Where to find the best dim sum in San Francisco

What is it? Yank Sing is a third-generation family-owned spot dating to 1958, serving a rotating selection of 100 contemporary and traditional dim sum dishes.

Why we love it: It won the James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award for its long tenure, established by George and Alice Chan after they fled the Communist Revolution in China (and today helmed by Vera Chan Waller and Nathan Waller). While none of San Francisco’s dim sum restaurants have earned a Michelin star, Yank Sing earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand rating, and the guide says, “Yank Sing is arguably the place in town for dim sum.” This is a traditional cart-service restaurant and we love to see the carts underway towards our table. Standout dishes include Mandarin dumplings, Beijing ribs, shrimp har gow and signature Peking Duck. Pricier than your typical dim sum restaurant, think of Yank Sing as the go-to special occasion destination.

Time Out tip: Besides the Spear Street location in Rincon Center, there’s also one a 10-minute walk away at 49 Stevenson Street; stand back and look up at this building’s incredible staggered roofline.

Address: 101 Spear St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 11am–3pm; Sat, Sun 10am–3pm

What is it? An aesthetically pleasing spot where the “camera eats first.”

Why we love it: The XLB dumplings are delicious with their varied fillings, and arranged in a circle with each dough a different color. Similarly, your sauces are poured into circular wells in a dish shaped like an artist’s palette: everything here is delicious for the tongue as well as the gaze. Above you, large red lanterns glow with Chinese characters for the names of the food, including BBQ pork bao and pork soup dumpling. General manager and part owner Dennis Leung has lavished care on making this a space that creates a memorable meal, and the service here is spectacular. You’ll also want to sink into a cocktail or mocktail; the espresso martini was great for the adult at the table. There are eight tea options for those pairing tea with dim sum, as well as a wide array of wines, including about 10 bottles on the reserve list, and all the spirits your heart could desire.

Time Out tip: As the Michelin listing indicates, you will want to order many dishes because portions are small, which encourages you to sample more of the beautiful creativity on display here.

Address: 900 North Point St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11:30am–7:30pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–8pm

What is it? A busy Chinatown spot with lines out the door (make a reservation!)

Why we love it: Despite the name (and the fact that Peking Duck is of course a huge draw here), the dim sum game is also strong. Try the crab and pork XLB dumplings (the hot broth inside is super delicious), garlic string beans, Beijing potstickers, honeydew shrimp and scallion tofu, just to name a few of the specialties. Before opening the restaurant, chef-owner Lijun Han served as executive chef at the Chinese Consulate-General, where dignitaries and diplomats got to sample his fare. Today, it’s all ours! There are two levels to the restaurant, so even if it looks packed, you may be able to be seated downstairs, where it’s a little quieter. Across the street and down a bit at 655 Jackson, you’ll find the sister restaurant with a confusingly similar name, Z and Y. It’s a Michelin Bib Gourmand spot, also owned by Han, that focuses on Szechuan cuisine. Make a weekend of it and try both!

Time Out tip: If you can’t walk or take public transit or a rideshare, make sure to leave plenty of time to find parking. Chinatown is popular for all the right reasons.

Address: 606 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94133

Opening Hours: Sun–Tue, Thu–Sat 11:30am–3pm, 4:30–9pm

What is it? A modern, Cal-Asian take on dim sum.

Why we love it: This isn't your average—or even traditional—dumpling shop. Far from some of the old school joints in Richmond or Chinatown, Soma’s Dumpling Time is a bright, colorful celebration of, well, dumplings—from the same team as two Michelin-starred restaurants (Omakase and Niku Steakhouse). The contemporary space designed by Aya Yanagisawa is casual with neon, plants and street-art inspired murals. You can watch the dumplings being made by hand as you eagerly await your turn to devour. People flock here for co-founder Kash Feng’s edgy takes on dumplings, noodles, and cocktails, all for an affordable price. Along with soup dumplings, BBQ pork buns, gyoza, vegetarian dishes, and hand-cut noodles, there are craft cocktails, local beer, and spirits that pair well. Dumpling Time has one other San Francisco location besides the Design District, in Thrive City (there are also locations in San Jose, Berkeley and Palo Alto). Happy Hour is Monday through Friday, 3-6pm, with $1 tap beers (first round only) and discounted bites.

Time Out tip: Join the DT Fans email or text group on the website to get updates, access to secret menu items and special discounts.

Address: 11 Division St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–9pm; Fri, Sat 11am–10pm, Sunday 11am–9pm

What is it? An upscale spot to get authentic Shanghai-style cuisine made using generations-old recipes.

Why we love it: So much is good here at Dumpling Kitchen: pan-fried pork buns sprinkled with black sesame and scallion, meatballs with baby bok choy, everything made from scratch—and the sweet Nutella-filled dumplings are a crowd pleaser. Each XLB dumpling is pleated by hand more than 20 times to seal it, as per tradition. The vibe is casual with quick service. Plus, the branding is cute, with two little cartoon dumplings nestled in a bamboo steamer. When warm weather beckons, the outdoor patio is a great spot to linger over your meal. Along with this Noe Valley location, there are spots in Taraval and the Castro.

