Emilia reveals the place that could have the best Chinese food in Melbourne
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Just tucked behind the bustle of Chapel Street, David’s claims to be the best Chinese in Melbourne, considering it’s not even the only David’s Chinese in Melbourne, it’s got a lot to compete against.
Established in 1999 by Shanghai-born David Zhou, it started as a humble tea store before growing into a restaurant rooted in tradition, generosity, and the calm spirit of the Chinese countryside. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious – dishes arrive as they’re ready, water is self-serve, and Tuesday nights invite you to BYO. It’s a place where you can settle in, breathe easy, and let the food speak for itself.
The menu draws on family recipes passed down through generations, serving rustic, wholesome flavours from rural Shanghai alongside thoughtful contemporary touches. David’s isn’t about fuss or formality; it’s about sharing genuine, unfussy food that brings people together in a bright, welcoming space.
Before we ordered they brought nuts and sauces over to our table, a good start. We began with a Yuzu Negroni ($23), bright and bittersweet with a fragrant citrus lift. From there, it was a slow, steady march through the kind of menu that demands you arrive hungry and leave joyfully full.
The Drunken Chicken ($19) followed: tender slices steeped in Shaoxing wine, served cool with a light spring onion oil that added just the right sharpness. It’s a quiet classic, and one of the most elegant things on the menu.
We then shared the Mixed Dumpling Basket ($16), a greatest hits collection of prawn har gow, pork shu mai, xiao long bao, and a vegetarian dumpling. They arrive steamed and glossy, each one neatly pleated and full of flavour. If you’re a dumpling maximalist or a commitment-phobe, this one’s for you.
Next came the showpiece: Peking Duck (6pc) ($36). The pancakes were whisper-thin, the hoi sin sauce delicately applied, and the duck skin shatteringly crisp. Cucumber and leek offered that perfect fresh crunch. They say you can’t improve on a classic, but David’s makes it feel effortless.
Then things got louder – in a good way. The Stirfried Pipis with Chinese Donuts ($30), served in a gingery, shaoxing-laced broth, was pure comfort in a bowl. (You can add XO sauce for an extra $2, and yes, you should.)
Our favourite dish of the night? David’s Chilli Honey Chicken ($29). It’s a playful, grown-up nod to takeaway honey chicken – crispy, sticky, sweet, and just spicy enough, with capsicum and spring onion thrown in for colour and crunch. If David’s ever bottles the sauce, I’ll be first in line.
On the side, we had Chinese Broccoli ($16), which you can order with garlic or oyster sauce. We went the garlic route: wok-charred, glossy, and perfectly tender.
Now for the wallet check. Starters mostly sit in the $13–$24 range, dumplings from $12–$16, and mains cluster between $28–$36. It’s not bargain-basement yum cha, but you’re also not battling for soy sauce at a communal table. Here, you’re paying for a polished experience: top-quality ingredients, thoughtful presentation, and a serene space where you can actually hear your dinner date speak.
David’s doesn’t try to be flashy. It’s confident, considered, and deeply comforting – where the old meets the new with quiet grace. Whether you’re here for a weekday meal, long yum cha Sunday lunch, Tuesday night BYO or a Friday night feed with friends, it’s the kind of place that doesn’t just serve food, but offers a whole mood.
Here’s the yum cha sittings; David’s Famous Unlimited Yum Cha – $64 per person | $45 for kids aged 4–12
Saturdays: 12:00 pm or 2:00 pm
Sundays: 11:30 am or 1:30 pm
For anyone who’s ever wished their local yum cha would grow up just a little – without losing its soul – David’s is the answer.
David’s
4 Cecil Place, Prahran