Bite & Booze Dumpling and Bar (Formerly Yat Bun Tong Dumpling House) — Restaurant in District of Canberra Central

Location: 4.5/5 Yat Bun Tong is conveniently located in the heart of Braddon and combined with the vibes and the bustling streets of Lonsdale, it makes for a great feed on a Saturday night in Canberra. Parking may be an issue as the options are limited to the side of the street and the mini outdoor parking at the end of the street, however I was lucky enough to find parking right outside the restaurant.

The food: 4/5 The menu was expansive however I'm not sure if there were alternative options for specific dietary requirements as I didn't pay much attention to it. The menu itself was detailed with pictures which accompanied the text accurately. I was able to try a range of dishes including the hot and sour soup, variations of dumplings, chicken chow mein, and I forgot the name of the last dish but it was the spicy flour fish thingos (sorry about that). Let's start with the soup. The vinegar was very strong in the soup, which I didn't particularly like, however my parents enjoyed it so up to your personal preferences. Now to the dumplings. I had high expectations due to their marketing of the "best dumplings in Canberra". The steamed combination dumplings, (vegetable, beef and chicken) were delicious and succulent. They still tasted great the next day when microwaved, so definitely recommend these dumplings. I think there was 5 of each so 15 in total, so it's pretty good for sharing. The soup dumplings were decent, however there wasn't as much soup in the dumplings as I expected, and the meat wasn't as tasty as some of the others I've tried at other dumpling places. The shanghai pan fried pork bun was average, as the bun itself was a tad dry and too thick in relation to the small ball of meat. The noodles were delicious, flavourful with just the right amount of sauce. It was my personal favourite of the night, would definitely recommend.

The service/environment: 3/5 We booked online so we didn't have to wait, so I'm not sure how long you'd have to wait if you were planning to walk in. I was greeted in English upon entering and I was able to talk to them fine. The waiters were polite and efficient in their work, which is definitely a plus. We had interactions with two waiters who spoke Cantonese and Mandarin, which helped as my family speaks both. The food came out quick and the waiters would clear the empty plates fairly efficiently. The place has bright lighting, the ambience was great with all the families there, and the aroma of all the food was wonderful. The place was busy and loud, so if you're not into that then just keep that in mind. They also asked whether we wanted the dishes to come out in a specific order and such. so that was nice. However, the wooden chairs were uncomfortable (like, really uncomfortable...made my backside hurt) and the tables are a little small for 4 people.

Cost: 4/5 The total cost was around $80 for 4 people and we still had leftovers to take away. I'd say it's reasonably affordable and considering we had around 5-6 dishes and the dishes were filling, $80 is pretty good!

Overall: 4/5 To conclude, I was pleasantly surprised by Yat Bun Tong and I would go back again for sure just to try out all the other dishes. The food was great, the location is convenient, the service was decent, and it was affordable. Perfect for families. I recommend booking as it was definitely a busy place. PS: but seriously change...

At Bite & Booze Dumpling and Bar, more commonly known as Yat Bun Tong Dumpling House, my dining experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I walked in, the staff exuded friendliness, creating an inviting ambiance that set the tone for a memorable meal.

The menu at Yat Bun Tong Dumpling House boasts a variety of delectable dishes, each offering a burst of flavors that left my taste buds thoroughly satisfied. The culinary creations are a testament to the skill and creativity of the chefs, showcasing a harmonious blend of ingredients that elevate traditional dumplings to a whole new level.

What truly stood out, besides the mouthwatering flavors, was the prompt service. Despite the bustling atmosphere, the staff efficiently delivered our orders, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable dining experience. It's evident that they value both the quality of the food and the time of their patrons.

Whether you're a dumpling enthusiast or simply someone seeking a delightful culinary adventure, Bite & Booze Dumpling and Bar is a must-visit. The combination of friendly staff, scrumptious dishes, and quick service makes it a standout choice for those looking to savor every moment of their dining experience. I wholeheartedly recommend this establishment for a satisfying and...

I usually do not provide a review unless it is good, but I don't want others to have a bad experience too. My whole family were extremely disappointed with the service. We asked for cutlery as we were not frequent chopsticks users and being in Australia we did not think there was an issue asking for this, the waitress said they only had one clean fork in the entire restaurant (at 7:30pm) and when we persisted as we really did not know how to use chopsticks she brought us 4 forks for a table of 6... Meanwhile we saw another table being offered forks by another waitress so we asked yet again and got given plastic forks as "that's all they had". We also had to ask for our drinks and table water multiple times which got given to us after 30 minutes of our food arriving. The waitress did not clean our table after the entrees and seemed visibly annoyed when we asked for the above requests very politely. At the end of our meal the waitresses were bidding other customers goodbye and then ignored us on the way out. Food was decent, but unhelpful staff made for poor service. Out of the Chinese dumpling restaurants in the city area, this would be my last choice...