Camy Shanghai Dumpling Restaurant

The dumplings aren't the best and the staff are notoriously rude. I've heard horrendous stories about the food safety there and the tables always look a little on the manky side. Stray bits of meat are known to end up in vegetarian dishes, and yes, there are often queues of people waiting outside to get in.

Despite all this, I've eaten at Camy's more times than I can count. Like so many Melburnites, I find it simply can't be helped. Drinking before, during and after a meal at Camy's is highly recommended.

Camy Dumplings is the place to go for a good feed and a buzzing, yet relaxed atmosphere.  Take some good friends and grab a few dishes to share.  The meals are served quickly and full of flavour.  Pop into a bottleo and grab some beers prior to the feed.

Many locals love this place, and are fiercely protective over it. They even see past the average  food and frowning health inspectors lurking in the corner. Ask a fan if the place is unclean, and you will more than likely get a jibe about 'softies' who can't handle 'real' dumplings.

The fact is although the dumplings are OK and the prices are great, there are better places to eat dumplings in Melbourne.

Camy is not so much a restaurant as a Melbourne institution.  Perched in a suitably dingy laneway, this always-bustling restaurant serves up cheap yet sensational dumplings and Asian vegetables to the hungry hordes.  Tables are always in short supply, but sharing with strangers is simply part of the fun.  If you choose to BYO (and why bother when there’s cheap Tsingtao on offer!), you’ll be sipping your tipple from frayed plastic cups, but the charms of this hidden restaurant remain.  I’ve never walked away less than happy, full and vowing to soon return for another fill of magic Camy dumplings.

Tattersalls Lane, home of Camy Dumplings, would surely look like a no-go zone if it weren't for the long lines of hungry people waiting for a seat.  
Seating takes place in a random order, expect people arriving later to be seated earlier as the owner slash crowd controller works to ensure every seat is full all night.
Once in, expect that you will be sharing a table with some strangers, both part of the Camy's experience and the reason it is perhaps not ideal for a date...
Order and eat fast- your food will come before you know it and be thrown down in front of you, or the people sitting next to you, in a manner stopping just short of spilling everything. 
The standard order of Pork Dumplings (steamed and fried), Chinese Broccoli with oyster Sauce, Spring Onion Pancake and Pumpkin Cakes to follow is tried and tested, going down nicely with the free chinese tea or a beer.
Don't expect great service, don't expect a slow meal followed by a long conversation (you will be thrown out), but do expect a unique experience of good food at an unexpectedly low price.

Super cheap food generally doesn't mean great service. But the dumplings are delicious and the beers are cheap.  $4 AUD.  Get ready for cosy communal dining. Be prepared to waddle out - you will be that full.

Best dumplings in Melbourne, but here are a few more tips ....

.... spring onion pancakes
...  noodles and spicy sauce
.... chinese broccoli + oyster sauce
.... shanghai dumplings (the ones with the soup inside the dumpling - yum)
.... purists will order jaozi (steamed) but we know that the pan-fried pork are best
.... skip the beef dumplings (that's just not right)

Shut you eyes and imagine you're in China.

Friday nights are crazy so best head elsewhere (Chinatown Dumpling Restaurant on Swanston next to Curtin House is also a winner). Any other day of the week this place is fantastic and oh so very cheap. Surprisingly good for vegetarians (try the vegie dumplings, spring onion pancake and Shanghai vegetarian noodles) and you can also BYO (bottle shop on corner of Little Bourke and Russel).

This is one great dumpling place - fresh food and fast service!! With a price to match - highly recommended.

Can get quite busy, but if you're willing to wait for a table, you're in for a treat.