Dim sum trolleys go silent as Hong Kong’s Metropol Restaurant closes after 35 years

Customers have lamented the “end of an era” as Hong Kong’s Metropol Restaurant marked its final day of operation after decades of serving handmade dim sum on trolleys, with the venue set to become a teaching facility under a local university.

Dozens of diners stayed until the end of lunch service on Saturday afternoon to bid their goodbyes to the Admiralty restaurant. Many regular customers shook the hands of staff, saying on their way out: “Thank you for your hard work all these years.”

Diners were seen taking photos around the restaurant and bringing home copies of the dim sum stamp card and menus as memorabilia.

After the kitchen staff wrapped up their final lunch service, they went to the front of the house to take photos with a dim sum trolley specially set up in an area for selfies.

The restaurant offered a special “last dinner set menu” for the farewell, and manager Erica Chan said most of the tables were fully booked.