Chinatown and Lincoln Heights exist in an interesting moment. They're neighborhoods where longtime residents, artists, immigrants, and newcomers are all occupying the same streets — sometimes in tension, often in unexpected combination. What that produces, from a visitor's perspective, is one of the most texturally rich urban experiences in LA: old and new pressed together, commercial and creative, everyday and remarkable.
The Chinatown Metro station (on the A Line) drops you right at the edge of Central Plaza — the traditional tourist heart of the neighborhood — but the most interesting stuff is on the edges and on the walk toward Lincoln Heights.
Getting there: Take the A Line northbound from 7th/Metro Center toward Azusa/Monrovia. Chinatown station is about 15 minutes from downtown. Lincoln/Cypress is one stop further north.
Dim Sum & Chinese Food
Phoenix Bakery
LA's oldest Chinese bakery and one of the city's most beloved institutions. The strawberry cake is famous — white cake with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, ordered for birthdays across generations of LA families. The almond cookies, wife cakes, and cocktail buns are all excellent. Get something with your coffee and sit outside Central Plaza.
CBS Seafood Restaurant
Old-school cart-style dim sum that fills up by 10 AM on weekends. The har gow, siu mai, and turnip cake are exactly what they should be. No frills, excellent value, and the kind of place that's been feeding the same families for thirty years. Cash only.
Burgerlords
A plant-forward burger counter that became a local cult favorite. The smash burgers are excellent — the patty has real char and the special sauce is good enough to think about later. Vegetarian-friendly without being preachy about it. Perfect lunch stop between gallery visits.
Art & Galleries
The transformation of Chinatown into an arts district happened gradually over the 2000s, as artists and galleries moved into affordable former industrial and commercial spaces. What emerged is a genuine gallery cluster that's still active, still interesting, and less crowded than it would be in any other city.
Nicodim Gallery
One of the neighborhood's anchor galleries, showing emerging and mid-career artists with a strong international program. The space is well-designed and the programming is consistently interesting. Check their website for opening receptions, which are free and a great way to see the work with context.
Jeffrey Deitch (LA)
The LA outpost of the legendary New York gallerist. Known for large-scale, often spectacular shows that bring significant artists to a sprawling industrial space. Not every show is for everyone, but the hits are genuinely memorable. One of LA's most important gallery venues.
Shops & Boutiques
Far East Plaza
A collection of small shops in a classic Chinatown plaza — herbs and health goods alongside newer shops and Howlin' Ray's (the Nashville hot chicken institution that's worth any wait). The mix of old Chinatown commerce and new food businesses makes it feel like a cross-section of the neighborhood's ongoing evolution.
Chinatown Summer Nights Market (Seasonal)
Running during summer months, this Friday night market fills Central Plaza with vendors, food, and a genuinely community-oriented atmosphere. Local designers, food makers, and artists. A great introduction to the neighborhood if you're visiting for the first time.
Lincoln Heights
One stop north on the A Line (or a 20-minute walk from Chinatown), Lincoln Heights is a predominantly Latino neighborhood with deep roots and some of LA's best everyday eating.
La Estrella
A neighborhood fixture for decades. The pastor tacos and tamales are exceptional. The prices are exactly what they should be at a place that's been here for generations and isn't trying to be anything other than what it is. One of the most honest meals in the area.
Murals & Street Art
Both neighborhoods have significant mural traditions. In Chinatown, look for painted building facades throughout Central Plaza and along Broadway. In Lincoln Heights, the stretch along Broadway and Daly Street has murals ranging from 1970s Chicano movement works to contemporary pieces commissioned in the last few years. Take your time walking — the good ones aren't always labeled.
💡 Pair this trip with DTLA: The A Line from Chinatown south takes you directly into Downtown LA — Union Station, Pershing Square, Grand Central Market — making a full day easy. Start in Chinatown for dim sum, walk the galleries, then head downtown for dinner.