Best Yum Cha in Melbourne: Top 10 Dim Sum Spots Locals Actually Love

Looking for the best Yum Cha in Melbourne? From Chinatown’s packed trolley halls to the suburban dim sum temples of Doncaster and Springvale, Melbourne serves up some of the finest Cantonese brunch culture in Australia.

These venues are where locals go for steaming baskets, sesame balls, and chicken feet that rival Hong Kong.

What are the best Yum Cha places in Melbourne?

The best Yum Cha restaurants in Melbourne include Shark Fin House, Secret Kitchen, Tao Tao House, Gold Leaf, and David’s.

These venues are known for their consistent food quality, lively service, and decades-long loyal followings.

While Yum Cha is offered during lunch hours, all of these restaurants also reopen for dinner with full Cantonese or Shanghainese menus.

1. Shark Fin House – Melbourne’s Yum Cha Icon

Shark Fin House has been Melbourne’s flagship Yum Cha destination for over 40 years. Expect fast trolley service, noisy tables, and classic Cantonese flavours in the heart of Chinatown.

• Located in: Chinatown Melbourne
• Address: 50 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Phone: (03) 9662 2681
• Yum Cha Hours: Daily 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
• Dinner Hours: Daily 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
• Must-order dishes: Har Gow, XO beef tripe, fresh egg tarts
• Seating tip: Upstairs offers a slightly calmer vibe; arrive before 10:30 am on weekends.

Local insight: While dinner service is quieter, the full menu includes banquet-style dishes great for groups.

2. Secret Kitchen – Seafood Yum Cha in Doncaster

The Secret Kitchen at Westfield Doncaster is renowned for its refined dim sum and live seafood tanks. It’s a go-to for families and celebrations in Melbourne’s east.

• Located in: Westfield Doncaster
• Address: Shop L2 – 2003/619 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster VIC 3108
• Phone: (03) 9840 2248
• Yum Cha Hours:
  • Mon–Fri: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Sat–Sun: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
• Dinner Hours:
  • Mon–Thu & Sun: until 10:00 pm
  • Fri–Sat: until 10:30 pm
• Must-order dishes: XO pippies, prawn cheung fun, siu mai with crab roe
• Seating tip: Weekend seating is limited, even with reservations. Arrive early or book a private room.

Local insight: Their other locations (CBD, Glen Waverley) also offer Yum Cha, but Doncaster remains the flagship.

3. Tao Tao House – Eastside Elegance in Hawthorn

Tao Tao House in Hawthorn brings understated class and precision to every dish. The upstairs dining room is bright, quiet, and perfect for a slower-paced Yum Cha experience.

• Address: 815 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122
• Phone: (03) 9818 0968
• Yum Cha Hours:
  • Sat–Sun: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Mon, Wed–Fri: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
• Dinner Hours:
  • Mon, Wed–Thu: 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
  • Fri–Sat: 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
  • Sun: 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
• Must-order dishes: Scallop dumplings, turnip cake, mango pancakes
• Seating tip: Book ahead for weekends. Booths at the front offer ideal lighting and comfort.

Local insight: Tao Tao’s dinner menu includes several banquet packages ideal for private dining or birthdays.

4. Gold Leaf – Suburban Favourite in Springvale

Gold Leaf in Springvale is a Yum Cha giant in the southeast. Known for large portions, reliable trolley rotations, and high energy, it’s a family favourite every weekend.

• Located in: Springvale Shopping Centre
• Address: Level 1, 46/58 Buckingham Ave, Springvale VIC 3171
• Phone: (03) 9540 3933
• Yum Cha Hours:
  • Mon–Fri: 11:30 am – 3:00 pm
  • Sat–Sun: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
• Dinner Hours:
  • Mon–Fri: 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
  • Sat–Sun: 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
• Must-order dishes: Chicken feet, BBQ pork buns, sesame balls
• Seating tip: Parking is available underneath. If you come after 11:30 am, expect a wait.

Local insight: Also has locations in Docklands, Preston, Sunshine, and Burwood, all with similar menus and service.

