The lines are literally out the door at this fantastic spot tucked in the heart of Chinatown, and if you don’t have a reservation, you might get your heart broken. Here, a half-dozen ducks hang in the front window to let you know this is an authentic Peking Duck (not Peking-style duck) restaurant, where a 48-hour process keeps the duck meat succulent beneath its wildly crispy skin. The procedure involves air-pumping, blanching, drying and then roasting. This is a meticulous dish once prepared only for Chinese emperors, so how lucky are we to have it at our humble table? Fitting for its special status, it’s carved at a central station where you can watch and photograph, and it’s served as a half or full duck with pancakes, thinly sliced vegetables and sauce to create your own delicious roll.
As for dim sum, Z and Y Peking Duck boasts an impressive selection of Beijing-style dim sum, including duck bone and Napa cabbage soup, beef roll pancakes, and XLB dumplings like crab and pork or black truffle. The table next to us was raving about their grilled sea bass, and we loved the very simple yet complex hot and sour soup with cilantro. The tables’ proximity encourages discussion among strangers—it makes for a fun night.
Don’t be confused, as we were, by the same-block proximity of Z & Y Restaurant, owned by the same kind family and also with lines out the door. Z & Y Restaurant dates to 2008 and has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction since 2012, serving Szechuan fare. Z & Y Peking Duck opened in 2024 to serve authentic Beijing-style Peking duck and presents a significantly more upscale dining room. Owner and executive chef, Beijing-born Lijun Han, continues to cook at both locations.
The vibe: A convivial atmosphere; tables are close enough to chat with your neighbor and people do.
The food: Peking Duck sliced out on the floor plus all the extras.
The drink: An extensive tea menu to traditionally accompany your dim sum.
Time Out tip: The restaurant only serves about 30 Peking ducks each day, so it’s recommended that you reserve a duck at the same time that you book your reservation (if you’re ordering takeout, you’ll still want to reserve a duck in advance). Also: Don’t miss the wobbly gelatin cat dessert with its cute sesame seed eyes!