The 42 best places for yum cha in Melbourne

We were five in total, including my cherished friends and family. We arrived at 5:20 pm and waited a short while before they opened. Even without a reservation, we were able to get a table, which was great. We ordered four dishes to share, including a whole roasted goose. The goose was outstanding and quickly became my son’s favorite dish of the night! The restaurant has nice decorations and was quite busy, adding to the lively atmosphere. Overall, the food was good and we enjoyed our meal. I’m looking forward to coming back to try their dim sum next time!

It’s been a while since I last ate here. My favorite today is the bbq pork rice rolls — generous meat filling and thin, delicate wrapping. The scallop truffle rice rolls didn’t really suit my taste; the flavor combination felt a bit odd. The har gow and xiaolongbao weren’t very impressive either as I found their wrappers were kinda thick 🥲 The black bean chicken feet were a bit too soft for my liking, though my friend really enjoyed them. Black bean pork ribs were standard, nothing much to complain. The sweet bean curd lacked the fragrant ginger note although the bean curd itself was smooth & tasty. The mango pudding was a little too sweet for me, but it was very fragrant — probably even better if served chilled! __________ Overall, I think it was better a few years ago. However, considering the limited options for yum cha in the CBD that still serve in the traditional style, this place isn’t too bad.

Delicious clean yum cha, Chinese Broccoli is on the smaller size, good service, I often feel heavy and extremely thirsty alot of times after having yum cha at different places. Not here though. I would recommend it, abit pricey although definitely worth it.

Many seatings inside and the food comes by very quickly. They focus on quick turnover so staff are very attentive to serve you quickly. The favourite was the pork buns, truffle prawn dumplings and durian pudding. Durian flavour was very strong. Everything else was as expected. The 'zha leong' was disappointing as only half of the dish had the fritter and the other half was just vegetable. Overall a pleasant experience for yum cha

Went for dinnwr with close freind and her godaughter Bit expensive however great service upmarket dinning Seafood very expensive ..lobster was $268 per kilo Tasty flavoursome large servings for desert

Quality yum cha venue in Chinatown. Newly renovated. Service is very fast and attentive. Recommend the ginger prawn dumpings, bean curd rolls and mango pudding. We also tried durian pudding which is a very acquired taste! Tea is often topped up and kept warm by a small candle

The snow pea shoots were a little old and stringy. The snap peas, the truffle sauce was lovely. The peaking duck was nice, standard. Fried beans were quite tasty, oily. The seafood hot pot had a great flavour and was well cooked, well balanced, tasted authentic. The deep fried dishes were juicy. The chicken and wonton soup was just ok, the chicken tasted old. The banana fritter was ok, but the banana was not quite ripe. The red bean and banana pastry was oily and the outer layer pastry was too thick. The filling was nice.

The food and design is very good, with the beef being more chewy and the fried rice more tasty. Only problem is fried rice took 30 MINUTES to come out. Fortunately they gave us fruits because of that :yippe:

The food was good. We ordered chicken braised with thousand chili,pork ribs with sweet and sour sauce, clam pipis with singapore sauce, snow peas with garlic, steam prawn with garlic and butter. Everything was good and well cooked. The pork ribs were delicious and well balance. The snow peas with garlic was perfect. Only a little bit noisy because many people was there to have dinner, too. The nice gesture was they gave us extra dessert red bean soup which was nice too

A long time favourite in Chinatown, our family visited shark fin inn at their new location. Be prepared to queue upon arriving, service is swift and the team will get you seated quickly. Absolutely love the food, albeit the wait time for the fried and crunchy food was a little longer due to high demand. Definitely go for the whole oysters battered and fried! Tables are quite tight here, our five seater table we were literally seated up against the back of a two seater table. You could see the disapproval on the other patrons faces, but at peak hour there wasn’t much to be done about it! Go here for affordable yum Cha, with delicious options! It’s definitely a main stay on the Melbourne food scene.

Was on a weekend super busy, The food wasn’t as hot or fresh as iv had at other places. But can’t complain to much. The dessert mango pudding and custard tarts were the best! Ordered Chinese Broccoli 17.50 is a lot for what you get! Took ages too

This is one of my favorite spots for yum cha! The variety is great, and everything tastes fresh. The service was also surprisingly good, which made for a fantastic dining experience.

Dine in here for Chinese New Year eve dinner with family with a classic Cantonese flavor. Taste wise is undoubtably delicious, the service was excellent on that day. I reckon the portion were a bit small so we had to order more dishes on that night. However, overall we were satisfied with the food and it is highly recommended for family gathering.

Had dim sum here. Everything we tried was good except for the squid tentacles which tasted quite greasy. Price was reasonable too. Not bad for a casual eat.

This used to be one of our favorite places. We hadn't been there in a while so we wanted to see if they had anything new and exciting: not really. They have some new seasonal items but they're not great. The prawn dumplings in "superior" broth and sweet & sour chicken are especially disappointing. The soy sauce noodles weren't anything special. The baked buns, prawn vermicelli rolls, and chicken/sausage rice are as great as they ever were. They have QR code table ordering now, but prices remain pretty high in such a competitive area. We weren't disappointed overall but we probably won't return in a hurry.

Tried Tim Ho Wan and found it a bit hit and miss. The food came out quickly and some dishes were nice, but overall the flavours didn’t stand out and a couple of items felt a little bland. The menu was also quite limited, which made it hard to try much variety. Service was fine but nothing special, and the atmosphere felt a bit rushed and crowded. It’s okay for a quick meal if you’re nearby, but not somewhere I’d go out of my way for.

Ordered egg rice with chicken and wonton noodles — both were delicious and comforting! The chicken was tender, noodles perfectly cooked, and broth flavorful. Great service and friendly staff too.

Delicious and fresh food, just like always! I appreciated the convenient QR code ordering and the option for refillable hot tea. The service was excellent.

Not as good as the ones I had in HK before. The shu mai size was kind of small, stewed beef tendon/tripe was a bit underseasoned. Radish cake was good though, you actually can get chunks of radish and dry shrimps inside

Quiet Monday brunch. Had eaten this chain in HK, unfortunately quality level wasn't the same. The infamous fried pork bun filling was a bit too sweet. The other dim sum dishes were ok, freshly made, but the flavours and seasoning didn't warrant the higher price.

Went here for an early lunch as most restaurants opens at 11:30. Food servings are very small or proportionate to price. Food was nothing special or extraordinary. Service was fine

Visited 2 months ago. Decided to try this restaurant after considering a few other Chinese restaurants in Chinatown. We were a bit disappointed because the food quality was very average. Was expecting better quality since their menu was quite pricey. Only the sweet and sour pork and the Peking duck wrap were good. The lamb belly pot was the most disappointing dish, it was not the authentic style, the meat was quite tough and the sauce wasn’t good too! Also beware that they have minimum charge $80 per person written on the menu.

Crystal Jade is probably the best Vegetarian friendly yum cha in Melbourne ... for me anyways despite the limited vegetarian yum cha dishes available. The staff are friendly and very helpful with ordering Vegetarian friendly dishes. The atmosphere is sedate but lively, I can actually hear the conversation at our table!! Great place for gatherings and catch-ups. All dishes were fresh and hot on arrival to the table Minimum spend 30$pp ordering via a tick-sheet system rather than the good old yum cha trolley (which is sadly missed) but the yum cha feel atmosphere is still there!

The food was delicious. The atmosphere is peaceful. Service was attentive. NOTE: The only downside is that the prices feel a bit high for the portion sizes served. Pricy menu didn’t quite meet the quantity of food expectation.

A well-known Chinese restaurant from Singapore. The dim sum was quite good, though I wasn’t a fan of some of the signature dishes — like the foie gras puff, which I found a bit too dry. I went for lunch this time, so I didn’t try their main dishes from a la cate menu. Will definitely come back to try the crab next time

If you’re looking for a top-notch Yum Cha experience in Melbourne, Crystal Jade is the place to be. We loved it so much we went twice in two days! The service is impeccable—easily the best I’ve experienced in a Chinese restaurant. The staff are attentive, friendly, and incredibly efficient, making the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. Unlike traditional trolley-style Yum Cha, Crystal Jade uses a check-box menu system. The food arrives fresh, fast, and piping hot, and every dish we tried was a winner. The dumplings were a standout—super fresh, packed with flavour, and perfectly crafted. A special mention goes to the goose liver pastry, which was unbelievably good. The flaky pastry and rich, hoisin-like gravy created a dish we couldn’t stop talking about. The decor is pleasant and comfortable, making it a great spot for a casual lunch or a more special occasion. And with very reasonable pricing for the quality of food and service, it’s hard to fault. Crystal Jade is now one of our Yum Cha favourites, and we can’t recommend it highly enough!

Enjoyed my yumcha at Crystal Jade. Dishes are always fresh and tasty. It’s all about quality over quantity here, and they have a great variety to choose from. The staff is attentive, and the food arrives quickly. It is located conveniently in Chinatown.

Crystal Jade truly stands out as one of Melbourne’s top yum cha spots! The food is consistently delicious, with each dish hitting the mark every time. I’ve yet to order anything that disappoints—everything is spot on! 😋 Whether you're a yum cha regular or trying it for the first time, you can’t go wrong here. Highly recommend for an authentic and satisfying yum cha experience in Melbourne!

Lovely atmosphere with great music and food. Visited for the unlimited yum cha session and there was a variety of dishes that catered to our group which included vegetarians and vegans. A few of the vege/vegan dishes came out a bit slowly, and the room was a tad too hot, although we were seated by the door on a 30° day, but overall the experience was great and I'd definitely visit again.

The food was absolutely delicious. The ambience was warm and inviting, making it a perfect spot for both casual dinners and special occasions. Exceptional staff — friendly, attentive, and genuinely committed to making sure we had a great time. Highly recommend.

Loved the simple decor - so relaxing and beautifully done! Wait staff were all fantastic - friendly and on top of everything. And, finally, the food was amazing. We did the unlimited yum cha but there was so much delicious food I couldn't make it through the whole list. There was nothing I did not like. At the end they came around for seconds orders of whatever was your favourite. Congrats to those that still had room. And, did I mention the white chocolate finish? Wonderful place - a new favourite!

Awesome venue! Service was sooo good Food was great, came out so quick. Cocktails were awesome and very reasonably priced for the quality of food and drink. And also my girlfriend looked really hot and i took lots of nice photos of her.

For lovers of Yum Cha, this venue is probably not for you. It wasn't for us either. Dined here on a Sunday morning at 1130. Don't expect trolleys being rushed around the place with 50 different choices available, because that simply won't happen. There is a set menu of 16 items, half of which could be argued are not yum cha offerings. It is "unlimited" for $64 per head. But that doesn't mean you can immediately order what you like. You must be served every one of the choices first, prior to ordering. Out of the 16, we found 3 were good, the chicken ribs, prawns and pork Shu Mai, and authentic prawn dumplings, although it is difficult to muck those up. 5 were fair, and 8 were awful. Broccoli was swimming in juice, braised pork was soft almost stewed, calamari was oily and not crisp, Peking duck - don't know what went wrong here, sauce was wrong. Servings were small, probably thinking this was a degustation menu. Then at the end of the hour the waitress came to take the order for anything else you wanted. Service was good, but difficult to get Chili oil by itself instead of mixed with soy sauce. Half the meals that came out were luke warm, obviously made in bulk and then sitting there for a waiter to bring them out. This doesn't happen with trolleys of course. $139 for two. Spent the same at Red Emperor in Chinatown a few weeks back and with 50 or more choices for unlimited yum cha, and that was 100% better. Hot food, chilli oil, continuous trolleys, yum cha at its best. David's was just an expensive lunch.

Very nice. We love it. Especially how the service, the menu and the quantities are designed. It's not like other yum chas where the dumpling basket have four / six items and one gets full with a couple of them .We'll be back 😄

I love David's. The food is delicious, they cater for every diet and the wine list is excellent and reasonably priced. Davids is bot value for money and top notch. Perfect for celebrations too as it's not too loud. Highly recommend!

I went to Golden Dragon Palace with my family to celebrate father's day for my grandpa. I had booked beforehand on their website which was very streamlined and easy though due to unforeseen circumstances I had to move the booking up the day before and when I called the staff was very helpful and moved the booking without any issues which I was really grateful for. They serve tea as soon as you sit down and I loved their chrysanthemum tea. They have many vegetarian options and all the food was great we really enjoyed it. They also served dessert on the house which was much appreciated and the kind man that served as had exceptional service skills that gave us a really comfortable and enjoyable experience.

