A popular College Park eatery will be making its grand return to the city on Aug. 15, as Northwest Chinese Food combines with its sister location, Li Chun Café, on the plaza at City Hall.
The award-winning restaurant was previously at 7313 Baltimore Ave. but closed to make room for a new student apartment building. Northwest Chinese Food was one of several businesses, including Ritchie’s Colombian Restaurant and Pho Thom, to lose a spot on the strip just south of City Hall.
Xue Ling, brand manager for Li Chun Café, said the restaurant’s owner received offers of space from officials in Greenbelt and the District but wanted to stay in College Park.
“After months of careful consideration, one decision never stopped feeling right: staying in College Park with the community that has supported us for the past 10 years,” Ling said in an exclusive interview with College Park Here & Now.
Ling added: “We believe the best restaurants become part of the communities they serve. We’re honored that Northwest has become part of College Park’s story, and we’re excited to continue writing that story—one meal, one guest and one memory at a time.”
The plan is for the two restaurants to share the space at 7401 Baltimore Ave., where Li Chun Café opened in March 2025.
Li Chun, a fast-casual café featuring Chinese-style wraps, bento boxes, noodle plates, specialty drinks and pastries, will serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Then, the restaurant will switch over to Northwest Chinese Food for dinner, featuring sit-down table service and authentic Chinese food from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The restaurant’s Li Chun tea bar will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Ling said the owner has updated the look of the space with custom marble tables and comfortable chairs, and will adjust the lighting and use ceramic place settings for evening dining.
“People can come in during the day for something more casual and relaxing with friends,” Ling said. “And then during the nighttime they can have dinners with families and with classmates who like to have their dinners here also. So it will be like a full-day evolving experience.”
She said the owner searched for a separate space in College Park for Northwest Chinese Food but was unable to find one.
