Quick answer
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.
- Best overall
- Canton 8 (喜粤8号)
- Top pick
- Canton 8 (喜粤8号)
Top verdicts
- Canton 8 (喜粤8号): Lunch dim sum is dramatically cheaper than the dinner tasting menu.
- Din Tai Fung (鼎泰丰): Reserve through the official app; the IFC Mall branch is the smoothest experience.
- Taotaoju (陶陶居): Cart service runs only at peak weekend dim sum hours; weekdays are off-menu.
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.
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.
Area map
All 11 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canton 8 (喜粤8号) | cantonese-dim-sum | mid | Shanghai |
| 2 | Din Tai Fung (鼎泰丰) | dim-sum-/-xiaolongbao | mid | Shanghai |
| 3 | Taotaoju (陶陶居) | cantonese-dim-sum | mid | Shanghai |
| 4 | Lei Garden (利苑) | cantonese-dim-sum | mid | Shanghai |
| 5 | Sui Tang Li (隋唐里) | contemporary-cantonese | mid | Shanghai |
| 6 | Seventh Son (家全七福) | cantonese-dim-sum | mid | Shanghai |
| 7 | Dahuchun (大壶春) | shanghai-dim-sum | mid | Shanghai |
| 8 | Wu You Xian (吴有鲜) | shanghai-dim-sum | mid | Shanghai |
| 9 | Han Lin Xuan (翰林轩) | cantonese-dim-sum | mid | Shanghai |
| 10 | Royal China (皇朝) | cantonese-dim-sum | mid | Shanghai |
| 11 | Hakkasan | modern-cantonese | mid | Shanghai |
1Canton 8 (喜粤8号)
Cantonese Dim SumQuick comparison
- Best for
- Three-Michelin-star Cantonese dim sum
- Strengths
- Known for Cantonese Dim Sum · Shanghai
- Price / value
- ¥200-400/person
- Why it made the list
- Shanghai's first Cantonese-cuisine restaurant to earn three Michelin stars — Hong Kong-trained dim sum kitchen pulling some of the city's most polished plates.
- What to order
- Lunch dim sum tasting plus the suckling pig.
2Din Tai Fung (鼎泰丰)
Dim Sum / XiaolongbaoQuick comparison
- Best for
- Polished xiaolongbao with reservations
- Strengths
- Known for Dim Sum / Xiaolongbao · Shanghai
- Price / value
- ¥100-200/person
- Why it made the list
- Taiwanese xiaolongbao chain whose Shanghai branches are consistently among the highest-rated for cleanliness, training, and consistency.
- What to order
- Pork xiaolongbao plus the truffle xiaolongbao if available.
3Taotaoju (陶陶居)
Cantonese Dim SumQuick comparison
- Best for
- Traditional Cantonese cart service
- Strengths
- Known for Cantonese Dim Sum · Shanghai
- Price / value
- ¥100-200/person
- Why it made the list
- Cantonese dim sum house with a Guangzhou heritage — Shanghai branch brings traditional cart service with a wide regional Cantonese menu.
- What to order
- Cart-service har gow, siu mai, and char siu bao.
4Lei Garden (利苑)
Cantonese Dim SumQuick comparison
- Best for
- Hong Kong-import Cantonese dim sum
- Strengths
- Known for Cantonese Dim Sum · Shanghai
- Price / value
- ¥200-400/person
- Why it made the list
- Hong Kong-import dim sum chain with multiple Shanghai branches — Michelin-recognized for refined, restaurant-style Cantonese plates.
- What to order
- Roast goose, BBQ pork bao, and lunch dim sum tasting.
5Sui Tang Li (隋唐里)
Contemporary CantoneseQuick comparison
- Best for
- Modern Chinese tasting in Shanghai
- Strengths
- Known for Contemporary Cantonese · Shanghai
- Price / value
- ¥300-600/person
- Why it made the list
- Newer-generation Shanghai dim sum room blending Cantonese technique with regional Chinese plating — popular among local food forums for its tasting menu.
- What to order
- The chef's tasting menu with seasonal additions.
6Seventh Son (家全七福)
Cantonese Dim SumQuick comparison
- Best for
- Hong Kong-banquet Cantonese in Pudong
- Strengths
- Known for Cantonese Dim Sum · Shanghai
- Price / value
- ¥300-600/person
- Why it made the list
- Hong Kong fine-dining import in Shanghai — old-school Cantonese banquet kitchen with a strong dim sum program at lunch.
- What to order
- Lunch dim sum tasting and a double-boiled soup.
7Dahuchun (大壶春)
Shanghai Dim SumQuick comparison
- Best for
- Pan-fried sheng jian bao since 1932
- Strengths
- Known for Shanghai Dim Sum · Shanghai
- Price / value
- ¥30-60/person
- Why it made the list
- Shanghai-style sheng jian bao institution since 1932 — the local pan-fried dumpling experience tourists fly in for.
- What to order
- Pork sheng jian bao with a side of beef-noodle soup.
8Wu You Xian (吴有鲜)
Shanghai Dim SumQuick comparison
- Best for
- Michelin-recognized Cantonese seafood dim sum
- Strengths
- Known for Shanghai Dim Sum · Shanghai
- Price / value
- ¥150-300/person
- Why it made the list
- Modernized Cantonese dim sum room with Michelin recognition — emphasis on seafood-driven plates and refined presentation.
- What to order
- Crystal shrimp dumplings and the seasonal dim sum tasting.
9Han Lin Xuan (翰林轩)
Cantonese Dim SumQuick comparison
- Best for
- Quiet hotel-floor dim sum dining
- Strengths
- Known for Cantonese Dim Sum · Shanghai
- Price / value
- ¥50-100/person
- Why it made the list
- Hotel-affiliated Cantonese fine dining with Michelin recognition — careful sourcing and a slower, banquet-oriented service.
- What to order
- Lunch dim sum tasting paired with double-boiled soup.
10Royal China (皇朝)
Cantonese Dim SumQuick comparison
- Best for
- London-import Cantonese in Shanghai
- Strengths
- Known for Cantonese Dim Sum · Shanghai
- Price / value
- ¥200-400/person
- Why it made the list
- London-import Chinese dining group with a Shanghai branch — Hong Kong-style dim sum with Western dining-room service standards.
- What to order
- Crystal dumplings, char siu bao, and the lunch tasting menu.
11Hakkasan
Modern CantoneseQuick comparison
- Best for
- Global modern Cantonese with dim sum
- Strengths
- Known for Modern Cantonese · Shanghai
- Price / value
- ¥500-800+/person
- Why it made the list
- Global high-end modern Cantonese restaurant group — Shanghai branch is a club-leaning fine-dining room with strong dim sum at lunch.
- What to order
- Crispy duck, dim sum platter, and a signature cocktail.
Frequently asked questions
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, 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.
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.
How much does dim sum cost in Shanghai?
Budget: ¥50-80 per person at local spots like Dahuchun. Mid-range: ¥150-300 at Lei Garden or Taotaoju. Premium: ¥400-800+ at Hakkasan or Sui Tang Li.
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.