On a cold, windy day there is nothing like a bowl of piping hot soup. Absolutely nothing. On this particular day, the wind gusted nearly 20mph and the temps hovered above 30 degrees. It felt brutal as the wind pierced through my coat. Winter still had us in its icy grip even if the calendar said that Spring was only days away. I was alone and I was happy to take refuge in the warm restaurant with its welcoming decor. There are pretty Chinese lamps at each booth as you enter. In the back, the large round tables were filled with families who appeared to be throwing a party. The server told me I could sit wherever I'd like. I chose the first booth. I was only too happy to come in from the cold and sit. Oh, the bowl of soup that I ordered turned out to be a dream come true! It wasn't just any soup. It was the Wonton Noodle soup lunch special at Shining Rainbow on Central Ave. in Albany. The menu is in both English and Chinese. After looking at the description, I thought I had an option to add some meat to the soup. So I asked for some roast pork. After I placed the order, a young man from the kitchen staff actually came out to ask me what kind of noodles I wanted in my soup: skinny, medium or wide. He spoke to me in Chinese. I must have really confused the staff because a second staffer also followed him out and he asked me exactly the same question in English. I was really surprised. I said to them in (Mandarin) Chinese, " Don't you usually use the thin noodles for this soup? I'll take what's easiest for you to prepare." So I realized later--after they'd gone--that I didn't actually answer their questions. I must have added to their confusion but they were so very nice and polite. About 10 minutes later, a server returns with a huge steaming bowl of soup. I'm still so cold and when I see the steam rising in the distance from the soup bowl, I'm smiling. He places the soup in front of me. It's a thing of beauty. It also had vegetables that I didn't ask for, but that's not a bad thing. I took one look into the bowl and expressed my shock, "Wow. It's huge." The server looked satisfied and walked away. Underneath the roast pork and bright green veggies, there were thin noodles swimming in soup. It smelled divine. But there were no wontons. Should I say something? No. Because this meal looked perfect. Despite the confusion that I might have contributed to-- I wound up with what I really needed--a delicious and healthy hot meal. I almost finished it, too. The servers packed the rest up for me. When the bill came, I wondered what it would be. The lunch specials which are offered Monday- Saturday are just over $10. Almost $11. Sure enough, that's what they charged me. I gave them a large tip. I think $5 or $6. They were just so nice. Perhaps I looked so cold and pitiful. Whatever the reason, it was an awesome meal that didn't break the bank and I hope I can order it again sometime with or without wontons. read more

See all

I am not a huge fan of the location as I find it congested. Also, I am out of my element as this is not an area where I normally go. But, for good food I will travel. Luckily there's a Municipal lot next door and it made a difference. Street parking can be a pain at times... I walk in and immediately got a warm welcome. I liked the overall look and ambiance of the restaurant. Once seated, hot tea and menus were given to me straightaway. I especially liked that the menus had lots of visuals of many of their dishes. Especially if you are not familiar with many of their authentic Chinese dishes offered. I ordered their spring rolls and steamed dumplings to start and it was really good! I then had their Peking Duck, General Tso's squid, stir fried sea scallops and shrimp as well as their beef and vegetable pan fried noodles. The taste was excellent and their family sized portions did not disappoint. Lastly, I found the staff to be very attentive and engaging. They went above and beyond to ensure that I had a fantastic meal here. Their menu selection is large, so expect to have trouble deciding on what to order. You'll want to return as every bite is a party in your mouth. I cannot emphasize enough what a great meal I had here, and I will be back! read more

See all

Food is amazing. Customer service is amazing. Super friendly staff. Very authentic food.

Delicious Chinese food in downtown Albany. The seafood tasted fresh and the service is near perfect. Pricey but worth it.

In Albany , if you are looking for real Chinese food , shining rainbow is the one you should Be check in. From taste of the food to the service they are offering to you was nothing but professional . The bathroom was clean can be , What people say is, if the bathroom is clean and the food has been clean Was a very good experience and they take the Chinese food into another level read more

It's a Lovely Place w Dine out.. They have nice food and drinks .. The only thing I don't like about it.it's in the Wrong Location.. You can order your food for takeout.. read more

Service was great defeat taste really authentic. It's definitely a vibe. You can go there for lunch or dinner date or solo.

