Thank God for the Dumpling Bar! Comparable to Din Tai Fung but without the long waitlist. We are a large family and we're seated immediately upon arrival. The place was nice and humble. We all opted for all you can eat (AYCE) which is about 30 dollars per person for lunch. Food took a bit to cook but when it came out, a plethora of food arrived all at once! Must try: The noodle soup - broth is so flavorful - sweet, savory punch. Braised short rib - tender meat with bold flavors Any if not all of the dumplings - each have nice bites read more

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My friends and I had dinner here on a Wednesday evening. Service was on the slow side. I tried the following: - Brown Sugar Milk Tea with Boba - Pork Soup Dumplings - Chicken Spicy Wontons - Cucumber Salad I enjoyed everything I tried. The soup dumplings were flavorful and served at a good temperature. The wontons and cucumber salad weren't spicy to me but both had good flavor. read more

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They served us raw pork in the XLB and didn't comp the full meal :( The pan fried XLB were raw inside - they likely forgot to steam them before pan frying since the fried skirt on the bottom was barely golden. We notified our server and he said he would comp our meal, but then they ended up only comping 1 AYCE so we still paid 50 dollars including tip. The tip options are VERY egregious (20, 22, 25%) which feels pretty presumptuous. We also waited ~15-20min to be seated despite there being multiple empty tables. Shumai and wontons were pretty good. Beef noodle soup was too sweet, broth had been reduced too much so it was a little thick, and there were way too many noodles. The beef itself was cooked well. The fried pork chop was tender! Milk tea tasted homemade mixed tea and milk. The boba was cooked OK but not the best quality so it gets hard quickly in an iced drink. Ice cream selection was nice. The chinese churro/doughnut was good too. Our main server (white guy with glasses) was really nice and attentive! I just think it was unacceptable to make us pay for such a wild mistake. Overall, I would probably rather go down to convoy. The restaurant was very busy though so hopefully they work out their kitchen issues before anyone gets seriously sick. read more

Date night with my wife finally brought us to Dumpling Bar in Encinitas--worth the wait. They offer both à la carte and all-you-can-eat ($31-$34), and if you come hungry, AYCE is the move. Highlights: pan-fried pork XLB (crispy & juicy), beef dumplings and potstickers (solid flavor), crispy egg rolls, and the sweet and sour baby back ribs... easily a favorite. Food came out fast, everything was fresh, and the rounds system makes it easy to try a lot without overdoing it. Shout out to Cody for the great service. Easy date night spot. Definitely coming back. read more

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This is exceptional ayce dumplings and accompanying food. You can buy soda and it's in cans but they are warm and given with ice. The dumplings are very good and the setting is comfortable. Self serve ice cream accompanies the chocolate buns very well read more

Ok food, not terrible. Water tasted dirty. Highlights were the veggie dumplings and cucumber salad. Service was ok, had to flag down our waiter a few times. Overall would probably not go back again. read more

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First time trying this place, what is interesting is that they have two menu option, first option is the ala carte menu versus the all you can eat option, my wife and I opted in for the Ala carte menu just to try it and it did not disappoint, every item we ordered was outstanding although we think the filling or the meat inside the dumplings could have been more but nonetheless it was very tasty! read more

Dumpling Bar - Chinese Near Me - Encinitas, California

We tried the AYCE dumplings at Dumpling Bar and overall it was a decent experience. The concept is great if you're really craving dumplings and want to try a variety. The food was okay--nothing that really stood out, but still satisfying enough if you're hungry. Service was also just alright. Not bad, but not particularly memorable either. Everything came out in a reasonable time. Overall, I'd give it 4 stars--it's a good spot if you're in the mood for all-you-can-eat dumplings, but I wouldn't say it's a must-try. read more

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We came in on Sunday, they were out of vegan dumplings and chocolate dumplings. The shrimp dumplings were pretty good. The service is slow, they do not refill you water unless you ask. The place is tiny, tables are cramped. The ice cream you serve yourself which is unsanitary. I would not go here again. This place needs improvement all around. read more

