Welcome

Rol San Restaurant

Welcome to Rol San Restaurant, your go-to spot for delicious dim sum in a warm and inviting setting. With a wide variety of traditional and modern dishes to choose from, you're sure to find something to satisfy your cravings. Come experience the flavors that make us a local favorite!

Restaurant locations

Authentic Dim Sum at Rol San Restaurant in Toronto | Best Chinese Dishes

Name: Rol San Restaurant
Address: 390 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON, M5T 2G5, Canada
Telephone: +1 416-977-1128
Price range: $$

Rol San Restaurant - A Dim Sum Classic in the Heart of Toronto

Address: 390 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5T 2G5, Canada
Phone: +1 416-977-1128

In the bustling cityscape of Toronto, nestled within the vibrant Chinatown, Rol San Restaurant stands as a culinary icon for traditional Chinese dishes and satisfying dim sum. This establishment has garnered both local loyalty and international attention for its extensive menu, warm ambiance, and unforgettable dining experience.

A dining journey rooted in authentic Chinese cuisine

From the moment you step into Rol San Restaurant, the aroma of freshly steamed dumplings and sizzling dishes greets you like an old friend. The space evokes a sense of familiarity-modest, efficient, and focused entirely on delivering food that speaks louder than décor. The restaurant is known for its fast-paced service and high-volume kitchen that rarely misses a beat even during peak lunch hours.

More than just a spot to eat, Rol San has grown into a destination. Tourists, families, office workers, and food enthusiasts from all walks of life gather here with one goal in mind: indulge in flavourful Chinese food that captures the soul of traditional Cantonese cooking.

Dim sum selection that keeps you coming back

Rol San’s dim sum is the heart of its appeal. With a variety that rivals many top-tier establishments, dishes are served fresh and hot throughout the day-not just confined to morning hours as in many other places.

Signature bites like the shrimp dumpling har gow are delicate, juicy, and wrapped in a thin translucent skin that hints at the skill behind the kitchen doors. The steamed beef short ribs in black pepper sauce are rich and tender, soaking up the spiced marinade perfectly. For something deep-fried yet balanced in flavour, the fried eggplant stuffed with shrimp paste in soy sauce presents a wonderful blend of creamy interior and crisp exterior. Despite occasional over-frying noted in some reviews, its popularity remains unwavering.

The calamari and deep-fried squid tentacle add a crunchy, savoury option for seafood lovers, while the General TSO's Chicken satisfies those seeking a bold mix of sweet, sour, and spice. Another crowd-pleaser, the crispy beef in ginger spicy honey sauce, delivers both heat and harmony in every bite.

Wok-fried noodles and hearty rice dishes

Beyond dim sum, Rol San’s full menu offers generous portions and bold combinations. The fried noodle with chicken in black bean sauce brings depth and umami with every mouthful, while the fried rice noodle with beef and bean sprout, a classic known as "干炒牛河", showcases wok hei-the elusive “breath of the wok” that every seasoned chef chases.

Whether it's Cantonese chow mein or beancurd with spicy meat sauce, the balance of textures and flavours remains consistent. The beef ribs-tender, aromatic, and cooked to perfection-serve as a strong anchor for meat lovers. For those preferring lighter bites, fried bean curd with stuffed shrimp paste in soy sauce delivers a smooth, delicate mouthfeel.

A warm atmosphere that welcomes everyone

Rol San thrives on inclusivity and accessibility. With takeaway options for those on the go, lunch service catering to the office crowd, and a wheelchair-accessible car park, it invites people of all ages and abilities. Families with children find the venue good for kids, and the presence of spirits on the menu adds a nice touch for diners looking to unwind.

The space itself can get quite lively, especially during weekends or holidays, but this only adds to its charm. It’s the kind of place where conversations flow, chopsticks clink, and tables are shared across generations. You don’t come here for a silent meal-you come for a communal celebration of flavour and tradition.

