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Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto Reviews List
Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
At the internationally renowned Lai Wah Heen, cuisine and culture come together to create an authentic Chinese dining experience that remains unrivaled amongst Toronto’s top-seated restaurants.
Lai Wah Heen, meaning “a luxurious meeting place,” has achieved the superb quality and true character of the best Hong Kong restaurants.
With accolades from; The New York Times - “the best dim sum in Toronto, maybe the best in North America”, Gourmet Magazine – “a sense of Hong Kong’s new culinary design” and enRoute Magazine – “edible masterpieces rarely savoured outside of Hong Kong”, Lai Wah Heen continues to deliver the highest standards to Toronto diners.
The Lai Wah Heen team brings the latest trends in Chinese cuisine – exotic herbs and spices from the Pacific Rim, skillful use of tropical fruits and seafood dishes of exquisite refinement.
See more Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto details
Lai Wah Heen, meaning “a luxurious meeting place,” has achieved the superb quality and true character of the best Hong Kong restaurants.
With accolades from; The New York Times - “the best dim sum in Toronto, maybe the best in North America”, Gourmet Magazine – “a sense of Hong Kong’s new culinary design” and enRoute Magazine – “edible masterpieces rarely savoured outside of Hong Kong”, Lai Wah Heen continues to deliver the highest standards to Toronto diners.
The Lai Wah Heen team brings the latest trends in Chinese cuisine – exotic herbs and spices from the Pacific Rim, skillful use of tropical fruits and seafood dishes of exquisite refinement.
78 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Rating Breakdown 78 reviews
5 stars
(24)
4 stars
(33)
3 stars
(11)
2 stars
(8)
1 star
(2)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- fit for foodies(37)
- special occasion(30)
- good for groups(29)
- great for lunch(24)
- great for brunch(18)
- neighborhood gem(11)
Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto Reviews List
Review 1 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fantastic Dim Sum
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Had a fabulous dim sum brunch. Staff was wonderful and recommended many new interesting things. It was the best dim sum ever. Cant wait to goback!"
Dined on 6/09/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for lunch, special occasion
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Review 2 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Disappointing
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I had been told this was the best dim sum in North America. Maybe my impression of dim sum is off because this was exciting-sounding on the menu but bland in execution. The abalone sauce had no taste, the lobster wonton was stuffed with shrimp and came with a weird, watery liquid underneath it and then radish "cocoons" tasted were bland as well. The only redeeming dish was the foie gras and pork pastry - not exactly traditional dim sum!"
Dined on 6/08/2013
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Review 3 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Beautiful and whimsical presentation of dim sum. Outstanding service. A little on the pricy side, I'm saving this little gem for special occasions!"
Dined on 6/03/2013
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 4 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent dim sum
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We went for dim sum to celebrate our 10th anniversary. The food was superb. They have an extensive selection, combining traditional dishes (the standard siu mai, har gow, steamed ribs, etc) with original, sometimes western-influenced ones like steamed rice roll of mushrooms, pea shoots and truffle. This is also the place for very luxurious dim sum varieties like deep fried lobster dumplings with consomme, or silky tofu skins simmered in abalone sauce. Everything is executed perfectly. Most of all, the tea selection is the best I've ever seen, very reasonably priced, and expertly served.
Try to get a seat in the top section as the neighbourhood is not as glamorous as the dining room. The service is attentive and polite."
Try to get a seat in the top section as the neighbourhood is not as glamorous as the dining room. The service is attentive and polite."
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, romantic, special occasion
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Review 5 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Consistent
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Does not disappoint. Went with friends visiting from Hong Kong and they throughly enjoyed it."
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 6 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Yum!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We have been to Lai Wah Heen a few times, but only for dim sum. This was our first time for dinner and the food was exceptional! We had the peking duck, the dim sum crab dumpling, shrimp dumplings and truffle and chicken dumplings, the shrimp with the chili and garlic, the scallops woth sugat snap peas and pine nuts and the kung pao chicken. Everything was delicious!!!! We will definitely be returning!"
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, kid-friendly
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Review 7 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Best dim sum in the city
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I can honestly say that Lai Wah Heen has the best dim sum in the city! The food is spectacular and the service impeccable. Great spot for lunch, whether for business or pleasure. Will definitely be going back soon. Thank you!"
Dined on 5/23/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 8 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Dim Sum in downtown Toronto
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My wife and I were staying in the Metropolitan Hotel and decided to try this for lunch. The dim sum was nicely prepared, service was prompt and attentive, and the prices were reasonable. If you like dim sum, this is an excelent choice in downtown Toronto."
Dined on 5/25/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 9 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We have been going for many years. This was the best dim sum we have had at the restaurant."
Dined on 5/20/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, special occasion
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Review 10 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was excellent although to two fish dishes we had were ridiculously over-priced. Was surprised that nobody took our coats or asked if we would like a drink. We hadn't been there for many years and it is certainly not the restaurant it was."
