Sydney’s restaurant scene has no shortage of incredible worldwide restaurants, from Thai hotspots to Italian joints and stellar Indian destinations. When it comes to Chinese cuisine, the best Chinese restaurants in Sydney are home to unmissable yum cha favourites and spicy Szechuan flavours, from the CBD to the Blue Mountains.
In Bondi and Double Bay, discover modern takes on traditional staples in a retro dining space, or head to Bankstown or Darling Harbour for some of the best Cantonese dishes in the city. In Chinatown, enjoy street food across two storeys, or indulge in the freshest seafood in a neon-lit, vibrant dining room. One of the coolest bars in the CBD doubles as an excellent dumpling joint, and Darlinghurst and Botany are home to Hunan flavours passed down through generations.
Wherever you go in Sydney, delicious dishes from across China are never too far away. Secure your table at one of the best Chinese restaurants in Sydney and book your table on OpenTable today.
The 10 best Chinese restaurants in Sydney – read on for a guide
For a night filled with dumplings and cocktails – visit Uncle Ming’s in Sydney’s CBD
Head downstairs and into the dimly lit underground basement that’s home to one of the best Chinese restaurants in Sydney. The menu at Uncle Ming’s is all about small bites that pair perfectly with tasty cocktails, smooth wines or rich spirits. Bite into soft, chewy dumplings filled with pork, prawn or edamame. Then, take a sip of your silky Velvet Underground, combining gin with citrus flavours and rhubarb mistelle. Next, enjoy crunchy vegetable spring rolls with a peppery Sunday Szech made with Szechuan-infused mezcal and Szechuan bitters. Before ordering your dessert, take some time to peruse the dedicated whisky menu, which includes multiple pages of whisky sourced from all around the world. With small tables, Chinese-inspired decor and a warm, red and orange glow, Uncle Ming’s creates an undeniably cool atmosphere. Add on the friendly service, delicious dumplings and creative cocktails, and you’ve got the recipe for a great night out.
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For one of the best Chinese restaurants in Sydney inspired by 1930s Shanghai – head to China Diner in Bondi Beach, Double Bay or Tramsheds
With outposts in Bondi Beach, Double Bay and Tramsheds, China Diner can be found in some of Sydney’s trendiest suburbs. Each location takes a slightly different approach. The Tramsheds is spacious with an elegant dining space and a lovely al fresco terrace, while the Bondi Beach location has a ritzy, retro feel. The Double Bay site has a more intimate feel and diners can choose between comfortable booths and sunny outdoor seating. Each venue showcases a diverse selection of tasty contemporary Cantonese cuisine with an aesthetic flair inspired by 1930s Shanghai. Savour the complex flavours of the prawn and black fungi wontons served with black vinegar and a chilli and sesame sauce. Don’t forget to save time to peruse the drink’s menu, which includes creative cocktails alongside a wide selection of beer, wine and sake.
📍 Bondi Beach — Check availability
📍 Double Bay — Check availability
📍 Tramsheds — Check availability
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For one of the best restaurants in Sydney’s Chinatown – visit East Ocean Restaurant in Haymarket
As the name suggests, seafood − particularly live seafood − is the name of the game at East Ocean Restaurant. Nestled in the heart of Sydney’s Chinatown district, East Ocean Restaurant aims to always serve up traditional Chinese dishes made with high-quality ingredients. Seasonal ingredients bought fresh daily create the basis for bowls of braised crab and shark fin soup and plates of barramundi steamed with diced hot red peppers. Wagyu beef cubes, stir-fried in a hot black pepper sauce and pork ribs served with a tangy black vinegar sauce are just a few of the options available. There’s also an extensive yum cha menu with all your usual favourites. Providing cushioned chairs patterned with colourful fish in a neon-lit, vibrant dining space, East Ocean Restaurant is an easy choice for your next night out.
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For an outstanding Cantonese banquet – book a table at Canton Kitchen in Bankstown
Blending modern and traditional Cantonese cuisine, Canton Kitchen serves up a unique dim sum alongside an extensive à la carte menu. Head chef Jason Chan has spent years refining his skills at some of the best Chinese restaurants in Sydney, Melbourne and Bondi. His culinary journey started in his parents’ restaurant and his creative menu brings new twists to those classic tastes of home. Situated in the busy Bankstown Sports Club, Canton Kitchen keeps things vibrant with bright red lanterns hanging from the ceiling that bask the spacious dining hall in a warm glow. Start things off with some crispy Wagyu cheeseburger spring rolls before ordering some sweet and sour pork served with pickled pineapple to share. Many of the dishes are intended to be ordered for the whole table to enjoy, and the banquet menu is a great way to enjoy the menu’s variety.
