Warning: the following content may lead to drooling and sudden cravings for steamed delicacies.

Whether they are boiled, steamed, or pan-fried, there is always room in our hearts, and our bellies, for some dumplings. Check out where in Newcastle you can get your hands on some of the most succulent, pillowy-soft, and comforting dumplings. 

Dumpling Flavour

Dumpling Flavour is a Darby Street favourite, and for good reason. There's a massive array of dumplings on offer (no surprises here!) but also stacks of other Chinese dishes to satisfy your appetite. Think prawn and chive dumplings, har gow, BBQ duck and vegetable dumplings, plus dishes like mapo tofu, crispy fried chilli squid, and Szechuan-style pork.
Where: 1/88 Darby St, Cooks Hill

Eight Buns

Eight Buns has built a reputation for itself as one of the best spots for dumplings in Newcastle. There's plenty of dumplings and buns to choose from, so you're spoilt for choice. Don't miss the prawn and pork dumplings in spicy sauce, or the duck roti for a non-dumpling dish.
Where: 47 Beaumont St, Hamilton

Ginger Meg's

Dining at Ginger Meg's is an adventure for the senses, from the decor to the tasty Pan-Asian menu. The dumpling offering at Ginger Meg's is certainly a twist on the traditional, but these little gems are oh-so-delicious. Expect selections like chicken and water chestnut siu mei, wagyu beef dumplings, and crystal skin vegetable.
Where: 212 King St, Newcastle

Hao Chi by Lee's Yum Cha

The former Chinois site was revived with the opening of Hao Chi by Lee’s Yum Cha, inviting keen diners in to experience a Cantonese gastronomic adventure. Admire the stunning interior before tucking into all the yum cha your heart desires. Think dumplings like chicken and celery, seafood and pumpkin, prawn and chive, and pan-fried pork.
Where: 326 King St, Newcastle

Kai Dumpling Restaurant

Prepare to be transported to Sichuan, China at Kai Dumpling Restaurant. With dumpling in its name, you can expect Kai Dumpling Restaurant to deliver when it comes to these plump, moreish morsels. With flavours like lamb and leek, beef and coriander, and pork and cabbage, the menu is sure to satisfy your dumpling cravings.
Where: Marketown Shopping Centre, Shop 9, Parry St, Newcastle West

Kai Fan

Kai Fan is a go-to for authentic Chinese food on Darby Street. From dim sum platters and Szechuan dumplings, to golden custard buns and Shanghai-style wonton soup, there's so many delicious options on the menu at Kai Fan. Chances are you'll want to go back again to try more of the menu!
Where: 146 Darby St, Cooks Hill

Lee's Kitchen

Brought to you by the team behind Lee's Yum Cha, Lee's Kitchen is a low-key Chinese takeaway joint with several locations across Newcastle. There's an array of dumplings on offer on its menu – expect xiao long bao, prawn and pork wontons with peanut and sesame sauce, and pot sticker pan-fried pork dumplings, plus other dim sum favourites like spring onion pancakes to pair with them.
Where: Shop 303/77 Maitland Rd, Mayfield | Westfield Kotara, Northcott Dr & Park Ave, Kotara | 30 Pearson St, Charlestown | Shop G14, Marketown, 23 Steel St, Newcastle West | 1 Molly Morgan Dr, East Maitland

Lee’s Yum Cha

Lee's Yum Cha is all the flavours you love from Lee's Kitchen, but with a focus on yum cha. With 60 types of dim sum on the menu and a trolley service, dining at Lee's Yum Cha is always an immersive and delicious experience. There are so many dumplings to choose from – trust us, deciding what to order from the huge menu is always a difficult task! Order plenty of things to try, and roll out of the restaurant very full and happy.
Where: 30 Pearson St, The Corner at Charlestown Square, Charlestown

Light Years Asian Diner

Created from a desire to bring a fun, modern Asian dining experience to the east coast of Australia, Light Years Asian Diner boasts a menu full of bold, colourful, and punchy flavours. The dumpling offering may be minimal, but they always hit the spot. The wild truffled mushroom dumplings are an excellent vegetarian options, while the mud crab, prawn, and scallop dumplings are a must for seafood lovers.
Where: 5-7 Darby St, Newcastle

Mr. Rice

Experience this modern Chinese restaurant featuring plenty of authentic dishes alongside some quirky new additions. When it comes to the dumplings, the selection leans more towards the traditional – pan-fried pork and prawn dumplings make an appearance, as do steamed vegetarian dumplings and pork and garlic chive zhong dumplings.
Where: 133 Darby St, Cooks Hill

Naka Noodle

This delicious Chinese restaurant sits upstairs overlooking the lively Beaumont Street in Hamilton and is home to some of the best dumplings in Newcastle. Naka Noodle is brought to you by the same team as Mr Rice on Darby Street, so you can rest assured the food will hit the spot. If you're craving soupy dumplings, order the spicy pork wonton soup.
Where: 49 Beaumont St, Hamilton

OH MY PAPA

OH MY PAPA is an exploration of all the flavours that make Asian cuisines fantastic, paired with cheeky cocktails and super friendly service. There's yakitori and yum cha sections that are just made for sharing with friends – but careful, you might start fighting over who gets the last of the Szechuan prawn dumplings.
Where: 169 Hunter St, Newcastle

Sukimama

Did you know Merewether Surf Life Saving Club is host to Korean street food every Sunday? Sukimama serves up flavour-packed dishes, among which are Korean dumplings, otherwise known as mandu. The flavours change up each week, but you can always expect a vegan option on offer, plus flavours like chicken and garlic chive.
Where: Merewether Surf Life Saving Club, Watkins St & John Pde, Merewether

Taste of Lanzhou by Lee's Kitchen

Another fantastic venue by the powerhouse team behind Lee's Kitchen and Lee's Yum Cha, Taste of Lanzhou offers Chinese cuisine influenced by Central Asian and Middle Eastern flavours. The dumpling selection is comprehensive, with both boiled and fried options, with plenty of classics to try.
Where: 89 Park Ave, Kotara

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