Quick answer
Shanghai blends Cantonese yum cha with its own dumpling heritage to create one of China’s most exciting dim sum scenes. Canton 8 is the Michelin-starred Cantonese benchmark, Din Tai Fung dominates xiaolongbao, and Taotaoju brings 145 years of Guangzhou tradition to the Bund area.
- Best overall
- Canton 8 — Michelin-starred, best Cantonese dim sum
- Best budget
- Dahuchun — since 1932, ¥30-60/person
- Best xiaolongbao
- Din Tai Fung — the global standard
- Last verified
- 2026-03
Top verdicts
- Canton 8: Michelin-starred Cantonese dim sum. The best har gow and char siu bao in Shanghai, according to Hong Kong expats.
- Din Tai Fung: The xiaolongbao benchmark. Flawless 18-fold soup dumplings at every location.
- Taotaoju: 145-year-old Guangzhou legend with a Shanghai outpost. Beef rice rolls are exceptional.
Shanghai boasts a diverse dim sum scene, from budget-friendly dumpling houses (around ¥50) to luxurious Cantonese restaurants (¥800+), with Canton 8 being a top recommendation for authentic Cantonese flavors. Whether you prefer Shanghai's own xiaolongbao or Cantonese yum cha, Shanghai offers a wide array of options, best enjoyed during weekday lunches to avoid crowds.
Shanghai’s dim sum scene is a tale of two traditions. The city has its own beloved dumpling heritage — xiaolongbao, sheng jian bao, and pan-fried wontons — while also hosting some of the best Cantonese yum cha restaurants outside Hong Kong and Guangzhou.
We analyzed Reddit threads across r/shanghai, r/travelchina, r/chinesefood, and r/food, cross-referenced with the Michelin Guide Shanghai 2025, SmartShanghai listings, and food blogs to find the 12 dim sum spots that locals and experienced travelers actually recommend.
Three tiers dominate: Michelin-starred Cantonese dim sum (Canton 8, Wu You Xian), premium Hong Kong imports (Lei Garden, Seventh Son, Jade Garden), and Shanghai-style originals (Dahuchun since 1932, Din Tai Fung). Prices range from ¥50 at a local dumpling house to ¥800+ at Hakkasan.
Dim Sum Map
How we built this list
We analyzed Reddit posts across r/shanghai, r/travelchina, r/chinesefood, and r/food, cross-referenced with the Michelin Guide Shanghai 2025, SmartShanghai, TripAdvisor, Wanderlog, and Rachel Gouk’s Shanghai food guides. Restaurants were ranked by recommendation frequency, culinary significance, and Google ratings.
1Canton 8 (喜粤8号)
Michelin-StarredQuick comparison
- Best for
- Authentic Michelin-starred Cantonese dim sum in Shanghai
- Strengths
- Michelin star. Exceptional har gow and char siu bao. Praised by HK locals
- Limitations
- Reservations essential on weekends. Can be a wait
- Price / value
- ¥200-400/person · 4.2★
- What to order
- Har gow, char siu bao, roast goose, steamed cheong fun, molten custard buns (liu sha bao).
2Din Tai Fung (鼎泰丰)
Xiaolongbao LegendQuick comparison
- Best for
- Perfect xiaolongbao and a reliable, polished dim sum experience
- Strengths
- Consistent quality. English menu. Multiple locations. Great for first-timers
- Limitations
- Expensive for what it is by Shanghai standards. Tourist-heavy. Not adventurous
- Price / value
- ¥100-200/person · 4.3★
- What to order
- Pork xiaolongbao, truffle xiaolongbao, shrimp and pork shumai, fried rice, red bean xiaolongbao for dessert.
🕐 Hours
3Taotaoju (陶陶居)
Since 1880Quick comparison
- Best for
- Authentic Guangzhou-style dim sum tradition in a beautiful Shanghai setting
- Strengths
- 145 years of heritage. Beautiful Xintiandi location. Superb beef rice rolls
- Limitations
- Weekend waits can be long. Shanghai branch less atmospheric than Guangzhou original
- Price / value
- ¥100-200/person · 4.6★
- What to order
- Beef rice rolls, char siu bao with abalone sauce, siu mai, crispy BBQ pork pastry, molten custard bun.
4Lei Garden (利苑)
Hong Kong ImportQuick comparison
- Best for
- Consistent Hong Kong–quality Cantonese dim sum in a mall setting
- Strengths
- Hong Kong pedigree. Multiple locations. Reliable quality across branches
- Limitations
- Mall settings lack atmosphere. Google reviews sparse for Shanghai branches
- Price / value
- ¥200-400/person · 3.8★
- What to order
- Steamed har gow, baked char siu bao, pan-fried turnip cake, steamed spare ribs with black bean.
🕐 Hours
5Sui Tang Li (隋唐里)
Contemporary ChineseQuick comparison
- Best for
- Modern, creative dim sum in an upscale contemporary setting
- Strengths
- Creative dishes. Beautiful interior. High ratings from locals
- Limitations
- Premium pricing. Not traditional yum cha — more fine dining
- Price / value
- ¥300-600/person · 4.6★
- What to order
- Braised pork ribs with cherry and balsamic, crystal shrimp dumplings, dim sum tasting menu.