Dumpling Bar - Ice cream - Chinese Near Me - Encinitas, California

DUMPLINGS IN ENCINITAS (4.5 stats) - FOOD: good - PRICE: fair - SERVICE: excellent - AMBIANCE: cute ... was a good pick for lunch. And nice to see the food scene diversifying outward from their downtown area. It's located in a plaza with kind of ample parking. The restaurant is small but very cute and clean - section area watching them make fresh dumplings. Came mainly for one item because "it's cute" and didn't have much expectations only to have left surprised and delighted. This place is a dumpling bar, similar food concept to DTF but not DTF. CUCUMBER SALAD ($6.50) - this was very refreshing to eat and they put the right amount of oil/dressing on top where you still taste most of the freshness of the cucumber with light glazed flavor of the oil/dressing. RECOMMEND BAO TEA COMBO ($17.95) - THIS is what I came for. You have two choices of boba, green tea or brown sugar... I went with the green tea but heard the brown sugar was more popular. The container had about 6 big dumplings and they were actually very good. I usually don't like big dumplings but these were acceptable, dumpling wrapper was not too thick, and the meat filling inside had good taste and juicy - yes juicy! I was afraid that after a little while the dumpling was going to get hard and chewy but it didn't and they stayed soft and elastic. If comparing to DTF, it's not as delicate BUT it's good. HIGHLY RECOMMEND Will def be back to try other things off their menu. Excited this opened and glad it's not in Convoy. Until the next review read more

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The rating is 3.4 We went on a Saturday for lunch and the wait time was about 45 minutes to an hour. You can opt for the all you can eat which includes everything on the menu except for 3 items (bao tea combo, hot jasmine tea, and san Pellegrino water) marked or order a la carte. We decided to do AYCE for $34.99 per person (Fri-Sun) to get the full experience. You can only order 2 items per person per round. We started off with the pork and crab xlb, shumai and har gow. The xlbs were good except the skin was on the thicker side. The shumai and har gow were okay. Next we ordered the chicken wontons in chili sauce which was more on the tangy side than we liked and well as the cucumber salad which was below average due to the tanginess and lack of proper seasoning. Also had the crispy fried pork chop which was mid. The beef potstickers were okay and the brown sugar milk tea was not as special as their star drink, the green boba milk tea. The star were their steamed custard buns and green boba milk tea!! They definitely were on point for those. The steamed buns were soft and the green boba milk tea was perfect! The staff was nice but they were really busy throughout so you have to try get their attention if you need something. The space is small but it worked for them. Overall, the quality of dim sum is what you'd expect to see at an all you can eat restaurant. A lot of the dishes were sadly a bit disappointing for us. read more

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For the price, this was a good meal! The service was really on top of it - super quick to bring out dishes and everything felt hot and fresh. We enjoyed the seaweed salad, pork ribs, pork XLB, beef potstickers, fried pork chop, chocolate and custard dessert buns, and scoop of ice cream. We left feeling perfectly full. Some of the dishes were lacking flavor or were overcooked, but overall it was a really pleasant experience and the price is great for AYCE. read more

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$35 for AYCE dumplings! We went here for lunch and decided to do their AYCE. Everyone at the table had to participate. Almost everyting on the menu is included so that was nice. You can order 2 items per person at a time and have a 2 hour window. We started with the cucumber salad, beef short ribs, and Taiwanese beef noodle soup. All good. We ordered the steamed crab and the pork xiaolong bao. We prefer the pork over the crab. I did like their shrimp hai cao dumplings and we ordered a few of those. The food was good but we weren't blown away. I think if you order them a la carte, prices were a bit high for the quantity of the dishes too. We did order the pan fried xiao long bao dumplings and they came out raw inside. The were cooked and crispy on the outside but completely raw inside. I think they forgot to steam it first. Totally disgusting! Service was good but understaffed as others have mentioned. There was one young man was taking care of everyone in the restaurant. read more

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Came hungry to AYCE and this place was so worth it for $31.99. You really can't beat that pricing. The service was amazing. We asked Chrissie for recommendations and everything she suggested was fire, especially the custard and chocolate buns. She went above and beyond for us and I hope she's our server next time! We had the ribs, cucumbers (), rib soup, beef wontons, pork bao, and more. Every dish hit. Absolutely worth the drive. It's in a great area with tons of parking too. read more

