When it comes to dim sum, the Bay Area’s deep rooted Chinese immigrant history keeps it authentic and competitive making the Bay among the best places in the world for dim sum, offering a variety of restaurants of this worldwide delicacy. I set out to taste some of the most popular spots nearby, sampling everything from pork buns to sesame balls. Here’s what I found at four locations across San Francisco and Marin.

Yank Sing:

Yank Sing, founded by Alice Y.H. Chan and one of San Francisco’s oldest dim sum institutions, has multiple locations throughout San Francisco. Instead of a waiter coming to your table, servers push carts filled with delicacies—from soup dumplings to fried crab legs—and give a short sales pitch for each item. The taste matched the reputation. The soup dumplings, paired with a house-made vinegar, burst with flavor. The spring rolls did not disappoint; as someone who isn’t the biggest fan of spring rolls,  I was surprised by how crispy and flavorful they were, making it a popular item at this destination. Another great item that I tried was the pan-fried chicken buns: buttery, crispy on both sides, yet soft and filled with juicy chicken. Finally, for dessert, the sesame balls were sweet, fresh and a perfect way to end the meal. Although the food and service were excellent, there were two downsides: distance and price. About 30 minutes from Redwood, it was deep in the city. While high-quality food understandably costs more, Yank Sing was the priciest restaurant on the list. 

Delicious Dim Sum: 

Located in the heart of Chinatown, Delicious Dim Sum is a takeout spot that lives up to the name. Compared to pricier restaurants, this small, significantly cheaper option holds its own. At only two dollars for three pork buns, they tasted like they could have been Michelin star quality. The same goes for the soup dumplings and shrimp shumai—both had excellent texture and flavor. Out of everything I tried, the scallion pancakes were the best: crispy, fluffy and lightly sweetened. Overall, this spot offers fast, affordable dim sum, perfect if you’re in a hurry and want takeout instead of a sit-down meal. 

Palette Tea House:

Located in one of San Francisco’s top tourist destinations, Ghirardelli Square, Palette Tea House blends traditional dim sum with a modern dining experience. Similar to Yank Sing, you are given a pencil with your menu to check off all the items you desire at your own pace. The soup dumpling assortment includes five dumplings, each a different color and flavor. Other highlights included the pan-fried wagyu buns, similar to Yank Sing but with a creamy beef filling and the wagyu beef gyoza—perfectly crisp with flavorful beef. Palette Tea House had the best ambiance with a lively atmosphere that definitely elevated the experience. Price-wise, it is slightly cheaper than Yank Sing but still well-suited for a special occasion.

Harmony:

For those not willing to drive into the city, Harmony, tucked into the Strawberry Mall, offers a comparable experience much closer to home. While the menu goes beyond just dim sum, the traditional bites of dim sum were amazing. The soup and shrimp dumplings held their own against any San Francisco spot. The real winners were the chicken lettuce cups and the Harmony signature chicken. The lettuce wraps tasted fresh and crisp, with a sauce that added depth to the chicken mixture. The signature chicken, paired with a side of white rice, is a must-try. The biggest advantage of Harmony is its location—only seven minutes from Redwood, offering similar quality without the long drive.