Have you ever been in a restaurant with dumplings on the menu and not ordered a plate (or three) for the table? It’s basically impossible, right? After all, few things say comfort like hot dough stuffed with warm meat...
Tons of restaurants across Auckland offer fantastic dumplings from a variety of cultures. But to keep things simple, this guide will look only at Chinese dumplings—soupy, steamed, fried, or boiled—at places both posh and decidedly not.
There are a ton of dumplings out there that will fill you with nothing but regret, but these are not them because life is too short to eat bad dumplings.
Now pass the chilli oil…
Barilla Dumpling
571 Dominion Road, Mount Eden
The infamous Barilla Dumping is reason enough to make the trek to Dominion Road any night of the week—thankfully, there is a location on each end of the legendary road.
For an inexpensive price, this hallowed dumpling refuge serves homemade dumplings in an insane variety of flavours. It is beloved by celebrities and foodies across Auckland despite (or perhaps because of) its chaos, frankly terrible service, and sticky tables.
Barilla knows how good their dumplings are, and they also know that no matter how they treat you, you’ll return time and time again. It seems we are a glutton for punishment and their fried chicken and mushroom dumplings.
Dumpling Ace
Northcote Central, Auckland
Dumpling Ace’s expansive menu covers food from regions across China, but many people just go straight for the dumpling segment, which offers a variety of possibilities, including steamed or pan-fried.
Uncomplicated yet so juicy and flavourful, this Northcote spot is surprisingly homey with wooden tables and warm service. Top dumpling picks including pork and fennel or beef, cabbage and coriander (yes, we firmly Team coriander), with a generous drizzle of Sichuan-style chilli oil.
The hand-cut noodles and spicy cumin Lamb skewers are also incredible, but we are here to discuss the dumplings…
Eden Noodles Cafe
105 Dominion Road, Mount Eden
Dishes from Sichuan fill the menu at this, one of Dominion Road’s best dumpling restaurants.
Order a big bowl of pork and chives dumplings, and when they ask you how spicy you want it, be careful. The legendary spicy sauce, which has quite a kick, is why Eden Noodles is so packed night after night. A side of Chinese Pita Bread always goes down a treat, though the extensive menu has no bad choices.
There’s a long line most of the time, so you’ll need to wait to be seated, but that is the price of dumplings that will change your life.
Flavour House
614 Dominion Road, Mount Eden
Dumplings are not the only thing on the menu at Flavour House—the soups, in particular, are a huge draw—but thankfully, the restaurant offers killer versions of both.
If you’re here for the dumplings, the “pork and cabbage” option is the way to go. Wrappers here are thin and practically translucent, and the ample pork filling is juicy. The more adventurous dumpling hunter should try the squid and chives or duck and bean sprouts.
Even better? Flavour House is open until 2 a.m. on weekdays or 5 a.m. on weekends, so you can get your fix on the way back from a night out on the town.
Huami
87 Federal Street, Auckland CBD
Not all the best dumplings spots in Auckland have to be no-frills, and Huami at SkyCity is the place to go for cocktails and upscale dumplings with a modern twist.
Behind the big red doors on Federal Street, the restaurant offers a range of dining possibilities, from intimate tables for two to private dining rooms and large group tables. Contemporary and beautiful, the steamed har kao truffle and prawn dumplings, as well as those filled with squid ink, yellow chives, and prawns, are life-affirming.
The Xiao long bao is also a crowd-pleaser. If taste and environment are equally important, Huami is your dumpling spot!
Mr Zhou’s Dumplings
839 Mount Eden Rd, Mount Eden
This family-run restaurant offers pan-fried, steamed and boiled dumplings and large portions of other popular Chinese dishes.
You’d want to make room for each! With locations in New Lynn and Mt Eden, both sites are easily reached and at very wallet-friendly prices (20 dumplings for $14). The service was wonderful, and the dumplings were cooked to perfection—yet not overly wrinkly or watery.
The chilli oil isn’t quite spicy enough for our tasting, but this is always a very personal choice.
