The Yum Cha on offer in Sydney is undoubtedly some of the best in the entire country. Given this, it’s not surprising that the majority of the city’s residents are now well acquainted with Yum Cha culture. After all, when you have copious amounts of dim sum on offer at locations across the city, you’d be a fool not to try it.
Clearly, the wide range of Chinese yum cha eateries that have sprung up across Sydney are another sign of how diverse and all-embracing the city’s food culture is.
These restaurants are packed every weekend with families and groups of friends chowing down on some of the finest rice noodles, pork buns and dumplings that you’ll ever experience.
Expect your senses to be stimulated in every way. And whether you are grabbing some Yum Cha during your lunch hour or soaking up the hangover blues on a weekend, you are guaranteed to find a great Yum Cha kitchen in Sydney.
Read on to discover the 15 best places in the entire city to sample some dim sum delights.
Feel like whipping up some noodles yourself? See our simple Hokkien Noodles Recipe
East Phoenix
Location: East Village, 3/2A Defries Ave, Zetland, NSW 2017 Ph: (02) 9662 2088
You’ll find an extensive range of wonderful yum cha on offer at East Phoenix. In addition, as part of the renowned Phoenix Group, you can expect highly efficient service with reliably delicious food.
There is also a wide range of wine and spirits to choose from and the waiters are more than happy to offer recommendations.
They have a knack for combining traditional Chinese dishes with flavours more familiar to a Western palate.
We love the 3 Cup Chicken and the Singapore Noodles.
The Dynasty
Location: 26 Bridge Rd, Belmore, NSW 2192 Ph: (02) 9704 7704
This spot is considered one of the best Yum Cha restaurants in Sydney. Perhaps surprisingly, you’ll find it in the impressive Canterbury League Club. In fact, the dining room itself is rather gorgeous, being both sleek and evocative of a pagoda.
Football jokes aside, their prawn dumplings are steamed to perfection and their uniquely crafted turnip cakes are also utterly delicious.
Make sure that you try their traditional, barbecued pork buns to experience a flavour sensation like no other.
This part of town also has some great Lebanese Restaurants. For some recommendations, see here.
Uncle Ming’s Bar
Location: Ferrier Hare Accountant’s, Basement/55 York St, Sydney, NSW 2000
It took us all of 10 minutes at Uncle Ming’s to wonder why more bar don’t serve Dumplings along with their drinks.
OK. So this atmospheric basement drinking den has a distinct Chinese theme, so the Yum Cha menu makes perfect sense. But even so…
Grab a Tsingtao Beer ($11) or their peppery take on a spicy Margarita – The Sunday Szech ($24) – and get stuck into a steamer basket.
What to order? Well, we really like the Scallop & Prawn (4 for $13) and the 5 Spice Pork w/ Peanuts (4 for $13). Meanwhile, over on the Fried side of things, both the began-friendly Vegetable Spring Rolls (4 for $12) and the Takoyaki – Octopus Balls (6 for $12) are worth seeking out.
For more on the Best Cocktail Bars in Sydney, see here.
Zilver Restaurant
Location: Westfield Chatswood, level 6 600/1 Anderson St, Chatswood, NSW 2067 Ph: (02) 9211 2232
Editor’s Update: Previously in Haymarket, but now in smart new premises in Westfield Chatswood
This restaurant has been filling up happy stomachs since 2005. As such, it is sure to tantalise your tastebuds with its classic Yum Cha infused with a modernised twist.
You won’t be able to resist the smell of fresh seafood. Simply follow the delicious aromas to a table, order big and tuck in.
For authentic Thai food, see our guide to the Best Thai Restaurants in Sydney
Royal Palace Seafood Restaurant
Location: 393-399 Sussex St, Haymarket, NSW 2000 Ph: 0418 118 234
If the address looks familiar, that’s because the Royal Palace Seafood Restaurant is housed in the old Golden Century site. So it’s big. Huge, in fact.
