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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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

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

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

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

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

What a treat to have an AYCE dim sum place in Encinitas that's actually decent! The service can be slow but the food arrives pretty quickly. I wish they had a yelp waitlist that you can get on that allows you to know how long the wait is. They have a waitlist option but you can only get on it in-person so the wait can be a little long. The restaurant is pretty small so there aren't a ton of tables which makes the wait time longer. read more

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

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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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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My family and I thoroughly enjoyed this place and it's incredible value with the AYCE. Everything on the menu was delicious and my favorites were the ribs, hot and sour soup, and the spicy chicken wontons. It's an open kitchen and you can see a lady making dumplings by hand. Can't recommend enough and can't wait to come back! read more

AWFUL experience! Hubby and I went for a date night to go try this place out. Got there put our names down on a waitlist on the iPad at 7:30pm wait time said we would be seated at 7:38-7:48pm...time passed and we were still on the waitlist waiting outside. It was past 8pm we're still waiting and the couple before us got seated down, as my hubby went inside to check why we're STILL waiting a couple that checked in AFTER us came inside and sat THEMSELVES DOWN. Not one of the staff said anything to that couple who cut us in line!!! And they mistakenly REMOVED us from their waiting list. Need to work on training their staff how to handle these situations, and their waitlist. There also was another family after us who couldn't eat inside because they also got taken off the waitlist! read more

Dumpling Bar - Chinese Near Me - Encinitas, California

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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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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My daughter found this place on IG. She loves dumplings and boba. So this place was perfect. I always get braised noodle soup when I go to dumpling places. And we also have to get xlb. They even have a chocolate dessert one(menu said hazelnut). Private parking lot outside. Good service, yummy food. Would go here again. read more

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omg the best hidden gem! will be back! get the all you can eat for such a good deal on amazing fresh food!! read more

Dumpling Bar - crab xlb Cucumber Salad seaweed salad sticky ribs chicken wontons - Chinese Near Me - Encinitas, California

Literally the best dumpling spot! AYCE is nice so you can try everything. Awesome quality for AYCE. My fave are the Chinese donut, shumai, custard buns, and lo mai hai. Must try!! read more

We were excited to see this open up. We wanted to find a place that had soup dumplings close by so we did not have to drive down to Ding Tai Fung. FOOD Garlic Butter Edamame - I probably could have passed on these. They seemed a little undercooked. Chicken Wonton w Chili Sauce - This was one of my favorites. I thought the wonton itself was well cooked. The wrapper held strong without being mushy. I wish this was slightly spicy. Pork XLB - Very slightly soupy. Still had a good flavor and the filling was plentiful. Beef Potstickers - I felt like these had a pretty similar flavor profile to the pork ones minus the soup. Pan Fried Pork XLB - I liked these because the bottoms were a little crisp. Gave it some texture. The sauces they provided was a good addition to these dumplings. BBQ Pork Buns - I tend to gravitate towards these because of the fluffy buns. The buns were perfectly fluffy. The filling was excellent. Savory and not too sweet. My toddler typically doesn't like these due to the flavor but she liked it from here. DRINKS Green Tea w Boba - It was fun to see the dumplings on top of the cups as lids. The tea itself was tasty. The boba needed some work. They were undercooked and hard. Overall, it was a good meal. We tried a lot of their menu and most things were enjoyable. We would come back for their dumplings! read more

Dumpling Bar - Chinese Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Located in the Encinitas Shopping Center, parking was difficult on a Sunday around noon. However, there was no wait in this quaint establishment and we were able to be seated right away. We chose to sit towards the back to be able to see through a glass partition, a lady making fresh dumplings. There were good menu items and decided to share pork xiao long bao, wontons with chili oil, braised beef noodle soup and the chocolate-filled xiao long bao for dessert. We also tried the green milk tea. We liked the wontons with chili oil the best, so soft yet so flavorful I could've just drank the sauce! Both kinds of xiao long bao flavor-wise, was good too, but the outer wrapper/dough was a bit too al dente for our preference. The braised beef noodle soup and milk green tea were ok, just a bit lacking. Service was ok and a bit slow, it was surprising especially since there were not a lot of people dining. So, we came & went. Glad we had a chance to try this place. 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

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

Wait wait wait. I thought that I was at a restaurant not Disneyland. The soup gives upset stomach. Dumplings are good. Spicy wantons are alright. And the only thing on tv is looney toons and my phone died read more

Great AYCE! Fast service and delicious choices. Big menu, nice casual spot. Will be back!