I've been to a lot of Yum Cha places in my time (including in china!) and this place has my seal of approval, quick to sit us at a table and staff was friendly and fast, food was absolutely incredible with a lot of unique items you wont see at many other yum cha places. Great for large groups and quite busy!

Been here twice for dimsum and they never disappoint. We love their egg tart and char siew pao especially.. and their other dim sum selections are delicious too. Prices are reasonable for Melbourne standard. Service is great as well. Big shout out to a guy, shoulder length curly hair. Of the times we’ve visited, he’s always friendly and attentive to customers needs. We will definitely make this our regular place for dim sum.. :)

Authentic Yum Cha. First time here and no booking.Due to late arrival,we only had 30min lunch session. The fried calamari is the best in Melbourne.The rest dishes are all yummy. Especially all the staffs are really helpful in finding a table,serving dishes and not bothering at all. Will come back soon.

Every now and then, I like to try a new yum cha place, and this one serves a very authentic experience with a push cart. They offer a variety of traditional yum cha dishes, and my favourites were the chicken feet and desserts. We went on a weekend, which was quite busy, but the wait time wasn’t too long, and they served the food promptly. If you’re looking for a traditional yum cha restaurant, I definitely recommend this place.

It is very good place to celebrate event. They know how to serve customers in traditional and classic Chinese way. Food is delicious and very authentic Cantonese style. Price is reasonable with such good quality. We had very good experience in yesterday dinner for my mum birthday.

Had easter dinner with family here. Staff very helpful and attentive. Ordered a whole peking duck and noted that the slices were chunkier than others do it making it harder to wrap. Anyways, the duck was tasty and good. Will come back again and try their yum cha next time.

First experience at the much heralded Flower Drum and overall the experience was a good one. The service and atmosphere of the restaurant are truly first class. Found the food to be a little hit or miss. Some dishes were exemplary and then others lacked a bit flavour. Obviously this is a small sample size so not doubting the restaurants reputation for outstanding cusine. However given the eye watering prices of all dishes the hope would be 10/10 flavour on all orders. All this being said, this was an enjoyable experience and would recommend to anyone looking to have a truly authentic Cantonese dining experience in Melbourne.

Great place for celebration. We had three course lunch today. Food was nice. Service was attentive. Not your typical Chinese restaurant. But if you are looking for something bit more up scale and finer this is one of the best restaurants in Melbourne.

Absolutely wonderful dining experience at Flower Drum. The staff were attentive without being intrusive, and the food was exceptional in both quality and presentation. My friend and I enjoyed the signature banquet, and every dish was a delight. It’s not the kind of place you visit every day, but it’s worth every visit for a special occasion. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy a truly memorable Cantonese meal in Melbourne.

I had dinner at the venue last Sunday for my Birthday Celebration but they did not include any special offer, so to mention in advance your special occasion does not make any difference. We ordered the chef selection ($300 pp + $60 pp, wagyu upgrade) and it was very average overall and it did not feel that the experience was fine dining. For that price you can go to Vue de Monde, Amaru or Minamishima and adding the beluga caviar for some extra bucks and you will definitely have a much better experience. Table was dirty when we arrived and we got probably the worst table at the venue (corner table with very little space, I recommended that table should not exist) but this point for me was not an issue as I had high expectations for the food, unfortunately the food totally disappointed us. Maybe the highlights were the Peking duck and wagyu dish, but what could be wrong with very safe dishes, right? As I said before food was extremely average and very pricey for the food quality. I felt that all dishes were very oily, and the presentation was not detailed as plate came dirty or very disorganised. There is not a non-alcoholic pairing for chef selection as well. Service was friendly.

Everything was perfect. We were a big group for my son’s birthday and the waiter was very helpful helping with the menu choice. We had a variety of chicken, pork, beef, seafood and duck. The cocktails were delicious and the food exceptional. I didn’t take a photo of everything that came out because we had so many little servings at the beginning and we were all so hungry. But I highly recommend flower drum.

Had dinner with a reservation and ordered a selection of dim sums and appetisers. Started of with the dim sums which included the mud crab siu lung bao and scallop siu mai (both had a nice seafood sweetness, not a common filling you would find in a yumcha restaurant), prawn har gao, pork siu lung bao and pork jiaozi. Then came the large seafood soup dumpling filled with a large piece of scallop, mud crab, mushroom and bamboo shoots in a clear chicken broth. This was warm, hearty and clean tasting. This was followed with the appetisers. The pearl meat dish is sautéed with spring onion, garlic chives and asparagus, served on a beautiful shell plate. It was soft and delicate; tried the oyster and fermented shrimp sauces that came on the side but they were both too strong and overpowering. For the dragon boat prawn dish, it is a butterflied king prawn topped with minced prawn and scallop meat, served with a spicy prawn bisque which has some heat and intense savoury seafood flavour; the sweet snap peas was a nice palate cleanser for the dish. The lamb spring rolls was crispy and piping hot but the meat was quite gamy. The peking duck comes with two pieces; pancake wrap had a soft chewy texture, roast duck meat was tender, skin was not crispy but was good enough with the contrasting texture from the cucumber and spring onion, and the sweet plum sauce tied everything together. Overall a decent meal, highlight was the seafood soup dumpling and the scallop siu mai. Service was good; the staff was checking in occasionally and refilling the tea. Price is on the higher end.

The food was next level, one of the best meals I have ever had. We let our waiter choose our food and we didn't regret it. Fine dining at its best. Very attentive waiting staff. Watching them prepare some dishes next to tables was great to watch. Very impressive. All of the staff knew what to do and were very diligent. Spectacular evening. We went to the bar after our meal. I think they were short staffed, they prepared the drinks elsewhere and forgot we were their at times. Other than that I couldn't fault the whole evening. I can see why this place gets rave reviews. It lives up to its reputation.

The food is incredible—bold, rich flavours that hit the spot. The dumplings, eggplant entrée, and mushroom fried rice are absolute must-tries. Not kid-friendly, so best saved for an adults-only night out.

Loved the experience at Spice Temple. Hero dish for us was Truffle and Mushroom dumplings and fried Eggplant. We had a party of 5 and food and drinks was around $45 per head. Which was very reasonable.

I'm surprised this excellent restaurant is not more highly highly rated. My guess would put it at least 4.6...Perhaps diners expect the standard Chinese fare while this is a modern but not too challenging version. All dishes were fantastic and the cocktails excellent if a little slow in coming on a busy night. Service was of a very high standard.

Food was mediocre. Fried rice was super salty and couldn't take a second bite. The beef was okay but nothing special for the price of $60+. The surcharge for the long weekend was ridiculousl high for a simple meal of 3 dishes. Paid over $120.

The food probably got prepared in advance but tasted very nice. The staff service was excellent. The place is very clean and not noisy. The price is quite good comparing to other restaurants in crown.

Most of the food was salty. Chicken Wings was soggy and salty. Dumpling was okay. Cha Sui was nice. Noodles Lobster was too salty. Cocktail was too strong knowing it's vodka with passionfruit and stuff. Not recommended. Price was unreasonable.

Spice Temple is a culinary gem that elevates Chinese cuisine to new heights. With its serene ambiance, it’s the perfect setting for a special occasion. The menu showcases innovative and flavorful dishes that redefine traditional Chinese flavors. Gluten-free options abound, making it accessible to all diners. For a standout protein, I highly recommend the tender and succulent lamb backstrap. If you’re seeking a truly exceptional dining experience, Spice Temple is a must-visit.

5 Star experience! The dumplings were delicious, the teas were amazing and our server was friendly! Will be coming back to try more food ☺️

We recently hosted my girlfriends 30th birthday and it was amazing. Food was great and the service was top level. Vina and Quan were the best! Attentive, quick, considerate and did everything with a smile. Food was delicious and plentiful. Nice ambience, good vibe. I want to thank the Oriental Teahouse team at large, Rachel & Gordon for making the planning process easy. We are definitely coming back in the future 👌

Thank you to the wonderful team at Oriental Tea House. We recently hosted a large corporate event and the team were wonderful! They responded promptly over phone and email, offered us a variety of options, including ones that covered all of our various dietaries. They even have a few upgrades to their package so that you can arrange a small take away gift - allowing us to tick this off the list instead of organising separately through another supplier. All of our guests were treated to an abundance of food and a very surprising and delightful dessert. The hosts were attentive and ensured we were well looked after. Thank you to the whole team, we will be back!

The Oriental Tea House is one of our favourite restaurants in Melbourne and we regularly go for lunch when we visit from Geelong. It’s’ a very cool and trendy place right in the heart of the CBD and always buzzing. There’s a great selection of small and larger dishes on the extensive menu. Last night we ate there for dinner and once again were treated to amazing food and service. We were looked after by our excellent server Kaylis who was so attentive, personable and professional. Thanks to the whole Oriental Teahouse team for yet another wonderful dining experience.

I recently had the pleasure of celebrating our engagement ceremony at Oriental Tea House in Melbourne CBD, and I can't recommend this place highly enough. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with impeccable service, and it was clear that every detail had been thoughtfully considered. The chef's pick menu was absolutely outstanding—each dish was bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. Every course seemed to surpass the last, showcasing the culinary talent of the kitchen. The variety and freshness of the ingredients really made the meal an unforgettable experience. A huge thank you to Jolyn Tan, the Functions and Events Manager, for her incredible support throughout the planning process. Jolyn made sure everything ran smoothly, and her attention to detail truly made our day special. She was attentive, professional, and ensured that our ceremony was not only seamless but also exceeded our expectations. The atmosphere at Oriental Tea House was perfect for our celebration—charming, welcoming, and elegant. The staff went above and beyond to make sure our engagement was a day to remember. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable dining experience, whether it's for a special occasion or just a night out. Thank you again to the team for making our day so memorable!

A disappointing experience overall. We tried the $66 Treasure Menu, and unfortunately, it didn’t live up to expectations. The dumplings tasted like frozen store-bought ones, lacking the freshness and flavour you’d expect from a specialty teahouse. Mains were very average — comparable to a late-night China Bar meal, but at a significantly higher price and with noticeably smaller portions. Another frustrating point was the pricing on tea: $30 per pot, total for tea cost more than a bottle of sake, which felt excessive. The menu was also quite misleading. The Chef’s Picks are advertised online as unlimited, but this option was never offered to us. To make matters worse, our table wasn’t properly informed about the menu we’d be served until it arrived — at which point we were told it was too late to change. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this menu. There are far better dining options in Melbourne at the same price point, or even for less.

I am so glad I found this joint! A cool space with a good atmosphere and excellent customer service. If you’ve seen any of my food posts you’ll know I’m that person with a ridiculous food intolerance that is usually not considered. Here it was! They have a separate menu that lists the items open for vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, fructose free, onion free and garlic and onion free! What? So good! My bloke and I shared a few dishes when eating out for the first time in… for ever! Delicious cabbage and pork dumplings, legit fried rice, crispy pork belly and eye fillet steak - we had sauces on the side for him to enjoy and me to avoid and both thoroughly enjoyed a top notch, tasty meal along with a couple of crisp and light rice lagers. I bought some of the yummy smelling teas to go. A first class experience. Thanks!

Service was excellent - friendly attentive staff. Food was also good. We ordered BBQ Honey Pork for entree, then Beef, Chinese broccoli & Shiitake mushrooms with oyster sauce & Pan-fried beef fillets served with Sichuan sauce with Rice for mains.

I recently dined at a Cantonese restaurant and had an absolutely wonderful experience — highly recommended. First of all, the restaurant’s environment is clean, comfortable, and tastefully decorated. It strikes a nice balance between traditional Cantonese elegance and a modern touch, making it a perfect spot for gatherings or small celebrations. The service was warm and attentive, with the staff pacing the dishes just right, making the whole dining experience relaxed and enjoyable. This Cantonese restaurant delivers authentic flavors with great attention to detail and technique. Whether for a family meal or hosting guests, it’s definitely a place I would happily return to.

I enjoyed the yumcha and environment here very ambience and cosy..very authentic HK dimsum plus all you can eat...so good love the dumplings and tofu jelly, the Cheong fun, chicken pie is also good. They also had baked cheesy scallops..

