Dylan YoungWhenever I’m in a foul mood, dim sum is always there to lift me up. Biting into a soup dumpling to let the hot, hearty soup wash down my throat or munching down on a fluffy bao with a delicately sweet red bean filling—oh, it feels like I’m getting a warm hug!
Luckily for me, Toronto has an abundance of dim sum spots. Plus, there’s always something new to check out and new favorites to add to the list!
So far, here are the dim sum spots in Toronto that I wholeheartedly recommend!
- Sue Fung’s Dimsum Canteen
- DaiLo
- Juicy Dumpling
- Dim Sum King Seafood Restaurant
- Dine and Dim
- Chi Dim Sum
- Moon Palace Cantonese Cuisine
- Rosewood Asian Cuisine
- Pearl Harbourfront Chinese Cuisine
- New Sky Restaurant
- August 8 Chinatown
- R&D
- Mother’s Dumplings
- Dumpling House Restaurant
- Crown Prince Fine Dining and Banquet
- Lee Chen Asian Bistro
Sue Fung’s Dimsum Canteen
– From: michlineats
Address: 356 College St
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Monday—10 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +14169686668
What I love about Sue Fung’s Dimsum Canteen is that the dishes are affordable and healthy. So I don’t feel bad when I order several rounds of dim sum!
One of my favorite things to get is the matcha soup dumpling. I never thought that green tea in my dumpling would taste so good, but I’m glad to be proven wrong.
Another one that I recommend is the baby squid in curry sauce with konjac noodles. It has the right amount of heat, and I love how springy the noodles are.
| Pro Tip: For your first order online, you’ll be able to get 20% off! |
DaiLo
– From: dailo.to
Address: 503 College St
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday—5 to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—5 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +16473418882
DaiLo specializes in Chinese cuisine, but they also infuse a few French influences to keep things interesting.
So far, I’ve loved the sunchoke dumplings, which are made of uni and sunchoke chips. I like that they have a subtle sweetness from the uni. These dumplings are also drenched in a light and savory cream.
The sweet and sour pork hock is another one of my recommendations. It’s served with pickled daikon, so it has a bit of tanginess as well.
| Pro Tip: If you want to host a special event here, send a request to [email protected]. |
Juicy Dumpling
– From: juicydumpling.ca
Address: 280 Spadina Ave., Dragon City Mall
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +16473525678
Juicy Dumpling delivers the authentic taste of Shanghai for an affordable price. This restaurant also has a casual environment, making it a perfect place to hang out with my friends after a long day at work.
I love getting their steamed soup dumplings. There’s just something so comforting about biting into the thin wrapper and sipping the hearty soup inside. I dump lots of chili sauce inside them so they become an explosion of spicy-savory goodness!
| Pro Tip: It tends to be busy around lunchtime, so I recommend coming earlier or sometime in the afternoon. |
Dim Sum King Seafood Restaurant
– From: itsyummylife
Address: 421 Dundas St W 3rd Floor, Maindale Mall
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165513366
Dim Sum King Seafood Restaurant is a hidden gem inside Maindale Mall. The interior is very homey and charming; it has the vibe of an apartment living room!
I recommend getting the deep-fried taro with meat. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory. I also love the steamed short ribs because the meat is so juicy and tender, and the sauce makes every bite sharp and peppery, with hints of spice.
| Pro Tip: I recommend coming here on a weekday because the place gets packed during the weekend. |
Dine and Dim
– From: nomegranate
Address: 633 Gerrard St E
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11 am to 10 pm
- Friday—11 am to 12 am
- Saturday—10 am to 12 am
- Sunday—10 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14164638778
Lobster is the main specialty at Dine and Dim, but the dim sum is noteworthy as well. The best part is that dim sum is available even late at night, so I can satisfy my cravings no matter what time.
You can’t go wrong with the shrimp dumpling—plump and juicy, with notes of sweetness.
