Till this day, dim sum places are still very popular for family gatherings and outings with friends. As such, many in Singapore are always on the lookout for the best dim sum buffet in Singapore. Because not only will you get to enjoy great dim sum, you’ll get to eat as much you want too!
Just like the English who have macarons, cakes, and pies for their afternoon tea, the Chinese have their own teatime snack – dim sum. Dim sum is known as dian xin (点心) in Mandarin, referring to steamed Chinese dishes served in bamboo steamer baskets. Dim sum is also synonymous with yum cha (饮茶), which is Cantonese for “drink tea”.
So to go for dim sum or yum cha is to have brunch or high tea and share a variety of small dishes with one’s family or friends. At such occasions, tea is usually served together with dim sum. What’s more, going in large groups means being able to enjoy a larger variety of dishes.
Commonly ordered dishes at dim sum restaurants
Xiao long bao (Steamed soup dumplings)
Xiao long bao is a succulent dumpling that contains hot soup. The best ones are those that have just the right meat to skin ratio, so that no one ingredient overpowers the other.
Siew mai (Steamed pork)
Traditional siew mai is made by filling wonton wrappers with minced pork. Some restaurants may include prawn fillings as well, while other versions may include crab meat.
Har gow (Shrimp dumplings)
Har gow is essentially chunks of shrimp in translucent dumpling wrappers. It’s said that each shrimp dumpling should have at least 7 and preferably 10 or more pleats imprinted on its wrapper. The higher the number of pleats, the higher the skill of the chef.
Best dim sum buffet in Singapore: 12 recommended picks
No dim sum lover should miss out on a good dim sum buffet. Get your dim sum fix at these 11 dim sum buffet places in Singapore.
1. Yum Cha (Chinatown)
Cheap dim sum buffet in Singapore
Located in the heart of Chinatown, Yum Cha is regarded as one of the most established dim sum places in Singapore. For an affordable price of $26.80++, the restaurant spoils its customers with more than 60 options to choose from.
Don’t miss out on their exciting offerings such as their Squid Ink Dumplings, Deep Fried Wasabi Prawns with Kiwi Fruits, and Poached Prawns with Chinese Wine.
If you’re looking to eat your heart out at a relatively affordable price, Yum Cha may well be the best dim sum buffet in Singapore for you.
Price
- Adult: $26.80++
- Child: $16.80++
Available on weekdays from 3pm to 6pm.
Contact details
- Address: 20 Trengganu Street (Off Temple Street), #02-01, Singapore 058479
- Contact number: 63721717
- Email: chinatown@yumcha.com.sg
2. The Clifford Pier
Apart from dim sum, the Heritage Dim Sum Brunch at The Clifford Pier offers a range of uniquely Singaporean delicacies. That means you can still get yourself some chicken rice if you’re craving some.
But the highlight of this restaurant is still its dim sum, which you’ll get to pick from the traditional trolleys pushed around by the waiters. The restaurant prepares all its dim sum with top-quality ingredients, so you’ll get to relish in delights such as Siew Mai with Tobiko Roe.
Price
- Adult: $55++
- Child: $39++
Available on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, 11am to 2pm.
Contact details
- Address: 80 Collyer Quay, The Fullerton Hotel, Singapore 049326
- Contact number: 68778911, 68778912
- Email: dining-rsvp@fullertonhotels.com
3. Swatow Seafood
Cheap dim sum buffet in Singapore
This restaurant will surely be a gem for all dim sum lovers. Although branded as a seafood restaurant, Swatow Seafood also offers an extensive range of dim sum.
If you’re bringing kids, one dish you shouldn’t miss is their Gold Fish Dumplings, which will surely be a hit with the little ones!
Other dishes featured on their menu include Fresh Scallop Dumplings, Teochew Five Treasures Crystal Dumpling, and Mini Pork Buns with Crabmeat. What’s more, the buffet includes a bowl of Shark’s Fin Soup with Crab Meat!
Price
- Weekdays: $22.80
- Weekends: $25.80
Available daily from 3pm to 5pm.
Contact details
- Address: Blk 181 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh #02-602, Singapore 310181
- Contact number: 63631717
4. Peach Garden Restaurant
Cheap dim sum buffet in Singapore
Peach Garden is quite a popular spot to enjoy an affordable weekend dim sum buffet. Their Weekend Hi-Tea serves up classic Cantonese delicacies like xiao long bao, egg tarts, and carrot cake.
At only $23.80++, their dim sums are served in push-carts, elevating the authentic dim sum dining experience. Besides the really attractive pricing, they also have a pretty sweet deal — with 3 paying adults, 1 adult dines free! Perfect for a family of 4 to have a pleasant and value-for-money weekend brunch!
