~540 ft

Clothing & fashion

Let's Go Boutique

Clothes

~180 ft
Dee Dee Botique

Clothes

~340 ft
1111 Grant

Clothes

~380 ft
InFashion

Clothes

~390 ft
Hundred Fit Fashion

Clothes

Pacific Avenue

~490 ft
Kaye's Footwear

Shoes

~550 ft

Specialty stores

Update Gift

Gift

~210 ft
Gift shop

Gift

~270 ft
E & S Gift Shop

Gift

~360 ft
Ali Baba Smoke Shop

Tobacco

~470 ft
Sun Rising Gift Store

Gift

~470 ft
LA Woon Jewelry

Jewelry

Pacific Avenue

~490 ft

Sports facilities

Sheila Kelly S Factor

Sports Centre

245 Columbus Avenue

~480 ft

Parking facilities

Parking facility

Parking

~120 ft
Chinatown Parking

Parking

~370 ft
Bicycle parking

Bicycle Parking

~440 ft
Parking entrance

Parking Entrance

~500 ft

Public transportation

Taxi Stand at Columbus Ave at Broadway (SW Corner, in front of City Lights Book)

Taxi

259 Columbus Avenue

~420 ftAt All Times

Travel agencies

Windy's Travel Agency

Travel Agency

~390 ft
Stanley Travel Service

Travel Agency

~490 ft