You knew it was coming. A tribute to the ever popular and much loved Cantonese ‘Dim Sum’ in Vancouver’s roaring yum cha scene. Literally translated, Dim Sum means ‘Touch the Heart’ and that needs no further explanation, does it? From traditional fare to fusion twists on classics, push-cart delights, or simple share plates, we’ve put together a list of the city’s Top Ten Best Dim Sum spots in Vancouver for all you awesome Dim Sum lovers out there.
So, grab a few friends, family, and definitely some chopsticks, and have fun sampling some of the best Dim Sum this side of the gorgeous old Silk Road.
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10. Jade Dynasty
What better place could there be for delicious All Day Dim Sum than in the heart of Chinatown itself? Jade Dynasty is one of those charming and traditional spots you stumble across on your travels, only to discover real treasure inside. The service is warm and friendly, and the food is simply amazing.
Order the classics like Ha Gao which is loaded with huge pieces of shrimp, or the Siu Mai that is super flavorful. The Turnip Cakes fried in Chili Bean Oil are pretty amazing, and their Deep Fried Squid always gets rave reviews. For a sweet treat, sample their gorgeous steamed lava custard buns, and thank us later.
What to order: Ha Gao, Siu Mai, Turnip Cakes, Deep Fried Squid, custard buns
Address: 137 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC
Order Online: DoorDash | Uber Eats | SkipTheDishes
9. Dynasty Seafood Restaurant
For a great high-end Dim Sum experience, Dynasty definitely makes it to everyone’s list. Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, this trendy, happening and upscale restaurant serves a wide array of fine cuisine that will keep you coming back for more. It’s a perfect place for Date-night Dim Sum, or an intimate gathering with close friends.
Sample some amazing Pan Fried Pork Stickers, Squid Ink Scallop Dumplings or some spicy Steamed Wontons with Shrimp and Pork. The steamed Chicken Bun with Ginger just bursts with flavor, while the Taro with BBQ Duck meat is super succulent. Take it one step further with some sticky rice in Lotus Leaf, which is simply divine.
Protip: Dynasty encourages guests to make an early reservation for a richer dining experience.
What to order: Pan Fried Pork Stickers, Squid Ink Scallop Dumplings, Steamed Wontons, Chicken Bun, Taro with BBQ Duck, sticky rice in Lotus Leaf
Address: 777 W Broadway Ste 108, Vancouver, BC
Order Online: DoorDash | SkipTheDishes
8. Kirin
Unassuming and understated on the outside, Kirin is one of those traditional Chinese restaurants that completely wins the hearts of Dim Sum lovers who step through their doors. Prepare for a memorable experience in Northern Chinese Cuisine, with amazing attention to detail, beautiful presentation, and incredible taste in every dish you’re served.
Go directly for the Caviar Shu Mai and you will love it. Try some Black Salted Egg Yolk, or Cha Siu Buns. Another treat here is the Tofu Skin Mushrooms, the Pork Belly Bun, and the Fried Squid. The Abalone & Chicken Bun is a must-try, so be sure you add it to your order.
What to order: Caviar Shu Mai, Black Salted Egg Yolk, Cha Siu Buns, Tofu Skin Mushrooms, Pork Belly Bun, Fried Squid, Abalone & Chicken Bun
Address:
-1172 Alberni St, Vancouver, BC
-555 12th Ave W, Vancouver, BC
Order Online: Uber Eats
7. Neptune Palace Seafood Restaurant
Another classic Vancouver eatery that stands out for great tasting Dim Sum is none other than Neptune Palace Seafood Restaurant. Located on Marine Drive, and boasting a large dining hall dotted with twinkling crystal chandeliers, Neptune Palace is the perfect spot for big group gatherings.
Sample some of their delicious Truffle Mushroom Dumplings, Deep Fried Scallop and Duck Taro Balls, Shrimp Paste Stuffed Eggplant, and Dried Scallop & Fish Maw Dumplings. The Mini Sticky Rice Wraps are amazing, and you absolutely don’t want to miss out on the Beef Meatballs with Tangerine Peel. They are seriously super yummy!
What to order: Truffle Mushroom Dumplings, Deep Fried Scallop and Duck Taro Balls, Shrimp Paste Stuffed Eggplant, Dried Scallop & Fish Maw Dumplings, Mini Sticky Rice Wraps, Beef Meatballs with Tangerine Peel
Address: U308 – 470 SW Marine Dr. Vancouver, BC
Order Online: DoorDash | Uber Eats | SkipTheDishes
6. Chef Tony
#bucketlist #recommended
For some fun fusion twists on traditional Dim Sum, there is no better place than Chef Tony. Boasting a range of creative dishes, this super-cool, upscale and award-winning restaurant located at Empire Centre Mall, is a true gem in Vancouver’s thriving Dim Sum arena, and has scores of fans who fill up the place really quick every day of the week.
Sample some of their Pan-fried pumpkin and red bean paste cake, or the Shrimp and Matsutake Dumplings. Order a round of Squid Ink Ha Gao, Baked Assorted Mushroom Pastries, or go for gold with their signature Chef Tony Special Egg White Custard Tarts. Some other great Dim Sum include, Beef Tripe and Tendons, Steamed Spareribs and gorgeous Salty Egg Yolk Lava Buns.
Protip: Make an advance reservation to secure your table, because this place fills up fast.
