H. L. Peninsula Restaurant

608 Dubuque Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080, United States
+1 650-616-8168
$$$ Cantonese restaurant , Chinese restaurant , Restaurant
(1241 Reviews)
Price Range $30–50

H. L. Peninsula Restaurant is a Cantonese restaurant located in South San Francisco that leans into delivering authentic Chinese flavors with a focus on seafood and traditional dim sum. The restaurant's atmosphere strikes a balance between casual and refined, making it suitable for family gatherings, celebratory meals, or a satisfying weekday lunch with friends or colleagues.

The dining room is generally lively, especially during dim sum hours or weekend dinners when locals come for plates like their standout Ham Sui Kok (fried glutinous rice balls) with a crisp exterior and flavorful filling. Expect a steady flow of classic Cantonese dishes that highlight fresh seafood—the sautéed lobster Peninsula style with peanuts and steamed fish head with pepper sauce are clear favorites among regulars. Portions tend to be generous, which makes group dining especially rewarding here.

Service is attentive and practical, catering efficiently to larger tables and parties without feeling rushed. The kitchen turns out dishes with a good balance of speed and quality, even on busy weekends. While the menu includes some elevated offerings like sea cucumber with assorted seafood and roasted suckling pig slices, the overall vibe remains approachable rather than overly formal.

Visitors should be aware that the restaurant applies an automatic service fee, and there can be some upselling of daily seafood specials, which becomes part of the ordering rhythm here. Those new to dim sum or Cantonese seafood will find plenty to explore, especially if you come during midday when seating is easier than peak weekend times.

In terms of location, H. L. Peninsula fits comfortably into South San Francisco’s diverse dining scene, catering to both longtime locals and visitors craving a traditional Cantonese meal offering nuance beyond the usual takeout options. It’s a spot where the food feels connected to classic Hong Kong styles but served with an efficiency that suits busy Bay Area lifestyles.

  • Best for: Families, seafood lovers, dim sum enthusiasts looking for authentic Cantonese flavors
  • Optimal visit times: Weekday lunch or early dinner to avoid the weekend dim sum rush
  • Atmosphere: Lively yet refined, with a focus on efficient service and quality ingredients
  • Local context: A reliable go-to for Cantonese fare in South San Francisco that balances traditional tastes with the practical pace of a popular neighborhood spot
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves comfort food
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Best for
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

10:30 AM - 02:30 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Tuesday

10:30 AM - 02:30 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Wednesday

10:30 AM - 02:30 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Thursday

10:30 AM - 02:30 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Friday

10:30 AM - 02:30 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Saturday

09:45 AM - 02:15 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Sunday

09:45 AM - 02:15 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

1241 Reviews
Cece hom

08 Jan 2026

Went there for my friend grandkid party thought the food was good and it came out so quick, I think this is the best Chinese food party I had in a while so just glad my friend invited me there, service was good cuz the people give us what we need when we ask. It was busy but they manage to get all the food ready and take it to all the table

Fiona L

28 Dec 2025

My dad's friend invited us out to eat at HL Peninsula Restaurant and I'm really glad he did because I really enjoyed the dim sum here. One of my favorite dim sum dishes is the Ham Sui Kok aka the fried glutinous rice balls and I'd have to say they had one of the best ones I've had in a really long time! The outside was fried perfectly, the inside was nice and chewy and the meat inside was delicious! We ordered a bunch of other dim sum dishes as well the typical har gow, siu mai, etc which were all delicious but I found their Pandan egg tart to be quite unique. While it wasn't as good as the original egg tart, I appreciate that they've included new twists/other varieties. The service was actually pretty good. When you enter the restaurant they immediately greet you and remind you to not leave anything valuable in the car before walking you to your table. Although they didn't have the traditional trolleys, the servers were very good about taking your order and checking to see if you need anything else. Plus the food came out pretty fast and accurately and we weren't missing anything! Inside the restaurant was huge and decorated with chandelier lighting and silk like curtains yet this is not considered a high-end restaurant, as people were dressed casually but it can definitely turn into a nice event venue. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for dim sum or as a venue!

Ricky of SF

15 Dec 2025

1st time here. No waiting on week days for dim sum. Ordered to cook, came out hot and tasty. Service was attentive and friendly. The only thing I don't like, they kept upselling the seafood daily special. Also, they charged 16% service fee automatically.

Ms. San Francisco Real Estate Janice Lee

15 Dec 2025

HL Peninsula is an absolute gem. The elegant ambiance and authentic Cantonese food made every dish a masterpiece. Our feast began with a fantastic variety platter of crispy pork belly and flavorful char siu. The succulent roasted duck was perfectly cooked, and the Steamed Whole Fish was the undeniable star, incredibly fresh and flaky. We also enjoyed the tender stir fried lobster, a savory beef and shrimp stir-fry, and crispy fried noodles with fresh greens. With beautiful presentation and impeccable service, HL Peninsula clearly takes pride in its food. This is a must visit for top tier Cantonese cuisine. I can't wait to go back!

Eric Miao

30 Nov 2025

One of the better and authentic Chinese HK restaurants in the area. Their dimsum was much better when they first opened, but the quality is still outstanding. Everything price-wise has gone up. But HL does a good job in maintaining its quality. Both lunch and dinner was fantastic and the ingredients were quite fresh. A little tip for dimsum newbies- you want to go when there is a lot of people, so the cooks keep making the dimsum items fresh. When dimsum gets cold- it's quality and taste sharply diminishes... Anyways, parking is generally okay- and it can get kind of packed here. But there is a lot of space- and also a Costco Business nearby if you need to do some shopping afterwards. The atmosphere is nice- usually a little loud with the conversations and all that's happening- but that is to be expected. I was here recently for a large family lunch meal celebration, and the seafood was 10/10! Crab, lobster, seabass- amazing. The quail was solid too, but it was the seafood that blew me away. You have to try it. I actually think their dishes are superior than their dimsum, which is saying something! Okay, enjoy and hope the photos do the dishes justice.

Shanfeng Zhang

11 Nov 2025

Went there on black Friday and ran into a wedding! The fresh steamed fish cost 72 dollars per pound but it tastes perfect!

Yusi

19 Sep 2025

Great vibe and atmosphere! Love the traditional way of enjoying brunch - by ordering food for the whole table and grab random food as they pass by. Love it! However, the food is too oily and salty for my taste. Can’t eat too much otherwise will feel not so great…

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