One of the more recent additions to Sydney’s yum cha scene, XOPP has become a popular choice among locals and visitors thanks to their signature dish, XO Pippies. But it’s not just the pippies people flock here for, there are plenty of other delicious eats on the menu, like live abalone, lobster and crab, cooked in fresh sauces with flavours like ginger, garlic and chilli making many appearances.

One of the best yum cha spots in Sydney southwest of the bridge, The Dynasty Restaurant is the place to go for the ultimate authentic experience. Upon stepping inside, you will be immediately transported somewhere far away, with Pagoda-style timbers and a bamboo curtain roof for the fit-out. The menu is just as intriguing, packed full of every dim sum dish you could ever dream of. We especially love the steamed black truffle vegetable dumpling and the minced beef congee.

Inside spacious, modern East Village digs, you’ll find an array of delectable yum cha at East Phoenix, the sixth member of the Phoenix Group family. Expect swift service, a healthy selection of wine and spirits, and reliably tasty takes on traditional fare and a few exotic Chinese delicacies.

One of Sydney's newest yum cha venues, the menu is expanding to include a yum cha option with a chef’s choice menu available for $70 per person and featuring a steamed dim sum platter, BBQ platter, selection of wok dishes and a dessert designed to share for groups of 4 or more. The steamed pork buns are some of the best we’ve tried in Sydney, and the sweet and sticky, honey-glazed char siu pork is next level.

If you like your yum Cha with a side of seafood, then look no further than East Ocean. Nestled in the heart of Chinatown, this authentic Chinese restaurant specialises in live seafood cooking, and trust us; the freshness seriously can’t be beaten. So, order a few dishes from the yum cha menu and don’t be shy to take a peak at the seafood menu. We recommend the bean curd roll with seafood and Lycium, the baked durian puffs and if you’re feeling like a treat, the live lobster will not disappoint.

The perfect combination of classic and contemporary Chinese cuisine, Golden Unicron Chinese Restaurant is undoubtedly one of the best (and most affordable) yum cha spots in Sydney. The menu includes a dedicated vegetarian section with over 20 types of dumplings, but perhaps the best bit is their extensive dessert menu — the mango pancakes and baked egg custard buns cannot be missed.

Boasting some of the speediest services for yum cha in Sydney, ky Phoenix holds a special place in our hearts. With four restaurants scattered around Australia, they’re obviously doing something right, and we can vouch for it. The space is full of ambience, located in a high-rise on Pitt Street, and the menu features all your favourites — the salt and pepper calamari is particularly delicious.

Frequently pointed to as some of the best Chinese food in Sydney, Palace Chinese is an institution on the Sydney yum cha scene. From the menu, you can expect a variety of dumplings, and many of them (try the duck and mushroom!), pan-fried tofu rolls, steamed chicken feet, and prawn toast, to name a few. They also have an extensive wine list, making us love it here even more.

We’ve all heard of Mr Wong, and it’s safe to say our expectations live up to the hype every time we manage to get a table. The popular restaurant takes a boujee spin on traditional yum cha, serving up to 80 types of Cantonese-style dishes spread over two levels of the establishment building. Our recommendation? The moody atmosphere and jazzy soundtrack make this the perfect spot for date night.

The little sister of Bondi’s Zilver restaurant, The Eight is paving its way as an iconic modern Chinese restaurant in its own right. With a stylish dining area and convenient location in Sydney’s Haymarket, this doesn’t mean The Eight takes shortcuts when it comes to the menu. Some of our favourites include the roast duck, chew chow dumplings, and the BBQ pork buns may be some of the best we’ve ever had.

Not just offering some of the best yum cha in Sydney, The Gardens by Lotus is all about the full experience. Its location inside the famous Chinese Gardens of Sydney creates an atmosphere like no other, the ‘teahouse’ style of dining transporting you right to a rural oasis in China. They offer a modern take on Chinese high tea during the day and a private dining space.

An authentic Cantonese dining experience, Royal Treasure Seafood Restaurant is unpretentious, down-to-earth and just what we feel like after a long week at work. When it comes to the menu, we recommend eating through it all (if possible) but, if you’re here for the first time, then some must-haves include their deep-fired dumplings, red bean buns, and the fish congee.

Chatswood has it all when it comes to Chinese cuisine, and Mama Mulan is one of the standouts. What sets these guys apart is their modern take on Chinese food, serving up innovative spins on traditional yum cha dishes in a sleek, minimalist space with an open kitchen. Their Yum Cha menu is “eclectic yet sophisticated” featuring pork & prawn shumai, dried scallop & prawn bean sprout dumplings, and our personal favourite — custard buns.