What to order: Pan-fried pumpkin and red bean paste cake, Shrimp and Matsutake Dumplings, Squid Ink Ha Gao, Baked Assorted Mushroom Pastries, Chef Tony Special Egg White Custard Tarts, Beef Tripe and Tendons, Steamed Spareribs, Salty Egg Yolk Lava Buns
Address: Unit 101 – 4600 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC
Order Online: DoorDash
5. Empire Seafood Restaurant
Load up on all the Dim Sum you can handle at the popular Empire Seafood Restaurant in Richmond. This unassuming spot is a great place for casual dining and a no-fuss evening of just good, wholesome and super delicious food.
Their Dim Sum menu is extensive and can be hard to choose from, but you can have fun selecting from the wide array of amazing buns, dumplings and pastries on offer. Go for some Pan Fried Pork Buns, Deep Fried Duck & Mashed Taro Pastries, some Steamed Spareribs, and maybe their heavenly Steamed Wild Mushroom Dumplings with Black Truffle.
Tip: their dumplings were part of Tourism Richmond’s Dumpling Trail
What to order: Pan Fried Pork Buns, Deep Fried Duck, Mashed Taro Pastries, Steamed Spareribs, Steamed Wild Mushroom Dumplings with Black Truffle
Address: Unit 200, London Plaza, 5951 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC
Order Online: DoorDash | Uber Eats | SkipTheDishes
4. Golden Swan Restaurant
Golden Swan is a popular neighborhood spot for Dim Sum on Victoria Drive. Famous for their ever moving push-cart service as well as off-the-menu Dim Sum, this is a great place for a quick afternoon lunch, or a relaxing evening out with a good friend.
Some of their more popular Dim Sum items are Prawn Dumplings, Eggplant with Shrimp Paste, Egg Tofu, and the Suid. The Ha Gao and Sesame Balls are a must-try, and if you still want to indulge, go for some Beef Rolls, the Beef Tendon, and the Egg Tart. You will not be sorry you did.
What to order: Prawn Dumplings, Eggplant with Shrimp Paste, Egg Tofu, Suid, Ha Gao and Sesame Balls, Beef Rolls, Beef Tendon, Egg Tart
Address: 5380 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC
3. Sun Sui Wah
#awardwinning #popular
One of the city’s finest Chinese establishments, Sun Sui Wah originated in Hong Kong over 30 years ago and prides itself on flawless preparation and presentation of traditional Chinese cuisine. This award-winning restaurant has also been featured on Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on Netflix, and is easily one of the trendiest spots in Vancouver’s food scene.
This is a place to opt for the classics, and we highly recommend you try their Siu Mai, the Beancurd with Mushrooms, BBQ Pork Buns, Shrimp on Eggplant, Minced Pork Puff Pastry, and Steamed Bun with Sweet Egg Yolk.
ProTip: Make a reservation before you stop by to secure your table.
What to order: Siu Mai, Beancurd with Mushrooms, BBQ Pork Buns, Shrimp on Eggplant, Minced Pork Puff Pastry, Steamed Bun with Sweet Egg Yolk
Address:
-3888 Main Street, Vancouver, BC
-4940 No 3 Rd #102, Richmond, BC
Order Online: DoorDash | Uber Eats | SkipTheDishes
2. Pink Pearl Chinese Restaurant
Warm, welcoming service, rolling carts of delicious steamed, fried and baked Dim Sum, and fragrant pots of teas, Pink Pearl is one of those Vancouver eateries that truly stands apart. This is a great place to stop by with friends for a fun evening out, or to entertain an out of town guest looking to enjoy a wonderful Chinese meal.
The Peanut Dumplings are gorgeous and packed with flavor, so give them a try. Also, their Spare Ribs in Blackbean Sauce is just delish, and you should definitely not leave without a taste of some heavenly Steamed Chicken Buns, and the Steamed Dumplings with Dried Scallops in Soup.
What to order: Peanut Dumplings, Spare Ribs in Blackbean Sauce, Steamed Chicken Buns, Steamed Dumplings with Dried Scallops in Soup
Address: 1132 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC
Order Online: DoorDash | Uber Eats | SkipTheDishes
1. Western Lake Chinese Restaurant
#popular #recommended
Situated on Victoria Drive, Western Lake is a traditional Chinese Seafood restaurant specializing in Dim Sum. It has long been one of Vancouver’s most popular Dim Sum spots, with a huge foodie fan following. Their extremely generous portion sizes and fresh ingredients keep guests coming back for more.
When you visit, try their signature Steamed Prawn Dumplings, or the BBQ Pork Buns, and if steamed is not your thing, The Deep Fried Stuffed Pork Dumplings are the way to go. For bigger groups, Western Lake offers some amazing Dim Sum Party Tray Combos that are really too good to resist.
What to order: Steamed Prawn Dumplings, BBQ Pork Buns, Deep Fried Stuffed Pork Dumplings
Address: 4989 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, BC
Order Online: DoorDash | Uber Eats | SkipTheDishes
That rounds up our walk down the serene and beautiful Silk Road to amazing Dim Sum, and we hope you have a blast trying out every one of these fabulous spots.
When you’re done satisfying your Dim Sum indulgence, why not enjoy some delicious Fried Chicken, and maybe even some bomb Tacos?
How We Create Our “Best” Lists
All Noms Magazine’s “best” lists are created using multiple factors and signals to help readers find the best restaurants, things to do, and places to stay at. Some of these factors and signs include personal experiences, correspondence with locals, and compiling experiences from review sites.
Each list is also created to be balanced (in terms of price, cuisine type, ambiance, and more) as possible. This means that the lists are not specifically created in ranking order. You should be comfortable picking from any of the spots on the list and generally have a good time. But of course, YMMV (your mileage may vary) and everyone may have different experiences/palates.