China Cottage Restaurant
1795 Gallatin Pike N, Madison, TN, 37115
China Cottage Restaurant Menu
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Appetizers
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Soup
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Chicken
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Beef
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Pork
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Dessert
Healthy Meal suggestions for China Cottage Restaurant
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Appetizers
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Soup
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Chicken
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Beef
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Pork
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Dessert
Visit below restaurant in Madison for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Madison for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1795 Gallatin Pike N
Madison, TN, 37115 - Phone (615) 865-6854
- Website https://www.chinacottage-tn.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Categories
Chinese Cuisine
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
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Tracy L.
I ate here the first time based on online reviews. I will not eat anywhere else when I want Chinese food!! This is a wonderful place to eat. Great atmosphere, professional and friendly service with a smile. Extra large fresh portions that are beautifully presented. We've tried around 20 items on the menu and everything was exceptional. I love their hot and sour soup. My best friend loves their egg drop soup. My favorite main dish is shrimp with lobster sauce. The Happy Family is awesome too. Like I said, the food here is always fresh and presented beautifully. You eat with your eyes first, they say. You will not be disappointed.
(5)John W.
Nashville is not a town that does Chinese cuisine well. I recently visited the much hyped Chinatown restaurant on the westside, and was not impressed. While running some errands in the Rivergate area, i visited China Cottage and I must agree with fellow yelpers that this place is a cut above the rest. The service is friendly, the food is good, and the prices are reasonable. They have several good vegetarian options including Ma Po Tofu, Home Style (a vegetable medley with fried tofu), and a tasty Spring Roll. I will definitely be back.
(4)Jeffrey H.
Not your cookie cutter version of a Nashville Chinese restaurant. My girlfriend ordered the chicken and broccoli and I ordered the general chicken lunch special. Both meals were excellent. The egg drop soup wasn't overly salty and the general chicken had a very light breading which was fabulous. Our waiter was very attentive and never let us run out of drinks.
(5)Ashley T.
This is my favorite place for not-so-cheap, cheap Chinese food. Best General tso tofu I've had in Nashville so far. We've eaten inside once and gotten take out a couple of times. Spring rolls are good but it was ice cold when we dined in. I felt awkward telling the server, but she brought us out a new, hot spring roll. Good crab rangoon. This is usually my pick for Chinese food but my husband doesn't love the lo mein here so we don't order as often as I'd like.
(4)Christa P.
I was really hoping this was another good chinese place in Nashville, like Chinatown, but it wasn't. The place is actually pretty nice - the waiters wearing bow ties and the waitress wearing cute pink chinese wraps - I thought it would be great. We ordered take out of the usual - beef fried rice, general tso's chicken, orange beef and mongolian beef. While we liked the rice - that was about it. The orange beef and general tso's were so sugary and thick it was not edlible. It was literally like a coating of sugar based sauce. I love both of these and know the sauce is thick - but I wasnt looking for something similar to a caramel. Disappointed. Go to China Town. They have awesome chinese in Nashville.
(1)Jairo R.
I've been going to this place for several years now, service is always great and the food is the absolute best. I've yet to try any other house fried rice that is on par with theirs.
(4)Allie S.
This is my favorite Chinese restaurant in the Rivergate area. The food is always fresh and hot. The service is always above and beyond. The prices are similar to Panda Express, but the food is SO much better. You get what you pay for. Do yourself a favor and eat here. And try a spring roll. Theirs are the BEST.
(5)Olivier D.
I'm visiting from out of town and always looking for a good Chinese. Based on all the good reviews I tried this place tonight. I can say that the average rating is correct. Friendly and fast service repeat clientele for sure, as I ran into a family that is been coming here for about 20 years they say. The food is certainly tasty. I can't say it's the best I have ever had but it is certainly a good place to know in Nashville.
(3)Thomas G.
They have authentic and tasty Chinese food and we felt very welcome. Love the Ma Po Tofu.
(4)Tommy F.
My go to Chinese restaurant! We have been going here for years. We have dined in and taken out. The service in both cases is excellent and the food is great. I cannot think of one negative thing to say about this place!
(5)Sarah S.
I'm going to just come out and say it. Huh?? What's all the rage? I have been planning to try this "amazing Chinese restaurant" for a while now. Tonight was the perfect night. I had a friend with me and in we went. I ordered crab Rangoon to share; she ordered the egg drop soup. We agreed it was just fine. Entrees were teriyaki chicken and general tso's chicken, both paired with fried rice. The rice was great. The teriyaki chicken was good and the general tso's had a good taste but the breading was quite soggy. The portions were gigantic no doubt, but the quality was not, in my opinion, better than my "regular"(aka maybe 3x a year) take out place. And it was definitely more expensive. I left with that rare post meal regret that I wasted that much money on dinner, especially since it was such an average meal. I won't be back. My takeout place that delivers will remain my go to place from now on. Sorry I cheated on you, my dear.
(3)Reginald R.
We been in Nashville for 2 years now and this is the best Chinese food we had since we been here!! The food was fresh and the waitresses are very nice. The food is very inexpensive and they even give nice size portions for what you will pay. The only issue I had is that they do need to upgrade the decor inside and their bathrooms weren't the greatest.
(3)Sherry C.
Food is fresh and serving is hearty. Very good food. I love this place.
(5)Savannah R.
Really good Chinese food at good prices. I love their egg rolls. Spicy Trio is great, I would recommend the sesame seed chicken, Orange chicken, or house lo mien to anyone needing suggestions. The service is super friendly and they always remember my family when we come in. This is a great little tucked away place. Though, I feel like they have made some ingredient changes lately that are affecting the quality of the food.
(4)Robert S.
This is a regular stop for me. The staff are very friendly, and the place is clean. It has some age, but that is because they have been here for many years. I love the dumplings and they make them to order so they aren't soggy like you often get elsewhere. This is a good safe and economical place to get a quiet meal in and comfortable environment.
(5)John M.
We've eaten here a few times now and it's definitely our go to place. We've tried all the Chinese places and this is the best on the area, but not the best I've ever had. Still worthy of a 5 star rating because it's much better than the competition. The walnut shrimp rocks.
(5)Mel V.
This is by far the best Chinese fair we've found in the Nashville area. The food here is DELICIOUS. The staff is very friendly and the food is fresh. This is our go to for Chinese. Our 2 little guys love it here too. Our older son likes to play with the owner's daughter and he loves, loves, loves the lo mein. If you're going to compare to a Chinese restaurant in Chicago or ATL even L.A. Don't. it's not that. Trust me, I want nothing more than to get up on a Sunday and grab dimsum. Now, if you want the best in the Nashville area, this is that place! Try them, you'll like it!
(5)L G.
This place reminds me of PF Changs. Upscale, over-rated Americanized Chinese food. Bland.
(3)Summer P.
Since moving from the Bay Area it's been less than impressive food in the south, especially anything Asian. This place is great though. It actually has flavor and big portions for a good price. I got two entrees thinking it would be small but I ate it for 3 days! Can't wait to try more. Also came in plastic takeout instead of styrofoam!!!
(4)Laura M.
Delicious, fresh food. Delightful service. Enjoyed crab rangoon, soup, and amazing chicken.
(5)Wm Z.
