Beloved Sydney dumpling house Mr Yip to close at end of September
Owner Kirk Yip cites 'family reasons' as the Neutral Bay eatery sets Sunday, Sept. 28, as its final day
Mr Yip, a popular dumpling house on Military Road in Neutral Bay, will close at the end of September, the restaurant announced, saying the decision was made for “family reasons.” The restaurant set Sunday, Sept. 28, as its final day of service.
Owner and dumpling chef Kirk Yip opened Mr Yip in 2021 after more than a decade developing his craft in Hong Kong and Singapore and a spell working at Lotus Dining in Sydney under chef Chris Yan. The venue built a devoted following for handmade dim sum, including xiao long bao, snow mountain BBQ pork buns and purple sweet potato pastries.
The team announced the closure in an Instagram post that expressed gratitude and cited family obligations. “We would like to sincerely thank you for your support of Mr Yip Dumpling. Due to family reasons, we will be closing our business at the end of this month,” the post read. “Sunday, September 28 will be our last day of service. Until then, we will continue to prepare every meal with care and dedication, and we warmly invite you to visit us once again.”
Regulars and online reviewers described the restaurant as a neighbourhood staple. “Hands down one of the best dim sum places we've tried. Authentic, delicious, great service,” one reviewer wrote. Others praised the thin-skinned xiao long bao and “juicy little flavour bombs” such as siu mai and duck fried rice. Some customers said dining at Mr Yip had become a weekly ritual or the site of birthdays and special occasions.
The closure follows another recent change on Military Road. Green Sprouts Vegan Chinese Restaurant, known for its Hong Kong–style vegan yum cha and roaming dim sum carts, served its final yum cha on Aug. 31. Both venues had attracted dedicated followings for multi-course yum cha and individual signature dishes such as turnip cakes, mango custard buns and bean curd rolls.
Owners and patrons framed the pair of departures as part of a wider set of hospitality changes across Sydney this year. In June, Manly Wharf restaurants Saké and El Camino Cantina closed after 15 years on their lease. Darlinghurst’s Lankan Filling Station announced it would close after seven years, with chef-owner O Tama Carey describing that decision as “the end of an era.”
Mr Yip’s announcement did not include details about staff, lease arrangements or any planned relocation. The restaurant said it would continue normal service through Sept. 28 and welcomed customers to visit during its remaining weeks. Locals said the loss of both Mr Yip and Green Sprouts would leave Military Road quieter and noted the impact on the area's dining options.
Until the final service date, Mr Yip will continue operating from its Military Road address, serving the handmade dim sum that established its reputation since opening in 2021. The venue’s Instagram and on-site signage provide the most up-to-date information for patrons seeking reservations or service hours ahead of the closure.