City View Restaurant

📍 Chinatown 💰 $$ 🍽️ Chinese, Dim Sum

The Verdict

"No more carts since the 2023 move. You order from a menu now, which means food comes out hotter. Har gow and green onion pancake are the standouts. Go weekday lunch to avoid the weekend wait, or try Friday/Saturday dinner for something different."

What you need to know

City View moved to a new space at the bottom of 33 Walter U. Lum Place in 2023, right across from Portsmouth Square. The old Commercial Street location with its rolling dim sum carts is gone. In its place: a modern dining room with neon green booths, bright lighting, and menu ordering instead of carts.

The shift has divided regulars. Some miss the fun of flagging down carts and pointing at steamers. Others prefer ordering exactly what they want and getting it hot from the kitchen. Either way, the food itself is still solid Chinatown dim sum.

How It Works Now

You order from a menu with pictures next to each item. Food comes out from the kitchen to your table. No more carts rolling by, no more guessing what’s under the lid. Service is quick and the staff is attentive.

This makes City View easier for first-timers who might have felt lost with the cart system. You can take your time, read descriptions, and order at your own pace.

What to Order

Har Gow ($9): Shrimp dumplings with a thin, translucent wrapper. These are consistently good here.

Pork Siu Mai ($7.50): Classic open-topped pork dumplings, well-seasoned and reliable.

Green Onion Pancake ($7.50): Crispy and flaky with good scallion flavor throughout.

Shrimp Rice Noodle Roll ($9.50): Wide cheung fun with shrimp filling. Order these early before they sit too long.

Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf ($9): Steamed glutinous rice with savory filling, unwrapped at the table.

Fried Crab Claws: One of the less common items you won’t find at every dim sum spot. Worth trying.

Scallop Siu Mai: A variation on the classic that’s specific to City View’s menu.

The New Space

The dining room is a big upgrade from the old location. Modern and clean, with actual comfortable seating. The neon green booths and bright overhead lighting give it a more contemporary feel than most Chinatown dim sum spots. It draws a mix of families, tourists, and regulars.

The location across from Portsmouth Square puts you in the heart of Chinatown. Street parking is difficult, but the Portsmouth Square Garage is right there with validated parking available.

What to Know Before You Go

City View now serves dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings (5 to 8:30 PM), which is unusual for a Chinatown dim sum place. The lunch crowd is the main draw, but dinner is a less hectic option if weekend lunch feels too busy.

Closed Mondays. Weekend lunch fills up fast, so arriving by 10:30 AM on Saturday or Sunday gives you the best chance at a table without waiting.

Prices have gone up with the new space. Expect to spend $25 to $40 per person depending on how much you order. Individual plates range from about $5.50 to $15.

📍 Location: This restaurant is in Chinatown. Explore the neighborhood →