CHILI Introduce
## Introduction / Overview
In the vibrant culinary landscape of New York City, where countless restaurants vie for attention, CHILI stands out as a true destination for lovers of authentic Szechuan cuisine. Located in the bustling heart of Midtown East, this women-owned establishment offers a delightful escape into a world of bold flavors and aromatic spices. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with an atmosphere that is both casual and trendy, making it an ideal spot for a quick lunch, a relaxed dinner, or even a solo dining adventure. The interior is designed to be cozy and inviting, a welcome contrast to the fast-paced city outside. The music and general energy are lively, which adds to the overall experience, though some diners have noted it can be a bit loud during peak service, contributing to its bustling, trendy vibe.
What makes CHILI a must-visit for New Yorkers is its unwavering commitment to authentic Szechuan flavors. The menu is a carefully curated journey through this rich regional Chinese cuisine, known for its "mala" or numbing and spicy sensation. Dishes are crafted with precision, balancing heat with fragrant spices and rich umami. The restaurant's reputation for fast and efficient service is a significant highlight, ensuring that whether you're on a tight lunch schedule or looking to enjoy a leisurely dinner, your food arrives quickly after ordering. This blend of quality food, fast service, and a captivating ambiance has made CHILI a popular spot among a diverse crowd, including locals, groups, and tourists alike.
## Location and Accessibility
CHILI is conveniently situated at 13 E 37th St, New York, NY 10016, USA. This address places it firmly in Midtown East, a neighborhood known for its mix of business professionals and residential charm. Its proximity to major transit hubs makes it incredibly accessible for people coming from all over the city. The restaurant is just a short walk from Grand Central Terminal, providing easy access to multiple subway lines (4, 5, 6, 7, S) and Metro-North trains. This central location makes it an excellent choice for a midday break or an after-work dinner. For those who drive, paid street parking is available in the vicinity, though as with most of Manhattan, it’s recommended to check for availability in advance.
The restaurant is designed with accessibility in mind, offering wheelchair-accessible seating to accommodate a wide range of patrons. This thoughtful feature, along with its easily reachable location, ensures that CHILI is a welcoming spot for everyone. The atmosphere is casual, making it suitable for spontaneous drop-ins, but the option to make dinner reservations is available and recommended, especially for peak hours, ensuring you secure a table in this popular spot.
## Services Offered
Dine-in: Enjoy a full dining experience with table service in the restaurant's cozy and trendy setting.
Takeout: For those who prefer to enjoy their meal at home or on the go, CHILI offers convenient takeout service.
Delivery: The restaurant provides no-contact delivery, bringing its delicious Szechuan dishes directly to your door.
Outdoor Seating: Take advantage of the pleasant weather with the option to dine outside.
Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner: CHILI serves a full range of meals throughout the day, making it a great choice for any occasion, from a midday work lunch to a special evening dinner.
Catering: The restaurant offers catering services, perfect for corporate events, parties, and other special gatherings.
Reservations: CHILI accepts reservations, which are recommended for dinner, to ensure a seamless dining experience.
## Features / Highlights
Authentic Szechuan Cuisine: The menu is a deep dive into the flavors of Sichuan, featuring signature dishes like Chungking Spicy Chicken, Spicy Cumin Lamb, and Ma Po Tofu. Each dish is a testament to the region's rich culinary tradition.
Diverse Menu: Beyond the spicy specialties, CHILI offers a wide array of dishes to suit all palates. The menu includes classic dim sum options like Pork Dumplings in Chili Oil and Scallion Pancakes, as well as a variety of fried rice and noodle dishes.
Extensive Drink Selection: The restaurant features a full bar onsite, with a selection of alcohol, beer, cocktails, and wine. Signature cocktails, such as a refreshing gin cocktail with elderberry and a signature chili margarita, are a popular choice and have been praised by customers.
Women-Owned Business: CHILI proudly identifies as a women-owned business, adding to its unique identity in the New York City restaurant scene.
Fast and Efficient Service: Known for its speedy service, CHILI ensures that your meal is delivered promptly without compromising on quality.
