10 Best Places to Eat Dim Sum in Hong Kong

Dim Sum, which means “touch the heart” in Cantonese, is a must-try dining experience in Hong Kong. You can’t visit the city without enjoying these delicious treats.

In the west, a good brunch often includes eggs Benedict, waffles, and bacon. But here in Hong Kong, we do things differently. Our iconic brunch is called yum cha, which translates to “drink tea”.  

What is Yum Cha?

Yum Cha isn’t just about having tea; it’s a cultural experience that’s more than just sipping tea. It’s about sharing a morning or early afternoon meal of dim sum, which are small and varied bite-sized dishes, all while enjoying tea together. Unlike dim sum, which refers to the dishes, Yum Cha is about the whole experience of eating dim sum dishes in Hong Kong.

When you go for Yum Cha, the first thing you do is choose the tea after you sit down. It’s polite to pour tea for others before yourself, especially when showing respect to elders. If someone pours you tea, you can do a “Finger Kowtow,” which is a small bow with your finger, to show gratitude. It’s a respectful way of thanking the person serving the tea.

10 Best Places to Eat Dim Sum in Hong Kong

There are plenty of places to eat dim sum in Hong Kong, but here are our favorite restaurants where you can sip Chinese tea, savor dim sum, and enjoy traditional Cantonese delicacies.

1. Maxim’s Palace City Hall  美心皇宮

For a true Hong Kong dim sum experience, head to Maxim’s Palace. While there are several branches across the city, the most famous one is at City Hall in Central. Unlike other dim sum places, Maxim’s Palace City Hall is a grand banquet-style restaurant that can seat over 600 people, adorned with lavish decor.

Here, you’ll see carts loaded with dim sum dishes being wheeled around. Take a look as they pass by your table and grab whatever catches your eye. Just be quick and patient, as the staff might not be the friendliest. Luckily, for those who don’t speak Cantonese, the carts have English labels (although prices may not be listed), so you’ll know what’s available.

Location: 2/F, City Hall, 5-7 Edinburgh Place, Central

2. Tim Ho Wan  添好運

Tim Ho Wan holds the title of the world’s cheapest Michelin-star restaurant and is a beloved spot in Hong Kong for both locals and expats as one of the best places to eat dim sum in Hong Kong. People come here not just for the Michelin star, but especially for their signature Baked BBQ Pork Buns, which are different from the ones you find elsewhere. These buns have a crispy, slightly sweet pastry crust since they’re baked rather than steamed.

The service at Tim Ho Wan is quick, though it can be a bit rough, especially if you don’t speak Cantonese. And be prepared for a wait, especially on weekends when there’s usually a queue.

Location: Sham Shui Po, Central, North Point, Olympic, West Kowloon Station, Tseung Kwan O

3. Lin Heung Kui  蓮香居

Although the famous Lin Heung Lau in Central has closed its doors, its sibling restaurant, Lin Heung Kui, is still serving customers in Sheung Wan. Here, you can experience the old Guangdong-style yum cha with traditional dim sum carts and order forms.

Make sure to try their Cantonese sponge cake, shrimp dumplings, char siu buns, and siu mai while you’re there for a taste of authentic Cantonese cuisine.

Location: Lin Heung Kui, 40-50 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan

4. Ming Court 明閣

For a more upscale yum cha experience, visit Ming Court at Cordis, Hong Kong for a Michelin-starred dining experience. The restaurant offers elegant decor, private dining rooms, and top-notch service.

Their dim sum selection is outstanding, featuring signature dishes like the Wellness Dumpling Trio, which includes steamed porcini, shrimp, and scallop dumplings. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also explore their extensive wine list from the Ming Cellar, which boasts over 400 of the world’s finest wines.

Location: Ming Court, L6, Cordis, Hong Kong, 555 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok

5. One Dim Sum  一點心

One Dim Sum is a must-visit for both locals and expats in Hong Kong. It’s incredibly popular for its top-notch dim sum, but be ready to either arrive early or wait in a long queue, especially on weekends.

What makes One Dim Sum so beloved? Well, it earned a Michelin Star back in 2011 and 2012, and it’s been a hit ever since. The dim sum here is not only delicious but also very affordable, making it a favorite among foodies.

Location: G/F, 209A – 209B, Tung Choi Street, Prince Edward

6. Yum Cha 飲茶

If you’ve ever come across adorable dim sum photos on social media, chances are they’re from Yum Cha. They’re known for their signature dishes like BBQ Piggy Buns, Hot Custard Buns (you might have seen videos of people poking a hole in them to squeeze out the custard), and the Doggy Sausage Rolls. Yum Cha also introduces fun seasonal dishes throughout the year to keep things exciting.

Besides dim sum, Yum Cha offers a great variety of must-try Chinese dishes, such as sweet and sour pork.

Location: Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay

7. Duddell’s  都爹利會館

In Hong Kong, two words often sum up weekend plans: champagne brunch. If you’re after a brunch that’s a notch above the usual buffet scene, check out Duddell’s weekend salon brunch. The salon has a trendy and chic vibe, and even the dim sum dishes reflect this in their presentation.

You can dine outside on their beautiful terrace, which is perfect for enjoying the sunshine on a warm day. If a boozy dim sum brunch isn’t your style, Duddell’s also offers an à la carte dim sum menu in their restaurant and a separate dim sum & snacks menu at their salon.

Location: Level 3, 1 Duddell Street, Central

8. Sun Hing Restaurant   新興食家

This hidden gem in Kennedy Town attracts a large crowd of university students because of its affordable, tasty dim sum and its long opening hours. Sun Hing starts serving fresh dim sum at 3:00 am and stays open until 4:00 pm. Don’t expect fancy service or much English spoken here. This old-school spot serves dim sum from carts, so be ready to make your way to the fresh siu mai and BBQ pork buns.

If you’re after a genuine, no-frills local dim sum experience in Hong Kong, Sun Hing is the place to go.

Location: Shop C, G/F, 8 Smithfield Road, Sai Wan

9. Lung King Heen  龍景軒

At Lung King Heen in the fancy Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, you’ll find top-notch dim sum with a fancy touch. It’s the first Chinese restaurant in the world to get three Michelin stars.

They have great service and serve dim sum every day. You can enjoy steamed, baked, fried, and boiled dishes while looking at the beautiful Victoria Harbour views. Popular dishes like baked whole abalone puff with diced chicken and steamed lobster and scallop dumpling with shrimp roe show off Chef Chan Yan’s skill in using top-quality ingredients in traditional ways.

Location: 8 Finance St, Sheung Wa

10. The Chinese Library   

The Chinese Library is a restaurant inspired by David Yeo’s huge collection of Chinese cookbooks. It’s located in a beautiful hall in Tai Kwun, the former police headquarters. They serve a mix of traditional and modern Chinese dishes, including dim sum.

You can try their lunch menu, which has interesting dishes like black truffle har gao and Hokkaido king crab spring roll. Or, on weekends, you can enjoy unlimited dim sum with some bubbly drinks.

Location: Block 01, Tai Kwun, Police Headquarters, 10 Hollywood Rd, Central