Sampan Restaurant, Beijing

Popular with Hong Kong locals, this restaurant is bustling on weekend mornings—a testament to its reputation as one of the best places for dim sum in Beijing. Tastefully decorated, the interior is light and airy. As expected of a four-star hotel restaurant, the waitresses are polite and efficient. Dim sum is ordered from a menu, creating a more refined experience. Sampan has all of the dim sum favorites such as "xia jiao" (steamed prawn dumplings), "shao mai" (pork and shrimp dumplings) and "cha shao bao" (barbequed pork buns). A basket of steamed dumplings or buns costs on average CNY20-25.