Robert WebbThe 5 Best Dim Sum Restaurants in Vancouver
Dim sum is a Cantonese dish prepared in bite-sized portions and typically served in a small steamer basket.
In the past, these dishes were enjoyed during brunch with a side of tea, but today they have become popular as both a traditional meal and a snack.
If you want to try authentic dim sum, you should know that numerous restaurants are offering these dishes. To make the selection easier, we have compiled a list of the best dim sum restaurants in Vancouver.
How much does dim sum cost in Vancouver?
Dim sum prices vary depending on several factors, such as the type of dim sum, the quantity ordered, and the restaurant you’re dining at.
During our assessments, we also collected the starting prices of dim sum dishes in the top restaurants in Vancouver. See the values below.
The Top Dim Sum Places in Vancouver
It’s easy to get lost in the taste of good food. Knowing this, we drafted criteria for our evaluations, with the following factors considered:
1. Bao Bei
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Food Quality | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Menu Range | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambiance | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
Bao Bei means “precious” or with special significance in Chinese, and that’s exactly what the restaurant aims for you to experience with them.
Bao Bei offers an intimate way of dining with the people you love by enjoying and sharing the good food they offer. The lighting is warm, and the seating is comfortable throughout the restaurant.
Aside from the cozy ambiance, we also like Bao Bei’s take on the cuisine, which is more modern with influences from Taiwan and Shanghai.
The restaurant’s menu is quite small, but we understand that each food item is prepared with care. In fact, the dim sum is handmade, which we appreciate.
Some of our favorites are the steamed prawn, scallop, rockfish, and chive dumplings, as well as the lamb potstickers.
For vegetarian diners, there are vegetarian potstickers, but there are other menu items to enjoy, such as the shan tofu and bean curd skin with king oyster mushroom and chili-ginger vinaigrette.
We appreciate that Bao Bei’s meat products are locally sourced, ethically raised, and hormone and chemical free.
Now, it’s worth noting that Bao Bei is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and the restaurants can get quite busy most days. Fortunately, they accept reservations, which is advised for big groups.
Pros
- Cultivates a casual intimate dining experience
- Accepts reservations
- Vegetarian and vegan friendly
Cons
- Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
- Complaints about food being served cold
Customer Reviews
Everything was delicious
“I think it’s my first time here. I might’ve gone here a long time ago when the interior looked a bit different. It’s a great place for food and drinks. The atmosphere is bustling and lively. We ordered lots and everything was delicious!” – Agnes
Ambiance was extremely welcoming
“I loved this restaurant, the food was authentic yet creative, and the Ambiance was extremely welcoming. All the staff here were really nice and made sure you were familiar with things on the menu. The serving is smaller than most Chinese food places, but the fried rice was a very large portion, I also highly recommend their yuzu panna cotta, def very unique, never tried this combination before.” – M Z
2. Western Lake
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Food Quality | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Menu Range | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambiance | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
Western Lake is a Chinese seafood restaurant that first opened its doors ten years ago, and has since become a staple for locals and tourists alike.
The restaurant has earned much praise from its customers and has even received a number of awards, including the Critics’ Choice Signature Dish Awards.
Western Lake’s established presence in the community is the first thing that caught our attention, but what really wowed us was the food and overall dining experience at the restaurant.
Upon entering, we were met with an elegant interior, with booths and private rooms available for customers. The seating was comfortable, allowing us to enjoy our dishes better.
Now, when it comes to food, Western Lake is phenomenal. It seems as if the chefs know that customers eat with their eyes first since the plating was beautiful and well-thought-out.
We tried some of the classics, like the shao mai, har kau, and xiao long bao. These dim sum, in our opinion, are a must-try because they showcase the best of Western Lake.
If you wish to try out a new dim sum, consider ordering the steamed scallops with prawns and pea tip leaves, which shocked us with their deliciousness.
When it comes to customer service, Western Lake was decent. The staff was polite and attentive, but we noticed that the wait time for being served was a bit longer than usual.
Pros
- Chef with over 30 years of experience
- Food prepared fresh daily
- Warm and elegant environment
Cons
- Complaints about lack of flavor
- Issues with customer service
Customer Reviews
Food is traditional and spectacular
“This place is a go-to for families celebrating things like graduation and birthdays. And there’s a good reason for that. While the portions are large, the food is traditional and spectacular. We had some crab and braised beef with rice. Both were delectable. Our waiter also made an effort to engage in conversation and recommend menu items. Wow this restaurant might be unsuspecting from outside, it’s well worth a visit for anybody who appreciates fantastically prepared Chinese food.” – Jonny B.
All freshly made
“What an experience. We came here twice for dinner as a guest and then for dim sum. Both times were just amazing. The photos speak for themselves. The crab was just fantastic which they made 3 dishes from on king crab. I never had rice and noodles like this. Then their dim sum was another level. Portions were just massive. All freshly made.” – Robert
3. Sun Sui Wah
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Food Quality | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Menu Range | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambiance | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
Sun Sui Wah Seafood Restaurant is another place to consider if you’re looking for authentic Chinese cuisine in Vancouver.
It was first established in Vancouver in 1988. Since then, they have offered high-quality dishes that generations of families have enjoyed.
One thing to love about Sun Suih is that they offer a traditional menu from recipes passed on all the way from Hong Kong.
The dim sums are handmade daily, with fresh ingredients incorporated into every dish.
We recommend trying out their siu mai and steamed crystal prawn dumplings if you want the classics. These dim sums were rich and flavourful, and the texture was just right.
Some other dishes we like include the deep-fried crab claw with shrimp and the steamed creamy egg yolk bun.
The egg yolk bun, in particular, is one of the best choices to cleanse your palate with, given its sweet and savory taste.
