Ask any Singaporean where they can find the best dim sum in Singapore and you’re bound to get a vehement argument quicker than it takes for steam to puff from a bamboo basket. Chasing glassy har gow wrappers at hipstery hole-in-the-wall coffee shops or hunting down molten lava liu sha baos at glossy new Cantonese restaurants; dim sum fans in Singapore know that eating dim sum in Singapore can be one of the most thrilling culinary adventures in all of Southeast Asia, plus there’s something to suit every budget.
Tossing aside tourist locales, we’ve rounded up where Singaporeans actually like to eat dim sum. Dive into everything from tried-and-true Jalan Besar joints to hawker stall undiscovered and luxurious hotel dim sum brunches. Here is the only local’s guide you need to the best dim sum in Singapore for 2026.
Pro tip: Unlike Hong Kong, Singapore does dim sum differently — you can enjoy it all day, and even late into the night. The words “yum cha” (飲茶) and “dim sum” are often used interchangeably locally, but technically yum cha refers to the act of drinking tea alongside the food. When in doubt, arrive hungry.
What Makes Great Dim Sum?
A little background information on what makes great dim sum will help navigate through the picks. Har gow (steamed prawn dumplings) should be translucent with a skin that tears easily without sticking to your mouth. Siu mai (pork and prawn dumplings) should be juicy and full of flavour, not dense or dry. Char siew bao (BBQ pork buns), whether baked or steamed, should be filled with an intensely flavoured, slightly sweet mixture and a fluffy bun. As for the liu sha bao? The salted egg yolk custard lava bun will tell you if a kitchen is skilled. If it bursts out thick and molten gold when you bite into it, you know they know what they are doing.
Best Budget Dim Sum in Singapore
Swee Choon Tim Sum
Address: 183 Jln Besar, #185/187/189 191/193, Singapore 208882
Family-run dim sum institution Swee Choon is a bona fide OG restaurant in Singapore. Established way back in 1962, this humble eatery specialises in budget-friendly, honest-to-goodness Cantonese and Shanghainese fare. The old-school ambience and low prices ensure that there’s always a steady stream of loyal customers spanning generations. If there’s a line, grab some elbow room and queue – it’ll be worth the wait (especially on weekends).
Must try: Mee suah kueh, char siew bao, liu sha bao
Uncle Kun’s Delicacies (根叔美食世家)
Address: Blk 74 Food Centre, 74 Lor 4 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310074
Run by Hong Kong-born Chef Lam Kun, who used to be the head chef at Shang Palace in Shangri-La, this humble hawker stall is nothing short of an institution. His uniquely-shaped Oblong Lor Mai Kai (glutinous rice chicken, S$4.80) is one you won’t find anywhere else in Singapore, and is worth the visit alone.
Must try: Oblong lor mai kai, dim sum classics from S$1.50
Richman Dim Sum
Address: 71 Ubi Cres, #01-05 Excalibur Centre, Singapore 408571
A newer stall helmed by a former Crystal Jade/Mercure Hotel restaurant chef with more than 30 years experience. Features over 40 items all under S$10. Best items are the Crispy Popiah Rice Rolls and Pandan Salted Egg Yolk Custard Buns which have gotten nothing but rave reviews.
Must try: Crispy popiah rice rolls, pandan custard buns, hand-chopped siew mai
Best Mid-Range Dim Sum in Singapore
Victor’s Kitchen
Address: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-49 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Victor’s Kitchen is the place to go if you’re after no-nonsense, Hong Kong-style dim sum. A must-order is their Golden Egg Yolk Lava Bun (S$5.90 for 2 pieces). Rich and creamy, the thick custard oozes out the instant the bun is torn. Another highly recommended item is the HK-style pan-fried chee cheong fun.
Must try: Golden egg yolk lava bun, HK-style cheong fun, egg tarts
Yum Cha (Chinatown)
Address: 20 Trengganu St, #02-01, Singapore 058479
Yum Cha resurrects the tradition of the tea house right in the middle of Chinatown in a restored shophouse. Frequently offering traditional dim sum trolleys, there is something reassuringly buzzy about Yum Cha that you can’t quite find anywhere else these days. Trustworthy choice without venturing into upscale territory.
Must try: Har gow, siu mai, sesame prawn and mango rolls, crispy prawn cheong fun
Chao Yue Xuan
Address: 13 Stamford Rd, B2-51 & 52 Capitol Singapore, Singapore 178905
Chef-led by brothers who worked at St. Regis and Crystal Jade, Chao Yue Xuan serves handmade dim sum throughout the day – uncommon in Singapore. Classic Cantonese fare is paired with innovative creations such as their signature ‘Snow Pear’ Dumpling with Honey BBQ Pork. This dish alone is worth the trip.
