Tao Tao Ju Guangzhou Food Review

Tao Tao Ju: Guangzhou Michelin Guide Dim Sum Restaurant

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Last updated on May 15th, 2026

Dim sum is a must-try whenever we visit Guangzhou, and our top choice is always the Michelin Guide restaurant Tao Tao Ju.

Proudly featured in the Guangzhou Michelin Guide, Tao Tao Ju (陶陶居) is a must-visit destination for dim sum enthusiasts in Guangzhou. Founded in 1880, this restaurant boasts a rich history and numerous awards, establishing a strong presence throughout the city. Tao Tao Ju is renowned for its traditional Cantonese cuisine, and it’s common to see large crowds eagerly waiting to dine at any of its locations.

The renowned Tao Tao Ju has multiple branches throughout China, including locations in Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xiamen, as well as an overseas branch in London. We highly recommend visiting the original store, the Tao Tao Ju – Shifu Main Store (陶陶居 十甫总店) in the Shang Xia Jiu area. As you savor these mouth-watering dim sum dishes, you’ll understand why Tao Tao Ju is often considered the go-to restaurant in Guangzhou.

Let’s dive into our food review of the Tao Tao Ju – Shifu Main Store, with food recommendations and tips.

Tao Tao Ju (陶陶居)

Where to Eat in Guangzhou - Tao Tao Ju

Tao Tao Ju (陶陶居) translates literally to “The House of Joy.” It was named by Kang Youwei (康有為), a political reformer from the Qing dynasty who advocated for constitutional monarchy in China.

There are several Tao Tao Ju restaurants in Guangzhou. The original site, Tao Tao Ju – Shifu Main Store (陶陶居 十甫总店) is the best choice for those who appreciate historical venues. Opened in 1880, this restaurant is one of the oldest in Guangzhou and is still in operation. The Shifu Main Store was renovated and reopened in December 2024, featuring a majestic ambiance. The four stories of Tao Tao Ju showcase beautiful traditional Chinese decor combined with contemporary touches.

Tao Tao Ju (陶陶居 十甫总店)
Address: 20 No.10 Fu Rd, Liwan District, Guangzhou.
Opening hours: Daily from 8:00 to 21:00 (hours may vary by branch)
Recommended Food: Prawn Dumplings (陶陶居虾饺), red rice rolls (锦绣海鲜红米肠), Roasted Goose (例牌烧鹅), Steamed chicken feet (百搭酱皇蒸凤爪), and more Dim Sum.

Looking for accommodation nearby Beijing Road? We recommend staying at the Mercure Guangzhou Beijing Road Pedestrian Street Hotel. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of the pedestrian street, with numerous restaurants and eateries nearby.

Our Dim Sum Food Visit to TaoTaoJu

Tao Tao Ju Queue

During one of our visits, we went to the main outlet, Tao Tao Ju – Shifu Main Store (陶陶居 十甫总店), for a dim sum feast. Upon entering, we were impressed by the elegant Chinese decorations, with numerous heritage stories and artifacts displayed throughout the floors.

Due to its popularity, lines can be long at Tao Tao Ju. It was a weekday morning, yet the restaurant was still packed with diners. Without hesitation, we took a number from the counter and waited patiently in line.

Guangzhou Michelin Guide Dim Sum - TaoTaoJu

While waiting, you can see the kitchen on the ground floor or explore the pastry corner. Tao Tao Ju is proudly featured in the Michelin Guide and the local China food guide for its high-quality food.

We waited for about an hour before being seated.

What To Order at Tao Tao Ju

Ordering is straightforward by scanning a QR code, similar to many Chinese restaurants in China. The menu features a wide selection of dishes, beautifully presented with prices listed. There is no language barrier. Even non-Chinese customers can order by selecting items from the photos.

Everything looks very delicious, and we ended up ordering many types of Cantonese dim sum, such as Char Siu Buns and Siu Mai. Please note that some signature dishes, like Pigeon, Char Siu, or Roast Duck, may only be available during lunchtime or dinnertime.

Har Kaw (陶陶居虾饺)

Tao Tao Ju Prawn Dumpling

Dim sum at Tao Tao Ju is excellent and reasonably priced. All dishes were delicious, nicely presented, and the restaurant ambiance is enjoyable.

