Last updated: March 20, 2023
Yum cha is a Chinese dining experience like no other, and luckily Sydney has no shortage of restaurants where you can enjoy tasty prawn dumplings, pork buns, braised chicken feet, and custard tarts.
We have visited and reviewed nine of the best yum cha restaurants in Sydney, based on variety of food, quality of service provided, atmosphere, pricing, and so much more.
Keep reading and find out where you can indulge in the best dim sum dishes in the Sydney area!
Top 9 Sydney Yum Cha:
Yum Cha Restaurant | Where | |
---|---|---|
1 | Palace Chinese Restaurant | Sydney CBD |
2 | Mr Wong | Sydney CBD |
3 | The Eight | Haymarket |
4 | East Phoenix | Zetland |
5 | Golden Unicorn | Maroubra |
6 | Mama Mulan | Chatswood |
7 | Star Capital Seafood Restaurant | Chatswood |
8 | The Dynasty | Belmore |
9 | Vinh Phat | Cabramatta |
Top 9 Sydney Yum Cha
Here we go, nine fantastic yum cha restaurants in and around Sydney, perfect for a friends or family lunch session.
For more information about opening hours, address details, and menus, click on the more-info link below each Sydney yum cha restaurant.
1. Palace Chinese Restaurant
Located in the Piccadilly Tower in the heart of the Sydney CBD, Palace Chinese Restaurant serves traditional and modern Cantonese cuisine to suit any occasion. More importantly, Palace offers an excellent yum cha experience seven days a week.
Their characteristic red and gold dining room sets the right tone and mood, with a wide range of delicious dim sum dishes at your disposal to satisfy your taste buds.
Like many other yum cha restaurants, Palace tends to get quite busy, but their prompt service is always up for the challenge.
Address: | Level 1, Piccadilly Twr, 133-145 Castlereagh St, Sydney (map) |
More info: | Palace Chinese Restaurant |
2. Mr Wong
Yum cha at Mr Wong might be a slightly different experience than a traditional Cantonese yum cha session, but the food is fantastic.
You won’t see the typical Cantonese-style yum cha trolleys rolling around at Mr Wong. Instead, you will order your food off the menu, and everything will be served in a timely manner.
Owned by the Merivale group, Mr Wong is located in a classic colonial building on Bridge Lane in the CBD, with room for more than 240 people spread over two levels. Mr Wong is a little bit on the expensive side, but the overall dining experience is excellent.
Address: | 3 Bridge Ln, Sydney (map) |
More info: | Mr Wong |
3. The Eight
Part of the Zilver group, The Eight is a popular traditional Chinese restaurant located on the top floor of the Market City building in Chinatown.
Their dim sum dishes are all created with fresh and seasonal ingredients and are always made fresh daily.
In addition to the tasty food offering, the dining area is stylishly designed with comfortable seating, complemented by good quality service.
Address: | 9/13 Hay St, Haymarket (map) |
More info: | The Eight |
4. East Phoenix
Located in the East Village Shopping Centre in Zetland, East Phoenix is a classy-looking Chinese restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows and a spacious dining room design.
East Phoenix offers a wide range of dim sum dishes in addition to a banquet and a-la-carte menu. Be mindful that weekends are very busy at East Phoenix, so it might be best to book in advance or come in well before lunchtime.
Address: | East Village Shopping Centre, 3/2A Defries Ave, Zetland (map) |
More info: | East Phoenix |
5. Golden Unicorn
Golden Unicorn is a popular Chinese restaurant on Maroubra Road, next to Hotel Maroubra and opposite the Pacific Square shopping mall. It offers affordable but tasty contemporary and classic Chinese dishes and yum cha.
This is a smaller establishment compared to some of the other yum cha restaurants on this list, but the atmosphere is pleasant and cozy, with good quality service as a welcome bonus. Definitely worth a visit.
Address: | 2/193 Maroubra Rd, Maroubra (map) |
More info: | Golden Unicorn |
6. Mama Mulan
The lively multicultural suburb of Chatswood is home to various Chinese restaurants, with Mama Mulan being one of the better yum cha places.
Their dim sum menu is rather interesting, with a range of familiar Chinese staples, dumplings, fresh seafood, and delicious desserts, but with a modern culinary twist.
If you’re after a unique yum cha experience in a pleasant atmosphere, give Mama Mulan a chance, and you won’t regret it.
Address: | Level 1, The Concourse, Chatswood (map) |
More info: | Mama Mulan |
7. Star Capital Seafood Restaurant
The second Chatswood venue on this list of best Sydney yum cha restaurants is Star Capital Seafood Restaurant, which offers authentic Cantonese food and yum cha dishes complemented by good quality Chinese tea.
Star Capital is located on busy Victoria Avenue in a large enough venue, close to Chatswood station. Note that they aren’t the cheapest, but the quality of the food and service is of a good standard.
Address: | 399 Victoria Ave, Chatswood (map) |
More info: | Star Capital Seafood Restaurant |
8. The Dynasty
Located within the Canterbury League Club building in Belmore in Sydney’s west, The Dynasty offers traditional Chinese dishes and yum cha in a nicely decorated venue with a great atmosphere.
The Dynasty offers a wide range of delicious dim sum dishes, and the service is generally of a high standard. You won’t see the typical trolleys here, though. Instead, you order all your food on a piece of paper.
Address: | 26 Bridge Rd, Belmore (map) |
More info: | The Dynasty |
9. Vinh Phat
Located an hour west of Sydney, Cabramatta is a culinary melting pot of Vietnamese, Cambodian, Thai, and Chinese cuisine. As such, it’s no surprise that this town is also home to various yum cha restaurants.
One of Cabramatta’s best and most popular Chinese restaurants is Vinh Phat on Hughes Street, which offers an authentic and tasty yum cha dining experience. Vinh Phat has served the community in Cabramatta since 1985 as a Cantonese-style dim sum restaurant.
Don’t be surprised when you find yourself lining up to get into Vinh Phat, as they are quite popular. Once inside, you will appreciate the decor, authentic atmosphere, and, more importantly, their yummy dim sum dishes. Make sure you try their prawn rolls and seafood dumplings; they’re more than just delicious.
Address: | 12/10 Hughes St, Cabramatta (map) |
More info: | Vinh Phat |
What Is Yum Cha?
Yum cha is a Cantonese term that literally means “drink tea”. But as a dining experience, it refers to a breakfast or brunch tradition that includes Chinese tea and a range of snack-style dishes.
The yum cha experience we have become accustomed to in Sydney involves restaurant staff walking around with trolleys presenting and offering these dishes and serving tea.
Dim Sum
There are lots of different types of dim sum dishes being served in Chinese restaurants, and they can be grouped as follows:
- Dumplings
- Rolls
- Buns
- Meats
- Seafood
- Vegetables
- Rice
- Desserts
These dishes are collectively referred to as dim sum, which represents a broad range of flavours, cooking styles, textures, and ingredients.
Yum Cha in Sydney
Yum cha was first introduced in Australia in the 1970s and has since become a popular dining experience across the country and in Sydney and Melbourne in particular.
The first restaurateur to introduce yum cha in Sydney was Denis Wong, a well-known and successful Sydney nightclub and restaurant owner who established the popular Chequers nightclub in the 1950s.
Today, almost every major suburb in Sydney has at least one Chinese restaurant that offers yum cha, which has evolved into a popular weekend pastime over the years.