Best of Toronto
The Best Dim Sum in Toronto
The best dim sum in Toronto is, sadly, devoid of the stereotypical cart service that one would normally equate with this Cantonese specialty. In fact, you'll find no middle-aged Chinese ladies yelling at the top of their lungs at any of these spots. And even though the restaurants here are diverse and scattered around the GTA, they're guaranteed to deliver fresh, tantalizing dishes best enjoyed with a side of good friends and good conversation.
While only two of these restaurants are found in the downtown core, it's worth noting that plenty of more TTC and bike accessible dim sum restaurants do exist, among which Rol San, Dynasty and Sky Dragon are arguably the most popular - even if the quality of food tends to be a bit less consistent than the ones mentioned here.
Here are the best dim sum restaurants in Toronto.
Top photo by Kaeko in the blogTO Flickr pool
Crown Princess
Crown Princess on Bay proves that great quality dim sum can be had in the downtown core. The culinary gems served up here are nothing short of spectacular. While prices might be steep compared to Chinatown options, you can taste the difference in dim sum staples like the har gao and the decadent scallop shu mai dumplings, rarely found outside this place. The service is also top notch. The old adage of you get what you pay for certainly applies here. More »
Spring Villa
Don't let the garish exterior deter you from this dim sum destination on Woodbine Avenue in Markham. There's a reason this restaurant is always packed with locals. The food here is very good. Highlights include the delectable rice noodle rolls (chang fen/cheong fan). There are so many varieties that you really gotta try them all. Price-wise, it's in the mid-range so your wallet won't break (too much). More »
Casa Victoria
If you've ever wondered what it's like to have dim sum in a crowded, noisy, restaurant surrounded with Renaissance-like decor in the heart of Markham, then wonder no further. Serving regular favourites with a touch of European style, Casa Victoria has become an increasingly popular destination for locals hankering for dim sum in a more eclectic setting. The quality of service is among the best in the area. More »
Dragon Boat Fusion Cuisine
Dragon Boat in Richmond Hill offers a wide assortment of treats that are priced slightly above your average dim sum joint. Home to one of the best egg tarts in the GTA, this restaurant gets packed on weekends so it's best to arrive early. More »
Ding Tai Fung
Not to be confused with the international chain Din Tai Fung (notice the difference?), this restaurant is not your typical dim sum joint as they specialize in Shanghainese dumplings. It's earned rave reviews for its xiao long bao (soup-filled dumplings) that many claim are the best in the country. Try the crab ones which are particularly fresh and delicious. More »
Lai Wah Heen
If you fancy trying an upper class dim sum experience without the ostentatious extravagance of Casa Victoria, you could do worse than come here. Almost an institution among dim sum lovers in the downtown core, Lai Wah Heen is found inside the Metropolitan Hotel near City Hall and boasts a variety of your regular dim sum favourites, along with their own special take on Hong-Kong street-vendor style dim sum dishes. It almost goes without saying that it's a bit pricey, but well worth the experience. More »
Chili Secrets
Part of the Ban Mu Yuan chain of restaurants, this Richmond Hill spot provides the usual dim sum favourites with relatively modest pricing which is great value considering the high quality of food served. My personal favourite is the shrimp har gau but it's just one of the massive variety of choices on the menu. Another nice bonus are the high ceilings which make the dining experience a little less chaotic (loud) than your typical Chinese family restaurant dim sum outing. More »
Szechuan Legend
This Scarborough haunt offers modestly priced dim sum which ensures it's always jam-packed with locals and grey-haired folk. While not quite as fancy as its sister restaurant, Chili Secrets, Szechuan Legend still delivers with extensive variety on the menu and rice noodle rolls which are among the best in the business. More »
Yang's Fine Chinese Cuisine
The northernmost dim sum option on this list, Yang's Fine Chinese Cuisine is known for their delicious, sweet egg yolk buns which must be eaten immediately upon being served (or else, their fillings solidify somewhat). Prices aren't cheap but the modern decor, friendly staff, and high quality of the food coming out of the kitchen make it worth every penny. More »
Casa Imperial
For those who thought Casa Victoria was over the top, this sibling restaurant situated in the former Devonsleigh Place on Steeles Avenue offers delicately prepared and high quality dim sum in an even more ostentatiously fancy European ambiance. Prices are steep with dishes clocking in at an average over $5, but the impeccable care given to each one is indisputable. More »
Graceful Vegetarian
Meat eaters need not apply. The vegetarian-only dim sum eatery near the Pacific Mall treats diners to a dizzying array of dim sum favourites with a non-meat bent, ranging from "pork" shu mai to smoked "duck". The food is less greasy (and fattening) than most dim sum places and delightfully highlights the texture and quality of the ingredients used. More »
Discussion
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If it's a Best of GTA list, it should include Richmond Hill and Scarborough, but if it's a Best of Toronto list, the restaurant should HAVE to read "Toronto, Ontario" on their mailing address.
Because of this, places like Pearl Harbourfront and Rol San get left out.
What's the deal?
Try either and you will be converted.
I normally don't get riled up by these Best of lists, but where the heck is Grand Chinese (at the Airport Doubletree)? It's got to be the best restaurants in the city (and yes it falls in Etobicoke which since 1998 is part of Toronto) and has one of the best dim sum items I've ever had. The Cod in a Thousand Layers is just awesome.
I agree with you Stella on the 905 part. People don't seem to see the difference in area code as a sign...)
http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/ha-gow-dim-sum-house-toronto
Also, Darren tries very hard to include dim sum places downtown, as shown by the second paragraph where he lists 3 more dim sum places that were not voted in but within the downtown core. I find it odd that downtown elitists find it SO DIFFICULT to venture north of Bloor. If you're unwilling to try new foods outside of your comfort area, then please don't bitch about a post having restaurants that are located 10 minutes north of Toronto.
Anyways, solid list.
and yes I've been to Pearl and Lai wah heen twice over.
Of all the resto options in Toronto, we're really going to eat dim sum??? let's admit it. Crap-ola.
Alone?
I haven't tried most of the places on this list except for Casa Victoria. I would definitely recommend Kim Moon Bakery's dim sum. I have never tasted any dim sum fresher or more delicious than at this place. Kim Moon bakery is not much to look at in terms of decor, but it's definitely an old favourite of mine in Chinatown. You can't go wrong with rice noodle rolls.
I really like what you've done here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining.
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if you want to impress your friends go to the pearl harbour front. it is a bit more pricey, the dim sum is high end and its right on the lake.
ROL SAN!!!! GO, GO NOW!!!!
They have carts there and it's cheap during lunch time.
They are also open late late!
Not the cleanest looking place though... But I think they just did renovation so maybe that has change