The 15 Best Dim Sum Restaurants in San Francisco

Egg tarts. Char siu bao (BBQ Pork Bun). Har gao. Siu mai.

If you love the authentic Chinese experience of ordering steaming dishes in bamboo baskets, San Francisco is the number one spot in the whole country. You’ll find some restaurant options with carts that stroll past your table for you to order from, and also some great to-go restaurants where you can order boxes of food at once.

Each order is large enough where you can share with a few friends, but small enough where you can justify ordering many types of dishes to try. Here are 15 great options for dim sum in San Francisco.

1. Hong Kong Lounge

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout, Sit-down dining
Address: 5322 Geary Blvd San Francisco, CA 94121
Phone: (415) 668-8836

A gem in the Richmond District, Hong Kong Lounge offers a wide variety of dim sum that’s worth the wait. Steamed buns, noodle rolls, turnip cakes, and dumplings are all tasty and easy to order with their accessible menus. Parties greater than 4 people may need to wait to be seated, but nothing beats Hong Kong Lounge for the authentic dim sum experience.

2. Dragon Beaux

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout, Outdoor seating
Address: 5700 Geary Blvd San Francisco, CA 94121
Phone: (415) 333-8899

Geary Street also offers a more premium experience for dim sum, with unique items such as Black Truffles Mushroom Fried Rice as well as hot pot options at night. They mix your classic dim sum dishes with modern twists, so come visit for a special occasion or to mix it up with your typical dim sum meals.

3. Yank Sing

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Closed: Mon-Tues)
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout, Sit-down dining, Indoor dining, Outdoor seating
Address: 49 Stevenson St San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 541-4949

With several locations, including one right in the heart of downtown, the award-winning Yank Sing has a high quality customer service and classy dining room for the business crowd. Enjoy their extensive menu of dim sum items over lunch, but expect to pay a premium compared to the more classic shops in Richmond and Sunset.

4. Mama Ji's

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout
Address: 4416 18th St San Francisco, CA 94114
Phone: (415) 626-4416

Mama Ji on 18th Street offers a mix of Dim Sum favorites and spicy Sichuan food in a casual setting. Local favorites include dumplings, chicken mushroom clay pot, and sweet and sour pork. For vegetarians, Ma Po Tofu is a popular selection. Service is fast and their customer service is highly regarded. They also have a full espresso bar

5. China Live

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout, Sit-down dining, Indoor dining, Outdoor seating
Address: 644 Broadway San Francisco, CA 94133 Phone: (415) 788-8188

The Peking Duck and their soup dumplings at China Live are some of the best in the city, in addition to their dim sum options. China Live has done a fine job offering outdoor seating and following protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drop by China Live if you’re looking for something more high end in the Chinatown neighborhood.

6. Good Luck Dim Sum

Price Range: $ | Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Closed: Tues)
Open During COVID for: Outdoor seating, Delivery, Takeout
Address: 3378 18th St San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 589-7680

A no-nonsense spot that is perfect for takeout dim-sum, Good Luck Dim Sum offers super cheap shrimp dumplings and Shu Mai, and a variety of buns. The line always goes out the door for takeout, but it moves fast. Steamed pork buns are very popular here at this popular Richmond location.

7. Good Mong Kok

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Closed: Tues)
Open During COVID for: Takeout, Delivery
Address: 3319 Mission St San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 648-7722

Mong Kok is one of the most bustling districts in Hong Kong, so it’s only fitting that Good Mong Kok in Chinatown is very popular and busy too. Thankfully, the line moves fast and they offer some of the best dim sum takeout in the city - steamed dumplings, buns, shu mai, and all reasonably priced.

8.Kingdom of Dumpling

Price Range: $ | Hours: 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Open During COVID for: Takeout, Delivery
Address: 1713 Taraval St San Francisco, CA 94116
Phone: (415) 566-6143

For those in the Sunset district where traveling to Chinatown may be difficult, Kingdom of Dumpling has been a life-saver for many families looking for some fresh dumplings and hot chinese food late at night. The pork dumplings are served with hot sauce, and string beans and Thai iced tea are popular complements.

9. Great Eastern Restaurant

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Closed: Tues)
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout Address: 649 Jackson St San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone:(415) 986-2500

Great Eastern is another fantastic spot in Chinatown, and famously visited by former President Barack Obama. They offer dim sum and have over 200 items on their menu to choose from, including their popular shrimp dumplings. Good place to come with a large group, though be prepared to wait.

10. Palette Tea House

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 11:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Open During COVID for: Outdoor seating, Delivery, Takeout, Sit-down dining
Address: 900 N Point St Ste B-201A San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 347-8888

Located in Ghirardelli Square near Fisherman’s Wharf, Palette Tea House is considered some of the finest dim sum with a modern and more premium twist. For example, shrimp dumplings are now lobster dumplings. Some dumplings are served with a scallop on top. In addition to the dim sum selection, try their crispy fried noodles and scallion ginger lobster.

11. Shanghai Dumpling King

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Closed: Tues)
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout
Address: 696 Monterey Blvd San Francisco, CA 94127
Phone: (415) 585-1300

Hidden in the Monterey Boulevard area is Shanghai Dumpling King, which offers a great selection of dumplings. They have pork buns and various dumpling and wonton options, but people come and stay for their Shanghai dumplings, also known as xiao long bao. It’s hard to beat them for their prices.

12. Dumpling Alley

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 11:30 AM - 8:00 PM (Closed: Mon)
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout
Address: 2512 Clement St San Francisco, CA 94121
Phone: (415) 753-9617

Dumpling Alley in the Outer Richmond makes a nice assortment of dumplings, noodles, and buns. They have a few vegetarian options, and their scallion pancakes are quite popular. Most of all, Dumpling Alley is great for someone who is no-frills and just wants consistently tasty food.

13. Dumpling Time

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Open During COVID for: Outdoor seating, Delivery, Takeout
Address: 11 Division St San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 525-4797

Considered a fun dumpling place right between the Potrero Hill and SOMA neighborhoods, Dumpling Time is highly recommended for a date spot and a place to try new dishes. Dumplings here will warm you up on a cold day, and the dim sum is unique. You won’t find Maine lobster Siu Mai at many other places, or the trio of green tea, taro, and egg yolk dessert buns.

14. Chubby Noodle

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout
Address: 570 Green St. San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone:

Craving Asian Fusion? Chubby Noodle is your spot in the North Beach district. The menu is much narrower than some of the other dim sum spots, but they ensure every dish - from garlic noodles to steam buns to tuna poke - is top notch. They also feature bottomless drinks and loud music, so be prepared to come for a good time.

15. United Dumplings

Price Range: $$ | Hours: 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM (Closed: Tues)
Open During COVID for: Delivery, Takeout, Sit-down dining, Indoor dining, Outdoor seating
Address: 525 Cortland Ave San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 658-7363

You can find great dumplings and dim sum in Bernal Heights at United Dumplings. The dumplings and beef noodle soup are fresh and delicious, and they offer some outdoor seating for the time being. Their xiao long bao especially are full of flavor and explode when you bite into them. Don’t hesitate to order their pork dumplings and KBBQ dumplings too.

11. Hinodeya Ramen Bar