As order forms and QR codes become the norm in Hong Kong’s dim sum restaurants, the once-familiar sight of steaming trolleys weaving between tables has gradually faded. Yet a small number of establishments continue to preserve the pushcart tradition, offering diners a nostalgic glimpse into the city’s yum cha culture.
Our reporters have identified 10 remaining restaurants across Hong Kong that still serve dim sum by trolley, ranging from century-old teahouses and estate eateries to venues with sweeping harbor views.
Lin Heung Tea House
With a history spanning more than a century, Lin Heung Tea House remains one of Hong Kong’s most iconic teahouses. After changing hands three times, the Central flagship reopened, followed by the launch of a new Tsim Sha Tsui branch in May this year.
Known for its authentic Guangzhou-style morning tea, Lin Heung continues its signature “one bowl, two pieces” offering around the clock, transporting diners back to old Hong Kong.
Central branch
Address: 160 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong Island
Tel: 2116 0670 / 3491 5855
Hours: Daily, 6am–10.30pm
Tsim Sha Tsui branch
Address: 1–2/F, Cheung Lee Commercial Building, 25 Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: 2320 1318
Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Maxim’s Palace (Edinburgh Place)
Located at Edinburgh Place in Central, Maxim’s Palace is often regarded as the city’s dim sum restaurant with the most scenic view. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls offer a 180-degree panorama of Victoria Harbour, pairing classic trolley service with a refined setting.
Other Maxim’s Palace outlets in Kowloon Bay and Sha Tin also continue the dim sum cart tradition.
Address: 2/F, Lower Block, Hong Kong City Hall, 5–7 Edinburgh Place, Central
Tel: 2521 1303
Hours:
Mon–Sat: 11am–3pm, 5.30pm–11pm
Sun: 9am–3pm, 5.30pm–11pm
Kam Kong Restaurant
Founded in 1909 by the Ngan family, Kam Kong Restaurant is a name deeply rooted in Hong Kong’s dining history. After a 44-year hiatus, the family revived the brand earlier this year.
Adhering to a no-pre-made food philosophy, all dim sum is handmade daily by veteran chefs, with prices starting from HK$25. Diners can find rarely seen classics such as fried taro dumplings and pork tripe siu mei on the trolleys.
Address: Shop 801, 8/F, Gala Place, 56 Dundas Street, Mong Kok
Tel: 2396 3988
Hours: Daily, 7am–11pm
London Restaurant
Located in the heart of Mong Kok, London Restaurant has served traditional dim sum all day since opening in 1979. It is known for its large, specialized dim sum carts, including dedicated steam and frying trolleys, offering an unusually wide variety of items.
Address: G/F, Good Hope Building, 612 Nathan Road, Mong Kok
Tel: 2771 8018
Hours: Daily, 7am–11pm
Dragon’s Pearl Restaurant
Dragon’s Pearl Restaurant in Mong Kok recreates the atmosphere of classic banquet halls from the 1980s and 1990s. Featuring golden dragon carvings, red backdrops, and neon signage, the décor evokes an era when dim sum carts were at their peak.
Two trolleys circulate during each service period, offering handmade dim sum throughout breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Address: Shop A, 2/F, Hollywood Plaza, Mong Kok
Tel: 8300 8142
Hours: Daily, 8am–3pm; 5.30pm–8.30pm
Hoi Lin Restaurant
Tucked inside Fuk Loi Estate in Tsuen Wan, Hoi Lin Restaurant remains a classic neighborhood teahouse. Beyond its pushcart service, it is known for handwritten menus using traditional numerical codes once common in Hong Kong during the 1940s and 1950s.
Address: G/F, Wing Ka House, Fuk Loi Estate, 15–16 Hoi Pa Street, Tsuen Wan
Tel: 2490 3134
Hours: Daily, 5am–2.30pm
Central Restaurant
For nearly 60 years, Central Restaurant has operated in Sham Shui Po with a simple, nostalgic charm. Handwritten calligraphy notices adorn the entrance, while staff push carts through the dining hall, loudly announcing each dish.
The restaurant is especially known for traditional offerings such as roast pork belly buns.
Address: G/F, Tung Lo Court, 140 Tai Po Road, Sham Shui Po
Tel: 2777 6888
Hours: Daily, 6am–3.30pm; 6pm–10pm
Pot Master
Hidden inside Tin Yan Estate in Tin Shui Wai, Pot Master—part of a larger restaurant group—serves claypot dishes alongside traditional dim sum.
Dim sum carts operate during morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea, with prices ranging from HK$13 to HK$35. Trolleys start circulating at 6:30 am and continue until items sell out.
Address: Shop 108, 1/F, Tin Yan Shopping Centre, Tin Yan Estate, Tin Shui Road, Tin Shui Wai
Tel: 3690 2738
Hours: Daily, 6.30am–11.30 pm
Luk On Kui
A descendant of the historic Lin Heung Lau, Luk On Kui has become a popular stop for tourists seeking an authentic yum cha experience. Diners simply raise a hand to stop the trolley and select their dim sum.
Longtime patrons are said to use hand gestures as coded signals for tea choices, adding another layer of tradition to the experience.
Address: 2–3/F, 40–50 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan
Tel: 2156 9328
Hours: Daily, 6am–10pm
The Steam Hut
The Steam Hut opened in February at Kai Tak Mall, bringing dim sum carts into a modern shopping mall setting. Known for freshly made dim sum steamed on site, the restaurant offers varying selections and quantities each day via trolley service.
Address: M3-205, Level 2, Kai Tak Mall 3
Hours:
Mon–Fri: 11am–10pm
Sat–Sun: 9am–10pm
