15 Restaurants For The Best Dim Sum In NYC (2024)

New York’s Manhattan is home to the largest Chinatown in the United States, and that there’s no shortage of incredible food and dim sum options to be devoured. Between holes in the wall that serve mouthwatering Cantonese cuisine to food halls and two-story buffets boasting all your favs, it can definitely be hard to choose where to go.

To make your search easier, we’ve put together a list of our the best dim sum restaurants in NYC. From xiaolongbao and har gao to steamed buns and turnip cakes, here are some of our favorite spots:

1. Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Chinatown

For over 100 years, Nom Wah has been serving incredible classics like turnip cakes, shrimp dumplings, chicken feet, and more. But it’s not just the food that calls to us, it’s the ambiance as well. Nom Wah’s vintage interior and excellent outdoor seating keep us coming back despite the weekend wait. With over 40 dishes to choose from, you’re sure to find a new favorite every visit.

P.S. – more of our fav Chinatown restaurants can be found here.

Where: 13 Doyers St

2. Dim Sum Go Go, Chinatown

No dim sum lover’s go-to list is complete without this spot. Over 20 types of dumplings are organized into newbie-friendly categories, and if you’re bringing a friend you can’t go wrong with their 10-dumpling sampler. Personally, we recommend trying the pork spring rolls, their shumai, and their stunning Three Star dumplings, which are like tiny works of art.

Where: 5 E Broadway

3. Tim Ho Wan, East Village & Hell’s Kitchen

Hailing from Hong Kong, Tim Ho Wan brings affordable, Michelin Star-worthy dim sum to the NYC foodie scene. Their famous pork buns and turnip cakes are to die for, but you’re sure to find something you love with nearly 30 options to choose from. They call themselves the dim sum specialists, and honestly, we stand behind that! A bit of advice–come after peak hours for a calmer dining experience shorter wait.

Where:

East Village – 85 4th Ave

Hell’s Kitchen – 610 9th Ave

4. Asian Jewels, Flushing

This delicious spot is tucked away by the Flushing River on the edge of an industrial district. But step inside and you’ll be blown away by the glitz and glamour of the decor. Once the authentic Cantonese dumplings start rolling by on carts, and you won’t be able to resist. From perfect shrimp dumplings to pan-fried stuffed eggplant to the sticky rice in banana leaves, Asian Jewels is a must-stop for quality dim sum in NYC.

Where: 133-30 39th Ave

5. Shanghai 21, Chinatown

With both classic dim sum and some beyond-the-basics options, Shanghai 21 is the perfect spot for both a quick bite and a long lunch. Shanghai is a popular spot, so you should expect to have to wait, but the black truffle soup dumplings or the perfectly crispy scallion pancakes make the wait beyond worth it!

Where: 21 Mott St

6. Dim Sum Palace, Multiple locations

No stranger to NYC, this family-operated dim sum and Cantonese restaurant has opened eight locations in the past six years. The upscale restaurant will be open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, but similar to traditional dim sum places of the past, they’ll also serve their delicious dim sum until 4a.m.! Their food is always fresh and handmade, and they offer mouthwatering dishes such as seafood stir-fry, shumai, and BBQ pork buns.

Where: Multiple locations

7. Golden Unicorn, Chinatown

Around since 1989, Golden Unicorn is the place to go if you’re looking for classy banquet-style dining and authentic Cantonese-style food. There’s two floors, one featuring fancy Chinese decor and the other decorated in damask and recessed lighting. They have a massive menu for you to choose from, with everything from black sesame rolls to spare ribs to even vegetarian offerings. If you come with a group–or just aren’t sure what to pick–there’s several options for platters, too! Pick 3, 5, or 10 of their dim sum offerings and get ready to dig in!

Where: 18 E Broadway

8. RedFarm, West Village & UWS

RedFarm is one of the newer restaurants on our list, but don’t let that fool you–they still serve up some incredible dim sum in NYC, featuring farm-to-table sensibility and local bites. Their soup dumplings are a must-try, as are their pastrami eggroll. But realistically, every dish is incredible and well worth the wait for a table. If you can, try and reserve a seat early–the outdoor seating at the UWS location is a great option in good weather!

Where: West Village – 529 Hudson St. / UWS – 2170 Broadway

9. Little Alley, Murray Hill

Little Alley’s Shanghai emphasis brings bold, toothsome flavor to NYC. You’ll love the gorgeous interior that lends a cozy vibe to your meal, and serve up delicious food such as Little Alley Pig Ear or their absolutely delicious Shanghai Shumai. Whether you make a meal of their dim sum and appetizers or dip into their main dishes (we suggest the Chinese Sausage Fried Rice), you’ll easily understand why they’re one of the best places for dim sum in NYC.

Where: 550 3rd Ave

10. Royal Seafood, Chinatown

Royal Seafood is widely regarded as one of the best dim sum restaurants in NYC. You’ll get the classic dim sum experience, with carts full of incredible dishes speeding back and forth across the restaurant. Here, they blend classic and modern dim sum offerings, and what guests can expect is classic shumai next to pea shoot dumplings, braised tripe, custard pies, and so much more.

Where: 103 Mott St

11. Jing Fong, UWS & Chinatown

Jing Fong has been serving delicious food in NYC since 1978, and each weekend they draw quite the crowd. Throughout the years they’ve become a community fixture and, becoming well-recognized among the Chinese community and local New Yorkers. And it’s no surprise why–their traditional Chinese dining experience in its grand dining hall makes for the perfect meal.

Where:

UWS – 380 Amsterdam Ave

Chinatown – 202 Centre St

12. Shanghai You Garden, Flushing

Shanghai You Garden opened in 2016 right in the heart of Flushing where they’ve been serving authentic Shanghainese food ever since. They’re known for their Xiao Long Bao’s (soup dumplings)–which are an absolute must-try–but also serve a full selection of authentic Shanghainese dishes. You can even get some of their frozen dim sum to go!

Where: 135-33 40th Rd

13. Hey Yuet, Chelsea

Hey Yuet offers a fresh take on dishes that you may not find in other restaurants, such as black baos colored with powdered charcoal and filled with salted egg yolk custard. But don’t worry, even with their innovative dishes they also serve all the classics, such as steamed chicken feet, rice rolls, and turnip cakes.

Where: 251 W 26 St

14. Ping’s, Chinatown

Ping’s has been a Chinatown favorite for quite some time, and the quality of their Hong Kong fare makes it easy to see why. They offer an extensive menu of traditional dim sum and fresh seafood specialties, always served fresh and hot. Because they’re so good you’re likely to have to wait a bit for a table, but the way will be well worth it!

Where: 22 Mott St

15. Pacific Palace, Borough Park

Tucked away in Brooklyn you’ll find Pacific Palace, where you can find some deliciously mouthwatering dim sum. From taro pork puffs and crab meat and pork soup dumplings to roast duck, pig feet, and the most delicious noodles, this is a must-add to your must-visit dim sum list.

Where: 813 55th St