Where to eat the best dim sum in Washington, D.C.

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Far East is one of the go-to dim sum spots in the DMV, and for good reason: the carts that circulate through the big space from 11am-3pm on weekends are packed with sweet and savory treats. This authentic spot has all the traditional dim sum dishes like chao shu bao and shumai, plus some specials. The juicy, fresh shrimp dumplings always hit the spot, as do the desserts like sesame nalls with lotus paste.

Keep in mind that the packed dining room can get chaotic on weekends, so don't expect a quick pitstop—block out a couple hours to eat here.

Time Out tip: Lines on weekends can be brutal, so it may be worth trying to go during the week. However, know that the weekday dim sum menu isn't as extensive. 

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This casual Cantonese restaurant has long been a Woodley Park landmark, and has two more locations in the District in Georgetown and Barracks Row. Another bonus? Each dish tastes especially fresh, and should probably cost more than it does based on how good it is—everything here is priced so you won't sweat ordering a bunch of plates. The vibey interior helps, too.

It's dumplings galore at Han Palace, with flavors including: chicken and vegetable, crab meat, scallop, and shrimp and chive. The rest of the dim sum options are the usual suspects done extremely well including pan-fried dumplings, buns, rolls, and beef and scallion pancakes.

Time Out tip: The pickles here are particularly delicious. Don't leave without getting one of the prettiest dishes in D.C.: the gold dusted purple gold yolk buns.

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Like many of the area’s most popular dim sum depots, Hong Kong Pearl is located in the Seven Corners neighborhood of Falls Church. The venue seems to inspire the most devoted fans, who flock to this no-frills dining room—despite the dicey parking situation—for dim sum served all day, every day until well after midnight. Focus on the seafood, of course, but you’ll also want to try the Singapore curry noodles and spicy pork chops.

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You can't go wrong with any dish at Mama Chang, famed chef Peter Chang's elegant and airy restaurant in Fairfax, but you should definitely try the dim sum brunch here.

The menu is more curated and not as large as other places offering dim sum, but each one is delicoius. Pop in for brunch to try succulent shrimp dumplings, pork and beef shumai, steamed custard buns, turnip cakes with XO paste, chive pancake, pineapple egg yolk buns, Sichuan cold noodles, and much more.

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Most Washingtonians don’t know that A&J is actually based in California. Never you mind: they will defend it to the death as one of the very best dim sum restaurants in the DMV. With two DC locations—Rockville and Annandale—this is an absolute must-visit. Try anything with house-made noodles, plus the spicy, garlicky cucumber salad and the scallion pancakes.

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An area staple for more than 20 years, Mark's Duck House is a perennial favorite that's regularly packed during prime dim sum hours at lunch and brunch. When the dim sum trolley rolls by, order the pan-fried chive dumplings, egg tarts, stuffed crab claws, and shrimp dumplings. Weekends and holidays bring a roster of rotating specials like steamed jumbo oysters and abalone dumplings.

Maketto, chef and restaurateur Erik Bruner-Yang’s beloved Atlas District hot spot puts its own twist on dim sum with its Sunday brunch, offered from 11:30am–3pm. In true modern-chef fashion, the menu changes and only about 20 items are offered weekly, but devotees love the turnip cake with XO crumble, the mala cucumbers and the pork steamed bao. Adventurous souls will want to try the anchovy peanut brittle.

We love anything made by the resident baker, so definitely save room for an egg custard tart (or two). Note that the restaurant takes reservations for dinner but not for brunch.

This Hong Kong bistro in Blagden Alley is a great place to eat dim sum with friends. The menu at Tiger Fork includes crispy chili wontons, stir fried brocolli, green beans, and jah leung, a fried pastry wrapped in rice noodles and garlic soy sauce.

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Bob's gets all the shine when it comes to dumpling destinations in Rockville, but don't overlook Shanghai Taste. This small eatery has plentiful, tasty dim sum options to tide you over. 

As for what to order? This lowkey spot is best known for its xiao long bao—aka, XLB or soup dumplings, which are extremely difficult to find in this area. (It’s even harder to find them done well.) You can't go wrong with any type of dumpling here, but one to seek out is the one stuffed with crabmeat and pork.

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Head to this liveley Logan Circle spot for a huge variety of flavorful small plates. Don't skip the egg tarts and salt and pepper squid—two of the best dishes at Da Hong Pao.