Must try: Snow pear dumpling, steamed BBQ pork bun, siew mai
Best Upscale & Hotel Dim Sum in Singapore
Hua Ting Restaurant
Address: Orchard Hotel Singapore, Level 2, 442 Orchard Rd, 238879
Founded in 1992 by Hong Kong Masterchef Lap Fai (winner of Asian Cuisine Chef of the Year at World Gourmet Series Awards), Hua Ting remains one of the highest rated dim sum lunches overall in Singapore. Everything from the Signature Baked Mango Chicken Tartlet to the Char Siew Cheong Fun will wow you. Make reservations at least two days in advance.
Must try: Baked mango chicken tartlet, char siew cheong fun, black kurobuta pork congee
Hai Tien Lo (Pan Pacific Singapore)
Address: 7 Raffles Blvd, Level 3, Singapore 039595
Hai Tien Lo’s Unlimited Dim Sum Brunch ($72++ weekdays, $80++ weekends) is a favourite indulgence for Singaporean families. Pick from 11 handmade dim sum varieties – such as steamed prawn dumplings, morel mushroom vegetarian dumplings and pan-fried radish cake – that come with a signature double-boiled broth at the start.
Must try: Unlimited dim sum brunch, double-boiled broth, deep-fried seafood vermicelli
Min Jiang at Dempsey
Address: 7A &, 7B Dempsey Rd, 249684
Perched on the leafy green slopes of Dempsey Hill in a heritage black-and-white bungalow, Min Jiang fuses aesthetics with finesse. You’ll barely want to eat their pristine-looking Steamed Goldfish Prawn Dumplings, and the Exclusive Dim Sum Platter with steamed Blue Pea Truffle Vegetable Dumpling is pure Instagram magic.
Must try: Goldfish prawn dumplings, crabmeat tang bao, exclusive dim sum platter
Best Halal Dim Sum in Singapore
Address: 242 Jln Kayu, Singapore 799466
Singapore-based Tang Tea House serves halal dim sum at five locations all over the island. Recommended dishes from their handmade dim sum menu are Golden Sand Bun (halal-friendly lava bun), S$5++ for three, Shanghai Steamed Chicken Dumpling, and a filling siew mai. CDC Vouchers are accepted at Tang Tea House as well.
Must try: Golden sand bun, Shanghai steamed dumpling, siew mai
Local Tips for Eating Dim Sum in Singapore
Weekend breakfast locals nearly always beat you to the restaurant — Swee Choon and Victor’s Kitchen will likely have a queue out the door by 11am sharp. If you’re dim summing at a hotel restaurant such as Hai Tien Lo and Hua Ting, make reservations far in advance and absolutely necessary. Prefer not to queue at all? Lunchtime crowds are considerably more relaxed than weekend yum cha madness.
Food tip: order your har gow and siu mai first. Of all the dim sum dishes, these two are the real indicators of a kitchen’s quality. Thick or clingy har gow wrappers? Cold and clumpy siu mai? You’ll know the kitchen isn’t serious about their dim sum. Order a few at a time, then reorder if they’re good.
Dim sum prices can be as cheap as S$1.50 a piece at hawker centres like Kuai San Dian Xin, or over S$10 per serving at hotel restaurants. Most will fall in the S$5–S$8 range per dish, so expect to spend about S$30–S$50 all cards on the table for an enjoyable, hearty yum cha for two.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time for dim sum in Singapore?
Weekday lunch time from 11am–1pm is ideal — restaurants are busy but the queues aren’t too long. Weekend yum cha from 10: 30am tends to be the busiest, so arrive hungry and early or reserve for sit-down restaurants.
Is there halal dim sum in Singapore?
Yes! Tang Tea House (they have multiple outlets all over the island) is Singapore’s most popular halal-certified dim sum joint. Also check out The Dim Sum Place for delicious halal Cantonese dishes, also at multiple locations.
Where can I find cheap dim sum in Singapore?
Restaurants like Kuai San Dian Xin are some of our favourite cheap dim sum joints, with prices starting from as low as S$1.50. Swee Choon, Uncle Kun’s at Toa Payoh and Richman Dim Sum in Ubi are all great value-for-money stalls too.
Which Singapore dim sum restaurant has the best liu sha bao?
Head to Victor’s Kitchen for their Golden Egg Yolk Lava Bun, which many Singaporeans say is the best desserty liu sha bao (meaning custard bun) in Singapore! Locals also swear by Swee Choon’s rendition.
Where to Find the Best Dim Sum in Singapore (Local Picks)