Has to be the best Chinese spot in the Capital region. The pork fried rice appearance alone is impressive with the bright colors & contrast of the meat, eggs, rice, & vegetables. The lo mein was perfectly proportioned with noodles & veggies. The chicken & broccoli was tender & seasoned nicely. Can't wait to be back in NY so I can order from them again. read more

Delicious and authentic Asian Cuisine. They also provide free delivery -----------------------

Very nice atmosphere! They will welcome you with nice hot tea! I love it! Foods are awesome! The service is great too. I believe that this place is the best Chinese restaurant in Albany area! read more

See all

The food was delicious. The customer service was amazing. Very welcoming atmosphere. Get the hotpot

Great Authentic Chinese. Best in downtown Albany. So many authentic plates to choose from. Seafood is fresh as well as the other proteins. Service is excellent. Inside is very classy and nice. Cool rotating serving platforms on some tables. They now deliver since the pandemic and continue to do so which is a plus. The delivery is very professional and sealed as can be seen in photo so you know there is no tampering of your food from delivery person. My fav chinese!. read more

See all

I don't write reviews often but man my takeout food was not good at all! I wasn't even going to write this review until I saw how many stars this restaurant has gotten. I was so excited to eat because the presentation of the takeout box was beautiful 20/10, I have never had takeout seem so fancy. The service inside was friendly while I waited to bring my order home, and the interior of the restaurant is very pleasant and clean. However when it came to the food my general tso was cold and congealed, and my fried rice was inedible. This was the first time I have ever not finished my plate- and I'm a fat Caribbean, you already know we finish our plates to not waste money even when the food is not great. If I could at least finish the food I would've given 2 stars, and if the food was average I would've given 4 stars just due to the immaculate presentation. So disappointing. read more

They serve you tea as you sit down and the service is great. Their menu has a variety of food and their portions are really big. Their food is delicious too. They are usually busy but it's a very pleasant experience. Definitely recommend. read more

See all

Best Asian food ever . The egg rolls were to die for . Young Chow rice so fresh. Spicy beef was so delicious and a lot of beef . Staff was perfect professional and on point . Andy was amazing waiter and so pleasant . Place is romantic spot also . I cannot wait to go back. Very good vibes here . I want to try everything on spicy menu. read more

The neighborhood is not the best in Albany but the ambiance and food are unbelieving here. You got real authentic Chinese dishes that aren't take out crap and the prices (especially for the lunch specials) can't be beat. The waiters are very speedy and I've never had any issues with the service. I'm actually shocked that the average customer rating should be higher and I'd give at least a 4 star. Recently we went with the beef and string beans, garlic with chicken, and pan fried pork dumplings. You won't be disappointed here and have enough food on the plate! read more

See all

This is a review on Shining Rainbow's dim sum. Shining Rainbow is my new go to dim sum place in Albany. The prices are reasonable and the quality is excellent. They have a huge menu too! Food- Their best dishes include the fried seafood pancake and preserved egg congee. The congee is a huge portion with at least 6 servings and is extremely filling. Their rice noodle shrimp roll is not the thickest but it is still pretty tasty. Their other dishes are well done and the best part is that the prices are reasonable. The service is always polite and formal. Shining rainbow is the best dim sum around and definitely worth it read more

See all

Shining Rainbow was a favorite venue we frequented many years ago. As prices went up, food was less plentiful and staff changed so we stopped going there. They have changed/updated the interior so it is very attractive. We have been there twice in the past year. There were, however, dead fish in the tank near the door. I felt that to be an issue before sitting down. At least remove the deceased so it is not the first thing people see. We ordered some dim sum and four dishes. Dishes arrived in the order it was ordered. (All were acceptable despite the deceased fish.) Soup dumplings were stuck to the plate which means your soup broth is not to be enjoyed. Fried shrimp balls were quite tasty which was a plus for SR. Scallion Pancakes were very greasy. Peking Duck was small for the price (only 4 buns!). We did not order a fresh fish but went with a few items that are quick and easy. Sauteed pea shoots were the last to arrive almost when we were finished with our meal. Maybe it was just an off night, but it was a bit disappointing. read more

This is hands-down, the best Chinese restaurant in the city of Albany. It has standard Chinese fair that is made just a level above. It also has an air of authenticity as I had on several occasions the steamed fish which they pull out of the tanks and steam hole for an exquisite dining experience. , but on to inexpensive end of the menu even simple dishes like wonton soup or the curry fried rice is excellent. I also will say that they are not afraid to provide large portions for your enjoyment and also to serve as a late night snack. read more

This is my favorite resturant for Chinese cuisine. The menu has a huge assortment of both authentic and more americanized choices- and they're all delicious. I also recommend you try the hot pot if you're with a group, it's fun and something most restaurants don't offer. The service has always been very attentive and helpful with menu questions. There is always an older gentleman who is a waiter there and he is very kind, if I knew his name I would thank him here. Clean restaurant, food always shows up in a timely manner. There are fish tanks at the very front which might creep some people out, but if you regularly shop at Asian supermarkets like me it's nothing to bat an eye at. It is pricey but worth it for the quality. Definitely try this place out. read more

Food was great. Ambience was cozy and the decor was beautiful. Service was very attentive. No sooner than we sat down they brought our table hot Jasmine Tea for all. read more

Best orange chicken I ever had! I really liked the dining room decor. The service was excellent, and the food was delicious!

