Gimme Sum! Here’s where to find the Best Dim Sum in Singapore

Red Star Restaurant

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Red Star Restaurant still keeps things traditional and delivers dim sum to hungry guests on pushcarts. The place is steeped in history and both the decor and recipes have barely changed in 40 years. A Singapore institution, the har gao and char siew sou are particularly good here. This is a great choice for early birds as the restaurant opens at 7am.

Every day, 7am – 3pm

Tim Ho Wan

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It might have a Michelin star, but Tim Ho Wan is still one of Singapore’s most affordable dim sum joints. The quality of the dumplings here is no secret. The popularity and queues have led to multiple outlets, so it’s easier to get your hands on Tim Ho Wan’s dim sum nowadays. Everything here is good quality and affordable.

Peach Garden

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Peach Garden’s success has led to it opening a number of outlets in Singapore. Service is attentive and the restaurant is modern. Prices are generally in the middle, but it’s the set menus and high-tea buffet that bring the customers in at the Chinatown restaurant. At $20.80 the high-tea dim sum buffet served on weekends is a very affordable price for some quality dim sum.

Saturday & Sunday, 10.30am – 10.30pm

Asia Grand

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Another classic dim sum restaurant, Asia Grand have updated their interior and menu in recent years. That means some new and original dumplings, as well as other dishes, yet all the food retains an authentic feel. The place gets busy, especially on weekends, so it’s best to reserve in advance. You can also find some of Singapore’s tastiest Peking duck here.

The Dim Sum Place

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One of the few places to serve halal dim sum in Singapore, The Dim Sum Place does a banging xiao long bao. There are loads of dumplings, other Cantonese dishes and even some Malay options on the menu too, all of which are halal.

Hua Ting

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Hua Ting has a former Asian Cuisine Chef of the Year at the helm, but it still offers affordable dim sum. The restaurant itself has also received numerous awards since opening in 2012. These factors result in the place always being packed. But you should still book a table! A refurb last year has given the restaurant a very modern vibe, but underneath it all remains a commitment to serving authentic Cantonese dishes.

Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant

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Alongside classic Cantonese dishes, Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant does some very decent dim sum out of the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel. Chefs cook up dim sum at lunch on weekdays and also for a buffet on weekends that costs $68. We’re fans of the crispy mango prawns in rice rolls. The restaurant was recently given a makeover and the new black and gold interior provides a dramatic backdrop to a meal.

Swee Choon

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Swee Choon is one of the best known Hawker places for dim sum in Singapore. Situated on Jalan Besar, Swee Choon has grown over the years and is now unmissable thanks to its size. A favourite for local party-goers, Swee Choon ignores the lunchtime opening hours and instead opens from 6PM. There are loads of dumplings available, but the signature Swee Choon Mee Suah Kueh, a fried carrot kueh with mee suah, is a cult Singapore dim sum. The prices are not as cheap as in previous years, but the quality has remained and the prices will definitely not have you emptying out your pockets.

Victor's Kitchen

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Victor’s Kitchen may be a Hawker dim sum but prices have risen over the years. While the lack of service charge and GST helps keeps things affordable, the dim sum themselves are not as cheap as other Hawker places. Customers haven’t been deterred by the higher prices and Victor’s remains one of the most popular lunch spots in Sunshine Plaza and dim sum is served until 10PM.

Yan Ting

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Yan Ting is one to indulge your palette and empty your wallet. It’s easily the most expensive dim sim restaurant on our list, and perhaps in the whole of Singapore. The quality does match the price though and everything here from the food to the decor screams fine dining. You can go a la carte, but we’d recommend going for the weekend dim sum bottomless brunch that includes champagne! You might as well splash out in style, right?

Saturday & Sunday, 10:30am – 12:30pm & 1pm – 3pm

Man Fu Yuan

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Another Singapore dim sum slinger housed in a swanky hotel, Man Fu Yuan comes a close second to Yan Ting when it comes to high prices. Once again though, you get what you pay for. The vibe is classy and the dim sum fancy. Take for example the dumpling with foie gras. The buffet brunch is the winner and is an all-round immersive experience.

Cherry Garden

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Traditional applies to both the vibe and the food at Cherry Garden. The chair siew pau here is a particular highlight, but with premium ingredients used throughout, this is some of the best traditional dim sum in Singapore. The restaurant is designed like an old Chinese courtyard which brings another level of authenticity and fun to the dining experience. The dim sum brunch is served at weekends and is a reasonable $68.

Jade

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We think Jade might have one of the best-value dim sum buffets in Singapore. That doesn’t mean there is a compromise on quality however! Jade is known for having great fried dim sum, such as the char siew sou, which is served on weekends as part of the brunch buffet. Value for money is high, especially with such great service and a lovely ambience. As a result, Jade gets busy, so booking comes recommended.