Best Yum Cha in Sydney

If you love brunch, you’ll be obsessed with yum cha. Yum cha is, traditionally, brunch Chinese-style. It translates directly as ‘drink tea’, but in real terms, it translates as eating various delicious dim sum dishes whilst drinking tea. 

Considering the state's love affair with exceptional Chinese cuisine, it’s quite easy to find good yum cha in Sydney. And it’s even easier to find great yum cha at Crown Sydney. 

Yum cha is a classic staple in Cantonese culture. It’s a common tradition for Cantonese families to gather together on weekend mornings to drink tea and eat endless dim sum treats. It’s common for the elderly to enjoy after their morning tai chi session or walk, and for salespeople to sit down with potential clients and toast over. 

Today, it's served as breakfast or brunch, but can easily be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. So long as you want to enjoy great food with friends, family, or colleagues, you can thoroughly enjoy it doing so with yum cha. Better yet, modern yum cha can include set menus, a la carte menus, and even roving trolleys where you can collectively pick dishes for the table as it trails past. It’s all part of the fun of yum cha. 

In short, it’s a social gathering. Just one that’s focused on the enjoyment of great food and refreshing teas. 

A variety of dishes. Tea. Socialising. Relaxing. It’s easy to see why yum cha is so popular. 

Importantly, yum cha also ties the traditional to the contemporary. Whether you’re a foodie who prefers to stick to the original concepts of a cuisine, or a modernist who enjoys new takes on classic meals, there’s something for everyone to love. 

Of course, humans love to share meals. It’s something we’ve done since time immemorial, be it dining over a campfire or sharing a quick drink at the office water cooler. Breaking bread is a part of our social fabric. Yum cha is simply a delicious and enjoyable way to share a meal with those we love. 

So, where can you find the best yum cha in Sydney? 

Gather together your nearest and dearest, and treat yourselves to an authentic yum cha in the heart of Sydney at Crown. Available 7 days a week, the iconic Golden Century is a relaxed yet spectacular Chinese restaurant. With vast floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge along with the iconic and nostalgic live seafood tanks in the restaurant, the interiors are a peaceful, welcoming fusion of Chinese décor and modern style. 

It’s all about elevated customer service, top quality ingredients, and making unforgettable memories over shared meals. It’s a return to the golden age at Golden Century. 

Must-Try Dishes at Golden Century 

There are more than 80 dishes on the menu at Golden Century. That means you’ll either need the appetite of an Olympian – or a game plan. 

For lunch-time diners, there is a set menu to help make the decision simple. This will introduce you to some of the Golden Century top dishes, including siu mai and steamed rice rolls with shallot and dried shrimps. You can also order other dishes off the menu, including the yum cha staples: har gow, xiao long bao and char siu bao.

Join for dinner and prepare to try a little of everything with the a la carte menu. Steamed dumplings with your favourite filling is an obvious choice, and pan fried bell peppers stuffed with fish paste is a must. Of course, our friendly waitstaff are always happy to offer suggestions if you’re unsure where to start. 

And despite it all being in the midst of a luxury hotel, Golden Century is not a ‘luxury’ dining experience itself. It is casual, family-style dining, with classic Chinese dishes and a comfortable atmosphere. The luxury views are just a bonus. 

Keep it traditional and come in for lunch or brunch over the weekend with the family. Or opt for a contemporary experience by bringing all your friends on a brilliant night out paired with endless delicious bites. You can even swap out the classic tea for a sensational vino.

Add more yum to your Sydney dining experience and end with some cha, cha, cha. Book in a yum cha experience at Golden Century. The more the merrier, and that goes for your dining party and your dim sum dishes. Prepare your game plan by exploring the menu here ahead of time, and give your appetite a pep talk as it prepares for some of the best yum cha in Sydney.