Where would we be without yum cha? This glorious weekend feasting ritual is a big-time favourite, and we're happy to report that Sydney has a neat collection of restaurants dishing out insanely delicious yum cha.
From authentic xiao long bao, prawn rice noodles, chicken feet and mango pancakes to gluten-free spins on the traditional Cantonese brunch, yum cha truly offers something for everyone.
Here are 11 of the best places for yum cha in Sydney.
East Phoenix
Zetland
East Phoenix is known for its jam-packed restaurant, fresh-as yum cha and second-to-none service. This massive space is always filled with waiters, happy yum cha fans and rolling carts from the second it opens its doors. If you have a group of six or more, opt for the insane value $35pp yum cha banquet menu with a steamed dim sum platter, spicy salt calamari, barbecue pork and roast duck, and more.
XOPP
Haymarket
XOPP is the modern and playful addition frontrunner of Sydney’s yum cha spots by the family behind the now-closed icon Golden Century, with their classic Cantonese menu consisting of 10 different steamed dumpling baskets, a range of spring rolls and stand-out salt and pepper squid. Satisfy the sweet cravings with the soft liquid lava custard buns, while all overlooking Darling Square. You don't have to wait for Sunday, either; XOPP offers yum cha every day between 12pm and 3pm.
Jinja
Macquarie Park
Found within The Governor Hotel, contemporary Cantonese spot Jinja has entered the yum cha game, with chef Sebastian Tan (who was formerly at Silks and Teahouse and Crown Sydney) putting his spin on the Cantonese classic between midday and 2pm Wednesday–Sunday. The menu of 30+ dishes has the usual suspects like pork buns, har gow, roast duck, and custard buns, and a chef's choice yum cha banquet is available for groups of four or more for $70pp.
On the drinks front, bottomless Keemun black tea (a famous and esteemed favourite in China) can be added for $5pp, or guests can explore the menu of 17 traditional teas and Australia's largest selection of baijiu from the bar.
The Eight
Haymarket
By the team behind the iconic Zilver, The Eight is walk-in-only between 9:30am and 11.30am (so prepare to wait a little for your fix of this exceptional yum cha fare), but once you're in it's all rolling trolleys, piping-hot dumplings, and saucy noodles galore. Particular highlights include scallop dumplings, black pepper spare ribs, chew chow prawn dumplings, and sticky pineapple buns.
Vinh Phat
Cabramatta
Vinh Phat is a yum cha institution, attracting hungry diners from every pocket of Sydney seeking its delicious dim sum dishes. Trolleys are stacked with all the usual favourites, but seafood is the big draw here, so opt for the crab claws, jellyfish salad and seafood spring rolls. The best part? Yum cha is offered every day (9am–3pm), so you don't have to hold out till Sundays to get your dumpling fix.
Silks
Barangaroo
Elevate the beloved yum cha at Crown Sydney’s luxurious Silks, which blends classic Cantonese yum cha and a la carte dishes with Western techniques for a fresh take on the yum cha experience (plus a generous all-you-can-eat lunch offering from just $68pp) available seven days a week.
The ornate Chinese restaurants has separate yum cha and a la carte menus packed with favourites like barbecue pork buns, fried squid, and spring rolls, plus elevated signatures, live seafood, wok-fried and roasted meats, noodles and veggie dishes and handmade rice rolls.
Zilver
Bondi
The Zilver name is basically synonymous with top-quality yum cha in Sydney. Trolleys come out thick and fast here every day, so you can scoff down slippery cheung fun, steaming xiao long bao, and soy sauce noodles whenever the need for yum cha strikes.
The Gardens By Lotus
Haymarket
Located smack-bang in the glorious oasis that is the Chinese Garden of Friendship, this weekend yum cha spot comes with a side of hard-to-find urban tranquillity. Food-wise, Lotus can do no wrong, providing the traditional favourites with a slight twist, The Gardens by Lotus lets you fill up on chicken and kimchi wontons, duck pancakes, and seven-spice calamari at this garden oasis.
Mr Wong
CBD
Mr Wong is a gem from the Merivale group, bringing Sydney a modern take on the traditional yum cha from chef Dan Hong, like the prawn toast with foie gras and sesame. But don’t worry, all the classics are also on Mr Wong's lunchtime-only dim sum menu—think barbecue pork buns, king crab and prawn dumplings, and silky cheung fun.
Palace Chinese Restaurant
CBD
Better get in early, because Palace Chinese has a long-running reputation for serving some of the best yum cha in Sydney. Fill up on puffy prawn toast, crystal soup dumplings, glistening barbecue pork and, if you’re game enough, feng zhao (chicken feet). This is another spot where you can get your yum cha every day of the week, and they even have a dedicated gluten-free menu.
Royal Treasure Seafood Restaurant
Burwood
Loved by all the locals, you know that you’ve hit the jackpot on an amazingly traditional yum cha at Royal Treasure. Get the freshly steamed leek and seafood dumplings while crunching on leek pancakes. The chicken and mushroom dumplings, taro cakes, stir-fried turnip cake in XO sauce, and steamed prawn and pork bean curd roll are also winners.
Golden Unicorn
Maroubra
The lines are as long as the menu at Golden Unicorn—but my oh my is their one-in-a-million yum cha banquet menu worth it. Serving up more than 15 variations of dumplings, from the classic prawn to a deep-fried seafood version, sit back and enjoy.
Focused on dumplings instead? Check out our picks for Sydney's best dumplings here.
Image credit: East Phoenix, The Eight, The Gardens by Lotus, Jinja (Steven Woodburn), Mr Wong, Palace Chinese Restaurant, Royal Treasure Seafood Restaurant, Golden Unicorn