Honestly, I wish that I weren't telling you about this place, but they deserve every word. I would feel comfortable with leaving this review at four words: Asian Comfort Food Orgasm! BUT You are looking for more, right?? This was not our first choice for the evening. Hell, when we headed out for dinner, it wasn't even on the radar! Half of our party of six had never heard of it, and everyone, excluding yours truly, was craving seafood. There we stood with an hour and 15 minutes wait ahead of us at RL, trying to come to a collective decision on whether to keep out place in queue or find another place for dinner. The last place that many people would want to eat is a Chinese restaurant that's been open for some time (13 years, we were to learn) that they've never heard of! The seafood contingency thought they would be settling for mediocre fair, but away we went, with me praying not to end up with the Chinese version of Montezuma's Revenge! The store front, located a few doors down the parking lot from Hobby Lobby, was modest. Upon entering, the friendly waitress seated us immediately in a quiet, semi-private area in the rear of the restaurant where there was another area for even larger parties. We ordered our drinks, and at no time during the evening did any of us see the bottom of our respective glasses. That alone is very important for me, because I drink sweet tea like a camel at a Sahara oasis! We ordered appetizers all around. The steamed dumpling and pot stickers were delicious, and the ones who ate the crab rangoon stated it was the best they had ever eaten. The spring rolls that followed were also very tasty. When the main courses arrived, we were in awe. The plate presentation was astounding, and the serving sizes were unfathomable! We are a jolly group, so the banter at the table resumed to normal levels until the food was passed to the appropriate persons. As we began eating, a hush hit the table, and all that could be heard was the sounds of chop sticks hit plates, glasses touching the table, and the pleasurable moans of mid-meal contentment. I had ordered General Tso Chicken, and I'm used to a hot, mushy, breaded chicken with more spice than flavor. What I was served were mounds of perfectly crisp, breaded morsels of white meat chicken perfectly glazed, almost suspended, in an extraordinary sauce that had just enough heat to bring the flavor of the dish to a higher level. Other meals at the table included the Sizzling Seafood, Supreme Seafood, and Crispy Shrimp platters. The seafood lovers were in heaven, and one said the those at RL that evening had no idea what they were missing. Throughout the evening, our server seemed to always be there when needed, always with a bright smile on her face, and yet, not overly attentive to the point of being worrisome. As plates were emptied, they disappeared. As glasses were drained, they were refilled. As we were finishing our meal, another lady appeared and told us not to leave, she had desert for us! We could barely move! How were we supposed to eat desert?!? She quickly returned with a massive plate of freshly made, hot, course sugar coated donuts! Oh my god!!! Shipley's makes good donuts, but these babies were sinful! When the checks came, we thought something had been left off. We forgot that we had seen the prices when we ordered. I am confidant in stating that you cannot get this quality or quantity of food anywhere else at this price. China Cottage is now at the top of our preferred eating list!
(5)Queen B.
This was a treat! If you're on a budget, craving Chinese food and you want to take your sweetie pie to dinner, this would be the place! Service is outstanding. Portions are HUGE, HUGE, HUGE! Food was good. Everything was freshly made. Nothing was "just" warm, it was hot and made to order. I had the crab rangoon to begin with. I really should have brought a date with me. 6 fried wontons, filled with cream cheese was just too much for me.. 3 would have been perfect. I also ordered the pan fried flounder with matchstick vegetables.. I did not know this dish could have been ordered steamed. It seemed like there were 3-4 fillets of flounder in the dish. Way too much food for one person. Even the fortune cookie was good and... I had 5 fortunes in my cookie! I was very lucky! I saw the hot pots, I saw all kinds of dishes, the sizzling trio, the seafood sampler, the General Tso's Chicken, General Tso's shrimp... Eggplant in garlic sauce.. Every dish that came out was absolutely huge, and many of my friends complained that the sauces were not spicy, but too sweet. I did request some hot chili paste to come to the table to spice my dish up. All in all, it was good food, large portions, made fresh, everything was satisfactory, except for the die hard spice freaks that wanted spicy..... Maybe you should sneak a bottle of sriracha sauce into your bag to bring along with you. But for the price and the quantity, I think this place would be fun for a date.. or a bunch of friends that want to share dishes.. Prices are very reasonable. Spice isn't there. linen napkins, china dishes, lots of water refills..
(3)jeff a.
One of the best Chinese places I've eaten in. Super fresh, great soups. Service can be a bit slow when they are busy. Hunan beef is one my favs.
(5)David O.
Having read all the great reviews about this place on Yelp we decided to stop in after picking up the car from the nearby Volkswagen dealership. As good as every ones word, the food is great! The thing that was really awkward was our waitress! She didn't seem like she wanted to be there, or that she didn't understand half of the things we were asking her. I don't know if it is some casual racism that requires all Chinese restaurants to have only Chinese staff, who only really know Chinese? But it made everyone feel like an outsider. Having said that though, I would absolutely recommend the place. I'm sure our waitress is a very nice person, but I didn't like feeling like we were putting her out by making her wait on us.
(3)Emily B.
Cute little place. Ordered mine to go. Mai fen (rice noodles) with curry flavor, slightly spicy. Had, shrimp, beef, chicken and crunchy veggies. Will be returning! FAST! Less thank 10MIN!
(5)Lu B.
It was better than 5 star! The dishes we selected were outstanding. The sautéed green beans were not over-sauced and still crunchy and the General Tso was lightly breaded and spicy but not too much. If I lived in this area it would be our go to for Chinese. You locals take good care and frequent this place, it's a gem! We'll be back!
(5)Mandi P.
Love this place! Great food, super nice service. Been going here once a week since discovering it.
(5)Ryan B.
The restaurant selection in Madison/Rivergate is lacking. The typical chains have set up shop, but my family prefers to sample local (not factory) fare usually. A super deal might get us into Chilis or Olive Garden, but we otherwise eschew Rivergate as it is not a destination spot for eateries. Calhouns had some really good food (including the best porkchop I've ever had), until it closed this year. Having said that, this small Chinese restaurant stands above the fray. There is no buffet! The food tastes different than so many others. It tastes careful and fresh. The atmosphere was really quiet and not notable (though clean), but the service is very good. And while it's not a profound menu, the 4 dishes we had were well done and the flavors were good and distinct with each dish. I've added an extra star for it being such an island of carefulness in a non-notable sea of mediocrity, including 88 Kitchen. Since, I'm not a professional orderer of Chinese, I would wish for the menu to list ingredients better.
(5)Sally B.
This is by far the best Chinese I have found in the Madison area. I ordered the sesame chicken extra spicy and my husband had the pepper steak. The chicken was big chunks of white meat and the sauce was stellar. The breeding was crisp and not too thick. My husband enjoyed his dish and the sauce was very good. I really wish they would offer delivery! Overall it was a nice experience.
(4)Vanessa T.
Love the wonderful ppl that work here and their fresh cuisine. It's a small quiet environment and I have never been let down by the food or service.
(5)Kim B.
Never thought about adding a review for this little hole in the wall because like a favorite pair of old jeans, it has been around since I was a teenager and that is simply too long to readily admit the actual number of years. This has been a favorite of my folks for as long as I can remember. The staff is truly wonderful and always so kind to my family. I have watched their children grow up as they have watched the little ones in ours as well. I love supporting a locally owned business that tries so hard to please their customers and they are a mainstay of our little community in the Madison Rivergate area. But what about the food..I have to say I think it is pretty good overall. My favorite is the seafood soup and it is Dee-Lish! My folks and I always battle for the last drop in the very generous bowl they serve for two but it is easily enough for the three of us. My mom loves their beef and broccoli and Daddy usually ventures out with new things that we share. I can't remember ever thinking the food was not tasty and I know I have been going to this place for thirty years. So if you want to go to a sit down Chinese restaurant and happen to be in Rivergate - you won't be disappointed. And the best thing is it is very reasonable. So go hungry, be sweet to the servers and you will leave with some new friends.
