There are steaming baskets filled with tasty bites just waiting for you to enjoy. If you love these yummy treats or are just curious to learn more, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll look at the 8 best dim sum spots in Ottawa, where you can find everything from classic dumplings to fun twists on traditional dishes.
Check out our recommendations and maybe even challenge yourself to try a dish you’ve never had before. Let’s dive into the flavors together and see which dim sum place becomes your new favorite!
1. Yangtze Restaurant
Yangtze Restaurant, located in Ottawa's busy Chinatown, has been serving tasty Cantonese and Szechuan food since 1982, and it’s easy to see why it's so popular.
When you walk into this spacious and lively place, you're in for a fun experience. Servers move around with trays filled with hot dim sum, allowing you to pick your favorites right at your table.
The menu at Yangtze is huge, so there's definitely something for everyone. Some must-try dishes are the famous Shrimp Har Gow, Yangtze Fried Rice, and Chicken with Sweet & Sour Sauce.
You should also check out the Peking Duck and Szechuan Crispy Beef since they're highly recommended.
If you have dietary restrictions, no worries! The restaurant offers plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free choices, so everyone can enjoy a good meal.
Yangtze also has a variety of Chinese teas to enjoy with your food. Although it's not wheelchair accessible, it's a great family-friendly option.
With its well-known status in Ottawa and a reputation for great food and service, Yangtze Restaurant is a must-try for anyone who loves authentic dim sum.
2. Ha's Dim Sum Noodle House
Located right in the middle of Ottawa's busy Chinatown, Ha's Dim Sum Noodle House is a fantastic spot to enjoy authentic Chinese food.
This family-run restaurant at 870 Somerset Street West is the perfect place for anyone craving a dim sum feast.
Ha's menu is full of dim sum options, featuring a wide variety of steamed, fried, and baked dumplings. You can find popular dishes like shrimp dumplings, siu mai, and the juicy xiaolong bao.
If you're into noodles, you can't miss their pan-fried noodles, which have a unique "wok hei" flavor. And that's not all—other favorites include shrimp with cashews, General Tao's chicken, and yang chow fried rice.
One of the best parts about Ha's is the friendly and inviting atmosphere. Even though it's a small place, it’s usually buzzing with energy, creating a lively yet cozy vibe.
If you're looking to save a bit of cash, Ha's has a great 20% discount on online orders from their Dim Sum & Dinner Combinations menu, making it easy to enjoy a delicious meal without breaking the bank.
Parking might be a little tricky, but there are some free spots available after hours, and public transit is super convenient.
3. Cafe Orient
Located in the heart of Ottawa's Chinatown, Cafe Orient has been a favorite spot since 1993, serving up delicious Southern Chinese food that locals and tourists love.
This cozy restaurant is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy traditional Cantonese dishes with a unique twist.
The menu is packed with tasty options, including dim sum, congee, noodle soups, and more, giving diners plenty to choose from.
One of the coolest things about Cafe Orient is their special drinks. You have to try the Hong Kong-style milk tea and Yin Yang, which is a mix of coffee and tea.
Made with tea leaves straight from Hong Kong, these drinks have a strong, creamy flavor that really stands out. It’s like getting a little taste of Hong Kong while you’re in Ottawa!
The atmosphere at Cafe Orient is warm and welcoming, making it great for families. They even have high chairs for kids.
When it comes to food, Cafe Orient definitely delivers. Some must-try dishes include the tasty clay pot rice, stir-fried rice noodles with beef, and the flavorful pork chop in tomato sauce.
If you're looking for vegetarian options, the Buddha's delight and braised mushroom and tofu are really good choices.
4. Jadeland
Located in the heart of Chinatown, Ottawa, Jadeland Restaurant is a cozy spot that locals and visitors love for its amazing Chinese food.
It's well-known, often mentioned in newspapers and travel guides that rave about its delicious dishes and welcoming vibe.
If you're in the mood for some real Cantonese or Szechuan flavors, Jadeland is definitely the place to check out.
The menu here is huge and filled with tasty choices. The chefs are award-winning experts who make sure each meal is perfect, using only the freshest ingredients.
They even let you see live fish and crabs before they cook them, showing how much they care about quality.
It's a true taste of Cantonese food that’s sure to impress. But that’s just the beginning.
You can enjoy chicken chow mein with black bean sauce, or go for sweet-and-sour chicken balls. If you like richer flavors, the BBQ duck and black pepper beef are great choices.
