Calle Dao Review: Cuban-Chinese Fusion Near Bryant Park Worth Trying?

Quick Summary

• Restaurant: Calle Dao (Bryant Park)
• Cuisine: Cuban-Chinese Fusion
• Address: 38 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018
• Price Range: $$ (Moderate)
• Special Menu: NYC Restaurant Week ($45 Three-Course Dinner)
• What We Ordered: Duck Bao, Ropa Vieja Noodles, Flan
• My Favorite Dishes: Duck Bao and Ropa Vieja Noodles
• Overall Rating: 9.4/10
• Best For: Date nights, business meetings, Restaurant Week, and friends' night out
• Would I Return? Absolutely

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Jump to:

• Quick Summary
• Watch the 60-Second Dining Experience
• What Is Cuban-Chinese Fusion?
• A Mature and Intimate Atmosphere
• The Highlights: What We Ordered
• Restaurant Week Value & Service
• Location & How to Get There
• The Final Verdict: Is It Worth Trying?
• Restaurant Information

Watch the 60-Second Dining Experience

Check out my quick video breakdown featuring the modern atmosphere and a close-up look at these unique fusion dishes in action:

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What Is Cuban-Chinese Fusion?

Before visiting Calle Dao, I honestly didn't know much about Cuban-Chinese fusion cuisine. As the name suggests, it combines elements of traditional Chinese cooking with classic Cuban flavors. Instead of focusing on one cuisine, the restaurant blends techniques and ingredients from both cultures to create something unique. It's not the type of restaurant you come across every day, and that's one of the reasons I wanted to try it.

One of my favorite things about NYC Restaurant Week is that it gives me an excuse to try restaurants I might not normally visit. Instead of ordering the same types of food, it's a great opportunity to discover something new while enjoying a special prix fixe menu. For Restaurant Week, Calle Dao offered a three-course dinner for $45. Since their signature Duck Bao required a $9 upgrade, I decided to order it anyway because it was the dish I was most excited to try. By the end of the meal, I was glad I did.

A Mature and Intimate Atmosphere

Calle Dao has a modern and stylish interior that immediately feels more like a Manhattan restaurant than a traditional Chinese or Cuban eatery. The lighting is warm, the décor is contemporary, and the dining room has a relaxed but upscale atmosphere.

Personally, I think this restaurant is better suited for date nights, business meetings, or dinner with friends rather than large family gatherings. The overall vibe feels more mature and intimate, making it a nice place to enjoy a conversation over dinner. Since I visited during dinner service and Restaurant Week, the restaurant was quite busy. Reservations are definitely recommended because tables filled up quickly.

The Highlights: What We Ordered

Duck Bao

For my appetizer, I ordered Calle Dao's bestselling Duck Bao, which required an additional $9 upgrade during Restaurant Week. The dish comes with a fluffy steamed bao bun, tender duck, Chinese pickles, and hoisin sauce. Instead of serving it already assembled, you build it yourself, which makes the experience a little more interactive.

The duck was tender and flavorful without being overly greasy. The hoisin sauce added a slightly sweet taste, while the pickles provided a nice contrast that kept every bite balanced. I can definitely understand why this is one of their signature dishes. Even with the additional charge, I thought it was worth ordering because it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the meal.

Ropa Vieja Noodles

For my entrée, I chose the Ropa Vieja Noodles. Traditionally, Ropa Vieja is a Cuban dish made with slow-cooked shredded beef. Calle Dao gives it a Chinese-inspired twist by serving the tender beef over noodles instead of the traditional presentation. The brisket is roasted for at least eight hours, and you can immediately tell by the texture. The beef was incredibly tender and practically melted in my mouth.

The noodles paired well with the rich beef, while the vegetables added freshness and a little crunch to the dish. This was another excellent course that showed how well Cuban and Chinese flavors can work together. If you love Asian noodle dishes, I do recommend you try Char Kway Teow from Taste Good in Elmhurst

Flan

To finish the meal, I ordered the Flan for dessert. Flan is a baked custard topped with caramel, and Calle Dao's version was smooth, creamy, and rich without feeling overly heavy.

The caramel added just the right amount of sweetness, making it a satisfying way to end dinner. Sometimes desserts can feel like an afterthought during prix fixe menus, but that wasn't the case here. I enjoyed every bite.

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Restaurant Week Value & Service

The standard NYC Restaurant Week deal offers a three-course dinner for $45, which is a massive value if you want to explore Calle Dao's unique menu. Because I opted to upgrade my appetizer to the signature Duck Bao option, it added a $9 supplement to my bill, bringing my base meal cost to $54. However, comparing this promotional menu directly against their everyday a la carte pricing shows exactly how much you can save during the event.

On a regular dining evening outside of the promotion, the standard menu prices look quite different. While a standard Build a Bao starter with crispy pork belly costs $18, opting for the premium duck leg version runs $26 on the everyday menu. Pair that with the excellent Ropa Vieja Noodles at $34 and a sweet finish of traditional Flan for $13, and your exact same three-course dinner would normally total $73 before tax and gratuity. Taking advantage of the $54 promotional setup saved me nearly $20, proving that Restaurant Week delivers genuine value here.

Beyond the cost savings, the standard of service was a highlight of the dinner. Even with a packed dining room full of patrons ordering from the special menu, the waitstaff remained highly organized, attentive, and incredibly welcoming. Courses arrived promptly without long gaps in between, creating a smooth and thoroughly professional midtown dining experience.

Location & How to Get There

One thing I like about this location is how convenient it is if you're already exploring Midtown Manhattan. Bryant Park, Times Square, and several shopping areas are all nearby, making it easy to include this restaurant as part of your day. The easiest way to get here is by taking the F train to Bryant Park and walking about 5 to 10 minutes. I wouldn't recommend driving because parking in this area can be difficult and expensive. Taking the subway or using a rideshare is a much easier option.

The Final Verdict: Is It Worth Trying?

Before coming here, I wasn't sure what to expect from a Cuban-Chinese fusion restaurant. Sometimes fusion restaurants focus more on creativity than flavor, but that wasn't the case here. Every dish I tried was enjoyable, and each course felt thoughtfully prepared. Instead of feeling like two cuisines competing with each other, the flavors blended naturally.

Calle Dao delivered a dining experience that felt different from the usual Chinese or Cuban restaurant. The fusion concept wasn't just interesting—it actually worked. If you're planning a date night, meeting friends after work, or simply looking to try a unique cuisine in Manhattan, Calle Dao is definitely worth considering. I will absolutely be coming back to try more of the menu.

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Restaurant Information

Feature	Details
Restaurant	Calle Dao (Bryant Park)
Location	38 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018
Cuisine	Cuban-Chinese Fusion
Nearest Subway	F Train – Bryant Park Station (5-10 min walk)
Price Paid	$54 before tip (Restaurant Week base + Duck Bao upgrade)
Regular Menu Value	$73 a la carte (Duck Bao, Ropa Vieja Noodles, Flan)
Overall Rating	9.4 out of 10
Must-Order Dishes	Duck Bao & Ropa Vieja Noodles
Reservations	Recommended (Highly busy during dinner)