Highlights from customer voices

Rol San has long been cherished by the community, and guest feedback reflects a spectrum of experiences. Patrons frequently praise the variety of dim sum food and Chinese dishes, noting the reliable flavour and speed of service. Dishes like the spicy Hu Nan chicken and Szechuan chicken with rice are often singled out for their bold spice levels and portion sizes, priced reasonably for the area.

While some guests have mentioned inconsistencies, particularly with the doneness of deep-fried items such as stuffed eggplant or tofu with prawn filling, these occasions are far outweighed by the steady stream of positive sentiments. The ability of the kitchen to maintain quality under pressure remains one of its strongest assets.

Dessert and final touches

No meal at Rol San is complete without sweet mango pudding, a silky, refreshing treat that soothes the palate after savoury indulgence. With a smooth texture and light sweetness, it offers the perfect finish to a hearty meal.

Tea service, another staple of the experience, flows freely-serving as both tradition and complement. A warm cup of jasmine or oolong ties the meal together, creating a rhythm of dining that feels timeless.

A place that blends tradition with everyday comfort

Rol San Restaurant isn’t just about food. It’s a representation of how a restaurant can preserve cultural roots while catering to the needs of a modern, multicultural audience. With a wide-ranging menu, practical amenities, and the ability to cater to everyone from solo diners to large family gatherings, it continues to set the standard for Chinese dining in downtown Toronto.

Whether you’re a local looking for your next comfort meal or a traveller exploring the flavours of Chinatown, Rol San offers a satisfying and memorable experience at every visit.

Review

What Customers Say

"Rol San is a typical Chinese restaurant, serving Cantonese style cuisine, dim sum dishes, noodle dishes, fried noodles, etc. The decor is clean and modern. Service is excellent and the dim sum dishes we ordered came out fast and piping hot. Perhaps the benefit of sitting on the 3rd floor, where the kitchen is located. We did wait 20 minutes for a table and did not know they had a 3rd floor. The food was very good, perhaps a little on the salty side, but that is nothing unusual for Chinese cuisine. We ordered their char sui bao, which was really tasty. We ordered a baked version and that was also very good. We also had the beef tripe, har gow, etc. The usual dim sum items and all were delicious."

Mike T

"I came on a Sunday evening for two and was seated right away. The service was very friendly and attentive. The food is made to order and comes without delay hot and fresh. Dumpling orders come with four pieces. I would recommend the mushroom dumplings and the shrimp and chive dumplings. The portion for the Singapore noodles was very generous."

Asvini Kulanayagam

"Would recommend booking ahead of time as they do tend to get busy. Their service is super fast and got our food within minutes. The quality and taste of the meals we got were delicious. My boyfriend loved the eggplant dish and I loved the spicy calamari. The restaurant was packed and alot of chatter but was such a good first time experience. Would come again to try other options off their menu."

Diana

"Was seated at a two-top table originally, which sounds appropriate for two people but their tables are super small. The table is already almost a third occupied with the tea and the sauce tray, so unless you’re just ordering one or two dishes then you’re already pretty limited. Once we placed our order, they saw how many dishes we wanted and combined the table beside us closer to us to fit all the dishes - which is good. No complaints on the food - it’s what you’d expect from a place like this and Rol San has been around for a long time, so they know what they’re doing. The food came out pretty quick for the most part. This was except for the crispy half chicken, which came maybe 20 min or so after everything else was on our table and we were already eating for a bit. They include gratuity in their bill even though it’s only two of us and didn’t mention it - which they really should. That doesn’t translate well from a customer service standpoint. I noticed too late after I paid because I tipped as one usually would, and we had to ask a manager to refund the payment so that I could pay the original amount."

A.J.

"For fun, we only ordered dim sum we have never eaten before. As always, Rol San was a great experience. Their food is delicious, and their service has suddenly improved. The service was never bad, but it was never overly attentive or friendly. This time, we had so many people checking on us, and we got all the things we asked for without ever having to ask a second time. Surprisingly, the duck feet were delicious. They are served cold, and they are sour, spicy, and a little sweet. I would highly recommend them!"

Shankari Sharma