Nana's Dim Sum and Dumplings Aurora: New Location Review

Nana's Dim Sum and Dumplings has been one of those spots people kept bringing up to me ever since they opened in 2023. Denver has no shortage of Chinese food, but a place that builds its reputation specifically around dumplings and xiao long bao — and builds it fast — tends to get my attention. When I heard they were opening a new location on Havana Street in Aurora, it felt like a good time to stop waiting and actually go.

Havana Street is worth understanding as context here. If you haven't spent time eating your way through that corridor in Aurora, it's one of the better stretches for Asian food in the whole metro area. A lot of serious, non-flashy restaurants doing regional cuisines that don't get nearly enough attention. Nana's landing there makes sense, and it puts them right in the middle of a street where the competition keeps you honest.

The Soft Opening Situation

I went during the soft opening, which I want to flag upfront because it matters. Soft openings are a mixed bag. Kitchens are still finding their rhythm, service can be uneven, and sometimes the menu isn't fully running yet. I always try to account for that when I'm forming an opinion. That said, Nana's moved pretty smoothly for a soft opening. They're taking reservations online, which I'd recommend using — it's a newer spot getting real buzz and showing up without one felt like a gamble.

The room itself is clean and comfortable without being fussy. Nothing about the space is trying to distract you from the food, which I respect. The crowd on my visit was a mix of families and people who clearly knew exactly what they came for.

The Dumplings

The xiao long bao are the main event and they hold up. For anyone unfamiliar, xiao long bao are soup dumplings — thin dough wrappers holding seasoned pork and a small pocket of hot broth that releases when you bite in. Getting the dough thickness right is harder than it looks. Too thick and the whole thing turns doughy; too thin and they fall apart in the steamer. Nana's gets the balance right. The wrapper is delicate, the broth has real depth, and the pork filling is seasoned well without being heavy-handed.

Beyond the xiao long bao, Nana's is putting out a wider spread of dim sum and dumplings that rounds out the menu. I didn't work through everything — soft opening menus are often abbreviated — but what I had confirmed that the dumpling focus here isn't a gimmick. This is a kitchen that clearly knows what it's doing with this specific style of cooking.

What to Keep in Mind

A couple of practical things worth knowing before you go. Havana Street can be a haul depending on where you're coming from in Denver proper, but for food this specific and this well-executed, it's worth the drive from most parts of the city. The soft opening also means some things are still being dialed in — dish availability, wait times, and pacing can vary. That's not a criticism, just reality with any new location finding its footing.

Reservations are the move right now. Nana's has clearly built a following since 2023, and the combination of a new location and active soft opening buzz means walk-in odds aren't great on busier nights.

The Takeaway

Nana's Dim Sum and Dumplings on Havana Street is a legitimately good addition to an already strong food corridor. If you've been curious since their 2023 opening and haven't made it yet, the new Aurora location is a solid reason to go. The xiao long bao alone are worth planning a trip around. I'll be going back once they're fully up and running to work through more of the menu — soft openings give you a real preview, but a full menu visit tells the complete story. Keep this one on the list.