And don’t miss out on the Kung Pao chicken and Yangzhou fried rice, both packed with flavor and served in big portions.
5. Peking Duck
If you're looking to enjoy some real Chinese food in Ottawa, you have to check out this restaurant, especially for its famous Peking duck.
The chefs from Beijing work diligently to prepare the duck, ensuring the skin is super crispy while the meat stays juicy and tender.
But the Peking duck isn’t the only star on the menu. There’s a whole range of delicious dishes to try. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also try duck liver.
The restaurant itself has a really welcome vibe. The seating is comfy, and the staff is super attentive, making sure you feel at home.
They also make it easy for everyone to get around, with wheelchair access and private rooms for bigger groups. Families will love it too since they have high chairs and kid-friendly utensils.
The decor is traditional and adds to the cozy feel, making it a great place for both casual meals and special celebrations. And, parking isn’t a hassle, so you don’t have to worry about that.
6. Yimin Dim Sum House
Located in the center of Ottawa, Yimin Dim Sum House is a charming restaurant that takes you on a tasty adventure through Cantonese and Sichuan foods.
It's right on Somerset Street and is family-owned, making it a special place for many. The menu is packed with delicious choices, from hot stir-fries to filling noodle soups.
For those who love dim sum, this is the perfect spot. They serve a variety of fresh, warm bites that are great for sharing.
Their beef dumplings are super popular and really tasty, plus their crispy clay pot rice has a delightful crunchy bottom that surprises everyone.
But don’t worry if you don’t eat meat! There are plenty of vegetarian options like taro balls and shrimp-stuffed tofu.
The menu has something for everyone, including those with food allergies, so it's a friendly place where all can enjoy a meal.
The atmosphere is simple and welcoming, just like the friendly staff who make sure every visit is enjoyable.
7. Sula Wok
Located on Main Street in Old Ottawa East, Sula Wok is a wonderful family-run restaurant that serves delicious Asian food.
It’s a cozy spot where you can grab takeout, enjoy a meal outside when the weather is nice, or even get food from their cool mobile catering carts. Eating here feels like a fun trip through different Asian flavors.
Sula Wok has a menu full of exciting choices for food lovers. You can find unique dishes like Asian tacos, peanut noodles, and Tibetan fried rice.
People especially love their different fried rice options, such as the tropical coconut curry pineapple fried rice and the spicy cumin fried rice.
There are also lots of tasty vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free meals available, so everyone can enjoy their food.
One of the coolest things about Sula Wok is its rooftop garden, which is 40 feet above the restaurant.
The vibe at Sula Wok is friendly and welcoming. The owners are known for their warm service, always ready to help with your food choices or just share a smile.
They also care about the environment, encouraging customers to bring back their takeout containers for reuse, which makes your meal a little greener.
8. Mekong
Located in the busy neighborhood of Chinatown in Ottawa, Mekong Restaurant has been a favorite for over 30 years.
It serves a tasty mix of Cantonese, Szechwan, Vietnamese, and Thai dishes, so there’s a lot to choose from.
You can enjoy popular meals like General Tao chicken, crispy beef, and spicy ginger chicken. Even if you’re vegetarian, you’ll find tasty options like satay beans with chilies and vegetarian chicken.
Mekong has recently updated its look, creating a simple but classy vibe that makes it a nice place to eat.
It can fit about 16 to 20 people, but the staff is super friendly and helpful. They even have a fun robot that serves food!
Many people love their hot and sour soup and shrimp with eggplant in chili sauce, which really shows how much they care about good food and big portions.
The restaurant is clean and quiet, making it a great place for family dinners or small gatherings. If you’re planning a party or a small wedding, the second floor can hold up to 40 guests.
And, there’s free parking, which is hard to find in downtown Ottawa, although it’s important to know that the restaurant isn’t wheelchair accessible.
Because Mekong is so popular, it’s a good idea to make a reservation if you want to eat there. If you’d rather eat at home, you can order takeout or have food delivered.
To Sum It All Up
In the tasty world of dim sum, Ottawa has some really great places to eat. At Yangtze Restaurant, you can enjoy traditional dishes, while Ha's Dim Sum Noodle House is a cozy spot to relax. Cafe Orient and Jadeland serve up delicious, authentic flavors, and Peking Duck and Yimin Dim Sum House have their own special meals that you won’t want to miss.
And remember, ActiviFinder Ottawa is here to help you find even more fun things to do in the city. So go out, eat delicious food, and enjoy everything that Ottawa has to offer!