(5)Scott B.
Can't go wrong here! Crab rangoons are best I ever had, great flavor and fully filled. Hot and Sour is good, but I'd like it a little more sour. Ordered Crispy Beef. Made to perfection. Outstanding staff...there's a good reason these folks are rated so high!
(4)John S.
So I went to this place with a date while I was going to Rivergate mall, and first of all let me point out that I was really surprised that it opened at 11AM and having gotten there at 11:05 there were already like 3 other parties there.... and more arrived within 10 minutes. What. That being said, I can understand why this is the case - they have lunch prices from 11-2 (i think) every day, including weekends, and their food is freakin delicious. I had the crab rangoons as an appetizer, with the sesame chicken as an entre, with fried rice. Dear god that sesame chicken was SO GOOD. It's like the kind you usually get at malls/airports from to-go chinese places for 5.99, except its WAY more in quantity and WAY better in taste, all for just 50 cents more. Dang its freakin delicious. Same goes for the crab rangoon - 4.50 and so tasty, with the included sweet sauce. And also the intro crunchy things (which I'm not going to pretend I know the name of, but they're like the chinese equivalent of chips at a mexican place). Overall, freakin awesome and if I'm ever in the area again I will return... no question about it.
(5)Patti E.
This is by far our go to Chinese place in Nashville. Crab Rangoon rocks!
(5)Jackie B.
After my first visit to China Cottage I probably would have given them three stars. The food was really good, but my server was just having an off day. She brought me a water with a clearly visible lip print on the glass and also entered my orange chicken in wrong so I was served Sweet and Sour. She was very apologetic and I figured I would give them another chance as I worked as a server in college and fully understand that some days things just don't go your way. The second time the service was great, if a bit distant. The food is the real stand out here. It's not innovative or fancy in any way, but it is just exceptional quality. The crab Rangoon is the best I have ever had. The wonton wrappers are stuffed full of cream cheesy goodness and only around $4 for 6. The egg rolls that come with the lunch special are small, but deliciously crunchy and very flavorful. The lunch specials are really the stars here. The specials are offered 7 days a week until 3 or 4. I love this as I work M-F and most places only offer specials during the week. The lunch special includes an entree with your choice of white or fried rice and soup or egg roll. I chose the beef with garlic sauce which was only 6.95. It's not a huge portion, but more than enough for one person. The vegetables are really fresh with only a minimal amount of celery (I despise cooked celery). This may sound strange, but even the fortune cookie was better than what I am used to. Thanks to China Cottage, Chinese food may be back in my regular rotation (especially since I have not found anyplace that serves Malaysian food since moving here).
(4)David K.
If you live in Nashville you know that it's not very much time to get to Rivergate. IT'S WORTH THE DRIVE!!! Especially for lunch. Crab Rangoon, Kung Pao chicken, Szechuan pork, egg roll. Huge portions, unbelievable quality.
(5)Jules F.
2 Words - Hidden Gem Buried amongst major restaurant chains due to the nearness of Rivergate Mall, China Cottage is a diamond in the rough. It's another reason why I like going to the Carmike Wynnsong in Madison. I typically (and easily) can talk my boyfriend into then having dinner at China Cottage either before or after the movie since it is just down the street. Typically we split one or two items and eat them family style. Their fried rice as a dish is seriously to die for. The fried rice as a side dish to an entree is not the same and is not true fried rice. I'm normally a sesame chicken fan, but shockingly, the sesame chicken is not a favorite for me here. Love the Orange Chicken. The Mongolian Beef is pretty great too. Actually, I've enjoyed everything I've had there, but the sesame chicken. And not to knock the sesame chicken. It's worlds better than a chinese buffet sesame chicken. Just compared to all the other stuff we have had there, it just pales in comparison. To start I normally get a bowl of Egg Drop Soup and my boyfriend gets the Hot & Sour soup. Both soups are excellent. I once ordered the bacon wrapped shrimp. And well. I won't order it again. They can't hit everything out of the ballpark, right?! Nine times out of 10, I leave saying "Why can't they be closer to home?" But then, I'd be a total fat ass if they were because I'd be there probably 3-5 times a week...for soup (*wink wink*).
(4)Jodi A.
Best chinese food in Nashville!! I drive 30 mins. for take away!
(5)Betsy G.
This is the best Chinese food around. Everything is made fresh to order. We have been coming here for over 4 years when we moved to the area. We eat here often and have never been disappointed in anything!
(5)Megan T.
The best Chinese I've had in Nashville. It's one of those places I don't want to like so much because the service has always been off when I'm there. But the food makes up for it & I keep coming back for more. They serve lunch 7 days a week. If it wasn't located in Rivergate I'd be there way too often. Try the general tso's chicken, crab Rangoon & egg drop soup.
(4)Dan H.
This is what I remember when the family got into the station wagon and went to Chinese dinner 25 years ago. Ancient ambience of a diner turned Chinese restaurant. A classic dinner. Good but not great. A safe option in an area where I wouldn't expect it.
(3)Larry S.
Delicious, fresh food served by friendly, helpful staff, all at a very reasonable price. The seafood hot pot is outstanding.
(5)Don E.
I have had the pleasure to have eaten at China Cottage for over 15 years. I know the current and the former owner and I must say the standards have remained high all these years. Chinese Food is best when fresh and cooked to order, and that is how they do it at China Cottage. You won't find a buffet at this eatery. It is great food, great service, and warm staff. I recommend the Hot Pepper Chicken and the Hot and Sour Soup.
(4)Kimberley L.
Great food, friendly service. The best crab rangoon/creamcheese wontons you will ever have. My friend and I stumbled upon this place by chance, now its our regular meeting place when we crave chinese. I always order seafood dishes and its always prepared well and very flavorful. Highly recommended, you wont be disappointed.
(5)Melissa L.
Visiting China Cottage is just a wonderful experience. The place is clean, it smells nice, the music is lovely, there are fresh flowers on every table, the staff is incredibly gracious, and the food is delicious. What more could you ask for? More locations, that is what. I live south of Murfreesboro now, so I do not get up to Madison very often. I truly miss China Cottage. We used to go almost every week. The staff started recognizing us and giving us panda calendars and other fun stuff when we visited. This restaraunt is really special. I haven't even talked about the food, which is excellent. The Crab Rangoon is awesome, the soups are all delicious, and their Moo Shu Chicken is the best. We have never had anything bad (or even mediocre) at China Cottage. Go there and enjoy! It is worth the drive.
(5)Ken A.
First time to visit. Checked out the previous reviews before going. Chinnes resurants are either really good or really bad. This place falls into the really good catorgery.
(4)Zeb M.
This is some good Chinese food. Went here for dinner on a Friday and it was quite busy (a good sign). I ordered the honey chicken and broccoli, and my friend and I split a giant bowl of fried rice. In fact, each of our meals were big enough for two sizeable dinners. (Yay for leftovers!) Service was friendly. It's kind of hard say what's the best Chinese food in town - it's either good or terrible - but this is definitely delicious enough for a second visit.
