Want to know where to find the best dim sum in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong dim sum has been around for centuries; a traditional mid-morning feast for traders ready to hit the Silk Road. Now, you’re welcome to enjoy this communal meal whenever you’re hungry.
With dim sum in Hong Kong being so deeply ingrained in the culture, you can be sure there are some amazing places to try. We’re going to share with you:
- Our favorite authentic Hong Kong dim sum restaurant
- Great value dim sim places you have to try
- Family-centered Hong Kong dim sum restaurants
- Vegetarian dim sum in Hong Kong
Plus plenty more of our recommendations.
Ready to take your tastebuds deep into the bustle of Hong Kong?
Let’s take a quick look at etiquette first.
How to order and eat dim sum in Hong Kong
There isn’t a completely right or wrong way to eat dim sum, but it is nice to understand how the locals do it.
Time to eat dim sum
First, the time of day to eat dim sum. Historically, dim sum was a brunchy dish, eaten in the late morning as an accompaniment to tea. This is why you’ll see a lot of places in our list reference tea and serve some really delicious stuff.
Nowadays, dim sum is available pretty much around the clock in Hong Kong
Eating dim sum with chopsticks
If you really want to do dim sum properly, Hong Kongers would expect you to use chopsticks. This might be easier said than done, depending on how much Asian food you ate growing up!
Learning to use chopsticks is relatively easy – this video is a great place to start:
If you’re eating one of the soup dumplings, lift it onto a spoon with your chopsticks and eat from there to prevent splashes!
Ordering dim sum
This is going to depend on where you’re eating. If you’re in a more traditional place, like Maxim’s at City Hall, you can expect trolleys of dim sum to be wheeled around the restaurant, you stop the wait staff to grab a plate, and they’ll mark off your menu card.
In other places, you’ll get a tick-box menu, where you tick the dishes you want or write a number next to item indicating how many you would like.
The high-end hotel restaurants, you’ll order with your server like normal. It’s worth checking how many pieces of dim sum will come with each order – a typical serving is three or four, but you never know!
Sharing dim sum
You’re more than welcome to keep your delicious dim sum all to yourself. However, it’s generally accepted that dim sum is a communal meal, like most Chinese meals.
Don’t be surprised to find someone from your table nabbing a sui mai bao from your bamboo steamer without asking!
Now you know how to do, here’s where to go.
City Hall Maxim’s Palace – Best Authentic Dim Sum
Price range: $$
Why we go there:
- Chinese owned and run, this place has authentic Cantonese delights
- The views over the harbor coupled with the chandeliers and white linen give a taste of old Hong Kong
Be aware of:
- Waiting times – it’s super popular so you might have to hang around to get seated
All the info:
- Google Maps
- Address: 2/F, Low Block, City Hall, Central, Hong Kong
- Phone number: +852 2521 1303
Spring Moon
Price range: $$$
Why we go there:
- It’s got a Michelin star and it’s got great food with fresh, seasonal ingredients and a certain je ne sais quoi
- The seafood, on its own or in dim sum form is some of Hong Kong’s finest
Be aware of:
- The price – the Michelin star and the imported ingredients make the menu something for a special occasion rather than a quick craving
All the info:
- Google Maps
- Address: Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
- Phone number: +852 2696 6760
- Visit website
Mott 32
Price range: $$
Why we go there:
- The award-winning, innovative dim sum is absolutely delicious, need you know more?
- The ambiance and atmosphere are amazing – we love the interior
Be aware of:
- Patchy service; whilst we’ve never had a problem here, some people aren’t overawed by it
All the info:
- Google Maps
- Address: Standard Chartered Bank Building, 4-4A Des Voeux Rd Central, Central, Hong Kong
- Phone number: +852 2885 8688
- Social media: FB @Mott32HK Insta @mott32hk
- Visit website
Tim Ho Wan
Price range: $-$$
Why we go there:
- Their confidence to tout themselves as the “best dim sum in Hong Kong” isn’t too far off the mark, we reckon
- With six locations across Hong Kong, dim sum from Tim Ho Wan is never too far away
Be aware of:
- The weekends, when it can get super busy and you can’t make a reservation – good luck!
