This guide is part of our review of the Best Dim Sum Restaurants in America. Sign up for our newsletter to get recipes, dining tips and restaurant reviews throughout the year!

As its east coast neighbors in New York and Boston continue to thrive, the Chinatown in Washington, DC has shrunk to the size of a single city block near downtown. As the Chinese American community has decamped for the suburbs over the years, the local dim sum scene has followed to nearby commuter cities in Virginia and Maryland.

Established in 1851 on Pennsylvania Avenue, the original Washington, DC Chinatown was relocated by the government in 1929 to an area between 5th and 7th Street, Northwest, to make way for the Federal Triangle Project. Chinatown residents remained in this new area until beginning to move to the DC suburbs following the city’s race riots in 1968. Today, the Chinese American community is most concentrated in cities like Falls Church in northern Virginia and Rockville and Silver Spring in Maryland.

» Read more: Our Ultimate Dim Sum Menu Guide with Pictures and Translations

Without a stable, longstanding urban Chinatown, the local dim sum scene exists almost exclusively in the suburbs, similar to what you have in a city like Atlanta. In fact, you’ll really only find dim sum in DC proper at two places, Tony Cheng’s and the Ping Pong chain. The dim sum restaurants around Washington, DC are generally solid, though they’re defined as much by their flexibility and mobility in service of the local Chinese American community, as they are by their culinary excellence.

Formerly located just across the Potomac River from DC, China Garden used to be your closet, most Metro-accessible dim sum option. Its proximity to the city, however, could mean long lines on weekends for a meal that was notable primarily for its convenience. China Garden has since closed.

If you’re up for a 30 minute drive, you’ll be rewarded with the Hollywood East Cafe and Gourmet Inspirations, which serve more modern dim sum dishes in bright, contemporary environments. You’ll find all the staples here, as well as fun homestyle preparations incorporating ingredients like sweet Chinese sausage. If you push a bit further north to Gaithersburg, you’ll find New Fortune, home to some of the best dim sum in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area.

» Read more: The Best Teas for Dim Sum

Turning back south of the Potomac to Falls Church in northern Virginia, there are two good options within a stone’s throw of one another. Helpfully, Hong Kong Pearl Seafood Restaurant and Mark’s Duck House, specialize in seafood and duck dim sum dishes, respectively.

Read on! Here are the five best dim sum restaurants to try in Washington, listed in alphabetical order and shown on a map to help you find them.

Where To Find The Best Dim Sum in DC

Restaurant Key: Classic — big and boisterous, the full dim sum hall experience. Elevated — exceptional views or ambiance create a more refined dining experience. Modern — fusion or innovative takes on dim sum classics. Hole in the Wall — the food’s the only reason to go, and that’s a good thing.

A. Gourmet Inspirations — Classic
2646 University Blvd W
Wheaton, MD 20902

“Traditional Cantonese dim sum is a daily event at the year-old Gourmet Inspirations, which inherited the head kitchen staff of Good Fortune after its 30-year run. It’s worth saving a visit for weekends, when food carts laden with steamed buns, black-bean-sauced chicken feet, and savory domes of Eight Treasure sticky rice circle the banquet-hall-like room.” – Washingtonian

B. Hollywood East Cafe — Modern
11160 Veirs Mill Rd
Wheaton, MD 20902

“Hidden away in Wheaton Mall this dim sum favorite serves bacon rolls with minced shrimp and scallop and watercress dumplings.” – Eater

C. Hong Kong Pearl Seafood — Classic
6286 Arlington Blvd
Falls Church, VA 22044

“The selection wasn’t as great as China Garden or Fortune, so I was disappointed in that, but it had my normal go-to items, including my favorite sesame seed balls and pineapple buns.” – Fall Church Times

D. Mark’s Duck House — Classic
6184 Arlington Blvd
Falls Church, VA 22044

“There are a few things to look for in great dim sum and I quickly went through my checklist. Hot and fresh? Check. Large selection? Check. Good ratio of ingredients (i.e., lots of filling)? Check? Quick and efficient service? Check.” – Two DC

E. New Fortune — Classic
16515 S Frederick Ave
Gaithersburg, MD 20877

“Along with the usual dumplings found at dim sum, New Fortune digs a little deeper with additional entree-like items. Look for stir-fried crabs with ginger and scallion, deep-fried curry dumplings, or creamy and sweet walnut shrimp every day.” – Eater

Let us know what you think! Do you have a better restaurant to recommend? Comment below!