Din Tai Fung at Aria
This open-air, spacious and understatedly elegant restaurant – there are more than 150 global locations, most of them in Asia – is elevated dim sum. Must-orders: chocolate dumplings, crab and pork xiao long bao (the signature soup dumplings) and braised beef noodle soup. You really can’t go wrong, though. 3730 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. (702) 590-8650; Aria.MGMResorts.com
Hong Kong Garden Seafood & Dim Sum Café in Chinatown
The best local dim sum in town based on food, pricing and hours (until 1 a.m. Fridays-Sundays), and the full dim sum menu is always available. The classic must-orders: fried smelt, rice noodle rolls, chicken feet, baked egg custard, baked coconut buns, turnip cake, braised beef tendon, sweet rice in lotus leaves and more. 5300 Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas. (702) 876-3838; HKGardenLasVegas.com
Palette Tea Lounge & Dim Sum in Chinatown
Palette Tea opened in Chinatown in October. The decor is bright, the menu is more modern and limited, and the service is friendly and attentive. Ordered so far at Palette: shrimp toast, stir-fried noodles, crispy dumplings with minced pork (the little chicks; it reminds of fried mochi), abalone siu mai and pork xiao long bao. 4601 Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas. (702) 888-3626; PaletteLV.com
Ping Pang Pong at Gold Coast
Ping Pang Pong is another local dim sum favorite. Remodeled and expanded in 2017, carts are used during the busy daytime hours, and a limited menu is available for dinner. Must-orders: Har gow, shumai, duck, sticky rice, fish balls, pork buns, shrimp noodles, jellyfish, chicken feet and coconut bread. 4000 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas. (702) 247-8136; PingPangPong.net
Washing Potato at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
The first vibe dining dim sum experience in town? It’s fabulous food and fun by chef Alan Yau (Hakkasan, Park Chinois, Wagamama). Must-orders (again, you can’t go wrong): wasabi prawns, scallop shumai, lotus leaf rice, chicken feet, curry cuddle fish, roast duck and braised beef brisket noodle soup. Order desserts and cocktails, too. 2777 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. (702) 678-9000; FontainebleauLasVegas.com
Honorable mention: Tim Ho Wan at Palms Casino Resort. It could have easily made the top five here.
Have we missed any dim sum places? Let Vegas Prime Magazine know at editorial@vegasprime.com.
