Taotaoju Shenzhen: Guangzhou’s Best Dim Sum Chain

Taotaoju (陶陶居) is one of the most recognized Cantonese restaurant names in southern China. Founded in Guangzhou in 1880, it holds the official 中华老字号 (China Time-honoured Brand) designation and has been serving dim sum and Cantonese classics for over 140 years. The brand has expanded aggressively into Shenzhen over the past decade, and the Zhuoyue INTOWN (卓悦中心) branch in Futian is one of its busiest locations, with over 14,700 reviews on Dianping and a 4.6 out of 5 rating.

For Hong Kong visitors crossing the border for a meal, Taotaoju is a safe and familiar choice. The menu reads like a greatest hits of Cantonese yum cha: prawn dumplings, rice noodle rolls, chicken feet, char siu, roast goose, and pineapple buns, all executed at a level that justifies the consistently long queues. The Futian branch sits inside Zhuoyue INTOWN on Fuhua Road, just 160 metres from Gangxia MTR station on Line 1, making it one of the most accessible Cantonese restaurants for cross-border day trippers. The restaurant opens at 10:00 AM for morning dim sum and stays busy through the afternoon tea period until 4:30 PM, then reopens for dinner at 5:00 PM.

The average spend is around ¥111 per person, which is slightly higher than a casual dim sum spot but reasonable for the quality, portion sizes, and the upscale mall setting. With 12 branches across Shenzhen alone (including locations at MixC, Coastal City, and One Avenue), Taotaoju has become the go-to chain for reliable Cantonese dim sum in the city.

The Dim Sum

The 陶陶居大虾饺 (Taotaoju signature prawn dumplings) are the most recommended item on the menu, with 127 mentions on Dianping. The wrappers are thin and translucent, and the filling is packed with whole diced prawns that snap when you bite into them. These are consistently good and a reliable benchmark for the kitchen’s quality on any given day. If the prawn dumplings are on point, everything else on the table usually follows.

The 酥皮水牛奶菠萝包 (buffalo milk pineapple buns) are another standout, recommended by 51 diners. These are baked pastries with a crackled golden crust, filled with a creamy buffalo milk custard that is rich without being too sweet. They arrive warm from the oven and are best eaten immediately. If you only order one sweet item, make it this one.

Other dim sum highlights include the 百搭酱皇蒸凤爪 (steamed chicken feet in soy sauce), which are tender and well-seasoned, and the 卡珍芝士糯米鸡 (cheese sticky rice chicken), a creative twist on the traditional lo mai gai that adds melted cheese to the glutinous rice. The 锦绣海鲜红米肠 (seafood red rice noodle rolls) are also popular, with a soft, silky texture and generous seafood filling. For something photogenic, the 鲜果榴莲天鹅酥 (durian swan pastries) are shaped like swans and filled with real durian cream.

The cute pig-shaped molten custard buns (猪仔流沙包) are a Taotaoju signature that shows up on nearly every table. They look like cartoon piglets and are filled with a flowing salted egg yolk custard. Children love them, and they make for a great photo before you eat them. The custard inside is warm and flowing, so be careful when you bite in. They sell out quickly on busy days, so order early if you want them.

Beyond Dim Sum

The 冰镇咕噜肉 (iced sweet and sour pork) is Taotaoju’s most Instagrammable dish and the second most recommended item with 85 mentions. Unlike traditional sweet and sour pork served hot, this version arrives on a bed of crushed ice with colourful fruit pieces scattered around it. The pork is crispy on the outside, tender inside, and the cold temperature makes the coating extra crunchy. The sweet and sour glaze has a fruity twist that keeps it from being one-dimensional. It is one of those dishes that looks like a gimmick but actually tastes better than the traditional version, and it has become a signature that most tables order.

The 陶陶居百年烧鹅 (century roast goose) is another signature, with crispy skin and juicy meat that rivals many dedicated roast goose restaurants. The 红烧乳鸽 (braised pigeon) is worth ordering if you enjoy richer, gamier flavours. For a lighter option, the 一口酥豆腐 (crispy tofu bites) are golden-fried cubes with a silky interior, recommended by 62 diners.

The 干炒牛河 (dry-fried rice noodles with beef) is a Cantonese classic done well here, with smoky wok hei flavour and tender sliced beef. If you are ordering for a group, the 啫啫生菜煲 (sizzling lettuce clay pot) arrives bubbling and fragrant, and the 顺德双皮奶 (Shunde double-skin milk pudding) is a smooth, lightly sweet dessert that rounds off the meal perfectly.

The Space

The Zhuoyue INTOWN branch occupies a large unit on the second floor with a design that mixes traditional Cantonese teahouse elements with modern polish. There are carved wooden screens, ornate ceiling details, a statement chandelier, and marble-topped tables throughout. It feels noticeably more upscale than a typical dim sum restaurant, which makes it a good option for family gatherings or hosting visitors. Private rooms are available for larger groups, and the restaurant has high chairs for young children. Paid parking is available in the mall basement.

The restaurant gets very busy on weekends, especially during the morning and early afternoon dim sum rush. Queues of 30 to 60 minutes are common on Saturday and Sunday mornings. If you want to avoid the wait, try visiting on a weekday or arriving right when the doors open at 10:00 AM. The restaurant also reopens for dinner at 5:00 PM, which tends to be quieter than the daytime dim sum service.

Good to Know

The Futian branch is at Level 2, L233-234, Zhuoyue INTOWN East Zone (卓悦中心东区), 348 Fuhua Road. The nearest metro station is Gangxia (岗厦站) on Line 1, Exit B, about 160 metres away. You can also reach it from Convention and Exhibition Center Station (会展中心站) on Lines 1 and 4, Exit A1, which is about a seven-minute walk.

If you are coming from Hong Kong, Futian is the most convenient part of Shenzhen to reach. The Futian Port and Huanggang Port both connect directly to Futian by metro, with Gangxia station just a few stops away on Line 1. The area around Zhuoyue INTOWN is one of Futian’s main shopping and dining hubs, with plenty of other restaurants and shops to explore before or after your meal.

Taotaoju has 12 branches across Shenzhen, so if the Futian location is too crowded, you can check for availability at other branches including Coastal City (海岸城) in Nanshan, MixC in Luohu, or the newer branches in Bao’an. The menu is largely the same across locations, though some branches have slight variations in their deal offerings on Dianping.

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For more Shenzhen restaurant recommendations, check out our Shenzhen food and travel guides. If you are looking for dim sum options in Hong Kong, see our dim sum guides.