The place was fancier than the food. We had the set course for lunch and the presentation was more grand than the actual food. Desert and the tea were nice but the rest of the food fell short of expectations.
We didn’t get to try the coy fish dumplings. Maybe those would have been better.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Jones Lee
Lwh is a high end dimsum restaurant. Dim sum is not just food , but an art. The koi dumplings are the most special and beautiful. It is so beautiful that you dont want to eat it. The dumpling is filled with shrimp and scallops mixture. The lychee shrimp ball is another art piece. The shrimp ball is deep fried (very crunchy) but made it look like a lychee. The shrimp dumpling and siu mei are ok. The deep fried pear shape thing is actually 咸水角， the skin is made by stick rice dough and deep fried perfectly. The filling is meat with black truffles...... very good. The red ball is actually foie gras. Unique. The short ribs are honey glaze. To have lunch here is not just food and art but also enjoyment and entertainment. You will be surprised by lwh.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Andy P
Overpriced and not worth it. Tried one of their set menus and some dishes were tasty but several did not stand out for being a high-end restaurant. Tasting menu was designed poorly and leaves diners unsatisfied (at least add a cheap carb somewhere so people don’t leave hungry lol).
Feels more like a restaurant attempting to be fine-dining than actually being one. Would not recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
G G
I’m in the area for very long. Since before, old LWH was a Cantonese catering spot with a focus on food > service. I recently visited to attend the valentines experience. Overall I felt the coordination is a significant problem. For a few times the staff didn’t notice my raised arm for help and as they were closing one round for another I really had some trouble getting my photo taken as part of the service. I’d say still, the staff need better training and coordination to really achieve the service to be on par with western cuisine competitors.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
I Chen (AngelsofGod)
We tried this 11 course tasting menu and each dish of food that we received was delicious. The tea was a good accompaniment to merry the flavors together. The servers and the staff was lovely by regularly changing our plates often and also to explain the components of every course. The only thing that I wasn't impressed was the dessert as everything else was building up to being executed perfectly. The swan dessert especially was a let down as it was nothing special as well as the Chinese pear. I would suggest to get rid of the swan and to maybe have a tofu dessert in a different style with crystalise ginger pieces.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Grace Lee
I recently dined at this restaurant and was blown away by the *top-notch service* and *outstanding food*. Every dish was expertly crafted and presented, and the staff were attentive and knowledgeable. The atmosphere is also worth mentioning — the ambiance is elegant and cozy, making it perfect for special occasions or a romantic dinner.
The only downside is that it’s on the *pricey side*, but honestly, the quality of the food and service justifies the cost. If you’re looking for a memorable dining experience, this place is *definitely worth it*. Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates fine dining!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alaleh - FoodyTO
Lai Wah Heen is a long‑respected Cantonese restaurant in downtown Toronto, known for its refined dim sum and elegant dining style. It first opened in 1995 and quickly earned praise for its high‑quality dishes. After a period of closure, the restaurant has been refreshed and reopened in the same location inside the DoubleTree by Hilton, with a modern, upscale look that still feels warm and inviting.
The menu focuses on traditional Cantonese flavours made with great care and premium ingredients. The beautifully prepared dim sum is very popular, but the full menu also offers many classic dishes with thoughtful presentation.
It offers both à la carte and Tasting menu. We ordered “Special Her al Tea Pot”, “Scallop & Shrimp Dumplings”, “Free Run Chicken” and finished on a sweet note with “Fresh Milk Tart”. The food was fresh and tasty and beautifully served.
The staff are attentive and friendly. The restaurant has a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Suellen
I hadn't been back since they renovated and it is absolutely beautiful. The service was perfect and food delicious. I've always loved the food here and it was as good as ever. Wonderful night.
Daniel A
We were seated right away, which was great, but from that point on the evening moved very slowly. I do want to give credit where it's due as our server was genuinely kind, attentive, and transparent about the kitchen delays. He made sure we were aware early on that food would take longer than usual and even offered a complimentary drink, which helped take some of the sting out of the wait. Honestly, the service was the strongest part of the night.
Dining as a trio had its perks as we were able to split the bill easily and order a wider range of dishes to try. We ended up getting the General Tao chicken, beef noodles, a vegetable dish, and milk tarts for dessert.
Unfortunately, timing was where things really fell apart. Because of the long prep time, we were asked to order dessert early, but the milk tarts arrived before our mains. They sat on the table while we waited for the rest of the food, which made the whole flow of the meal feel off and a bit uncomfortable.
As for the food itself, it was decent but not memorable. The General Tao chicken had good flavor. The beef noodles were fine, though the flavor felt a bit flat. My friends like the vegetable dish but I thought it was the weakest of the night. Overall presentation was impressive, though expected at these price points.
There were also some small inconsistencies that made the experience feel uneven. For example, through scanning reviews in advance we noticed they typically bring grapes without asking - we had to ask.
C J
Absolutely loved this hidden gem! The presentation of the food not only was 10/10 but the atmosphere they have created is such a vibe. The servers were also very kind and attentive. This has to be by far the tastiest Chinese food I’ve eaten in the city. I still can’t get over how amazing this place was.