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This was a good halfway point for my friend and I to meet. I'd say 3.5 stars, mainly because it took a while for all the food to come out. Pros: Food is good and made fresh. Lots of parking. XLB - Tasty and well made Eggrolls - crispy and full of flavor Beef dumplings - executed well Crispy Pork Chop on scallion oil noodle - good amount of food. Pork chop was indeed crispy and noodles had a nice bite Fried Rice - pretty good fried rice (not pictured) Cons: the service is slow. Slow enough that my stomach felt satiated before my entree (noodles) came out. We shared the dumplings and eggrolls, but it took over 20 min from our first to last dish. The upside of this is that I got to spend time with a friend I hadn't seen in a while. Also, I definitely didn't overeat, and ended up taking the noodles home. They reheated pretty well. Bottom line: If you are in a rush, you might want to order take out. If you have the time to spare, come in, take a load off and enjoy the food/company (even if it is just you!) read more

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Stopped in at around 5:30pm on a friday and there were lots of open seats, but noticed it quickly filled up by 6pm. We opted for the ayce which was $35 per person. We got the Pork XLB both the normal one and pan fried one- each came with 6 pieces. I will say slightly doughy, but both filled with a good amount of meat so can't complain there. I personally liked the pan fried a bit more and was probably one of my favorites of the night. The Shumai comes in 4 and was very good. The beef dumplings were also tasty and not too spicy even though they came with chili sauce. The fried rice was just ok- honestly a bit dry and not enough flavor. The lo mai gai was also ok, decent size but that and the fried rice is probably too much rice for two people. Edamame was ok, but prefer just salted edamame. The steamed bbq pork buns also also had a bit too much bun and the bbq pork was not my favorite- but I will say I am more of a baked bbq pork bun gal. Chocolate and custard buns were good for dessert- lots of filling! Overall, pretty good for ayce and would definitely come again- but focus on the dumplings!! read more

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I tried this place because I've been seriously craving dim sum, and a friend shared it on Instagram. We decided to do the AYCE dim sum option, which let us try almost everything on the menu, including dim sum, soups, appetizers, and drinks, for $34.99 (we went on a Sunday). The standout dishes for me were the shu mai, BBQ ribs, cucumber salad, and the chocolate bun. I also loved that soft drinks and boba milk teas were included in the AYCE, which was a nice bonus. They even include ice cream to end the meal. It's a bit of a drive for me, but I'd definitely make the trip again for the food. read more

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Been wanting to try their AYCE! We came shortly after opening on a Sunday and were seated promptly. It's not super big inside so it fills up fast and there can be a line. Each person can order 2 dishes each round and our group of 3 stopped after a few rounds lol. Portions were full size so we were stuffed! Unlimited drinks which include brown sugar boba milk tea and self serve ice cream. -Veggie egg rolls (5/5): delicious and crispy! The veggie filling was good -Shrimp dumplings (4/5): decent and juicy shrimp filling -Pork XLB soup dumplings (4.5/5): juicy pork filling, broth was good and flavorful -Pork chop scallion oil noodle (5/5): crispy and juicy pork chop, noodles were nicely chewy and flavorful and not too salty -Beef wonton w/ chili sauce (2/5): not very flavorful and only spicy -Garlic butter edamame (5/5): delicious garlic butter seasoning, our group loved this -Cucumber salad (2/5): just alright and a little sour, cucumber was crunchy -Beef potstickers (4/5): filled with juicy meat, nicely crispy on the bottom -Chinese churro (5/5): delicious, crispy and not too sweet! This was my first time eating a Chinese donut (youtiao) with powdered sugar and it was amazing -Custard bun (4/5): pillowy soft and moist with a generous amount of custard filling, not too sweet -Brown sugar boba milk tea (2.5/5): a bit too sweet for me and boba was pretty soft Service was friendly and checked on us often. The food does take a little while to come out but everything came out fresh and hot. Modern and clean interior. A solid spot for Chinese AYCE! read more

