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Bamboo Garden Restaurant
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Bamboo Garden Restaurant
8.0
Bamboo Garden is a long-running 8th Avenue dim sum hall where carts wind through a traditional banquet room decorated with dragons and chandeliers. It’s a dependable option when you want familiar dumplings, noodles, and baked pastries without overcomplicating the outing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steamed pork buns, Rice noodle rolls with beef, Sesame balls with red bean
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Classic old-school banquet room serving a broad dim sum lineup.
Who should go: Families and friends seeking familiar cart-style dim sum.
When to visit: Weekend mornings before peak rush for easier seating.
What to order: Pork buns, beef rice rolls, sesame balls.
Insider tip: Flag specific carts when you see favorites instead of waiting.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; can be tough on 8th Avenue during peak weekend hours, easier on side streets a few blocks away.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear are perfectly fine.
Noise level: Loud—constant cart traffic and big tables make conversation lively but not quiet.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes during peak brunch-to-lunch crossover on weekends.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most weekdays before 12:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetable dumplings, tofu skins, and stir-fried greens.
Vegan options: Limited—mostly plain vegetable dumplings and sautéed greens (confirm sauces).
Gluten-free options: Limited—rice rolls, steamed proteins, and plain vegetables are safest.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual hangouts than intimate dates—the room is lively, bright, and busy, which can feel distracting for a first impression.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are the norm, but arrive early on weekends to avoid longer waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—high chairs, big round tables, quick service, and familiar flavors work well for kids of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Reliable, old-school cart dim sum at easy prices with lots of seating for groups.
Skip if: If you want modern presentation, upscale seafood-driven banquet dishes, or a quieter experience.
Bamboo Garden Restaurant
7.8
Bamboo Garden is a long-running 8th Avenue dim sum and banquet restaurant where locals book large tables for family-style Cantonese meals. Pricing is gentler than some peers, but the menu still covers full banquet dishes alongside a deep dim sum roster.
Must-Try Dishes:
Har Gow Shrimp Dumplings, Roast Duck, Rice Noodle Rolls with Shrimp
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 6.2
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Classic 8th Avenue banquet room balancing approachable prices with full dim sum.
Who should go: Families and groups wanting big round tables and shared dishes.
When to visit: Busy weekend hours when carts circulate and kitchen moves fastest.
What to order: Har gow, roast duck, shrimp rice noodle rolls.
Insider tip: Use off-peak weekday nights for easier parking and shorter waits.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; can be challenging on weekends after 6pm, easier on weeknights and earlier dim sum hours
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans and sweaters are fine, no need to dress up
Noise level: Loud — banquet-style room with constant table turnover and chatter
Weekend wait: 45–75 min without reservation
Weekday lunch: 10–25 min during peak dim sum hours, often no wait after 2pm
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable dumplings, stir-fried greens, tofu dishes, and noodle options available
Vegan options: Limited — possible with advance ordering and careful sauce selection
Gluten-free options: Limited — rice noodle rolls, steamed dishes, and plainly prepared seafood are safest
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for intimate conversation due to noise and group-focused energy — better for casual, food-forward dates than romantic ones.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but expect waits on weekends and holidays; weekday evenings and late lunches are much easier.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — large tables, fast service, familiar Cantonese dishes, and a lively atmosphere that accommodates children well.
Best For
Better for: Classic Cantonese banquet dining with approachable pricing and dependable dim sum variety
Skip if: You want an upscale, modernized dim sum room or a quiet, romantic dining experience
Bamboo Garden Restaurant
8.1
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Bamboo Garden is a long-running 8th Avenue dim sum and banquet restaurant where locals host wedding banquets, red-envelope birthday dinners, and reunion feasts. Rolling carts and roast ducks in the window keep things casual, but private rooms, muraled walls, and multi-course seafood spreads give it real event-night potential. It’s the choice when you want classic Cantonese celebration energy without leaving the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roast Duck Platter, Siu Mai Pork Dumplings, Custard Pineapple Bun
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Classic 8th Avenue banquet room with VIP spaces for parties.
Who should go: Families planning dim sum parties or banquet-style celebrations.
When to visit: Weekend mornings or early evenings for peak atmosphere.
What to order: Roast duck, siu mai, pineapple custard buns from carts.
Insider tip: Ask about private rooms if you’re planning a formal banquet.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking can be challenging on 8th Avenue, especially evenings and weekends; metered spots turn over slowly. Many guests use ride-share for banquets and weekend dim sum.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy-casual — jeans are fine, but many guests dress up slightly for celebrations and family banquets.
Noise level: Loud and lively — expect constant cart traffic, large tables celebrating, and a festive banquet-room din.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer for large groups or private rooms.
Weekday lunch: 10–25 minutes on average; faster during early weekday afternoons.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple vegetable dim sum options, tofu dishes, and stir-fried greens are always available.
Vegan options: Limited — some vegetable dumplings, sautéed greens, and rice/noodle dishes can work with staff guidance.
Gluten-free options: Limited — rice noodle rolls, steamed proteins without sauce, and plain rice are the safest choices; cross-contact is likely in a banquet kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual daytime first date than an intimate evening one — it’s lively, bright, and social rather than quiet and romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes for small parties during off-peak hours, but weekends, holidays, and large groups should always reserve ahead.
Is it kid-friendly? Very kid-friendly — strollers are common, carts add entertainment value, and there are plenty of mild, familiar dishes for children.
Best For
Better for: Large multi-generational celebrations, traditional Cantonese banquet energy, and classic cart-style dim sum in a true neighborhood setting.
Skip if: You want quiet, romantic dining, chef-driven modern Cantonese, or a refined tasting-menu-style experience.
Bamboo Garden Restaurant
8.4
Bamboo Garden is a lively 8th Avenue dim sum and banquet restaurant where carts, roast meats, and big tables make it easy to feed extended families. Regulars use it for everything from Sunday lunches to milestone dinners with grandparents and kids in tow.
Must-Try Dishes:
Siu mai dumplings, Roast duck over rice, Custard pineapple bun
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Classic banquet-hall dim sum with plenty of space for large families.
Who should go: Families planning dim sum outings or casual banquet dinners.
When to visit: Weekend late mornings or early afternoons for peak dim sum.
What to order: Siu mai, roast duck platters, custard buns for the table.
Insider tip: Request a corner table if you’re bringing strollers or very young kids.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along 8th Avenue and nearby side streets; can be tight during weekend dim sum rush. No dedicated valet.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — sneakers and jeans are common, but dress nicely for banquets and celebrations.
Noise level: Loud and energetic during peak hours — conversation is still possible but expect a bustling room.
Weekend wait: 30–60 min during prime banquet hours without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a short 5–10 min wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable dumplings, stir-fried greens, tofu dishes, and rice/noodle plates.
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable and tofu-based dishes can be prepared without animal products on request.
Gluten-free options: Limited — plain roast meats, steamed fish, and some vegetable dishes work best; soy-based sauces are common.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, no-pressure lunch date than a romantic dinner — the room is lively and built for sharing rather than intimacy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weekdays, but reservations are strongly recommended for weekend dim sum and large family dinners.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — stroller-friendly aisles, shareable dishes kids recognize, and a fast pace that works well for younger diners.
Best For
Better for: Large group dim sum, birthday dinners, and multi-generational family meals with lots of sharing plates.
Skip if: If you want quiet conversation, modern fusion dim sum, or a romantic dining atmosphere — other smaller spots will suit you better.