Sum Bar: Where to Find Dim Sum in South Carolina

What Sum Bar is and where to find it

Sum Bar is a dim sum restaurant in Columbia, South Carolina, located on Devine Street in the Five Points neighborhood. It serves traditional Cantonese-style dim sum—small plates of dumplings, buns, and other bite-sized dishes—along with a full menu of Chinese entrées and rice dishes. The restaurant operates as a casual dining spot where you can order from a menu rather than from a cart, which is common at many dim sum establishments.

The restaurant's location in Five Points, one of Columbia's oldest and most walkable neighborhoods, makes it accessible whether you're coming from downtown or the surrounding residential areas. Parking is available on the street and in nearby lots. Sum Bar is open for lunch and dinner most days, though hours vary by season, so calling ahead or checking their current schedule is a good idea before making the trip.

Key Takeaways

• Sum Bar serves dim sum and other Cantonese dishes in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood on Devine Street.
• You order from a menu rather than selecting from a cart, which gives you time to decide without feeling rushed.
• The restaurant is casual and affordable, making it a good entry point if you're new to dim sum.
• Hours vary, so contact the restaurant directly before visiting to confirm they're open.

What to order at Sum Bar

Sum Bar's dim sum menu includes the classics: har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings), char siu bao (barbecue pork buns), and cheung fun (steamed rice noodle rolls). These are the dishes most people start with when exploring dim sum, and they're reliable indicators of a restaurant's skill. The kitchen's execution of these foundational items tells you whether the cooks understand the balance of texture, seasoning, and filling that makes dim sum work.

Beyond the standard dumplings, Sum Bar typically offers egg custard tarts, spring rolls, and other fried or steamed items that round out a dim sum meal. The non-dim sum menu includes chow mein, fried rice, and protein-based dishes like kung pao chicken or beef with broccoli, so there's something for anyone at your table who wants to skip the small plates. Ordering a mix of dim sum and regular entrées is common and works well for groups with different preferences.

How dim sum dining works at Sum Bar

Unlike traditional dim sum restaurants where servers push carts through the dining room and you point at what you want, Sum Bar operates on a menu system. You sit down, receive a menu, and order your selections from the kitchen. This approach has advantages: you can take time to read descriptions, ask questions about ingredients or spice level, and avoid the pressure of deciding quickly as a cart rolls past your table.

Dim sum is meant to be a social meal where you share multiple small plates. Order several dishes so you and your companions can taste different things. A typical dim sum meal for two people might include four to six different items. Dishes arrive as they're ready from the kitchen, not all at once, which is normal and gives you time to enjoy each one before the next arrives.

When to visit and what to expect

Dim sum is traditionally a daytime meal, and Sum Bar serves it during lunch hours. Weekday lunches tend to be quieter than weekends, so if you prefer a more relaxed pace, a Tuesday or Wednesday visit might suit you better than Saturday. Weekend dim sum at Sum Bar can draw a crowd, especially around noon, so arriving early or later in the lunch window can mean shorter waits.

The restaurant's casual atmosphere—simple décor, straightforward service, reasonable prices—makes it feel like a neighborhood spot rather than a special-occasion destination. This is part of its appeal. You're not paying for ambiance or table linens; you're paying for food, and the kitchen's focus is on getting the dim sum right. Expect a comfortable, unpretentious environment where the goal is eating well, not impressing anyone.

Parking and neighborhood context

Five Points is a walkable neighborhood, and if you're already in the area shopping or visiting other restaurants, Sum Bar is easy to reach on foot. Street parking is available along Devine Street, though it can fill up during peak lunch hours on weekends. There are also small parking lots nearby if street parking is full. The neighborhood has other restaurants, cafés, and shops within a short walk, so you can make an afternoon of it if you want to explore the area before or after your meal.

Five Points has been a gathering place in Columbia since the early 1900s, and it remains one of the city's most vibrant neighborhoods. The mix of longtime local businesses and newer restaurants reflects Columbia's growth while keeping the area's character intact. Sum Bar fits into this landscape as a neighborhood restaurant that serves the community rather than chasing tourist traffic.

Dim sum as an introduction to Cantonese cooking

If you're new to dim sum, Sum Bar is a good place to start because the menu is straightforward and the portions are small enough that you can try several things without overcommitting to any single dish. Dim sum showcases fundamental Cantonese cooking techniques: steaming, which preserves delicate flavors; folding and pleating dumplings by hand; and balancing textures—soft filling against chewy wrapper, for example.

The experience of dim sum dining—ordering multiple small plates, sharing, tasting different flavors and textures in one meal—reflects how Cantonese food is meant to be eaten. It's not about individual large plates; it's about variety and balance across the whole meal. Starting with dim sum gives you a foundation for understanding Cantonese cuisine more broadly, whether you go on to order from Sum Bar's full menu or explore other Chinese restaurants in South Carolina.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know Cantonese to order at Sum Bar?

No. The menu is in English with descriptions of each dish. If you're unsure about something, the staff can explain what's in it and how it's prepared. Don't hesitate to ask questions about ingredients or preparation methods.

Is dim sum expensive?

Dim sum is generally affordable. Individual dishes are small and inexpensive, so you can try several for less than the cost of a single large entrée. A meal for two people with multiple dim sum items typically costs less than dinner at most restaurants.

What if I don't like one of the dishes I order?

Since you're ordering from a menu, you have time to read descriptions and ask questions before ordering. If you're uncertain about a dish, ask the server to describe it or suggest something similar that you might prefer instead.

Can I bring a group to Sum Bar for dim sum?

Yes. Dim sum is designed for sharing, and groups are common. The more people you have, the more dishes you can order and share, which is the ideal way to experience dim sum. Call ahead if your group is large so the restaurant can prepare.

Does Sum Bar take reservations?

Policies vary, so contact the restaurant directly to ask about reservations. For smaller groups on weekdays, you can usually walk in without waiting long. Larger groups or weekend visits may benefit from calling ahead.