If there is one thing Markham does better than almost any city in North America, it is dim sum. I have lived in this area long enough to know that the sheer density of quality Chinese restaurants here is something you simply cannot find elsewhere in Canada. And over the years, I have worked my way through a good number of them.
This is not a ranked list from a review aggregator. This is my honest, personal account of the dim sum spots I keep returning to, the dishes I order every single time, and a few tips I have picked up along the way. If you are a fellow dumpling lover in Markham or Richmond Hill, I hope this helps you discover your next favourite meal.
Why Markham Is the Dim Sum Capital of Canada
Before I get into specific restaurants, it is worth acknowledging what makes Markham so special for dim sum. The city has one of the highest concentrations of Chinese residents in North America, and that has created an incredibly competitive dining scene. Restaurants here are not cooking for tourists or adapting recipes for an unfamiliar audience. They are cooking for people who grew up eating this food, which means the standard is remarkably high.
You will find everything from Shanghai-style soup dumplings to Cantonese cart-service dim sum, vegetarian dim sum, and modern fusion approaches. Highway 7 alone has enough dim sum restaurants to keep you busy for months, and that is before you venture into the side streets and plazas.
Casa Victoria: The Grand Cantonese Experience
Casa Victoria on Highway 7 near Warden Avenue has been my go-to for traditional Cantonese dim sum for years. The restaurant occupies a large banquet-hall-style space, and walking in on a busy Sunday morning feels like stepping into a dining hall in Hong Kong. Tables are packed, families are gathered around lazy Susans, and servers are moving quickly between the kitchen and the floor.
What keeps me coming back is the quality of the classics. Their har gow, the translucent shrimp dumplings that are the gold standard of any dim sum spread, are consistently excellent. The wrapper is thin and delicate without being gummy, and the shrimp inside is plump and well-seasoned. I have had har gow at easily a dozen places in Markham, and Casa Victoria's version remains one of the best.
The siu mai here is another standout. Generously sized, topped with a little orange roe, and packed with a mix of pork and shrimp that has real flavour. I also always order their BBQ pork buns, which have that slightly sweet, fluffy steamed exterior and a filling that hits the right balance of savoury and sweet.
One dish that surprised me on my last visit was the deep-fried golden taro dumplings. The exterior is impossibly crispy, almost lacework-like, and the taro filling inside is smooth and rich. It is one of those dishes that is easy to overlook on a dim sum menu, but at Casa Victoria, it is worth ordering every time.
A practical tip: if you can go on a weekday, you will find shorter waits and sometimes a discount on dim sum items, usually around 20 percent off. Weekends are busier, especially between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., so arriving right when they open is the move.
My Must-Order at Casa Victoria
- Har gow (crystal shrimp dumplings)
- Siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings)
- BBQ pork buns
- Deep-fried golden taro dumplings
- Rice noodle rolls with shrimp
Ding Tai Fung: Shanghai Soup Dumplings Done Right
Let me address the elephant in the room first: Ding Tai Fung on Highway 7 at First Markham Place is not the famous Taiwanese chain Din Tai Fung. The spelling is slightly different, and the restaurants are not affiliated. But here is the thing that surprised me when I first went: the xiaolongbao here are genuinely excellent, and many locals actually prefer them to what you would get at the international chain.
The soup dumplings are the star, and for good reason. Each one is filled with a rich, buttery broth that bursts when you bite in. The skin is thin enough to be delicate but sturdy enough to hold together when you pick it up with chopsticks, which is a balance that is harder to achieve than it sounds. I have had the crab and pork version multiple times, and it is consistently one of the best xiaolongbao I have eaten anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area.
Beyond the soup dumplings, the pan-fried pork dumplings are a must. They come out with a golden, crispy bottom and a juicy filling. The hot and sour soup is another favourite of mine, served in a large bowl that easily feeds three or four people. It is thick, warming, and has a genuine depth of flavour that you do not always find at other places.
The restaurant itself is not fancy. It is a modestly sized spot in a strip plaza, and the tables can be close together, especially on weekends. But that is part of the charm. You are not paying for decor. You are paying for food that a Shanghai grandmother would nod approvingly at. I would recommend making a reservation, especially for weekend lunch, as the wait can stretch past 30 minutes during peak hours.
My Must-Order at Ding Tai Fung
- Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), especially the crab and pork
- Pan-fried pork dumplings
- Hot and sour soup
- Braised bean curd with Chinese mushroom
- Stir-fried rice cake
Other Spots Worth Your Time
Graceful Vegetarian Restaurant
If you are vegetarian or simply curious about plant-based dim sum, Graceful Vegetarian deserves a visit. I was skeptical the first time I went, but the creativity on display is impressive. They make dim sum entirely from vegetables, tofu, and mushrooms, and some of the dishes are so well executed that you genuinely forget there is no meat involved. The mock shrimp dumplings, made with konjac and seasoned to mimic the texture of shrimp, are surprisingly convincing. It is a great option if you are dining with a mixed group where not everyone eats meat.
Ritzy Palace Chinese Cuisine
Located near Woodbine and Denison, Ritzy Palace is another solid option for Cantonese dim sum. The wok-hay on their stir-fried dishes is noticeable, which tells you the kitchen is working at high heat the way it should. Their beef meatballs are tender and well-spiced, and the cheung fun (rice noodle rolls) are silky smooth. It is a reliable choice when Casa Victoria has a long wait and you want something at the same level.
Zunyan on Silver Star Boulevard
This is one of those places that flies under the radar but consistently delivers. Several friends have pointed me here, and I have never been disappointed. The preparation is careful, nothing arrives overcooked or poorly assembled, and the prices are fair for the quality. If you live in the Silver Star area and have not tried it yet, it should be on your list.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Dim Sum in Markham
After years of weekend dim sum runs, here are a few things I have learned:
- Go early or go late. The peak rush at most Markham dim sum restaurants is between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on weekends. Arriving at 10 a.m. or after 1:30 p.m. often means shorter waits and fresher food coming directly from the kitchen.
- Weekday discounts are real. Many restaurants, including Casa Victoria, offer 10 to 20 percent off dim sum on weekdays. The food is the same quality, and the experience is more relaxed.
- Do not over-order. Dim sum portions in Markham tend to be generous compared to what you might find in downtown Toronto or other cities. Start with four or five dishes for two people and add from there.
- Ask for recommendations. Servers at these restaurants often know what came out of the kitchen most recently and what is particularly good that day. A quick ask in Cantonese or Mandarin can lead you to dishes you might not have tried otherwise.
- Bring cash as backup. While most restaurants accept cards, a few smaller spots still prefer cash, and some offer a small discount for cash payment.
Final Thoughts
Markham's dim sum scene is one of the best-kept secrets in Canadian dining, though I suppose it is not much of a secret to anyone who lives here. The variety, the quality, and the value for money are hard to beat. Whether you are a xiaolongbao purist, a har gow devotee, or someone who just wants to sit down with a pot of tea and a table full of steamer baskets, this city has something for you.
I am always on the lookout for the next great dumpling spot, so if you have a favourite I have not mentioned, I would love to hear about it. In the meantime, I will be at one of these tables on a Sunday morning, chopsticks ready.
For more dining recommendations and local business guides in Markham and Richmond Hill, visit MarkhamBusiness.com.