Grab your chopsticks for the best dim sum in Singapore!
Dim sum, yum cha – call it what you want, but the debate never ends. Which restaurant does it best in Singapore? We think the ultimate way to spend a lazy, indulgent weekend is to go for an ultra long dumpling session. As much as we love our cafe fare and steaks, dim sum is still our go-to comfort food for an array of small bites. Here are the best places to get your dim sum fix…
Best dim sum in Singapore
Auntie’s Wok & Steam at Andaz Singapore
Temporarily closed until further notice.
Alley in 25 is an all-day dining experience that sits on the 25th floor of the luxury lifestyle hotel brand by Hyatt, Andaz Singapore. While Alley on 25 offers five different dining concepts and one great bar, we were drawn to one. Auntie’s Wok & Steam is an ode to local tze char (a Hokkien term used in Singapore to describe a stall that provides a wide selection of affordable, home-style meals) and dim sum joints. This quaint little spot now offers a yum cha weekend buffet ($35++) with all-you-can-eat Cantonese dim sum, local favourites and Chinese desserts. We were treated to dishes like siew mai, har gow (prawn dumpling), BBQ pork pau, xiao long bao, pork ribs and fried crab claw. You also get to order a round of dishes from their premium menu – go for the wagyu short rib mantou sliders and scallop siew mai. Simply de-lish. And while you’re at it, top up a small sum for free-flow wines, beer and Prosecco.
Auntie’s Wok and Steam, Alley on 25 at Andaz Singapore, 5 Fraser Street, Singapore 189354
Swatow Seafood Restaurant
Don’t let the name fool you. If you’re craving authentic Teochew style dim sum and seafood, hop over to one of its outlets. Star dishes include Teochew five treasures crystal dumpling and the adorable goldfish dumplings. If you’re ready for a feast, the dim sum high tea buffet will fill you up nicely.
Swatow Seafood Restaurant, multiple locations including Toa Payoh and Serangoon Gardens
Kow Loon Hong Kong Dim Sum
Located at an unassuming coffee shop in Ang Mo Kio, Kow Loon Hong Kong Dim Sum boasts over 50 handmade Hong Kong and Shanghai dim sum dishes. Try the har gow, prawn chee cheong fun, liu sa pao (salted egg yolk pao) or century egg and pork congee for a simple yet satisfying meal.
Kow Loon Hong Kong Dim Sum, #01-3030, Blk 151 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, Singapore 560151
Hong Kong Mongkok Tim Sum
If you’re craving dim sum on a dime, Hong Kong Mongkok Tim Sum is the place to be. At $2.30 per dish, these babies are a steal. The hawker stall in Chinatown wipes out hot favourites like char siew pao, prawn cheong fun, har gow and siew mai. It’s truly bang for your buck.
Hong Kong Mongkok Tim Sum, #02-097, Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 05033
Swee Choon Dim Sum Restaurant
Dim sum is typically a tea time snack, but Swee Choon is no typical dim sum restaurant. Popular with the young crowd, it opens only in the evenings ’til late at night, serving Cantonese and Shanghainese small bites with prices that won’t exceed $7. Pile on the steamed goodies like Szechuan dumplings in chilli oil, classic shrimp har gow, and chee cheong fun (rice noodle rolls drenched in a sweet soy sauce). A personal tip: Go with an empty stomach – it’s easy to over-order here!
Swee Choon Dim Sum Restaurant, 183-193 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208882
Crystal Jade
Crystal Jade is a resto that comes to mind when one says the magic words, “dim sum buffet”, and it got major praise in our office poll for best xiao long bao. With over 11 outlets in the city, it’s one of the more convenient spots to make a beeline for, especially if there’s one at your heartland mall. Some must-try dishes include har gow (steamed prawn dumplings), siew mai with fish roe and carrot cake.