I also love ordering the spring roll. It’s perfectly crispy on the outside and savory and succulent inside. Dipping it into a chili sauce elevates the flavors even further.
| Pro Tip: On the second floor of the building, there’s a karaoke bar. It’s the perfect place to unwind with your loved ones and sing your hearts out. |
Chi Dim Sum
Address: 2425 Yonge St
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11 am to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +14164831812
Enjoy the very best of Asian fusion dim sum at Chi Dim Sum! This restaurant has options for all; even people on a diet can enjoy a meal here because there are healthy dim sum choices.
My go-to order is the chicken pot stickers. I love how crispy the bottom is and how juicy it is when you bite into it.
The pork bun is also a must-try. The meat filling is roasted pork, so it has a lovely charred flavor with a bit of sweetness. Meanwhile, the steamed bun is so fluffy that it’s like biting into a pillow.
| Pro Tip: To secure your spot, book your reservation ahead of time (at least 24 hours before). |
Moon Palace Cantonese Cuisine
– From: moon_palace_toronto
Address: 40 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11 am to 3 pm, 4 to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 3 pm, 4 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165515666
If you prefer the Cantonese iterations of dim sum, then you’ll love Moon Palace. This restaurant also exudes a cozy, almost rustic feel, so you can pretend that you’re eating dim sum somewhere in Guangdong or Hong Kong.
I love getting their steamed chicken buns (which have a strong ginger taste) and the Chinese BBQ pork buns (savory and smoky).
If you’re a big dessert enthusiast, I recommend getting the steamed black sugar sponge cake. The cake itself is light and bouncy, and despite the name, it isn’t too sweet, which I appreciate.
| Pro Tip: Planning a party soon? You can order from their party takeout menu. |
Rosewood Asian Cuisine
– From: rosewoodcuisine
Address: 463 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—10 am to 3 am
- Saturday and Sunday—9 am to 3 am
Contact Number: +14165939998
Rosewood Asian Cuisine is another great place if you prefer Cantonese dim sum. This restaurant is also perfect for people who are prone to late-night cravings because it’s up until the wee hours of the morning!
I always stuff my face with the Shanghai soup dumpling; I can’t get enough of the savory soup and juicy meat filling!
For something sweet, I order the custard bun. The bun is soft and fluffy, and the custard inside is silky smooth and subtly sweet.
| Pro Tips: Feeling hungry? This restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat promo! I recommend coming here on a weekday because that’s when the promo price is cheaper.Upstairs is a bar called Bar Rose. There, you can help yourself to tea-infused cocktails after eating your fill of dim sum. |
Pearl Harbourfront Chinese Cuisine
– From: pearl_harbourfront
Address: 207 Queens Quay W, #200 Queen’s Quay Terminal
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—11 am to 9:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—10:30 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +14162031235
Located at Queen’s Quay Terminal, Pearl Harbourfront is best known for its Peking duck. But personally, I love it for its varied selection of delicious dim sum items.
The shrimp and pork wonton is usually my go-to order because it tastes sweet and savory at the same time. Plus, the ginger onion sauce it comes with adds an oomph that elevates the dumplings.
I also love getting the sesame ball with black sesame filling. It’s chewy and sweet—the perfect meal-ender.
| Pro Tip: Boasting a panoramic view of the harbor, this restaurant is the perfect venue for special events. |
New Sky Restaurant
– From: restaurantnewsky
Address: 353 Spadina Ave.
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11 am to 11:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 12:30 am
Contact Number: +14165968787
New Sky Restaurant is far from the cozy spot I love to go to chill, but all the noise and bustle are now part of the charm for me. There are always large groups and families hanging out here, and it’s pleasant to see.
My favorite thing to order is the Szechuan chicken because it packs quite a lot of heat. I also really like the lobster with ginger and green onion. This one is also a little bit spicy, but it complements the lobster’s mellow and slightly sweet flavor.
| Pro Tip: I recommend reserving your spot beforehand if you’re coming with a group. You can do so by calling in. |
August 8 Chinatown
– From: august8restaurant
Address: 331 Spadina Ave.
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday—11:30 am to 11 pm
- Thursday to Saturday—11:30 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +14165972288
Looking for an all-you-can-eat spot where you can eat as many dim sum items as you want? August 8 Chinatown is what you’re looking for!
