Maxim's Palace (City Hall)

Maxim's Palace is a large Cantonese dim sum hall on the 2nd floor of the Low Block of Hong Kong City Hall, at 5 Edinburgh Place in Central. It sits on the Central waterfront on Hong Kong Island, close to the Star Ferry pier and the harbour, and it is one of the best-known banquet-style dim sum venues for families and groups. The cuisine is Cantonese dim sum and banquet cooking. The signature items include pork siu mai, har gow and egg custard tarts, and the menu extends to steamed rice rolls, buns and larger dishes for shared tables. Cart service, in which dim sum is wheeled between tables and diners select dishes as they pass, is a feature of weekend service and is a large part of the appeal for visitors looking for a traditional dim sum experience. The dining hall is grand, with large round tables, high ceilings and a family-oriented atmosphere, and it can be loud when full. There is no strict dress code, although smart casual clothing is common. Tea is central to the meal, and a per-person tea charge is typical. The restaurant recommends reservations on weekends, when the hall fills with family groups and tour parties, and visitors should book ahead by phone for larger parties. Hours cover dim sum lunch and dinner service and should be verified before going. Prices are moderate, with a dim sum meal typically costing around HK$150 to HK$250 per person depending on the number of dishes ordered. The location is a short walk from Central MTR station and the ferry piers, and it combines with a harbourfront walk and the nearby Central attractions. Visitors who want a large, traditional dim sum hall with cart service in a central location often choose Maxim's Palace for group meals.