Dim sum, the Cantonese style dishes typically served in small or bite-sized portions, are popular throughout China for good reason. It's a great way to sample some of the best that Chinese food has to offer, all while trying new flavours and ingredients without the commitment of a full-sized meal. While Hong Kong is rightfully known as the go-to place for dim sum, Shanghai has some impressive offerings as well. From chains to mom-and-pop institutions, here is a list of Shanghai's top five tastiest dim sum restaurants.

1) JB HouseView In Map
This restaurant has somehow managed to stay under-the-radar with most expat dim sum lovers, despite its popularity among the locals. Set in a mansion that also often doubles as a wedding spot, JB House is the place to go for weekday lunch. From 11:00-14:00 Monday through Friday, all dim sum is half off. This includes the delectable sweet barbeque pork buns, shrimp dumplings, and mango fruit tarts. The one caveat is that the lunchtime dim sum menu is only in Chinese, so either bring a friend or get ready to be adventurous! However, the dinner menu has both English and pictures for those who don't want to take a chance.

Add: 336 Xinhua Lu, near Panyu Lu, Changning District, Shanghai
地址：上海市长宁区新华路336号近番禺路
Tel: 021 6283 2360
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 11:00-14:00; 17:00-22:30

2) Crystal JadeView In Map
Probably the most famous restaurant on this list, Crystal Jade has been providing expats with a place to take out-of-town visitors for years now. It is consistently praised as one of the best dim sum places in the city, in particular because of its crispy pork belly, shrimp dumplings, and xiaolongbao (a Shanghainese specialty). The prices are a bit on the high side, but this is one of the rare restaurants where the extra money spent is actually well worth it. They somehow even make durian puffs taste decent… While there are multiple locations, stick with the one in Xintiandi – somehow the food is always better there.

Add: 2F, 6-7 South Block Xintiandi, Lane 123 Xingye Lu,near Madang Lu, Luwan District, Shanghai (branch)
地址：上海市卢湾区兴业路123弄新天地南里6-7号2楼近马当路
Tel: 021 6385 8752
Opening hours: Mon-Sat, 11:00-22:30 (dim sum stops at 17:30); Sun, 10:30-22:30 (dimsum stops at 17:00)

3) YUE 1525View In Map
Set up in a spacious, modern dining room, YUE 1525 is quickly making a name for itself as one of the best dim sum restaurants in town. From their custard tarts to pan-fried turnip cakes to chicken feet with XO sauce (yes, even the chicken feet here are good), the food is high quality and surprisingly well-priced compared to many of its competitors – especially in light of the fact that it is housed next to the New World Shanghai Hotel. Their daily lunch specials, seven private rooms, and relatively understated décor make it ideal for business lunches or for hosting out-of town-guests.

Add: 2F, New World Shanghai Hotel, 1525 Dingxi Lu,near Yuyuan Lu, Changning District, Shanghai
地址：上海市 长宁区定西路1525号上海巴黎春天新2楼, 近愚园路
Tel: 021 6225 8665
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 11:30-14:30 (dim sum), 17:30-22:00; Sun & Sat, 11:30-15:30 (dim sum), 17:30-22:30

4) Royal ChinaView In Map
Also a popular restaurant chain in London, England, Royal China is the epitome of over-the-top dim sum restaurants, as evidenced by the shiny gold décor and its dubious location (the 8th floor of a mall). Yet the food is consistently wonderful, which is exactly what keeps this place in a perpetual state of fullness. Customers keep flocking there for dishes like the honey roasted ribs, egg tarts, lobster noodles and crispy duck wraps. The great food and cheesy atmosphere make this place more suited for lazy Sunday brunches with friends than for a corporate meeting, but sometimes that is all you need.

Add: Jiuguang, 8F, 1618 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huashan Lu, Jing'an District, Shanghai
地址：上海市静安区南京西路1618号8楼近华山路
Tel: 0216288 3063
Opening hours: Daily, 10:00-22:00

5) Fu Lin XuanView In Map
Like JB House, Fu Lin Xuan has somehow managed to slip under the radar of most expats. I'm not quite sure why, however, as their crispy pigeon, beef balls with Worcestershire sauce, and roast pork dishes are absolutely top-notch. As is the trend with many dim sum restaurants in Shanghai, this one is a little pricier than most people would prefer. Their quality and consistency in serving delicious fare makes up for it, however. The dining room itself is nothing to write home about, but you won't really care once you get your food.

Add: 4F West Zone 30-31, Super Brand Mall, 168 Lujiazui Xi Lu, near Fucheng Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市浦东新区陆家嘴西路168号近富城路 (正大广场4F 西区 30-31)
Tel: 021 63583699
Opening hours: 11:00-23:00 

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Keywords: Shanghai’s top dim sum restaurants top 5 dim sum Shanghai Shanghai Cantonese food Shanghai best dim sum