Price
- Weekends: $23.80++
Available on weekends from 3pm to 5pm
Contact details
- Address: 301 Upper Thomson Road, #01-88, Thomson Plaza, Singapore 574408
- Contact number: 64513233
5. Ban Heng Pavilion Restaurant
Cheap dim sum buffet in Singapore
With over 30 items on the Dim Sum Buffet Lunch menu, you’ll surely be able to eat your heart out at this restaurant.
After you’ve had your fill of pork and shrimp, you can always switch things up and go for offerings such as porridge and fried rice. Desserts are also included in the menu, which even includes French Cheese Cake.
Price
- Weekday: $25.80++
- Saturday, Sunday, and eve of public holiday: $29.80++
- Public holiday: $31.80++
- Child: $16.80++ (regardless of the day)
Available daily from 11.30am to 2.30pm.
Contact details
- Address: 1 Maritime Square, #04-01 HarbourFront Centre, Singapore 099253
- Contact number: 62780288, 62781354
- Email: pavilion@banheng.com.sg
6. Hai Tien Lo
Hai Tien Lo is an award-winning restaurant offering Cantonese cuisine with a contemporary twist. Oriental designs are used in their restaurant’s interior and platings, with all waitresses dressed in cheongsams!
Almost every dish is geared towards strong and overpowering flavours at this dim sum buffet. Examples include their signature Steamed Charcoal Barbecue Pork Bun with Black Truffles, and Shredded Jellyfish and Smoked Duck in Red Wine Sauce.
Note that Hai Tien Lo’s weekday and weekend dim sum buffet menus are slightly different. If you want more variety to choose from, head over here on a weekend!
Price
- Weekdays: $60.80++ (Adult), $30.40++ (Child)
- Weekends: $68.80++ (Adult), $38.80++ (Child)
- $98.80++ for unlimited house wines, beers, juices, and soft drinks
- $128.80++ for unlimited house pour champagne, house wines, beers, juices, and soft drinks
Available from 11.30 am to 2.30pm.
Contact details
- Address: 7 Raffles Boulevard, Pan Pacific Singapore, Level 3, Marina Square, Singapore 039595
- Contact number: 68268240
- Email: dining.ppsin@panpacific.com
7. Yan Ting
Yan Ting is probably the most extravagant dim sum restaurant in Singapore. It’s also a great place to go if you want to impress your girlfriend, or if your boyfriend is feeling really generous! Despite its price, many diners have praised Yan Ting for its authentic Cantonese dining experience.
At Yan Ting, the chefs turn even the most ordinary dumplings into something fancy, such as their Trio Mushroom Dumpling with Black Truffle!
Dim sum aside, the restaurant serves other dishes such as Pan-seared Vegetarian Beancurd Rolls with Smoked Tea Leaves, and Marinated Beef Shank. Yan Ting has plenty of vegetarian options too, so vegetarians don’t have to miss out on their share of dim sum.
Price
- With non-alcoholic drinks: $128++ (Adult), $53.00++ (Child)
- $178++ with beer, wine, soft drinks, juices, and Chinese tea
- $198++ with champagne, beer, wine, soft drinks, juices and Chinese tea
Available on weekends and public holidays from 10.30am to 12.30pm, and 1pm to 3pm.
Contact details
- Address: 29 Tanglin Road, The St. Regis Singapore, Level 1U, Singapore 247911
- Contact number: 65066887
8. Man Fu Yuan
Lauded by Singapore Tatler as one of Singapore’s best Chinese restaurants, Man Fu Yuan is also a recipient of the Michelin Plate.
Step inside Man Fu Yan, and you’ll be greeted by white and gold accented interior decor, exuding a sense of luxury and sophistication.
At Man Fu Yan, you get to relish in authentic Cantonese dim sum delicacies without the hassle of picking your dishes off a cart too. Diners can order directly from the waiters and be served piping hot dim sum at the table.
Its dim sum buffet menu boasts a range of non-dim sum dishes as well, including honey glazed barbecued duroc pork belly and traditional roasted duck.
Dim sum aside, the restaurant offers a handpicked selection of quality wines and premium tea pairings. After all, what’s dim sum without tea?
Price
- Adult: $58++ (needs a minimum of 2 to dine)
- Child: $29++
Available on weekends and public holidays from 11.30am to 3pm.