Of course, there’s more to the menu, with hot pot items, barbecue, and live seafood.
We appreciate that Sun Sui Wah does its best to deliver quality dishes, but there have been complaints about inconsistencies.
That aside, you can expect the service at Sun Suih Wah to be decent. The servers are attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, so you’ll be in good hands.
Overall, Sun Sui Wah is worth checking out if you’re in the mood for dim sum and want something classic yet delicious.
Pros
- Authentic, refined Cantonese cuisine
- Dishes made from scratch daily
- Open all days of the week
Cons
- Complaints about poor customer service
- Inconsistent dish quality
Customer Reviews
Fresh and tasty
“Had the dim sum. Most items were quite good but the rice rolls skin was a little too thick for my liking. The ingredients within however was fresh and tasty. The prawn items were all really fresh. All the service staff were polite and pleasant. We didn’t do a reservation but they seated us almost immediately.” – Hsuet Funn Chan
Wide range of food
“A trusted and classic place for dim sum! They have a wide range of food and they are great for all sorts of family gatherings. If you’re looking for unique dishes, order the giant sesame ball dessert before your visit!” – Diane
4. Pink Pearl
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Food Quality | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Menu Range | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambiance | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
Located on East Hastings street, Pink Pearl is a modern Chinese restaurant that has established itself in the local community by offering the highest-quality Cantonese, Szechuan, and Chinese seafood dishes.
Pink Pearl is particularly renowned for their dim sum. We tried some of their classics, like the steamed shrimp dumplings and steamed pork dumplings.
The steamed shrimp dumplings were delicate but packed a punch, with the first bite introducing us to a burst of flavor. Meanwhile, the steamed pork dumplings were juicy and tender, with the right amount of seasoning.
Of course, it would be remiss of us not to try other dim sum dishes, so we ordered baby squid with curry sauce and steamed beef tendon in Peking sauce.
The baby squid was cooked to perfection, with a slightly crispy crust that balanced out the curry sauce’s creamy texture.
Meanwhile, the steamed beef tendon melted in our mouths upon the first bite, proving to us that Pink Pearl knows how to prepare its dishes just right.
Aside from dim sum, they also serve other Chinese cuisines, like hot and sour soup, which is the perfect start to any meal. It’s tangy yet savory, and you can taste the various ingredients used to make it.
Another thing that sets this apart from other restaurants is the experience of seeing the live seafood order before the dishes are made.
At Pink Pearl, the staff brings the live fish or crab to your table to inspect before the chefs cook them.
We also recommend Pink Pearl because of the customer service. The servers were courteous and willing to help with any questions we had about their menu.
Overall, Pink Pearl is an excellent option for dim sum lovers looking for quality Chinese dishes. We would highly recommend it!
Pros
- Cantonese, Szechuan and Chinese seafood
- Award-winning chefs
- Open all days of the week
Cons
- Can be hard to get parking
- Issues with customer service
Customer Reviews
Big portions, helpful staff
“Big portions, helpful staff and fast. I’ve been coming to the Pink Pearl for years. Consistent and good food. A little out of my way but worth it. Just hard to find parking.“ – Giovanni M.
Great atmosphere and kind servers
“Very tasty dim sum. Servers walk around with carts and ask if you would like certain goods. They stamp a paper, and after eating, they total it according to the dishes ordered. They offer boxes and bags for unfinished food. Great atmosphere and kind servers. Good for parties and eating out with friends and families. Would recommend. They also have fresh seafood and a points system to earn gifts.“ – Marcus S.
5. Dynasty Seafood Restaurant
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Food Quality | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Menu Range | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambiance | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
Dynasty Seafood Restaurant is the place to be if you’re craving dim sum or Chinese cuisine in general.
Located on West Broadway, Dynasty has endeared itself to locals and travelers alike, with many customers raving about their food.
Similar to our other restaurant visits, we ordered some of the classics to see if Dynasty could make them right. The steamed shrimp dumplings were exquisite, with a delicate casing and plump shrimp inside.
On the other hand, the steamed pork dumplings were savory and succulent, and the thin skin helped capture all that flavor.
To cleanse our palates, we ordered green tea pudding, which was light, refreshing, and not overly sweet.
We also tried some dishes from Dynasty’s regular menu, like the live crab steamed with minced garlic. This dish is an absolute must-try, given how generous the crab portion is and how flavorful it is.
As for the other aspects of the restaurant, we’d love to give kudos for the customer service since the staff was friendly and attentive despite how busy the restaurant was.
Overall, Dynasty Seafood Restaurant is an excellent spot for dim sum and Chinese cuisine in general. Their dishes are mouthwatering, their staff is courteous, and their prices are reasonable. It’s definitely worth checking out!
Pros
- Specializes in adding twists in traditional Cantonese dishes
- Award-winning restaurant
- 2 hours of free parking
Cons
- Complaints about being served frozen food
- Issues with inattentive customer service
Customer Reviews
Very delicious food
“We are not used to take pictures before consuming the dim sum, so most of these pictures were taken when we were in the half-way. Very delicious food and their services are also excellent. I know Vancouver has many fantastic dim sum places but this one is a MUST GO! They have complimentary 2 hours parking and it saved up our time looking for meter parking!” – Andy Y.
Servers are very friendly
“We are not used to take pictures before consuming the dim sum, so most of these pictures were taken when we were in the half-way. Very delicious food and their services are also excellent. I know Vancouver has many fantastic dim sum places but this one is a MUST GO! They have complimentary 2 hours parking and it saved up our time looking for meter parking!” – Dalia P.
FAQs about Dim Sum in Vancouver
We hope you found this article helpful in deciding which dim sum restaurant to visit in Vancouver.
If you’re the type to enjoy coffee after a meal, consider our list of top coffee shops in Vancouver.