Crystal Jade, multiple locations including Takashimaya and VivoCity
Social Place
Since it hails from the land of dim sum aka Hong Kong, you know you can’t go wrong with these guys. With a playful and creative approach, the dim sum dishes here are totally ‘gram-worthy. For instance, the small pig pudding comes in the shape of a – wait for it – wobbly pig. Adorable! Other novelty delights include mahjong jelly, steamed rose floret buns and truffle shiitake buns.
Social Place, #01-22, Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884
Dim Sum Haus
Did you know there’s another fuss-free yum cha spot in Jalan Besar? Just a stone’s throw away from dim sum powerhouse Swee Choon, Dim Sum Haus is the perfect alternative if the former gets too crowded (which is very often). From steamed and fried delights like crispy mee sua kueh with Chinese sausage to baked treats such as Portuguese egg tart and BBQ pork bun, you can expect the usual suspects at affordable prices.
Dim Sum Haus, 57 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208809
Mitzo
This menu is full of contemporary Cantonese dishes served with a flourish. Yes, even the dumplings get the Mitzo treatment, from pan-fried chilli crab dumpling to shrimp dumpling adorned with caviar. Grab your squad and try all three dim sum platters, including the vegetarian version, for the ultimate yum cha feast.
Mitzo, Grand Park Orchard, Level 4, 270 Orchard Road, Singapore 238857
Summer Palace at Regent Singapore
This is not your average dim sum. Summer Palace has a Michelin star under its belt for good reason. Just take a look at those squid ink and seafood dumplings. The Cantonese menu is next level, but back to the dim sum. Think lobster dumplings, fried turnip cake in XO sauce, delicate steamed scallop dumplings and monthly specials like steamed chicken with mushroom and fish maw. Desserts here are divine, too. The chilled osmanthus pudding with wolfberries is almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
Summer Palace, Regent Singapore, Level 3, 1 Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249715
Mott32
This swanky restaurant in Marina Bay Sands proves the communal yum cha experience can be fancy. The tea time menu swings from Australian wagyu beef puff and king prawn har gow to crispy sugar-coated Peking duck bun and Iberico pork siew mai. For bragging rights, get your hands on the famed barbecue pluma Ibero pork glazed with yellow mountain honey. It tastes as good as it sounds!
Mott 32, #B1-42 to 44, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 01895
Myo Restobar
Dim sum is served here for lunch and dinner, though it’s not the main bulk of the menu. The claypot braised chicken is the star of Myo but we have a few favourites from the dim sum menu. The gold foil dumplings with assorted mushroom, steamed siew mai with mushroom, and fried lava custard buns are just as delicious on the ‘gram and in your mouth. Another standout? The NZ tenderloin pastry. You know what to do!
Myo Restobar, #19-01, Oxley Tower, 138 Robinson Road, Singapore 068906
126 Wan Dou Sek Dim Sum
This hangout in Geylang is famous for its dim sum, particularly its siew mai and chee cheong fun. Even our fave bartenders from Lulu’s Lounge head here for a quick supper or breakfast fix. There’s also a karaoke bar right next to this eatery, so you might want to bust out some Celine Dion tunes after you’re done satisfying the late-night munchies.
126 Wan Dou Sek Dim Sum, 126 Sims Avenue, Singapore 387449
Cherry Garden
Searching for dim sum with a twist? Cherry Garden offers authentic Cantonese cuisine with modern interpretations. Expect unique items like crystal dumplings with mushrooms and black truffle, steamed Iberico pork ribs with black bean sauce, steamed wagyu beef dumpling and more. What do we love most about Cherry Garden? The weekend dim sum brunch, where you really can go for that fourth round of dumplings.
Cherry Garden, Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Marina Square, 5 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039797
Tang Tea House
Everyone knows Jalan Kayu for prata and teh tarik. But if you’re in need of something different, Tang Tea House offers fried chicken, crispy fried noodles and giant glasses of its signature drink, the Super Cooler (young coconut with a shot of wheatgrass). Of course, it also has a wide range of halal dim sum classics. Also, if you think Jalan Kayu is a little out of the way, check out the other branches in Bedok, Changi and Geylang.
