Melbourne does not do anything by halves when it comes to food, and dumplings are no exception. Walk through the CBD on any given evening and you will pass steaming bamboo baskets stacked in restaurant windows, hear the sizzle of potstickers hitting cast iron pans and catch the faint scent of black vinegar drifting out of laneway doorways. Dumplings here are not an afterthought on a Chinese menu. They are a serious pursuit, debated with the same passion Melburnians bring to coffee, footy and which suburb has the best brunch.
What makes this city’s dumpling scene genuinely special is its range. Within a few city blocks, you can eat your way through Shanghainese xiao long bao, Shandong-style thick-skinned pork and chive pockets, Sichuan wontons in chilli oil, Japanese gyoza charred to perfection, Nepalese momos tossed in sticky sauce, and contemporary dumpling-forward menus that blur the line between casual and fine dining. The suburbs push things further still, with family-run spots in Box Hill, Footscray and Richmond that have kept the same loyal regulars coming back for decades.
This guide covers the Melbourne dumpling restaurants worth your time and your appetite, drawn from real diner reviews, local knowledge and the kind of honest food judgment that comes from actually eating at these places rather than just photographing them. Whether you are planning a Chinatown crawl, hunting for cheap eats under twenty dollars, or willing to book weeks ahead for something more refined, this is where to start.
At a Glance: Melbourne’s Best Dumpling Restaurants
| Restaurant | Location | Price Range | Rating | Best For |
| Aunty’s Dumplings | Carlton | $1-20 | 4.9 (147) | Handmade, cosy, intimate |
| Dumpling Max | Richmond | $1-20 | 4.8 (338) | Fresh, watch them make it |
| HEARTLING | Melbourne CBD | $60-160 | 4.8 (71) | Fine dining dumplings |
| Yum Sing House | Sutherland St | $60-120 | 4.7 (759) | Pork & prawn, upscale |
| The George on Collins | Collins St CBD | $60-140 | 4.7 (4.7K) | Wagyu, upscale Asian |
| Hoppy Dumpling Russell | CBD | $1-20 | 4.6 (496) | Fresh potstickers, beer |
| ShanDong MaMa Mini | Centre Pl CBD | $20-40 | 4.6 (972) | Mackerel dumplings |
| Yulongfu Steamed Buns | Bourke St | $40-60 | 4.6 (832) | Truffle xiao long bao |
| Lucy Liu Kitchen | Oliver Ln CBD | $40-120 | 4.6 (2.7K) | Bao, modern Asian |
| Dumpling Time Block Place | Block Pl CBD | $1-20 | 4.6 (86) | Pork & celery, budget |
| Long Dragon Dumpling | Kings Way | $20-40 | 4.4 (515) | Crispy, juicy staples |
| Fortune Dumpling | Little Bourke St | $20-40 | 4.5 (549) | Warm, mouthwatering |
| Dumplings Plus | Watergardens | $20-40 | 4.5 (1.4K) | Suburban, reliable |
| Song’s Dumplings | Clarendon St | $20-40 | 4.3 (454) | Chilli oil wontons |
| HuTong | Market Lane | $20-40 | 4.1 (2.3K) | XLB institution |
| Shanghai Village | Little Bourke St | $20-40 | 4.1 (3.4K) | Wagyu beef, bustling |
| Juicy Bao | Little Bourke St | $20-40 | 4.2 (1.7K) | Crab pork XLB |
| ShanDong MaMa | Bourke St Arcade | $20-40 | 4.1 (1.4K) | Squid ink, sea urchin |
| New Shanghai Melb Central | Melbourne Central | $20-40 | 4.3 (571) | Pork & cabbage freshness |
| Best Dumpling | Bayswater | $20-40 | 4.5 (202) | Prawn toast, suburban |
The Standout Spots Worth Seeking Out
Aunty’s Dumplings – Carlton (4.9 Stars)
Address: 117 Cardigan St, Carlton
The highest-rated dumpling spot on this entire list, and arguably one of the most loveable small restaurants in the city. Aunty’s Dumplings operates out of a cosy Carlton space that feels more like someone’s home than a commercial kitchen, and that is precisely the point. Everything is handmade, folded to order, and assembled with the kind of care that is immediately visible the moment you sit down. The dumplings are not trying to be trendy or fusion-forward. They are simply very good at being exactly what they are: beautiful little parcels of well-seasoned filling wrapped in fresh dough. Specialty fillings including scallop and octopus make appearances for those willing to go beyond the classics. Book ahead — this place fills up.
