When it comes to Causeway Bay, most tourists' impression is of the non-stop Times Square and SOGO for shopping, or heading to Sogo to buy things and eat expensive food. However, if you know where to look, this is actually one of the places in Hong Kong that retains the most traditional tea house culture—the difference is that unlike Sham Shui Po which is a neighborhood area, Causeway Bay's dim sum sentiment is built around office workers grabbing lunch, employees taking breaks, and heiresses enjoying afternoon tea after shopping. It has traditional depth while being infused with modern rhythms.
Speaking of dim sum in Causeway Bay, there's a very unique phenomenon here: when you arrive at the Sugar Street area at six in the morning, old masters are already opening their doors to prepare pulled tea and dim sum; but by nine or ten at night, the dim sum shops' steamers are still emitting hot steam, waiting for office workers who want to fill their stomachs after overtime. This "morning tea, evening wine" lifestyle节奏 accurately reflects the unique work culture of this business district—not as extreme as Central, but equally every second counts.
Five Unique Highlights of Causeway Bay Dim Sum
The first is the "floor secret" here. Many tourists don't know that not all dim sum shops in Causeway Bay are on the ground floor. Often, you need to walk up stairs to reach them—usually the second floor is a tea house, and the fifth floor is another one. The same building might have two or three different dim sum shops, so taking the wrong floor means missing out on a good one.
The second is the price flexibility beyond your imagination. A plate of shrimp dumplings here can range from thirty-something dollars to seventy or eighty dollars. It's not about whether the shop is upscale or not, but rather which shop you go to, what time you visit, and what type of dim sum you're eating. If you think about it, Causeway Bay's dim sum prices can actually be described as one of the most polarized in all of Hong Kong—cheap can be very cheap, and luxurious can be very luxurious.
The third is its "fast-paced tea house" culture. Traditional yum cha requires sitting down and chatting slowly, but some chain shops in Causeway Bay will time it so you can eat and leave in fifteen minutes—this model happens to be perfect for time-pressed tourists and office workers working themselves to the bone. If you want to relax and take your time, I recommend the old-established shops in the side streets far from Times Square.
The fourth highlight is its "adjacent multiple districts" advantage. Causeway Bay itself actually has several surrounding mini-districts: Tin Hau, Happy Valley, and areas near Causeway Bay North Station. Each district has its own dim sum characteristics—this information is usually not available to tourists because guidebooks typically only mention the three words "Causeway Bay."
The final highlight is the large number of "hidden old-established shops" here. Causeway Bay's rent is extremely high, so old shops that have survived for a long time definitely have their ways of staying afloat. To survive here for over ten years without moving requires genuine skill.
Five Different Recommended Dim Sum Places
1. Lin Heung Tea House (Feng Ming Building Branch)—Traditional Classic Old Shop Address: 2/F, Feng Ming Building, 28 Yee Woo Street, Causeway Bay | Average Spend: HK$50-80 | Time: 06:00-23:00
A branch of traditional Lin Heung Tea House, the layout still features the booth seating from the 1980s, though it was renovated in recent years so it's not too run-down. Their char siu bao and shrimp dumplings are signature items, and their beef meatballs are particularly chewy—according to the shop's master, they add handmade fish balls to achieve that texture. There are discounted dim sum items after 3 PM, perfect for those wanting to eat cheaply. Note that this shop doesn't accept phone reservations—you need to book in advance, and walk-ins usually wait up to forty minutes.
2. Dim Dim Sum (Causeway Bay Branch)—Youth-Oriented Chain Store Address: Shop B, 15 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay | Average Spend: HK$65-100 | Time: 10:00-22:00
The Hong Kong branch of a Taiwanese brand, specializing in small portions and refined plating. Their lava buns actually burst with filling, and the black sesame roll is quite special—this is one of the few chain dim sum shops that accepts electronic payment. However, I recommend avoiding busy lunch and dinner hours, as queue times often exceed an hour. This place is more suited for the environment than the taste—if you're a tourist looking to take Instagram-worthy photos, you might find it quite suitable.
3. Kam Wang Tea House—Hidden Budget Old-School Address: G/F, 9-17 Fuk Sau Street, Causeway Bay | Average Spend: HK$30-50 | Time: 07:00-19:00
This is truly a hidden gem—not everyone knows about it. The address is on a very hidden side street, and you might miss it if you walk past. The shop front is small, with only a dozen tables inside, but their lava buns are the real "lava"—the filling slowly flows out, completely different from the firm versions at chain stores. They also sell "chicken ball buns," which are rarely found elsewhere—half the size of regular char siu buns, and a few people can share one. Most importantly, the prices are truly value for money—a dim sum item usually costs thirty to forty dollars, and at these prices in Causeway Bay's core business district, they're becoming rare.
4. Fu Loi Kam Koo—Old-Fashioned Restaurant Nostalgia Address: 2/F, 82 Percival Street, Causeway Bay | Average Spend: HK$70-120 | Time: 11:00-23:00
This one is more old-school, decorated in a typical old-fashioned restaurant style, with tablecloths still using plastic underlays. Their roast duck and char siu maintain consistent quality, and their "soup dumplings" are truly made with old broth—completely on a different level compared to those made with powder mixtures outside. This is more suitable for families or senior tourists wanting a traditional atmosphere. Dinner service offers side dishes as well, so if friends want to order dishes, this place can fulfill both wishes at once.
5. Man Sing Cafe—New Cafe-Style Dim Sum Address: Shop A, G/F, 46-48 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay | Average Spend: HK$55-90 | Time: 09:00-21:00
A rising new-style tea cafe that has emerged in recent years, integrating traditional dim sum with cafe elements. Their "cheese-baked shrimp dumplings" are the internet-famous item that originated here—perfect for photos to get likes. The decor is Instagram-friendly and offers Wi-Fi, making it perfect for young tourists. However, if you're with elderly family members, this place might not be suitable as the seating is quite cramped and less comfortable. Their bubble tea is also okay, but if you're specifically here to relax, you can try their afternoon tea set, which offers two items for just seventy dollars.
Practical Information
From a transportation perspective, most dim sum places in Causeway Bay can be reached from Exit E of Causeway Bay MTR Station. The most convenient routes are along Hennessy Road or Percival Street—both main roads, and many of the side streets often hide good finds. If you're planning to visit, I recommend searching in advance on OpenRice or Google Maps, as some shops aren't so easy to find. Also, Causeway Bay's taxi stands and bus stops are quite convenient—if you have large luggage or mobility issues, door-to-door taxis might be more practical.
Regarding budget recommendations, tourists with limited budgets should go to Kam Wang Tea House or Lin Heung Tea House; if you want to try more refined options, Dim Dim Sum or Man Sing Cafe are good choices; for special occasions, Fu Loi Kam Koo's atmosphere adds extra points. Usually, lunch and dinner periods are twenty to thirty percent more expensive than afternoon tea—I recommend budget-conscious tourists arrive after 2:30 PM, when discounted menus are typically available.
Five Travel Tips
First, if you want to experience the most traditional "one pot, two pieces" culture, I recommend arriving at Lin Heung Tea House or Kam Wang Tea House around 7 AM. At this time, most tea customers are old neighborhood residents, giving you a feeling of "traveling through time"—the second round of dim sum is usually the freshest.
Second, Causeway Bay's peak hours are around twelve to two PM. During this time, all shops will be full. If you don't want to wait, it's best to arrive early or wait until after 3 PM.
Third, most shops here add a service charge, usually 10%, so the final bill is typically the menu price multiplied by 1.1. Remember to factor in this ten percent when budgeting.
Fourth, note that some old-established shops are cash only, so remember to bring enough cash. ATM withdrawals at nearby machines incur high handling fees.
The final tip is that besides these recommendations, Tin Hau and Happy Valley, which are further away, also have several old shops serving neighborhood customers. If you have the time and mood to explore, you'll find more surprises. However, to maintain quality control, I recommend sticking to these five shops.