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Came here to try their AYCE! It was $35 for a Sunday and includes soft drinks/milk tea and ice cream. We came right at 11AM opening so we were seated right away, but it quickly filled up inside Pork chop scallion noodle (5/5): DELICIOUS! The noodles were so savory and flavorful and not overly oily. The pork chop was crispy and juicy, not dry Shrimp dumplings aka har gow (4/5): your standard har gow Pork soup dumplings XLB (4.5/5): juicy and had good flavor, I think the skin was a bit thick Beef wonton w/ chili sauce (2/5): more spicy than savory and didn't have much flavor besides the spice Veggie egg rolls (5/5): hot and crispy! I liked the filling Garlic butter edamame (5/5): the garlic butter was so yummy! We devoured this. Edamame had a nice crunch Cucumber salad (3/5): alright, a bit sour Beef pot stickers (4/5): had a nice crisp on the bottom, tasted very meaty to me Chinese churro (5/5): basically a long crispy Chinese donut (youtiao) with powdered sugar, which was my first time having this combo. It was so good! Crispy, fresh and not too sweet Custard buns (4/5): typical custard buns, they took a while but came out hot and fresh Service was good, they checked on us often. Portions were full-size so we were stuffed! The dishes did take a while to come out, but you can tell they make everything fresh. Interior is spacious and clean. One of the better choices for Chinese AYCE! read more

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Extremely disappointed. Ok AYCE dumpling spot. Place is small, so if you're a bigger group expect to wait. We were a group of 6 and had to wait over an hour despite being told it would take 16 minutes to be seated. Service was terrible. Missing items, poor communication, no utensils, napkins, or plates. Each round takes so long to come out, we were fortunate our server exempted us from the 2 plates per customer rule, otherwise we would have gone past closing with how slow it is. Food was very average, for the price I suppose it is okay- I would never order à la carte for the price point. Will not be returning and do not recommend. read more

Writing this after my second time eating here. My husband has been here a total of 5 times (3 weeks in a row, a short break, and now 2 weeks in a row). That should tell you how much he likes the food. My mom, a picky eater liked it after one time that she practically twisted my arm to bring my cousins here the following week. You can either choose to eat AYCE or order entrees a la carte. If you aren't sure what to choose, the AYCE option is best because you get to try a little of everything and pay less than if you order items a la carte. In order to reduce food waste, the servers wait until you're mostly done with your current order before taking more orders. Everything is made fresh to order, so when the restaurant is full, the kitchen takes longer to fulfill orders. We were able to try everything except for the vegan dumplings. The braised beef noodles is very flavorful. We asked for smaller bowls so that everyone could taste it--a great way to try it without filling up. The fried rice and egg drop soup were good, but for me, was more like a filler if you want to be able to taste everything. Order the appetizer trio to also taste a little of everything. All of the meat dumplings were so fresh, no weird meat aftertaste. The pork shumai is dense and meaty, so they take longer cook. The steamed buns also take longer to cook. For dessert, in addition to the custard and chocolate buns, there is ice cream--all unlimited and included with the AYCE price. The wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable. They are very hard working, especially when the restaurant is full and busy. The dishes and drinks come out, and then they swoop by and grab the empty plates and steamer baskets. Aiden recognized my husband since he's there so frequently. If you have a party that is larger than 4, I suggest calling ahead to let them know you are coming. The staff can combine tables together for your party. They have a couple of highchairs with little kids, but space is limited, so strollers would need to be set aside. The single stall restroom has no changing station. Accessibility note: The restaurant is small, and the tables are closely spaced. When it is busy, and every chair is occupied, the pathways are tight. I use a cane and had to side step between tables. If I had to use my walker, I would not be able to navigate. I suggest calling ahead and requesting a table near the entrance so you could have a bit more room, but that won't help if you need to get to the back where the single stall restroom is. Speaking of rest room, there is plenty of space inside for someone who uses a mobility aid to enter, and a wheelchair user can transfer to the toilet with or without a helper companion. The entrance is wheelchair accessible without any steps. There are 3 handicap parking spaces located near the restaurant. Dumpling Bar will definitely be added to our rotation, and we've been recommending it to all of our family and friends. read more

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After visiting here about two weeks ago, I can say this place comes with highs and lows, I'll start with the good. I really liked the dumplings and the fact they serve unlimited boba drinks with it, I think that's really cool. Unfortunately the wait was soooo long and when we went to check inside, there's like eight tables open but it's only long because it took them a while to clean any table up and seat us but not because there was too many people. I also didn't like that you can only order two things per round, so one order of cucumbers and one chocolate bun would be an example of one round and then they won't get the food to you or ask about a second round for another 15 minutes so that takes a huge portion of your time there away from that, it's a bummer they do that and don't let you order more right away. read more