Dined on 5/14/2013
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Review 11 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Best Dim Sum in Toronto
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Excellent special dim sum offerings. May be viewed as pricey for those who frequent the typical dim sum locations looking for an inexpensive lunch of har gow and siu mai but I would never go any where else for dim sum."
Dined on 5/13/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 12 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Tasty and exciting
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I brought my family here for my sisters birthday. The food was excellent. We went with the Authentic Prix Fixe and it everyone loved it. The pork belly, billionaires fried rice and jumbo fried prawns in sweet plum sauce were hits. I recommend asking them to substitute the mango pudding and cream as dessert instead of the sweet soup that is listed. The servings were generous and we left feeling perfectly full (not bloated and struggling)."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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Review 13 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Going downhill
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I've been here for dinner and service was excellent and the food fit for sophisticated palates. Bunch this weekend was very disappointing. Lobster in every single dim sum dish was severely overcooked and all the dishes were brought at once. Service was slow and unresponsive. Definitely not worth dim sum at $50/person."
Dined on 5/11/2013
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Review 14 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Not as great as I remembered
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food is still good as it should be,but over-priced as is the wine list. (300% mark-up on a $11.95 bottle of wine?Really?). Too many wailing infants to make it a dinner destination of any note or elegance."
Dined on 5/11/2013
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Review 15 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Beautiful dim sum worth $$$$
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Yes, it's pricey. But this is also not your typical cart-based dim sum. Each piece really is a work of art-crab dumplings shaped like crabs, pork dumplings shaped like little piggies-incredibly precious. They also use some pretty high end ingredients, like truffle and foie gras. Hits were the Berkshire pork piggies, the chicken and truffle dumplings, the pork and foie gras mini tart, the crab dumplings. Unfortunately, our meal this time was brief since we had to get to the airport, but I was not leaving before I had lunch here! Posted photos on Foodspotting if you're interested."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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Review 16 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
There's better Chinese in Toronto
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Empty restaurant on a Thursday evening. Isolated. Food good, not great."
Dined on 5/02/2013
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Review 17 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great Chinese food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Best Chinese food I've ever had. Dim sum was delightful, as was the pork belly, and lobster-truffle oil fried noodles. Loved it!"
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 18 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Great to see they are back on their game. We went for dim sum on the 6th of April and it was excellent.
We had gone shortly after the reopening and it wasn't up to standards. Apparently they have some new staff that needed some time come up to speed.
Best dim sum in the city!"
Dined on 06/04/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 19 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Disappointed beyond belief
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I used to love the dim sum here but following the reopening in March and the new menu, I won't be back. The dim sum was average - some dishes below average - goopy rice rolls for example. Food was painfully slow in arriving. I never minded paying more for the quality and uniqueness of the dishes here....but the menu has gone pedestrian and definitely not worth the price."
Dined on 23/03/2013
2007
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Review 20 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Was a 1x/week customer, not anymore
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Prior to the closing for renovation/management change, we've been regular customers coming in once a week only for the peking duck (yes its expensive and there are better options but the proximity to our home was the winning factor here). We were expecting a major design overhaul or something since they closed for almost one month for renovations. No apparent renovations were completed but that didn't deter us.
Anyways, all the food prices have gone up 10-15%, and the food quality (except the peking duck) rates even worse than before. The foie gras fried rice had barely any pieces of foie gras for example. Service was worse than before. Now they even charge for parking if you stay over a certain amount of time! Won't be back!"
Dined on 23/03/2013
2007
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Review 21 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
We went for dim sum. The food
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We went for dim sum. The food was better before they changed management. Maybe the chef was gone too!!"
Dined on 15/03/2013
2013
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Review 22 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Went to the restaurant for
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Went to the restaurant for my father's 70th birthday. We had a reservation for a party of 7 and were seated with no issues. However from the time we sat down to the time the appetizers came out, it was 1 hour. Then we waited over another hour before the mains came out. We saw tables of people come, order, eat and leave before our main course came out.
The food was good, portions small for the price, but we were prepared for that since it is a "hotel restaurant". The manager did comp us by offering free desserts. I would not recommend as from the time we sat down to the time we paid our bill, it was 3 hours. I have been to Chinese weddings where they served a 10 course meal in less time!"
Dined on 02/03/2013
2009
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 23 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was very good as well
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was very good as well as the service. We were in and out of the restaurant within one hour which was great!"
Dined on 06/03/2013
2009
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Review 24 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
I personally feel that the
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I personally feel that the service should be improved. I've lunched a few times here and if not for the quality of the food, I'll avoid this place altogether. It takes too long for the waiter to offer the tea, take the first Tim sum orders and bring the first set of orders!
I probably would avoid this restaurant in future. I have given it enough tries."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2012
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Review 25 for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Without doubt the best meal
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Without doubt the best meal we have had since we were last there!"
Dined on 14/02/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Lai Wah Heen- Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
Based on the average of (53) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
14 out of 17 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate