Eight exceptional Chinese restaurants to try in and around Sydney

There’s always a queue at New Shangai, the certifiable Chinese food giant with branches across Australia, China and Dubai. There’s good reason for it too, the food here is elite and you’ll want to stuff more xiao long bao in than you can manage.

Once you’ve successfully fought through a horde of hungry diners to secure yourself a seat, working through the sprawling menu filled with Shanghainese delights will lead you to their signature dumplings, pan-fried buns, kung pao chicken, fragrant crispy duck, and breaded eggplant strip tossed with Sichuan sauce.

Know what else is certifiably delicious at New Shanghai? Their $41 Chicken Xiao Long Bao. Simply amazing.

This modern loft-style restaurant is slick and not what you might expect when hunting for a spot with authentic Chinese food. Brilliant contemporary decor aside, Old Town serves up classic Chinese dishes that’ll put a smile on your face.

Try the Peking duck here once and you’ll be as good as hooked; the meat is succulent and tender, the skin perfectly bronzed and crispy, and the pancakes the perfect accompaniment.

Other plates on the extensive menu here are equally as tempting and you can get individual meals like their steamed rice with pan-fried eggs and BBQ pork, assorted BBQ meat with noodles, and beef brisket noodle soup. Try their array of exquisite yum cha or bring a crowd and spring for their generous serves of sharing plates like pipis drenched in XO sauce.

Old Town Hong Kong is also featured in our late night eats in Sydney guide.

Power chef duo Dan Hong and Jowett Yu struck gold with Mr.Wong, a sprawling CBD venue that’s one of the city’s top picks for contemporary Cantonese cuisine that’s larger than life. A favourite of foodies all across Sydney, Mr. Wong is undeniably a must-try and if you haven’t yet, you’re missing out.

This Chinese fine-diner is lavish and extremely skilled in what they do. Steamed bamboo baskets and pork and prawn shumai enchant the lunch rush hour while dinner charms crowds with King crab fried rice, mapo tofu, and sweet & sour crispy pork hock.

Order the $32 king crab fried rice for flavours that your tastebuds will thank you for.

Set right in the heart of bustling Haymarket, this global chain specialises in hotpot and Chinese-Macanese cuisine, and that means rich, flavourful broth paired with premium meats and seafood.

At the Dolar Shop, Hotpot is one of the best ways to treat yourself to a comfort meal and hotpot here starts with picking a soup flavour from the 6 available options (when in doubt, spare rib and hot & spicy Szechuan broth never fail).

There’s a self-serve station featuring delectable sauces and sides, the essential accompaniment to hotpot. Protein options here range from some of Australia’s finest seafood picks (think wild peony shrimp and Australian abalone) to cuts of meat like A5 wagyu beef and hand-cut prime short rib.

Xi’an Eatery has been a Sydney noodle institution for years now, serving up steaming bowls of their signature Biang Biang noodles featuring wide thick-cut noodles topped with pork bits, strips of scrambled egg, minced garlic, shallots, chilli flakes, and a final splash of hot oil.

This is carb heaven at its finest and every noodle lover is bound to love what must be one of Sydney’s best Biang Biang noodle dishes. Mixed together, the bowl becomes an umami bomb that’s the Chinese comfort food equivalent of a warm hug. Grab a rou jia mo (pocket-shaped bun with fatty pork) to seal the deal and leave on a food coma high.

The $12.80 Signature Biang Biang noodles is a standout dish at Xi’an Eatery worth checking out.

If you’re after yum cha in the city, there’s no dining room like the dining room at Palace Chinese. A flurry of trolley-carts with baskets of har gow dumplings and prawn rice rolls on any given day, the atmosphere here is perpetually loud and lively.

While the prices may be steeper, you pay for the quality you get and every basket you order here boasts top of the line flavour and ingredients. Service is quick and to the point, and when you’re craving Cantonese fare that’s all-around authentic, Palace Chinese is where you go.

Palace Chinese is also featured in our Ultimate guide to the best Asian restaurants in Sydney.

The line snaking out of the entrance of this shiny establishment is only half there for the remarkable Peking duck, the other half are there for the unique Northeastern Chinese cuisine served in a grand dining hall unlike others you’d find in the city.

Beijing ImpressionWith family recipes passed down over generations and modern, innovative concoctions sitting side by side on the menu, you’ll find the likes of braised boneless pork feet, braised sea cucumber and grilled pork belly, and Chinese-style meatballs. That’s not to say you should skip out on the Peking duck, though because you should do yourself a favour and just order it.

Beijing Impression’s special roast duck is also worth a notable mention as an item to add to your order.

True no-frills Cantonese fare lives on at what might potentially be one of Sydney’s most underrated Chinese restaurants.

Hurstville Chinese Restaurant is a favourite with the locals for every occasion; From a quick weeknight fix to a family birthday lunch, the extensive menu here offers something for everyone (and every option tastes no less amazing). With huge bowls of congee, deep-fried spare ribs and honey prawns on offer, it’s easy to lose yourself in the flurry of friendly Cantonese chatter from waitstaff, and the delicious aroma of food wafting from adjacent tables.

If you’re after a celebration, their seafood banquets are perfect with courses of mud crab, lobster, and noodles on offer. Overall, Hurstville’s is one of the most charming and authentic Cantonese places you’ll visit in Sydney (or we might even say Australia).

Get your yum on with their $25.80 Pork spare ribs with vinegar sauce & black pepper.