8 of the best Sydney yum cha restaurants for Chinese New Year

Round up your mates and make some room because it’s time for a deep dive into the city’s best yum cha. Here’s some of the best restaurants to try in Sydney.

If a midmorning feast packed with steaming dim sum, tea and chaotic tables of friends and family is your thing, then it’s definitely time for yum cha.

To celebrate the start of the Lunar New Year on Friday, we’ve short-listed eight of the best Sydney restaurants to begin your flavour-packed odyssey.

Vinh Phat restaurant at Cabramatta. Picture: Supplied

VINH PHAT

Home to some of the best mango pancakes in Sydney, Vinh Phat is a place to score the tastiest yum cha. They have a huge variety of dim sums, notably the chewy har go and the pork and chive morsel.

12/10 Hughes St, Cabramatta NSW 2166

Yum cha selections at Marigold.

Flaky egg tart at Marigold.

MARIGOLD

Located in the beating heart of Chinatown, it‘s one of the oldest yum cha spots in the city. Dishes include the har gow, the lotus rice balls and the mango pancakes. Come back at dinner time to sample Marigold’s 11-dish dim sum degustation menu.

683 George St, Sydney NSW 2000

Mr Wong’s beautiful interior.

Mr Wong dumplings.

MR WONG

Chef Dan Hong is bringing Sydney a modern and fresh take on the traditional yum as he puts a slight twist on classics. But don’t worry, all the classics are still there with the steamed BBQ pork buns providing a juicy, soft-textured feed.

3 Bridge Ln, Sydney NSW 2000

Dim sum (many different kinds of snacks) are usually served in steamer baskets.

EAST PHOENIX

Known for its jam-packed restaurants and fresh yum cha, you can find Singapore fried noodles, steamed Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce and egg custard tart on the menu.

3/2A Defries Ave, Zetland NSW 2017

CAFE FREE

For all those gluten-free and gluten-intolerant folks, cafe Free is your answer to a tasty, pain-free yum cha session. Everything that comes out of the kitchen here is free of gluten — including BBQ pork, classic potstickers, green beans with pork mince and duck bao buns.

Shop 1/48 Yeo St, Neutral Bay NSW 2089

Yum Cha at Palace Chinese Restaurant Sydney. Picture: Instagram

PALACE CHINESE

Located in the heart of Sydney‘s CBD, Palace Chinese Restaurant provides Sydneysiders with an exciting range of yum cha favourites, without having to get lost in Chinatown. Specialising in traditional and modern Cantonese fare, you’ll be able to satisfy your yum cha cravings with delicious dumplings and duck pancakes, or for something more adventurous opt for the stir-fried kangaroo or crocodile fillet in XO chilli sauce.

Shop 38 Level 1, Piccadilly Tower 143-145 Castlereagh Street Sydney, 2000 NSW

Golden Unicorn’s delicious selections at Maroubra.

GOLDEN UNICORN

Serving up 10 variations of dumplings, from the classic prawn to a deep-fried seafood version, sit back and enjoy their delectable food.

2/193 Maroubra Rd, Maroubra NSW 2035

Royal Treasure Burwood’s sweet and savoury yum cha offerings. Picture: Instagram

ROYAL TREASURE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Well loved by all the locals, their traditional yum cha hits the jackpot. Get the freshly steamed leek and seafood dumplings while crunching on leek pancakes. Royal Treasure has a full takeaway menu, with a minimum order of $80 for delivery and free delivery if you live within 5km of the restaurant.

Shop 16 Level 2/31/27 Belmore St, Burwood NSW 2134