I want to give this place a higher rating, but to be honest, the food is just on par with most dim sum restaurants in Toronto but the price is about 2X or more. So for the price, I can't give it more than a 3star. Yes the atmosphere is nice and the service is good, but not worth the price.
The dim sum is kind of the same as you will find at most dim sum restaurants but they add some truffle or a small touch of difference here and there (mostly in presentation), but the result in the flavour is negligible.
The service was good and the atmosphere is nice (but perhaps a tad staid). Everyone has their view of luxury, but for me, it really comes down to the food for a restaurant.
They offer a wide range of options for tea which is nice and the quality of the tea is good.
They do validate parking which is a good perk.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Onlyfoods To
What a great START to kick off 2026! This fine dining dim sum experience at Lai Wah Heen was next level.
The aesthetic of this place is absolutely stunning. Definitely a higher end dim sum place. The ambience and the whole vibe is so amazing for friends hanging out, if you want to treat your mom and dad into an afternoon tea.
The service is top notch! Our server was great, introducing us to the different tea that's available.
The food was sensational. The appearance was 10/10 for sure!
Would definitely bring my family here next time.
Thanks for a great time!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Ray Au
Had dinner on Saturday night - tasting menu for $180 (winter moon tasting menu). Incredible food and presentation. Cantonese high end food not often found - reminder of some high end meals I’ve had in Hong Kong. Great value compared to many restaurants I’ve visited in Toronto. Great service and great ambiance. Good for a less noisy group meal or date.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Raphael
We had the winter moon festival tasting menu and it was incredible. Great food, presentation and for the money is incredible value. Service was excellent and wonderful ambiance. Visited Jan 24:2026
Eli Blogz
We had an incredible dining experience here! Every dish we tried was full of flavour and beautifully presented. The Siu Mai with Uni was a luxurious twist on a classic with the uni adding a rich buttery depth to the dumplings. The Peking Duck Fried Rice was perfectly seasoned with tender pieces of duck and a satisfying balance of textures. The Scallop & Prawn Dumplings (Koi Dumplings) were delicate and flavourful, a real standout. The Guangzhou Chow Mein featured perfectly crispy egg noodles paired with a rich savoury sauce while the Gon Chau Ngo Ho was expertly stir fried with wok hei giving the noodles a smoky authentic Cantonese flavour.
From start to finish, the service was attentive and the atmosphere inviting making it the perfect spot to savour top quality Cantonese cuisine. Definitely a must visit for anyone looking to enjoy both classic favourites and unique dishes done exceptionally well.
The place was fancier than the food.
We had the set course for lunch and the presentation was more grand than the actual food. Desert and the tea were nice but the rest of the food fell short of expectations.
We didn’t get to try the coy fish dumplings. Maybe those would have been better.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Lwh is a high end dimsum restaurant. Dim sum is not just food , but an art. The koi dumplings are the most special and beautiful. It is so beautiful that you dont want to eat it. The dumpling is filled with shrimp and scallops mixture. The lychee shrimp ball is another art piece. The shrimp ball is deep fried (very crunchy) but made it look like a lychee. The shrimp dumpling and siu mei are ok. The deep fried pear shape thing is actually 咸水角， the skin is made by stick rice dough and deep fried perfectly. The filling is meat with black truffles...... very good. The red ball is actually foie gras. Unique. The short ribs are honey glaze. To have lunch here is not just food and art but also enjoyment and entertainment. You will be surprised by lwh.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Overpriced and not worth it. Tried one of their set menus and some dishes were tasty but several did not stand out for being a high-end restaurant. Tasting menu was designed poorly and leaves diners unsatisfied (at least add a cheap carb somewhere so people don’t leave hungry lol).
Feels more like a restaurant attempting to be fine-dining than actually being one. Would not recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
I’m in the area for very long. Since before, old LWH was a Cantonese catering spot with a focus on food > service. I recently visited to attend the valentines experience. Overall I felt the coordination is a significant problem. For a few times the staff didn’t notice my raised arm for help and as they were closing one round for another I really had some trouble getting my photo taken as part of the service. I’d say still, the staff need better training and coordination to really achieve the service to be on par with western cuisine competitors.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
We tried this 11 course tasting menu and each dish of food that we received was delicious. The tea was a good accompaniment to merry the flavors together. The servers and the staff was lovely by regularly changing our plates often and also to explain the components of every course. The only thing that I wasn't impressed was the dessert as everything else was building up to being executed perfectly. The swan dessert especially was a let down as it was nothing special as well as the Chinese pear. I would suggest to get rid of the swan and to maybe have a tofu dessert in a different style with crystalise ginger pieces.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
I recently dined at this restaurant and was blown away by the *top-notch service* and *outstanding food*. Every dish was expertly crafted and presented, and the staff were attentive and knowledgeable. The atmosphere is also worth mentioning — the ambiance is elegant and cozy, making it perfect for special occasions or a romantic dinner.