6Seventh Son (家全七福)
Premium CantoneseQuick comparison
- Best for
- The most premium Cantonese dim sum experience money can buy in Shanghai
- Strengths
- Exceptional quality. Hong Kong chef team. Kerry Centre location
- Limitations
- Expensive. Need reservations. Not for casual diners
- Price / value
- ¥300-600/person
- What to order
- Signature roast goose, crystal har gow, abalone siu mai, baked char siu puff pastry.
7Dahuchun (大壶春)
Budget LegendQuick comparison
- Best for
- Authentic Shanghai-style dim sum breakfast at absurdly cheap prices
- Strengths
- Since 1932. Incredible value. Sheng jian bao and xiao long bao. Local institution
- Limitations
- No English menu. Canteen-style seating. Can be chaotic at peak hours
- Price / value
- ¥30-60/person · 4.3★
- What to order
- Sheng jian bao (pan-fried pork buns), fresh soy milk, xiao long bao, scallion pancake, sweet rice balls.
🕐 Hours
8Wu You Xian (吴有鲜)
Michelin Star 2025Quick comparison
- Best for
- Seasonal crab xiaolongbao and innovative Shanghai dim sum
- Strengths
- New Michelin star 2025. Crab XLB specialty. Recently relocated to South Maoming Road
- Limitations
- Seasonal crab XLB only available autumn-winter. Reservations essential
- Price / value
- ¥150-300/person
- What to order
- Crab roe xiaolongbao (seasonal), pork XLB, pan-fried sheng jian bao, steamed crab meat dumplings.
9Han Lin Xuan (翰林轩)
Budget GemQuick comparison
- Best for
- Cheap, fresh dim sum without the tourist crowds or fancy prices
- Strengths
- Excellent value. Fresh preparation. Daily dim sum service
- Limitations
- No English menu. Basic setting. Can be hard to find
- Price / value
- ¥50-100/person
- What to order
- Steamed har gow, siu mai, cheong fun, BBQ pork buns, congee.
10Royal China (皇朝)
Hotel ClassicQuick comparison
- Best for
- Reliable, traditional Cantonese dim sum in a comfortable hotel setting
- Strengths
- Consistent quality. Comfortable setting. Reddit favorite for years
- Limitations
- Hotel pricing. Not cutting-edge
- Price / value
- ¥200-400/person
- What to order
- Traditional har gow, char siu bao, steamed fish dumplings, egg tarts.
11Jade Garden (翡翠拉面小笼包)
Premium ChainQuick comparison
- Best for
- Premium dim sum in a convenient Kerry Centre location
- Strengths
- Excellent quality. Kerry Centre convenience. Well-known among expats
- Limitations
- Book 2 weeks ahead. Weekends extremely crowded
- Price / value
- ¥150-300/person
- What to order
- Dim sum platter, steamed dumplings, hand-pulled noodles (their specialty alongside dim sum).
12Hakkasan
Global LuxuryQuick comparison
- Best for
- A luxurious Bund dining experience with world-class modern Cantonese dim sum
- Strengths
- Stunning Bund 18 location. International standards. Creative dim sum menu
- Limitations
- Very expensive. More Western-fusion than traditional. Not everyday dim sum
- Price / value
- ¥500-800+/person
- What to order
- Dim sum platter, signature Peking duck, black truffle roasted duck, wagyu beef puffs.
FAQs
What is the best dim sum in Shanghai?
Canton 8 (喜粤8号) is considered the best by Hong Kong expats in Shanghai — it holds a Michelin star for its authentic Cantonese dim sum. For xiaolongbao specifically, Din Tai Fung remains the benchmark.
Is Shanghai known for dim sum?
Shanghai has its own dim sum tradition (xiaolongbao, sheng jian bao) but Cantonese-style yum cha is also widely available. The city has attracted top Hong Kong and Guangzhou dim sum restaurants, making it one of China’s best cities for the full dim sum spectrum.
What time should I go for dim sum in Shanghai?
Weekend brunch from 10 AM to 2 PM is peak time. Weekday lunch is less crowded. Some spots like Dahuchun open at 8 AM for early morning dim sum. For Cantonese-style restaurants, arrive by 11 AM to avoid long waits.
How much does dim sum cost in Shanghai?
Budget: ¥50-80 per person at local spots like Dahuchun and Han Lin Xuan. Mid-range: ¥150-300 at Lei Garden or Taotaoju. Premium: ¥400-800+ at Hakkasan or Seventh Son.
What are must-order dim sum dishes in Shanghai?
Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), har gow (crystal shrimp dumplings), char siu bao (BBQ pork buns), sheng jian bao (pan-fried pork buns), cheong fun (rice noodle rolls), and liu sha bao (molten custard buns).
Do Shanghai dim sum restaurants have English menus?
Yes — Din Tai Fung, Hakkasan, Lei Garden, and hotel restaurants all have English menus. Local spots like Dahuchun may only have Chinese menus but use picture ordering or QR codes.
What is the difference between Shanghai and Cantonese dim sum?
Shanghai dim sum features xiaolongbao, sheng jian bao, and scallion pancakes — doughier and often pan-fried. Cantonese dim sum focuses on steamed dishes: har gow, siu mai, cheong fun. Shanghai has excellent restaurants for both styles.
🎫 Shanghai Food Experiences
Guided tours and tastings in Shanghai — booked by travelers like you.
Experiences via Viator — free cancellation on most tours
