Quick answer: Singapore’s dim sum scene has something for every mood and crowd. For halal classics that go till 2 am, Swee Choon and The Dim Sum Place are the ones. If you want an elegant weekend brunch with truffle xiao long bao and skyline views, Hai Tien Lo delivers. Yum Cha and Peach Garden do high tea sets beautifully, while Crystal Jade and TungLok Teahouse keep it reliably refined. All seven shine in their own lane – it just depends on who you’re feeding and what time your craving hits.
Browsing rather than buying today? Best Chinese Food & Dim Sum in Singapore lays out all 51 guides in one place.
Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant
Swee Choon has been holding court on Jalan Besar since 1962, and the queue at midnight tells you everything. This is halal-certified dim sum that does not mess about: har gow, siew mai, and their signature mee suah kueh come out fast and hot, while the salted egg yolk custard buns are the kind of thing that makes you order a second round before the first is finished.
The menu spans old-school staples and a few modern twists, all priced in that sweet spot where you can go big without wincing. It is open Monday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 2:00 am (closed Tuesdays). Bring the whole extended family, or come alone after a late shift – nobody bats an eye.
Address: 183-191 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208882
Phone: +65 6225 7788
sweechoon.com
If your kakis include Muslim friends who keep hearing about dim sum but never get invited, this is the one to fix that. It is also a lifesaver when the hunger hits after 11 pm and you want something more satisfying than prata.
Yum Cha
Up on the second floor of a Chinatown shophouse, Yum Cha leans into the ceremony of dim sum without feeling stiff. Their baked BBQ pork buns are the kind of golden, glossy parcels that make the whole table pause. The dim sum buffets and high tea sets turn a standard brunch into an event, and the Cantonese menu goes deep if you stay for dinner.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 11:00 am to 10:30 pm; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 9:00 am to 10:30 pm. The early weekend start is perfect for recovering from the night before with a pot of jasmine tea and something steamed.
Address: 20 Trengganu Street, #02-01, Singapore 058479
Phone: +65 6372 1717
yumcha.com.sg
If your idea of a good Saturday involves slowly working through a steamer basket countdown with a few close friends, Yum Cha fits that rhythm.
No one bought a spot on this list. If we have overlooked you, say so and we will consider it next time round.
Peach Garden
Peach Garden at Thomson Plaza wraps dim sum in a layer of occasion. The dining room is polished, the xiao long bao are properly soupy, and the deep-fried taro puffs arrive with a crackle that signals oil at exactly the right temperature. Their roasted Peking duck is the kind of dish you plan a birthday around, and the all-you-can-eat dim sum promotions make it easier to justify a third round of custard buns.
Hours run Monday to Friday 11:00 am to 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm, with extended weekend hours from 10:00 am. Book ahead if you are coming on a Sunday – the post-church crowd moves fast.
Address: 301 Upper Thomson Road, #01-88, Thomson Plaza, Singapore 574408
Phone: +65 6254 3383
peachgarden.com.sg
Choose this when you want the meal to feel like a reward – a parent’s milestone birthday, a promotion, or just a Sunday that deserves more than coffee shop fare.
Crystal Jade
Crystal Jade is the name you drop when someone asks for dim sum and you do not want to think too hard. The Holland Village outlet keeps things brisk and polished, turning out silky chee cheong fun, plump siew mai, and baked custard buns with a crackle top that gives way to a molten centre. There is also a proper line-up of double-boiled soups if you are the sort of person who likes to start a meal with something restorative.
Open Monday to Friday 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, and from 10:00 am on weekends and public holidays. The consistency across locations means you can walk in and know exactly what you are getting – useful when you are hosting visitors or a picky auntie.
Address: 241 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278976
Phone: +65 6734 6866
crystaljade.com
It is the solid, no-drama choice – business lunches, family dinners where nobody wants an argument over where to go, and any day you just need a dependable basket of har gow.
Hai Tien Lo
Hai Tien Lo sits on the third floor of Pan Pacific Singapore with a view that does half the work before the first basket lands. It is Michelin-recommended, and the weekend dim sum brunches feel like a gentle flex – truffle xiao long bao, baked BBQ pork puffs, and steamed glutinous rice all plated with the kind of care that says you are not in a hurry. The dining room is hushed and the service moves with a quiet assurance.
They serve daily from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and again from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Reserve at least a few days ahead, especially for the brunch slots.
Address: 7 Raffles Boulevard, Level 3, Pan Pacific Singapore, Singapore 039595
Phone: +65 6826 8240
Pan Pacific – Hai Tien Lo
This is the anniversary lunch, the “let’s dress up for dim sum” spot, or the place to bring someone you want to impress without saying so. If you have a milestone coming up, book it before the rest of Singapore does.
TungLok Teahouse
TungLok Teahouse at Square 2 keeps things quiet and considered. The lava custard buns are the headline act – tap them with a chopstick and the filling flows exactly as it should – but the steamed prawn dumplings and crispy beancurd rolls hold their own. The menu leans on Cantonese classics with a few artisanal touches, and the set dim sum platters are designed for tables that like to share without decision fatigue.