You must try the Tao Tao Ju’s Har Kaw (陶陶居虾饺) or prawn dumplings, which are incredibly juicy and made with fresh prawns. These dumplings feature large, plump prawns encased in a thin, translucent skin. While they come at a higher price, they are highly recommended.

Red Rice Roll (锦绣海鲜红米肠)

TaoTaoJu Red Rice Roll

Another highly recommended dish is the Red Rice Roll (锦绣海鲜红米肠). The bright red, chewy rice layer wraps around crispy fried dough and juicy shrimp, served with peanut sauce and soy sauce. They are crunchy and tasty.

I found the red rice roll at Tao Tao Ju to be more to my liking than similar offerings at other Guangzhou dim sum restaurants.

Siu Mai (烧麦)

Tao Tao Ju Siu Mai

The Siu Mai (烧麦) may appear simple, but the meat is flavorful, and the caviar topping adds a delightful touch. The taste is good, but it’s not exceptional.

Boat Porridge (荔湾艇仔粥)

Tao Tao Ju Boat Porridge

We also enjoy the Boat Porridge (荔湾艇仔粥) from Tao Tao Ju. Although it isn’t the same hot, boiled porridge we had on XiHua Road, this traditional Guangzhou staple is served here with a rich assortment of ingredients. A perfect warming side dish to accompany all the dim sum.

Honey Black Char Siu Bun (蜜汁叉烧包)

Tao Tao Ju Char Siu Bun

Though the Honey Black Char Siu Bun (蜜汁叉烧包) may look simple, the quality is far superior to buns I’ve had in Guangzhou. The dough is soft and melts in your mouth, while the minced meat is tender and the sauce offers a delightful sweetness. I must admit that the quality, skill, and taste at Tao Tao Ju stand out compared to other restaurants.

Steamed chicken feet (百搭酱皇蒸凤爪)

Tao Tao Ju Chicken Feet

The Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce (百搭酱皇蒸凤爪) is also delicious. They are steamed until “melt-in-your-mouth” tender.

Steamed Pork Ribs with Yam (香芋蒸排骨)

Steamed Pork Ribs with Yam

Another classic dim sum dish, Steamed Pork Ribs with Yam (香芋蒸排骨) is excellent. The ribs are steamed with fragrant yam, which sits underneath to absorb all the savory meat juices and essence of the sauce. Absolutely flavorful.

Other Cooked Dishes in Tao Tao Ju

In addition to enjoying delightful Yum Cha moments, Tao Tao Ju also offers a variety of cooked dishes if you’re looking for something other than dim sum.

We highly recommend trying the Chilled Sweet and Sour Pork (冰镇咕噜肉), Tao Tao Ju Roasted Goose (陶陶居百年烧鹅), and Stir-Fried Beef Ho Fun (干炒牛河), as these dishes are also very popular choices.

Since we are too full after enjoying all the Cantonese dim sum at Tao Tao Ju, we couldn’t choose and missed this round. We will come back to add it to our food list we want to try here.

Looking for accommodation nearby Beijing Road? We recommend staying at the Mercure Guangzhou Beijing Road Pedestrian Street Hotel. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of the pedestrian street, with numerous restaurants and eateries nearby.

Overall: Tao Tao Ju Food Review

Tao Tao Ju Guangzhou

Overall, visiting Tao Tao Ju in Guangzhou is worthwhile. We agree with the Michelin Guide that Tao Tao Ju is definitely worth a visit. The dim sum is excellent and suits my taste. Although the price is slightly high compared to some local Guangzhou dim sum restaurants, we believe the food quality is better and more flavorful. All dishes were delicious, nicely presented, and the restaurant ambiance is enjoyable.

While our food was served quickly, it arrived one dish at a time. I would have preferred to have all the dim sum served together so that we could enjoy the meal as a whole. In short, we highly recommend coming for a dim sum feast at Tao Tao Ju in Guangzhou!

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Lastly, this Tao Tao Ju Food Review blog is part of our travel journey that includes Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Continue reading for more travel stories!

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