Updated: August 14, 2026 · Reviewed on August 14, 2026 by North York Guide Team
Best Dim Sum in North York 2026: Top Spots Ranked
We compared every serious dim sum house along North York's Don Mills and Victoria Park corridors — the city's dim sum heartland — to find where locals actually push the cart. From the upscale Cantonese seafood of The Queen Seafood Cuisine to the ornate banquet-hall grandeur of Crown Prince and the no-frills BBQ gems tucked inside Peanut Plaza, there's a bamboo steamer for every budget.
We weighed the menus, prices, and early-bird deals against what diners are saying right now. Crown Prince alone has 245 Yelp reviews — more than any other dim sum spot in North York — while The Queen Seafood Cuisine has grown to 59 Yelp reviews since its May 2025 opening, up from 55 in early summer. Below are the spots that earned their place, plus nearby picks worth the drive.
We ranked these by food quality, value, and how reliably each spot handles a weekend yum cha crowd — cross-checked against Google Maps, Reddit, TikTok, and XiaoHongShu so the order reflects what real diners actually say, not just menu hype.
How We Ranked These Spots
Every spot on this list was evaluated on four criteria, weighted in this order:
Food & Quality — How the signature dishes hold up, from har gow and siu mai to baked BBQ pork buns.
Value — Price relative to portion and quality, from $5 early-bird dishes to a full seafood banquet.
Reliability for a crowd — Wait times, group capacity, and how a spot handles the weekend yum cha rush.
Reputation — Recent Google Maps, Reddit, TikTok, and XiaoHongShu signals within the last 12 months.
We re-check every address, price, and opening status against each restaurant's own site and listing at every refresh. This page was last checked on August 14, 2026. Rankings are never paid for: sponsors are clearly labeled and never appear in the ranked list.
Quick Answer
The best dim sum in North York is The Queen Seafood Cuisine at 900 Don Mills Rd for upscale Cantonese dim sum with a weekday early bird special — all dim sum $5.80 before 11 AM, Monday to Friday. For a heritage dining experience, Casa Imperial at 4125 Steeles Ave E serves Hong Kong-style dim sum inside a Victorian mansion. For the best value, On Hing BBQ at Peanut Plaza (3030 Don Mills Rd) serves classic dim sum starting at $5 per dish.
The 5 Best Dim Sum Spots in North York
Ranked by food quality, value, experience, and social buzz. Prices, listings, and opening status reviewed August 2026.
As of August 2026, the cheapest sit-down dim sum in North York is Crown Prince's $3.30-per-dish early bird, served before 11 AM — well under half the $9 to $16 that Pearl charges per dish on York Mills Rd.
Top Pick
1
The Queen Seafood Cuisine
900 Don Mills Rd, Unit 2, North York, ON M3C 1V6
$$ (Mid-range) — Early bird: all dim sum $5.80 before 11 AM, Monday to Friday, cash only
What to Order
The full dim sum menu features 40+ items alongside seafood banquet dishes, including a $98 Lobster Seafood Combo that has done the rounds on TikTok. Opened May 2025 by the Congee Queen team, this upscale Cantonese spot delivers on both dim sum and seafood. Open 9 AM to 10 PM daily, so the early bird window is the first two hours of service.
59 reviews on Yelp as of August 2026, up from 55 in June — the steadiest review growth of any dim sum room in North York. Featured on blogTO, trending on TikTok, and active on XiaoHongShu. Backed by the Congee Queen group.
Honey Glazed BBQ Pork — rivals high-end spots at half the price. The Curry Cuttlefish is the secret menu sleeper hit. Classic Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow) are executed perfectly.
Reddit r/askTO: "Best hidden gem/cheap eats in North York" (210 upvotes). TikTok @hidden_gems_to "Peanut Plaza secrets" feature.
Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings) — the benchmark classic, done properly. The Baked BBQ Pork Buns have a flaky golden top. Finish with Mango Pudding for dessert. If the per-dish pricing stings, the lunch specials run $16 to $18 and bundle a spring roll, rice, and a meat or seafood main; takeout orders come with 10% off.
Google Maps: 4.0 stars (800+ reviews) and 87 reviews on Yelp. Known as the most "accessible luxury" spot for Bayview Village shoppers. Part of the Pearl Harbourfront group, open at York Mills since December 2011; we re-confirmed the 291 York Mills Rd address against the restaurant's own site in August 2026 after reports of a move.