Contact details
- Address: 80 Middle Road, InterContinental Hotel, Level 2, Singapore 188966
- Contact number: 63387600
- Email: singapore@ihg.com
9. Cherry Garden
There’s a saying that you taste food first with your eyes. For those who do, Cherry Garden will be a delight, as the restaurant has recreated what looks like the interior of an oriental palace.
Not surprisingly, this also applies to the presentation of their food. Their dim sum baskets are elegantly crafted with oriental designs, and the chefs combine all sorts of colours together to create eye-catching dishes.
Cherry Garden’s signature dishes include the Poached Chinese Spinach with Wagyu Beef and Egg White, Cantonese-style Roasted Pork Belly, and Steamed Pork Siew Mai with Baby Abalone.
To top your dinner off, Cherry Garden serves some of the most interesting desserts. Think black bean pudding with avocado and sesame ice cream, or cherries in cassia wine and served with lychee sorbet.
Price
- Adult: $68++
- Child: $40++
Available on weekends and public holidays from 11am to 1pm, and 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
Contact details
- Address: 5 Raffles Avenue, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore 039797
- Contact number: 68853500
- Email: mosin-dining@mohg.com
10. Tung Lok Seafood
Despite being a seafood restaurant, Tung Lok Seafood also offers a dim sum lunch buffet. With 45 different dishes to choose from, you’ll definitely be spoilt for choice. There’s even free-flow salmon sashimi!
Signature dishes here include the Crispy Fish Skin with Salted Egg Yolk, Boiled Pork Dumpling with Tom Yum Soup and Spicy Sauce, and Pan-fried Carrot Cake with Sausage in Spicy X.O. Sauce.
And who can pass on their adorable char siew baos?
Price
- Adult: $28.80++
- Child: $18.80++
Available on Mondays to Saturdays from 11.30am to 3pm, Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 3pm.
Contact details
- Address: 511 Upper Jurong Road, The Arena Country Club, Singapore 638366
- Contact number: 62626996
11. Peony Jade Restaurant
If you’re working around Keppel Club, you can drop by Peony Garden for a relaxing and satisfying meal with your colleagues.
Starting from $38, you can enjoy a variety of dim sum ranging from pastries and steamed dumplings to barbecued meat. The chef’s signatures include Hot & Sour Meat Dumpling, Steamed Butterfly Prawns Siew Mai, and Double-Boiled Shark’s Fin Broth with Dumpling.
Some interesting items you can find on their menu include Gudetama Steamed Molten Lava, Tweety Birdie, and Steamed Piggy Char Siew Pau, which are some of the cutest food creations you can find anywhere in Singapore. Check out their menu here!
Price
| Branch | Promotional price |
| Keppel Club | Weekdays: $33.80++ (Adult), $20++ (Child) Weekends: $35.80++(Adult), $20++ (Adult) Eve of public holidays and public holidays: $39.80++ (Adult), $22++ (Child) |
| Clarke Quay | Weekdays: $28.80++ (Adult), $18.80++ (Child) Weekends and public holidays: $36.80++ (Adult), $28.80++ (Child) |
Available on weekdays from 11am to 2.30pm, weekends and public holidays from 10.30am to 2.30pm.
Contact details
| Branch | Contact info |
| Keppel Club | Address: 10 Bukit Chermin Road, M Level, Singapore 109918 Contact number: 62769138 |
| Clarke Quay | Address: 3 River Valley Road, Level 2, Singapore 179020 Contact number: 63380305 |
12. Si Chuan Dou Hua
Despite being a fine dining restaurant, Si Chuan Dou Hua offers a pretty reasonably priced dim sum buffet. The dim sum buffet is $32++ on weekdays, and $29.50++ on weekends. The only caveat is that a minimum of 2 diners are required for the weekday promotion, and 4 on weekends.
For this price, you’ll get to enjoy premium dishes such as Siew Mai with Diced Abalone, Poached Sliced Beef with Bean Sprouts in Soy Sauce, and Double-boiled Chicken Soup with Abalone, Sea Whelk, Cordycep Flowers, and Conpoy.
Tea is also served differently here. Be prepared to be amazed as a Tea Master serves your tea after drawing it out through a kettle with an extremely long spout!
Price
- Weekdays: $32++ (minimum of 2 diners)
- Weekends: $29.50++ ($118++ for a group of 4)
Available on weekdays from 11.30am to 1pm, weekends and public holidays from 1.30pm to 3pm.
Contact details
- Address: 181 Kitchener Road, Park Royal Singapore 208533
- Contact number: 64283170
- Email: douhua.prskt@parkroyalhotels.com
And there you have it — 11 places you consider if you’re looking for the best dim sum buffet in Singapore to eat to your heart’s content!
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