It has a very atmospheric dining environment and beautiful scenery, the service staff is very friendly. All you can eat is 75/pp, + 6$ for tea. We had such as nice lunchtime🥰

The most amazing team, food, atmosphere, and location. I’d like to thank Grace, Simon, Derek and the back of house team for one of the best nights. Celebrating my 51st birthday was made even more special by these wonderful people. The food was amazing, wine (2009 Grant Burge Cab Sav), spectacular and the view across the Yarra River to Melbourne’s CBD spectacular. If you’re looking for attention to detail, then the Red Empire Southbank should be one your shortlist. Thank you for a wonderful night, everyone had a great time, looking forward to next time. Sincerely Peter

Hadn’t tried many of their dishes, only the lobster noodle and desserts. The lobster was very flavourful and cooked fresh, the pineapple fritter was basic but the affogato was simply amazing especially on a warm summer evening. Venue was spacious, there was an outdoor seating area with a nice view of the river. Cocktail list was decent.

Had a absolutely wonderful meal at Red Emperor at Southgate. The pork entree was delicious and the mains were outstanding. The duck was so delicious and the pepper beef too. The service was excellent and unobtrusive. I will be back to Red Emperor..

Food was nice and the vibe was good. It did get pretty noisy in there and so it was sometimes hard to hear the conversation. But still, I enjoyed the atmosphere. The menu is very difficult to read in terms of finding vegetarian options. They are not marked with an icon or located all together in one section. You have to literally read through every meal on the menu to find meat-free options. There are a lot of stairs up to the dining areas and I didn’t see a lift. So I wouldn’t recommend for people with mobility issues. The salt and pepper tofu was the highlight of the night. It was SO GOOD! I’d probably go back again just for that. The menu is definitely designed for sharing food, as opposed to having your own separate meals. I think this is a good place to go for dinner with a group of friends.

Definitely keep away if you want great Asian food. We went for lunch and the place was full of suits out for lunch. The waiter was very patronising. We ordered pan fried dumplings and the crispy dumpling skirt was disappointing. Usually the dumplings are flipped onto the plate so the crispy skirt stays crispy. Next we ordered noodles which i think they got from noodle box. Lastly, the fried rice was so white i don't think it's ever touched a wok. Definitely no Wok Hei (Wok Chi). It tastes like they added ingredients to boilded rice, not fried at all. Lǎowài's asian restaurant.

My mate has been hyping this place up for quite some time now, so tonight was the night to finally try them. The restaurant looked nice and very busy even for a weeknight. It is located opposite Flower Drum in Chinatown CBD. I ordered their boiled dumplings, fried rice and also tried the mango pudding. The dumpling's outer layer was too thick, the fried rice was okay and I thought the dessert would be a custard but, it was more just mango jelly with some milk poured on top. One other thing I want to point out is the payment surcharge. Instead of letting the machine take out the surcharge depending on the card, the staff tried to put in a higher number manually! Thank god my mate was observant and pointed it out on the spot. I want to alert other customers to be mindful during payment

One of the best Xiao Long Bao I have tried till date. The dish had everything that was expected. This place was recommended by a YouTuber. Located in a shady looking alley in Chinatown this place is a find. It is kool to see through the glass how the kitchen is preparing dumplings. It is an art to make such perfect looking dumplings. The food is priced well and is of good portions. A must try!

Some high and lows. We did not make a reservation but were able to get a table. They have the ground level for walk-ins, which was great but it’s just a small space so a lot of people were turned away - in a not so nice way. Food was great. They do give good servings so best to order in the conservative side but note that it is difficult to order again, they are not that attentive.

Awful attitude. Got a ridiculously judgmental face from the lady on the 2nd floor, saying “Did you get to talk to the man downstairs?” and just waved me and my sister to go upstairs. The place looked better upstairs, but for some reason us Asians were put to the corner like we’re being punished in school (see pic for your ref). When the dumplings were served there were no sauce bowls for us to pour the chilli oil and soy sauce in, so we had to go fetch them for ourselves. The food was okay, nothing great. Would never come here again. Will also let all my friends know not to come here as well.

We returned to the restaurant after not having been to it for over 8years. Service was quick and friendly. Food wise, it was so - so…. It just didn’t seem very authentic Chinese. The Shanghai noodle seemed bland, the xiao long bao skin was on the slightly thicker side. The food was fine, just not as good as we remember it. Did it almost seem more westernised to cater for the patrons? Not too sure. Unfortunately, we will probably skip this restaurant next time and try something different.

We came here on Good Friday evening and ordered the Special Fried Rice (not seafood) and Beef in Black Bean Sauce and 1 glass of white wine. I know that rents are high in the city but the food wasn’t up to scratch for what we paid $76.82. The fried rice had speckles of egg and 1 frozen prawn, frozen peas and a little bit of dry pork, it was supposed to be the large size but only made 3 small bowls. The beef was tender and nice but the onions in the meal were raw and also not much meat. When going to the bathroom my kids saw a Peking duck being taken out of a microwave and given to a customer. I think that maybe yum cha here may be better but we were very disappointed for an evening meal. I hope they can improve.

I had Peking duck and shark fin soup for dinner. I wanted to order dim sum, but they only serve it at lunchtime. Unfortunately, the food wasn’t exceptional—nothing to write/boast about. The free tea tasted more like hot water. The restaurant was quite empty, and the waiters seemed more focused on chatting with each other than attending to customers. It was difficult to get their attention; I had to call them over a few times. The pictures outside their restaurant looked amazing, and since it’s located in Chinatown, I was so eager to try it. However, I think I’ll only go there once.

We were just passing through Chinatown when the delicious smell from this place caught our attention, so even though it was not in our plan, my family and I decided to give it a try, and it turned out to be such a great decision. The snow crab was so tasty, and a kind older lady helped us with cracking it and checked on us throughout the meal to make sure we had everything we needed. Her warm service made our dining experience absolutely perfect🙏🏻 The mapo tofu and stir fried morning glory were also amazing. We will definitely come back to try more dishes next time.

Came here after a show at the comedy theatre around 10pm, we only ordered some appetisers (satay chicken and dumplings) and both were tasteless with an awful side sauce. We couldn’t finish the meal. Service was also quite slow, we had to usher down a waiter for 10 mins even though the restaurant wasn’t busy.

I walked in and stood there for 5 mins while people looked at me but did not show me to a table. The food was poor at best and extremely over priced. The prawn toad was $16.80 and it was 2 tiny pieces no bigger than the spoon, see pics, I refused to eat it and sent it back. The salt and pepper calamari was terrible. I asked if it was battered or lightly dusted, he told me it was a very light dusting. It was heavily battered and so oily, I couldn’t eat more than half because it was dripping in oil, see pic and it was also very expensive at $33 for this awful dish. I will never eat here again, it’s way overpriced and poor quality. Wished I had have looked at the poor reviews before coming here. The wonton soup was reasonable but by no means good. The service was so poor, they were too busy talking among themselves, it took 5 mins to get someone to take my order and it was super quiet the. no one came to the table once the dishes were down. I took another 5 mins to get a glass of water after finally getting the attention of the wait staff. This experience was way below average.

This is a Melbourne institution!!! Westlake has been serving up classic Chinese dishes for decades. The owner-chef still works everyday and is always there to make sure the dishes go out good. Every dish we had could not be faulted. Delicious and fresh. Their Signature Chicken was very very good!

I think their service attitude is not bad. The price of food is basically the same as that of other yamcha stores. In terms of food, their forked pastry is really delicious.The best I have ever eaten .But their fried squid is really mediocre. It doesn't taste good. It's not recommended to order this dish. Everything else is OK.

My friends and I ate here at the last minute on a weekend. Thankfully, it wasn't busy during lunch, so we got a table. Service was great and one staff was able to suggest what dishes for my toddler to have. We ordered two types of fried rice, one with beef and the other with chicken. Both were flavoursome and not oily like in the takeaway shops. We also had their beef and vegetable and honey chicken, which was delicious—perfectly cooked and a good portion for four people.

Lucky chan is an institution. Always great service, amazing food and a lively atmosphere. You will love the variety of dishes. Tables are huge for large gatherings and plenty of room for food. Hi chairs are available, very kid friendly.

Great service. Good food except the fried rice we were served had some toasted rice or hard ones. My wife noted about it first then i had some of it near the end. All the other orders we had were good though. The restaurant set up was ok but we found it too noisy. Definitely not a place to go to if you want some good quiet dinner but the service was exceptional.

Craving a quality yum cha experience? This spot serves up signature dishes that are perfect for indulging yourself.

Chicken and sweet corn soup was a bit bland not a whole lot of flavour. Prawn san choy bao was great. Beef and black bean was really nice with nice crispy fresh vegetables and tender beef. Steamed rice came cold and dry tho

Worth the price! Generous serving, fast service considering it was busy time. Food taste good hardy finished it.

Located at Crown Casino, 31, 38/8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺. I was on holiday in Melbourne and came here for dinner after seeing a movie 🎥 at the nearby casino. I was so beautifully decorated making it so welcoming and inviting. I felt welcome from the moment I arrived. I knew from the design and location, that my meal was not going to be inexpensive but I was happy to pay the extra money for a great meal. I had, fried rice with satay chicken. Spring Rolls and Prawn Toast to start. It was delicious, just spicy enough and cooked beautifully. The view over the Yarra River is amazing. I would recommend getting a window seat if you can. Overall, my experience at tis restaurant was wonderful, I certainly didn’t have any complaints. Thumbs up!!! 👍👍

I was fortunate to go with a good client and we were in a private room. The food was very good, tasty and lots of it. The service was pretty good too, but just not amazing for this quality of restaurant. It didn’t feel special and I found myself searching for a waiter often when they should be checking in more regularly. Especially for the price. But overall we had a wonderful time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Truly Exceptional! Silk Restaurant is an absolute standout. From the moment you walk in, the ambiance wraps around you like luxury — elegant, warm, and thoughtfully designed. The venue itself is stunning, with an atmosphere that blends sophistication and comfort perfectly. The service was attentive and genuine, with staff who clearly care about creating a memorable experience. Every dish we tried was beautifully presented and full of flavor — a true celebration of quality ingredients and culinary craftsmanship. Whether you're going for a romantic evening, a special celebration, or just an unforgettable night out, Silk delivers on every level. I can’t recommend it enough. This place is a must-visit!

I’m not sure if the $138pp set menu was worth it—the dishes were quite plain and didn’t feature any premium ingredients. The real issue was the service. While the girl serving us was friendly and attentive, the manager (or who I assume was the manager) was unprofessional. I overheard him loudly complaining about another staff member in Cantonese, which is something you should never do in front of guests. He was also openly judging a white couple for ordering too little from the à la carte menu—just rude behavior. That said, the ambience was lovely, with beautiful views if you’re seated by the window.

Amazing food, fantastic cocktails and friendly service. We got the bottomless noodles, and they were all so good. Cocktails were so refreshing and delicious. Only bad thing about this place was the paper straws.

One of the best restaurants at Crown. My most recent experience was a private room dining experience for 10 people. The staff was accommodating and very professional at all times. The food was incredible. And to top it off the private dining room had its own balcony perfectly located in front of the crown’s fire displays. Only improvement I would recommend for Silks is it would be great if they could rope off the balcony so that other restaurant guests from the public can’t access your space.

Visited this restaurant because I am craving for dim sum. They have this weekdays lunch - all you can eat dim sum. Very nice! ‘ ✓’ worth to try. Even if you order a-la-carte is not that crazy price. Nice sitting and atmosphere at the restaurant

We were seated at the most beautiful table against the window. I appreciate each table looked like a comfortable size, being able to accomodate for plenty of dishes to be served and shared around. We opted for the set menu and every dish seemed to get better and better. When I return the dumplings, crispy chicken ribs and Beef main dish would definitely be what I re-order immediately. Each staff member was consistently checking in and making us feel very comfortable, also going above and beyond to help curate a little birthday celebration on our table. Much appreciated, can't wait to be back!

Collectors and restauranters ... what a concept ... Food wise, not your usual yumcha experience, limited yumcha items on the menu, but served HOT, that's the way ... must come in a group of 3 or 6 pax ... mostly there are 3 of everything in the bamboo basket. The ambience definitely enhanced the dining experience ... BYO ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️

Red Door Yum Cha is an unassuming restaurant hidden in a street in Windsor but the interior is very different to what you see on the outside. Decked out with oriental decor and a variety of different seating options. It was reminiscent of a Chinese tea house. We were keen to eat as many dumplings as our stomachs could take but nothing wowed us here, making us feel like we hadn’t really satisfied our cravings yet. We ordered: 🐷 BBQ Pork Bun 🦞 Lobster, Prawn & Scallop Dumplings 🦐 Pork & Prawn Sui Mai 🥟 Sharkfin Wonton 🦆 Duck Bean Curd Wrap 🐓 Shanghai Chicken Soup Dumplings 🐔 Chicken Sui Mai Definitely not the best assortment of dumplings I’ve had but also not the worst. We found everything to be pretty average in terms of both quality and flavour. We were also confused by the Shanghai Chicken soup dumplings because there was no soup whatsoever 😕 Service was okay, we didn’t really have much interaction with them besides taking our orders and serving our food. Can’t say I’ll be back in a rush.

