Top 10 Best Dim Sum Restaurants in Los Angeles

The Santa Monica outpost brings Din Tai Fung's dumpling perfection to the beach, with ocean breezes and tourist crowds to match. All the classics are executed flawlessly—the 18-fold xiaolongbao, the crispy chicken wontons, the chocolate dumplings—but the real perk is the Santa Monica Place location with easy access to the Third Street Promenade. The kurobuta pork xiaolongbao here are worth the upgrade, featuring richer, more flavorful pork than the standard version. It's the most tourist-friendly dim sum option on this list, with multilingual staff and a polished dining experience that won't intimidate first-timers.

The Century City location offers the full Din Tai Fung experience in the heart of LA's Westside, making world-class dumplings accessible without the trek to the SGV. The signature pork xiaolongbao maintain the same exacting standards as the original Taipei location, with soup so hot you'll burn your tongue if you don't wait. The shrimp and pork wontons in spicy sauce are criminally underrated, offering the perfect balance of heat and savory depth. Located in the Westfield Century City mall, it's ideal for post-shopping refueling or business lunches, though expect significant waits during peak dining hours.

This San Gabriel hidden gem serves Hong Kong-style dim sum in a humble setting where the focus is squarely on the food, not the decor. The siu mai are packed with bouncy shrimp and pork, and the rice noodle rolls are silky smooth with perfectly balanced soy sauce. Prices are shockingly reasonable—you can eat like royalty for under $15 per person—making it a favorite among budget-conscious students and families. The small space fills up quickly during weekend brunch, but weekday lunches offer a more relaxed experience.

This Chinatown staple has been serving old-school Cantonese cuisine since 1977, and while it's known for its slippery shrimp, the dim sum menu holds its own with solid execution across the board. The potstickers are crispy-bottomed perfection, and the turnip cake is leagues better than most competitors. The retro Chinatown atmosphere complete with red booths and ornate decor makes it feel like stepping back in time, attracting everyone from pre-Dodger Stadium crowds to post-clubbing groups. It's one of the few spots in proper downtown LA where you can get quality dim sum without driving to the SGV.

Located in the Westfield Culver City food hall, this dumpling destination punches way above its food court weight class with some of the highest-rated soup dumplings in LA. The chili wontons in Sichuan sauce deliver serious heat, while the pan-fried pork buns achieve that rare crispy-bottom-fluffy-top perfection. Despite the mall setting, dumpling quality is taken seriously here—wrappers are made fresh daily and each order is steamed to order. Perfect for a casual lunch while shopping or catching a movie, with convenient parking and no wait times.

Tucked into a Hollywood strip mall, this Northern Chinese specialist serves some of the city's best xiao long bao alongside hand-pulled noodles and regional specialties you won't find elsewhere. The dumpling wrappers have that perfect chew, and the lamb cumin dumplings offer a spicy departure from traditional Cantonese dim sum. It's a no-frills, cafeteria-style setup that keeps prices low and quality high, attracting industry folks and adventurous eaters. The late-night hours make it a favorite post-show spot for nearby theater workers.

This Beverly Boulevard gem brings a modern, upscale twist to dim sum in a stylish space that feels more like a contemporary bar than a traditional dumpling house. The soup dumplings are stellar, but the real draw is the full bar offering craft cocktails that actually pair well with dumplings—try the lychee martini with your har gow. The sleek interior and later hours make it a rare date-night-worthy dim sum spot, attracting a younger, trendier crowd than your typical SGV dim sum hall. Reservations are highly recommended on weekends.

A San Gabriel Valley institution where traditional push-cart service still reigns supreme, NBC Seafood delivers the authentic Hong Kong dim sum experience complete with bustling weekend brunch crowds. The shrimp har gow are legendary—translucent wrappers so delicate you can see the pink shrimp inside—and the baked BBQ pork buns have a cult following. Arrive before 11am on weekends to avoid hour-long waits, and don't skip the phoenix talons (chicken feet) if you're feeling adventurous. The banquet-style setting makes it perfect for large family gatherings and celebrations.

The Torrance outpost of this Taiwanese empire is where precision meets tradition, with each xiaolongbao containing exactly 18 folds. The open kitchen lets you watch dumpling artisans at work, folding thousands of dumplings daily with mechanical precision. Expect waits on weekends, but the chocolate xiaolongbao for dessert makes it worth standing in line. This location tends to be less crowded than the LA or Santa Monica spots, making it ideal for families who want the full Din Tai Fung experience without the chaos.

This Hollywood dim sum spot has mastered the art of xiaolongbao with paper-thin wrappers that hold pools of savory broth. The casual, counter-service setup makes it perfect for a quick lunch or late-night craving after exploring the Sunset Strip. Despite the no-frills atmosphere, the soup dumplings here rival spots triple the price, and the pan-fried pork buns have developed a cult following among locals. The turnover is high, which means you're always getting freshly steamed dumplings.