Austin's dim sum scene has evolved significantly over the past decade, transforming from a city with limited options to one with several quality destinations for these beloved Cantonese small plates. While Austin may not rival Houston's massive dim sum empire, the capital city offers satisfying options for har gow, siu mai, char siu bao, and other steamed and fried delicacies that dim sum enthusiasts crave.
Lin Asian Bar + Dim Sum Top Pick
**Why Visit:** Lin Asian Bar stands as Austin's premier dim sum destination, elevating the traditional cart service experience with contemporary flair. Located in a stylish West 6th Street space, the restaurant offers both cart service during peak hours and à la carte ordering for those seeking spe
New Fortune Chinese Seafood Restaurant Best Value
**Why Visit:** New Fortune represents Austin's most traditional dim sum experience, serving the Vietnamese and Chinese communities since 2002 with authentic cart service on weekends. The bustling dining room fills with the energy of metal carts navigating between tables, servers calling out dishes i
Wu Chow Hidden Gem
**Why Visit:** Wu Chow brought modern Chinese dining to downtown Austin, and their dim sum menu reflects sophisticated interpretations of Cantonese classics. The soup dumplings (xiao long bao) feature delicate wrappers that hold hot, savory broth and pork filling - a technical achievement that requi
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Din Ho Chinese BBQ Hidden Gem
**Why Visit:** While primarily known for their barbecue meats hanging in the window, Din Ho offers solid dim sum selections that satisfy cravings without breaking the bank. Their steamed spare ribs with black bean sauce deliver tender meat falling off the bone. The sticky rice in lotus leaf (lo mai
Chinatown Restaurant Hidden Gem
**Why Visit:** Chinatown Restaurant serves South Austin's dim sum needs with reliable renditions of the classics in an unpretentious setting. Their shrimp rice rolls (cheung fun) feature silky rice noodles wrapped around plump shrimp, served with sweet soy sauce. The pan-fried turnip cakes develop a