(4)Boomarie C.
FINALLY FOUND IT! Best Chinese in the Nashville area. PERIOD. The list of "All you need to knows": Very clean. Very Friendly. Food is fresh... and by that I mean the vegetables are so crisp they crunch. Chicken is high quality and is cooked to perfection. Service is wonderful.
(5)Janet S.
It is true, this is as good as Chinese Food has got in Nashville, A possee of 4 headed out last night with open hearts and minds. Do not compare to other major cities or chinatowns, but give them a chance. It is a warm cosy place - booths/table and two separate function areas, one for 10 peeps and one for 20 peeps. A pretty extensive menu with lots of specials including Peking Duck - phone 24 hours ahead for this. We had crab rangoon, 6 in portion, creamy cheesy, not strong crabby, deep friend prawns and then shared a hot and sour soup which was really good. Then came crispy beef /walnut shrimp/chicken with green beans and chilli/the house roast duck in special sauce, all very good and way above expectation. Walnut shrimp was the weak link, although the shrimp were massive, there was too much batter. top this off with a few beers and tea and the bill for four came to $75. Good VFM. Super sweet efficient service. How the heck have we not been here before. PS, Portions are pretty large. No buffet here, all cooked to order.
(4)Steph E.
Consistently delicious and fresh Chinese food. Always very clean. We love the Mu Shu chicken and General Tsao chicken! Very sweet waitstaff. Great place with kids! Family of 6 with school aged kids splits 3 dishes with lots leftover.
(5)Mike H.
In town on business and decided to try this place based on Yelp reviews. The food and service was good, but nothing outstanding. My business associate and I both order chicken dishes and was surprised that the dish was only chicken and the sauce without any veggies. A little weird getting Chinese food without veggies. We split a big bowl of fried rice that was okay, nothing special. The hot and sour soup was good. I really don't think that I'll put this place on my must revisit list. I've had much much better.
(3)Shaun M.
Wow is all I can say! This has to be THE best Chinese in the Nashville area...Yes, it's in Madison, but after you go there once, you will make the drive over and over. Everything is house made, and I can't imagine anything there that wouldn't be a 10! After being at this location for 11 years, I can't believe I missed it all these years......Just got there!!!
(5)Mohamad K.
Great food, great prices, very friendly staff. The best restaurant in the Nashville area.
(5)Mark P.
We tried this restaurant after thinking for 10 years it was just another storefront restaurant. Boy, were we wrong! This is a fine restaurant and the products from the kitchen are outstanding. The waitresses and manager are most friendly and accommodating. We have been there three times in the last week, once for dinner (white cloth napkins!) and twice for lunch. It is the very best Chinese Restaurant in this whole area. Every visit is as good as the first. I like hot stuff and for lunch I ordered beef and peppers and asked them to make it hot, but no more than normal for the 'hot ans spicy' (so marked on the menu) dish's. Perfect. I found the wait staff outstanding and if they recognize you, that's a very nice thing too. Angelina is our favorite, she anticipates every need and is as nice as could. Great friendly staff, excellent food. It's amazing they don't require reservations. This is not one to miss.
(5)Elvira G.
Lunch on 7/23 party of 3. Tofu dish, shredded pork and noodle soup. Good and fresh. Almost a 4 but subpar noodles in soup.
(3)Dagan B.
i would give this place a 5 star its very good definately not a buffet. the price was right . the egg drop soup was a notch above. the singapore mai fen was very good. the beef and chicken etc were fresh and tender not dry at all. the crab rangood was very good it actually had filling and it was 4 times the filling of most. HUGE portions. i just dont give out 5 stars. if the meat was seasoned just a little better and the noodles just a little more moist it would have been a 5 star. the price also very good, service and cleanliness very good. it is some of the best i have had combined with the price u cant go wrong really.
(4)Jennifer B.
I went back for their hot & sour soup and decided to give one of their 'lighter fares' entrees a try. The lighter fare foods are steamed and you get your choice of sauces served on the side. I got the vegetables with hunan sauce (it was supposed to be the spiciest of the choices) and it was actually good! I was somewhat surprised since the other 3 entrees that I had tried there previously were all disappointing. I'm glad I gave them another shot and found something good there. Since I didn't enjoy the other veggie items I'll stick to ordering off the lighter fare menu and try some of the other sauces out.
(4)Megan M.
Fresh and delicious Chinese food, among the best I've had in the Nashville area. I haven't tried a lot here-have had the hot and sour soup, garlic chicken, shrimp with broccoli, fried rice, and my boyfriend always gets the crispy beef-it's all excellent. The staff is extremely friendly.
(4)L G.
The food at China Cottage is delicious and the service is top-notch! Highly recommended affordable Chinese cuisine for its type.
(5)Scott W.
Best Chinese Food I've ever had. Highly recommend, and the prices were great
(5)Rebecca S.
Super clean restaurant. Super sweet staff. The take out was super fast and the food is quite tasty
(5)Jerry R.
A delicious change of pace to chinese buffets. Great service and food with decent prices. Try it out.
(4)Jimmy S.
Hands down, the best Chinese in town. The dishes are artfully prepared and the service is incomparable (the sweetest waitresses you'll find anywhere). Fair prices and great for groups.
(5)Matt M.
It took a while to find a decent Chinese restaurant near Inglewood and this is easily the best Chinese food from east Nashville to Madison and its smack dab in the Rivergate area, so an easy drive. 5 stars here not because the food is outta this world, it's your standard Chinese take out--but it's good, open 7 days a week, and there's the $6.50 lunch combo (soup/egg roll, fried/white rice, and your entree). Boom. Food wise, it was a 4/5. The fried rice was just fried brown rice, no vegetables or egg mixed in unfortunately--only downside really. I had the General Tso's and it was pretty tasty. Good meat-to-batter ratio, which is key! I'll definitely go back when I'm craving Chinese. Service was really fast and the food came out hot. Good sized portions. Very friendly. No delivery though.
(5)Cory D.
The restaurant could use some updates especially the bathrooms. The Mongolian beef was a little to sweet for me & the crunchy noodles looked nice, but I could have done without eating them. The egg drop soup was very hot, but it had corn in it and I felt it influenced the taste too much. The service was very good. If I return it will be to try a different dish and a different soup.
(3)Krystal T.
I definitely believe this is one of the top sit-down places for Chinese food in Nashville. I've been a regular here even before I started on Yelp. There are a combination of booths, tables, and ample space for large groups. This is definitely a family place, but I could see this being a place for an informal date, especially since the restaurants in Madison can be charmless due to the plethora of chain restaurants. The food is well priced. For entrées, you can find a variety of comfort food and specialty dishes in the range of $7-$20, depending on the complexity of the dish. Favorites are the orange chicken, but a new favorite is the fried eggplant. The fried rice is excellent, if you want another option besides steamed rice with your meal. Plus, the portion sizes are generous- definitely enough to share with the table or take home. I highly recommend the crab rangoons as an appetizer! You do not have to dine in. You can order takeout, as well.
(4)Mike F.
