In Cantonese, “dim sum” roughly translates to “touch the heart,” and boy do we Bay Area foodies have a soft spot for these small dish delights.
Historically enjoyed alongside tea for brunch, lunch or a snack, dim sum has become an international favorite for feasters ready to dig in on as many delicious baos, dumplings, rolls, buns, cakes and meats as they can.
See also: The 31 Best Restaurants in San Francisco You Must Try
San Francisco is blessed with a rich and vibrant Chinese culinary culture, and our dim sum options are plentiful and enviable indeed. Next time you’re ready to wow an out-of-towner or just feel like chowing down, try one of these top-notch dim sum restaurants below.
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1935 Taraval St.; 415-682-8938 / Website
A favorite for lunch and dinner, this Parkside dim sum palace is open every day of the week except Wednesdays. Customers rave about these Shanghai-style delights. Chefs take a modern interpretation of classic dishes, including pan-fried pork buns, har gow dim sum, sticky rice and more. The portions are rather big, so bring a friend!
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11 Division St.; 415-525-4797 / Website
From the minds of Michelin-starred Omakase and Niku Steakhouse, Dumpling Time is a modern Cal-Asian eatery serving some seriously noteworthy dim sum dishes. Fresh dumplings are at the heart of the menu, all made with locally-sourced ingredients and meant to be shared. Try the pork xlb, pork baro, egg yolk bun, and the green tea and milk bun for something unique. The Beijing noodles, tom yum goong and shrimp toast are popular, too.
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4416 18th St.; 415-626-4416 / Website
An absolute staple, this Sichuan house in the Castro makes dim sum dishes fresh on the daily, served alongside a wide selection of Belgian beers. Chef and owner Lily, aka Mama Ji, takes inspiration from her childhood food in the Sichuan region of China. Reservations are not accepted, so make sure you come through with plenty of time to enjoy your deep-fried shrimp dumplings, steamed barbecue pork buns, steamed Shanghai vegetarian buns and more.
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49 Stevenson St., 415-541-4949; 101 Spear St., 415-781-1111 / Website
Dim sum gets a little upscale at this beloved dumpling spot that's been serving smiling customers since 1958. Grab the great bites from the rolling carts which make their way through the restaurant. Fans love the steamed barbecue pork buns, Kurobuta pork dumplings, Singapore rice noodles and shrimp dumplings and stuffed lotus leaf. Dining at the Spear Street location? Walk off your dumpling gut with a seaside stroll afterward.
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33 Walter U Lum Place; 415-398-2838 / Website
Hungry in Chinatown? City View Restaurant’s bite-size dim sum dishes are absolutely dynamite. Steamed, baked or deep fried, these black bean spare ribs, Shanghai siu lung bao, crab claws and pan-fried chicken buns will touch your heart and make your stomach smile. Currently serving lunch Wednesday through Sunday and dinner Friday to Sunday, you should check the website for updated hours.
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900 North Point St. Ste B201; 415-347-8888 / Website
Taking some tourists through Ghirardelli Square? Stop by this family-owned-and-operated dim sum spot that brings modern Chinese flavors to North Beach. Dumplings and bao are served alongside seafood and specialized Cantonese dishes. Typhoon crispy ha gow, Palette soup dumplings, salted egg lava bao and wagyu beef chow fun are just some of the most popular dishes on the menu.
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5700 Geary Blvd.; 415-333-8899 / Website
If you liked Palette Tea House, come through the family’s dim sum spot in Little Russia. Dragon Beaux is pushing the menu with showstopping dumplings topped with Chilean sea bass, barbecue pork puff pastries, Kobe and wagyu beef, and more. The presentation goes above and beyond to create one classy evening of flavorful bites.
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736 Clement St.; 415-386-3388 / Website
Located in the north inner Richmond, Good Luck Dim Sum is easily recognized by the line of return customers. Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day but Tuesday, fans get there early to enjoy fresh and hot shrimp dumplings, pork siu mai, deep-fried taro root, shark fin dumplings and more.
Looking for more great eats? Why not try one of our favorite sushi restaurants in the city? Maybe you're in the mood for something truly upscale? Here is a complete list of Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco.
Photography by: d3sign / Getty
