Kandice VincentChinese cuisine came to Toronto in the mid-19th century and its influence grew with the development of Chinatown in the 20th century. We’ve got a lot to be thankful for, and to celebrate this, we’re devoting this article to dim sum spots.
In the mood for spring rolls, dumplings, and and wontons? We’ve rounded up the best dim sum restaurants in Toronto with siu mai that’ll make you go “Oh my!”
What is the average price of a dim sum meal in Toronto?
The average price of a dim sum meal in Toronto typically ranges from $6 to $10 per order. Note that diners in our listed restaurants may have more than one order, with a total ranging from $30 to $90 depending on the item.
How We Chose the Best Dim SUm Restaurants in Toronto
1. Rosewood Asian Cuisine
Nestled in the heart of Chinatown, Rosewood Asian Cuisine stands out as a go-to spot for delectable all-day dim sum experiences. By day, guests indulge in their extensive dim sum offerings, and in the evening, savor the delights of an all-you-can-eat feast.
Must-try dishes include the Shrimp Paste on Egg Tofu, Five Spice Beef Tendon, and the flavorful Shanghai Soup Dumplings. For a better dining experience, secure reservations for the upper-level mezzanine.
With a spacious two-level setup accommodating up to 200 guests, Rosewood has the classic dim sum tables equipped with Lazy Susans, perfect for large groups. The venue’s grandeur is accentuated by a massive chandelier suspended from the ceiling.
For dinner, the AYCE option is priced at $25.99 on weekdays and $27.99 on weekends. The menu includes delights like deep-fried taro and pork dumplings, five-spice squid tentacles, and innovative baked BBQ pork buns encased in a pineapple bun.
Guests look forward to the richness of the BBQ pork buns with their tangy sauce. Others prefer going right for the satisfyingly thick and glutinous steamed rice rolls available with various fillings.
Pros
- All-You-Can-Eat (AYCE) buffet
- Accepts reservations
- Has Wi-Fi
- High chairs are available
Cons
- No food cart service is available
- A bit pricier than other spots
- Drinks not included in the AYCE
Large portions, AYCE offerings, reasonable ala carte prices
“My only regret with Rosewood is how many times I’ve simply walked past this place over the years.
Dim sum here is absolutely incredible! The quality of food, portions, and flavour are all excellent! The main standouts from what we tried being the beef ho fun (super smokey flavor), sticky rice (good amount of meat and tea flavor seeped to there center with the meats) and the fries squid tentacles (different from anywhere else, they have an slight curry flavor and sweetness to them).
You can order a la carte but they also offer ayce at a very reasonable price – but be sure to finish all your food for ayce or you will have to pay extra, but luckily some dishes are a little smaller – good idea to check with your server.
Dim sum is served all day and open late. Definitely the best dim sum I’ve had downtown and my new favourite/go to! Highly recommend!”
Ben Pro, Google Review
Good food, opens late, prices slightly higher
“Not the best dim sum, but it always hits the spot. Opened late and this is my go to late night spot after a night of drinking. This place unfortunately is not cheap. They have the typical dim sum spread and even have rice rolls available late at night. My typical go to dishes are the turnip cakes and pork ribs on rice.
Would recommend to those looking to get their dim sum fix after a night out.”
Simon W, Google Review
2. Rol San
A beloved fixture in Chinatown, Rol San stands out as a bustling hub for all-day dim sum. It gained fame for its backroom celebrations, particularly after the Raptors’ win, as immortalized by Serge Ibaka.
Located in the heart of Chinatown, this spot welcomes groups of friends to indulge in a variety of dishes, with the added temptation of eating during late-night hours. Must-tries include the Chicken Feet in Chef’s Sauce and the Deep Fried Squid Tentacles.
They still attract attention with their iconic neon lobster and fish signs proudly flashing on the exterior. The dining room may be on the cozier side, with diners spread across two rows of booths and tables along the walls.
Maintaining its no-fuss atmosphere, Rol San continues to offer the classic eats that have made it a hit since its start in 1994. Rol San draws in loyal patrons eager to savor BBQ pork buns, shrimp shumai, and Cantonese-style fried noodles.
Pros
- Highchairs are available
- Wheelchair-accessible
- Paid parking
- Serves alcohol
Cons
- No reservations unless large groups
- Cash and VISA only, no debit card, no Mastercard
- Lines can be long
- Parking can be difficult
New location, smaller seating, old favourites
“Our go to for years. New location has limited seating compared to the old one. Hour limit has been set during peak hours. Selection is smaller then a couple of years ago but still has all the favourites.