5. David’s – Bottomless Shanghainese in Prahran

David’s does Yum Cha differently — modern, relaxed, and fully à la carte. It’s a popular spot for Southside locals who want dumplings without trolleys.

• Address: 4 Cecil Pl, Prahran VIC 3181
• Phone: Not listed publicly
• Yum Cha Hours:
  • Saturday: 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm
  • Sunday: 11:30 am – 3:00 pm
• Dinner Hours:
  • Tue–Sun: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
  • Closed Monday
• Must-order dishes: Steamed pork belly buns, Shanghai noodles, sesame lotus buns
• Seating tip: Book for the bottomless Yum Cha deal on Sundays, it’s often fully booked.

Local insight: Their evening menu explores heartier Shanghainese dishes rarely seen in Melbourne.

Why Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs Are Yum Cha Strongholds

Melbourne’s eastern suburbs are home to long-established Chinese communities that built Yum Cha culture here. Suburbs like Doncaster, Box Hill, Glen Waverley, and Springvale are packed with authentic dim sum restaurants that reflect generational knowledge and regional variety.

Here you’ll find dumplings you won’t get in tourist-heavy CBD venues, including Teochew-style options, unique seafood, and spicy Sichuan variants served in traditional formats.

More Yum Cha Venues Worth Exploring

If you’ve covered the essentials, try these well-loved spots:

6. Maxim’s – Box Hill

• No-frills service, solid dumplings, always full on weekends

7. New Age Dumpling – Footscray

• Northern-style dumplings and handmade noodles

8. Crystal Seafood – Narre Warren

• Consistent local go-to with great prawn options

9. Dragon Boat – Glen Waverley

• Refined suburban setting, great for birthdays and extended family

10. China Bar Signature – Burwood East

• All-you-can-eat Yum Cha and hot pot hybrid

Final Tips for First-Time Yum Cha Diners

• Yum Cha is always a daytime service, typically 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
• Dinner hours offer full Cantonese/Chinese menus, but no trolleys or dim sum
• Go early on weekends – 10:30 am is peak
• Come with 3+ people to enjoy variety and value
• Be vocal – flag trolleys or ask for specific dishes

Yum Cha FAQ for First-Timers

What is Yum Cha?

Yum Cha is a Cantonese dining tradition that pairs tea with small dishes like dumplings, buns, and rolls. It literally means “drink tea” in Cantonese, but it’s come to refer to the full brunch-style dim sum experience served at Chinese restaurants.

What’s the difference between Yum Cha and Dim Sum?

Dim sum refers to the food; Yum Cha refers to the whole experience of eating dim sum while drinking tea. In Australia, both terms are used interchangeably, but technically, you go to Yum Cha to eat dim sum.

What tea is served at Yum Cha?

The most common teas served at Yum Cha are jasmine, pu-erh (fermented black tea), and chrysanthemum. Most restaurants will give you a pot on arrival and refill it throughout the meal.

What time is Yum Cha served in Melbourne?

Yum Cha is typically served between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Exact times vary by restaurant, but most stop serving dim sum in the afternoon and reopen later for dinner with a different menu.

What should I order at Yum Cha?

Must-try dishes include Har Gow (prawn dumplings), siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings), BBQ pork buns, and egg tarts. If you’re adventurous, try chicken feet or tripe — both are traditional favourites.

Can you eat Yum Cha when pregnant?

Many Yum Cha dishes are safe in pregnancy if properly cooked, but be cautious with raw seafood, soft-shell crab, and liver-based fillings. When in doubt, ask the staff or stick to steamed options.

Is Yum Cha gluten-free?

Some steamed dim sum like plain rice rolls or dumplings made with rice flour may be gluten-free, but cross-contamination is common. Always check with the restaurant if you’re coeliac or sensitive.

Best Restaurants in Melbourne

Craving something beyond dumplings and tea?

Explore our full guide to the best restaurants in Melbourne. From hidden laneway gems to waterfront fine dining and multicultural favourites across the city.

Whether you’re in the mood for modern Australian, smoky Japanese yakitori, or a late-night pasta bar tucked behind a wine shop, we’ve got you covered.

It’s the ultimate list for food lovers who want to taste the full flavour of Melbourne, one neighbourhood at a time.