Canton House Dim Sum in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and searching for a classic dim sum experience, Canton House in Doraville is one of the first names many locals think of. This guide walks you through what to expect, how to plan your visit, and tips for getting the most out of a dim sum meal here.

Where Canton House Fits Into Atlanta’s Food Scene

Atlanta’s food scene covers everything from Southern comfort to global flavors, and Buford Highway is the city’s most famous corridor for international dining.

Canton House is:

• Located along Buford Highway in the Doraville/Chamblee area
• Known primarily for Cantonese-style dim sum
• Popular with both Chinese families from around metro Atlanta and food-focused visitors

For many Atlantans, it’s a go-to spot when they want the kind of traditional, cart-style dim sum that’s more common in larger Chinatowns.

Location, Parking, and Contact Info

Canton House is in a busy commercial strip just outside the Perimeter, easily reached from I‑285.

Canton House (Dim Sum)

• Area: Doraville / Chamblee, off Buford Highway NE
• General area landmarks: Near Plaza Fiesta and other well-known Buford Highway shopping centers
• Parking: Typically surface lot parking in front or around the building
• Recommended approach:
  • From I‑285, exit toward Buford Highway (US‑23) and follow signs toward Doraville/Atlanta
  • Expect a busy parking lot during peak lunch hours, especially weekends

Because specific phone numbers and hours can change, most Atlanta diners confirm current opening times and dim sum service hours before heading over, especially on holidays.

What Is Dim Sum, and How Does Canton House Serve It?

Dim sum is a Cantonese tradition built around small plates—steamed dumplings, buns, rolls, and sweets—usually enjoyed with tea.

The Style at Canton House

At Canton House, dim sum typically follows a cart-service model during peak times:

• Servers push steamer and frying carts around the dining room
• You point to dishes you want as carts come by
• Your table’s order card is stamped or marked each time you choose a dish
• At the end of the meal, the staff totals your card

When carts are not running (usually slower weekday times), you may:

• Order dim sum from a printed menu
• Receive dishes made-to-order from the kitchen instead of choosing from carts

For many Atlanta visitors, the cart experience is a big part of the draw, so timing your visit matters.

When to Go: Best Times for Dim Sum at Canton House

Dim sum at Canton House is typically daytime-focused, with the busiest period around late morning to mid-afternoon.

Typical Patterns (Subject to Change)

• Weekends (Saturday & Sunday):

  • Usually the most active dim sum service, often with full carts
  • Expect wait times during peak hours (11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.)
  • Larger family groups and multi-generational tables are common

• Weekdays:

  • Generally quieter, with easier parking and shorter waits
  • Cart service may be more limited; some items might be order-only

If you’re visiting Atlanta and want a “classic” dim sum hall feel, many locals aim for late morning on weekends, arriving a bit early to avoid the peak rush.

What You’ll Find on the Dim Sum Menu

Canton House focuses on Cantonese dim sum standards. Names can sound unfamiliar, but dishes are usually brought to your table so you can see them before choosing.

Common Dim Sum Dishes You’re Likely to See

Steamed Favorites

• Har gow – Shrimp dumplings with translucent wrappers
• Siu mai – Open-topped pork (often pork-and-shrimp) dumplings
• Char siu bao – Fluffy buns filled with Cantonese barbecued pork
• Steamed spare ribs – Pork ribs in a savory, sometimes slightly peppery sauce
• Chicken feet (phoenix claws) – Braised, richly seasoned; a traditional favorite

Fried & Baked Items

• Spring rolls – Crisp rolls with vegetables or meat
• Fried taro dumplings – Mashed taro around a savory filling, fried until lacy and crisp
• Baked barbecue pork buns – Glazed, slightly sweet baked buns with BBQ pork inside

Noodle & Rice Dishes

• Cheung fun (rice noodle rolls) – Silky rice noodles rolled around shrimp, beef, or BBQ pork, topped with a light soy sauce
• Pan-fried turnip cake – Savory cakes made from shredded radish/turnip and rice flour

Desserts & Sweets

• Egg custard tarts – Flaky crusts with soft, sweet custard
• Sesame balls – Glutinous rice balls coated in sesame seeds, often with a sweet filling

Not every item is available all the time; selection can vary by time of day, day of week, and how busy the restaurant is.

