Tolo Introduce
Tucked away on a vibrant street in Chinatown, Tolo is a culinary gem that brings a fresh and modern perspective to Chinese cuisine. It's not your typical neighborhood Chinese restaurant; it's a classy and intimate space that offers a dining experience focused on creativity, flavor, and a chic ambiance. As an Asian-owned and LGBTQ+ owned establishment, Tolo has created a welcoming and inclusive environment that has resonated deeply with the community. Its trendy yet humble vibe, combined with impeccable service, makes it a standout destination in a neighborhood rich with culinary tradition. The restaurant is a perfect spot for those looking to explore a new take on Chinese food, with a menu that is both familiar and exciting.
The atmosphere at Tolo is a key part of its appeal. It's a small but finely tuned space that feels both casual and sophisticated. The interior design is well-thought-out, blending vintage furniture with modern touches. The open kitchen provides a captivating backdrop, allowing diners to catch a glimpse of the chefs at work, crafting each dish with precision and care. Tolo's commitment to creating a safe and welcoming space is evident in its identity as an LGBTQ+ friendly and transgender safe space, making it a comfortable and enjoyable spot for everyone. Whether you're in the mood for a quick lunch, a solo dinner at the counter, or a cozy meal with a group, the ambiance is perfectly suited for a variety of occasions.
Tolo is conveniently located at 28 Canal St, New York, NY 10002, USA, right in the heart of Chinatown and across from Seward Park. This location is easily accessible from multiple parts of Manhattan. Public transportation is the most recommended way to get here, with the F, J, M, and Z subway lines at the nearby Delancey St–Essex St station, and the B and D lines at Grand St. For those driving, both free and paid street parking options are available in the vicinity, but be prepared for the typical challenges of finding a spot in a bustling neighborhood. The restaurant is also committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom, and seating, ensuring that all guests can dine with ease and comfort.
Tolo offers a variety of services to accommodate its guests, whether they prefer to dine in or enjoy the food at home.
- Dine-in: Enjoy the full restaurant experience, with a trendy atmosphere, counter service, or table service. Reservations are accepted and recommended, especially for dinner.
- Outdoor Seating: For those who enjoy dining al fresco, Tolo provides outdoor seating, which is also dog-friendly.
- Takeout and Delivery: Tolo offers both takeout and delivery, including no-contact delivery options, allowing you to enjoy their delicious food from the comfort of your home.
- Catering: The restaurant also provides catering services for events and parties, bringing its unique menu to your special occasions.
- Private Dining: A private dining room is available for groups seeking a more intimate and exclusive setting.
Tolo is defined by its commitment to quality, creativity, and a welcoming environment.
- Innovative Menu: The menu offers a refined and modern take on Chinese cuisine, with creative dishes like XO Noodles, Seaweed Fries, and Typhoon Shelter Style Fried Chicken. It’s a mix-and-match paradise perfect for sharing.
- Halal and Dietary Options: The restaurant offers halal food, as well as a variety of vegan and vegetarian options, making it a great choice for diners with different dietary needs.
- Fast and Friendly Service: The staff is known for being attentive, fast, and helpful, ensuring a pleasant and efficient dining experience.
- Trendy and Humble Atmosphere: The ambiance is a major highlight, a blend of trendy decor and a humble, unpretentious vibe that makes everyone feel at home.
- Outstanding Prawn Toast: A customer favorite, the prawn toast is a must-try appetizer that consistently receives high praise for its flavor and texture.
- Support for the LGBTQ+ Community: As an LGBTQ+ owned business and a designated transgender safe space, Tolo provides an inclusive environment that supports and welcomes all.
For more information or to make a reservation, you can contact Tolo using the details below.
Address: 28 Canal St, New York, NY 10002, USA
What is truly worth choosing about Tolo is its unique combination of culinary excellence and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. The food is not just well-seasoned; it's creative and light, with a focus on quality ingredients. Dishes like the Prawn Toast and the Sweet & Sour Fish are highly recommended for their delicious flavors and perfect execution. The Green Mango Salad and Chilled Buckwheat Noodles are perfect examples of the refreshing and innovative takes on classic dishes. Another standout is the String Beans With Minced Pork, a common dish elevated to a new level with perfect stir-frying and a natural sweetness that sets it apart.