This place is a HOLE. The cup they serve water with is dirty. The meat they serve are 50%＋ fat, gross, almost unedible and they would charge you extra for not eating that In any other BUFFET hotpot place I ever been to, you can order large variety of food and the restaurant would portion your order according to how many guests in the party. This restaurant would deliberately serve you too much. Later accusing you for overordering and charge you more for what you couldn't finish. I would warn anyone I know never come to this place! read more

I came here with my wife on a dark, rainy night. It is a shotgun style restaurant which made it hard to see the whole thing when we walked in. The colors were dark with lots of Asian accents and gold trim, and it felt a bit mysterious and exciting. My only wish was that they had Asian music on in the background. Anyway, I looked at their extensive menu. The pictures were worthless as most had no captions but I could sort of figure out what was what. I had the house specialty "Spicy Fried Chicken" (boneless) which consisted of lots and lots of crispy, thinly battered fried chicken covered in a mess of hot peppers and garlic. There were at least four types of peppers (dried red, sliced fresh green of several varieties, and red chili pepper flakes) and yet it wasn't mind-numbingly hot. It was pleasantly hot. My wife had the "Singapore Fried Mei Fun" which is the thing, spaghetti like yellow dish you sometimes see on buffets. But this was much better. It had lots of pork and shrimp and strong flavors of curry and spices. We also ordered a side dish of broccoli in oyster sauce (but it had small mushrooms and carrots too) just to bump up our intake of healthy vegetables. A side dish of white rice was $1.25 and well worth it to provide some relief from the rest of the food. Even their tea was nice. One thing I questioned was whether the servings were supposed to be for 2 or more people. Sure, you can only eat half and make it last two meals but as I was eating my dish I kept thinking "no sane person would eat this much grease and hot peppers". Indeed, at most other restaurants you can polish off a full entree and feel like you will explode but here I don't think I would try that. I think it would be better to order one entree for two people and have them share it. In that light, I thought that their prices were very reasonable. We took a lot home and it sits in our fridge. There were many things I had never heard of before on their menu. I won't try them alone, as if I don't like them I would be stuck with them. But I think it would be fun to come here with a group and share lots of things family-style. Perhaps in the future. read more

I live in the middle of nowhere and have to drive a long way to this nearest dim sum place. Based on other reviews, I assumed the owner should be Cantonese which means authentic. Service was attentive. Food was mediocre. Maybe I should not have expectation with New York standard :/ read more

Shining Rainbow Restaurant - Dim Sum Near Me - Albany, New York

I came here without too high of expectations since most of the Chinese restaurants around the Capital Region are not very authentic in taste. This place was almost perfect - super courteous staff, authentic flavors and fun atmosphere. My friends and I got to dine in the karaoke room and got to enjoy the free entertainment - definitely an added bonus to our meal! In terms of food, simply 10/10. In particular, I enjoyed the eggplant dish and the Szechuan beef. Both dishes were so flavorful and fun to eat that I still remember the taste of both dishes. Additionally, the servers have my friend free fried ice cream since it was her birthday. The only complain was that it took a while for the food to be served but it was packed the night we visited so the wait may not be as bad on a weekday! read more

Shining Rainbow Restaurant - Dim Sum Near Me - Albany, New York

This was my first time eating here and I was pleasantly surprise. The area not so much. I had the lunch menu and I had a lot of fun. I had to bring the leftover home. I highly recommend this place. The waiter was fast with the food. The ambience was very nice and colorful. read more

I ordered lobster and Peking duck. The lobster is 30 dollars with only one small lobster about 1 lb. The Peking duck is not Peking duck, it's only a sliced canton duck with cabbage and green onion. They also add 15% tip automatically on your bill even if you are not satisfied. read more

Shining Rainbow Restaurant - Dim Sum Near Me - Albany, New York

Authentic Chinese food! Hot pot is good, definitely better than others in the area. Sauce is limited for hot pot though. Kitchen food is amazing! Very authentic. However some of the dim sum fall short in taste. Dim sum is just ok , definitely had better at Hong Kong bakery & Hu's house. Service is good. I come here every other weekend. read more

Shining Rainbow Restaurant - Hot pot and dim sum - Dim Sum Near Me - Albany, New York