How Ordering and Pricing Usually Work

Dim sum at Canton House is built around small plates and shared dishes.

Ordering Flow

1. Tea first:
   • Staff will ask what type of tea you’d like; jasmine and oolong are common choices.
2. Carts arrive:
   • Look at what’s on the cart; the server can usually describe items if you ask.
3. Choose by sight:
   • Point to what you want; the server places it on your table.
4. Card is stamped:
   • Each dish falls into a price category (often by size or type), which is tracked on your table’s card.

Typical Pricing Structure

While exact prices change over time, many dim sum restaurants in Atlanta, including Canton House, tend to:

• Group dishes into categories like Small, Medium, Large, Special, etc.
• Charge per plate, not per person

A simplified example of how it’s often laid out:

Your final bill reflects how many plates of each category you selected, plus tea and any additional drinks.

Tips for First-Time Dim Sum Diners in Atlanta

If Canton House is your first dim sum experience, a few small adjustments can make it smoother.

1. Go With a Group

Dim sum is meant for sharing. With three or more people, you can:

• Try more dishes without over-ordering
• Split costs across a wider range of plates

2. Start with Familiar Flavors

If you’re new to Cantonese flavors, consider starting with:

• Shrimp dumplings (har gow)
• Siu mai
• BBQ pork buns
• Rice noodle rolls
• Egg tarts

Then add one or two “adventurous” picks like chicken feet or turnip cake.

3. Pace Yourself ⏱️

Carts keep circling, and it’s easy to accept more plates than you realize.

• Take one plate at a time from each cart
• Let a cart pass if you’re already loaded up; it will likely come back around

4. Ask About Allergies and Ingredients

If you have specific dietary needs:

• Ask servers which dishes contain shellfish, peanuts, or gluten-containing wrappers/sauces
• Keep in mind that soy sauce and some marinades may contain wheat

Staff may not always be able to guarantee allergen-free dishes, so people with severe allergies often take extra care and ask detailed questions.

Atmosphere: What It’s Like Inside

Canton House usually feels like a traditional banquet hall more than a quiet bistro.

Expect:

• Large round tables, often with lazy Susans in the middle
• A lively, sometimes loud dining room, especially on weekends
• Families, friend groups, and multi-table gatherings
• Servers moving quickly with carts and trays

If you’re looking for a quiet, intimate meal, a weekday visit at off-peak hours is generally calmer.

Getting There From Around Atlanta

Canton House’s Buford Highway location makes it reachable from many Atlanta neighborhoods. Travel times depend on traffic, but locals often use these general routes:

• From Midtown / Downtown Atlanta:

  • Head north on I‑85, connect to I‑285 East, and exit near Buford Highway toward Doraville.

• From Decatur / East Atlanta:

  • Use I‑285 North or local surface roads to reach Buford Highway NE, then head toward Doraville.

• From Sandy Springs / Perimeter Center:

  • Take I‑285 East to the Buford Highway area.

Because Buford Highway can be busy and parking lots fill quickly on weekends, many Atlantans build in a buffer of 10–15 extra minutes.

How Canton House Compares to Other Dim Sum Options in Atlanta

Metro Atlanta has a growing number of Chinese and pan-Asian restaurants, but only a limited set focus heavily on Cantonese dim sum. Canton House is often considered:

• One of the more established dim sum halls along Buford Highway
• A spot where both Chinese-speaking locals and dim sum newcomers feel comfortable
• A place where visitors can experience a traditional-style, cart-based dim sum service that is less common in many Southern cities

If you’re exploring international cuisine in Atlanta, pairing a meal at Canton House with stops at nearby markets, bakeries, or bubble tea shops along Buford Highway makes for a full afternoon of food discovery.

Practical Checklist Before You Go

To make your Canton House dim sum visit smoother, Atlantans often:

• ✅ Confirm current hours and whether dim sum carts are running during the time they plan to visit
• ✅ Arrive a little early on weekends to avoid long waits
• ✅ Bring a small group so they can share a variety of dishes
• ✅ Plan for lively noise levels and a bustling dining room
• ✅ Check parking options and allow time to navigate Buford Highway traffic

For anyone in or visiting Atlanta who wants to experience Cantonese dim sum in a busy, traditional setting, Canton House on Buford Highway is one of the city’s most recognizable places to start.