Melbourne has a vibrant and diverse dining scene in which yum cha plays a significant role.
Whether you are after a quick in-and-out lunchtime feed during the working week, fancy a more refined evening meal out or need something to get rid of a hangover on the weekend, yum cha is always a popular option.
Thankfully, there are several venues in the city that provide authentic Chinese cuisine in a relaxed and social setting.
If you are a regular eater of this type of cuisine you probably already have a favourite place you go to.
However, if you are willing to try something different, here are 12 fantastic restaurants for yum cha in Melbourne you should pay a visit to.
Yum Cha Explained
Yum Cha, also known as ‘Dim Sum’ is a traditional Chinese dining style where small plates of food are served on carts and offered to diners in a restaurant setting.
The food items are usually bite-sized portions of steamed or fried dumplings, buns, cakes, and other savoury or sweet dishes.
The practice of yum cha originated in Guangzhou, China and is now popular all over the world, including in Melbourne.
Yum cha is often enjoyed as a communal dining experience, with friends and family gathering to sample a variety of dishes.
The term translates literally as ‘drink tea’, which is a reference to the practice of pairing the small dishes with tea.
Best Yum Cha Restaurants in Melbourne
So now that you are clear on what yum cha is, here is a list of the best restaurants that serve it in Melbourne.
1. Spice Temple
Spice Temple is a modern Chinese restaurant located in the Crowne Plaza in Southbank.
It offers a unique and contemporary take on traditional Chinese cuisine, using a range of spices and flavours to create dishes that are both bold and flavourful.
The restaurant is known for its stylish decor and sophisticated atmosphere, making it a popular dining destination for locals and visitors alike.
Some of the menu items offered at Spice Temple include wok-fried dishes, slow-cooked meats, and a
range of vegetarian options.
It is considered to be one of the best restaurants in Melbourne for those who appreciate Chinese cuisine and offers a memorable dining experience.
Address: 8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006
Hours: Mon – Tue 6 – 9 pm, Wed – Thur 12 – 3 pm & 6 – 9 pm, Fri 12 – 3 pm & 6 – 11 pm, Sat 5:30 – 11 pm
Phone: (02) 8099 7088
2. Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung is a popular Taiwanese restaurant chain that has a location at the Emporium Melbourne shopping centre on Lonsdale Street.
The restaurant is known for its signature steamed dumplings filled with savoury fillings, along with a variety of other dishes inspired by traditional Taiwanese cuisine.
The Emporium Melbourne location of Din Tai Fung offers a spacious and modern dining environment, with a menu that features a range of soups, noodles, and rice dishes in addition to the famous dumplings.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a full meal, Din Tai Fung at Emporium Melbourne is a great choice for those who love authentic Asian cuisine.
Located in: Emporium Melbourne
Address: Level 4/287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours: Mon – Thur 11:30 am – 2:30 pm & 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Phone: (03) 9654 1876
3. Shark Fin Inn
Shark Fin Inn is a Chinese restaurant tucked away on Little Bourke Street.
Specialising in Cantonese cuisine it offers a range of traditional dishes made with fresh ingredients and authentic flavours.
The restaurant is known for its wide selection of seafood dishes, including its signature shark fin soup, as well as other popular dishes like roast duck and Peking duck.
The atmosphere at Shark Fin Inn is warm and inviting, with stylish decor and a friendly staff. If you’re in the mood for delicious and authentic Chinese cuisine, this place is a winning choice.
Address: 50 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours: Mon – Sun 11 am – 3 pm & 5:30 – 10 pm
Phone: (03) 9662 2552
4. Flower Drum Restaurant Melbourne
Flower Drum is a fine-dining Chinese restaurant situated on Market Lane.
It is one of the city’s most renowned and respected Chinese restaurants, offering a menu of sophisticated and contemporary Chinese cuisine made with high-quality ingredients.
The restaurant is known for its stylish and elegant atmosphere, with a decor that features beautiful floral motifs and other traditional Chinese elements.
One of its standout dishes is its famous Peking duck. But it also serves a range of other dishes that champion ingredients like seafood, poultry, and meat.
Whether you’re looking for a special occasion dinner or just a memorable dining experience, Flower Drum is a top choice for Chinese cuisine in Melbourne.
Address: 17 Market Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours: Mon – Sat 12 – 11 pm, Sun 6 – 11 pm
Phone: (03) 9662 3655
5. The Potsticker
The Potsticker is a casual Chinese restaurant located in Keilor. It is known for its delicious potstickers, which are a type of Chinese dumpling filled with meat and vegetables.
In addition to its signature dish, The Potsticker also offers a variety of other Chinese-inspired dishes, such as noodles, stir-fry dishes, and soups.
The restaurant is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, making it a popular choice for casual dining and takeout.
For those wanting a quick and delicious Chinese meal some way away from the CBD, this place won’t disappoint.
Address: 694 Old Calder Hwy, Keilor VIC 3036
Hours: Tue – Sun 11:30 am – 2:30 pm & 5:30 – 9:30 pm
Phone: (03) 9336 1866
6. Tao Tao House
Over in Hawthorn Tao Tao House is a popular Chinese restaurant that serves up some of the best yum cha in Melbourne. It offers a menu of traditional and contemporary Chinese dishes made with
high-quality ingredients.