Server was high af but the food was absolutely delicious XLB pork beef potstickers chicken in spicy oil chocolate bun

My mom & i have been dying to try this place since we first saw it! But of course we live 1.5 hours away so we had to wait. It was worth it!! We got the xiao long bao, the sweet n sour ribs, and the chocolate buns. Everything was INCREDIBLE!! Our server was very nice and the food came out quickly and steaming hot. The soup dumplings were perfect - full of pork and soup as expected. The ribs were TO DIE FOR and a generous portion! The choco buns were the perfect dessert - yoy could have 1 and be satisfied but ordering 3 is good too! ;) I cant wait to come back ASAP! Parking is generous and everything was clean. Restaurant itself is a bit small but it kinda feels like youre dining with friends because i was so happy eating there. Highly recommend! read more

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I really wanted to visit this location because I was hearing that this place rivaled another large chain but at a more reasonable price. I was surely disappointed. The Yelp waitlist was not really followed. We waited 40 minutes being 16th in line without moving up a spot. This place was definitely understaffed on a Sunday. That's all fine once we managed to get a seat. We wanted to try the food. The service was ok, but when we got our food. The portions were small and the food tasted less than ideal. The soup dumplings, while fresh, had no soup. The prices were comparable to the other large chain in town, but at least there, I would be receiving better service at a comparable price. I don't know if I will be visiting this location again sadly. I was really disappointed in everything. read more

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We came with a party of ten including six littles. The soup dumplings were a hit, as well as edamame, cucumbers without spicy oil and a noodle dish they recommended that wasn't spicy. So so good. We did all you can eat. Highly recommend. Green beans were awesome too. read more

We happened to be shopping, or rather my wife happened to be shopping right next door, and we popped in for dinner. All in all, I would say that I was happy with the quality and flavor of the food. Is it the best that I have had, no but it is one of the better ones within my area! While I came in for the Xiao Long Bao, it was not my favorite here, but I did enjoy the pan-fried version over the steamed. The Chicken wontons and garlic string beans were both good, and next time I am back I will try a few other items! read more

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Yummy places. Plenty of tables/seating. Everything was delicious. My son's favorite was the pan fried soup dumplings. I loved the spicy chicken wontons. The pork chop and noodles were ok, but my least favorite. Service was friendly. I wanted to try their milk tea boba and dumpling combo but I'll just have to get that when I come back! read more

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Dumplings are delicious very flavorful and the service was great. We got in quickly. I love the new all you can eat options. We will definitely come back again. 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

Food was average when it arrived. Ordered 5 dishes for all you can eat received 2 of them. 1st one came out quick and was decent. 2nd one I asked for an update 5 times and took 1+ hours to get. Mind you the waiters came by time and time again and asked what else I wanted to order and I said still waiting for my order and both just said ok and walked away. Not asking what it was or how long I'd be waiting. Still got changes all you can eat only receiving 2 of my plates I ordered. I didn't want to fight for the other 3 plates I ordered cuz the waiters would just say oh ok and walk away. Had to flag down for napkins, our drinks ordered, to clear our plates, for food we never got, and our check. I'm sorry but asking for the food we ordered 10+ times overall and still not receiving some of it when the check was handed is absurd. read more

10/10 the food was amazing, the service is impeccable and they all seem to love there job, and the ambiance is nice, relaxing and very appropriate for any time you come. Defiantly coming back here. read more

Hope you as an amazing server that took care of our party of 10! 6 kids! Food was fantastic, full of flavor and plenty of options. Would definitely recommend and can't wait to be back! read more

The BaoTea combo is not just a gimmick! 6 pan fried xiao long bao in a bowl placed on top of boba tea. It's definitely a sight to see. This would be really convenient if you have to walk around and eat, but if you have a place to sit, I'd recommend separating them right away. You don't want your hot dumplings to be cold or your drink to get warm. The mini dumplings were tasty and even though they're small, they still contain the soup inside! The skin is lightly fried and adds a nice slight crisp in each bite. For the drink, you can choose any drink you like and I opted for the brown sugar milk tea. It was so good! The service here was wonderful! The server for my table was friendly and she brought us water and checked on us periodically to see if we needed anything else. It was quiet at lunch time on a weekday and it's nice to be able to just take your time to enjoy these amazing food. read more

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I had a great experience here! For appetizers, I ordered the 3-item appetizer combo with the string beans, edamame, and baby ribs. All three were delicious and full of flavor. The main reason I came was for the chicken wontons with chili sauce, and they absolutely lived up to the hype. They were flavorful, perfectly cooked, and definitely my favorite dish of the meal. I also did the all-you-can-eat option, and it was completely worth it. The quality of the food was excellent, the portions kept coming, and everything I tried tasted fresh. I'll definitely be coming back to satisfy my dumpling cravings! read more

Food was good for the price. The restaurant is small and loud but we didn't mind. Service was ok. Server wasn't really there to SERVE just felt like he wanted our money (lol shocker) when we were ordering for our last round, the server repeated back the order but forgot to mention the 3 small boba tea. No biggie so I corrected him and he gave me a long weird stare like he already knew and said "...yeah" and walked off lol Best part he walked back a few minutes later and asked what drinks we ordered haha. read more

I don't recommend coming here. Service was terrible and we had 6 people so the tip was added on when she didn't even deserve the 45 dollar tip. She barely came to the table to check on us. Food was gross. 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