Tang Tea House, multiple locations including Jalan Kayu and Geylang
Victor’s Kitchen
Despite being located pretty centrally in Chinatown and Bencoolen, this is probably the city’s best-kept secret. The signature carrot cake in XO sauce is a must-order – don’t share the small-ish bowl if you’re really hungry. Other standouts include king prawn chee cheong fun and xiao long bao.
Victor’s Kitchen, multiple locations including Sunshine Plaza and Chinatown Point
Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung is a classic, but for kid-friendly dim sum, we think it’s the best. Play it safe with xiao long bao, noodles, fried rice or other dumplings. Save the chicken feet, beef tripe and other adventurous stuff for when they’re older and game enough to take on a bigger palate.
Din Tai Fung, multiple locations including Wisma Atria and Paragon
Canton Paradise
Under the Paradise Group, which boasts other great Chinese restaurants, Canton Paradise is an all-day dim sum paradise. Wolf down classics like siew mai, pan-fried radish cake, char siew bun and xiao long bao. While you might be stuffed to the brim, we highly recommend you to order from the roasted meat menu. One word: Divine.
Canton Paradise, multiple locations including The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and Junction 8
Red Star Restaurant
Have your dim sum with a side of history! Red Star is run by the remaining chefs of the Four Heavenly Kings of Cantonese cuisine – a group that gained fame and multiple culinary awards in the 1970s. These are the same guys responsible for inventing the famous Singapore dishes we eat so regularly today: Chilli crab, yam ring and yu sheng. Today, Red Star is considered one of the more traditional and nostalgic restaurants for dim sum. For starters, it still employs traditional cart-pushing dim sum ladies like those in Hong Kong. The restaurant layout and recipes have remained unchanged since its opening more than 40 years ago. It’s truly the experience of ordering char siew bao and century egg congee from pushcarts and stations that you’re here for!
Red Star Restaurant, #07-23, 54 Chin Swee Road, Singapore 160054
Sum Yi Tai
Conceptualised to pay tribute to the decadent glamour of 1980s Hong Kong, Sum Yi Tai (meaning “third wife” in Cantonese) propels traditional Chinese cuisine into the realm of designer bars. For a slightly different experience to the wholesome family-friendly dim sum restaurants, this spot offers premium whiskey and fine wine to go along with classic Cantonese dishes.
Sum Yi Tai, 25 Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069622
Tim Ho Wan
Here’s your chance to get Michelin star-worthy dim sum. The reason why this joint has long queues all the time? It’s surprisingly affordable! Don’t leave without trying the 4 Heavenly Kings – it’s the resto’s signature char siew bun, chee cheong fan with pig’s liver, pan-fried carrot cake, and steamed egg cake.
Tim Ho Wan, multiple locations including Plaza Singapura and Great World City
Taste Paradise
Dubbed ‘Chinese cuisine with a difference’, Taste Paradise offers an elaborate menu of fine Cantonese and contemporary Chinese cuisine with an impressive array of the finest and most innovative dim sum and roast meats. You might want also want to try the famous XO carrot cake!
Taste Paradise, #04-07, Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
The Dim Sum Place
These guys have whipped out a great halal option for all dim sum lovers and those craving for authentic Cantonese cuisine. Chef recommendations include crystal shrimp dumpling, baked bun with roast duck filling, handmade beancurd with chicken and salted fish, and the delectable salted egg custard bun. It’s one of the best halal dim sum spots in Singapore, we’d say.
The Dim Sum Place, 791 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198759
Peach Garden @ Hotel Miramar
Oh, the swooshing soup. Sure, Peach Garden is one of the fancier Chinese restaurants in town, but the delightful soupy dumplings are out of this world. Got a mid-week craving? Douse it with XLBs at the daily dim sum brunch promotion. Trust us, it’s entirely worth it. Bring a friend, too – someone will need to roll you back to work.
Peach Garden @ Hotel Miramar, Hotel Miramar, Level 3, 401 Havelock Road, Singapore 169631
Ah, all that dim sum goodness! We hope you enjoyed our roundup of the best dim sum spots in Singapore.