Haven’t been here in years and years and so glad we went back. Food was delicious! Dumplings all about $11 for 3 and all fresh and delicious. We sat cross legged at the “bed” and shared a main as well. BYO is $10 per wine bottle. Very reasonable.

Disappointed with my last order. The spring rolls were crammed into the container, causing them to crack and flatten. The lettuce, well look at the picture and the chilli oil, my favourite, not enough. I spent $70 dollars and expected the lettuce leaves to be big enough to wrap around the rolls. I usually have no issue with the food. The guy that runs the place has never disappointed in his lack luster attitude.

Good food, nice spread on the meat options. Small on the portion sizes but that is standard with such places. Loved the decor and ambiance of the place. Friendly staff and decent service times makes the place worth a visit.

I can’t claim any skill in identifying whether the antique furnishings in this place are authentic, but food certainly wasn’t. In short it’s basically food served by white folks for white folks surrounded by antique-looking Asian furniture. We were sitting in side room near kitchen. This room was stuffy and had a strange smell. Avoid if you can and insist on sitting in main dining area. Other major negative is parking. The whole area is 1 hour parking until six pm. So if you are going for lunch, make it a quick one or be prepared to run out and move your car. Extra star is for the friendly service, which was the only real positive.

Its a shame they only picked up the antiques and furniture in Hong Kong ... the menu is uninspiring and overpriced. Needs some serious oriental inspiration in the kitchen to match the environment. Disappointed. Might drop by for a tea or beer next time but not worth having dinner here.

Classic chaotic yum cha experience. Dim sum here is tasty with plenty of variety, served via the busy cart system that adds to the atmosphere but can feel a bit chaotic. Better for a one-off outing than a regular spot - recommend trying a bit of everything, just keep an eye on the bill. Works best for groups of friends.

Gold Leaf is good for yum cha. They bring trolleys of food around and you choose what you like. They mark it off on a card on the table. Need to be selective because there is a large range and cannot eat everything. Hard to get parking but worth a visit.

Great Yum Cha experience. Restaurant is dated and in need of a touch up. Tables are a little crowded so trolleys can't get around easily. But food is spot on. Dumplings for days. Whitebait batter could have used some salt. Nice Sunday afternoon experience.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.8/5) Overall: decent yumcha spot in the west. Classic foods and vibes. There are not many options for yumcha in the west compared to in the eastern suburbs. This place still offers all the classic yumcha dishes you can expect. I’d say it’s worth a visit if you’re here for the food and the experience, but do not expect great services 😅 Note that they have a 10% weekend surcharge. Parking is available and I’m not sure if a reservation is required, but we called the restaurant a day before to make a reservation. You can choose either the 11:30am slot or the 1pm slot. Food: pretty decent - not bad, not exceptional. We ordered 8 different items, which came to $114.40 (including the weekend surcharge).

Had yum cha/dinner here with family and everything was just average. Previously was better, but the quality now seems to have dropped.

I’m not a fan of this restaurant’s customer service. I waved to get a staff’s attention, and a young lady in her 20s came over and asked, “What do you want?” Overall though, the food is tasty. They have both heated trolleys and normal trolleys going around, so the food is always hot. The price is a little bit on the expensive side.

Super busy and lively place with classic dim sum trolleys – such a fun experience! The food is delicious with so many dishes to try, perfect for sharing with family or friends. Make sure to book ahead, it’s always packed

China Red was a great find in the shopping strip just of Chinatown little Bourke st. I liked how you can see and order your meals off the screen at each table. But be careful as it orders each item as you go not just adding it to a cart so to speak. There is some good instructions how to use these there. The food itself was amazing and the pork ribs were a standout. Will go back again if we get the chance.

My favourite Chinese place in Melbourne city. The dumplings are great. The service is very quick. You order via a screen. The prices are reasonable.

Cheap eat and Food absolutely delicious and very quick. Beef so tender and flavorful. I love their hot serve dimsum with soup inside.

Had dinner here with my partner and the food was tasty and service was extremely quick! Highly recommend the pan fried dumplings.

I expected more with the 4+ ⭐️ rating but was rather let down with the food. After ordering through the touch screen tablet (first Chinese restaurant i’ve ever been to that had this ordering system) the first dish came out SO quick, it skipped out the heating process, it was cold as hell, decent flavour but the wrapper was not done well and it being cold wasnt doing it any favours. When the fried rice came it dispersed wonderful aromatics around the table, and i’m definitely dissipated in our mouths, it was rather bland and once again cold , (ok maybe room temperature at best). But to rack points, the sweet and sour pork was fried perfectly, beautifully crispy exterior with tender meat and flavoured well. And the Vegetable mix was subpar, not too shabby but nothing i’d run to my asian mother to ramble about. Fish was on the oily side, and did not keep its crisp, but flavours were there and when ur lucky some bits were a little crunchy. Also had the 酸辣湯, was more spicy than sour, didn’t taste of much, mid at best. On the plus side the spicy dumplings were decent though. Not bad overall but with so many other options in Chinatown i’d probably not be returning (ps: not a fan of the restaurant interior) ^_^

The staff were friendly, service was efficient and food came out really quickly! Ordering is done by touch screen, it might have been our table where it was slightly hard to press the screen so we had to be careful when ordering but that didn't affect our positive experience eating here at all. :)

Finally found a great Chinese restaurent in the cbd. 2 level restaurent with lots of service. I only gave it 4 stars because we wanted 15min for a table when we had a reservation booked. Food was incredible, you need to order through a computer screen which might be hard for people that aren't tech savvy. Also if you accidentally press a item you can't delete you'll need to call service to help you remove it. Atmosphere was delightful. Great location, corner of Russell and Bourke St.

Wonderful service from the start till the end. Flavours were spot-on and the cucumber snack was definitely a highlight - mostly hits and no misses! Was celebrating my birthday as a solo diner and really appreciated all the small gestures and compliments that were generously provided during my meal. Kudos to the team!

Very tasty, though pricey, dinner! Came for dinner before a show with some friends & sat at the bar. Nice intimate vibe, though a little squishy. Food was amazing! I’d say for sure on the pricy end for how much you get - but can’t fault the flavours. Service was great & as a gf girly they offered great swap out for me, even with sharing plates. Special mention to the cucumber starter - it was insanleyyyy good! The scallops were also amazing. Peaking duck, of course incredible and the lamb was the absolute standout for us, so perfectly cooked, we lost our minds. Dumplings were fine, I’d give them a miss and try something else. Worth a visit for a special occasion!

I would travel far and wide to taste the sweet, crispy and wonderfully sticky eggplant, the intimate and mood lit dining room where we travelled through a delicious series of dishes that were impeccable! I loved everything about this place, from the copious cups of fresh tea, strawberries and pork and Peking duck. Continuing onto desserts which were all so wonderfully cleansing! I have now joined the list of people who’s favourite dining experience is Lee Ho Fook because let’s face it, after that I don’t think I would be the only one! I cannot wait to come back

Went here for the restaurant's 10 year anniversary for a nice date night, but had to wait 20 minutes to be seated even with a booking. Servers were not proactive in attending to us when we got in. Must admit, the food was incredible and really took us on a journey which brings my rating up. One of the servers was quite nice, he gave us some tea to take home and offered to take a picture of me and my partner. So the experience ended in a positive way. Hopefully won't have as long of a wait if I go on a different night. Would still recommend you try it just for the food

Dined here two months ago for their one night special dinner celebrating 10 years at the CBD location. The menu included 16 popular dishes from 2015-2025 served over seven courses. I was seated at the counter where all the action was happening which was nice. Most of the dishes were very tasty, you get to experience so many flavour and texture combinations and spices. The amount of food was just right. Favourites were the pickled mussel, baby cucumber with cashew cream, prawn cutlet, scallop with silken tofu, crispy eggplant, wagyu beef with black pepper sauce, and both the desserts. Also service was great; staffs were friendly and attentive, and pacing of the course was good considering how busy it was.

This was SENSATIONAL !! The best dinner I’ve had in Melbourne, completely and totally in love with how simple everything was, simple is hard to do well as there is no room for error. This was 10/10 in every sense, I loved the tea pairing with the food - a wonderful point of difference. Wow, wow, wow, I cannot wait to be back 🦆 I’ll be dreaming of crispy eggplant until that day !

One of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a while — absolutely worth it. The Peking duck was incredible with perfectly crispy skin, and the toothfish was light, delicate, and delicious. We enjoyed our date night here on a Wednesday, and the bonus of BYO with no corkage made it even better though we ended up spending 350+ because the food is sooooo delicious! We feel so lucky to have discovered this gem

This has been our family fav for years. The yum cha is incredible, the staff are wonderful and I am obsessed with their crispy skin chicken and peiking duck pancakes. This is not a hyped up Melbourne ‘cool-spot’… which means it’s even better. Just authentic, amazing, high quality food with lovely staff. Even the fried rice is so much better than anywhere else. I honestly don’t think you’ll find better Chinese food in Melbourne, than at Tao Tao house.

6 years later and it still great food! Standards are still very high. We haven't been here in years and the food is still amazing. All very fresh! The rice noodle rolls (Cheung Fun) is fresh made to order which I never knew! I definitely need to come back more often. Added back into our family rotation!

Made the booking at 11am on Saturday. The place is clean and staff are friendly. Chicken feet and egg tart were delicious, apart from that, nothing too outstanding. Lovely place for family gatherings tho.

Dinner review only. Looks like Yun cha lunch may be different gauging other reviews. Took a long time to find parking in the evening. Drove up and down several times to find a spot because the residential parking was out of bounds in the evening. Felt like a long time, 15 mins or so. Had a large group so when making the booking they agreed to move two circular tables together. On arrival a waiter said this could not be done. Not enough room. So we sat down anyway. Then when asking another waiting he was willing to move the tables together as originally planned. Variations on service depending on who you speak to dampened the experience. Food was bland, small in portion and expensive. At $38 a dish for a main, was expecting quality food. Didn't taste this. Tea and rice added up to a large chunk of the bill too. Wasabi prawns, couldn't taste wasabi. But could see green sauce. Having said this, maybe their Yum cha menu is better.

🥢 dreaming about my yumcha lunch 🏠: Tao Tao House 📍: Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn 📝: Was contemplating whether I should post these horrible iPhone photos I’ve taken (I’m hopeless), but the food here was too good to ignore! I was recommended to try the yumcha here by a friend, and she was so right! I really loved the food here, and service was pretty good too! ❤️: I cannot get over the 🐽 Fried Glutinous Flour filled with pork. The outside was crispy, yet underneath was super soft and chewy. And I still can’t stop thinking about the perfectly warm, flakey 🍳🥧 egg tarts that were so creamy and fragrant—GIMME MORE!

I recently visited Tao Tao House for my birthday dinner. The food was cooked well and full of flavor, but the service was unprofessional and the portion sizes were too small for the price. When we first arrived, the waiter spoke to us in his native language, assuming that we were of the same ethnicity. This was a clear mistake, and it made us feel uncomfortable. We had to ask him to speak to us in English. The menu was also handed to us in the waiter's native language. We had to ask him to give us an English version, which was a hassle. The food was good, but the portions were very small. We ordered 5 dishes and the fried rice. All the portion sizes look like it was for one person while there was 6 of us. For the price I paid, I expected much larger portions. I was left feeling hungry after my meal. Overall, I was not impressed with Tao Tao House. The service was unprofessional, the portion sizes were too small, and the prices were too high. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone.

Went there for yum cha on a Sunday. Was surprisingly busy, we managed to get the last table available at the time. Just make sure that if possible, you don't take the table right near the front door. Was absolutely freezing whenever the doors were opening and closing. I rate the food 3.5 stars. There's a good variety of yum cha dishes and food presentation is not bad. However, we found the taste of the food to be rather average compared to other yum cha places in Melbourne, especially given the prices are not particularly cheap.