Welcoming Atmosphere: The restaurant has a casual and cozy vibe that is both trendy and welcoming, attracting a diverse crowd and making it an excellent spot for groups, solo diners, and more.
## Contact Information
Address: 13 E 37th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
Phone: (646) 882-0666
## What is worth choosing
What makes CHILI a truly special choice for New Yorkers is the combination of its authentic Szechuan food, trendy yet cozy atmosphere, and exceptional service. The menu is a standout, with customers consistently praising the quality and flavor of the dishes. The dumplings, in particular, are a highlight, with one reviewer noting that "both dumpling dishes were great!" For those who enjoy a fiery kick, the Spicy Cumin Lamb comes highly recommended and is a perfect representation of the restaurant's commitment to bold Szechuan flavors. The duck fried rice is another popular choice, offering a delicious and savory option.
Beyond the food, the drink menu is also a significant draw. The creative and refreshing cocktails, like the signature chili margarita, show the restaurant's modern approach to classic flavors. The bar onsite is a great amenity, providing a place to unwind and enjoy a thoughtfully crafted beverage. The friendly and knowledgeable staff, including the bartenders, contribute to a positive and memorable experience, with one customer raving about their bartender’s excellent cocktail suggestions. The restaurant is also well-suited for various dining needs, whether you are looking for a quick, delicious meal or a venue for a group gathering. Its popularity for lunch, dinner, and solo dining speaks to its versatility and broad appeal. The fact that it is a women-owned business also adds a layer of community and support that many New Yorkers appreciate. Ultimately, choosing CHILI means opting for a place where tradition meets modernity, where fiery flavors are balanced with a welcoming atmosphere, and where every visit promises to be a satisfying and engaging culinary adventure.
CHILI Details
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Locals
- Tourists
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Paid street parking
- Parking
CHILI Photos










CHILI Location
CHILI Reviews
cocktailsscallion pancakestrufflesmoked duckcumin lambpork dumplingsrice winepurple riceshrimp dumplingsmargarita
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Had a great dinner here. All the dishes were very yummy. The food arrived quickly after ordering. Both dumpling dishes were great! The spicy lamb dish was hot and spicy 🥵. Enjoyed the duck fried rice as well, could have used some more meat tho. Restaurant and music were very loud during dinner service.
June 08 · Nick P.Really lovely dinner. Our bartender suggested the refreshing gin cocktail made with elderberry and their signature chili margarita. The poached okra was so delicious. I cant wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!
July 29 · Martie MartinI highly recommend RSVPing as this place is really popular. We went on Friday around dinner time.Service: We rsvp’d ahead of time and there was no delay getting seated. The staff was really nice. Food came out at a reasonable pace and in an order that makes sense.Atmosphere: Really chill dinner vibes. Music was not loud.Food: 2 entrees + appetizer + rice = Plenty of food for two.Jellyfish Salad (5/5) - Mostly sweet. There is a tiny kick at the end. Peppers are de-seeded and dont really taste like anything. Overall suitable for people of all spice levels.Chungking Spicy Chicken (5/5) - Chicken are appropriately sized, nicely fried and seasoned. It is not too spicy but you definitely can taste it. It is savory as opposed to some other places where it is on the sweeter side.Chungking Braised Fish (5/5) - Nicely cooked and has good texture. Has noodles and tofu in it. The tofu is super delicate so be careful when using chopstick. Spice is not overwhelming.Would definitely recommend this place!
August 20 · Victor CaiI would highly recommend their food and cocktails. My friend and I had an amazingly delicious dinner though we greatly underestimated its portion sizes. My favorites were the spare ribs and spicy mushroom dish.The staff were very attentive, quick to give us spare utensils when we dropped it and swift with other accommodations despite the restaurant being packed.10/10 recommend, would definitely come here again 🤗
April 05 · CarolI’d definitely go back and would recommend to friends. We went as a large group but I think you could go with a small group as though but should definitely at family style. I didn’t find anything super spicy unless I ate straight pepper. The purple rice, fried rice, and sweet maybe gel potato noodles were less popular. The scallion pancake, beef pancake wrap, spicy chicken something, and lamb with onion were all very popular.
March 23 · Jaye Aster Broder
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