Food & Drink

The Best Dumplings On The Gold Coast And Where To Find Them

By Isabel Croker
26th Jul 2023

Good things come in small parcels of deliciousness. Yes, that's right we're talking about the fried, steamed, pillowy and sometimes soup-filled goodness that are dumplings. Whether you love dumplings, live for gyoza, want more wontons or don’t really know the difference between the three, we’ve got you covered.

Thankfully, there are plenty of standout Gold Coast joints slinging delicious dumplings in all their many forms. Grab your chopsticks, don't forget the chilli oil and scroll on for 13 of the best spots on the Gold Coast to get your dumplings fix.

Harajuku Gyoza 

Broadbeach

As the name suggests this energetic eatery specialises in a cracking good gyoza, both sweet and savoury. Harajuku Gyoza also offers the cheapest dumpling deals we’ve seen—you can devour $15 gyoza sets on any Monday and 2-for-1 gyoza plates on Tuesdays. The gyozas here are divine, from the duck gyoza with spiced vinegar and candied orange to the eccentric crispy cheeseburger gyoza to the famous garlic butter crab gyoza served with house-made nori crackers. Yep, we've died and gone to gyoza heaven.

Mei Wei Dumplings

Broadbeach

At Mei Wei Dumplings, the talented team have the hawker-style dish down to a fine art—and thanks to their open kitchen in The Star Gold Coast, you can even watch the team work their magic before your eyes. Their extensive menu pays homage to humble dumpling, but with elevated twists. Make sure to order the Shao Mai prawn and pork dumplings and the classic Xiao Long Bao.

Mamasan Kitchen & Bar

Broadbeach

a plate of spanner crab dumplings

Mamasan Kitchen & Bar is a hatted restaurant in Broadbeach that specialises in a tantalising blend of traditional and modern South East Asian cuisine and they do a seriously good dumpling. Our pick? Don’t be ridiculous, we can’t choose just one. The spanner crab ravioli dumplings with scallops, water chestnut & coconut sambal bisque is divine and we’re a sucker for the Asian mushroom wontons with Sichuan spiced aromatic soy vinaigrette and chilli oil. 

Mr Hizola’s 

Burleigh Heads

From the moment Mr Hizola’s stepped foot on our sandy shores, our stomachs have been better off. This contemporary Cantonese restaurant slings up seriously delectable dishes and combined with its vibrant atmosphere, Mr Hizola’s has certainly secured its spot as one of the best places to devour dumplings on the Gold Coast. You’re spoiled with a spanking range of dumplings here; tuck into fried wagyu and mushroom dumplings and honey prawn gao-ji but make sure to leave space for the steamed vegetable wontons. In Mr Hizola's words, 'surrender to the food coma'. 

Rick Shores

Burleigh Heads

You might not have expected to see Burleigh icon Rick Shores on our lineup of the Gold Coast’s best dumplings but let us dissuade you from any doubt. Not typically considered as a ‘dumpling destination’ per se, Rick Shores boasts a tantalising array of dumplings and dim sum that will have you reaching for the chilli oil, stat. The pork and chilli Xiao Long Bao with black vinegar is a standout and you can’t go past the lobster and prawn jade har gow with truffle, smoked honey and chilli oil.

Hideaway Kitchen & Bar

Broadbeach

When there’s an entire section on Hideaway’s menu dedicated to dumplings, so you know you’re in for a good time. Each parcel of joy is housemade daily and sourced from the freshest local ingredients. From pork gyoza with cabbage, chives and sesame oil to steamed wagyu dumplings with housemade chilli oil and black vinegar, Hideaway has you sorted. Hot tip: the honey prawn fried gao-ji is seriously sublime.

Little Red Dumpling

Broadbeach & Coomera

a plate of dumplings in chilli oil

Good things come in small packages (like small parcels of dumpling deliciousness) and Little Red Dumpling is a testament to that. The small dumpling restaurant chain is inspired by Guangdong-style cooking and everything is prepared in-house daily from locally sourced ingredients. Their all-star dumpling lineup includes pork dumplings in Szechuan sweet soy chilli sauce, pan-fried pork and cabbage dumplings and steamed pork and chive dumplings. When their mottoe is 'sip beer, consume dumpling', you know it's going to be good.

Etsu Izakaya

Mermaid Beach

In case you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t heard of the Gold Coast restaurant heavyweight that is Etsu Izakaya, this Japanese izakaya is renowned for its sushi and sashimi but it also serves up a mean gyoza. The crew at Etsu dish up two types of epic house-made gyoza. Their wagyu gyoza is filled with wagyu, mushroom duxelles and scallions while their Etsu gyoza is made with pork, chives and cabbage. Both come with a dash of chilli soy dipping sauce, and a dash of joy.

Uncle Su

Broadbeach

Uncle Su is The Star’s flagship Chinese restaurant and serves up impressive classic Cantonese cuisine, with innovative twists inspired by local Australian ingredients. Drawing on Executive Chef Song’s passion for letting the natural flavours of fresh ingredients shine, you’ll dig into a delicious blend of Cantonese-style favourites with a selection of signature Beijing and Sichuan dishes. The enoki mushroom and vegetable dumplings are a crowd favourite and Shanghai mini soup dumplings are a must-order.

Backbone Bar & Kitchen

Tugun

Backbone Bar & Kitchen in Tugun is a godsend for all our dumpling-loving friends on the Southern Gold Coast end. Backbone’s dumpling masters make all their dumplings on-site daily and their little parcels of joy come in the form of crispy skin dim sum filled with deep-fried potato, tofu, kimchi and potato noodles, pork gyoza and chicken gyoza. 

Bazaar

Surfers Paradise

There should be no limit on your dumpling desires. If you’re hankering for a big dumpling sesh, head to Bazaar at QT Gold Coast. Their interactive marketplace has made-to-order dumplings including pork and prawn, prawn and chive and vegetable dumplings. Did we mention you can order as many as you like?

Jasmine Room

Southport

Overlooking the picturesque Broadwater Parklands, Jasmine Room is an authentic Cantonese restaurant that serves dumplings made using traditional techniques, reminiscent of those you’d see at a bustling Hong Kongese hawker stall. If you're after a banquet of some of the best dumplings on the Gold Coast, check out Jasmine Room’s loaded menu and order the steamed pork and ginger wontons, pan-fried pork and chive dumplings and Xiao Long Bao.

Chop Chop

Surfers Paradise

This Asian dining precinct is in the heart of Surfers Paradise and is a prime spot to hit up if you’re craving dumplings on the go. Featuring a range of Asian eateries, you’ll find everything from bubble tea to ramen, and of course, dumplings. Head to Dumpling Mama and you’ll find a long line of hungry patrons queuing for homemade dumplings and Guo Tie.

Hungry for more? Pass the chopsticks for the best ramen on the Gold Coast.

Image Credit: Hayley Williamson for Urban List & Harajuku Gyoza

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.