All the info:
Lin Heung Tea House – Old school dim sum
Price range: $-$$
Why we go there:
- Eat dim sum in Hong Kong whilst drinking tea is exactly how it should be done, so you get the real world experience here
- The wonderful char sui, it’s a common dish all over the city, but here it’s something special
Be aware of:
- The noise – this isn’t a romantic eatery but a bustling, lively place to eat dim sum
All the info:
- Google Maps
- Address: 160 – 164 Wellington St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
- Phone number: +852 2544 4556
Hutong
Credit: The Loop HK
Price range: $$-$$$
Why we go there:
- The have a range of classic and fresh takes on dim sum to keep purists and adventurers happy
- Sun set over the harbor, anyone?
Be aware of:
- The interior – it’s getting a little old and tired, so don’t expect perfect luxury
All the info:
- Google Maps
- Address: 28/F, 1 Peking Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
- Phone number: +852 3428 8342
- Social media: FB @HutongHK
- Visit website
Man Ho
Price range: $$
Why we go there:
- The home-made dim sum is a perfect treat, with great-tasting ingredients and classic flavors
- There’s recently been a new chef brought in and they’ve just got a Michelin star so this is one of the trendiest places in town to get your barbecue pork fix
Be aware of:
- The decor, which feels a little old, although you could say it’s vintage with the 90s feel
All the info:
- Google Maps
- Address: Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
- Phone number: +852 2810 8366
- Social media: FB @jwmarriotthkmanho
- Visit website
Lung King Heen
Price range: $$
Why we go there:
- The pineapple pork buns are sweet and sticky and a great modern take on dim sum in Hong Kong
- Excellent service in a great atmosphere, it’s up there with the best in the city
Be aware of:
- Booking ahead; this isn’t the type of place that can seat a walk-in guest so make a reservation
All the info:
- Google Maps
- Address: 8 Finance St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
- Phone number: +852 3196 8888
- Visit website
Celestial Court
Price range: $$$
Why we go there:
- We can’t get enough of the sea urchin spring roll – make sure it’s part of your order
- It’s a wonderful-looking place to go for a classy lunch or luxurious dinner
Be aware of:
- The dinner menu, which doesn’t have dim sum! Lunch is the time to visit
All the info:
- Google Maps
- Address: Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel And Towers, 20 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
- Phone number: +852 2369 1111
- Visit website
Dim Sum Square – Great for cheap lunches
Price range: $
Why we go there:
- It’s a much more down-to-earth experience than the hotel dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong
- The Shanghai soup dumplings are delish – be careful how you eat them so you don’t get the soup down your top!
Be aware of:
- The quick turnaround, it’s less of a long lazy brunch and more of grab, indulge, and go type of place
All the info:
- Google Maps
- Address: 78 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
- Phone number: +852 2851 8088
Dim Dim Sum Hong Kong – Best for quick bites anytime of day
Price range: $$
Why we go there:
- You can literally get dim sum at 2am in Hong Kong at the Kowloon branch of Dim Dim Sum – brunch meal? Pah!
- The piggy custard buns, try and thank us later – our comments section is always open
Be aware of:
- Navigation, getting to the Wan Chai one can be particularly challenging, but oh so worth it
All the info:
- Four store locations
- Social media: Insta @dimdimsumhk
- Visit website
Kin’s Kitchen – Best family-style dim sum
Price range: $-$$
Why we go there:
- Whilst it’s traditional Chinese-style dim sum, there’s no MSG used in the cooking which is refreshing
- A bit of fat on pork adds to the flavor, but not too much, and the pork here is on the right side of fatty
Be aware of:
- The size of the place – it’s pretty small so don’t be expecting to turn up with huge gatherings, keep it intimate
All the info:
- Google Maps
- Address: 5/F, W Square, 314-324 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
- Phone number: +852 2571 0913
Lock Cha Teahouse – Great for vegetarians
Price range: $$-$$$
Why we go there:
- This is another place that serves dim sum the traditional Chinese way, accompanied by great quality tea
- The location, in an art gallery, is absolutely stunning and they host a program of music and cultural events
Be aware of:
- The dim sum sideshow, this place is really about the tea and the dim sum, although tasty, isn’t the focus of your experience
All the info:
- Google Maps
- Address: The K.s.lo Gallery, Admiralty, Hong Kong
- Phone number: +852 2801 7177
- Social media: FB Lock Cha Tea House Insta @lockchahk
- Visit website
Sun Hing – Late night dim sum
Price range: $
Why we go there:
- Who doesn’t need to eat dim sum between 3am and 4pm?