Order:
Bean curd rolls in oyster sauce:
Done perfectly with the right amount of filling & sauce.
Steamed Curry Cuttlefish:
Oh so tender ! Huge portions. Curry sauce is so flavourful.
Stuffed bean curd with shrimp paste:
Deep fried not greasy. Generous shrimp stuffing
Chicken feet in chef sauce:
Sweet & savoury. They do this dish justice compared to most dim sum places.
Fried Shrimp dumplings:
Although tasty an abundance of shrimp a tad over fried so very tough skin. Served with mayo
Spare Ribs in black bean sauce:
Very flavourful and garlicky. Some were chewy but didn’t disappoint.
Food is served piping hot and comes out fast. Service is efficient & friendly enough. They add 15% tip to your bill so don’t double tip unless you want to.”
sistah love, Google Review
Good food, long lines, one-hour seating limit
“My parents, being retired, came here earlier than we agreed to. They were seated and, while they were waiting for us, were told there was a one hour seating limit. Okay, not really a problem except my family wasn’t there yet.
Aside from that, this is the first time coming here since the pandemic and at their new location. The food is fine and the service is good as well. We noticed there was an extremely long line inside and outside the restaurant while we were eating. I guess that explains the one hour limit.
The two options to pay are cash and Visa (on orders over $20). At least that was according to a sign I saw outside. Their machine doesn’t have tap enabled so you won’t be able to use a mobile wallet (no Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay). Fortunately, I bring a physical card with me in case of these situations. Not sure what would happen if I didn’t have a backup card and only had my mobile wallet.”
Jonathan Lau, Google Review
3. August 8
August 8 in Chinatown offers all-you-can-eat dim sum and sushi. Highlights include Steamed Pork Shiu Mai, Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce, and creative sushi like Daikon Rolls with various flavors.
This AYCE restaurant, with locations in Toronto, Brampton, Hamilton, and Burlington, stands out with its iPad ordering system for sushi, dim sum, and more. The interior has a cute navy theme reminiscent of classic dim sum spots.
Explore tempura options like crab, yam, and shrimp. Guests tend to make sure they don’t miss the red dragon roll and diverse sushi choices, including one-piece orders and unique “pizzas” with vegetarian options.
Patrons savor thick and even slices of sashimi, including fish, octopus, and fake crab, all kept cool on ice. August 8 is also licensed, offering daily drink specials starting from $4.99.
Pros
- AYCE lunch and dinner offerings
- Wi-Fi is available
- Fast service
Cons
- 2-hour seating limit
- Can get full very fast
- Washrooms can get a bit neglected
Great ambiance, good tea, quick service
“Came for AYCE with a friend. They also have a small dimsum selection.
Interior is chic & displays a lot of similar Japanese art work.
The green tea was delicious, would like to buy a box for myself.
The servers are well spoken & attentive.
It got quite busy with dinner service and all of the staff seemed to work at pace.
The food came out quickly and the plates are very aesthetically pleasing.
Chris our server was kind and funny.
He offered us more ice cream after we ordered one of each flavour which made us laugh because we were so full.
Thank you Chris ! We’ll see you again!”
onnara kim, Google Review
Packed house, flavourful food, smaller portions than expected
“We came here at lunchtime on a Sunday but ordered dinner menu since we’re sashimi lovers! Lol
The restaurant was rather busy with almost all tables full, so they had 2-hour limited seating, but since there were no shortage of tables while we were having lunch, they didn’t ask us to leave.
I have been to multiple locations of August 8 and I like the vibe and love their special maki rolls; Princes Roll, Torched Red Dragon Roll, Green Dragon Roll.
The appetizers and tempuras are of good quality. Sashimi’s we ordered were fresh.
The only thing you need to consider when ordering your food is that the service can be slow sometimes, so you need to know how much you can eat and order the most of it on the first round”
Alaleh, Google Review
4. Sue Fung’s Dim Sum Canteen
Sue Fung’s Dim Sum Canteen brings Cantonese dim sum to downtown Toronto with a casual, self-serve experience. Led by Jimmy He, Irene Jia, and Peter Chen, it’s the urban counterpart to Providential 9 in Markham, focusing on simplicity and affordability.
The interior, inspired by wabi-sabi, offers a spacious, comfortable ambiance. Sue Fung’s commitment to sustainability is evident with eco-friendly dinnerware.
