What about Chinatown? Seems obvious for Chinese food but finding a non-tourist trap is a real challenge. “The classic, ‘mandatory’ Cantonese dim sum I had there were well-executed,” says Ching Yee Hu, mother of two preschoolers and die-hard foodie, defining the classic trilogy as “har gao – shrimp dumplings – and siu mei - juicy open-faced pork dumplings, followed by baked char siu bao – bbq pork buns.” Squeezed between Russian bakeries and Korean barbecues, the Richmond’s Ton Kiang is another well respected staple of the dim sum scene. Try the snow pea shoot dumplings or har gau dumplings (shrimp and bamboo shoots). San Franciscoįor a solid higher-end first experience, Yank Sing offers delicious dim sum at both a sit-down restaurant and a to-go counter downtown, the latter a blessing before you hit the green lawns of Yerba Buena Gardens on a sunny day. In San Mateo, the Champagne Seafood Restaurant offers a relaxed dim sum experience in a clean environment and is a block away from Central Park, a San Mateo landmark home to a miniature train and Japanese garden. Kids can marvel at the live fish and seafood tanks or go visit the nearby PetCo while a parent stays in line. On weekends, lines already form at 10:00 am so get there early to grab a line number. Koi Palace in Daly City has long been considered one of the best Chinese restaurants in the Bay Area for dim sum and seafood and the restaurant is always packed with families. Follow our guidance and trust your eyes and nose so you can discover the top dim sum restaurants in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Because of the food’s inherent ethnic origin, dim sum navigating can be tricky – authentic hangouts trusted by the Bay Area Chinese community have menus in Cantonese, are real holes in the wall, or feature specials only the locals know about. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.Rolling carts, mysterious bamboo baskets, steamy or fried bites filled with tasteful meats or vegetables – dim sum are the epitome of fun kids food and kids just love to experiment with the seemingly endless possibilities coming out of dim sum restaurants’ kitchens. Click here for more about what we're doing. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Dig in by heading over to 808 Pacific Ave.
Dol Ho serves dim sum favorites both small and large, from fried and steamed dumplings to shrimp crepes and barbecue spareribs over rice. Dol Ho Photo: Sophia P./ Yelpįinally, there's Dol Ho, a Chinatown favorite that has earned four stars out of 373 reviews on Yelp. The spot offers buns, dumplings, egg rolls and more. Dim Sum Bistro Photo: Mitzi A./ Yelpĭim Sum Bistro, another Chinatown dim sum counter, is also a much-loved, budget-friendly go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 114 Yelp reviews. Most of Delicious Dim Sum's dumplings run less than $1 each, and the spot serves up other other specialties, too, like lotus seed buns and chicken feet in black bean sauce. (between Ross and Duncombe alleys), is another top choice, with Yelpers awarding it four stars out of 923 reviews. Delicious Dim Sum Photo: John B./ YelpĬhinatown's Delicious Dim Sum, located at 752 Jackson St. With four stars out of 1,550 reviews on Yelp, the counter-service dim sum spot has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a cheap option.Īt Good Luck Dim Sum, expect to find classic barbecue pork buns, beef siu mai, turnip cakes and an assortment of dumplings, which Eater SF has named among San Francisco's best. Next up is the Inner Richmond's Good Luck Dim Sum, situated at 736 Clement St.
Good Luck Dim Sum Photo: Therese G./ Yelp Be sure to check out the wide selection of baked and steamed buns, too. Open seven days a week, Good Mong Kok Bakery serves up 50 different varieties of dim sum, from sweet egg custard tarts to savory shrimp wontons. (between Jackson and Washington streets) in Chinatown, the takeout-only spot is the most popular place for inexpensive dim sum in San Francisco, boasting four stars out of 2,499 reviews on Yelp. Topping the list is Good Mong Kok Bakery. Good Mong Kok Bakery Photo: Jenny G/ Yelp
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable dim sum outlets in San Francisco, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to satisfy your cravings. Looking to sample the best dim sum around town - without breaking the bank?