Far East Restaurant in Baltimore: Cantonese Dim Sum and Roasted Meats in Fells Point
A Cantonese restaurant in Fells Point specializing in dim sum service and roasted poultry, Far East operates as a counter-service and table-seating hybrid that draws both neighborhood regulars and visitors seeking authentic preparation over presentation.
What Far East Actually Is
Far East occupies a straightforward storefront focused on lunch and dinner service without the upscale ambiance of newer dim sum destinations. The kitchen prepares Cantonese dim sum from a limited rolling cart, alongside roasted duck, chicken, and pork available by the pound or plated. The space seats roughly 40 people across a mix of small two- and four-tops, with worn vinyl chairs and a utilitarian counter facing the kitchen. This is a working kitchen for working people, not a showcase.
Menu and Pricing
Dim sum arrives via cart during lunch hours (typically 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends). Plates cost between $3 and $6 depending on complexity; shrimp har gow and pork siu mai anchor the regular rotation, while sticky rice in lotus leaf and chicken feet in black bean sauce rotate seasonally. A typical dim sum meal runs $15 to $22 per person including tea.
Roasted meats by the pound cost $12 to $16 for duck, $10 to $14 for chicken, and $11 to $15 for pork belly. Order at the counter, receive a number, and pick up at the kitchen window. Sides (white rice, steamed bok choy, or sautéed mustard greens) run $2 to $3.50 each. The kitchen also prepares noodle soups and stir-fried vegetables, most under $10. Prices should be confirmed by phone; roasted-meat pricing fluctuates with protein costs.
How It Compares to Other Cantonese Options in Baltimore
Dim sum in Baltimore divides between cart service (Far East, New Fortune) and order-from-menu venues (Jade Garden, Lao Beijing). New Fortune, also in Fells Point, offers a larger cart and more variety but commands higher per-plate prices ($4 to $8) and draws heavier foot traffic on weekends. Far East serves the same neighborhood with a smaller selection and quieter service; choose Far East if you want a brief, low-pressure dim sum meal, or New Fortune if you prefer breadth and don't mind crowds.
For roasted poultry specifically, Lao Beijing (Chinatown) balances dim sum with Peking duck and roasted chicken at comparable prices but in a formal dining setting. Far East suits quick takeout or a casual neighborhood sit-down; Lao Beijing suits special occasions or multi-course dinners.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not
Far East works best for weekday lunch visitors, long-term Fells Point residents, and anyone seeking no-frills dim sum without advance reservation. The cart service moves quickly during 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., limiting stress for time-pressed workers. Roasted meats appeal to home cooks wanting quality protein for family meals.
It does not suit large group reservations (the kitchen cannot hold a group), diners seeking full-service dim sum tableside pours, or anyone uncomfortable in tight quarters with minimal decor. Evening service after 5 p.m. shifts to full-menu ordering only, no cart, making it a different experience than lunch.
What the First Visit Involves
Arrive during lunch (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays optimal) and seat yourself. Flag down the cart attendant when it passes your table; point to what you want and they stack plates in front of you. Tea is complimentary. No tableside pour service; water is self-serve from the pitcher on your table. At the end, the server counts your plates and totals the check.
If ordering roasted meats, approach the counter, specify the cut and weight, and wait 5 to 10 minutes. Rice and vegetables are included or ordered separately. Take out or eat at a table; plates are plastic, not ceramic.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
Far East opens at 10 a.m. weekends, 11 a.m. weekdays, and closes at 9 p.m. most days; weekday hours and closure dates vary seasonally (confirm before a long trip). Street parking on Fells Street is metered ($2 per hour, enforced 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.); a private lot one block north (behind the Fells Point Preserve) charges $1.50 per hour or $5 flat rate after 5 p.m. Cash and card are accepted.
The restaurant sits on the ground floor with level entry and a narrow interior; the restroom is small and single-occupancy. It is not wheelchair-accessible in terms of cart-service navigation due to table spacing.
Far East fills a practical niche in Fells Point for reliable weekday dim sum and takeout roasted meats at prices lower than trend-driven alternatives, without sacrificing the fundamentals of Cantonese technique.