The packaging is gorgeous and the service (for takeout) was friendly. Pick up was easy, food came nicely prepared. The steamed dumplings were good if you like more of a doughy dumpling, which I personally, do not. I like more of a wonton wrapper/noodle consistency over dough, but the filling was good. The wonton soup was $4/ order and very underwhelming. It lacked flavor and substance and the wonton filling felt fatty, instead of meaty and flavorful. The pork lo mein was delicious, good combination of veggies and ample amounts of pork. Seasoned well, but $13 a portion was a bit frustrating as I wanted a pint size and that was not an option. Lastly, the chicken and broccoli were cooked just right, but the one thing I cannot stand when ordering Chinese food is RUBBERY CHICKEN.. barf. The chicken was borderline soft and rubbery, which is unfortunate because the flavor was good. Overall, I honestly think food court Chinese is better and cheaper. Disappointed as I have tried many locations around the Albany area for Chinese take out, and was willing to pay a higher price for outstanding food, but sadly this wasn't so. Really this would be a 75% at best. read more

This probably one of the best places I've ever gone to for Sichuan cuisine. I routinely ask for the spicy menu and order the fish boiled in spicy sauce. I've yet to find another restaurant that cooks this dish as well as this restaurant. Once when my family and I came for thanksgiving (this restaurant is one of the few open) they gave us free turkey. Apparently they've done this for all customers. Amazing service, amazing food, and one of the most authentic restaurants I've been to. Fair warning though, this place is not for anyone who can't handle spice. read more

It was my first time coming. And it was actually really good. We decided on getting the all you can eat hotpot and I was very surprised on how good it was. The honey walnut shrimp was sooo good. We had the half ma la and half chicken. The chicken hot pot soup was kinda bland but still good overall. I do recommend getting this if ur in the mood for hotpot. read more

See all

This is a great spot to order authentic Chinese food. If you like authentic Chinese food this is your place, it's not New York style fast food. read more

This is the most disorganized restaurant I've ever been to. Food is great but we've been here for 2 1/2 hours and still have not received most of our dinner read more

Was craving authentic Chinese food and was not disappointed! Delicious food and service was top notch! Planning on going again! Many dishes to choose from! read more

Shining Rainbow Restaurant - Dim Sum Near Me - Albany, New York

I recently ordered the King Spicy chicken, Mixed Vegetable Fried Rice, and Shrimp Fried Rice. Great customer service and the food is absolutely delicious. Unfortunately, the portion sizes do not reflect the price point. The king spicy chicken box was mainly chili peppers. very disappointing. read more

Amazing food! I remember this place when I think it used to be another place (dumplings??) and it has the same divey atmosphere (uh, that table by the fish tank -- yuck) but man this place rocks in food quality! We had: shrimp dumplings (at waiter's suggestion) which were like shumai in rice wrappers, and very tasty with dipping sauce. Flounder with ginger and scallion -- mild and very, very delicious. Ordered a side of rice which was perfectly cooked -- and a generous size -- with separation that made me envious that it never turns out that way for me even in my rice cooker. And duck, also at waiter's suggestion, which was served cut up with razor-thin scallion slices, buns and sauce to slather on. All outstanding and a pleasure to eat! A feast! Can't wait to return! It seems hot pot is very popular here for groups. Dim sum seems to get mediocre reviews -- But the entrées -- YAY! It is a bit more upscale from Northeast Chinese which I adore. If I can get over the beaten-down decor, I will make this a regular. Oh and most seating are booths. Very good waitstaff that are helpful and hospitable. Five stars all the way! PS We asked if there was a cash discount, and they took 10% off the bill! read more

I am from California where there is good Chinese food, unlike the east coast. But this restaurant is fantastic! I love it that it is not fancy decor, all the focus is on the great freshly prepared food. Service is also fantastic, my favorite Chinese restaurant and I drive one hour to get there. Highly recommended. read more

Was here for a dim sum lunch with I believe 13 other Yelpers. We were able to try a wide variety of dishes on the dim sum menu which is quite extensive. Quality was only average. Siu mai were a standout and a taro root dumpling was fresh and hot. Portions of char siu bao and lo mai kai (oddly titled something like "sweet rice in lotus leaf" near the bottom of the back page of the menu) were good but the portions were very small, which would actually be a positive if you were ordering by yourself or as a couple. The oil used for frying a tofu skin wrapped around something was rancid; maybe they have a separate fry pot for vegetarian dishes and it had been sitting around awhile. For a place this size to have such variety a lot of the items have to be frozen vs made fresh in house, so this experience is not surprising. Looking at my long ago previous review, next time I'll stick to the lunch specials or maybe finally try that hot pot. read more

I had planned on ordering but upon my entry noticed that they were several dead fish in the case which I found disgusting and therefore I walked out read more

See all