15 best dim sum spots in New York City

15 best dim sum spots in New York City

The dim sum scene in New York is amazing! Chinatowns in Sunset Park, along with other locations, offer some of the best dim sums in the city. You can find scrumptious dim sum at both century-old eateries in the historic lanes of New York as well as at fancy Michelin-star restaurants. Here is a list of the best dim sum restaurants in New York.

15. Golden Unicorn

A cozy restaurant located in New York’s Chinatown, it serves authentic Chinese and Cantonese cuisine. Some of the most popular dishes include steamed shrimp dumplings, pork buns, and Chinese turnip cakes. With multiple floors and a spacious seating area, it’s perfect for accommodating large groups.

14. Buddha Bodai

This is a kosher and vegetarian Chinese restaurant, which honestly comes as a ray of hope for vegetarian dim sum lovers in New York. You can enjoy a wide variety of plant-based dim sums, like their popular vegetarian 'meat' bun, and vegetarian 'shrimp' dumplings.

13. The Bao

The Bao is a casual and cozy eatery that has gained popularity for its dim sum and buns. It is one of the most popular Chinese restaurants in all of New York. The quality of their dim sums is top-notch and their Xiao Long Bao is one of the most famous items on the menu. You can also their relish pancakes here!

12. Nom Wah Tea Parlor

This is one of the oldest dim sum parlors in the city, originally starting as a tea shop in 1920. It is located on the 200-foot-long Doyers Street, which was once referred to as the 'Bloody Angle' due to the famous gang violence that occurred here. Nom Wah has a reputation for making mooncakes. But now, the only thing that you have to fight here for is the waiting list for this spot.

11. Yin Ji Chang Fen

Located in Downtown Manhattan, this Guangzhou-based restaurant chain specializes in rice noodle rolls, a staple of dim sum. The rice noodles are made thin and crepe-like, then folded and placed over a variety of fillings. Here, these noodles are served in seventeen different variations, along with a selection of snacks on the menu.

10. Jing Fong

This eatery has been serving authentic Chinese food for the last 40 years and is located in Chinatown. It was originally an 800-seater banquet hall, which closed down during the pandemic. However, another Jing Fong was opened in Chinatown, which turned out to be one of the greatest places to eat dim sum, pork buns, and plump shrimp shumai.

9. 88 Palace

Located inside a shopping mall, 88 Palace is a hidden gem in New York City's dim sum scene. Traditional dim sum carts roll through the restaurant, carrying steaming hot dumplings. Their pork ribs with black beans and light taro puffs are among the most popular items on the menu.

8. Dim Sum Palace

This restaurant has four locations in Manhattan, New York City. It offers a dim sum happy hour on weekdays, where you can enjoy scrumptious dim sum at lower prices. The most popular items on the menu include taro dumplings and pork congee, both of which are equally delicious.

7. Dim Sum Go Go

Located on East Broadway in New York, this modern spot showcases what innovative dumplings look like. While still serving its regulars, it also offers an array of healthy, highly Westernized dishes that New Yorkers love. The best part about this place is that you can try their pocket-friendly sample platters before deciding whether to order a full main course.

6. Awesum Dimsum

Recently, it opened a new location in Times Square. It serves dumplings in the evening, with har gow and sour dumplings available until 8:30 PM—both customer favorites. Here, you have to order your dim sum on a touchscreen, which might make you miss the old paper menu, but once your food arrives, you’ll leave with a smile.

5. Red Farm

Ever since its opening in 2011, the popularity of this restaurant has continued to grow. Situated on the Upper East Side, it offers modern and innovative Chinese cooking to diners. You'll get a fresh take on traditional Chinese dumplings, which will be both scrumptious and refreshing to taste.

4. Asian Jewels Seafood

This upscale restaurant is a New Yorker's dream. You'll find the most exquisite and fancy dumplings here. You might want to book a table in advance, as the crowd here can be quite overwhelming. On the other hand, the dumplings served here are simple yet refreshing.

3. Shanghai 21

All the dishes here are prepared with fresh ingredients. Though Shanghai 21 is not your typical dumpling house, the dim sum here will leave your taste buds dancing. Apart from dim sum, you can also enjoy a traditional Korean BBQ at this place. The atmosphere is light-hearted and lively, and their pan-fried pork buns are extremely popular.

2. Dim Sum Sam

This is a newcomer that's making its mark! The interiors here are minimal, and the place also has a cashier to order from, along with a Flatiron address. Enjoy piping hot dumplings or buns with a cold beverage like bubble tea. Some of the most popular items are BBQ pork buns, shrimp dumplings, and roasted duck with vegetables.

1. House of Joy

This is a traditional, cart-style-dumpling venue where most of the New Yorkers prefer to have dumplings. You will always find this place crowded and you might have to share a table with strangers, in case you wish to eat quickly. Apart from dumplings, enjoy sweet black sesame rolls and red rice noodles.