A hidden gem, this is the best Chinese food I've found in Nashville so far (yes, I think it's better than Chinatown). Is it authentic? Hahahaha, are any Chinese restaurants in America authentic? Is it delicious? Yup. Very. And the portions are excellent. Pork egg foo yung is two giant patties, topped with what could easily be an entirely second meal of vegetables, pork, and sauce. The walnut shrimp is excellent, and unlike that mayo-based version I've seen at so many places recently, this recipe includes candied walnuts! You can't really go wrong at this place. I've had nothing but great experiences here, even when it's busy.
(5)Reginald R.
We been in Nashville for 2 years now and this is the best Chinese food we had since we been here!! The food was fresh and the waitresses are very nice. The food is very inexpensive and they even give nice size portions for what you will pay. The only issue I had is that they do need to upgrade the decor inside and their bathrooms weren't the greatest.
(3)Sherry C.
Food is fresh and serving is hearty. Very good food. I love this place.
(5)Savannah R.
Really good Chinese food at good prices. I love their egg rolls. Spicy Trio is great, I would recommend the sesame seed chicken, Orange chicken, or house lo mien to anyone needing suggestions. The service is super friendly and they always remember my family when we come in. This is a great little tucked away place. Though, I feel like they have made some ingredient changes lately that are affecting the quality of the food.
(4)Robert S.
This is a regular stop for me. The staff are very friendly, and the place is clean. It has some age, but that is because they have been here for many years. I love the dumplings and they make them to order so they aren't soggy like you often get elsewhere. This is a good safe and economical place to get a quiet meal in and comfortable environment.
(5)Queen B.
This was a treat! If you're on a budget, craving Chinese food and you want to take your sweetie pie to dinner, this would be the place! Service is outstanding. Portions are HUGE, HUGE, HUGE! Food was good. Everything was freshly made. Nothing was "just" warm, it was hot and made to order. I had the crab rangoon to begin with. I really should have brought a date with me. 6 fried wontons, filled with cream cheese was just too much for me.. 3 would have been perfect. I also ordered the pan fried flounder with matchstick vegetables.. I did not know this dish could have been ordered steamed. It seemed like there were 3-4 fillets of flounder in the dish. Way too much food for one person. Even the fortune cookie was good and... I had 5 fortunes in my cookie! I was very lucky! I saw the hot pots, I saw all kinds of dishes, the sizzling trio, the seafood sampler, the General Tso's Chicken, General Tso's shrimp... Eggplant in garlic sauce.. Every dish that came out was absolutely huge, and many of my friends complained that the sauces were not spicy, but too sweet. I did request some hot chili paste to come to the table to spice my dish up. All in all, it was good food, large portions, made fresh, everything was satisfactory, except for the die hard spice freaks that wanted spicy..... Maybe you should sneak a bottle of sriracha sauce into your bag to bring along with you. But for the price and the quantity, I think this place would be fun for a date.. or a bunch of friends that want to share dishes.. Prices are very reasonable. Spice isn't there. linen napkins, china dishes, lots of water refills..
(3)jeff a.
One of the best Chinese places I've eaten in. Super fresh, great soups. Service can be a bit slow when they are busy. Hunan beef is one my favs.
(5)Kimberley L.
Great food, friendly service. The best crab rangoon/creamcheese wontons you will ever have. My friend and I stumbled upon this place by chance, now its our regular meeting place when we crave chinese. I always order seafood dishes and its always prepared well and very flavorful. Highly recommended, you wont be disappointed.
(5)Melissa L.
Visiting China Cottage is just a wonderful experience. The place is clean, it smells nice, the music is lovely, there are fresh flowers on every table, the staff is incredibly gracious, and the food is delicious. What more could you ask for? More locations, that is what. I live south of Murfreesboro now, so I do not get up to Madison very often. I truly miss China Cottage. We used to go almost every week. The staff started recognizing us and giving us panda calendars and other fun stuff when we visited. This restaraunt is really special. I haven't even talked about the food, which is excellent. The Crab Rangoon is awesome, the soups are all delicious, and their Moo Shu Chicken is the best. We have never had anything bad (or even mediocre) at China Cottage. Go there and enjoy! It is worth the drive.
(5)Ken A.
First time to visit. Checked out the previous reviews before going. Chinnes resurants are either really good or really bad. This place falls into the really good catorgery.
(4)Zeb M.
This is some good Chinese food. Went here for dinner on a Friday and it was quite busy (a good sign). I ordered the honey chicken and broccoli, and my friend and I split a giant bowl of fried rice. In fact, each of our meals were big enough for two sizeable dinners. (Yay for leftovers!) Service was friendly. It's kind of hard say what's the best Chinese food in town - it's either good or terrible - but this is definitely delicious enough for a second visit.
(4)Boomarie C.
FINALLY FOUND IT! Best Chinese in the Nashville area. PERIOD. The list of "All you need to knows": Very clean. Very Friendly. Food is fresh... and by that I mean the vegetables are so crisp they crunch. Chicken is high quality and is cooked to perfection. Service is wonderful.
(5)Matt M.
It took a while to find a decent Chinese restaurant near Inglewood and this is easily the best Chinese food from east Nashville to Madison and its smack dab in the Rivergate area, so an easy drive. 5 stars here not because the food is outta this world, it's your standard Chinese take out--but it's good, open 7 days a week, and there's the $6.50 lunch combo (soup/egg roll, fried/white rice, and your entree). Boom. Food wise, it was a 4/5. The fried rice was just fried brown rice, no vegetables or egg mixed in unfortunately--only downside really. I had the General Tso's and it was pretty tasty. Good meat-to-batter ratio, which is key! I'll definitely go back when I'm craving Chinese. Service was really fast and the food came out hot. Good sized portions. Very friendly. No delivery though.
(5)Krystal T.
I definitely believe this is one of the top sit-down places for Chinese food in Nashville. I've been a regular here even before I started on Yelp. There are a combination of booths, tables, and ample space for large groups. This is definitely a family place, but I could see this being a place for an informal date, especially since the restaurants in Madison can be charmless due to the plethora of chain restaurants. The food is well priced. For entrées, you can find a variety of comfort food and specialty dishes in the range of $7-$20, depending on the complexity of the dish. Favorites are the orange chicken, but a new favorite is the fried eggplant. The fried rice is excellent, if you want another option besides steamed rice with your meal. Plus, the portion sizes are generous- definitely enough to share with the table or take home. I highly recommend the crab rangoons as an appetizer! You do not have to dine in. You can order takeout, as well.
(4)Mike F.
A hidden gem, this is the best Chinese food I've found in Nashville so far (yes, I think it's better than Chinatown). Is it authentic? Hahahaha, are any Chinese restaurants in America authentic? Is it delicious? Yup. Very. And the portions are excellent. Pork egg foo yung is two giant patties, topped with what could easily be an entirely second meal of vegetables, pork, and sauce. The walnut shrimp is excellent, and unlike that mayo-based version I've seen at so many places recently, this recipe includes candied walnuts! You can't really go wrong at this place. I've had nothing but great experiences here, even when it's busy.
(5)Tracy L.
I ate here the first time based on online reviews. I will not eat anywhere else when I want Chinese food!! This is a wonderful place to eat. Great atmosphere, professional and friendly service with a smile. Extra large fresh portions that are beautifully presented. We've tried around 20 items on the menu and everything was exceptional. I love their hot and sour soup. My best friend loves their egg drop soup. My favorite main dish is shrimp with lobster sauce. The Happy Family is awesome too. Like I said, the food here is always fresh and presented beautifully. You eat with your eyes first, they say. You will not be disappointed.
(5)John W.
