If you’re craving for those juicy, bite-sized wonders, visiting Dumplings of China at Home Street would be a wise choice. We noticed that the place was a bit tiny, but charming; we quite liked its contrasting white and wood aesthetic.

This place is known for their authentic, handmade Chinese dumplings. And, these aren’t your ordinary dumplings – we’re talking about rainbow dumplings that add a pop of colour to your plate, and inventive options like cuttlefish and beef and onion. 

They offer a variety of meal companions for your dim sum, from rice and noodles to soul-soothing soups and sizzling griddle pot wonders. Vegetarian dumplings are also available, filled with carrots, vermicelli, black mushrooms, and egg – yum!

Having devoured the rainbow dumplings, we can assure you that they’re not only visually appealing but also incredibly fresh and tasty. Don’t forget to pair it with plum juice; its sweet-tartness contrasts refreshingly with our dim sum’s rich flavours.

While the dumplings are worth the wait, be prepared for your order to take some time to arrive. Remember, these are all handmade (and delicious!).

Plus, if you’re craving a pint of beer or a cocktail to complement your meal, you’d need to go somewhere else afterwards since they don’t serve alcohol.

For those looking to have food delivered, do note that Dumplings of China limits their delivery range.

Hailed by reviewers as having the ‘best dim sum in Edinburgh,’ we went to Imperial Palace next to check if they live up to the hype. Spoiler Alert: They do!

They specialise in authentic Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine, available for both sit-down feasts and convenient takeout. The offerings range from a diverse a la carte menu to the star of the show: their dim sum and Chinese dishes.

I was very happy after sampling their shrimp dim sum, drenched in their secret chilli sauce; the balance of salt and spice was addicting. Their pork and radish dumplings also had us at the first bite!

A fellow reviewer who hails from Hong Kong was pleasantly surprised to discover a dim sum spot here that could rival some back in her hometown – high praise indeed.

We also appreciate their wide range of vegetarian and gluten-free dishes that not all dim sum places offer. 

Another unique feature is their extensive wine list. This option, paired with their yummy dim sum, is ideal for those wanting to make a night of it.

Sadly, Imperial Palace takes a breather on Wednesdays, so plan your visits accordingly. 

And, if you’re craving dim sum, remember it’s only an option until 5:30 PM. 

As for deliveries, they’re only able to whisk your orders from 5 PM to 10 PM.

Next, we decided to try Street of Beijing, a family-owned Chinese eatery that has been serving dim sum since 2018. Unlike other dim sum places, they’re open until 12 AM, allowing you to enjoy authentic Chinese flavours even late at night.

Their menu offers a range of classic Chinese dishes, as well as modern creations. They use traditional ingredients (think scallions, soy sauce, etc.) and cooking methods to really add authenticity to their dishes.

Vegetarians and vegans are in for a treat, with their wide variety of plant-based options. And to wash down your dim sum, they offer a diverse selection, including soy milk, herbal teas, beers, and more.

We tried one of their specialties: wontons. They were crispy and irresistible, especially paired with their sweet spicy sauce.

But, the real showstopper was their pork and chive dumplings. The depth of the pork and the freshness of the chived were quite wonderful.

We were also pleasantly surprised by their Chinese homemade soy milk. It has a creamy and slightly nutty taste, which we loved.

While the culinary experience excels, their staff appeared to disregard the need to clear our plates, even when we could see that they were not doing anything.

Additionally, compared to other dining choices, it’s worth noting that Street of Beijing could potentially exceed your budget by a teeny tiny margin.

Having earned a spot among UberEats users’ top 10 favourite delivery places, Noodles and Dumplings looked like a must-try for dim sum aficionados.So off we went to give it a try!

Right off the bat, we appreciated its laid-back setup with seating both upstairs and downstairs. It has a cosy, Chinese hole-in-the-wall vibe that foodies would love.

What’s more, it’s conveniently located just a half-mile stroll from Edinburgh Old Town, making it an accessible choice for tourists and locals alike.

For those embracing a vegetarian lifestyle, Noodles and Dumplings offers a variety of tasty options. Their bestsellers include their steamed vegetable dumplings and vegetable fried noodles.

If hearty servings are your thing, you’re in for a treat here. Noodles and Dumplings gave us huge portions, which was a great surprise.

In terms of food, we adore their pork wontons, a delightful blend of savoury succulence with a perfectly balanced filling. It paired really well with their handmade chicken fried noodles.

Adding to these positives is their affordability. The large portions combined with delicious flavours created a very satisfying and wallet-friendly dining experience for us.

Do note that it’s a cash-only establishment, so remember to have some bills on hand to enjoy your meal hassle-free. 

Take note though,  Noodles and Dumplings doesn’t offer alcoholic beverages. Those looking to pair beer with their dim sum would need to go elsewhere.

Of course, we wanted to have dim sum somewhere fancy, so we went to Tattu Edinburgh. To be honest, it’s probably one of the most beautiful restaurants I’ve ever seen.

It had a seamless blend of classic Chinese design with a modern twist. Shimmering surfaces introduce a contemporary edge, while the gentle grace of Sakura blossoms added a touch of magic to our night.

For dim sum options, I highly recommend their chicken truffle shumai. The earthy richness of truffle expertly mingled with the succulent tenderness of chicken, making it one of the best shumais I’ve ever had.

A close runner-up is their surf and turf shumai. We thought the flavours of the succulent beef short rib and the perfectly-cooked red prawn were perfectly balanced.

Moving on to the Asian pear sticky toffee pudding. We all agreed that the juiciness of a pear paired perfectly with the comforting taste of toffee.

For those with specific diets, they offer options for vegetarians, vegans, and those avoiding gluten.

Unlike other dim sum restaurants, they have a full bar where they craft beautiful cocktails to complement your meal. A must try is their signature drink, ‘The Celestial Dragon.’

A cherry on top is that they’re open all week, so you don’t have to wait for a specific day to indulge.

Do note that reservations are a must. This enchanting place is a hot spot, so it’s wise to secure your spot in advance. 

As expected, the prices are also a bit higher – it’s definitely not a place for a budget meal. And, don’t forget your card at home because Tattu doesn’t accept cash payments.