We got there around 10:30 am on Sunday and the restaurant (which opens at 10 for dim sum) was nearly full. Aside from actually churning out some pretty awesome food (a rarity in Chinatown apparently), its other claim to fame is that Obama ate lunch there a few years ago. Of the many places I found recommended, Great Eastern Restaurant, located in the heart of Chinatown on Jackson Street, came up again and again. This sounded much more enjoyable and less stressful for our first experience. Our last option was a traditional sit down restaurant where you order by dish (with each dish having 3-4 pieces). Not a bad option, I thought, but it sounded like a lot of pressure for us newbies (fyi: Good Mong Kok Bakery in Chinatown was a frequent recommendation for this type of place). Other smaller places allow you to order by piece at the register and take your food to go. Some places will offer cheap “all you can eat dim sum”, but that surely isn’t very authentic (or good). I found out that not all dim sum is created equal. So I did what I always do when I don’t know something…I googled it. I knew I certainly wasn’t going to be able to ask many questions once we got there. And being dim sum newbies, I didn’t know exactly how it worked. It was about damn time.įinding a good dim sum restaurant in an area so heavily marketed to tourists seemed like a daunting task. Never had dim sum? Like ever? Yeah…I know. We (and by ‘we’, I mean ‘I’) really only had one goal for visiting Chinatown: enjoy traditional dim sum for the very first time. One of those must-see spots on the list: Chinatown! We put on quite a few miles on a quest to hit every famous spot in the city before the weekend was over.
#Best dim sum in san francisco how to#
They take a more modern angle with their neon signs and bright red soup dumplings, among other touches, but don’t be fooled by their non-traditional approach.Good Eats, San Francisco How to Order Dim Sum in Chinatown San Francisco Last weekend, Matt, Evelyn and I spent a whirlwind 48 hours in San Francisco. Dumpling Timeĭumpling Time is the Millenials’ and Gen Z’s dim sum joint. They have the space for larger parties, but you can expect a wait unless you get there early. Long waits are a commonality among the top tier dim sum restaurants in SF, and this spot is no different. Located in the heart of Chinatown, Great Eastern has incredible dim sum, with the shrimp dumplings being a fan favorite. It’s literally a hole in the wall, and while there are a couple tables inside, when the line out the door starts to form, it gets pretty cramped, so you’ll probably want to take your dim sum to-go, either way. For the amount that you get in a takeout container you won’t find a better deal in town. In my opinion, it’s the best dim sum restaurant in SF for a takeout deal. Good Luck Dim Sum is targeting a different market than the other restaurants on this list. SEE ALSO: 8 Best Chicken Wings in SF Photo by Lisa I. One of my favorites is their Cheung Fun, but you really can’t go wrong here. Hong Kong Lounge needs no introduction as one of the best dim sum restaurants in San Francisco, but we’re going to do it anyway! It’s been a mainstay in the city for years and you often see lines out the door for their amazing dim sum. Included in our post of the 18 Best Asian Restaurants in San Francisco! 2. The food itself is colorful, presented well, and most importantly, delicious! Definitely try their XLB. Dragon Beaux has a really unique and cool atmosphere with gold and purple accents on the furniture and floor to ceiling artwork and decorations everywhere you look. And with other big names nearby, you need to stand out if you want to last. Dragon Beauxĭragon Beaux has made a name for themselves in the Richmond District of SF, which has always had a decently large Chinese community. Luckily, I’ve done some homework *burp* and think these are the 8 best dim sum restaurants in San Francisco you 100% need to try! The good news is that these spots are located all over the city so there’s most likely a solid option close to wherever you are.
#Best dim sum in san francisco full#
SF is full of amazing dim sum so navigating the sea of possibilities can be a little daunting.