The only downside is that it’s on the *pricey side*, but honestly, the quality of the food and service justifies the cost. If you’re looking for a memorable dining experience, this place is *definitely worth it*. Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates fine dining!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lai Wah Heen is a long‑respected Cantonese restaurant in downtown Toronto, known for its refined dim sum and elegant dining style. It first opened in 1995 and quickly earned praise for its high‑quality dishes. After a period of closure, the restaurant has been refreshed and reopened in the same location inside the DoubleTree by Hilton, with a modern, upscale look that still feels warm and inviting.
The menu focuses on traditional Cantonese flavours made with great care and premium ingredients. The beautifully prepared dim sum is very popular, but the full menu also offers many classic dishes with thoughtful presentation.
It offers both à la carte and Tasting menu. We ordered “Special Her al Tea Pot”, “Scallop & Shrimp Dumplings”, “Free Run Chicken” and finished on a sweet note with “Fresh Milk Tart”. The food was fresh and tasty and beautifully served.
The staff are attentive and friendly. The restaurant has a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I hadn't been back since they renovated and it is absolutely beautiful. The service was perfect and food delicious. I've always loved the food here and it was as good as ever. Wonderful night.
We were seated right away, which was great, but from that point on the evening moved very slowly. I do want to give credit where it's due as our server was genuinely kind, attentive, and transparent about the kitchen delays. He made sure we were aware early on that food would take longer than usual and even offered a complimentary drink, which helped take some of the sting out of the wait. Honestly, the service was the strongest part of the night.
Dining as a trio had its perks as we were able to split the bill easily and order a wider range of dishes to try. We ended up getting the General Tao chicken, beef noodles, a vegetable dish, and milk tarts for dessert.
Unfortunately, timing was where things really fell apart. Because of the long prep time, we were asked to order dessert early, but the milk tarts arrived before our mains. They sat on the table while we waited for the rest of the food, which made the whole flow of the meal feel off and a bit uncomfortable.
As for the food itself, it was decent but not memorable. The General Tao chicken had good flavor. The beef noodles were fine, though the flavor felt a bit flat. My friends like the vegetable dish but I thought it was the weakest of the night. Overall presentation was impressive, though expected at these price points.
There were also some small inconsistencies that made the experience feel uneven. For example, through scanning reviews in advance we noticed they typically bring grapes without asking - we had to ask.
Absolutely loved this hidden gem! The presentation of the food not only was 10/10 but the atmosphere they have created is such a vibe. The servers were also very kind and attentive. This has to be by far the tastiest Chinese food I’ve eaten in the city. I still can’t get over how amazing this place was.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I want to give this place a higher rating, but to be honest, the food is just on par with most dim sum restaurants in Toronto but the price is about 2X or more. So for the price, I can't give it more than a 3star. Yes the atmosphere is nice and the service is good, but not worth the price.
The dim sum is kind of the same as you will find at most dim sum restaurants but they add some truffle or a small touch of difference here and there (mostly in presentation), but the result in the flavour is negligible.
The service was good and the atmosphere is nice (but perhaps a tad staid). Everyone has their view of luxury, but for me, it really comes down to the food for a restaurant.
They offer a wide range of options for tea which is nice and the quality of the tea is good.
They do validate parking which is a good perk.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
What a great START to kick off 2026!
This fine dining dim sum experience at Lai Wah Heen was next level.
The aesthetic of this place is absolutely stunning. Definitely a higher end dim sum place. The ambience and the whole vibe is so amazing for friends hanging out, if you want to treat your mom and dad into an afternoon tea.
The service is top notch! Our server was great, introducing us to the different tea that's available.
The food was sensational. The appearance was 10/10 for sure!
Would definitely bring my family here next time.
Thanks for a great time!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Had dinner on Saturday night - tasting menu for $180 (winter moon tasting menu). Incredible food and presentation. Cantonese high end food not often found - reminder of some high end meals I’ve had in Hong Kong. Great value compared to many restaurants I’ve visited in Toronto. Great service and great ambiance. Good for a less noisy group meal or date.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had the winter moon festival tasting menu and it was incredible. Great food, presentation and for the money is incredible value. Service was excellent and wonderful ambiance. Visited Jan 24:2026
We had an incredible dining experience here! Every dish we tried was full of flavour and beautifully presented. The Siu Mai with Uni was a luxurious twist on a classic with the uni adding a rich buttery depth to the dumplings. The Peking Duck Fried Rice was perfectly seasoned with tender pieces of duck and a satisfying balance of textures. The Scallop & Prawn Dumplings (Koi Dumplings) were delicate and flavourful, a real standout. The Guangzhou Chow Mein featured perfectly crispy egg noodles paired with a rich savoury sauce while the Gon Chau Ngo Ho was expertly stir fried with wok hei giving the noodles a smoky authentic Cantonese flavour.
From start to finish, the service was attentive and the atmosphere inviting making it the perfect spot to savour top quality Cantonese cuisine. Definitely a must visit for anyone looking to enjoy both classic favourites and unique dishes done exceptionally well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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