It’s hot, nearly 1 p.m. and you and your friends have been wandering around Kensington Market for what feels like hours.
You turn onto Dundas St. West and enter Chinatown, your stomach rumbling. You could really go for some dim sum.
As you gaze onto the crowded street with numerous restaurant storefronts, you feel at a loss. Where should you go? How do you know what’s good around here? Should you just hop onto the subway and call it a day?
Luckily for you, the next time you find yourself in this situation, you won’t need to pause at the Spadina Avenue and Dundas St. West intersection for long. Read on for a select list of actually good dim sum spots in downtown Toronto to share a midday meal with friends or stop for a solo brunch.
wok theory
Opened in 2023, this newer dim sum spot has incredibly friendly staff and equally delicious food. I was served steaming tea within three minutes of being seated and opted for the shrimp and chive steamed dumplings, which quite literally melted in my mouth. The space is bright and modern, with cozy booths lining the perimeter and round tables in the centre. If that’s not enough to convince you to check it out, Wok Theory is also loved by The Green Line’s very own Editor-in-Chief Anita Li.
For full disclosure, just this Tuesday, The Green Line, The Depanneur and Wok Theory hosted our “Chinatown at the table” event, featuring a screening of our short documentary series about cultural preservation in the neighbourhood (which you can find here), as well as a dumpling making demo and a Cantonese dinner.
- Address: 530 Dundas St. W
- Price range: $2.99 – $13.99 per dish
- Hours: Sunday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., closed Wednesday
- Address: 530 Dundas St. W
- Price range: $2.99 – $13.99 per dish
- Hours: Sunday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., closed Wednesday
📸: Enid Kohler/The Green Line.
Moon palace
Steps from Sankofa Square, this two-storey restaurant serves up authentic Cantonese cuisine and is another Anita Li-approved spot. Moon Palace specializes in seafood sourced directly from the East Coast, but it also offers plenty of meat and vegetarian options. The space is bright and expansive — perfect for your next brunch with friends or family.
- Address: 40 Dundas St. W
- Price range: $7.50 – $25.80 per dish
- Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Address: 40 Dundas St. W
- Price range: $7.50 – $25.80 per dish
- Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Rol San
Opened in 1984, this restaurant is a classic feature of Chinatown’s dim sum scene. My friend who was raised in Hong Kong raves about this spot, deeming it a Toronto institution. Right below Nassau Street on Spadina Avenue and open until 12:00 a.m. or later everyday, Rol San is perfect for a late night snack after a bar night with friends. It’s also quite affordable, with dishes starting at $5.88.
- Address: 390 Spadina Ave
- Price range: $5.88 – $7.88 per dish
- Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 12 a.m., Friday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3 a.m.
- Address: 390 Spadina Ave
- Price range: $5.88 – $7.88 per dish
- Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 12 a.m., Friday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3 a.m.
📸: Rol San / Instagram.
Hong Shing
Branded as “Chinese comfort food” and founded in 1997, Hong Shing is a must-try spot for dim sum just steps away from Nathan Philips Square. Although a restaurant’s worth isn’t tied to its Instagram following, it’s notable that it has over 21,000 followers. While Hong Shing has a smaller selection of menu items for dim sum, it’s still absolutely worth it. Opt for the dim sum platter to taste a variety of steamed dumplings and bao, all for $21. If you like Hong Shing, check out their new “micro-restaurant,” Yan Dining Room, serving neo-Chinese cuisine.
- Address: 195 Dundas St. W
- Price range: $13 for 6 steamed dumplings; $21 for a dim sum platter
- Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Friday: 11 a.m. – 12 a.m., Saturday: 3 p.m. – 12 a.m., Sunday: 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Address: 195 Dundas St. W
- Price range: $13 for 6 steamed dumplings; $21 for a dim sum platter
- Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Friday: 11 a.m. – 12 a.m., Saturday: 3 p.m. – 12 a.m., Sunday: 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Dim Sum King
This restaurant specializes in dim sum and Cantonese cuisine, with a bright, spacious dining space. It has an incredibly extensive menu, with items like pan-fried chive and shrimp cakes for $10 and steamed sticky rice with chicken and dried shrimp for $7. Dim Sum King regularly has fun initiatives to engage the community, like giving out 2,000 free dumplings last September for World Dumpling Day. It also gained celebrity-status last summer when Patrick Dempsey was spotted filming scenes in the restaurant for a new television series.
- Address: 421 Dundas St. W, 3rd floor
- Price range: $2 – $35 per dish, with the average steamed or fried dumpling dish going for $7
- Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Address: 421 Dundas St. W, 3rd floor
- Price range: $2 – $35 per dish, with the average steamed or fried dumpling dish going for $7
- Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
📸: Dim Sum King/Instagram.
Rosewood Asian Cuisine
This spot offers all day dim sum, perfect for when you’re craving dim sum dishes outside of midday hours. Opened in 2012, Rosewood Asian Cuisine has two floors and ample dining room for large groups. While you can always opt for the à-la-carte menu, if you want to splurge on an unlimited amount of dim sum, check out the all-you-can-eat option, starting at $36.99.
- Address: 463 Dundas St. W
- Price range: $5.75 – $14.99 per dish; $36.99 – $38.99 for all-you-can-eat dim sum
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 3 a.m., Saturday – Sunday: 9 a.m. – 3 a.m.
- Address: 463 Dundas St. W
- Price range: $5.75 – $14.99 per dish; $36.99 – $38.99 for all-you-can-eat dim sum
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 3 a.m., Saturday – Sunday: 9 a.m. – 3 a.m.
Did I miss your favourite dim sum spot? Message me and tell me what to check out next. Email me at hello@greenline.to, so I can add your recommendation to the next list. And if you end up giving one of these places a try, tag @tglhelps on Instagram to be reposted on our story.
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