Yum Cha Delights: 14 Best dim sum restaurants in Singapore

MF editorial team 03 Oct 2016 updated the 13 April 2017 à 21:26

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Golden Peony, Conrad Centennial Singapore
Sample a delectable spread of Cantonese delicacies at this elegant dining spot. Along with signature dim sum delights in exotic flavour combos, expect an extensive wine list with options that pair delightfully with your selection of Chinese bites. Holding a special occasion? Book a private dining room for up to 10 people.

2 Temasek Blvd, Conrad Centennial Hotel Level 3, Tel: 6432 7482

UOB Specials: 1-for-1 Double-Boiled Superior Bird’s Nest with Rock Sugar. Valid until 30 June 2017. Valid with any set menu ordered.

Photo: Conrad Hotels & Resorts
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Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant, PARKROYAL on Beach Road
Choose from a wide variety of a la carte Sichuan and Cantonese fare. You will delight in the flavorsome Camphor Tea Smoked Duck, and reach for seconds from the Seafood Combination Platter. Trust us, this is the best place for a power lunch.

7500 Beach Road, Tel: 6505 5722

UOB Specials: 1 dines free with every 3 paying adults for 60 Dishes Deluxe Feast a la carte buffet dinner (Mon – Sun). Valid until 30 June 2017.

Photo: PARKROYAL Hotels
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Shang Palace, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
While not exactly serving ‘dim sum’-sized portions but main dishes instead, this restaurant prides itself on fine Cantonese flavours and specialties, so treat yourself to a slew of artfully prepared dishes like deep-fried spare ribs with golden garlic, and hot stone fried rice. You can expect a very satisfied belly afterwards.

22 Orange Grove Road, Dining reservations: 6213 4398, Shang Palace: 6213 4373

UOB Specials: 1 dines free with every 4 paying adults for regular set menus. Valid until 30 June 2017.

Photo: Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
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Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant, PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road
Like its counterpart at PARKROYAL on Beach Road, this restaurant promises to deliver only the best Sichuan and Cantonese delicacies. Signature dishes you must try at this family-friendly dining spot include the Braised Pork Belly served in Whole Pumpkin, and Boiled Sliced Fish with Spicy Chilli Sauce.

181 Kitchener Road, Tel: 6428 3170

UOB Specials: 1 dines free with every 3 paying adults for 60 Dishes Deluxe Feast a la carte buffet dinner (Mon – Sun). Valid until 30 June 2017.

Photo: PARKROYAL Hotels
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Jade Restaurant
For dim sum delights that will leave a lasting impression, head to Jade Restaurant at The Fullerton Hotel. With a delightful Weekend Dim Sum Gourmet Brunch menu of over 50 items, boasting incredible options like Poached Enoki Mushroom Squid Ink Dumplings, and Golden ‘Mantou’ Stuffed with Chilli Crab Meat, this is one dim sum feast you won’t soon forget.

The Fullerton Hotel, 1 Fullerton Square

Photo: The Fullerton Hotel
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Cherry Garden
Cherry Garden is possibly one of the most visually stunning restaurants on the island. And with a gorgeous menu to match the wonderful ambiance and interior, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better restaurant for your dim sum brunch session. Treat your tastebuds to Steamed Pork Siew Mai with Baby Abalone, Fragrant Lotus Chicken and Wild Rice Dumplings, and Wafer-Wrapped Cod Fillet with Black Pepper. You’ll turn Cherry Garden into your favourite Cantonese restaurant in no time.

Level 5, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 5 Raffles Avenue

Photo: Mandarin Oriental Singapore
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Hai Tien Lo
If you’re looking to spoil you and your family rotten over the weekend, you’ll have to head over to Pan Pacific Singapore and try Hai Tien Lo’s Ultimate Weekend Dim Sum Brunch Buffet. With masterfully crafted delights paired with unlimited servings of wine, refresh yourself in the afternoon with more than 60 dim sum options and signature a la carte creations.

Level 3, Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard

Photo: Pan Pacific Singapore
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Kai Garden
If you’re ever at Marina Square looking for some flavoursome dim sum, Kai Garden is the place to be. Be sure to sample their Pan Fried Charcoal Pork Bun for a delectable twist on its traditional counterpart. Squid ink colours the meat-filled bun, and it is delicately pan fried to perfection. Other lovely dim sum choices include Deep Fried Yam and Pumpkin, and the gloriously lava-tastic Signature Steamed Custard Bun.

Marina Square, 6 Raffles Boulevard, #03-128A/128B

Photo: Kai Garden
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Spring Court
At the ripe old age of 82, Singapore's oldest surviving Chinese restaurant, Spring Court, definitely know what they're doing. Since its opening in 1929, the restaurant has changed locations multiple times, but its food has stayed true through the years. Now in its third generation of family hands, Spring Court still dishes up its much loved homemade popiah, fiery hot spicy wantons, and roasted suckling pig, all using the original recipes.

52-56 Upper Cross Street

Photo: Spring Court
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Peony Jade
Peony Jade has two outlets and the one at Keppel Club has very recently been awarded the Bib Gourmand status in Singapore’s inaugural Michelin guide. And for good reason! Serving customers with classic Cantonese and Szechuan food, Peony Jade dishes out some of the most visually stunning creations. Their Weekday & Weekend Dim Sum Buffet Lunch will keep you satisfied for hours.

3 River Valley Road, Clarke Quay

10 Bukit Chermin Rd, Keppel Club

Photo: Peony Jade
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Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant
Swee Choon embraces a truly authentic vibe, providing customers with a wide selection of Hong Kong and Shanghai dim sum items made with the freshest herbs and ingredients. From juicy Char Siew Bao to mouthwatering Xiao Long Bao, and even flaky Portuguese Egg Tarts, there is something for even the pickiest of eaters at this restaurant. Try their signature dish, the Mee Sua Kueh, or indulge in their Big Pau - a huge Chinese bun packed with minced pork, egg, chicken and shiitake mushroom.

183 - 191 Jalan Besar

Photo: Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant
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Swatow Seafood
If you’ve got mad cravings for some authentic, lip-smacking Hong Kong dim sum to fill your tummy in the afternoon, Swatow Seafood Restaurant offers patrons a delightful selection of dim sum items. You’ll want to indulge in their High Tea Dim Sum Buffet, which starts from SGD19.80 per adult and offers over 20 delicious options. Expect fan favourites like Prawn Dumplings and Mini Egg Tarts.

Block 181 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh #02-602

Photo: Swatow Seafood
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Dragon Phoenix Restaurant
For a quintessential cantonese dim sum vibe, you can't go past the 53-year-old Dragon Phoenix Restaurant at Clarke Quay. Since its opening in 1963, the restaurant has been a favourite amongst Singaporeans, and is even credited for creating our local favourite: chilli crab! Nowadays, the restaurant still retains its old school vibe with traditional Chinese decor, dishes served off dim sum carts, and most importantly, closely guarded recipes untouched since the 60s.

177A River Valley Road #06-00 Novotel Clarke Quay (Liang Court)

Photo: Dragon Phoenix Restaurant Facebook
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Yan Ting
While Yan Ting specialises in their scrumptious and exquisite Cantonese fine dining a la carte menu for lunch and dinner, they also offer a Weekend Dim Sum Brunch that features award-winning signature dishes. Delight your tastebuds with specially crafted Steamed Pork and Shrimp Dumplings with Black Truffles, Oven-Baked Barbecued Pork Pastry with Sesame, and much more. The elegant ambiance of Yan Ting will also no doubt impress.

St. Regis Singapore, Level 1U, 29 Tanglin Road

Photo: Yan Ting

Golden Peony, Conrad Centennial Singapore

Indulge in high tea the Chinese way and give your stomach a real feast at these popular dim sum spots.

Whether you’re looking for a place to bring the whole family for a social feast, or searching for a great restaurant to sample some terrific Chinese food, you can’t go wrong with a banquet table full of dim sum delights. The best thing about indulging in an afternoon yum cha session is the many different options you can order off the dim sum menu. It’s no wonder everyone calls dim sum “Chinese tapas” – quick and easy snack-sized foods, and such a variety to choose from, it’s a good thing Singapore is home to so many award-winning dim sum restaurants.

We’ve curated a list of the top 14 best dim sum restaurants in Singapore – they are all definitely worth a visit. Taste for yourself the closely-guarded secret recipes that these places are so famous for, and see why so many people rave about them!

Save on your next dim sum adventure

A handful of these foodie havens mentioned above offer some pretty cool value-for-money promotional deals that you might want to watch out for. Give your wallet a much-needed break and make good use of UOB Card’s dining specials. We’ve shown you our favourite spots, but if you’re picky and need a little more inspiration, be sure to check out UOB Cards’ full list of participating restaurants!