The restaurant is known for its cosy and inviting atmosphere, with a decor that features traditional Chinese elements and warm colours.
Some of the standout dishes at Tao Tao House include its stir-fry dishes, soups, and a range of vegetarian options.
If you plan to go there be mindful that it can get busy, so either make a reservation or head there earlier than you would normally go out to eat.
Address: 815 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122
Hours: Mon – Sun 12 – 3 pm & 5:15 – 9:30 pm
Phone: (03) 9818 0968
7. Silks
Silks is a high-end dining destination known for its sophisticated and contemporary take on traditional Chinese cuisine.
Located within the Crown Melbourne, the restaurant features elegant decor, with a menu that focuses on premium ingredients and bold flavours.
Make no mistake about it, they present a gourmet yum cha experience that few other venues on this list can match. For just under $90 (at the time of writing) they will present to you nine exceptional dishes within a brilliant degustation style experience.
This includes their signature dumplings trio and Peking duck roasted pancake, as well as top-notch congee.
Granted it is not the cheapest meal around, but it is one that will have your taste buds singing with delight.
Located in: Crown Melbourne
Address: Level 1 Crown Towers, Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006
Hours: Mon-Thur & Sun 12 – 2:30 pm & 6 – 10 pm, Fri – Sat 12 – 2:30 pm & 5:30 – 10 pm
Phone: (03) 9292 5777
8. Secret Kitchen Chinatown
Secret Kitchen is a fabulous restaurant located in Chinatown.
It is known for its authentic and flavourful Chinese cuisine, with a menu that features a number of traditional dishes made with high-quality ingredients.
The restaurant is located in a discreet and unassuming location, which has earned it its name, ‘Secret
Kitchen’.
Its menu features delicious soups, noodle dishes, and stir-fry options. While its atmosphere is always cosy and intimate, making it a popular choice for both casual dining and special occasion meals.
Address: 222 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours: Mon – Fri 11 am – 3 pm & 5:30 – 10 pm, Sat-Sun 10:30 – 11:50 am, 12 – 1:20 pm, 1:45 – 3 pm, 5:30 – 10 pm
Phone: (03) 9988 7778
9. HuTong
HuTong is another terrific venue on Market Lane to visit next time the hunger pangs hit.
It offers a sophisticated dining experience with a menu that features a range of contemporary and traditional Chinese dishes.
The restaurant has been set up with a sleek, stylish and modern design that reflects the contemporary feel of its menu.
Some of the most popular dishes on the menu include its Xiao-Long-Bao, chilli wonton and pan-fried pork dumplings. But really, you can try anything and it would be great.
Address: 14-16 Market Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours: Mon – Sun 11:30 am – 3 pm & 5:30 – 10 pm
Phone: (03) 9650 8128
10. East Imperial
A stalwart in Carlton, East Imperial is a modern Asian dining destination that offers a scintillating menu of dishes inspired by the flavours and ingredients of Southeast Asia.
Featuring clean lines and neutral colours, the restaurant presents a laid-back ambience in which to dine.
Its menu showcases an impressive range of homemade dim sum, including chilli fish dumplings, prawn and pork siu mai and pork pan-fried dumplings. All of which are made with love and a high degree of expertise.
As well as the dim sum, the venue also serves up a delicious selection of curries and noodles.
Address: 323 Rathdowne St, Carlton VIC 3053
Hours: Mon – Sun 11:30 am – 3 pm, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Phone: (03) 9347 3322
11. Oriental Teahouse Lt Collins
The Oriental Teahouse is another terrific venue worth visiting on Little Collins Street.
Given its popularity and its CBD location, you can expect a bit of a wait to get in here, although once seated you will be treated to some of Melbourne’s best yum cha.
Launched in 1993, they offer a range of an incredible range of dim sum, including Xiao Long Bao, Lemongrass Chicken and even a sinfully delicious white chocolate version of dumplings.
To wash them down, they also serve a wide range of handmade Chinese teas and cocktails that only enhance your dining experience.
Address: 378 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours: Tue – Wed 12 – 3 pm & 5:30 – 9 pm, Thur 12 – 3 pm & 6 – 9 pm, Fri-Sat 12 – 3pm & 5:30 -1 0 pm
Phone: (03) 9600 4230
12. Crystal Jade Restaurant
For those who appreciate good food and elegant dining, Crystal Jade on Little Bourke Street is a great choice.
Situated in Chinatown, the venue first opened in 1999. Since then, hordes of hungry diners have come here to try their exciting menu of dishes – the most popular of which is its Snow Crab in Foie Gras French Pate.
This is another place that gets busy, so you can expect a wait. But the service is fast and friendly and the food is delicious, so it would be very much worth it.
Located in: Chinatown Melbourne
Address: 154 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours: Wed – Mon 11 am – 3 pm & 5 – 10 pm
Phone: (03) 9639 2633