For us, expectations are always high when we enter a Chinese restaurant and walk passed banks of live fish tanks. And thankfully, the Yum Cha doesn’t disappoint at this Cantonese venue.
Did you know that modern Rice Cookers can cook far more than simply perfect rice? Click here for more information and prices.
The Cheong Fun is a silken pillow of Rice Noodle, fat with juicy Prawns whilst the Salt and Pepper Calamari is textbook light.
What’s more, you can get a seriously satisfying feed here for comparatively little money. How good it that?
If long, food-filled gatherings are your kind of thing, see our recommendations for the Best Bottomless Brunches in Sydney
Sky Phoenix
Location: Westfield Sydney, Shop 600/188 Pitt St, Sydney, NSW 2000 Ph: (02) 9223 8822
We’re back in the heart of the CBD for the next of our best yum cha restaurants in Sydney.
A local favourite, it is another member of the Phoenix Group and is therefore a reputable venue that provides only the highest standards of service.
This establishment boasts a distinctly sophisticated ambience. Even so, you can kick back and enjoy a relaxed, nuanced vibe whilst enjoying some of the finest duck and pork in the Harbour City.
If you like plenty of spice in your food, check out our Best Indian Restaurants in Sydney
Mr. Wong
Location: Establishment Hotel, 3 Bridge Ln, Sydney, NSW 2000 Ph: (02) 9114 7317
If you don’t feel like the dim sum trolleys or a banquet style setting that is common amongst many of Sydney’s Yum Cha venues, then definitely pay a visit to Mr Wong.
Situated in a beautiful two-floor venue Mr. Wong is Cantonese cuisine re-imagined. Here you’ll find the very best dim sum dishes given a modern tweak. Eatability can wax lyrical for hours about their Barbecue Ducks alone.
Their incredible food coupled with their elite service has made this an award winning spot for good reason. Do not miss out! Mr Wong is definitely one of the best yum cha restaurants in Sydney.
For dim sum, gyoza and more, see our take on the Best Dumplings in Sydney
Sunny Harbour Seafood Restaurant
Location: Northpoint, Shop 18, 100 Miller St, Northpoint Tower, North Sydney, NSW 2060 Ph: (02) 9418 8287 & Also 8 Pitt St, Mortdale, NSW 2223 Ph: (02) 9570 9929
Head down to Sunny Harbour’s Seafood Restaurant to sample their irresistible prawn dumplings, Chinese donuts and every Yum Cha delicacy that you can possibly imagine.
If you fancy making Chinese food yourself at home, grab one of the following cookbooks and give it a go. It’s easier than you think!
This is the perfect choice for groups of friends and family alike. It also makes the perfect place to cure those winter blues with deliciously fresh seafood.
For more on North Sydney’s dynamic dining scene, click here.
Palace Chinese Restaurant
Location: Stockland Piccadilly Shopping Centre, Shop 38 Level 1 Piccadilly Tower, 133.145 Castlereagh St, Sydney, NSW 2000 Ph: (02) 9283 6288
This restaurant is frequently referred to as being one the best Chinese eateries in the whole city. It’s a bad claim. However, give their delicious Yum Cha a go and you’ll see why.
No wonder Palace Chinese is a favourite spot amongst the inner city crowd. Their extensive range Yum Cha will leave you feeling more than satisfied.
And if you’re feeling experimental, why not try their famous stir-fired kangaroo?
Do finger sandwiches and dainty pastries sound good? Then try our Best High Teas in Sydney
Mama Mulan
Location: The Concourse Chatswood, 1, The Concourse, Chatswood, NSW 2067 Ph: (02) 9157 1488
Yes, Chatswood still has plenty of hole-in-the-wall noodle spots, if that what’s you’re looking for. However, Mama Mulan is part of a new, exciting breed of Chinese restaurant.