Mrs Bun & Dumpling
1/56 Apollo Drive, Rosedale
Mrs Bun & Dumpling is a gem worth discovering on Apollo Drive in Rosedale. There are amazing dumplings, plenty of space inside and outside to enjoy them, friendly service, and the right mix of options, including a braised pork belly bun you have to try while you’re here.
Mrs Bun & Dumpling delivers on its eponymous dish of both buns and dumplings and deserves the respect and consideration of all dumpling completists. Our favourite dumplings are chicken, shiitake and mushrooms; the only safe way to eat them is in one mouthful!
Royal City Dumpling
776 Manukau Road, Royal Oak
No dumpling crawl would be complete without a visit to this Royal Oak linchpin. Insiders flock to the unpretentious, in-and-out eatery for dirt-cheap plates of handmade pork and chive dumplings.
Piping hot quickly served, and with portions so generous that no one will ever leave hungry, we always have friendly service. A plate will run you under $13, whether you boil, steam, or fry.
Sumthin Dumplin
12 Oconnell Street, Auckland CBD
One of the best dumpling spots in Auckland’s CBD, Sumthin Dumplin offers contemporary, authentic dumplings for those on the go.
Not too fancy, yet a level above most of Dominion Road’s no-frills dumping spots, Sumthin Dumplin has two locations on Lorne St and O’Connell Street for you to swing by for a cheeky order of gluttony. Hyper-Instagrammable with modern flavours like the Great White (Chicken breast, white mushroom, shitake mushroom with wholemeal wrap) or Premium beef (with onion, mozzarella, coated parmesan with wholemeal wrap), Sumthin Dumplin never fails to hit the spot.
The place to go if you want a change from the traditional dumpling, and a quick meal on the go.
The Blue Breeze Inn
146 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
A modern Asian food house in Ponsonby Central serves up a wide variety of inspired delights, combining Kiwi innovation and ancient tradition with Chinese food.
It’s one of the most expensive dumpling spots in Auckland, but the fit-out and service are always excellent—as is the extensive cocktail list. If you go, you’re in for a treat with dumpling offerings like black tiger prawn and sesame, fried spicy chicken dumplings, and roast duck and pork.
Book in advance to ensure a seat, and if you are dining alone or as a pair, the bar seats with views into the kitchen action are a must.
The Rolling Pin
141 Pakenham Street West, Auckland CBD
An Auckland-based food truck known for its masterfully made dumplings has opened its first physical location in the Wynyard Quarter.
There aren’t many seats there, and it’s mostly aimed at lunches for the suits who work nearby—but it gets really busy and for a good reason. These are healthy, delicious, handmade dumplings with a crunchy coleslaw and zingy dressing. There are flavours like Penang pulled beef or slow-cooked pork with Tsingtao beer and vegan offerings.
You can mix and match, and while eight will set you back $15.50, the plentiful slaw and generous sizes should ensure you leave full and satisfied.
Xuxu Dumpling Bar
Galway Street & Commerce Street, Britomart
An upscale dumpling and cocktail bar in Britomart with a trendy ambience and a very cosy feel. Exceptionally creative and innovative, you don’t head to Xuxu for value for money but to be inspired and delighted by the original offerings.
Think Duck and leek with poison dipping sauce, fish sambal and coconut, or deep-fried rice dumplings with pork loin, carrots, and shiitake. The banoffee dumpling with salted caramel and banana for dessert is also out of this world.
The cocktails are just as exciting and worthy of a trip in and of themselves.
Yue’s Dumpling Kitchen
21/23 Corinthian Drive, Albany
The prices are so low at this no-frills dumpling spot in Albany that newcomers tend to giggle a little and whisper to each other when they’re picking what to order like they’re getting away with something. This is after they raised their prices last year.
Despite the affordable prices, the dumplings here are still delicious, wrinkly little lovelies, fat with pork and easy to devour. Pan-fried can be a bit hit-or-miss but boiled never disappoints here. The space is bright, spacious and clean – and perfect for larger groups looking for a meal out where everyone leaves full and happy.