Sam AlvarezCraving perfectly steamed, delightfully chewy bites that make your mouth water? You’re not alone.
Tracking down the best dim sum in Nashville might seem tricky in a city famous for hot chicken, but the local dumpling scene is bubbling over with incredible flavors. Food enthusiasts hunting for authentic xiao long bao and families needing a table filled with shareable plates will both find something to love.
We’ve explored the steaming bamboo baskets and savory broths across the city to guide your next weekend brunch or casual dinner. Let’s dive into these top-tier dumpling havens so you can satisfy your ultimate dim sum cravings.
After this one, if you’re interested in trying more Asian cuisine, check out the top Asian restaurants in the city.
How much does dim sum cost in Nashville?
Dim sum in Nashville typically runs between $6 and $9 per dish for standard baked, fried, or steamed items, making it an excellent option for budget-friendly group dining.
1. Steam Boys
Website: https://www.steamboys.com/
Address: 412 Harding, Suite 105 Nashville, TN 37211
Contact: (615) 679-9144
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
If you need a fast and nutritious fix of authentic Chinese comfort food, a specific spot focusing on traditional staples like hand-folded dumplings and bao should be on your radar. Steam Boys offers exactly that, serving up steaming bamboo baskets.
I stopped by their Assembly Food Hall location last week for a quick lunch, and the piping hot xiao long bao absolutely hit the spot.
The sheer consistency of their fresh broths and modern additions like boba tea keeps locals coming back.
Unfortunately, you will not find the sprawling, cart-rolling experience of an old-school dim sum house here. The menu intentionally stays small and focused, skipping items like chicken feet or tripe.
Customer Reviews
Great food and atmosphere. Got the lunch combo with noodle and dumplings. The soup had the right taste and the noodle perfect texture. Dumplings were juicy, with the skin being slightly too thick for my liking but overall I enjoyed the experience! Definitely coming back.
- Ruth Zhou Google Review
Great experience! I ordered takeout and the service was incredibly fast. The food was nice and hot, clearly freshly made, and everything tasted delicious. Really impressed with how smooth and quick the whole process was. Will definitely order again!
- sravya madhavarapu Google Review
2. Hawkers Asian Street Food
Website: https://eathawkers.com/?olonwp=JjBtp_vMLk25gkYh_bnoiQ
Address: 626A Main St, Nashville, TN 37206
Contact: (615) 600-4762
Hours: Monday – Wednesday, Sunday: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm; Thursday: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm; Friday – Saturday: 11:00 am – 12:00 am
Hawkers Asian Street Food centers its entire menu around a tapas-style model, making it incredibly easy to share a massive variety of pan-Asian heritage dishes. You can easily order a table full of steamed baos and Korean twice-fried wings without committing to large individual entrees.
We also appreciate their fantastic dietary inclusivity, with vegan and allergy-friendly options.
The urban, gritty yet modern decor perfectly complements their curated craft beverage program, pairing spicy bites with locally brewed beers.
However, their street-food format means the final bill can add up fast, as you often need to order several small plates to feel full.
Additionally, diners strictly hunting for specialized dim sum staples might find their dumpling selection slightly less consistent than dedicated traditional houses.
Customer Reviews
I wish I could give 100 stars for this place!!! We visited here for my birthday weekend and let me share that Kylee made me feel like royalty! She is such a vibe! The food was absolutely AMAZING!! We had the Pad Thai, the Hong Kong Wonton, and the Sichuan wontons. The GM-Vic was so accommodating and knows how to make his guests feel at home and cared for. If you are visiting or live here, you can’t go wrong with them! Thank you for making our first experience in your establishment an unforgettable one!
- Jennifer Hearn Google Review
I chose this place after searching for ramen. The aesthetic appeal of both the food and restaurant interior is fantastic. My bibimbap and fried tofu were really good, particularly the tofu. Something about the texture had me eating the entire serving of tofu despite being overfull 🙂 I’ll definitely go back during my next visit to Nashville.
- Eva Johnson Google Review
3. Sichuan Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine
Website: https://www.sichuanhotpottogo.com/
Address: 5680 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
Contact: (615) 750-2582
Hours: Monday – Tuesday: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm; Thursday: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm – 10:30 pm; Friday: 11:30 am – 10:00 pm; Saturday: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm; Sunday: 12:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Sichuan Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine allows guests to pair traditional dim sum staples with intensely flavorful, authentic Szechuan preparations. You can effortlessly mix classic shrimp har gau with a fiery bowl of Chongqing hot pepper chicken.
We also appreciate that they offer individualized hot pot stations, giving you complete control over your specific broth and ingredient choices.
The sprawling layout and budget-friendly pricing easily make it an ideal choice for massive family gatherings.
That said, be mindful that the kitchen leans heavily into authentic, numbing spice profiles, meaning even their mildest dishes might overwhelm diners with sensitive palates.
Another drawback is their restricted dim sum schedule, as the full steamed menu is primarily available only during a brief lunch window.
Customer Reviews
A nice restaurant with interesting decor of live koi fish and Chinese clay warrior and his horse. They have it all, dim sum, hot pot, and traditional Chinese menu. The dim sum and regular menu were tasty, the service was good, and the price were reasonable. I wish I live close by, I’ll be a regular customer!
- Lily P Google Review
Feels like I traveled outside of Nashville and was transported to a meal out this world! Wow the food was amazing. Not cheap but I understand why. Clean, quiet, and served quick.
Amazing photo ops and perfect for a date night, group meal, or special outing.
- T Ledbetter Google Review
4. Locust
Website: http://locustnashville.com/
Address: 2305 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Friday – Sunday: Lunch: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Dinner: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Locust operates on a strict, no-modification culinary philosophy, dedicating immense focus to precision-crafted dishes rather than catering to customized dietary requests.
I managed to snag a table for a Sunday lunch last month, and their steamed pork dumplings—made with local Bear Creek Farm pork—were downright spectacular.
The open-kitchen atmosphere brilliantly blends fine-dining techniques with a surprisingly relaxed, loud, and eclectic vibe.
Unfortunately, the massive hurdle here is simply getting through the door, as reservations open only once a month and vanish within minutes. Coupled with a narrow three-day operating window, planning a visit requires serious foresight and patience.
Even so, the meticulous attention to fresh, made-to-order dumplings makes every bit of the hassle entirely worthwhile.
Customer Reviews
The BEST restaurant in Nashville! Every dish was delicious and inventive. My personal favorites were the scallops and beef tartare hand roll. The service was great, and the atmosphere is cozy and inviting. Top notch experience from start to finish.
- Lindsay White Google Review
This restaurant was definitely a highlight of our trip to Nashville. The service was incredible, they were attentive and had no problem answering any questions on the menu. The food was just perfect, every course was full of flavor and beautifully styled. I have had no problem recommending this place to friends already and will definitely return here on my next trip to Nashville.
- Deirdre Hogan Google Review
5. Sunda New Asian – Nashville
Website: http://www.sundanewasian.com/nashville
Address: 592 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
Contact: (615) 610-7566
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm; Friday – Saturday: 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm; Sunday: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sunda New Asian – Nashville champions a progressive “New Asian” movement, using premium ingredients and modern techniques to reimagine traditional flavors. Their inventive dim sum menu shies away from the expected, favoring luxurious creations like oxtail pot stickers with white wasabi cream and wagyu beef additions.
To pair with their award-winning fusion bites, there’s also a stellar craft beverage program.
The sophisticated, heritage-driven ambiance makes it a fantastic alternative to an upscale Italian restaurant for your next big celebration or romantic date night.
However, you should definitely expect a premium price tag, as these high-end dumpling plates run significantly higher than casual street-level options.
Additionally, purists searching for a classic, cart-rolling experience filled with steaming bamboo baskets will need to look elsewhere.
Customer Reviews
Friend invited us here tonight and had reservations (recommended). Our friend ordered the Kamayan Feast. I don’t eat pork so they prepared a separate plate for me. The manager checked ✅ on us and comped us some potstickers. Everything was amazing! Our waitress was prompt, courteous, and personable! Atmosphere was great. Located in the Gulch with a paid parking garage right next to restaurant.
- Lee Roberts Google Review
Amazing service! I left my purse at the restaurant and called the next day, Kendall the manager was very helpful, she actually shipped it to me ( I’m in another state ) thank you!!!! I’ll definitely be back, the food was great and garlic noodles were delicious.
- Elena R Google Review