Hours: Monday to Friday 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm; weekends and public holidays from 10:00 am. There is a calm rhythm here that makes it easy to linger over tea.
Address: 10 Sinaran Drive, #01-73, Square 2, Singapore 307506
Phone: +65 6336 6022
tunglokteahouse.com
Good for a mid-afternoon catch-up where nobody is chasing the clock, or for introducing out-of-town relatives to dim sum in a setting that feels thoughtful rather than frantic.
No one bought a spot on this list. If we have overlooked you, say so and we will consider it next time round.
The Dim Sum Place
The Dim Sum Place on North Bridge Road proves halal dim sum can be both generous and modern. Spicy siew mai, truffle mushroom buns, and crispy prawn cheong fun turn up on a menu that reads like a greatest-hits album with a few remixes. The space feels buzzy and unpretentious, and the hours are a godsend: they open daily from 11:00 am straight through to 2:30 am.
Address: 791 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198759
Phone: +65 6655 8787
thedimsumplace.sg
If your supper crew is a mix of dietary needs and you want everyone eating from the same steamer tower, this is your spot. It also works when you want dim sum at 1 am and you refuse to settle for anything less.
How to choose
Start with the practical stuff: halal or not, late-night or daytime, quiet or celebratory. Swee Choon and The Dim Sum Place cover the halal crowd, while Hai Tien Lo and Peach Garden are the ones you book when someone is paying with a credit card that earns miles. Yum Cha and Peach Garden offer high tea sets if you want the meal structured for you, and Crystal Jade is the safe pair of hands when you need zero surprises.
Think about your group. A big, noisy family fits better at Swee Choon than at TungLok Teahouse. A date where you hope the food does the talking? Hai Tien Lo. A post-midnight craving with Muslim kakis? The Dim Sum Place, full stop. Prices do vary – Swee Choon is the most wallet-friendly, while Hai Tien Lo and Peach Garden sit at the higher end. Call ahead for weekend tables at the hotels and Thomson Plaza; walk-ins are easier at the Jalan Besar and North Bridge Road spots.
If you are also planning a full evening out, our guide to Fine Dining Restaurants in Singapore pairs nicely with an afternoon dim sum session. And if you prefer something closer to the heartland, we have covered Restaurants in Toa Payoh for Refined Singaporean as well.
| Restaurant | Halal | Ambience | Standout Dish | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swee Choon | Yes | Casual, nostalgic | Mee Suah Kueh | Late-night groups |
| Yum Cha | No | Elegant Chinatown | Baked BBQ pork buns | Weekend brunch & high tea |
| Peach Garden | No | Opulent | Xiao long bao & Peking duck | Special occasions |
| Crystal Jade | No | Refined, modern | Baked custard buns | Reliable business dining |
| Hai Tien Lo | No | Luxurious, panoramic views | Truffle xiao long bao | Milestone celebrations |
| TungLok Teahouse | No | Serene | Lava custard buns | Quiet gatherings & tea |
| The Dim Sum Place | Yes | Modern, buzzy | Spicy siew mai | Muslim-friendly supper |
Summary
Singapore’s dim sum landscape stretches from 1960s shophouse stalwarts to hotel dining rooms with skyline views. Whether you need halal har gow after midnight or a weekend table where the truffle xiao long bao arrives under a cloche, there is a spot on this list that fits. Grab your crew, pick a time, and remember to book ahead for the ones where the view comes with a waiting list.
Disclaimer: Details like opening hours and menu items can change. Do confirm directly with the restaurant before heading down.
Frequently asked questions
Which dim sum restaurants in Singapore are halal?
Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant and The Dim Sum Place are both halal-certified and offer wide-ranging dim sum menus with classic and modern items.
Which dim sum spots are open late at night?
Swee Choon serves until 2:00 am (closed Tuesdays), and The Dim Sum Place is open daily until 2:30 am, making them solid choices for a late-night dim sum fix.
Where should I go for a special occasion or celebration?
Hai Tien Lo at Pan Pacific Singapore and Peach Garden (multiple locations) both provide a more formal, polished atmosphere suited to birthdays, anniversaries and milestone dinners.
Do any of these restaurants offer dim sum high tea or buffet sets?
Yes, Yum Cha and Peach Garden both run high tea and buffet-style dim sum promotions, which can be a good fit for group gatherings and leisurely afternoons.
Are reservations needed, or can I walk in?
For Hai Tien Lo and weekend dim sum at Peach Garden, booking ahead is strongly recommended. Swee Choon, Crystal Jade and TungLok Teahouse generally welcome walk-ins, though popular hours can still fill up.
What is the general price range across these dim sum restaurants?
Swee Choon is the most budget-friendly. Crystal Jade, Yum Cha and TungLok Teahouse sit in the mid-range, while Hai Tien Lo and Peach Garden are positioned at the higher end.