Tolo’s menu is designed for sharing, making it an ideal spot to try a variety of dishes with friends or family. The kitchen's ability to take familiar Chinese flavors and present them in a sophisticated and fresh way is a testament to the chef's skill. Whether you're a local resident or a tourist exploring the city, Tolo offers a compelling dining experience that goes beyond the ordinary. It's a place where you can enjoy creative, flavorful food in a trendy and inclusive environment, making it a truly special addition to New York City’s Chinatown.
Tolo Food & drink
Appetizers
- XO Noodles $23.10
Steamed rice noodles (cheung fun), made fresh daily, wok-fried with flowering garlic chives, and XO sauce. It's a must order!
- Cold 'Mouthwatering' Chicken $18.90
Chef Ron's go-to favorite appetizer in Sichuan restaurants. Simmered chicken seasoned with ginger, scallions, and Sichuan peppercorns. Cooled down and shredded and seasoned with a variety of ingredients: fresh ginger, fresh garlic, rice vinegar, finely ground Sichuan peppercorns, cashews, cilantro, soy sauce, fresh red chilis, and housemade Sichuan oil.
- String Beans With Minced Pork $17.85
Sautéed string beans with ground pork, minced garlic, minced ginger, minced baby shrimp, brown sugar, fresh red chili, and soy sauce. The chili is here just for some mild heat/flavor.
- Seaweed Fries $14.70
Extra crispy shoestring fries are shaken in a paper bag and seasoned with a house-made wakame (seaweed) salt.
- Kaofu Salad $15.75
Chef Ron's favorite Shanghainese cold appetizer! Kaofu, aka seitan or wheat gluten, is braised with aromatics (cinnamon and star anise) and dried shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, and peanuts. Kaofu tastes like tofu but it’s not a soy product! This dish is traditionally sweeter than savory.
- Water Spinach $15.75
Sautéed spinach in minced garlic, fresh red chili, and fermented tofu. FYI There’s no physical “tofu” in this dish, the fermented tofu is part of the sauce. Another FYI- this dish is slightly spicy.
- Fried Chicken Sando Dinner $30.45
The Rontini Fried Chicken sandwich is back! Bigger and better at Tolo! Two katsu-style chicken thighs are sandwiched between Elbow’s scallion knot bun, layered with housemade cucumber pickles, dill aioli, and chili crisp. Elbow’s bun contains scallions, chicken fat, and poppy seeds. Allergens: gluten, allium, egg.
Tolo Lunch
- Fried Chicken Sando Lunch $23.10
- Cucumber & Woodear $10.50
Asian cucumbers (Persian, Japanese, Chinese, depending on season) are tossed with blanched wood ear mushrooms, cilantro, mixed with a wasabi vinaigrette. Refreshing, crunchy with a touch of spice.
- Green Mango Salad $17.85
A light and refreshing herbaceous salad for warmer months. The salad mainly contains julienned strips of green mango, mixture of fresh herbs (i.e. cilantro, dill, mint, shiso), local Malaysian chicken jerky, fried shallots, and a citrus soy vinaigrette.
- Seaweed Fries $14.70
Extra crispy shoestring fries are shaken in a paper bag and seasoned with a house-made wakame (seaweed) salt.
- Watermelon Salad $12.60
Watermelon mixed with serpent painted cucumbers, and cilantro are dressed with chili crisp, EVOO, and lime juice. Refreshing and light.
- Chilled Buckwheat Noodles $18.90
Cold buckwheat noodles (aka soba) dressed with a chili soy vinaigrette with crisp radishes, cucumbers, scallions, and a marinaded soft boiled egg.
- Side Of Steamed Rice $5.25
- Scallion Pancake Wrap $18.90
We were looking for a breakfast item so we took inspiration from Chinese street food known as “Jianbing”. It is a scallion pancake that is rolled with an egg omelette that contains diced up Chinese sausage, summer corn, and English sharp cheddar cheese. It comes with a sambal soy dipping sauce.
- Side Of Soft Boiled Egg $4.20
- Blackbird Promo: S&P Tofu $14.70
- S&P Tofu $14.70
A house favorite. Cubed firm tofu, tossed in cornstarch, deep-fried, seasoned with black pepper and MSG. Served with chili aioli and cilantro.
- Prawn Toast $21.00
Brioche bread is smeared with prawn paste then covered with white sesame seeds then lightly pan-fried on both sides and served with sweet chili sauce and cilantro.