Dumpling Max – Victoria Street, Richmond (4.8 Stars)
Address: 70 Victoria St, Richmond
Victoria Street in Richmond is Melbourne’s other great dumpling corridor, and Dumpling Max sits near the top of it. The appeal is threefold: the dumplings are made fresh on the premises, the price point stays well under twenty dollars for a solid feed, and watching the staff work is genuinely entertaining. The rhythm of the folding, the rows of finished dumplings lined up before cooking, the easy confidence of hands that have done this thousands of times — it is kitchen theatre that does not feel staged. The dumplings themselves are superb: plump, tender-skinned and full of flavour without relying on sauce to do the heavy lifting.
HEARTLING – Tom Thumb Lane (4.8 Stars)
Address: 32 Tom Thumb La, Melbourne CBD | Opens 6pm
If most dumpling restaurants are a casual Tuesday dinner, HEARTLING is a Saturday night occasion. This intimate CBD laneway restaurant takes dumplings into a completely different register — slow dining, high-quality ingredients, attentive service and an environment designed for lingering. The heart-shaped dumplings have become a signature visual, but the substance absolutely matches the style. Diners consistently praise the ingredient quality and the sense that every element on the plate has been considered carefully. The price point sits at $60 to $160 per head. If budget is a concern, this is not the spot. If you want to understand what dumpling making can look like when treated as genuine culinary craft, it very much is.
Hoppy Dumpling Russell Street (4.6 Stars)
Address: 164 Russell St, Melbourne CBD
Hoppy Dumpling has carved out a distinct niche by pairing excellent fresh-made dumplings with quality craft beers, and the combination works better than it might sound on paper. The potstickers — made fresh, piping hot and consistently delivered with that elusive combination of crispy base and juicy interior — are the main event. The Russell Street location draws a solid mix of office workers, CBD regulars and visitors who stumbled in from the nearby arts precinct and stayed longer than planned. At under twenty dollars for a meaningful feed, it also represents some of the best value in the city centre.
ShanDong MaMa Mini – Centre Place (4.6 Stars)
Address: 5 Centre Pl, Melbourne CBD
The Mini version of ShanDong MaMa captures all the soul of the original in a slightly more accessible package. Shandong-style dumplings differ noticeably from the Shanghainese variety that dominates many Melbourne menus: the skins are thicker, the fillings more robustly seasoned and the overall experience heartier. The famous Spanish mackerel dumplings remain a talking point and a genuine reason to visit — there is very little else in Melbourne Chinese cuisine that delivers that particular combination of briny depth and delicate wrapper. For a quick but memorable CBD lunch, this laneway spot consistently delivers.
Yulongfu Steamed Buns Restaurant – Bourke Street (4.6 Stars)
Address: 136 Bourke St, Melbourne
Officially classified as a steamed bun restaurant, Yulongfu earns its place in any dumpling conversation thanks to the truffle xiao long bao that has developed a devoted following among Melbourne food enthusiasts. The restaurant blends Cantonese and Sichuan influences across a menu that rewards adventurous ordering. Service is consistently praised as warm and attentive — not always a given in high-volume city dining. The price range sits at $40 to $60 per head, which feels entirely justified once the food arrives.
Lucy Liu Kitchen and Bar – Oliver Lane (4.6 Stars, 2,700+ Reviews)
Address: 23 Oliver Ln, Melbourne CBD
Lucy Liu occupies a sweet spot between accessible and impressive that few city restaurants achieve consistently. The bao dumplings have their own vocal fan base, and the broader Asian-inspired menu gives diners plenty of reason to linger. The laneway setting offers atmosphere that the more functional Chinatown spots cannot match, and the bar program makes it a credible choice for drinks alongside a dumpling-focused meal. With over 2,700 reviews averaging 4.6 stars, the consistency is evident. This is not a place built on novelty — it has earned its reputation over time.
Chinatown and the CBD Classics
HuTong Dumpling Bar – Market Lane (4.1 Stars, 2,300+ Reviews)
Address: 14-16 Market Ln, Melbourne | Opens 5:30pm
HuTong is the institution. It has been operating long enough that many Melburnians had their first proper xiao long bao experience here, and the open kitchen — where chefs fold dumplings in full view of diners — remains one of the most compelling pieces of food theatre in the city. The signature soup-filled parcels are made fresh throughout service, which matters enormously when it comes to that moment when the skin breaks and the broth releases. The rating sits lower than some newer entrants on this list, largely because its profile attracts visitors with very high expectations. The dumplings themselves remain very good. Book ahead or arrive at opening.
Fortune Dumpling – Little Bourke Street (4.5 Stars)
Address: 198 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
Fortune Dumpling earns consistent praise for doing the basics right without fuss. The dumplings are mouthwatering and the service is warm and welcoming — a combination that is more rare than it should be in busy Chinatown precincts. The price point at $20 to $40 per head makes it a solid choice for groups wanting to order widely without the meal becoming expensive.
Juicy Bao – Little Bourke Street (4.2 Stars)
Address: Shop 2/178-190 Little Bourke St
The kitchen window display at Juicy Bao pulls in passers-by who then stay for a full meal, and the crab and pork xiao long bao are the reason. Flavour depth is the genuine differentiator here — these dumplings burst with well-balanced filling rather than relying on a novelty gimmick. The bamboo steamers stacked on waiters navigating a busy dining room on a weekend evening is a very particular kind of Melbourne dining theatre.
Shanghai Village – Little Bourke Street (4.1 Stars, 3,400+ Reviews)
Address: 112 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
The sheer volume of reviews at Shanghai Village speaks to how many Melburnians have passed through its doors. The wagyu fried beef dish gets strong mentions alongside the dumplings, which makes it a good choice for a table wanting to range more widely across the menu. Bustling, affordable and reliable — the kind of Chinatown restaurant that does not need to reinvent itself because it gets the fundamentals right.
Dumpling Time Block Place – Block Place (4.6 Stars)
Address: 26 Block Pl, Melbourne CBD | Closes 5:30pm
Tucked into the CBD’s quiet laneway grid, Dumpling Time offers excellent value and genuinely fresh product at a budget-friendly price. The pork and celery dumplings are the standout — juicy, well-seasoned and satisfying without any pretension. It closes early relative to competitors, which makes it a strong lunch and early afternoon option rather than a dinner destination.
New Shanghai – Melbourne Central (4.3 Stars)
Address: Level 3, Cnr LaTrobe and Swanston St, Melbourne Central
New Shanghai at Melbourne Central slots neatly into the pre- or post-shopping feed category, but it would be a disservice to leave it at that. The handcrafted dumplings here — pork and cabbage, chicken and prawn — are made fresh each day using local ingredients, and the results are tender, perfectly cooked and full of flavour. Convenient for anyone starting or ending a shopping trip, and genuinely good enough to visit independently.
Beyond the CBD: Neighbourhood Gems
Song’s Dumplings – Clarendon Street, South Melbourne (4.3 Stars)
Address: 212 Clarendon St, South Melbourne
Song’s has a devoted local following built around one particular dish: wontons in spicy chilli oil. The description of silky smooth dumplings in fragrant, spicy oil is not marketing copy — it reflects a dish that is genuinely worth travelling to South Melbourne for. The broader menu is solid, but if you visit and do not order the chilli oil wontons, you have missed the entire point of the place.
Long Dragon Dumpling House – Kings Way, South Melbourne (4.4 Stars)
Address: 322 Kings Way, South Melbourne
Crispy and juicy in equal measure is the consistent verdict from Long Dragon regulars, and achieving both simultaneously is actually harder than it sounds. The South Melbourne location gives it a loyal suburban customer base that prefers a short drive to a long tram ride into Chinatown, and the restaurant rewards that loyalty with consistency. Portions are reliable and the price range keeps it accessible for regular visits.
Dumplings Plus – Watergardens (4.5 Stars, 1,400+ Reviews)
Address: R03B/399 Watergardens Cct Rd
The northwest Melbourne suburbs are not always included in CBD-focused food guides, which makes this omission a genuine disservice to anyone living in that part of the city. Dumplings Plus at Watergardens has accumulated over 1,400 reviews at a 4.5-star average — numbers that reflect a restaurant doing something very right over a sustained period. Fresh, flavourful dumplings and consistent execution have built exactly the kind of suburban institution that inner-city food media tends to overlook.
Best Dumpling – Mountain Highway, Bayswater (4.5 Stars)
Address: 660 Mountain Hwy, Bayswater
Another outer-suburb entry worth tracking down. Best Dumpling in Bayswater earns particular mentions for its prawn toast alongside the pork dumplings — an underrated combination that the eastern suburbs seem to do particularly well. The surrounding suburb context makes this a natural neighbourhood anchor rather than a destination restaurant, but the quality absolutely justifies a dedicated trip.
Yum Sing House – Sutherland Street (4.7 Stars)
Address: 22 Sutherland St | Opens 5:30pm
Yum Sing House sits at a higher price point than most on this list, but the sticky pork ribs and pork and prawn dumplings that reviewers consistently flag as must-try dishes justify the spend. The Pan Asian menu ranges widely, and the overall experience leans toward occasion dining rather than casual eat-and-go. With 759 reviews at 4.7 stars, the strong reputation is well established.
The George on Collins (4.7 Stars, 4,700+ Reviews)
Address: 162-168 Collins St, Melbourne
Strictly speaking, The George on Collins is not a dumpling specialist — it is a broader Asian dining venue with a very strong following. But the wagyu noodles and dumplings draw repeated specific mentions in reviews, and with 4,700-plus reviews at 4.7 stars it is one of the most comprehensively praised restaurants on this entire list. Anyone building a dumpling-centred Melbourne food itinerary should know about it.
A Quick Guide to Melbourne’s Dumpling Styles
Not all dumplings are created equal, and understanding the differences helps you order smarter. Here is what you will encounter across Melbourne’s best restaurants:
| Dumpling Style | Origin | What to Expect |
| Xiao Long Bao | Shanghai | Soup-filled steamed parcels; broth bursts on first bite. Delicate skins, pork or crab and pork filling. |
| Guotie (Potstickers) | Northern China | Pan-fried on one side for a crispy base, steamed on top. Usually pork and cabbage or pork and chive. |
| Wonton | Cantonese / Sichuan | Thin-skinned, boiled in soup or tossed in chilli oil. Sichuan versions are spicier and more complex. |
| Shandong Jiaozi | Shandong Province | Thicker-skinned than Cantonese dumplings. Robust fillings like mackerel, lamb and leek or pork and cabbage. |
| Gyoza | Japanese (via China) | Crescent-shaped, crispy-bottomed. Pork or prawn filling, served with soy-vinegar dipping sauce. |
| Momo | Nepal / Tibet | Steamed or pan-fried, filled with chicken, buff or vegetables. Served with tomato-based dipping sauce. |
| Har Gow | Cantonese / Yum Cha | Steamed prawn dumplings with translucent skins. A yum cha staple and quality test of any Cantonese kitchen. |
| Siu Mai | Cantonese / Yum Cha | Open-topped steamed dumplings, pork and prawn, topped with fish roe or carrot. Another yum cha essential. |
Tips for Getting the Most From Melbourne’s Dumpling Scene
Go on a Weekday Where You Can
The best dumpling restaurants in Melbourne fill up fast on Friday and Saturday evenings, and queues at places like ShanDong MaMa Mini and HuTong can stretch beyond forty-five minutes on peak nights. Weekday lunches and early dinners offer the same food with considerably less waiting. The CBD spots in particular benefit from a lunchtime visit when kitchen staff are fresh and production is at its peak.
Order More Than You Think You Need
Dumplings are filling but deceptive. A basket of six xiao long bao disappears in minutes and you immediately want another. Most Melbourne dumpling restaurants price their serves generously — at places like Hoppy Dumpling and Dumpling Time, you can eat very well for under twenty dollars — but pacing your orders to allow for seconds is standard practice.
Bring Cash to Smaller Places
While most dumpling restaurants now accept cards, some of the smaller, family-run spots — often the ones with the best value and most authentic food — still operate cash-preferred or cash-only. Check before you arrive to avoid awkwardness at the counter.
Learn the Dipping Sauce Approach
Standard Melbourne dumpling dipping involves soy sauce and black vinegar, sometimes with chilli oil or fresh ginger. The ratio matters. For delicate xiao long bao, minimal sauce lets the broth do the work. For heartier Shandong-style jiaozi, a more aggressive vinegar-heavy dip cuts through the fat of the filling. Ask the restaurant staff for their recommended approach — most are genuinely happy to guide first-timers.
Pair Dumplings With the Right Extras
Most dumpling restaurants offer supporting dishes that make the meal significantly more satisfying. Cold silken tofu, tea eggs, cucumber salad and clay pot eggplant are classic accompaniments. At more substantial venues like The George on Collins or Lucy Liu, the broader menu is worth exploring rather than treating the dumplings as the entire meal.
Final Word
Melbourne’s dumpling scene rewards exploration far more than it rewards loyalty to a single restaurant. The range of styles, price points, suburb locations and dining formats means there is a genuinely different dumpling experience available every time you go looking for one. The CBD is the obvious starting point, but the further out you go, the more surprising and satisfying the discoveries tend to be.
