Golden Dragon Restaurant | Cozy Chinese Flavors in Florence, SC

About This Spot

Nestled in the Florence Plaza Shopping Center, Golden Dragon Restaurant offers a quietly familiar refuge for anyone craving comforting, authentic Chinese flavors in a casual, unpretentious setting. From the moment you step in, there’s a gentle rhythm here — part efficient takeout spot, part neighborhood gathering place — where the pace feels right for a midday break or a low-key dinner.

The space feels practical and straightforward, with a handful of booths that invite you to linger if you choose, though many find their way back to the car or a nearby bench with warm food in hand. This is a place where the priority is on the food itself — fresh, hot, and generously portioned — with flavors that evoke true home-style cooking without the fuss.

Golden Dragon welcomes you with familiar tones of sizzling stir-fries and the subtle sweetness of dishes like sweet and sour chicken. The menu leans into variety, inviting you to discover comforting combinations from tender beef dishes glazed in garlic or spicy Szechuan sauce to crispy spring rolls fresh enough to snap with every bite. The aroma alone often promises a quiet moment of contentment amidst a busy day.

What makes Golden Dragon stand out is more than just the food — it’s the sense of care that comes through brief but warm interactions, the kind that lets you know you’re more than just a quick order number. The friendly faces behind the counter help navigate the menu with patience, making newcomers feel at ease and returning visitors welcomed back as old friends. The subtle hum of chatter and clinking takeout containers creates a small but lively backdrop, a humbling reminder of how food connects people across different tastes and routines.

If you’re in Florence seeking a simple yet satisfying Chinese meal that feels like a familiar comfort, Golden Dragon is the kind of place where the flavors settle in easily, and the atmosphere invites you back time and again—even if it’s just for a quick bite between errands or a quiet meal on the go.

What’s Available Here

Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery

Fast service
Great tea selection

Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Alcohol
Comfort food
Healthy options
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegetarian options

Lunch
Dinner
Seating
Table service

Toilet

Casual
Cosy
Quiet
Trendy

Groups
University students

Accepts reservations

Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Good for kids
High chairs

Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Parking

Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed inside

Location & Hours

Monday	11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday	11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday	11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday	11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday	11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday	11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday	Closed

Guest Reviews

PrettyJuls Travel & Living 01 Jan 2026

The food is awesome.. I liked my food and I’m not really big on Asian food, but the person with me loves Asian food and eats at all kinds of places and says this is the best lo mein - ever!!! I had sweet n sour chicken… it was yummy - hot, fresh, and delicious with very nice portions. Try it!!! I’m glad I did! The guy working the counter (Charles) was awesome too

Brent Mcdonald 01 Nov 2025

First off let me say the ladies at the front are amazing. Great customer service. I was greeted with a smile. The menu was a little confusing but they helped me pick out exactly what I wanted. The food was accurate and hot. The plates were full. The flavor of the food was better than most Chinese places I've been to. It was my first time there, I'll definitely go back again when I'm in Florence.

catherine 29 Oct 2025

lots of food, quick, and not terribly expensive. i will say since covid the inside atmosphere has gone down significantly as it is strictly takeout with a few booths and plastic utensils in there to dine if you decide to eat it there, but its still the same quality food which is nice.

Toni S (ToniTheTourist) 26 Oct 2025

New owners? To go and pick up only service. I used to love the food here. I’ve been stopping at the Golden Dragon for years when I am in Florence, SC. I think they just recently changed management. Right around the time when I think the change happened the food started tasting weird. As of my order today, it was exactly how I like it again . I hope they maintain the consistency by listening to or reading their reviews. I always get the pork egg foo young. My guy likes the pork fried rice with chicken wings. They only give a little gravy For the egg foo young. Does not cover the eggs. Everything has always tasted as if cooked fresh. The food usually tastes good. The locals used to love this place. It stays packed. People are always calling in and waiting in the parking lot whenever I’m around. No outdoor seating no accessible ramp or seating. Not kid friendly As of October 2023 I think they may be changing from to go only to sitting and having table service inside again. I say this because they have changed the seating area and we can walk in again but I’m not sure. #ttip: Call your order in and it will be ready when you get there. This saves me lots of time. Has been one of my favorite Chinese restaurants of all time. I hope they stay the same.

Tina Sun 13 Oct 2025

We ordered chicken & broccoli, shrimp lo mei, steamed pork dumplings, and vegetables spring roll, and took back to hotel to eat, we finished them very quickly because they tasted so yummy, my kid always loves shrimp lo mei, he likes small shrimps which are easily to chew, spring rolls are so chrisp that we finished them immediately after back and forgot to take pictures on it, chicken and broccoli tastes so great that we highly recommend if you have light flavor taste, chicken tastes very tender, broccoli tastes fresh, steamed pork dumplings are ok which we actually prefer thin wrap. The dinning area is clean and tidy, The counter staff chased out to give us the spring rolls we forgot to take when we almost drove away. Thank you!