Mains
- Sweet & Sour Fish $45.15
Deep- fried branzino filet served with a house-made sweet and sour sauce.
- Typhoon Shelter Style Fried Chicken $37.80
Deep-fried chicken drumsticks that are tossed with garlic, ginger, breadcrumbs, chili, fermented black beans, and scallions. We recommend finishing every spoonful of the crumbs!
- Duck Confit Noodles $32.55
Confit duck legs, torn to larger pieces and tossed in a sauce called “zhajiang”, meaning “fried sauce”. Served with knife-cut noodles or “Chinese mafaldine”, cucumber, edamame, and dougan (a type of firm tofu).
- Beef & Broccoli $49.35
Angus hanger steak is marinated in char siu (Chinese BBQ), seared then roasted in the oven, served with steamed Chinese broccoli.
- Dry Pot $28.35
Spicy wok of seasonal vegetables with bean curd skin. Vegan and gluten-free. Comes with steamed rice. Allergens: mushroom, allium.
- Crab Fried Rice $39.90
Wok fried rice with chunks of crab meat, gai lan aka Chinese broccoli, eggs, and scallions.
Starters
- Watermelon Salad $12.60
Summertime watermelon thirst quencher! Juicy watermelon, cucumbers, and cilantro are dressed with chili crisp, EVOO, and fresh lime juice. Allergens: allium, nightshade.
- Blackbird Promo: S&P Tofu $14.70
- Cucumber & Woodear $10.50
Asian cucumbers (Persian, Japanese, Chinese, depending on season) are tossed with blanched wood ear mushrooms, cilantro, mixed with a wasabi vinaigrette. Refreshing, crunchy with a touch of spice.
- S&P Tofu $14.70
A house favorite. Cubed firm tofu, tossed in cornstarch, deep-fried, seasoned with black pepper and MSG. Served with chili aioli and cilantro.
- Prawn Toast $21.00
Brioche bread is smeared with prawn paste then covered with white sesame seeds then lightly pan-fried on both sides and served with sweet chili sauce and cilantro.
Tolo Details
From the business
- Identifies as Asian-owned
- Identifies as LGBTQ+ owned
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Comfort food
- Halal food
- Organic dishes
- Private dining room
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Children
- High chairs
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Tolo Photos










Tolo Location
Tolo Reviews
wine listcrispy fishtunaxo saucegreen beansprawn toastcrab fried ricesalt and pepper tofushakesweet and sour fish
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1A small but classy Chinese restaurant tucked away in the heart of Chinatown. It’s a great spot for mixing and matching dishes to share. Most of what we tried was really delicious, but I especially recommend the prawn toast and the cucumber/wood ear mushroom salad – definitely worth a try!
August 02 · Nurdan KilincogluI really loved this restaurant- the food was really well-seasoned, creative, and light (really appreciated all of the veggie side dishes). The vibe was really trendy yet humble, and we loved how helpful and fast the service was.Our favorites were the rice cakes (slightly charred rice rolls), green beans (perfectly stir-fried with a nice, natural sweetness), and morning glory (great sauce and texture).
June 12 · Catarina DoHighly recommend…the fried chicken w chili crisp on Elbow scallion bun - brined chicken is tender on the inside and symphonically crispy on the outside. The scallion bun is a really fun take on a burger bun. Make sure you appreciate the pickle and dill sauce. Really wonderful.String beans with minced pork - a little sweet, salty and savory - well balanced app!Thank you, Chef Ron!
June 27 · Ashley ParkNearly every dish was overwhelmingly salty and overpriced. The fish was heavily breaded, overcooked, and the sauce had a canned pineapple taste. The only item I’d truly recommend is the rice roll with XO sauce—though even that was quite salty. I was also charged an extra $2 for dipping sauce, which I only needed because the fries were way too salty to eat alone. High prices can be justified by quality, but unfortunately, this meal didn’t deliver. If you’re craving Asian cuisine in Chinatown, I’d strongly suggest trying a different spot.
May 23 · Y SFood is solid but as a born and bred Hong Kong-er this wasn’t what I was looking for. Overall, food was somewhat disappointed and mildly seasoned. For a dish that is called “typhoon shelter fried chicken” it lacked the distinct 避風塘 flavour I would have expected.
May 17 · Zoe Cheung
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