There’s always fun to be had at yum cha. So much dim sum to try, whatever catches your eye from the bustling trolleys or the tick-a-box menu in front of you. Gather your clan and get ready for bustling fun, bottomless tea, delicious dumplings and other delicacies.

The Dynasty

Canterbury Leagues club may be known as the home of the Bulldogs, but it also happens to be one of the best yum cha venues in Sydney. Dramatic pagoda-style interiors with an indoor pond create a fun spectacle while you tick off your yum cha order on a piece of paper. Their menu is expansive compared to other competition, and the food arrives so quickly that you won’t miss the trolleys.

Must-try dish: Lo mai gai (chicken and glutinous rice steamed in lotus leaf) is a delicate and flavoursome standout.

26 Bridge Road, Belmore, canterbury.com.au/bars-restaurants/thedynasty

East Ocean

Follow the koi fish upstairs (with ease, as you can book in advance!) to a restaurant that takes both seafood and yum cha very seriously. East Ocean is open for yum cha all week; however, weekends are when they bring out the exclusive favourites like prawn toast, xiao long bao, mango sago, and douhua (silken tofu pudding).

Must-try dish: East Ocean are seafood masters, and their crispy fried calamari attests to that.

Level 1/421-429 Sussex Street, Haymarket, eastocean.com.au

The Eight

Zilver’s sleeker sister venue is just a stone’s throw away from the now-closed Haymarket icon. The modern space in Market City features dim sum favourites everybody knows and loves, as well as treats you don’t see at every yum cha restaurant such as ma lai gao (steamed brown sugar cake) and lap cheong rolls.

Must-try dish: Their fried cheong fun are bouncy vessels for the addictive hoisin and peanut sauces.

Market City Shopping Centre, Level 3/13 Hay Street, Haymarket, theeightrestaurant.com.au

The Gardens by Lotus

If you’re looking for a yum cha experience without the hustle and bustle of traditional yum cha, The Gardens by Lotus is the perfect oasis. Set inside the Chinese Garden of Friendship (a booking here gets you free entry), $69 per person will get you bottomless yum cha dishes from their classic and concise weekend menu. Lotus is renowned for its dumplings, so order as many as possible to get your money’s worth.

Must-try dish: Lotus’s xiao long bao are delicate, flavoursome, and always piping hot.

Chinese Garden of Friendship, Pier Street, Haymarket, lotusdininggroup.com/restaurant/the-gardens-by-lotus

Golden Unicorn

Every little thing is taken care of at Golden Unicorn, which offers one of the most extensive yum cha menus in Sydney, and it means there is always something new to try. Why go for the classic chicken feet when you could level up to duck? Or plain congee when you could spike it with pipis?

Must-try dish: The Golden Unicorn is known for its desserts, and it shows in their flaky, rich egg custard tarts.

2/193 Maroubra Road, Maroubra, goldenunicorn.com.au

Mama Mulan

This might be one of Sydney’s chicest yum cha spots, both aesthetically and culinary. There are no trolleys zooming through the chic interiors, as Mama Mulan likes to keep things cool. It does mean, however, that your food is always as fresh as possible. Desserts are particularly creative.

Must-try dish: Pops of sweet pineapple in their BBQ pork buns will have you instantly converted.

Level 1, The Concourse, Chatswood, mamamulan.com.au

Mr Wong

Sydney’s most famous Chinese restaurant, hatted Merivale fave Mr Wong, offers a luxurious yum cha menu, stamped with chef Dan Hong’s signature combination of boundary-pushing decadence and authenticity. You won’t see any trolleys doing the rounds, but who cares when you can order exclusive-to-weekend dishes like pork xiao long bao and deliciously decadent lobster and scallop dumplings.

Must-try dish: For a remix of a classic, try their prawn toast laced with foie gras for extra indulgence.

3 Bridge Lane, Sydney, merivale.com/venues/mrwong

Palace Chinese Restaurant

Palace tops many a Sydneysider’s “favourite yum cha” list, and has done for many years – as the dependably long queue out the front each weekend can attest. Join it, it’s worth the wait. Nothing much changes at this authentic yum cha service, and that’s part of the retro charm. From gelatinous chicken feet with just the right amount of wobble to the tenderest braised beef tripe, everything at Palace hits just right, making it the perfect place to take yum cha fans old and new.

Must-try dish: Woo kok (taro puffs) here are in an irresistibly cute swan-shaped crispy taro shell enveloping a juicy, umami-rich pork filling.

Shop 38, Level 1 Piccadilly Tower, 133/145 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, palacechinese.com.au

Sky Phoenix

Perched on the top floor of the Sydney CBD Westfield sits Sky Phoenix, with its soaring ceilings and sleek black dining room with 550-person capacity. Look forward to all the yum cha classics expertly executed, and served hot, thick and fast. Bonus points for being able to book ahead.

Must-try dish: The prawn har gow here are filled with sweet and plump nuggets of prawn.

Shop 6001/188 Pitt Street, Sydney,phoenixrestaurantsco.com.au

Vinh Phat

This Cabramatta stalwart has been serving hungry crowds since 1985. Beyond their impeccable yum cha offerings, Vinh Phat’s biggest draw is that they are open for yum cha seven days a week. They are best known for their seafood and fried offerings, so don’t hold back.

Must-try dish: Vinh Phat’s scallop siu mai will make you refuse any siu mai that isn’t topped with a silky plump scallop thereafter.

12/10 Hughes Street, Cabramatta, vinhphat.co