The strikingly elegant, minimal (and huge) dining room is the first indication that Mama Mulan serves modern Chinese food. This includes ocean-fresh plates of seafood and bowls of hand-made noodles, as well as basket upon basket of tempting Yum Cha.
Whether you need a Dumpling Making Kits or a Vegetable Mandoline to slice your veggies super-finely, we can help. Click here for our full range of handy Kitchen Gadgets.
There are classics such as pork & prawn shumai and steamed BBQ pork buns. However, there are also more innovative morsels like their BBQ duck & spinach dumplings and steamed beef meatballs with bean curd.
Another bonus at Mama Mulan is that this eatery also revels in a contemporary drinks list. We’re particular fans of the cocktails with the Dragon Delight – Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower, Lychee, Passion Fruit & Vanilla.
Just remember that the Mama Mulan Yum Cha menu is only available at lunchtimes, or you may be disappointed. And you really don’t want to miss out on one of the finest yum cha restaurants in Sydney.
See our guide to the Best Restaurants on the Gold Coast.
The Eight
Location: 1909 Dining Precinct, Market City Shopping Centre, Level 3/13 Hay St, Haymarket, NSW 2000 Ph: (02) 9282 9988
Large and glamorous, this restaurant only serves intricate Yum Cha dishes, crafted by some of the finest chefs in Sydney. What’s more, The Eight only serves the highest quality, fresh produce sourced from local suppliers. And the resulting flavour bombs speak for themselves.
You would be foolish to miss out on the excellence on offer here if you are seeking authentic, Chinese delicacies. It’s one of the finest yum cha restaurants in Sydney.
Why not rustle up our Satay Chicken Noodles this weekend?
Iron Chef Chinese Restaurant
Location: Stardust Hotel, 84 Broomfield St, Cabramatta, NSW 2166 Ph: (02) 9723 6228
The steamed dumplings here are renowned for their plump excellence. Crammed with pork, prawn or vegetables and seasoned to perfection, they are pretty special.
Their fried calamari is also a favoured option and is perfectly crisp. In contrast, if you fancy something roasted, then definitely order their textbook-perfect pork belly or peking duck.
However, be aware that these roasted options are only available on certain days of the week, so be sure to call up in advance to double check which days these delicious dishes are available.
This restaurant’s reputation undoubtedly speaks for itself and you’ll soon see why when you wrap your jaws around the delightful Yum Cha options that are on offer here. All of their food is beautifully presented which is an added bonus.
For our pick of the Best Restaurants in Barangaroo, click this link.
Overall
Sydney’s food culture has become increasingly diversified and inclusive over recent years and the Yum Cha culture is evidence of this.
Whether you are seeking traditionally classic dishes like pork dumplings or stir-fry options or you are looking to be more experimental, you are guaranteed to find the right dish to suit you at one of the many restaurants that are listed above.
Chinese culture perfectly infuses intricate presentation with flavoursome excellence and this is why Yum Cha cannot be beaten in terms of the cultural experience that this food provides.
You are guaranteed to be served food that stimulates every sense and tantalises even the most hardened, westernised taste buds.
The waiters at these venues will also be more than willing to guide you through their extensive menus so you do not become overwhelmed if it is your first time sampling these staple dishes.
One thing is for certain, once you have engaged in a Yum Cha dining experience once, you’re guaranteed to be returning to these spots time and time again!
This is why I decided to set up my blog, Eatability, to share the best food and drink spots in Australia with as many people as possible. Hi, my name is Dylan Cole, and I moved to Australia five years ago from England, UK.
Through this blog, I will be sharing and recommending some of my favorite places you need to visit, such as where to find the best pizza in Adelaide, and the best bakery in Brisbane. Whatever food you are fancying, I have got you covered!
- The 10 Best Lebanese Restaurants In Sydney - June 19, 2026
- The 15 Best Bakeries In Brisbane - June 15, 2026
- The 15 Best Steaks In Sydney - June 11, 2026
Related Posts:
