ZipPicks Awards
Best Chinese in Lincoln Park
Best Dim Sum in Lincoln Park
Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in Lincoln Park
Best Cheap Eats in Lincoln Park
Best Family Friendly Restaurants in Lincoln Park
Master Critic Review
D Cuisine
8.0
A MingHin veteran's dim sum destination serves Hong Kong-style classics all day in a sleek Lincoln Park setting. The early-bird special with sub-$1 dumplings from 8am to noon weekdays is a neighborhood steal, while weekend siu mai and BBQ pork buns satisfy any craving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Siu Mai, BBQ Pork Buns, Pan-Fried Pot Stickers
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: All-day dim sum without Chinatown lines or weekend chaos
Who should go: Dim sum fans who want quality without the trek
When to visit: Weekday mornings for early-bird pricing under $1/piece
What to order: Siu mai, char siu buns, pan-fried potstickers
Insider tip: BYOB—no corkage, bring champagne for dim sum brunch
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Clark St typically available—easier than most Lincoln Park spots. Metered until 10pm. Bus routes 22 and 36 stop nearby for an easy public transit option.
Dress code: Casual—jeans and sneakers fit right in. It's a neighborhood dim sum spot, not a special occasion destination.
Noise level: Quiet to moderate—not noisy even when busy. TVs show sports but are muted. Easy conversation, good for catching up.
Weekend wait: Minimal wait—rarely crowded despite small footprint. Walk-ins typically seated immediately.
Weekday lunch: No wait, often near-empty. In and out in 30 minutes if needed.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but present—veggie stir-fry dishes available on the dinner menu. Dim sum skews meat-heavy; ask about vegetable dumplings.
Vegan options: Very limited—vegetable dishes can work, but most dim sum contains pork, shrimp, or egg. Call ahead to confirm options.
Gluten-free options: Challenging—dim sum wrappers are wheat-based. Rice dishes and some stir-fries may work; specify needs to server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—it's intimate, quiet, and the BYOB policy lets you bring a nice bottle to personalize the experience. The compact menu removes decision paralysis, and sharing small plates creates natural conversation. Budget around $40-50 for two plus whatever you bring to drink.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, and you'll have to—they don't take reservations despite what some sites indicate. The good news: it's rarely crowded, so walk-ins are almost always seated immediately. Weekend brunch is busiest but still manageable.
Is it kid-friendly? Workable but not ideal. No kids menu and the cuisine skews sophisticated (chicken feet, congee). Adventurous eaters 8+ will do fine with BBQ pork buns and potstickers. Toddlers may struggle with limited familiar options.
Best For
Better for: Dim sum without the Chinatown schlep or hour-long waits. The early-bird weekday pricing (sub-$1 per piece before noon) beats any Chinatown value play, and freshness rivals the best—everything's made daily starting at 6:30am.
Skip if: You want the full cart-service spectacle or need a massive dim sum selection. The 30-dish menu is curated but limited compared to MingHin's 80+ options. Also skip if you need strong vegetarian variety.