Osmanthus Dim Sum Lounge, San Francisco

Reviewer: Foodnut.com Osmanthus Dim Sum Lounge 504 Broadway San Francisco, CA 94133 415-872-9648 Osmanthus Dim Sum Lounge Website

Why did we dine here? – Osmanthus is a Chinese dim sum restaurant in the heart of North Beach, on Broadway, where Enricos used to be. Several family members have been there and they liked it, and we also saw it on the SF Chronicle’s List of top Dim Sum, so we finally ate there.

Be sure to read our Beginner’s Introduction to Chinese Dim Sum Lunch – Top Dim Sum in San Francisco

They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and were pretty busy on a Saturday lunch. Nice mixture of Asians and Tourists. If you actually see Asian people in a dim sum restaurant, it must be decent.

Cuisine – Chinese Cantonese
Location – San Francisco North Beach

The menu has pretty traditional dim sum, not a lot of inventive dishes like HL peninsula, or Palate Tea. It also has a good amount of cooked dishes you find at normal Chinese spots. They give you a Tea menu with expensive options, but you can opt for just a regular tea. Prices here are not cheap, but pretty much in line with a restaurant located in North Beach.

Service was average, too few servers. Nothing new during the pandemic..

Verdict -If you’re looking for dim sum in this area of the City, give it a try. If you’re intimidated by loud Chinese tea houses, come here, it is very accessible.

Food Picks

Har gow or shrimp dumplings ($7.95) had four smallish dumplings that were slightly above average 7/10.

Chao Zhao dumplings ($5.95 for 4), we’re large what’s a good filling and still some crunch in the peanut. 8/10

Pan fried XO turnip cake ($9.95) is the favorite of many folks. A large dish of chopped up pieces slightly crispy. 8.5/10.

Baked pork buns had a nice crust on top and hit the mark. 8/10.

Deep Fried Sesame balls ($5.95) were hot out of the fryer and hit the mark. 9/10.

Fried pork puffs ($5.95)were also steaming, hot and also hit the spot. 9/10

Lotus wrapped glutinous rice ($5.95) had two big portions, better than average. 8.5/10.

Shrimp rice noodle ($7.95) was slightly below average. Nothing special. 6.5/10

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