Nashville is not a town that does Chinese cuisine well. I recently visited the much hyped Chinatown restaurant on the westside, and was not impressed. While running some errands in the Rivergate area, i visited China Cottage and I must agree with fellow yelpers that this place is a cut above the rest. The service is friendly, the food is good, and the prices are reasonable. They have several good vegetarian options including Ma Po Tofu, Home Style (a vegetable medley with fried tofu), and a tasty Spring Roll. I will definitely be back.
(4)Jeffrey H.
Not your cookie cutter version of a Nashville Chinese restaurant. My girlfriend ordered the chicken and broccoli and I ordered the general chicken lunch special. Both meals were excellent. The egg drop soup wasn't overly salty and the general chicken had a very light breading which was fabulous. Our waiter was very attentive and never let us run out of drinks.
(5)Cory D.
The restaurant could use some updates especially the bathrooms. The Mongolian beef was a little to sweet for me & the crunchy noodles looked nice, but I could have done without eating them. The egg drop soup was very hot, but it had corn in it and I felt it influenced the taste too much. The service was very good. If I return it will be to try a different dish and a different soup.
(3)Ashley T.
This is my favorite place for not-so-cheap, cheap Chinese food. Best General tso tofu I've had in Nashville so far. We've eaten inside once and gotten take out a couple of times. Spring rolls are good but it was ice cold when we dined in. I felt awkward telling the server, but she brought us out a new, hot spring roll. Good crab rangoon. This is usually my pick for Chinese food but my husband doesn't love the lo mein here so we don't order as often as I'd like.
(4)Christa P.
I was really hoping this was another good chinese place in Nashville, like Chinatown, but it wasn't. The place is actually pretty nice - the waiters wearing bow ties and the waitress wearing cute pink chinese wraps - I thought it would be great. We ordered take out of the usual - beef fried rice, general tso's chicken, orange beef and mongolian beef. While we liked the rice - that was about it. The orange beef and general tso's were so sugary and thick it was not edlible. It was literally like a coating of sugar based sauce. I love both of these and know the sauce is thick - but I wasnt looking for something similar to a caramel. Disappointed. Go to China Town. They have awesome chinese in Nashville.
(1)Jairo R.
I've been going to this place for several years now, service is always great and the food is the absolute best. I've yet to try any other house fried rice that is on par with theirs.
(4)Allie S.
This is my favorite Chinese restaurant in the Rivergate area. The food is always fresh and hot. The service is always above and beyond. The prices are similar to Panda Express, but the food is SO much better. You get what you pay for. Do yourself a favor and eat here. And try a spring roll. Theirs are the BEST.
(5)Olivier D.
I'm visiting from out of town and always looking for a good Chinese. Based on all the good reviews I tried this place tonight. I can say that the average rating is correct. Friendly and fast service repeat clientele for sure, as I ran into a family that is been coming here for about 20 years they say. The food is certainly tasty. I can't say it's the best I have ever had but it is certainly a good place to know in Nashville.
(3)Thomas G.
They have authentic and tasty Chinese food and we felt very welcome. Love the Ma Po Tofu.
(4)Tommy F.
My go to Chinese restaurant! We have been going here for years. We have dined in and taken out. The service in both cases is excellent and the food is great. I cannot think of one negative thing to say about this place!
(5)Sarah S.
I'm going to just come out and say it. Huh?? What's all the rage? I have been planning to try this "amazing Chinese restaurant" for a while now. Tonight was the perfect night. I had a friend with me and in we went. I ordered crab Rangoon to share; she ordered the egg drop soup. We agreed it was just fine. Entrees were teriyaki chicken and general tso's chicken, both paired with fried rice. The rice was great. The teriyaki chicken was good and the general tso's had a good taste but the breading was quite soggy. The portions were gigantic no doubt, but the quality was not, in my opinion, better than my "regular"(aka maybe 3x a year) take out place. And it was definitely more expensive. I left with that rare post meal regret that I wasted that much money on dinner, especially since it was such an average meal. I won't be back. My takeout place that delivers will remain my go to place from now on. Sorry I cheated on you, my dear.
(3)Larry S.
Delicious, fresh food served by friendly, helpful staff, all at a very reasonable price. The seafood hot pot is outstanding.
(5)Don E.
I have had the pleasure to have eaten at China Cottage for over 15 years. I know the current and the former owner and I must say the standards have remained high all these years. Chinese Food is best when fresh and cooked to order, and that is how they do it at China Cottage. You won't find a buffet at this eatery. It is great food, great service, and warm staff. I recommend the Hot Pepper Chicken and the Hot and Sour Soup.
(4)L G.
This place reminds me of PF Changs. Upscale, over-rated Americanized Chinese food. Bland.
(3)Wm Z.
Honestly, I wish that I weren't telling you about this place, but they deserve every word. I would feel comfortable with leaving this review at four words: Asian Comfort Food Orgasm! BUT You are looking for more, right?? This was not our first choice for the evening. Hell, when we headed out for dinner, it wasn't even on the radar! Half of our party of six had never heard of it, and everyone, excluding yours truly, was craving seafood. There we stood with an hour and 15 minutes wait ahead of us at RL, trying to come to a collective decision on whether to keep out place in queue or find another place for dinner. The last place that many people would want to eat is a Chinese restaurant that's been open for some time (13 years, we were to learn) that they've never heard of! The seafood contingency thought they would be settling for mediocre fair, but away we went, with me praying not to end up with the Chinese version of Montezuma's Revenge! The store front, located a few doors down the parking lot from Hobby Lobby, was modest. Upon entering, the friendly waitress seated us immediately in a quiet, semi-private area in the rear of the restaurant where there was another area for even larger parties. We ordered our drinks, and at no time during the evening did any of us see the bottom of our respective glasses. That alone is very important for me, because I drink sweet tea like a camel at a Sahara oasis! We ordered appetizers all around. The steamed dumpling and pot stickers were delicious, and the ones who ate the crab rangoon stated it was the best they had ever eaten. The spring rolls that followed were also very tasty. When the main courses arrived, we were in awe. The plate presentation was astounding, and the serving sizes were unfathomable! We are a jolly group, so the banter at the table resumed to normal levels until the food was passed to the appropriate persons. As we began eating, a hush hit the table, and all that could be heard was the sounds of chop sticks hit plates, glasses touching the table, and the pleasurable moans of mid-meal contentment. I had ordered General Tso Chicken, and I'm used to a hot, mushy, breaded chicken with more spice than flavor. What I was served were mounds of perfectly crisp, breaded morsels of white meat chicken perfectly glazed, almost suspended, in an extraordinary sauce that had just enough heat to bring the flavor of the dish to a higher level. Other meals at the table included the Sizzling Seafood, Supreme Seafood, and Crispy Shrimp platters. The seafood lovers were in heaven, and one said the those at RL that evening had no idea what they were missing. Throughout the evening, our server seemed to always be there when needed, always with a bright smile on her face, and yet, not overly attentive to the point of being worrisome. As plates were emptied, they disappeared. As glasses were drained, they were refilled. As we were finishing our meal, another lady appeared and told us not to leave, she had desert for us! We could barely move! How were we supposed to eat desert?!? She quickly returned with a massive plate of freshly made, hot, course sugar coated donuts! Oh my god!!! Shipley's makes good donuts, but these babies were sinful! When the checks came, we thought something had been left off. We forgot that we had seen the prices when we ordered. I am confidant in stating that you cannot get this quality or quantity of food anywhere else at this price. China Cottage is now at the top of our preferred eating list!
