蘩楼 — Restaurant in Shenzhen

If you’ve got time and a taste for outstanding Cantonese dim sum, 蘩楼 in Shenzhen is one of the city’s most popular tea‑room destinations—and for good reason. Do expect a long wait (I once had a 3 hour queue, as many locals and a hearty crowd of Hong Kongers pack the place on weekends), but there’s a handy online ticket system to reserve your spot in advance.

When you finally get seated, the food lives up to the hype. Some of their signature dim sum dishes include: • 蘩楼露笋虾饺皇 (Asparagus & Shrimp Har Gow): translucent skins around a bright, springy shrimp filling enhanced by crisp asparagus strips. Delicately sweet, fresh and beautifully balanced.  • 香脆明虾红米肠 (Crispy Shrimp Rice-Casing Rolls): plump, whole shrimp encased in a red‑rice casing that crisps up golden. Great texture and ocean‑fresh flavour.  • XO酱山椒蒸凤爪 (Chicken Feet with XO Sauce & Peppercorns): rich, spicy, slightly sweet XO sauce with a hint of peppery kick – the meat falls off the bone effortlessly.  • 蟹仔鲜虾蒸烧卖 (Crab Roe & Shrimp Siu Mai): generously filled, moist and fragrant, with sweet shrimp and a touch of crab roe.  • 金枕飘香榴莲酥 (Durian Puff): flaky exterior with rich, creamy durian inside—a luxurious finishing touch. 

On top of these, they also serve reliable favorites like 艇仔粥 (Boat Porridge), 绵香沙爹金钱肚, 豉汁蒸排骨, and 干炒牛河—all executed with refined technique and generous portions. 

The overall ambiance is charming and nostalgic: decorated in the style of a traditional Lingnan tea house with warm wooden tones and refined classical motifs. It feels like stepping into an old‑world dining room, making it ideal for relaxed weekend brunches or family gatherings. 

Recommendation style summary: • Wait time: long (especially on weekends). Book your number online or arrive early (I waited 3 hours). • Demographic: heavily patronized by Hong Kong and local diners on weekends. • Service: generally attentive and efficient despite full house; tea refills and auxiliary snacks while waiting help ease the queue. • Cuisine: standout Cantonese dim sum—the shrimp har gow, crispy shrimp rice rolls, XO sauce chicken feet, and durian puff are all excellent. • Ambience: nostalgic, elegant, comfortable.

If you have time to spare and want top‑tier dim sum in Shenzhen, 蘩楼 is definitely worth it. Just prepare for the wait—and order those signature dishes...

First time there. We first enquired if we could reserve a table so that we walk around a while before having dinner but the staff politely replied reservation isn't available for a table below 8 before weekend. It's alright.

We ordered a number of dim sum, noodles and dessert. They are all impeccable! Stir fried beef noodles is difficult to make for it takes a great deal of skill to make it dry not oily, beef just cooked and every noodle seasoned with soy sauce, but they made it. Another highlight is the pan fried dumplings, crunchy and juicy. We finally had desserts which are equally excellent, not too sweet.

The service is very good, polite, responsive and helpful. The decor is beautiful, old traditional Chinese style. Most of all, we a family of 5, ate so much but it's less than 500 RMB! I give...

Wonderful dim sum experience here in Shenzhen. Clean and great ambience waiter comes to make and brew you your tea with each cup clean at first and brew to your liking. Quick service too. Come off peak and plenty of seat without waiting time hehe! The chicken feet taste si yummy and smooth and juicy perfect collagen. It is to die for 😂🤣 their main dishes are all so good! Prawns are fresh and delicious, water chestnut cake was crunchy after oan fried it...