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Restaurant

Shark Fin Inn

50 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 78 people

Updated

Find Shark Fin Inn

50 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9662 2681
HoursMonday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Shark Fin Inn

This Chinatown fixture delivers authentic Hong Kong energy across two buzzing levels with traditional roving dim sum cart service. The pace rarely slows. Steam baskets of har gow, shu mai, and fried taro buns move through the aisles, portioned tableside by seasoned staff. Downstairs beneath the Victoria Harbour mural, multi-generational groups share salt and pepper squid, clay pot tofu, and fresh live lobster over lazy Susans.

  • Roving Cart Dim Sum: Steaming carts continuously circle the dining room with fresh har gow, shu mai, and fried taro buns.
  • Live Seafood Selection: Live lobsters are weighed tableside before being cooked fresh for shared banquets.
  • Old-School Chinatown Dining: Multi-generational groups gather over lazy Susans beneath the dining room's Victoria Harbour mural.
RestaurantChineseRestaurant

What's On at Shark Fin Inn

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Shark Fin Inn

Why diners choose Shark Fin Inn for traditional yum cha and classic Cantonese celebrations

  • Continuous Trolley Cart Service

    Continuous cart service moves through the dining room every few minutes with freshly steamed dim sum baskets.

    The service here for dim sum was impeccable with a cart coming around every 5 minutes and several wait staff checking in continuously.

    S K C

  • Tableside Live Seafood Selection

    Live lobsters and seasonal catches are weighed and presented directly before kitchen preparation.

    We walked into the weighing of a live lobster and were quickly escorted upstairs to our table.

    Rebecca Thompson

  • Multi-Generational Celebrations

    Generations of patrons return to share longstanding family banquet dishes and festive milestones.

    My family has been going to Shark Fin Inn for literally the last 40+ years for special occasion dinners and yum cha, and the food and service has always been excellent.

    An P

  • Communal Group Dining

    Shared dim sum portions and accommodating banquet tables make group dining seamless.

    However, overall we were satisfied with the food and it is highly recommended for family gathering.

    Cindy C Rahardjo

  • Vibrant Chinatown Dining Atmosphere

    The energetic, crowded dining hall delivers a lively, classic Hong Kong yum cha setting.

    Shark Fin Inn in Chinatown is a great spot if you’re after a classic yum cha experience with all the hustle and bustle that comes with it

    Amilliah

  • Enduring Old-World Charm

    Preserved interior decor and traditional hospitality evoke deep nostalgic charm.

    It’s a treat to work into a tradition style restaurant, with the old world charm but fresh service

    N (charlie)

Customer favorites and signature dim sum staples from our Chinatown kitchen

  • Lobster noodles

    Their lobster noodles tasted fresh, well seasoned and delicious. Other dishes were nice too but the lobster was definitely the highlight.

    Louise A- Hospitality Insider

  • Har gow

    And, the shu mai, har gow, and fried taro buns were exceptional - great prawns!

    S K C

  • Bean curd and shrimp rolls

    Especially loved the bean curd and shrimp rolls!

    Nancy

  • Prawn toast

    Salt pepper squid fresh and crispy, 1000 chilli chicken was juicy, scallops were amazing, and the best prawn toast I’ve had in Melbourne.

    N (charlie)

Beyond the menu

Distinctive hospitality and thoughtful tableside touches that define the dining experience.

  • Tableside Dim Sum Cutting for Sharing

    Service staff proactively offer to portion dim sum dishes and pastries in half at the table, facilitating seamless group sharing.

  • Live Seafood Presentation and Weighing

    Live seafood such as lobster is presented and weighed tableside for diner verification and photos prior to kitchen preparation.

  • Attentive Tableside Teapot Care

    Waitstaff continuously monitor teapots throughout the meal, proactively topping up hot water for chrysanthemum and Chinese teas.

  • On-Demand Off-Cart Kitchen Orders

    Waiters take individual orders for off-cart dim sum items like fresh cheong fun and deliver them piping hot directly from the kitchen.

Before you head over

Practical guidance on reservations, pricing, and ordering for a seamless visit

  • Book in advance to bypass opening lines

    Lines often begin forming before the doors open at 11:00 AM, and walk-ins may face crowded waits outside. Reserve ahead to avoid delays.

  • Clarify pricing tiers and market rates

    Dim sum items span varying price tiers and live seafood is sold at market rates; ask for a printed menu or check pricing beforehand.

  • Order off-cart dishes directly from staff

    While trolleys circle constantly, specific items like rice noodle rolls or special dishes can be ordered straight from the kitchen through the staff.

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