Time Out tip: Usually, gluten-free folks have to skip out on Chinese food because soy is gluten and soy is king. But check out Dumpling Kitchen’s handmade gluten-free vegan gow, filled with carrots, corn, black fungus, white fungus, water chestnuts, and shiitake. The wraps are made of sticky rice powder.

Address: 3913 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Opening hours: Mon–Tues, Thu 11am–3pm, 5–8:30pm; Fri 11am–3pm, 5–8:45pm; Sat, Sun 11am–8:45pm

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What is it? A takeout counter service restaurant that San Franciscans adore.

Why we love it: Good Mong Kok Bakery registers as No. 1 for dim sum on Yelp based on customer reviews, and is considered a San Francisco institution. There’s nowhere to sit, and so you’ll just order and GTFO, but the prices are priceless and the food is amazing. Check out staples like shu mai, shark’s fin dumpling, har gow, pineapple BBQ pork bun and scallion bread, plus sweets like donuts and egg tarts. There is plenty of succulent pork inside the bun—a better ratio of meat to bun than many places. The orange awning above the front door may need a power washing, but the line still goes out the door beneath it because the food is that good. Ignore any signs of anything not being pristine!

Time Out tip: Although you may have been hitting the ATM in advance because Good Mong Kok was cash only for many years, now you can use your credit card (with a 3 percent fee to cover their costs: fair).

Address: 1039 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108

Opening hours: Daily 7am–6pm

What is it? A resilient crowd favorite.

Why we love it: The reinvented HK Lounge Bistro is the Phoenix-from-the-flames name honoring the previous restaurant that closed after a horrific fire (the “HK” stands for Hong Kong). This SoMa spot offers “Asian tapas,” as the menu calls it: minced chicken and basil lettuce cups with pine nuts, Berkshire pork Shanghai soup dumpling, truffle salt shrimp toast with citrus wasabi aioli, and other elevated takes on dim sim. The restaurant offers noodles and rice dishes, as well as entrées like oven-smoked Chilean sea bass and classic whole roast duck. The Michelin Guide says, “dim sum devotees can rejoice once again, and indeed you're likely to find this modest yet tidily appointed SoMa spot full of regulars during lunch hours. Families and business types alike find pleasure in artfully pleated [sic] Shanghai dumplings filled with rich broth and fresh crab meat, or baked pork buns with a crackling topping.” Walk-ins are welcome, but a reservation is the best way to ensure you get a seat.

Time Out tip: Prices here trend a little higher than you might expect.

Address: 1136 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Opening hours: Mon, Wed–Fri 11am–2:30pm, 5–8:30pm; Sat–Sun 10am–2:30pm, 5–8:30pm

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What is it? A tiny no-frills spot with excellent dim sum.

Why we love it: This small Richmond district shop serves up an authentic dim sum experience that won’t dominate your day or decimate your wallet. With only about six tables, most guests opt for takeout, and although lines are long on weekends, they move quickly. The brusque but efficient service at Good Luck Dim Sum doesn’t hurt either. Customers love the turnip cakes, taro puffs, potstickers, ham sui gok, sesame balls and the steamed BBQ pork buns. Some of the choices are three for $4.20, a total steal! The restaurant is cash only.

Time Out tip: You’re close to several miniparks and only five blocks away from Golden Gate Park—come prepared to walk with your to-go box and a picnic blanket.

Address: 736 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 8am–4:30pm

What is it? A modern dim sum restaurant.

Why we love it: With a beautiful, relaxing interior, Osmanthus in North Beach is for those who want to sit and linger for a more traditional restaurant experience. Choose from a large menu by checking off the dishes you want to be sent to your table, like garlic noodles, shrimp dumplings, steamed Chaozhou dumplings, spicy wonton, and pan-fried pot stickers. Some more unusual listings are okra with XO sauce, gold sand egg yolk pumpkin and volcano ribs. The portions are gigantic; you can share or take home leftovers. Don't miss a drink from the excellent wine list, the vibrant cocktail list or the tea menu with many options. Dogs are allowed on the heated outdoor patio, too.

Time Out tip: You’re in the same block as the Beat Museum; learn about San Francisco’s literary history before or after you eat!

Address: 504 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133

Opening hours: Daily 10:30am–8pm

What is it? A fast-paced, beloved counter service spot.

Why we love it: Don’t get your feelings hurt: be ready to be decisive and select your dim sum choices without holding up the line. After all, everyone’s on the way somewhere else because there’s nowhere to sit—but trust us, Dim Sum Bistro is worth it! The glass cases hold a wonderland of possibilities: baked barbecue pork bun, steamed shrimp and chive dumplings, Chinese tamales, deep-fried sesame balls, steamed sponge cake, spring rolls, pork puffs...on and on. There’s also a huge array of soups, and you can also order a selection of the items as frozen food to thaw at home. Now, if you’re staying out and about, you’re equidistant to Portsmouth Square Park and Washington Square Park to hunker down and eat your takeout—or jump on your bike and head to the water; you can see the Golden Gate Bridge from the street in front of the bistro.

Time Out tip: It’s always great to get a little something extra. If you spend $35 or more on your order, you get one free dim sum (except for buns). Nice!

Address: 675 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133

Opening hours: Daily 8am–3pm