Dim sum in Singapore – where and what to eat!

The Asian answer to tapas, they can be savoury or sweet, steamed or fried! But where should you go for the best dim sum in Singapore? From weekend yum cha to a dim sum lunch on Orchard Road or even an all-you-can-eat brunch, here’s our list of four dim sum restaurants for you to try along with some suggestions on what to order once you’re there.

Dim sum restaurants in Singapore

Weekend Yum Cha at Jade, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

When to go: Saturday, Sunday and public holidays (11.30am–3pm; two seatings)

The setting: Inside The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, a conserved National Monument, Jade reflects its heritage surroundings. Expect high ceilings, original columns and a polished dining room for a sit-down yum cha.

What to order: The Weekend Yum Cha menu combines classic dim sum with a few local signatures. Standouts include the bak kut teh xiao long bao, which delivers that familiar peppery broth in a delicate dumpling, and the chilli crab meat bun – rich and worth ordering. You’ll also find staples like prawn dumplings and char siew buns, alongside dishes such as roast meats, lobster congee and steamed Chilean sea bass. Desserts keep things light, with options like the Eight Treasures sweet soup and mango with sago and lime jelly.

Pricing: $68 per person for a selection of 15 items per table, covering dim sum, signatures and desserts.

1 Fullerton Square
Yum Cha at Jade

Dim Sum Lunch at Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel

When to go: Daily, lunch service (dim sum menu available for dine-in and takeaway)

Setting: Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant in Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel is a long-standing Cantonese restaurant on Orchard Road. The traditional dining room lends itself to a proper sit-down dim sum lunch, with a dim sum lunch menu focused on handcrafted classics.

What to order: The Steamed Hokkaido Scallop and Sturgeon Caviar Dumpling is a must-try – delicate, well-balanced and topped with a touch of caviar. The Steamed Lobster Dumpling, meanwhile, is more elaborate but still precise – it comes wrapped in bamboo pith and finished with tobiko and gold leaf. For something crisp, the Deep-Fried Prawn with Avocado Vermicelli Roll delivers a light crunch without feeling heavy. There’s also a line-up of classics, from XO carrot cake and xiao long bao to lotus leaf rice and char siew buns.

Pricing: À la carte dim sum; prices vary by dish

Level 3, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
6831 4605 | mhrs.sindt.fb.reservations@marriotthotels.com
wanhaochineserestaurant.com/promotions

Unlimited Dim Sum Brunch at Hai Tien Lo, Pan Pacific Singapore

When to go: The Unlimited Dim Sum Brunch is available daily from 11.30am to 2.30pm, with last orders at 2pm.

Setting: Inside Pan Pacific Singapore, the restaurant features dark wood interiors, red pillars, and wooden screens with Chinese motifs. Two Chairman Mao statuettes at the entrance set the scene. The unlimited dim sum brunch brings together soups, handcrafted dim sum, classic Cantonese dishes and the Chef’s Signature Trio Treasure Dessert.

What to order: Hai Tien Lo’s dim sum favourites include the Steamed Charcoal Barbecue Pork Bun with Black Truffles, Pan-fried Bean Curd Sheet Stuffed with Prawn Paste, Barbecued Meat Trio Platter, and Sauteed Australian Scallops with Wild Mushrooms in Signature Homemade XO Chilli Sauce. Sip on Hai Tien Lo’s signature No. 1 Tea, a blend of teas and herbal ingredients from East and West.

Pricing: The Unlimited Dim Sum Brunch is priced at $72 per adult and $36 per child on weekdays, and $80 per adult and $40 per child on weekends, including tea.

6826 8240 | Hai Tien Lo, Pan Pacific Singapore
Level 3, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square 

The history behind this much-loved cuisine!

Dim sum in Singapore is a favourite culinary tradition among both locals and tourists. It originates from Cantonese culture and is a dining experience steeped in tradition and community. Dumplings are often what spring to mind, but these small, bite-sized dishes, including dumplings, buns and rolls, are often enjoyed in a group or extended family setting. The name of the dish literally translates to “touch the heart”. A related term is “yum cha” meaning “drink tea” – this refers to eating dim sum with traditional Chinese tea.

The roots of dim sum can be traced back to the southern region of China, particularly Guangdong. In the late 1800s, as opium dens were shut down, tea houses in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong, became the new social hub. Travellers and traders along the Silk Road would rest and rejuvenate with tea and dim sum. This practice soon spread to Hong Kong, becoming ingrained in local culture. These tea houses served as eateries and also places where people could relax and converse.

Chinese immigrants later introduced dim sum to Singapore. Over the years, it has blended into everyday cuisine choices and is eaten throughout the day, from breakfast to late-night snacks. Today, dim sum in Singapore includes influences from China and Malaysia, embracing a wide range of flavours and styles.

Liked this article on dim sum restaurants in Singapore? You can also visit our Wine & Dine section for more ideas and inspiration.