(5)David O.
Having read all the great reviews about this place on Yelp we decided to stop in after picking up the car from the nearby Volkswagen dealership. As good as every ones word, the food is great! The thing that was really awkward was our waitress! She didn't seem like she wanted to be there, or that she didn't understand half of the things we were asking her. I don't know if it is some casual racism that requires all Chinese restaurants to have only Chinese staff, who only really know Chinese? But it made everyone feel like an outsider. Having said that though, I would absolutely recommend the place. I'm sure our waitress is a very nice person, but I didn't like feeling like we were putting her out by making her wait on us.
(3)Emily B.
Cute little place. Ordered mine to go. Mai fen (rice noodles) with curry flavor, slightly spicy. Had, shrimp, beef, chicken and crunchy veggies. Will be returning! FAST! Less thank 10MIN!
(5)Ryan B.
The restaurant selection in Madison/Rivergate is lacking. The typical chains have set up shop, but my family prefers to sample local (not factory) fare usually. A super deal might get us into Chilis or Olive Garden, but we otherwise eschew Rivergate as it is not a destination spot for eateries. Calhouns had some really good food (including the best porkchop I've ever had), until it closed this year. Having said that, this small Chinese restaurant stands above the fray. There is no buffet! The food tastes different than so many others. It tastes careful and fresh. The atmosphere was really quiet and not notable (though clean), but the service is very good. And while it's not a profound menu, the 4 dishes we had were well done and the flavors were good and distinct with each dish. I've added an extra star for it being such an island of carefulness in a non-notable sea of mediocrity, including 88 Kitchen. Since, I'm not a professional orderer of Chinese, I would wish for the menu to list ingredients better.
(5)Sally B.
This is by far the best Chinese I have found in the Madison area. I ordered the sesame chicken extra spicy and my husband had the pepper steak. The chicken was big chunks of white meat and the sauce was stellar. The breeding was crisp and not too thick. My husband enjoyed his dish and the sauce was very good. I really wish they would offer delivery! Overall it was a nice experience.
(4)Vanessa T.
Love the wonderful ppl that work here and their fresh cuisine. It's a small quiet environment and I have never been let down by the food or service.
(5)Megan T.
The best Chinese I've had in Nashville. It's one of those places I don't want to like so much because the service has always been off when I'm there. But the food makes up for it & I keep coming back for more. They serve lunch 7 days a week. If it wasn't located in Rivergate I'd be there way too often. Try the general tso's chicken, crab Rangoon & egg drop soup.
(4)Dan H.
This is what I remember when the family got into the station wagon and went to Chinese dinner 25 years ago. Ancient ambience of a diner turned Chinese restaurant. A classic dinner. Good but not great. A safe option in an area where I wouldn't expect it.
(3)Kim B.
Never thought about adding a review for this little hole in the wall because like a favorite pair of old jeans, it has been around since I was a teenager and that is simply too long to readily admit the actual number of years. This has been a favorite of my folks for as long as I can remember. The staff is truly wonderful and always so kind to my family. I have watched their children grow up as they have watched the little ones in ours as well. I love supporting a locally owned business that tries so hard to please their customers and they are a mainstay of our little community in the Madison Rivergate area. But what about the food..I have to say I think it is pretty good overall. My favorite is the seafood soup and it is Dee-Lish! My folks and I always battle for the last drop in the very generous bowl they serve for two but it is easily enough for the three of us. My mom loves their beef and broccoli and Daddy usually ventures out with new things that we share. I can't remember ever thinking the food was not tasty and I know I have been going to this place for thirty years. So if you want to go to a sit down Chinese restaurant and happen to be in Rivergate - you won't be disappointed. And the best thing is it is very reasonable. So go hungry, be sweet to the servers and you will leave with some new friends.
(5)Scott B.
Can't go wrong here! Crab rangoons are best I ever had, great flavor and fully filled. Hot and Sour is good, but I'd like it a little more sour. Ordered Crispy Beef. Made to perfection. Outstanding staff...there's a good reason these folks are rated so high!
(4)John M.
We've eaten here a few times now and it's definitely our go to place. We've tried all the Chinese places and this is the best on the area, but not the best I've ever had. Still worthy of a 5 star rating because it's much better than the competition. The walnut shrimp rocks.
(5)John S.
So I went to this place with a date while I was going to Rivergate mall, and first of all let me point out that I was really surprised that it opened at 11AM and having gotten there at 11:05 there were already like 3 other parties there.... and more arrived within 10 minutes. What. That being said, I can understand why this is the case - they have lunch prices from 11-2 (i think) every day, including weekends, and their food is freakin delicious. I had the crab rangoons as an appetizer, with the sesame chicken as an entre, with fried rice. Dear god that sesame chicken was SO GOOD. It's like the kind you usually get at malls/airports from to-go chinese places for 5.99, except its WAY more in quantity and WAY better in taste, all for just 50 cents more. Dang its freakin delicious. Same goes for the crab rangoon - 4.50 and so tasty, with the included sweet sauce. And also the intro crunchy things (which I'm not going to pretend I know the name of, but they're like the chinese equivalent of chips at a mexican place). Overall, freakin awesome and if I'm ever in the area again I will return... no question about it.
(5)Patti E.
This is by far our go to Chinese place in Nashville. Crab Rangoon rocks!
(5)Jackie B.
After my first visit to China Cottage I probably would have given them three stars. The food was really good, but my server was just having an off day. She brought me a water with a clearly visible lip print on the glass and also entered my orange chicken in wrong so I was served Sweet and Sour. She was very apologetic and I figured I would give them another chance as I worked as a server in college and fully understand that some days things just don't go your way. The second time the service was great, if a bit distant. The food is the real stand out here. It's not innovative or fancy in any way, but it is just exceptional quality. The crab Rangoon is the best I have ever had. The wonton wrappers are stuffed full of cream cheesy goodness and only around $4 for 6. The egg rolls that come with the lunch special are small, but deliciously crunchy and very flavorful. The lunch specials are really the stars here. The specials are offered 7 days a week until 3 or 4. I love this as I work M-F and most places only offer specials during the week. The lunch special includes an entree with your choice of white or fried rice and soup or egg roll. I chose the beef with garlic sauce which was only 6.95. It's not a huge portion, but more than enough for one person. The vegetables are really fresh with only a minimal amount of celery (I despise cooked celery). This may sound strange, but even the fortune cookie was better than what I am used to. Thanks to China Cottage, Chinese food may be back in my regular rotation (especially since I have not found anyplace that serves Malaysian food since moving here).
(4)Jules F.
2 Words - Hidden Gem Buried amongst major restaurant chains due to the nearness of Rivergate Mall, China Cottage is a diamond in the rough. It's another reason why I like going to the Carmike Wynnsong in Madison. I typically (and easily) can talk my boyfriend into then having dinner at China Cottage either before or after the movie since it is just down the street. Typically we split one or two items and eat them family style. Their fried rice as a dish is seriously to die for. The fried rice as a side dish to an entree is not the same and is not true fried rice. I'm normally a sesame chicken fan, but shockingly, the sesame chicken is not a favorite for me here. Love the Orange Chicken. The Mongolian Beef is pretty great too. Actually, I've enjoyed everything I've had there, but the sesame chicken. And not to knock the sesame chicken. It's worlds better than a chinese buffet sesame chicken. Just compared to all the other stuff we have had there, it just pales in comparison. To start I normally get a bowl of Egg Drop Soup and my boyfriend gets the Hot & Sour soup. Both soups are excellent. I once ordered the bacon wrapped shrimp. And well. I won't order it again. They can't hit everything out of the ballpark, right?! Nine times out of 10, I leave saying "Why can't they be closer to home?" But then, I'd be a total fat ass if they were because I'd be there probably 3-5 times a week...for soup (*wink wink*).