I always go for the steamed squid because it’s drenched in a lovely curry sauce that’s aromatic and spicy. I recommend the beef balls as well. They’re so bouncy and juicy, and I love dipping them into the chili sauce for an extra kick of heat.
For dessert, get the green tea mochi, which is super chewy and stretchy, and the matcha filling is earthy and sweet.
| Pro Tip: The price for lunch on a weekday is the cheapest of all options. |
R&D
– From: rdspadina
Address: 241 Spadina Ave.
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday—5 to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday—5 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165861241
R&D captured the attention of the Michelin Guide, so you can just expect that this place is worth the hype. Plus, if you’re an avid MasterChef Canada viewer, you’ll be happy to know that it’s owned by Chef Eric Cheong, the first winner, and one of the judges, Chef Alvin Leung!
Grandpa’s Fun Guo is my ultimate recommendation here. The chicken filling is tender and juicy, and it’s also mixed with brown butter leeks and black truffle, so it has strong notes of earthy, nutty, and buttery flavors.
The kalbi beef bao is another must-try. It’s made with beef short rib and kimchi, so the flavors are rich, tangy, and spicy.
| Pro Tip: To make your meal even tastier, order a glass of wine or sake. |
Mother’s Dumplings
– From: tastetoronto
Address: 421 Spadina Ave.
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11:30 am to 9:30 pm
- Friday to Sunday—11:15 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14162172008
Mother’s Dumplings is another restaurant that’s recognized by the Michelin Guide. It’s also been named one of the best Chinese restaurants in the city by various publications, such as Toronto Life Magazine, Toronto Star, and Now Magazine!
One dumpling that has made its way to my favorites is the steamed tofu dumpling. This one is mixed with vegetable noodles and melon chunks, which seems like an odd combination to me, but it works so well. The noodles are springy, and the melon adds a lovely sweetness to every bite.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant sells frozen dumplings in bags. I recommend buying a pack to cook at home! |
Dumpling House Restaurant
– From: chopstixinthesix
Address: 328 Spadina Ave.
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11 am to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +14165968898
Dumpling House Restaurant went from a humble joint with eight items on its menu to a bustling spot with a whopping 88 menu options! Since this restaurant boasts cheap prices, it’s become popular among students and other people on a budget.
The main specialty here is the pan-fried dumplings. They get so crispy on the bottom but still chewy and juicy on the inside. These dumplings get even more delicious when you dip them into the signature sauce, which adds an umami kick to every bite.
| Pro Tip: Keep in mind that only cash is accepted here. |
Crown Prince Fine Dining and Banquet
– From: foodie._.in._.a._.hoodie
Address: 3600 Victoria Park Ave, New World Plaza, North York
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—10 am to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—9 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14164908893
Thinking of trying a fancy dim sum experience? Then you might want to try the Crown Prince Fine Dining and Banquet at New World Plaza.
I’ve grown to like the steamed shrimp and sea cucumber dumpling. At first, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the sea cucumber’s texture, but eventually, I got the taste for it. It also helps that the shrimp’s subtle sweetness is the main highlight.
For dessert, I recommend trying the durian puff pastry. The durian flavor is strong but not overpowering, which I appreciate because I usually can’t stand its taste and aroma.
| Pro Tip: Call the restaurant if you want to book a reservation for group dining. |
Lee Chen Asian Bistro
– From: leechenbistroto
Address: 214 King St W
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:15 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +14165198688
What I love about Lee Chen Asian Bistro is that it exudes a warm atmosphere, on top of serving delicious food. As a result, I always feel at home here!
I love getting the classic options like soup dumplings and siu mai, but my favorite offering here is the salty glutinous rice roll with pork floss. It’s so fun to eat, and I find the texture of the pork floss interesting.
The scallion pancake is a great one to get as well. It’s a savory flatbread that’s versatile; you can eat it as is, but for me, I pair it with dumplings and other meat dim sum items.
| Pro Tip: Do you want to learn some of the dishes served here? The restaurant’s website has a few recipes you can try. |