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For a lively Cantonese hotspot after a day of shopping – grab a table at MuMian Dining in Darling Harbour
Another Sydney hotspot serving up modern Cantonese flavours is MuMian Dining in Darling Harbour. Step into the light-filled, elegant dining area, with plenty of cosy corners for diners to enjoy their own space. MuMian specialties include duck breast, lightly fried and served in a sweet, stewed plum sauce and salty hand-pulled smoked chicken. The hot and spicy popcorn chicken is a popular item, and the crispy shredded duck noodles come highly recommended by the chef. The seafood menu is particularly extensive here with lobsters, mud crab and fish served up with fragrant ginger, spicy Szechuan flavours or the house XO sauce. Ideally located in Darling Harbour’s Darling Quarter, MuMian is right in the heart of one of Sydney’s busiest areas. So whether you’re planning to go shopping, hit up bars or head to the theatre, consider fueling up at one of Sydney’s best Chinese restaurants.
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For one of the best Chinese restaurants in Sydney for Hunan fare – visit The Chairman in Darlinghurst
First opened in 2008, with a relocation to Darlinghurst in 2022, The Chairman has a well-earned reputation for serving tasty dishes packed with spicy, sour and sweet flavours. Head chef Mrs Ding is the heart and soul of the kitchen, bringing her mother and grandmother’s traditional recipes and techniques to the heart of Sydney. Hunan flavours pack the menu, offering a taste sensation that you won’t get at many other Chinese restaurants in Sydney. Make the most of it by trying dishes like the spicy Hunan-style stir-fried pork served with chilli and leek. Alternatively, dig into a bowl of Hunan-style noodle soup with tender stewed beef. The egg pork rolls are a popular starter, and the okra stir-fried with shiso offers unique earthy flavours. Intricate decorations line the walls, floors and bar, and diners can choose between elegant indoor seating and comfortable outdoor tables.
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For the best dumplings in New South Wales – don’t miss Leura Dumplings in Leura
Out in the Blue Mountains, Leura is home to one of the best dumpling restaurants in New South Wales. Leura Dumplings’ owners and Blue Mountain locals Misha and Ana built a simple, flavour-packed menu that showcases their love for Asian cuisine. Dumplings are certainly the highlight here, with xiao long bao and mushroom gow gee served piping hot in steam baskets. Additional mains like hearty Hainanese chicken rice served with a rich chicken broth and spicy udon noodles stir-fried with house-made chilli ginger round out the menu for extra variety. Pair your dishes with one of the available teas, such as sweet pai mu dan or earthy keemun. Unique interiors with teal-blue walls and bright orange chairs provide a bold contrast with the leafy scenery outside.
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For home-style Hunan fare and sweet dumplings – head over to Mrs. Ding Restaurant in Botany
The sister restaurant to Darlinghurst’s The Chairman, head chef Mrs Ding brings her culinary skills and Hunan flavours (and her name) to the heart of Botany with Mrs. Ding Restaurant. Nourishing, spicy, home-style dishes pack the menu, and the tables at this warmly lit, spacious restaurant. Grab a seat under one of the lovely paintings lining the walls and choose between the spicy house-made sausage and salty Hunan pickled vegetables for a starter. Don’t miss signature dishes like the tender braised pork or the house-smoked pork served with bamboo shoots and chilli. Finish off your meal with some sweet dumplings with the unique bitter-honey flavour of osmanthus. If you’re after distinctive dishes that are hearty, spicy and made with plenty of home-cooked love, book your table at Mrs. Ding today.
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For stellar baos at one of Sydney’s best Chinese restaurants − try Old Town Hong Kong in Haymarket
Spread over two levels in Sydney’s bustling Chinatown district, Old Town Hong Kong serves up classic Hong Kong dishes. Packed with tables, it encourages a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. The house-made yum cha is a particular highlight. Try the piping hot steamed vegetarian dumplings or some classic xiao long bao. The signature baos (also house-made) are soft and fluffy, packed with Peking duck, roast pork and cumin lamb. Old Town Hong Kong offers a few tasting plates with a little bit of everything for the indecisive diner. Beyond these dishes, the extensive menu offers something for everyone including vegetarian san choy bow and gluten-free stir-fried vermicelli with enoki mushroom. Crispy chicken, smooth congee and sweet mango soup are just a few of the dishes that round out the menu.
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For a celebratory feast at one of Sydney’s best Chinese restaurants – don’t miss Redbird in Redfern
Redbird invites diners to grab a seat at the dark wood bar or a chic, cafe-style table and spend as long as they need. Feast on crunchy prawn toast bursting with sweet-chilli flavours, sip the signature gin and tonic made with Peddler’s Shanghai gin and while the night away catching up with old friends or making new connections. Vegetarian options like Sichuan braised Japanese eggplant with fried tofu pair perfectly with a simple, refreshing dessert of fresh watermelon with chilli and lime. The chef’s choice menu (which can also be ordered with a matching wine pairing) is a great option for special occasions.
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Whatever dishes or flavours you’re craving, the best Chinese restaurants in Sydney can sate your appetite. Enjoy a leisurely yum cha for lunch, dig into a Hunan-style feast for dinner and close out the night with cocktails and dumplings in the heart of Sydney. Whether you’re planning a night out with friends, family lunch or date night or you’re just looking to treat yourself, these restaurants promise a memorable experience.