One of the best dinning experiences we’ve had in a long time. The food was amazing and the service was excellent we were attended to glasses filled and table kept clean. The egg plant, and beef cubes were superb. I was surprised how good the Brussel sprouts tasted toasted and delicious. I was also astounded by the fact that the chefs knew how to make the flavours without using coriander as a main ingredient minimal use of coriander 🌿 was particularly well done. Definitely worth a visit. We then went up to the ghost bar which was also an experience in itself. Congratulations Hotel Esplanade

I was pleasantly surprised by how good and authentic the food is. There was not a bad dish in sight- from the 5 spice chicken to the pork dumplings, crab fried rice and caramelised eggplant were delectable! Service was impeccable (which is rare these days). Settings was classy and informal at the same time. Will definitely be back 🥰

We had the most perfect dinner at Mya Tiger inside the iconic Espy last night! 😍 Honestly, the whole experience was just next level – from the gorgeous St Kilda water views to the beautiful interiors, everything felt so effortlessly stylish and welcoming. The share plates were a dream – genuinely generous portions, and every single dish was bursting with flavour. Service was lovely too, really attentive without being over the top. Honestly, it felt like the perfect St Kilda night out. What We Had: 🍗 5 Spice Chicken $22.00 🥢 Lamb Spring Rolls $22.50 🍄 Mushroom Dumplings $22.00 🔥 Wontons $22.00 🍆 Caramel Eggplant $23.00 🍸 Dragon Fire $25.00 🌿 Pine + Pandan Spritz $20.00 If you’re looking for a spot with flavour-packed dishes, gorgeous vibes, and just a flawless dinner in St Kilda, Mya Tiger absolutely ticks all the boxes. Can’t wait to come back! 💛

I booked a table for 7pm and we got there on time. The food was really good, but less than an hour later we were told we had to leave because they needed the table for the next booking at 8pm. The website says you get the table for 1 hour 45 minutes, so it didn't make sense. We asked if we could be moved to another table but they didn't help. Pretty disappointing and it ruined what could have been a nice night.

A culinary delight! The ginger chicken dumplings were bursting with flavour, and the pork & Moreton Bay bug dumplings were an absolute revelation. The duck fried rice was expertly crafted, with the duck perfectly rendered, and the seasonal greens were fresh and vibrant. Paired with a well-made cocktail and a cold beer, it was the perfect meal. The service was quick and friendly, adding to the overall excellent atmosphere. At $130 for four dishes and drinks, especially considering the prime location near the Palais, it was exceptional value.

What an amazing night! The staff were so friendly and attentive. The food was spectacular but the absolute star of the night was The Ghost room with the piano player was so magical!

Been here a few times now and always impressive. Clever Asian fusion food that is always great. The spicy pork chilli wontons are an absolute must have. All the dishes have great balanced flavours and table service is friendly and attentive. Their cocktails are beautifully made and the wine list is also very good. A must go Melbourne foodie spot in my opinion. April 2025 update: Hidden away in the iconic Espy, this restaurant has its own kitchen, table staff and absolutely delivers on every level. Still an absolute must go.

We have been visiting this location for many years and in the past, food and service was very good. Sadly, we are starting to see a decline in both food quality/quantity and service. Maybe because it was Xmas day and they had a bunch of inexperienced staff on, but it was a struggle to get another round of drinks ordered. Food wise, it's evident that cost cutting measures are in place with portions noticeably smaller/reduced compared to previous visits. A favourite we would always order was the Shredded beef in Peking sauce. We were served heavily battered Chunks of beef in a very sweet sauce. I dare say there was less than 150g of actual beef in the $32 dish, just batter and sauce. Photo below. To top off the meal, the sadest looking fruit platter we have ever been served. Really hope they can bring their standards back up.

The ala carte menu for dinner is much poorer quality compared to their yumcha menu. Each of the mains cost around $25-$35 despite the relative small servings and average quality compared to other restaurants of similar price. The service is average at best while the ambience is v retro.

I come here for yum cha lunches which suits a larger group of friends. I also come here for dinner when they have specials like lobster noodle set price meal or Peking duck dinner sets on week days which is great value. Overall pretty good large restaurant.

Really good yum cha, really stupid surcharges. I hate surcharges, and here is another venue which provides great service and great food, then stuffs it up when you get to the till and you get hit with a 10% surcharge and then a further 1.5% surcharge on top of the other surcharge for using EFTPOS. Dumplings were excellent, full of filling, juicy, hot, but not 10% better than weekdays. Service was excellent, prompt, friendly, but not 10% better than weekdays. So drop the silly charges, and focus on great food and service.

We ordered the $42 Banquet. What we got was delicious and definitely value for money. We did share the Chinese Broccoli and Mango Pudding which was pricier than expected. The broccoli itself was almost $15 and the pudding about $9. Pretty expensive considering it’s part of their Yum Cha offering. I think I’ll just stick with the Banquet next time.

Never disappointed by Gold Leaf! There are all the high quality authentic dishes and dim sum available, freshly served to customers with trolleys. The managers and staff are all so friendly and helpful! The restaurant is spacious with comfortable seating. If you are craving for authentic Cantonese dim sum or dishes, you should come and visit!

Excellent experience overall. Nice interior, very attentive service. My wife was thrilled she could order a whole lobster for $66 but was disappointed that only ginger sauce is that price. It's another $15 if you want a different sauce. Still, she said the ginger wasn't too strong. I ordered sizzling Mongolian beef and instead of the typical Hoisin style sauce it came out with a garlic oyster sauce. Still very tasty, but not what I expected.

RDCS is the sort of cafe you want to have in your neighbourhood. It’s always busy, cosy inside, good choice on the menu for breakfast and lunch and staff will look after you. Good coffee.

Lovely spot with such a cozy vibe ✨☕️. The food and coffee were absolutely delicious, definitely worth coming back for 👌. Service was quick and the staff were super friendly 👏. Just one funny note: watch out for the door 🤭😂 it adds a little comedy to the whole experience .

Always a pleasure having breakfast with the family at this place! Visited plenty of times, consistently fantastic food and great customer service that goes above and beyond most other places in this area. A very cozy vibe overall, however when it's busy it can get a bit loud and overstimulating given the seating layout - especially when other patrons bring along their crying children. I highly recommend any of their breakfast items as well as the burger. The tarts are also spot-on in terms of crust and filling and are always best when you can get them while they're fresh! The prices are balanced and reflect the effort that is put into each menu item, as well as their premium quality of ingredients. They also have great options for high-protein lovers and it's a great spot for post-workout nourishment! A few small notes for improvement though - The double espresso can sometimes be quite watery and acidic, which is understandable given the peak coffee-rush on most mornings which leads to a higher running temperature of the machine. The cold brew has also sometimes tasted a bit 'mossy' due to either the water that was used during production, or fridge/open air oxidation, or perhaps the overall flavour profile of the beans that are used. Some refinement on these items would make them amazing for the coffee purist crowd! As someone with heightened social anxiety, I thank you for being so hospitable and lovely towards myself and my family. The positive attitudes, attention and effort from the staff is always greatly appreciated.

Dukkah eggs looked great and were full of flavour. The strong skinny latte could have been a bit stronger but was still very nice.

This is a cute cafe with lovely staff! They serve great homemade pastries including muffins, cakes and pies. I had the apricot muffin which was super soft and sweet. Drink wise I had the cold brew which was flavourful and refreshing. Then for food I had their homemade crumpets that are served with jam and honey. I would’ve loved to take the honey home as it was so yummy. Check out this cafe for a great meal and service!

Service was great, walked in early on a Sunday morning and was greeted by friendly staff. Coffee was amazing and so was the shakshuka and corn fritters we ordered! Would definitely come back 😊

We arrived with a party of four and were promptly seated at a communal table. The staff were an absolute delight, they did not delay in taking our orders. The chicken sandwich I ordered was thoroughly delicious. My wife enjoyed the sorghum and broccolini salad and apparently it made “her tummy sing”, which can only be a good sign. There’s a great country cafe feel to Red Door - its founders have taken great care and poured a lot of love into it - this much is evident. My only criticism, which turns to a matter of preference, is that the space is quite cramped, which may add to its appeal to some, however is a nuisance to those with access requirements.

One of the best yumcha places here in Melbourne. Loved the pork spareribs and all the prawn dishes. The egg tarts were also yum although a bit too oily.

Often, come here for Yum Cha. Tried CNY Eve dinner set for 4 people this time. Their seafood is fantastic. You can choose the accompanying dishes with the set options, which are delicious! Attentive waiters. Located inside the docklands harbour town, the restaurant is half full on a Friday night. However, you usually need to queue for Yum Cha on weekend mornings.

ORDERED: 🥟  6x Small dim sim ($8.90) 🥟  12x Medium dim sim ($10.20) 🥟  9x Deluxe dim sim ($11.20) 🥟  7x Super dim sim ($14.00) 🍵 9x Chinese tea ($2.80) Kitchen special ($17.00) $47.05pp, between 9 people including credit card charge. REVIEW: The gold leaf staff in Docklands speak in Chinese. So if you know mandarin or cantonese, feel comfort in knowing they can take care of you too, in the language you prefer! ✔️ One of my favourite yum cha dishes is the prawn rice noodle roll / "cheung fun". It's a steamed rice noodle that has slightly chewy texture and absorbs the dark soy sauce really well. This makes it a really soulful savoury dish that's fun to eat. Make sure you heap a LOT of the sauce on. ✔️ Another one of my favourites is the woo kok/ taro dumplings. Although the outside is carefully fried, its crispiness does not dry out the soft taro dough and savoury meat filling inside. Dip a little bit in the soy sauce for more savoury flavour. I love this dish. ✔️ Another notable dish is mango pudding, and I can't finish my yum cha experience without it! 😮  I went to Sunshine gold leaf recently, and I've realised that the Docklands chain charges $1.20 more for each medium dish and deluxe dish!! Same price for the super dim sim and chinese tea per person. Crazy findings; if you're money conscious this might factor into your decision. 😲 ✔️ The service is great (we had fresh tea, they brought out chilli sauce rapidly, were able to hunt down dishes for us), and considering we went on a weekday lunch at 12:00pm we had exceptionally good service. Lots of attention and lots of fresh food coming out. I felt like they took care of us well and I would come back to Docklands gold leaf.

Food taste great, pork ribs, har gow, salted egg lava bun are recommended! However, the plates/food trolleys are not very clean. Some staff didn’t wear mask when talked with customers over the dishes on the trolley. A bit crowded and noisy in the restaurant.

Gold Leaf Docklands has always been one of my favourite yum cha spots. The quality of the food has always been consistently high and I’ve loved the variety of dim sums and hot mains (and desserts too, surprisingly) they have on offer. This branch is also much better than the Burwood’s one.

Loved our Yum cha experience. Although the place seemed a bit understaffed but the food definitely made up for it. Dumplings and custard buns were absolute winners, although not a huge fan of their mango pudding, was pretty average.

This was, by far, the best Chinese dining experience we have ever had in Melbourne! 5 star service, warm and delicious food cooked perfectly and served warm and fresh! We were welcomed with warm jasmine tea and prawn crackers as we were browsing through the expansive menu. Traditionally presented meals presented were brought out per course (and with very little delay, despite having dinner on a busy Easter Sunday evening). The scrumptious dim sims (three different versions) were in wooden steamers and the money bag in all its soupy mushroom glory was on a plate all on its own. The soup was hot and filling and was big enough to share for two. The fried rice was full of Chinese sausage, egg, and spring onions! The sweet and sour pork however, was definitely the highlight. Crunchy on the outside, full of soft meat on the inside. We have been around Southeast Asia, and this has been the BEST one we've ever had! Thank you to Ivan and the team for having us! We will definitely be back again!

We were there for Tuesday night and things a bit dour. Probably goes off later in the week but our experience a little underwhelming... We had fried rice which I suspect was reheated... Other dishes okay but well undercooked. All the veg was next to raw. I fancy myself as a bit of a chinese chef and in fact am a chef at a local bowlo... You should here loud swooshing and the clatter of steel when the wok is at full temperature... This is called Hue in Chinese. Think these guys forgot... Sorry to be so negative, was only Tuesday...

A little pricey for my tastes. This is a very formal restaurant and I found the yummy cha to be a little expensive for the serving sizes. Food was nice. Red bean pancakes were absolutely delicious.

Arthur and the owner Aunty Chen are very friendly. They make you feel like home. Apart from the dishes from the menu, you can also call and tell them what you like and order customised private dishes. Service is definitely 5 star. The restaurant is nice and quiet which is good for friends gathers and chat. Definitely first preference Chinese restaurant for our family.

