Your craving for authentic Chinese food shouldn’t mean settling for greasy takeout boxes. In Lafayette, that means finding restaurants where the menu offers more than just General Tso’s and fortune cookies. Whether you’re planning a family feast or a solo dumpling pilgrimage, this guide delivers everything from Szechuan spice temples to Cantonese banquet halls—all serving the real deal. And we promise, none involve fluorescent sweet-and-sour sauce.
Great Wall Chinese Buffet
$ | (337) 896-8189 | WEBSITE
Historically speaking, many family dinners have happened at Chinese buffets. And, historically speaking, picky eaters have struggled through those meals. Great Wall Chinese Buffet is the only restaurant in the area where that won’t be the case. It’s as classic as Lafayette Chinese spots get (clean well-lit dining room, traditional music in the background, and massive portions), but there’s also an incredible variety of authentic options.
Which means you can get baked fish with sautéed mushrooms and delicious butterfly shrimp with lo mein. And, if your family isn’t adventurous, they’ll probably be happy with fried chicken wings and chicken on a stick.
Asian Palace Buffet & Grill
$ | (337) 981-0288 | WEBSITE
At first glance, you might think Asian Palace Buffet & Grill is just another standard Chinese buffet in Lafayette. But unlike other buffets serving reheated dishes to hurried families and lunch crowds, Asian Palace is a spot where you’ll want to linger and savor every bite with a group of friends. Come here for orange chicken, pepper steak, egg rolls, and soups that taste fresher and more flavorful than most other Chinese options in the city.
The Mongolian grill is a standout, and the ice cream dessert provides a perfect sweet finish. Plus, the entire restaurant is impressively clean with recent updates that make the atmosphere welcoming and calm.
Panda House （seafood & Chinese food）
$ | (337) 266-5370 | WEBSITE
If you only want a satisfying meal with your family or a group of friends, you need to go somewhere that feels reliable. Go to Panda House, a seafood and Chinese food restaurant in a busy strip mall where lunch may start with a steaming bowl of egg drop soup, and end with perfectly cooked orange chicken.
In between those familiar favorites from the extensive menu – which always includes fresh options like Shrimp Fried Rice and General Tso’s chicken – are other delicious dishes that arrive hot and taste exactly as comforting as you’d hope.
Asian Gourmet Restaurant
$ | (337) 534-4625 | WEBSITE
All of the food at this affordable Asian-Soul fusion spot in Lafayette feels authentic, which means you won’t find generic takeout or bland dishes anywhere in sight. What you will find in this welcoming little restaurant are tasty combinations of chicken, rice dressing, and beans. You’ll definitely need to arrive early for the Sunday BBQ specials, and you absolutely should for the opportunity to try the shredded beef and beans hot plate.
ichiban Asian Cuisine
$ | (337) 456-5704 | WEBSITE
If kids were given Ichiban Asian Cuisine’s sushi rolls with soy paper instead of seaweed, the concept might just win over the picky-eater crowd. Actually, we could say the same about the vegetarian options, too – since this family-run spot prepares them fresh and customizes dishes upon request. Regardless of dietary preferences, everyone in your group will be able to find something satisfying at Ichiban. Even the little ones helping out at the register.
Mae Sone Noodle House
$ | (337) 406-0850 | WEBSITE
There are certain dining situations when “everything in moderation” doesn’t apply, like after a long work week, during a craving for authentic comfort, or when you’re celebrating a small victory. And when you’re looking to have an “I’ll savor every bite” type of meal, you should check out Mae Sone Noodle House in Lafayette.
Their home-style takes on classic Asian dishes – like the savory pho with high-quality toppings and the homemade egg rolls – are as satisfying and at least as flavorful as most restaurant versions. The cozy environment and the passion of the husband-and-wife owners, along with their daughter working the front, make it feel like a hidden gem worth discovering.
Panda Express
$ | (337) 273-2868 | WEBSITE
The biggest thing Panda Express has going for it is its fast-food convenience. And the fact that most of the dishes at this Chinese-inspired restaurant cost less than $12. If you’re looking for a quick alternative to burgers where you can order absolutely anything on the menu (the vegetarian options with different vegetables are all pretty decent) and get consistently satisfying food, this is a great place to consider.
Dynasty Restaurant
$ | (337) 989-9999 | WEBSITE
If the Real Housewives of Lafayette ever have a Chinese food night, there’s a good chance it’ll happen at Dynasty Restaurant. Even the beef and broccoli in this nostalgic, greasy spot have generous portions to show off their satisfying flavors. You’ll find the best American Chinese cuisine we’ve ever had, plus incredible service from Tina (who’s worth the visit), and classic dishes that are too good to eat without leftovers.
Golden buffet
$ | (337) 345-1354 | WEBSITE
At this family-friendly Chinese buffet in Lafayette, you’ll grab a plate, find a comfortable booth, and load up on fresh-cooked items like crawfish, boiled crab, and scrumptious egg rolls. And even though Golden Buffet has enough sushi rolls and Chinese dishes spread across the steam tables to qualify as an extension of the local food court, you can laugh loudly, eat inhuman amounts of catfish, and try to forget you’re on a diet without getting any judgmental looks.
Magic Wok Chinese Restaurant
$ | (337) 237-8311 | WEBSITE
Sure, you and a friend could grab lunch at Magic Wok, a reliable Chinese spot in Lafayette, on a quiet Tuesday afternoon before running errands. But it could also be a good starting point for the kind of meal where you’ll inevitably have leftovers lasting well into the next day. The simple, serviceable atmosphere here makes enjoying those fresh egg rolls and generous portions feel like a comforting home-cooked feast. And whatever you order afterwards is up to you.
Hot Wok
$ | (337) 233-9488 | WEBSITE
If sweet and sour shrimp rolls, budget-friendly prices, and prompt service don’t sound like perfection to you – we have nothing in common. But since we’re probably on the same page here, you should order all of these things from Hot Wok for your next takeout night. Everything from this Lafayette spot is delicious, but since most of the takeout crowd in town is aware of this, you’ll probably need to call ahead before all of your neighbors to get your order in.
Kevin’s Seafood Ambassador
$ | (337) 889-3773 | WEBSITE
This seafood spot in Lafayette is run by the same people who serve the best food in town. So it makes sense that everything at this affordable seafood destination is intended to make your appetite align, or something. If you’re looking for a clean and comfortable spot to eat a seafood platter with shrimp, fish, fried rice, and bread, fried catfish, burgers and fries, or beef and broccoli with a bit of a kick, this is it.
Buffet City
$ | (337) 988-1288 | WEBSITE
Full disclosure – there are only a few truly spicy dishes on the buffet at this Chinese spot in Lafayette. But all of them, from the crawfish to the gumbo, are bold combinations of flavors that rank among the most satisfying comfort foods we’ve ever had. Plus, the family-friendly tables in the clean, welcoming space here work perfectly for gathering with a big group and plenty of refills for as long as you can possibly eat.
Kevin’s Seafood
$ | (337) 889-3885 | WEBSITE
If you want to feed a crowd without breaking the bank (but with food that actually tastes good), head to Kevin’s Seafood. This Chinese-Cajun spot in an old Popeyes building serves up massive portions for around $12-$15 per entree (our favorites are the sesame chicken and fried shrimp with fried rice). Everything comes out piping hot and properly prepared, so you won’t need to worry about lukewarm takeout or skimpy servings.
Plus, Kevin’s feels like a family dinner no matter who you’re with – mostly because of the kid-friendly staff who actually engage with children, the generous fried broccoli side that comes with everything, and the fact that you’ll definitely have leftovers for tomorrow.