BEST DIM SUM SAN FRANCISCO FULL

City View is cleaner and quieter than the typical Chinatown restaurant, and the standard dim sum choices are tasty and reasonably priced. Just on the edge of Chinatown there is a great dim sum place with the food carts and white tablecloths. Address is 1 Pagoda Place, which is the other end of Hang Ah Alley, between Clay and Sacramento Streets. I'm really happy this little gem is still here. Now it's a mixture of locals and visitors. This was before it was 'discovered' at the time, I was the only non-Chinese customer. I first came here in 1969 (!) on the recommendation of a Chinese classmate. On a recent visit, I had the Snow Daisy, or Kun Ming, tea, delicately flavored, amber-colored, and non-caffeinated, which was so good I've been searching for it in the tea shops ever since (no luck, so far). They also have some special teas, brought from China, which are fun to try.

This little tea house is the oldest continuously open dim sum place in America. The Hang Ah Tea Room, hidden away in a little alley in Chinatown, has been in operation since 1920. My favorite Chinatown dim sum places, which are also loved by many others, include two sit-down restaurants, and a collection of hole-in-the wall bakeries that are mostly for take-out. But they are very popular because the dim sum is scrumptious and so cheap it hardly feels like you've paid for it! To be blunt, many of these lower-end places tend to have abrupt, rude service, and less than sanitary conditions. Not only is the food just like you would find in cities in China, the 'atmosphere' is authentic as well. The dim places with carts that go around the room are disappearing from Chinatown, possibly because of the space required, and most are now served from menus, or use the point at the display method (works well where English isn't spoken).Ĭultural warning: some of the best dim sum places are very authentically Chinese. Many people say eating dim sum is one of their favorite things to do in Chinatown. For tabs of $45 and more, they validate parking at the Portsmouth Garage, evenings 5-9. It doesn't look that good on the outside, but inside is fine.

Service and food are decent, restaurant is clean, and prices are reasonable. This restaurant has gotten very busy because it's been mentioned in a number of 'lists' and guide books. The lines can be really long at mealtimes, but if you go on off hours, you can either get right in or be seated after a short wait. Honorable mention: Hunan Home restaurant is a place to get good Chinese food in a comfortable setting. 1 Kearny Street, second floor (four blocks from the Chinatown Gate). Looks like a fancy Hong Kong club, but the food is Asian/Chinese/California fusion, with original twists. This is upscale, a bit pricey, but great food and attractive presentation. This isn't exactly in Chinatown, but it's close, and it's a fun place to eat. Can be a wait at peak times, but they take reservations. This restaurant has gotten very busy since Obama ate here, and it was on a Best SF restaurants list by the SF Chronicle. Chicken with Explosive Chili Pepper: wow! Try the tan tan noodles. Famous for their spicy Szechuan dishes, but they also have the traditional Cantonese ones. Prized abalone is also served in several different preparations.Try one of the R & G luncheon rice plates. Seafood fans will enjoy the plump steamed shrimp dumplings topped with a salty and spicy XO sauce. The popular Shanghai steamed dumpling sampler features a colorful collection of steamed pork dumplings in flavors ranging from fresh beets to a luxurious black truffle.

Arrive for brunch on the weekend and be prepared to wait for up to an hour to be seated at this bustling, elegant dim sum restaurant. (Jeff Cianci)Ī visit to Koi Palace is a must for any proclaimed Bay Area dim sum fan. If we missed your favorite, please be sure to let us know in the comments. Here is our list of 5 favorite dim sum restaurants South of San Francisco. While Chinatown in San Francisco may seem like the obvious place to visit, there are several excellent dim sum restaurants in the South Bay Area and along the peninsula.

BEST DIM SUM SAN FRANCISCO FULL

The hustle and bustle of servers pushing carts full of steamer baskets past your table can be overwhelming, but the hunt for your favorite dishes makes it a delicious adventure. A special Cantonese cuisine characterized by small plates of steamed, fried, or baked specialties served alongside hot tea, dim sum is a unique dining experience and a delicious way to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Best dim sum san francisco