Exceptional food! All so fresh with a great balance of delicate subtle flavours (duck fried rice, vegan duck, chinese brocoli) and bold flavours (mustard beef and salt + honey pepper chicken ribs). Huge portions of delightful deliciousness

The worst yum cha / dim sum I’ve ever had. Anything with “prawn” featured far more filler than prawn. The prawns used anyway, if you could find them, were the tiny shrimp you would bait a fishing rod with that didn’t taste of anything. The dough on the prawn rice roll (which was 95% dough) was thick and unpleasant, like eating a glue stick wrapped around 3 tasteless shrimps. Same story for prawn sesame toast and fried prawn in bean curd skin. Pork and prawn siu mai - no prawn / shrimp to be seen at all. The scallop dumplings were devoid of scallop entirely, using a single weird shrimp and some revolting white paste? You would think as a to-order system with items coming out of the kitchen as soon as they are ready would mean they are piping hot, but most were warm-ish at best. Even if we pretend it’s not a yum cha place and you just wanted to eat decent food - this place isn’t it. The worst part is how expensive it all was, presumably for the non-existent prawns. An absolute disgrace.

Came here for yumcha. It was soo good. The only reason it’s 3 stars and not 5 is just because the chicken dumplings were not good (tasted the same as chicken dumplings in the frozen section at a supermarket). Everything else was amazing.

Not an exaggeration to say this is by far the worst yum cha spot I've ever been to. Coming from a Chinese dude. Siew mai tasted like it was frozen, skin broke off super easily, costco dumplings tasted better. We were served tea which was tea bags stuffed into a tea pot. No self respecting Chinese restaurant would do this. We asked for reccomendations and they reccomended Peking duck wraps which cost 4 dollars a wrap. The wraps didn't even contain any duck skin......anybody who has had Peking duck knows the wrap is meant to contain skin not duck meat. Overall horrible food, expensive, would not reccomend. You might as well buy supermarket dumplings and brew your own tea bags at home for one-sixth the price.

I finally get the hype around Chef Wong. Everything we tried was fresh, flavourful, and brought me right back home. We visited the Huntingdale spot. It was buzzing with people. Some standouts: ✨ The silky steamed rice rolls—light and comforting. ✨ The salted egg lava bun—pillowy soft with that rich custard centre (next-level good!). ✨ The BBQ pork bun—fluffy and perfectly seasoned. ✨ The congee—warm, hearty, and only available on weekends. ✨ The fried prawn & tofu—crispy outside, soft inside. ✨ The egg tart—flakey pastry with a rich, eggy custard. They even have durian egg tarts for the adventurous! Friendly staff, delicious food, and great vibes. We had such a lovely time here. Definitely coming back for round two!

When others mention hidden gems, this is the kind of spot I think of... Fantastic traditional hand made yum cha dim sums, freshly made and you can tell the difference compared to some of the larger chained dim sum places in SE Melbourne. Service was fast and friendly too. The fact that you can order one piece at a time is perfect for smaller groups to get a taste of everything. Quite busy on Sunday, but the staff very kindly accommodated two of us walking in on without reservation. Will be back for sure! But might try booking ahead to secure a spot.

I would say this spot is the best yum cha i’ve tried in Melbourne so far!! Their dim sums are cleaner, with no msg and less oily. There are so many options to choose from AND they are freshly made in house. The best thing is that you can order per piece so you can try out a lot of their food. Everything was soo delish and flavourful. My faves were the shark fin dumplings, beancurd bamboo roll, pork ribs, football dumplings and don’t forget the salted egg buns!!

This is a family-run restaurant that was featured in good food and visited by some of my favourite celebrity chefs from Master Chef AU. Their dimsum are all made in-house with the best quality and care and without extenders like most places do. Their dimsum is so good that they even supply to some restaurants! You also get to order per piece which allows you to try a lot more from their menu. I got to try a lot of their items and I enjoyed every single one from the extensive menu. This has to be one of the best meals I've had in Melbourne this year. My favourite items were the Phoenix Claws (chicken feet), fried beanchrd rolls with shrimp, and the salted egg buns. The fact that I enjoyed this much without even having any of the pork dishes really says something. I will be back when I can eat pork again.

I've had a lot of dim sums in my time, having grown up in HK. This is definitely one of the best yum cha places I've tried - top quality ingredients and freshly steamed/fried to order. As others have mentioned, it's not your traditional yum cha style so no need to wait for the right cart to come along, you just order everything from the start. The flexibility of ordering the exact number of pieces you want is fantastic. All the baos are soft and fluffy, dim sum pastries thin with perfect texture, deep fried items are very crunchy. No complaints whatsoever. I will be coming back as a regular 🙏🏼

Chef Wong provides an affordable and diverse range of your Yum Cha favourites. What is truely amazing here is you can order single units of dumpling which is unlike traditional yum cha places where you have to order a serving of 3 or four. They also sell the range in their frozen section so that you can also enjoy it at home. The staff are super friendly and attentive, making sure you are 110% happy with your experience.

If I could give Chef Wong 10 stars, or even 100, I absolutely would! I’ve been to both Huntingdale and Hawthorn restaurants, and have left each time falling more in love with the food, the team and the passion shown in every dish. Chef Wong’s dim sum dishes are hands down the best in Melbourne, and special mention needs to be made for their Lava Salted Egg buns, their Hum Sui Kok (football dumplings) and their Cheong Fun (rice paper rolls). All hand made, all brimming with fresh filling, and perfected to the quality of a Hong Kong dim sum master! The team behind the name are also the most dedicated, passionate and genuinely nice people who wants to ensure each diner has the best experience. By far the best dim sum in Melbourne, and if you’re lucky enough to snag a table, you’re in for an absolute treat!

Five stars for the great birthday deal of a free serve of dumplings (as of 2025). I used mine on the lamb & leek dumplings and didn't regret it. It's a nice place to dine in.

Stopped by for a quick meal and ended up loving every bite! The highlights? Definitely the Truffle Pork Siu Mai, Hainanese Chicken Rice, and the flavorful Hot and Sour Soup. Each dish was fresh, well-seasoned, and beautifully plated. ✅ The siu mai was rich and aromatic with a nice truffle kick. ✅ The chicken rice was tender, served with fragrant rice and three signature sauces. ✅ The soup was tangy, spicy, and loaded with mushrooms and egg – just the right amount of heat! Perfect for lunch, dinner, or a casual foodie stop when shopping at Melbourne Central. Great atmosphere and friendly service too. Highly recommend trying their signature dishes – you won’t be disappointed! 🍽 Must-try: Truffle Pork Siu Mai, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Hot and Sour Soup 📍 New Shanghai, Level 3, Melbourne Central, VIC #genastar #newshanghai #melbourneeats #melbournefoodie #dimsummelbourne #hainanesechicken #hotsoursoup #chinesefoodmelbourne #melbournecentral #asiandining #melbournerestaurants

10/10 for food & atmosphere. Lovely restaurant & we ordered many dishes to share. Portions are generous & taste - super delicious :) They were very short staffed on a Friday night (only 2) so service wasn’t prompt understandably. Requests were fulfilled politely. However no one cleared our table for ages even after we ordered dessert, so points lost for service. Otherwise great value & yummy dining!

Such delightful quick service with yummy food & gorgeous decor, for a restaurant that has such delicious food there’s not that many people that attend here so beware the food comes very quickly & very hot! the price may be very expensive but the portion sizes are worth it like seriously they’re huge, so don’t over do it with the sides there massive, I personally would recommend the Shanghai stirfry noodles but definitely get beef or pork I choose wrong with chicken, I also would recommend the beef skirt steak with black pepper mushroom sauce it’s really scrumptious 10/10! even better with the side of plain steamed buns to go with it, ❤️ definitely will be coming back here again. 🥩🍜

Excellent food - we had XO fried rice, fried XLB and dried chill chicken. All very good and authentic. The chicken was so so tender!! Great deco too.

Tasty Chinese food at a neat, clean venue that's good for a little-more-than-casual dining. The pork ribs and noodle were not too oily and delicious. Would recommend. Nice interior and seating spaces. Good vibes overall and it was easy to order using an app.

We came here for a late lunch when it wasn’t so busy. The service was attentive and prompt, the restaurant was very clean and stylish. Food was very much enjoyed. We ended up ordering 4 serves of xiao long bao, it was a big hit with the kids!

If there was a top 10 for worst dumplings this would definitely be in it and service matched the food.

The driest, blandest pork dumplings I've ever had. Staff were so blatantly disinterested in being there, made me feel like a pain for asking a question...

Ordered 12 dumplings for $26... now normally I don't mind paying for food if it good. These were horrible, not fit for a dog or a pig. I would hope they would do themselves a favour and shut shop. When your charging that much for that crap, you don't deserve to run a business. Bland as, rubber toy ducks would taste better.

I love dumplings! But! Unfortunately due to the lack of customer service, they kept on charging me more and more, we agreed on $12, then they pushed the amount to $12.80 (I value every penny) that is why I am giving them a one star. I also asked for their names, and I felt like they gave me there fake names, which is ok. I just don’t see the value anymore. Peace and love. Horrible horrible horrible experience.

Ordered 2 beef & pork dimsum. She tried to give us prawn suimai. We had to push her to give is the dimsum...she just said yes and tried to palm us off the suimai instead. Not happy with poor customer service... if i had an allergie to prawns or seafood i would ve in trouble now. Very bad service...

Disgusting. Ordered noodle soup with roasted duck. Soup tasted bland and was barely warm, duck was tasteless and cold, noodles were just a lump of noodles from a pack thrown in the bowl. Was literally still in rectangle form. Almost everything they had on display looked like it had been dipped in a bucket of oil. Definitely would not eat here again!

Terrible service and dishonest staff. They tried to rip me off and when confronted, they argued back. Charged me $18 for 2 dim sims and 1 quail, in the bag was only 1 dim sim. Never eating here again!

Such a hidden gem for modern Chinese fine dining! Tried their 7-course set menu and left fully satisfied—something rare for fine dinning! Standouts were the flame-grilled prawns (amazing visual & flavor) and 8-hour braised pork belly baobao (so tender with fresh apple slices). The steamed barramundi was super juicy, and the numbing beef with sweet-spicy sauce paired perfectly with rice. Cozy, intimate vibe great for chatting. Only tiny wish: a bit more heat on the prawns. Will definitely be back!

Great experience at RuYi! Tried the set menu and everything was delicious. The tofu was crispy outside and soft inside, the pork ribs were super tender, and the prawns were full of flavour. Perfect spot if you want modern Chinese food in Melbourne. Staff were lovely too!

Finally visited RuYi after seeing mixed reviews—and I’m so glad I did! The homemade tofu was crispy outside, soft inside (loved the mayo & seaweed topping), and the kingfish ceviche with lime-chili sauce was so refreshing. Desserts were generous too—caramel custard and apple crumble were delicious. The atmosphere is cozy and chic, perfect for a catch-up with friends. Everything was well-executed, and we left stuffed. Highly recommend this little lane find!

Incredible modern Chinese cuisine in a beautifully designed space. The 7-course Chef Selection was a standout — every dish was thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor. The pork belly bao and flaming king prawns were personal highlights. Highly recommend for a date night or special dinner.

Such a hidden gem in Melbourne CBD! The 7-course tasting menu was amazing and very filling for just $108. Loved the flame prawn – not only tasty but such a cool presentation! Great place for a date night or special occasion. Service was friendly and thoughtful too.

I've been here a few times, for date night, Chinese new year, and with my parents. It's consistently a hit for everyone. The cocktails are always well balanced and delicious, with a twist on classics you'd expect from a drinks menu. If you're not a drinker, there are still plenty of options. The food and service is intertwined. The staff are there not just to take your order, but provide you background on where your food comes from, what the main inspirations for the dish were, and highlights of the flavors. Honestly, the entire staff are so welcoming and knowledgeable about the restaurant's cuisine that it really enhances the experience overall. The atmosphere is intimate and vibey. Its really beautiful.

Loved the 7-course set menu at Ruyi ($108pp) — every dish was beautifully done with a great fusion twist. Cozy vibes, perfect for a date or post-deadline treat. Left full and happy. Hope it brings me luck for finals too

Great food! And the best thing is it's open really late - 2:30am! We went there after a concert at 11:30pm and had a great dinner. It's a simple atmosphere, very busy, but it's all about eating and then moving on. That's just fine when this place is about just that. We enjoyed our food very much.

Supper Inn is an institution. I’ve been here so many times over the years and it’s always packed, cheap and cheerful! Size of meals do not disappoint. Have always been too hungry and forget to take photos except this time with ginger stir fry lobster. Congee is wonderful. The deep fried ice cream batter could be improved

I ordered congee with roast duck. It was really great. It was so warm and comforting. There were ginger slices in the congee but they were so thinly sliced that even for me who's not very much of a ginger flavor, i found it oddly well complement the congee and make it more comforting. Not to mention the roasted duck topping were also quite generous. I got 5 big chunks of them. Overall it was really satisfying and comforting dish especially for cold or rainy night.

If you like nostalgia , then atmosphere would be 5 stars . Old school treasure and food is awesome . Great locale in Chinatown .. a must visit when in Melbourne especially if you are in the CBD ..

Both the prawn and the beef congee are amazing. The fried pork ribs were delicious. Amazing warm and humble food! I’m coming back!

Hands down the worst Chinese feed I’ve had in Melbourne, maybe even the whole bloody country. The menu looks like it’s been slapped together by some dodgy AI – random ingredients chucked in, and every dish turns out like a soggy mess of soup. The fried rice was a joke: pitch-black, dripping in oil, nothing close to real Chinese fried rice. Everything was greasy, heavy, and just plain awful. Even the so-called dumplings weren’t dumplings at all – more like some weird lettuce wrap with bone shards inside. On top of that, they’re charging stupidly high prices for food that’s half raw or totally tasteless. Honestly, it’s a rip-off and a disgrace. Do yourself a favour and steer well clear of this joint.

It's just your average Chinese food for white guys restaurant. Does BYO, food is tasty & comes fast, all the classic dishes.... But it's like your neighbourhood fish & chip shop style Chinese food. If you grew up in the suburbs in the 1990s it tastes like nostalgia

Food was great! My friend and I really enjoyed the clear soup noodles and the dry noodles. They look simple but were full of flavours. What’s worth mentioning is their impeccable service. We wanted to ask about the menu and this guy carrying a stack of many dim sum steamers tall enough to block his view stopped to help us. Very impressed by their dedication to be attentive to customers.

Pretty good restaurant overall with a fair price. I enjoyed the fried rice which was eggy (I like that) 🍚 and the xiao long bao with really nice soup and thin skin 🥟. The sweet and sour chicken was a bit too sweet for me, but it wasn’t bad and it aas crispy. The beans 🫛 w minced pork were mid (tasteless beans, and the pork was veeerry salty - didn’t balance well). Perhaps stick to their rice/noodle dishes and dumplings. Service was good with food coming out very quickly.

Ding Tai Fung Melbourne has exceeded my expectation for my dining experience. The servers were very kind, attentive and happy to serve. The food is great and so tasty. Our favourite is the Crispy Prawn with Mayonnaise & Pineapple. We even bought 2 to take home. The ambience was really nice as well. The Toilet is clean and well maintained. Over all, you deserve a 10-10! We will definitely be back☺️

Great place to have Xiao Long Bao, the price is on the higher side, but the service is quite nice. They are not as busy as they used to be, so on weekday lunch time, we didn’t need to make a reservation. Food wise: 👍🏼 Xiao Long Bao (juicy) 👍🏼 Spicy shrimp and pork wonton (really tasty chilli sauce) 👍🏼Crumbed chicken fillet (really good asian fired chicken flavour, maybe one of the best) 👍🏼 Taiwanese Fried Chicken Bao (soft bun, crispy chicken, the coleslaw is fine) 😐 Shrimp & Pork Shao Mai (nothing special) ❌ Chinese Broccoli with garlic (theres no sauce ?) ❌ Pan Fried Chicken Mushroom Pot Stickers (is not crispy at all) ❌ Wagyu Beef & Vegetable Spring Roll (can’t taste the wagyu at all) We will definitely come back to try their other dishes.

Pretty spacious dining place. Their steam dumplings are pretty good. Comes with different meat filling options. My favourite is the pork dumplings. So juicy and tender. We also had chicken chilli, egg fried rice and sweet and sour chicken and it wasn't bad. So many option in the menu. Will definitely go back to try more. Price was reasonable. Service was fast and friendly beside the slow robots taking you to the table was a bit frustrating. Overall, pretty happy with the food

My first time Melbourne Ding Tai Feng, they taste gorgeous, super thick soup for the Xiao Long Bao. the service was pretty cool you getting lead to your seat from one server to the other which is a little bit weird for me. the fried rice is their specialty and it does taste good, and serves really fast. the dim sum are the usual shape, taste good, so no complain.

Let me tell you about my trip to Din Tai Fung in Melbourne, Victoria. Now, I'd heard the hype about this dumpling place for ages, so my expectations were definitely high. Walking in, the whole vibe was modern and chic, with this open kitchen where you could see the chefs meticulously folding those famous xiao long bao. It felt a bit on the busy side, but the energy was good. We ordered a steamer basket of their classic pork dumplings, of course. And let me tell you, the first bite lived up to all the praise! The soup inside was this burst of flavorful broth, and the pork filling was perfectly seasoned. It was like a little explosion of deliciousness in my mouth. We also tried the crumbed chicken fillet, which was surprisingly light and crispy on the outside, and juicy and tender on the inside. Overall, Din Tai Fung was a great experience. The food was undeniably delicious, the service was efficient, and the atmosphere was buzzy. It's definitely not the cheapest place for dumplings, but the quality and experience definitely justify the price tag. If you're looking for a taste of some seriously good Shanghainese cuisine, I highly recommend checking it out!

Recommended to go try the Spanish mackerel dumplings. That's what we ordered. Unusual shape, oblong instead of the normal pot sticker shape. However, the paste was very nicely done without being too dry or rough. The skin was also supple and cooked to perfection.

ShanDong MaMa is an excellent spot if you want to enjoy authentic and flavorful dim sums. The food was absolutely delicious – fresh, well-prepared, and full of taste. The menu offers a good variety, and everything we tried was satisfying without being expensive, which makes it a great value for money. The atmosphere is lively and casual, perfect both for a quick bite and a relaxed meal with friends. Service was friendly and efficient, making the whole experience even better. Highly recommended for anyone who loves dim sums and wants a tasty, affordable dining experience in Melbourne!

Came here for their famous dumplings one late afternoon. The dumplings were freshly fried but taste wise, it was only okay. For the mackerel one, it was more like fish paste (akin to that of an Asian fish ball) rather than real fish. As for the pork and ones, the fillings were quite tough. Also, these dumplings are not sealed, meaning when you eat them the juice will just escape. Also order their tofu noodles dish (starter). It was not properly tossed and just a pile of noodles with oyster sauce and chili oil heaped on top. Unless you like the taste of oyster sauce mixed with very spicy chili oil, avoid at all cost.

Visited Shandong Mama on 4 July around 2pm and it was still bustling. Rightfully so! Absolutely delicious food and lovely service. We ordered mackerel and spinach potstickers, pork and cabbage dumplings and pork belly slices with garlic and chilli sauce. Each dish was amazing, but the potstickers were the clear winner! The owner delivered food to several tables herself and introduced herself to my partner, who is also from Shandong. Definitely worth the hype and a very personable and delicious experience.

Shandong Mama is that classic, no-fuss Chinatown spot that absolutely delivers on flavour. It’s casual and unpretentious, with a great menu to dig into. We had the cucumber dish (a favourite of mine), some fried and steamed dumplings—the squid ink steamed dumplings were the standout, packed with flavour and really tasty. The fried ones were solid too. The cold silken tofu with egg was probably my least favourite—pretty mild, but that’s kind of the nature of the dish. Overall, a great little place for a relaxed, delicious

The restaurant itself is in the building. They have a variety of Sichuan style dishes to try. We got Spicy fried chicken with dry chilli and Sichuan pepper, dumplings, and steamed pork ribs with rice. Among all three, spicy fried chicken is our fav. The food overall is okay for us

Vegan friendly dining! Plenty of options to cater for all dietary requirements. Delicious vegan zucchini dumplings, mapo tofu and veggie stir fry. The gentleman provided amazing service and are very attentive. Easy QR code ordering direct to table. Would be perfect for date night or with a few friends.

I was happy to have gluten free dumplings! It was yum. The restaurant was beautifully decorated and not too loud - which is great. The service was a tad lacking, which made me decide to continue my dinner elsewhere.

A food tour guide led me to this dumpling restaurant when I told him about my allergies. They offer a gluten free menu as well as bring a section of gluten free sauces to the table (did you know most soy has wheat init, neither did I). I ordered the duck spring rolls and worked steamed dumplings. While the spring roll wrapper was thick, the out side was crisp and with the sweet and sour sauce very good. The dumplings were a little sticky on the outside but tasted very close to regular dumplings. I was told that not all restaurants with gluten free items have dedicated space to prevent some cross-contamination this restaurants shows that it takes care to offer a great gluten free meal. I wanted dumplings but they have a menu for sharing across several dishes including other traditional dishes that looked and smelled delicious.

We had lunch here and received a warm, friendly welcome. The place is nicely set up with plenty of tables and chairs. It wasn’t busy when we arrived, but after 12 noon, more people started coming in. We ordered Mao’s Family Aromatic Bowl ($30.80), Mao’s Pork Belly Stir-Fried with Bamboo Shoots ($28.80), Fried Rice, and Tea for Two ($6).

Beautiful Gluten Free food. Freshly made Gluten Free (GF) dumplings. Staff were very knowledgeable about cross contamination and GF requirements.

Gluten Free Heaven! Chinatown location. Food was so delicious with generous servings. We have enough left over for another meal. They have a separate gluten free menu with some absolute treasures! I highly recommend!

One word gluten free dumplings! They also label everything that is gluten free. The food was delicious its been so long since I could have dumplings. If you're gluten-free they have a whole seperate menu and there are so many choices.

I am a celiac and have never felt more taken care of than at Robo Mao. They had a separate menu, seperate utensils & all staff were aware of my dietary requirements. On top of that, staff were incredibly nice and the food was some of the best chinese i’ve had. My partner also loved the gluten free & non gluten free options - would definitely recommend

The seafood soup had a strong fishy smell, and the seafood wasn’t fresh. The dim sum was over-steamed, and its quality was worse than the ready-made ones from the supermarket. The beef ribs were too dry and tough, like eating beef jerky

The water feature within the venue adds to an additional touch to the otherwise nicely layout restaurant. Menu selection at lunchtime is done through traditional pen on paper ticks and you find yourself asking did I just order too much. The dishes start piling in and you soon start to feel that you just can’t stop eating or stop enjoying the next piece. In the end you’re full while thinking whether there’s any room left for desert. With its friendly staff I’ll definitely give his place another visit soon.

I was drawn in by the stylish furniture and thought the place had potential. I decided to give it a try and ordered the duck fried noodles. Just two minutes later, the dish was unceremoniously slid onto my table by a waiter who looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. The noodles were undercooked, completely lacking in sauce or flavor, and the duck was practically nonexistent—just a few tiny scraps that felt more like leftovers than an actual ingredient. There was a strange sense of shared resignation in the room, like none of us, staff included, wanted to be there. To top it off, the meal was overpriced for what was essentially a bowl of disappointment. Style without substance. I won’t be returning.

Not very good quality food for the amount of money you spend. We ordered the beef potsticker dumplings, Chinese broccoli and beef, special fried rice, sweet and sour sauce chicken. Average food and paid over $100 for the bill. There may be good dishes on the menu but not impressed by the ones we picked. Staff are very friendly. Wouldn’t come back.

Would 100% recommend this place. The food was amazing! And the variety of drinks is incredible. Great cocktails and a wide range of wines.

Quite place. Staff is very helpful. Explain in detail. Will need to revist again.

We took some friends here Friday night. We were proud to show off the delicious food! As usual the dumplings were lovely - all tasted individual. The mains were perfect and always appreciate the BYO option

This is a popular Cantonese restaurant, and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal. The roast pork and duck stood out as particularly delicious dishes. However, we found the deep-fried prawns with salted egg yolk to be a bit too oily for our taste. The restaurant had limited seating that filled up quickly, but the service was good.

Good quality local Cantonese dishes that came recommended by family for the quality, consistency and price. The highlight was the Salted Egg Yolk Prawns, Cauliflower with truffle and all their roast meats. The service was friendly and the waiters served the table well.

wonderful wonderful food. Very fresh with bargaining price. I come here for family dinner and it was great experience. I reckon it is a great place for friends catching-up and lunch during workdays too.