The short-but-sweet menu features handpicked favorites from Providential 9, including exclusive items for Sue Fung’s. Guests like to indulge in classic dim sum like Har Gow, Siu Mai, and BBQ Pork Buns.
Their unique offerings include the Baked Whole Abalone Tart with Minced Pork and Matcha Soup Dumplings. Dessert options feature Fresh Egg Tarts, Fried Sesame Rice Balls, and weekend-exclusive Mango Mochis.
Guests can refresh with Chinese teas or explore to-go options, including cold-pressed juices and local alcoholic drinks. Sue Fung’s also introduces grab-to-go cold-brewed teas and frozen dim sum products from Providential 9.
Pros
- Fresh ingredients used
- Free condiments to customise spice preferences
- Paid parking available
Cons
- Can be pricier than others
- Erratic service speed
- Portions a bit small
Great food, quick service, paid parking
“Came here for a quick lunch to go. Service was friendly and prompt. The interior was simple but executed in a way that made it look beautiful and well though. Making the simple look beautiful isn’t easy.
I have been wanting something dim sum related for a few weeks now. I tried the Shrimp & Minced Pork Dumpling W/ Black Roes (Sui Mai). I got the 4 piece option. I think they were good but nothing special. I wonder if they were smaller pieces if that would have made them better.
Parking: Paid parking lot down the street and paid street parking.”
Duane Brown, Google Review
Flavourful food choices, great in-house beverages, can be pricey
“Finally got around to trying this spot. As a die-hard dim sum afficionado, I was really excited to see someone trying to put a new twist on the old classics, but the experience was a little lacking.
Food overall was good – we tried the siu mai, har gow, sticky rice, mushroom snow pea shoot dumplings, and beef short ribs. Flavours and textures were spot-on, though I found some of the “elevated” touches like foie gras and caviar on the siu mai had little effect on the end product. The house made infused teas are also very good.
My biggest complaint is that the experience doesn’t live up to the price tag or the fanciness of the ingredients. It’s basically a slightly fancier cafeteria, complete with trays to carry your food back to your table and disposable dishes that stick to the dumpling wrappers and cause them to fall apart. For nearly $90 for two people after tax and tip for dim sum and two iced teas, I don’t see myself going back anytime soon.”
Isabelle Boucher, Google Review
5. Mother’s Dumplings
Mother’s Dumplings is a family-run Chinese spot known for hearty whole-wheat handmade dumplings. Standouts include boiled pork and dill dumplings, with frozen options available.
The cozy space offers an authentic Chinese experience, focusing on homemade food with a simple menu. Dumpling choices range from steamed, boiled, and pan-fried varieties, all around $5 for 10 pieces.
Beyond dumplings, Mother’s menu features Tomato Soup, Beef-Onion Rolls, Steamed Buns, and the crowd-favorite Green-Onion Pancake. Prices are reasonable, with the large Tomato Soup at $4.79.
Guests often order their notable dishes like Pork & Dill Dumplings, known for their zesty flavor, and the Green-Onion Pancake, thicker and crispier for that special touch.
Pros
- Different food options
- Quick service
- High chairs are available
- Dogs are allowed
Cons
- May be busy, especially during peak hours
- Flavours may differ from time to time
Great food, vegetarian options, accepts cash and other forms of payment
“Came after years and loved it! Perfect place for dumplings in chinatown, and most importantly, delicious vegetarian options!
We ordered the eggplant entree, bok choi tofu steamed dumplings and boiled chive dumplings for veggie options. Sesame balls were great as well! Another notable experience was they they give you chinese tea upon seating. The vibe is great (not too cramped), you can see the chefs cooking, and they accept all types of payments (important to note because other nearby dumpling houses we considered were cash only, which ultimately led us here!).
Cannot wait to return here very soon and order even more.”
Ayesha Madan, Google Review
Clean and spacious, may be bland for some, friend pancakes not as large
“Immediately once you come in you notice the place is clean, spacious for a Toronto restaurant and inviting. There is even a glass window to allow you to see someone hand making the dumplings.
When it came to the food I did notice the quality of the noodles in my jian noodles, it definitely tasted handmade but the sauce was a little saucy and lacked flavour.
The soup dumplings tasted as if it was made from scratch but it lacked soup, I was really looking forward to slurping up some nice flavoured soup.
Note the fried pancakes are very small! The menu photo is slightly deceiving and the taste was a little on the mediocre side.
On the one side I really did appreciate the Service everyone was kind and attentive.
Overal 3.5 stars. Good service. Good food, but could be better”
Kenneth Chu, Google Review
