Lobster Palace Restaurant: Unrivaled Yum Cha Experience in Auckland

Welcome to Lobster Palace Restaurant, a gem located on Ti Rakau Drive in Manukau, Auckland, where authentic Chinese cuisine takes center stage. This bustling establishment is not just a restaurant; it’s a culinary experience that celebrates the rich flavors and traditions of Chinese cooking, particularly known for its delectable yum cha offerings.

Right from the moment you step into Lobster Palace, the vibrant atmosphere captures your senses. On bustling days, it is not uncommon to see the restaurant brimming with patrons, all eager to savor the dishes crafted with care and expertise. One bite of their Yeung Chow Fried Rice, priced at NZ$26.00, will transport you to culinary bliss, while the decadent Signature Fried Rice with Shark Fin Sauce, at NZ$52.00, speaks to a luxurious side of dining that emphasizes both flavor and presentation.

The selection of rice and noodles, such as the Beef Ho Fun and Pan-Fried Seafood Noodle, showcases the restaurant's ability to marry tradition with modern palates while ensuring freshness in every plate. Seafood lovers will adore the depth of flavors in their menu offerings, which highlight a commitment to quality ingredients.

Lobster Palace is particularly renowned for its extensive yum cha menu. Customer reviews consistently commend the restaurant for being a hotspot for authentic dim sum. The Marinated Platter and Guangdong Roast Duck are standout options that truly encapsulate the essence of Chinese culinary art. Here, every item is expertly crafted, and the flavors are balanced to ensure a memorable feast.

However, it’s essential to note that the lively atmosphere can sometimes be noisy, especially during peak hours, which might detract from a peaceful dining experience. Some guests have pointed out the tight seating arrangements and longer wait times during busy periods. But the quality of the food, as echoed in reviews, often outweighs these minor inconveniences.

For those planning a visit, especially on special occasions, booking in advance is advisable due to its popularity. With dishes averaging around NZ$7 to NZ$8, Lobster Palace does offer an upscale dining experience that justifies its prices with outstanding food quality. Plus, the attentive staff ensures that your tea is filled promptly, enhancing the overall dining experience.

In summary, if you are seeking a remarkable culinary journey through authentic Chinese food wrapped in a lively environment, Lobster Palace Restaurant is undoubtedly a place to savor. The flavors will linger long after your meal, making it a must-visit in Auckland’s vibrant culinary landscape.

Takeaway
Dine-in

Lunch
Dinner

Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Credit cards

Jason Tubalado

14/10/2025

Authentic China Yum Cha in Auckland!!! Will definitely come back. We came for lunch and the place was packed. It only meant one thing, this restaurant has delicious food. Was supposed to order alacarte, however since there were so many customers they gave us an hour to eat. We will be back for sure and order Alacarte Dishes soon!!!

S G

08/10/2025

Known as the best place for dim sum in Auckland. There’s plenty of spots worthy of this title so this is going to be a contest. But the food definitely will not disappoint!! 5 stars from me!! The always packed and have to book in advance for dinner crowd seems to stress with me that this is THE spot to dine.

Keith C

14/09/2025

The food at this restaurant was quite delicious, and the flavors were definitely enjoyable. However, the overall dining experience left much to be desired. The tables were placed very close to each other, making the space feel overly cramped and difficult to move around. In addition, the noise level was extremely high, making it almost impossible to have a proper conversation during the meal. It felt more like we were just eating and looking at each other rather than enjoying a relaxed gathering. On top of that, the wait time for the food was quite long. It seemed like there were several events happening at the same time that day, which likely caused the delays. While the food itself was great, improving the seating arrangement, noise levels, and service efficiency would significantly enhance the overall experience.

Bree L

21/08/2025

5/5 stars for lobster palace YUM CHA experience. The food was so delicious. Fresh and can tell is of good quality. Soy sauce, soy vinegar and sweet chilli condiments available. Along with cutlery and napkins, tea is filled up on arrival and staff replaces it quickly when asked. The staff here have good service and are receptive to requests. The dining atmosphere is really good and lots of good options for yum cha. Was very delicious. However, it is pricey, as the average for a dish is about $7 to $8 on average. So definitely only go here on special occasions. 5/5 would definitely go here again!

JJ F

16/08/2025

This place gets super busy during lunchtime and I can understand why. The yumcha is one of the best I’ve had. The restaurant is big but with a large number of Asians gathered it gets very noisy and it was difficult to hear the people at my table speak. We walked-in and waited for around 15 minutes for a table. Service was standard, like any other yumcha place food was pushed around on trolleys. Everything we got was tasty and fresh, except the durian cream buns (冰雪榴莲）, which was 90% mock cream and had hardly any durian in it at all. I would probably avoid peak hours and enjoy some good food and tea without the noise.

Andrew Huang

25/07/2025

Been there several times and consistent high quality of food. Waiters and manager are polite and helpful. Recommended for large group occasions. Signature Lobster w/fried noodles, firm and fleshy meat packed with flavors. Chicken with scallion and ginger oil, very aromatic. Canton style duck, better than many places.

Kimberley Chong

15/07/2025

Pretty crowded yum cha place. Good thing I came early at 11ish. There were queues when we left The food was ok. Some of the skin of the dumplings were a bit tough and I didn’t really like the taste of the soup of the dumplings They still push the trolley around so it’s a nice yum cha vibe. Tea is charged $2 per person Overall an ok experience but I don’t know if I would want to dine here that soon