3600 Victoria Park Ave, Unit 1-7, North York, ON M2H 3B2
$$–$$$ (Mid-high) — Early bird: $3.30/dish before 11 AM + $1.60 tea/person; still the cheapest traditional sit-down dim sum in North York
What to Order
Deep-Fried Taro Dumpling and Steamed Bun with Custard & Egg Yolk — rich must-orders. The Har Gow and Siu Mai arrive with bigger-than-average portions. The tofu fa served in a bucket is the room's cult-favourite finish. Ornate Hong Kong-British/French Renaissance decor with chandeliers.
245 reviews on Yelp (4.0 stars). Featured on Bite of TO and Tripadvisor. Long-standing institution with the most Yelp reviews of any North York dim sum spot.
$–$$ (Affordable) — every dish on the menu is under $10
What to Order
Modern, affordable dim sum that opened on Yonge St in 2026. Order the BBQ pork buns, the mini soup dumplings, and the classic har gow and siu mai — the kitchen leans Cantonese-traditional rather than fusion. The braised beef soup noodles are the one non-steamer order worth making room for. Free parking in back, and the kitchen runs to midnight Friday through Sunday, which no other dim sum room in North York does.
53 reviews on Yelp and 431 on Restaurantji as of August 2026 — social proof is building fast for a 2026 opening. Tolobi calls it the "Willowdale dim sum glow-up of the year." Chef has 30+ years experience.
These spots are just outside North York in Scarborough and Markham — all within a 15-minute drive and worth the trip for dim sum fans.
Casa Imperial has served Hong Kong-style dim sum from a Victorian mansion on Steeles Ave E since 2006, takes orders on a paper sheet rather than from a push cart, and holds 264 Yelp reviews.
Heritage Setting
Casa Imperial Fine Chinese Cuisine
4125 Steeles Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1W 3T4
$$–$$$ (Mid-high)
What to Order
Scallop & spinach dumplings and chicken feet in chu-hou sauce are the traditional standouts. The swallow's nest with shredded abalone is the luxury pick, and the mango cream dumplings close things out. Housed in the historic Hood-Gough House (Victorian mansion) with a garden and private VIP rooms.
264 reviews / 926 photos on Yelp. Featured on Global Toronto Eats.
8261 Woodbine Ave, Markham, ON (10 min from Scarborough border)
$8 – $14 per dish
What to Order
Bird's Nest Egg Tarts — a culinary experience you won't find elsewhere. The Scallop & Pea Tip Dumplings are refined, and the Steamed Beef Tripe with Ginger is a traditional must for adventurous eaters.
Google Maps: 4.4 stars (3,200+ reviews). XiaoHongShu: "Wait times exceed 90 mins on weekends — go early."
3601 Victoria Park Ave, Scarborough, ON M1W 3Y3 (5 min from North York)
$$–$$$ (Mid-high) — Early bird: all dim sum $6.95 before 11 AM (cash only). After the cutoff the menu is tiered: $6.95 small, $7.95 medium, $8.95 large, $9.95 extra-large, $13.50 special, plus $3 tea per person
What to Order
Siu Mai is the benchmark order. The two items you won't find on another North York menu are the deep-fried truffle berry buns and the eel with cheese buns. Bring a second pair for the $98 Lobster Seafood Combo for two.
35 reviews on Yelp. Trending on TikTok for their $98 Lobster Seafood Combo. Active social presence on XiaoHongShu and Instagram.
New openings, viral spots, and social media buzz in the North York dim sum scene. Reviewed August 2026.
Emerging Pick
Joyous Chinese Cuisine — A Proper Teahouse on Leslie St
5505 Leslie St, North YorkTikTok • Yelp • 42 reviews
The quieter alternative to North York's banquet halls. Joyous runs a traditional Cantonese teahouse format — yum cha by day, dinner set menus by night — and is open 9 AM to 11 PM, seven days a week, one of the longest dim sum service windows in the area. A TikTok post billing it as a "new dim sum spot in North York" brought the first wave of attention; it now sits at 42 Yelp reviews. We're holding it out of the ranked list until the review base deepens, but it earns a visit if the Don Mills rooms are packed.Website →
New Opening
Luna Private Banquets — The "Antisocial" Dim Sum Experience
The biggest dim sum opening of 2026. 26 private rooms, each with its own washroom. blogTO called it "the restaurant that doesn't want you to see other diners." Dim sum runs 9 AM to 3 PM daily with a 90-minute limit per booking, and reservations are essential — walk-ins are not the model here. Order the salted egg yolk scallop dumplings and the baked seafood mini pies. Note: some early reviews flag average food quality and slow service — the draw is the experience, not necessarily the dumplings.
The current "value king" for luxury dim sum. Their $98 lunch set for two includes lobster, sea cucumber, and abalone — ingredients that cost $150+ elsewhere. The "Beauties" wall decor is XiaoHongShu gold.
The heavyweight of the North York core. Searches for "North York's most expensive dim sum" lead here. Consistently validated on Reddit as the highest-quality option for special occasions like Lunar New Year. Dim sum is served 10 AM to 4:30 PM inside a 10,000 sq ft, two-floor room on the Yorkdale mall level, directly accessible from Yorkdale station. Order the crispy eel puff pastries, shaped like black swans, and book ahead on weekends.
Price Update
Crown Prince Early Bird — Still the Cheapest Sit-Down in North York
3600 Victoria Park AveYelp • 245 reviews
Crown Prince raised its early bird price from $2.80 to $3.30/dish (before 11 AM), with tea now at $1.60/person. It's still a wide margin below every other traditional sit-down option in North York. The tofu fa served in a bucket remains the room's cult-favourite closer — order it even if you're full.
The Don Mills to Bayview Dim Sum Crawl
Three dim sum styles in one morning, heading north from Don Mills. Budget 3.5–4 hours including wait times. Start at 10:30 AM.
Run this on a weekday if you want the discount and on a weekend if you want the atmosphere: The Queen Seafood's $5.80 early bird is Monday to Friday only, while the weekend yum cha crowd is what fills the room.
Transit: Drive or TTC bus routes along Don Mills Rd and Bayview Ave. Parking available at all three stops.
Tip: Order 2–3 dishes per stop. You're hitting three restaurants — pace yourself and share with friends.
1
The Queen Seafood Cuisine (900 Don Mills Rd) — 10:30 AM
Start with the weekday early bird special — all dim sum $5.80 before 11 AM, Monday to Friday, cash only. The Congee Queen team's upscale Cantonese spot has 40+ dim sum items to kick off the crawl. Bring cash and arrive by 10:30 to clear the 11 AM cutoff.
2
Pearl (291 York Mills Rd) — 12:30 PM
A 10-minute drive north. This is your "classic luxury" stop. Order the Har Gow and Baked BBQ Pork Buns — the benchmark classics done properly. Finish with Mango Pudding.
3
Lee's Dumpling House (399 Old Orchard Grove) — 2:00 PM
Drop south to Lee's for the Shanghai-style finale — hand-folded XLB and the flaky scallion pancake. A casual, affordable cap on the crawl that fills any remaining dumpling gaps the morning didn't cover.
Best Budget Dim Sum in North York
Great dim sum doesn't have to break the bank. Here are the best options for value seekers.
Four dishes and a pot of tea off Crown Prince's early bird menu comes to $14.80 before tax — less than the $17.99 lunch cover at the cheapest all-you-can-eat dim sum room downtown. That gap is the strongest argument for eating dim sum north of the 401 in August 2026.
Restaurant
Price Per Dish
Neighbourhood
Best For
On Hing BBQ
$5–$9
Peanut Plaza, Don Mills
Overall best value
The Queen Seafood
$5.80 early bird (cash, Mon–Fri)
Don Mills Rd
Best early bird deal
Bao House
Everything under $10
Yonge St, Willowdale
Late-night dim sum (midnight Fri–Sun)
Seafood Princess
$6.95 early bird
Victoria Park, Scarborough
Cash-only early bird
Crown Prince Fine Dining
$3.30 early bird (before 11 AM)
Victoria Park Ave
Cheapest traditional sit-down dim sum in North York
Lee's Dumpling House
$$ (~$8/dish)
Old Orchard Grove
Hand-folded XLB & spring onion pancakes
Casa Imperial
$$–$$$
Steeles Ave E
Heritage mansion setting
North York A La Carte vs Downtown All-You-Can-Eat
Toronto's all-you-can-eat dim sum rooms have all raised prices through 2025 and 2026, and none of them are in North York — the nearest are downtown, a 30-minute subway ride away. Here's how a per-person spend compares. AYCE prices are per person; North York figures assume four dishes plus tea for one.
Option
Where
Lunch
Dinner
Crown Prince (4 dishes + tea)
3600 Victoria Park Ave, North York
$14.80 before 11 AM
No dim sum service
The Queen Seafood (4 dishes)
900 Don Mills Rd, North York
$23.20 before 11 AM, Mon–Fri
No dim sum service
Bao House (4 dishes)
5336 Yonge St, North York
Under $40, all day
Under $40, to midnight Fri–Sun
Rosewood Asian Cuisine (AYCE)
463 Dundas St W, Chinatown
$17.99
$25.99 weekday / $27.99 weekend
August 8 (AYCE)
331 Spadina Ave, Downtown
$20–23
$30–33
Downtown AYCE pricing from our July 2026 research scan. Rosewood runs a two-hour table limit and serves until 3 AM; August 8 orders by iPad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best dim sum in North York?
The Queen Seafood Cuisine at 900 Don Mills Rd is the best overall dim sum in North York. Opened by the Congee Queen team in 2025, their upscale Cantonese dim sum menu features 40+ items with a weekday early bird special. For a unique heritage experience, Casa Imperial at 4125 Steeles Ave E serves Hong Kong-style dim sum inside a Victorian mansion.
What is the cheapest dim sum near North York?
On Hing BBQ at Peanut Plaza (3030 Don Mills Rd) offers the best value with dishes starting at $5–9. Their Honey Glazed BBQ Pork and Har Gow rival expensive spots at half the price. Seafood Princess at 3601 Victoria Park Ave also offers early bird dim sum at $6.95 before 11 AM (cash only).
Where can I get traditional dim sum in North York?
Crown Prince Fine Dining & Banquet at 3600 Victoria Park Ave is the North York institution with 245 Yelp reviews, ornate Hong Kong-style decor with chandeliers, and bigger-than-average portions. Their early bird deal is $3.30/dish before 11 AM + $1.60 tea/person — the cheapest traditional sit-down dim sum in North York. Must-orders: Deep-Fried Taro Dumpling, Har Gow, and the famous tofu fa served in a bucket.
Is there good dim sum near Bayview Village?
Pearl at 291 York Mills Rd is the top dim sum choice near Bayview Village, offering accessible luxury with classic Har Gow and Baked BBQ Pork Buns at $9–16 per dish. The Queen Seafood Cuisine at 900 Don Mills Rd is also a short drive away, with 40+ dim sum items and a weekday early bird special.
What are the best soup dumplings (XLB) in North York?
For Shanghai-style soup dumplings (XLB), Lee's Dumpling House at 399 Old Orchard Grove hand-folds them daily and runs $1–2 cheaper per order than the chains. Casa Imperial at 4125 Steeles Ave E delivers Hong Kong-style dim sum in a heritage Victorian mansion setting and is the closest "worth the drive" alternative.
What is the best dim sum for groups and families?
Crown Prince Fine Dining & Banquet at 3600 Victoria Park Ave is the top North York pick for families — 245 Yelp reviews, ornate banquet-hall setting, bigger-than-average portions, and the lowest early bird pricing in the area ($3.30/dish before 11 AM). For a unique group experience, Luna Private Banquets at 7225 Woodbine Ave in Markham offers 26 private rooms (each with its own washroom) — went viral on blogTO for the "antisocial dining" concept. For upscale special occasions, Yu Seafood at Yorkdale Mall offers premium seafood dim sum in a modern setting, with reservations recommended.
What new dim sum restaurants opened near North York in 2026?
In North York proper, Bao House at 5336 Yonge St (Willowdale) is the standout 2026 opening — it replaced the closed Mom's Dim Sum at the same address with an affordable Cantonese-traditional menu from a chef with 30+ years experience. It now has 53 Yelp reviews and 431 Restaurantji reviews. Joyous Chinese Cuisine at 5505 Leslie St is the newer teahouse-format arrival, open 9 AM to 11 PM daily. Near North York, Luna Private Banquets at 7225 Woodbine Ave, Markham is the most viral opening of 2026, featuring 26 private rooms that went viral on blogTO with 22,000 shares.
What time does early bird dim sum end in North York?
Every early bird dim sum deal in the North York area ends at 11 AM. Crown Prince charges $3.30 per dish before 11 AM plus $1.60 tea per person, The Queen Seafood Cuisine charges $5.80 per dish before 11 AM Monday to Friday (cash only), and Seafood Princess at 3601 Victoria Park Ave charges a flat $6.95 per dish before 11 AM (cash only). Arrive by 10:15 AM on a weekend — 11 AM is when the dining rooms fill up, not when they empty.
Where can I get dim sum late at night in North York?
Bao House at 5336 Yonge St in Willowdale is the latest-running dim sum kitchen in North York, open until midnight Friday through Sunday. Joyous Chinese Cuisine at 5505 Leslie St serves until 11 PM seven days a week. Most traditional North York dim sum halls stop serving steamer items in the mid-afternoon, so late-night yum cha means going to a modern kitchen rather than a banquet hall.
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