A trip to City Hall is not on most travelers’ agenda, but you might want to make an exception for this huge Cantonese restaurant with awesome views of Victoria Harbour. Best of all, unlike most restaurants serving dim sum nowadays, City Hall Maxim’s Palace still offers Guangdong-style dim sum from trolleys like in the old days, with wood baskets filled with all the usual goodies like shiu mai (minced pork dumplings), plus there’s an English menu for extras like soup and noodles. Although it’s pricier than what you might find at lesser-known ma-and-pa operations, the ambiance more than makes up for it.

Be forewarned that it’s a bit hard to find (it’s up on the second floor, which would be the American third floor) and unless you come after the lunch crowd disperses (no reservations accepted), you’ll find yourself joining many others for the wait. Alternatively, you can come for dinner for fresh seafood and other Cantonese fare (Maxim’s Palace is also known as a banquet and formal-occasion restaurant), though I find the dim sum lunch atmosphere much more fun.

Practical Info

City Hall, Low Block 2nd FL, Edinburgh Place & Connaught Rd.

Dim sum HK$35-HK$50; main dishes HK$85-HK$155

(852) 2521 1303

www.maxims.com.hk

MTR: Central