zau2 lau4酒樓酒楼

Jyutpingzau2 lau4

Yalejáu làuh

名詞Common

Definition

A large-scale Cantonese-style restaurant serving dim sum by day and Chinese banquet dishes by night.

colloquialfooddim sum

How it's used

Distinguish between a standard restaurant and a 酒樓 by the presence of a banquet hall and the service of dim sum. While smaller eateries are called 茶餐廳, a 酒樓 implies a larger, more formal setting suitable for multi-generational family gatherings or large-scale celebrations like weddings. The term is deeply tied to the culture of 飲茶, which is the act of going to these specific venues to socialize over tea and small plates.

Measure word

gaan1間gān

Examples

ting1聽jat6日ziu1朝zou2早heoi3去bin1邊gaan1間zau2酒lau4樓jam2飲caa4茶hou2好aa3呀？

Which Cantonese restaurant should we go to for dim sum tomorrow morning?

keoi5佢dei6哋gam1今maan5晚喺hai2酒zau2樓lau4擺baai2酒，zau2請ceng2咗zo2好hou2多do1親can1戚。

They are holding their wedding banquet at the restaurant tonight and invited many relatives.

Common phrases

heoi3去zau2酒lau4樓jam2飲caa4茶

to go to a Cantonese restaurant for dim sum

zau2酒lau4樓baai2擺zau2酒

to hold a banquet at a Cantonese restaurant

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with a standard restaurant or a fast food shop, as it specifically refers to a venue equipped to host large banquets and formal dinners. Using it for a small, casual noodle shop will sound unnatural to native speakers.