Start with wherever is most convenient and most affordable. Follow your way up toward the restaurants that take more time and cost more money. Pay attention to the details — the skin thickness, the filling balance, the moment the broth hits your palate — and you will quickly develop opinions of your own about where the best dumplings in Melbourne actually live. That ongoing debate is, for most regulars in this city, a large part of the point.
The restaurants on this list have all earned their place through consistency, craft and the honest testimony of diners who keep coming back. Melbourne’s dumpling scene is not static — new spots open, quality shifts and crowd favourites evolve — but the spots listed here represent the current standard worth measuring everything else against.
All restaurants listed are based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Check individual venues for current trading hours and booking requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best dumplings in Melbourne CBD?
For the CBD and immediate surrounds, the strongest options are Aunty’s Dumplings in Carlton, ShanDong MaMa Mini in Centre Place, Hoppy Dumpling on Russell Street, HuTong in Market Lane and HEARTLING in Tom Thumb Lane. Each delivers a different experience at a different price point, so the right answer depends on whether you want budget-friendly and casual or something more considered and occasion-appropriate.
Where can I get cheap dumplings in Melbourne?
The under-twenty-dollar category is well served. Dumpling Max on Victoria Street Richmond, Hoppy Dumpling on Russell Street and Dumpling Time in Block Place all offer excellent fresh dumplings at prices that make a solid meal entirely accessible. Dumpling Time in particular offers some of the best value in the CBD.
What is the best xiao long bao in Melbourne?
HuTong in Market Lane is the most famous answer, but ShanDong MaMa Mini, Juicy Bao and Yulongfu all have strong followings for their soup dumplings. The truffle xiao long bao at Yulongfu is a specific version worth seeking out if you want something beyond the standard pork version.
Are there good dumplings outside Melbourne CBD?
Absolutely. Song’s Dumplings in South Melbourne, Long Dragon in Kings Way, Dumplings Plus in Watergardens and Best Dumpling in Bayswater all deliver quality well above what their outer-suburban locations might suggest.
Is HuTong still worth going to?
Yes. Despite attracting more critical reviews than smaller competitors, HuTong remains a legitimate Melbourne institution. The open kitchen and fresh-made xiao long bao are consistently good. The main issues are wait times on busy nights and the pressure that comes with being a high-profile destination. Go at lunch or on a quieter weekday evening for the best experience.
What are Shandong dumplings and where do I get them in Melbourne?
Shandong-style dumplings come from Shandong Province in northern China and are characterised by thicker skins and more robustly seasoned fillings than the Cantonese and Shanghainese varieties most common in Melbourne. ShanDong MaMa Mini in Centre Place and the original ShanDong MaMa on Bourke Street are the go-to addresses. The Spanish mackerel potstickers at ShanDong MaMa Mini are a specific Melbourne dumpling experience unlike anything else in the city.
Are there vegetarian dumplings in Melbourne?
Yes. Most Melbourne dumpling restaurants offer at least one vegetarian option, typically zucchini and egg or mushroom and vegetable. ShanDong MaMa Mini, HuTong and several Chinatown spots have multiple vegetarian choices. HEARTLING also caters well to plant-based dining at the fine dining end of the market. When in doubt, call ahead and confirm.
Can I watch dumplings being made in Melbourne?
Several restaurants offer this as part of the experience. HuTong has a glass-fronted kitchen specifically for this purpose, Dumpling Max on Victoria Street has its production visible to diners, and Aunty’s Dumplings in Carlton has staff folding at close range. If this experience matters to you, prioritise those restaurants when planning your visit.
Which Melbourne dumpling restaurant is best for a group?
For groups, the best options depend on budget and vibe. ShanDong MaMa Mini and Hoppy Dumpling are excellent for casual, affordable group feeds in the CBD. For something more occasion-appropriate, Yum Sing House and The George on Collins both handle larger tables well. HEARTLING suits small intimate groups willing to spend more.
Read: Best Chinese Restaurants in Melbourne
Read: Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Melbourne
At OzKiwilife, Debashrita Majhi contributes fresh perspectives on lifestyle, technology, entertainment, and online culture. His writing style combines clarity, creativity, and real-world insights to connect with readers from different backgrounds. He is passionate about digital media, content marketing, and building valuable online resources that help people stay informed in a fast-changing world.
