Koi Palace

You could go to Hakkasan for an upscale, modernized dim sum experience (it's lovely, no joke), but if you want the real deal, head south to this 20-year-old mainstay. The sprawling space includes a koi pond, live seafood tanks, high ceilings adorned with decorative glass and enough seating for 400. Check off what you'd like from the book-length menu or wait for the army of carts to roll by. House specialties include the har gow (shrimp dumplings), xiao long bao and chicken feet. Be forewarned: arrive early or resign yourself to a wait, which can surpass an hour on the weekends.