Great Panda in Baltimore: Cantonese Dim Sum and American Takeout in Fells Point

Great Panda occupies a corner storefront in Fells Point where it operates as a hybrid dim sum restaurant and American Chinese carryout counter, serving both sit-down diners and fast-moving takeout traffic from the same kitchen. It is a small, unpretentious spot where the menu splits clearly between traditional Cantonese steamed dumplings and fried items on one side, and Americanized dishes like General Tso's chicken and lo mein on the other, each priced and paced differently enough that the two audiences rarely overlap.

What Great Panda Actually Is

This is a daytime-focused dim sum service with evening pivoting toward standard Chinese takeout. The sit-down section seats roughly 20 people at four-tops and a counter; service operates table-to-table with carts or order tickets depending on time of day. Unlike the sprawling dim sum palaces in the Lexington Market area, Great Panda is compact and moves briskly, making it suited to a quick lunch rather than a two-hour family expedition. The kitchen is visible from the counter, and timing is transparent: dumplings arrive within 5 to 10 minutes of order.

Menu and Pricing

Dim sum items (har gow, siu mai, char siu bao, turnip cake, chicken feet) run $3.50 to $4.50 per order of three to four pieces. A modest dim sum lunch of three to four orders lands between $12 and $16 before drinks and tax. The American Chinese menu prices individual entrées at $9.50 to $13.50 for takeout, each served with fried rice or noodles; portions are substantial. Lunch combo specials run $7.99 and pair an entrée with rice or noodle and a drink. The house special sauce (slightly sweet, vinegar-forward) appears on most cooked dishes and defines the house style.

How Great Panda Fits Among Baltimore Chinese Options

The city's Chinese dining splits into distinct zones and formats: large dim sum houses (Golden Pacific in Lexington Market, Hong Kong Dim Sum on North Avenue) emphasize cart service, scale, and evening banquets; scattered takeout counters in Hampden and Canton focus on American Chinese and delivery volume; upscale regional restaurants (like Chop House in Harbor East, when operating) target date nights and high price points. Great Panda occupies a middle ground: it offers legitimately good Cantonese dim sum (dumplings are thin-skinned and properly steamed, not thickly wrapped), but without the noise, wait times, or table-minimum expectations of the big dim sum halls. It is smaller and quieter than Golden Pacific, which can feel overwhelming at peak hours, but its dim sum is executed with more care than most takeout counters. Choose Golden Pacific or Hong Kong Dim Sum for a full dim sum experience with carts, multiple generations at one table, and a longer sit; choose Great Panda if you are alone or with one other person, want speed, and prefer calm surroundings.

Who This Place Suits and Who It Does Not

Great Panda suits weekday lunch breaks, small groups seeking quick dim sum, and anyone in Fells Point hungry for carryout without delivery delay. The sit-down area is adequate for two to four people but not ideal for large families; groups of eight or more will feel cramped. The American Chinese menu is competent but not distinctive, so diners seeking innovative cuisine or high-end regional cooking should look elsewhere. Dine-in comfort is minimal: plastic chairs, basic tables, no WiFi advertised. It does not attempt ambiance.

The First Visit

Walk in and decide between dim sum (sit down, order at table) or takeout (order at counter). If dim sum, expect a one-page menu with roughly 12 standard items; point or name what you want. Service is brisk and matter-of-fact. Dumplings emerge hot and are meant to be eaten immediately. Water is brought without asking. If ordering takeout, stand at the counter, choose from the laminated menu board, pay upfront, and wait 10 to 15 minutes. The rhythm is designed for efficiency, not lingering.

Hours and Parking

Great Panda operates 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; closed Mondays. Verify current hours before visiting, as restaurant schedules in this neighborhood shift seasonally. Fells Point street parking is metered ($1.50 per hour) during business hours; confirm current rates with the city parking website. A small lot behind the building may be available depending on occupancy.

Great Panda delivers genuine dim sum competence at Fells Point prices without the ceremony of a banquet hall, making it a practical choice for Baltimoreans who want Cantonese dumplings without scheduling an outing.