Quick service, clean restaurant, average food. I didn't think the dumplings were bad, but it's nothing to write home about. Beef pot stickers were okay; I think it was missing some seasoning or something. Bbq pork buns was okay. Again, nothing spectacular, but not bad either. Shrimp har gao was the best of what we ordered, but I've had better elsewhere. It's a nice quick space to stop for lunch; especially if you're trying to save some belly space for dessert. read more

Dumpling Bar - Chinese Near Me - Encinitas, California

Have been here three times and have enjoyed it every time. The service is efficient and friendly. The food is delicious and flavorful. I think it rivals DinTaiFung. Their cucumber salad is so tasty and their soup dumplings are yummy. You really get a good deal with the all you can eat too. read more

Tried the AYCE part of the menu. Got the poke XLB, tasty, cucumber salad, sweet and sour ribs, shumai (not my favorite) fried rice and egg drop soup, ended with a chocolate bun. We had ordered green beans but they never came so just decided to skip them. It was a bit unorganized, they kept bringing us food that wasn't ours. Sent double orders of things we only wanted one of and no green beans, I had to ask a few times for my Diet Coke then they brought it said- they would get me cup with ice and didn't return. It's a small restaurant and it does get busy, luckily we got right in before the crowd. Service needs improvement, food is overall good. Will try again. read more

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Very nice first experience here. Soy noodle salad is super tasty. Vegan dumplings are yummy but I'd rather there's 8 dumplings for this price instead of 6. Will order from here again! read more

Dumpling Bar - Soy Noodle Salad - Chinese Near Me - Encinitas, California

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The Dumpling Bar in Encinitas is an absolute gem. From the first bite, you can tell everything is made fresh and with real care. The dumplings are perfectly wrapped, juicy, and packed with flavor the kind that makes you order another round immediately. The sauces take everything to the next level, and the portions are generous without feeling heavy. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, and the staff is friendly and on point. Whether you're stopping in for a quick bite or sitting down with friends, it's consistently top tier. Easily one of the best spots in Encinitas for comfort food with bold flavor. Highly recommend 10/10, will be back. read more

I had a great experience here! AYCE was awesome and an amazing deal! There were so many options to choose from! But from my point of view, the standouts were the pork chop, braised beef noodle soup, xlb's (pork, shrimp), ribs and dessert (self serve ice cream, chocolate buns and Chinese churros) Pros- -Server was nice! -Plates came out super quick! -Food was delicious Cons -Place is small -Wait was long (Yelp waitlist quoted us 4-14 mins- we waited 1 hour+ with 5 adults and 2 kids) -Short staffed- service moved fast but was slow at times due to ratio of tables to staff, our server was moving and working hard but she had pretty much half the restaurant on her own with a couple people to bus and run as support. read more

I've never seen a XLB AYCE anywhere, not even in the OC or LA. The quality was actually pretty good, I was surprised how good. I've lived in Taiwan, I've lived in Singapore, this price for this quality was shocking. Like, AYCE sushi bars have terrible quality. This was good with great table service. Unlimited boba milk tea as well. Been multiple times now... my new favorite local "bar!" read more

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TikTok: m.Albright IG: Rs.Albright We did the AYCE on a Thursday night and total for all 3 of us ended up being around $90. The spicy chicken wontons and the chocolate bun was definitely a din tai dupe. I was very impressed with everything we ordered and it was AYCE too!! If only it were closer to me I'd be coming regularly! read more

This place is decent, but the wontons i got and the pork over noodles was nothing more than ok for how expensive it was

I came to Dumpling Bar mainly to compare their AYCE option with China Max since they're priced pretty similarly. Overall, it really came down to specific dishes rather than one place clearly winning across the board. The har gow was about the same in taste as China Max--solid, but nothing that separated it. I'd skip the ribs and beef potstickers here, as they were underwhelming and didn't stand out. The real highlight was the beef wontons in chili sauce, which were excellent and noticeably better than China Max's version. For staples like xiao long bao and shumai, China Max takes the edge with more flavor and depth compared to Dumpling Bar. Service was a strong point. The waitress was attentive, friendly, and did a great job explaining how the AYCE setup works. The ambiance is very low-key and casual--nothing flashy, but comfortable and relaxed, making it a nice spot to just focus on the food without feeling rushed. The restaurant is on the smaller side, so seats fill up quickly, but it's located in a shopping center, so parking is convenient. Overall, Dumpling Bar is worth checking out--especially for the beef wontons in chili sauce--but if XLBs and shumai are your priority, China Max may still have the edge. read more