We had the roast pork, roast duck and sautéed broccoli with garlic. The roast pork was acceptable. I would eat it again but I don’t miss it nor do I recommend that it’s a dish to seek out. The duck, on the other hand, was really good. I would go here again if I have an appetite for duck. It was so good that we ended up buying a half duck for take away. The sautéed broccoli with garlic was nice. It paired well with the roast duck and pork. The staff was friendly and our food came quick. We went during Sunday evening dinner and the place was busy. It’s a small place with a lot of chatter, so it is noisy inside. And there was a regular stream of people coming in and out, grabbing take away orders. The place looks old as well, slightly messy and it could be cleaner, but I guess you can say that’s the charm of the place.

I’ve been coming to this place since I was a kid, and it’s always held a special place in my heart. Unfortunately, things have changed over the years, and not for the better. The standard roasted duck rice now costs a hefty $18.50, but the quality didn’t live up to the price. The sour plum sauce was overpoweringly sour, and the beef brisket, priced at $20, was just average—nothing memorable. It’s disappointing to see a place I used to love lose its charm. I hope they can get back to what made them great in the past.

Love the roast duck. Lean duck, flavoursome. Ordered other dishes also and they are quite lovely. Prebooked to get a big table and service was impeccable.

Peking duck was well done - a perfect balance of taste and some blandness which is the original taste Dumplings fantastic too but too hot and a bit too thick for my liking. Chilli oil for it wasn’t my favourite so could work on that. Was sold out on fresh juices except the cold ones 😬😬 think was served just hot water couldn’t tell taste of the tea flavour.

We went on a Sunday evening around 5:30 and waited about 10 minutes to get in. While waiting, they gave us the menu and an order sheet, so by the time we sat down, the food came out almost immediately. The wontons in chili oil and peanut and sesame butter sauce were lighter than I expected—the peanut flavor was quite subtle, with a slight tanginess that wasn’t quite what I had in mind. But I absolutely enjoyed the Shanghai fried noodles. I’d definitely come back to try more of their famous dumplings

Brought some friends here, thinking it was the same menu as their cafe off Elizabeth Street. While the menu is bigger with more variety, it lacks my favourite dish from their other shop - chili beef. I tried their crispy fried chili beef instead, but it was too dry and too salty. We also had the pork belly with buns, as well as some xiao long bao, both of which were delicious. If only they had chili beef it would have been a perfect meal!

Nice restaurant in chinatown and very busy even in late night. Looks like it is pretty well known restaurant. So many items on the menu. We ordered plenty dishes and food was ready pretty quickly. All the dishes are yummy. We left with tummy satisfied and full. As tips are not common, it is interesting to see the worker surprised and happy when we pave them the change.

Amazing restaurant & such delicious food!! Get there early as there is always a queue but it does move quickly! U can place your order while waiting outside & then once seated, your food comes out fairly quickly! They have water jugs & free hot tea as well! Kung Pao Chicken Pan Fried Dumplings Stir Fried Chicken With Cashew Nuts Shanghai Fried Noodle White Chocolate Mochi

long line on a Saturday evening but was able to get seated within 5 minutes. Ordered xiao long bao and chilly pork noodles. Both were amazing.

I’ve been here multiple times before over the last decade, food is delicious and service is quick but not as friendly as you would expect. It’s popular place for a reason and their dumplings are one of my favorite.

Food was really nice, very efficient at taking your order and seating but after that we didn’t see the staff again, had to go to the bar to order drinks. But I would come back just for the food. Very nice

Panda Hotpot has a stunning venue and probably some of the best service I’ve experienced at a hotpot place — constant check-ins, fast turnaround on dishes, and the staff are super attentive. But for me, the food just didn’t hit the spot. While the variety is definitely there and everything came out fresh, I felt the quality of the meat didn’t match the price point. Some of the cuts just tasted a bit average once cooked in the broth, and it made it hard to justify the spend. Maybe I’m more into the cheaper, fattier cuts that pack more flavour, but here it just felt like style over substance. The sauce station is well stocked, with plenty of condiments and small sides — but even that’s an added cost (around $5.90–$6 just for the oil base). The space itself is huge and clean, and there’s a great energy in the room, but in the end, the food missed the mark for me. Not a bad experience overall, just not one I’d be rushing back for personally.

From the moment you walk in, the décor is stunning—every corner has been thoughtfully designed with unique touches, and different rooms give larger groups a sense of separation. The restaurant is spotless, and service is excellent with friendly, attentive staff. Even the bathrooms were sparkling clean. The hot pot experience itself is fantastic. The menu is extensive and even includes recommended cooking times for each item, which is really helpful. I highly recommend adding the dipping station for an extra $5.90 per person—it gives you access to a wide variety of condiments, sauces, herbs, soups, and even a cheeky ice cream at the end. There are two stations: a smaller one upstairs and a larger main one downstairs with more options. Overall, good quality food and service, and a beautifully designed space. Definitely worth a visit! P.s: if you don't enjoy hot pot, it's definitely not the restaurant for you as they only offer this food style.

Loved this place! Good service and had our own private room. Soup base was amazing. Meats were fresh and decor was Ott great. Best to book ahead and def add on the $5.50 per pax for the unlimited sauces and dessert. We had the mala, Szechuan green peppercorn and pork tomato soup base. Went with 5 Kids and they loved it. Def get the noodles to go with the pork soup.

The largest hotpot spot in Melbourne — and it’s insane! 🐉🔥 Love the dragon-themed interior, it totally blows you away the moment you walk in. So grand and vibrant! Tons of soup base varieties to choose from — every one packed with flavour. The ingredients are super fresh, especially the wagyu and seafood 🥩🦞 Such a fun, lively vibe — perfect for group dinners or celebrations. Definitely a must-try hotpot experience in Melbourne! 🙌🍲✨

Decoration impressive! Ingredients also fresh and delicious! Service superb! We both surprised how one waitress can handle more than 8 tables at such incredible efficiency! That is called China speed isn’t it! We went there for lunch, we did not go for the set menu, the a la carte menu is much better as the price is also reasonable.

🥢 Melbourne Panda Hotpot – A Feast of Flavours! 🐼🔥 If you’re looking for a hotpot experience that ticks all the boxes, Melbourne Panda Hotpot is the place to be! The moment you walk in, you’re greeted with quick and attentive service, making you feel welcome and well taken care of from start to finish. The menu offers a diverse selection of fresh ingredients — from premium meats and seafood to an impressive range of vegetables, mushrooms, and noodles. Pair them with their rich, flavorful broths and the amazing sauce bar, where you can mix and match to create your perfect dipping sauce — absolutely delicious! 😍 With its vibrant atmosphere, high-quality food, and friendly staff, Melbourne Panda Hotpot delivers an unforgettable dining experience that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. If you’re a hotpot lover, this spot is a must-try!

Absolutely the best hotpot experience in Melbourne! The environment is beautiful and comfortable, and the service is outstanding. Ambrose and Cassie were incredibly friendly and attentive, and the lovely hostess at the front desk made us feel so welcome from the moment we arrived. This place is also the perfect spot for gatherings with family and friends. Highly recommend – definitely worth a visit!

All things considered, I liked One Noodle Friendship. A rather small and humble Chinese noodle shop that also sells various other dishes like pancakes and dumplings. It seemed most things were made in house by the middle aged uncles and aunties. I always appreciate these hard working people w authentic foods. I just wish that the beef in the soup could've been a tad more though.

I have no idea how this restaurant was featured on broadsheet and had so many 5 star reviews. Either you’ve not had brilliant Chinese food or the restaurant has a stake in broadsheet. I ordered the zhejiangmian and it came half cooked with little toppings and sauce. I returned it to be cooked again, and it came back half cooked. My friend ordered some strange vegetarian noodles which was meh. I thought my skin was thick but hell no, this restaurants dumpling skin was thicker than mine. By far the worse meal I’ve had in Melbourne. Level of cleanliness in the restaurant is dubious too. Avoid at all costs.

YUMMY and filling pho with crispy chicken. Great for just jumping off a flight. Prompt & friendly service. Would recommend if you're in the area. 1 star loss because they need better signage, walked past it as there is no sign with the business name. 🍜

A lovely authentic and homely place for great noodles and dumplings. Come for good food in an unassuming environment. Highly recommend the beef noodle soup and dumplings. For anyone wondering, the dumplings are northern style so they have a fantastic thick wrapper. They're absolutely delicious! The great handmade dough is the highlight of this place! Also they like to fry things to golden which adds to the texture and flavour, recommend the red bean or spring onion pancake. Spicy cucumber and the chilli sauce are also worth a mention :) Also for anyone else worried about the "yelling" in the kitchen, don't worry, it's just how they interact. If anything, that's a sign you're getting something authentic and tasty.

Had their beef noodles for dine in and order a braised beef rice for take away. I like their noodles but their braised beef rice portion is quite ridiculous. 15% of beef, 15% of vegetables and 70% of rice

One of the best authentic restaurants I’ve been too. We ordered way too much but great quality for price.

The food was burnt so bad i couldnt bite into it and the cook was abusively yelling at a worker. Had to ask to get service and the hot water/tea had black objects in it

We came to Shu for the 10 course degustation. The decor was cool and funky but that is the only positive thing about the place. The food looked great and some meals were tasty but overall it was sub par food that all tasted quite similar and the dessert was inedible. Most courses are cold or luke warm and our noodles came out stuck together as they had obviously sat for ages before being served. Restaurant was freezing and service was lacking. It took over 3 hours for our experience so prepare to wait for each morsel of food. Not worth the price.

great vegan place but was a little disappointed with the 'unlimited' yum cha. the seating is 2 hours, but they spend the first hour cycling through all of the dishes and don't let you order repeats. by the time this is finished you really only have time to order one extra set of food, which takes a bit of time to come out. the atmosphere was also not great as it was quite quiet. overall the food was delicious, just a let down by the fact the service was slow & the atmosphere not quite there.

We came to Shu in Collingwood for a birthday celebration and chose the 10-course degustation — an incredible experience from start to finish. The creativity and attention to detail in every dish really stood out, especially knowing that the vegan menu can be done so beautifully. Each course felt like its own piece of art, both in presentation and flavour. We also opted for the cocktail pairing, and it was the perfect complement to the food. Every drink was thoughtfully matched to enhance the flavours of the dishes, and the combinations were unexpected in the best way possible. The atmosphere was stylish yet relaxed, making it a great setting for a special occasion. Service was friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to walk us through the courses and drinks. Highly recommend Shu if you’re looking for a unique dining experience in Melbourne that delivers on creativity, flavour, and a memorable night out.

An amazing meal! We love food and feel inspired to try some new things at home too! Spicy in the best way. Also the mushrooms were delicious and fresh!

I was looking forward to this all you can eat yumcha, and to be honest was a little disappointed with the flavours. Most of the dishes tasted very ordinary, like you can get same or better food at any Chinese restaurant, it's just presented more beautifully here. My favourite is the cracker dish, the flavour is quite unique, others are just ok, some are quite terrible, the noodle dish is incredibly bland and the sang choi bao is very salty. Service was good and the deco has a 70s vibe.

I kept thinking WOW while I was eating here and I'm kind of amazed how cheap this all-you-can-eat yum cha was ($55 per person) considering the quality and quantity of the dishes and how DELICIOUS it is. The decor is very cool and quirky, good ambience, and the service was quick and friendly. I was getting pretty full after the first round of all the dishes, but I loved getting to try a bit of everything. I was a little hesitant to go here as I wasn't sure I would like the dishes from reading the menu (and from reading a couple of previous reviews) but I was very very wrong, and can't wait to go back. My highly unexpected favourite dish was the silken tofu, avo, black sesame cracker: AMAZING, perfect balance of flavours (sweet, salty, chilli), this dish really blew my mind. Other favourites: - Grilled spinach riceballs: SO GOOD! smelt heavenly, great flavour and meatball texture - Golden mantau bread, shiitake paste: amazing paste (very tasty), and great toasted fluffy soft bread - Spicy potato mash, grilled corn: delicious! like potato curry - roasted yuxiang eggplant: very good! sweet and sour type sauce, great crispy texture - mince san choi bao: my partner LOVED it Looking forward to going back soon.

Absolutely incredible! There is so much love in every detail, from the food to the interior. True genius created this place. Have rarely been so impressed with a restaurant!