(4)Jodi A.
Best chinese food in Nashville!! I drive 30 mins. for take away!
(5)Betsy G.
This is the best Chinese food around. Everything is made fresh to order. We have been coming here for over 4 years when we moved to the area. We eat here often and have never been disappointed in anything!
(5)David K.
If you live in Nashville you know that it's not very much time to get to Rivergate. IT'S WORTH THE DRIVE!!! Especially for lunch. Crab Rangoon, Kung Pao chicken, Szechuan pork, egg roll. Huge portions, unbelievable quality.
(5)Mel V.
This is by far the best Chinese fair we've found in the Nashville area. The food here is DELICIOUS. The staff is very friendly and the food is fresh. This is our go to for Chinese. Our 2 little guys love it here too. Our older son likes to play with the owner's daughter and he loves, loves, loves the lo mein. If you're going to compare to a Chinese restaurant in Chicago or ATL even L.A. Don't. it's not that. Trust me, I want nothing more than to get up on a Sunday and grab dimsum. Now, if you want the best in the Nashville area, this is that place! Try them, you'll like it!
(5)Lu B.
It was better than 5 star! The dishes we selected were outstanding. The sautéed green beans were not over-sauced and still crunchy and the General Tso was lightly breaded and spicy but not too much. If I lived in this area it would be our go to for Chinese. You locals take good care and frequent this place, it's a gem! We'll be back!
(5)Mandi P.
Love this place! Great food, super nice service. Been going here once a week since discovering it.
(5)Summer P.
Since moving from the Bay Area it's been less than impressive food in the south, especially anything Asian. This place is great though. It actually has flavor and big portions for a good price. I got two entrees thinking it would be small but I ate it for 3 days! Can't wait to try more. Also came in plastic takeout instead of styrofoam!!!
(4)Laura M.
Delicious, fresh food. Delightful service. Enjoyed crab rangoon, soup, and amazing chicken.
(5)Steph E.
Consistently delicious and fresh Chinese food. Always very clean. We love the Mu Shu chicken and General Tsao chicken! Very sweet waitstaff. Great place with kids! Family of 6 with school aged kids splits 3 dishes with lots leftover.
(5)Elvira G.
Lunch on 7/23 party of 3. Tofu dish, shredded pork and noodle soup. Good and fresh. Almost a 4 but subpar noodles in soup.
(3)Jennifer B.
I went back for their hot & sour soup and decided to give one of their 'lighter fares' entrees a try. The lighter fare foods are steamed and you get your choice of sauces served on the side. I got the vegetables with hunan sauce (it was supposed to be the spiciest of the choices) and it was actually good! I was somewhat surprised since the other 3 entrees that I had tried there previously were all disappointing. I'm glad I gave them another shot and found something good there. Since I didn't enjoy the other veggie items I'll stick to ordering off the lighter fare menu and try some of the other sauces out.
(4)Dagan B.
i would give this place a 5 star its very good definately not a buffet. the price was right . the egg drop soup was a notch above. the singapore mai fen was very good. the beef and chicken etc were fresh and tender not dry at all. the crab rangood was very good it actually had filling and it was 4 times the filling of most. HUGE portions. i just dont give out 5 stars. if the meat was seasoned just a little better and the noodles just a little more moist it would have been a 5 star. the price also very good, service and cleanliness very good. it is some of the best i have had combined with the price u cant go wrong really.
(4)Janet S.
It is true, this is as good as Chinese Food has got in Nashville, A possee of 4 headed out last night with open hearts and minds. Do not compare to other major cities or chinatowns, but give them a chance. It is a warm cosy place - booths/table and two separate function areas, one for 10 peeps and one for 20 peeps. A pretty extensive menu with lots of specials including Peking Duck - phone 24 hours ahead for this. We had crab rangoon, 6 in portion, creamy cheesy, not strong crabby, deep friend prawns and then shared a hot and sour soup which was really good. Then came crispy beef /walnut shrimp/chicken with green beans and chilli/the house roast duck in special sauce, all very good and way above expectation. Walnut shrimp was the weak link, although the shrimp were massive, there was too much batter. top this off with a few beers and tea and the bill for four came to $75. Good VFM. Super sweet efficient service. How the heck have we not been here before. PS, Portions are pretty large. No buffet here, all cooked to order.
(4)Mike H.
In town on business and decided to try this place based on Yelp reviews. The food and service was good, but nothing outstanding. My business associate and I both order chicken dishes and was surprised that the dish was only chicken and the sauce without any veggies. A little weird getting Chinese food without veggies. We split a big bowl of fried rice that was okay, nothing special. The hot and sour soup was good. I really don't think that I'll put this place on my must revisit list. I've had much much better.
(3)Shaun M.
Wow is all I can say! This has to be THE best Chinese in the Nashville area...Yes, it's in Madison, but after you go there once, you will make the drive over and over. Everything is house made, and I can't imagine anything there that wouldn't be a 10! After being at this location for 11 years, I can't believe I missed it all these years......Just got there!!!
(5)Mohamad K.
Great food, great prices, very friendly staff. The best restaurant in the Nashville area.
(5)Mark P.
We tried this restaurant after thinking for 10 years it was just another storefront restaurant. Boy, were we wrong! This is a fine restaurant and the products from the kitchen are outstanding. The waitresses and manager are most friendly and accommodating. We have been there three times in the last week, once for dinner (white cloth napkins!) and twice for lunch. It is the very best Chinese Restaurant in this whole area. Every visit is as good as the first. I like hot stuff and for lunch I ordered beef and peppers and asked them to make it hot, but no more than normal for the 'hot ans spicy' (so marked on the menu) dish's. Perfect. I found the wait staff outstanding and if they recognize you, that's a very nice thing too. Angelina is our favorite, she anticipates every need and is as nice as could. Great friendly staff, excellent food. It's amazing they don't require reservations. This is not one to miss.
(5)Megan M.
Fresh and delicious Chinese food, among the best I've had in the Nashville area. I haven't tried a lot here-have had the hot and sour soup, garlic chicken, shrimp with broccoli, fried rice, and my boyfriend always gets the crispy beef-it's all excellent. The staff is extremely friendly.
(4)L G.
The food at China Cottage is delicious and the service is top-notch! Highly recommended affordable Chinese cuisine for its type.
(5)Scott W.
Best Chinese Food I've ever had. Highly recommend, and the prices were great
(5)Rebecca S.
Super clean restaurant. Super sweet staff. The take out was super fast and the food is quite tasty
(5)Jerry R.
A delicious change of pace to chinese buffets. Great service and food with decent prices. Try it out.
(4)Jimmy S.
Hands down, the best Chinese in town. The dishes are artfully prepared and the service is incomparable (the sweetest waitresses you'll find anywhere). Fair prices and great for groups.
(5)