- The atmosphere is great, with sharing tables and old world bustle that you can’t always find in Hong Kong dim sum restaurants
Be aware of:
- The queues in the morning, like normal morning – you should be ok to not queue for dim sum at 4am
All the info:
- Google Maps
- Address: Markfield Building, Sai Wan, Hong Kong
- Phone number: +852 2816 0616
Man Mo Dim Sum – Best fusion dim sum
Price range: $$$
Why we go there:
- The Swiss chef aimed to do an East-meets-West concept and has absolutely nailed it, it’s delicious
- For the quality dim sum, the price is really reasonable – great for dinner before payday
Be aware of:
- The inventiveness, if you’re a Hong Kong dim sum purist, you may not be a fan
All the info:
- Google Maps
- Address: Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Rd, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
- Phone number: +852 2644 5644
- Social media: FB @manmodimsum Insta @manmodimsum
- Visit website
Dim Sum Library – one of the best dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong
Price range: $$-$$$
Why we go there:
- The spacious environment, which we don’t take for granted in Hong Kong dim sum restaurants! Handy for a party or a work gathering
- Can’t get enough of the bao, especially the ginger lobster one!
Be aware of:
- Price vs quality, it’s not the cheapest dim sum but it’s not quite up to the standards of hotel restaurants either
All the info:
- Google Maps Elements and Pacific Place
- Address: Shop 1028B, 1/F, Elements, 1 Austin Rd W, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong and Shop 124, Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
- Social media: FB @dimsumlibrary Insta @dimsumlibrary
- Visit website
FAQs about the best dim sum in Hong Kong
What is Hong Kong dim sum?
Dim sum wasn’t started in Hong Kong, but it’s a huge part of the foodie culture here. You can find traditional Cantonese dim sum in Hong Kong and innovative, fusion versions all within the city.
How much is dim sum in Hong Kong?
Prices for dim sum vary widely depending on the place you eat. You can get a plate of dim sum for as little as $20 – $30 and you can pay way over $100 for a plate, too! We’ve included a key from $ – $$$ so you can gauge roughly how much you’ll spend at each place.
Is dim sum the same as dumplings?
Dim sum is a range of dishes, including dumplings. There are many types of dim sum that are dumplings, but there are also spring rolls, fried foods, and baos, to name a few. Think of dim sum like tapas, where you eat a selection of small plates; some of those plates will include dumplings.
When should you eat dim sum?
Whenever you want! Traditionally, dim sum was eaten as a mid-morning snack and served with tea, and having it for brunch is a great way to fuel up for a Saturday exploring Hong Kong.
How much dim sum should I order?
How hungry are you?! Remember, you can always order more dim sum, or grab another plate off a trolley as it passes by if you’re in a traditional place. It’s great to eat dim sum with friends because you can try even more plates. As a general rule, eat until you’re full!
Finally
There are some amazing dim sum places across Hong Kong. We’ve eaten at a lot of places over the years we’ve been here and you can’t go far wrong with the sixteen we’ve picked out.
The best dim sum in Hong Kong is really going to depend on your needs – whether you want to go high class at a place like Spring Moon or eat street food style at Dim Dim Sum, there are places to fit your taste, style, and budget.
You’ll find a lot of dim sum in Hong Kong districts like Sheung Wan and Kowloon. Generally, you won’t go far wrong stepping into a place for a quick bite and pot of tea but book ahead in the classier places to not be disappointed.
Have we missed one of your favorite dim sum joints? Drop your Hong Kong food hacks in the comments and we’ll make sure to add them to our list!
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