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Fast, friendly, accommodating service. Food is delicious. Restaurant is quaint and clean. It was busy in a week night. They were out of the chocolate buns the day we were there. We would come back if we are in the area. If you can eat a lot, opt for the AYCE. If not, just order the items you like. You will save money. read more

All waiters just look at you when you arrive but won't sit you down. They don't even tell you how long it will take they just look at you straight in the eyes and nothing. Bad service for sure read more

Dined early on a Saturday night and was pleased that despite the small size there was no wait. We did the all you can eat option which seemed like the better deal unless you really aren't hungry. Between the two of us we tried the egg rolls, pork xlb, beef dumplings, chicken wontons, pork bun, fried rice, Chinese churro, and chocolate bun. Standouts were the chicken dumplings which were super flavorful and the pork buns which had very tender pork. We left very full. I was happy to see unlimited canned diet coke was included in the all inclusive price. We would live to return with a larger party so we could try more items. Overall a very positive experience. read more

Excellent dumplings hot and savory Pleasant surroundings attentive service Try it You'll like it read more

We took some out-of-town friends to Dumpling Bar in Encinitas for a late lunch, and it turned out to be a great experience. When we arrived, Hope was the sole team member attending to the dining room, yet she handled everything with remarkable professionalism, warmth, and efficiency. Despite managing multiple tables, she remained friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Her excellent people skills and positive attitude made us feel like valued guests. She even recommended the custard buns, which ended up being one of our favorite items. As for the food, the Xiao Long Bao were juicy and flavorful, the pork chops were tender and well-seasoned without being dry, and the cucumber and seaweed salad was fresh and refreshing. The braised beef noodle soup brought back memories of Taiwan with its rich, comforting flavors, and the potstickers were delicious as well. While the food was excellent across the board, it was Hope's outstanding hospitality that truly elevated our visit. She made us and our guests feel welcome from start to finish. We'll definitely be back. read more

Dumpling Bar is an absolute must-visit. From the moment you walk in, the savory aroma of freshly steamed dumplings welcomes you like a warm hug. We started with their cucumber salad and it was perfection. Each bite was like a small celebration. Next came the pan fried pork xiao long bao and brown sugar milk tea combo, which had a crisp golden bottom and a juicy filling that burst with flavor. The steamed custard buns were a treat! We also tried the Shumai and Shrimp Dumplings. Everything was delicious! The staff were very kind and super attentive. The space is cozy and clean, with what looked like bamboo basket style light fixtures. Not sure if they did that on purpose but it was super cute. My favorite was the Pork XLB, don't skip it!! Whether you're a dumpling connoisseur or just curious, Dumpling Bar will leave you planning your next visit before you've even finished your meal! read more

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We happily stumbled upon this place and pleasantly surprised! It was fast and affordable! The pan fried dumplings was crispy and cucumbers fresh! The noodles were a little bland for my taste but overall above average read more

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The chicken wontons were the highlight of the meal -- so flavorful and delicious with every bite! I would definitely come back just for those. Unfortunately, the beef noodles were underwhelming. They lacked seasoning and tasted more like plain noodles lightly coated in beef oil, with the beef itself being just as bland. We also tried the brown sugar boba milk tea (one of only two boba options), but it was bitter and didn't have the rich, sweet flavor you'd typically expect from this drink. I'd highly recommend the wontons, and next time, I'd love to try the dumplings instead. I'd skip the noodles and boba though -- they just didn't hit the mark for me. The inside of the restaurant isn't very big, but it's so cute because they have cartoons playing for kids on the TV, and you can see the staff making the dumplings through the window which is nice read more

Dumpling Bar - Chicken Wonton w/Chili Sauce(8pcs) - Chinese Near Me - Encinitas, California

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