The best Chinese restaurants in London for dim sum, Peking duck, noodles, and vegan stir-fry
Cuisine from Dongbei to Guangdong.
Even though Lunar New Year has come and gone, the feast need not end. London’s woks are hopping all over town. Traditionally, Chinese families (like mine) gather around turntables in beloved local and Chinatown restaurants, where steaming parcels and plates circle. But now, Chinese fine dining is big on the scene thanks to swanky hotel restaurants and Mayfair’s Michelin-starred chefs. We also never saw casino dining as a contender, but then we went to Chop Chop, and that all changed. Here are the best Chinese restaurants in London no matter what your price point, occasion, or dietary requirements, along with a few pan-Asian options.
The best Chinese restaurants in London
The best upscale Chinese restaurants in London
1. Hutong | London Bridge
With the Shangri-La and Hutong in residence, The Shard certainly has a slice of Asian haute living. Level 33’s the stage for Northern Chinese cuisine. Hutong’s Sichuan beef and deep-fried lobster have just the fire, while the brothy halibut fillet and sweet pork ribs perfectly offset the spice. Dim sum is decadent (Note: between now and December guests can sample all five global Hutong parcels on the London menu), and the roast duck is served in traditional two-stage fashion. Stay a while to admire the view from another vantage point following your meal: the Shanghai Bar around the corner is open till the early hours.
Find out more about Hutong
2. Gouqi | Trafalgar Square
The debut stand-alone venture from Chef Tong Chee Hwee deserves every star. He, after all, spent almost two decades at the Hakkansan Group during its awarded heyday. Gouqi (pronounced ‘goji’) is an evolution of Tong’s work, leveling up Chinese fine dining served on the most beautiful custom-made chinaware. Guests glide their chopsticks into crab meat xiao long baos, wagyu beef rolls, and decadent red shrimp with Singapore chili sauce served with mantou (steamed buns) to soak up the sauce.
Find out more about Gouqi
3. China Tang | Mayfair
Over decades, China Tang’s has been a bucket list destination for London’s discerning Chinese families—this is where to come for the ultimate in Cantonese fine dining knowing full well after that, you’d want for nothing more. Guests enter a twinkling realm inspired by the romance of pre-war Shanghai, and feast on delights that span Cantonese afternoon tea and dim sum, to classic plates like Ma Po Tofu and Char Siu pork. End with the decadent Lemon Salted Egg Yolk Custard Bun. Vegetarian and halal menus are available.
Find out more about China Tang
4. Canton Blue | Belgravia
Canton Blue’s one of the newbies in London, but it’s already garnering legendary status. That’s thanks to the restaurant’s innovative Cantonese cuisine, intricately designed spaces, and that the folks are partial to Peninsula allure (who isn’t!). Take up a booth in the main dining room, and work your way through classic dim sum plates like har gow and xiao long bao, soups like the shrimp wonton, and of course, the signature roasted Peking duck, served first with pancakes and plum sauce, then as a second course with the meat sautéed, deep or wok-fried. End with the red date ice cream.
Find out more about Canton Blue
The best family-style Chinese restaurants in Chinatown London
5. Golden Phoenix | Chinatown
When you think of big family gatherings, Golden Phoenix is your quintessential Lunar location. It’s one of Chinatown’s largest restaurants, so expect many a wedding reception here within the lucky red and gold rooms (there are seven party rooms spread over three floors and a huge banquet space). Authentic dim sum and a la carte Cantonese options include lobster with ginger and spring onions, pork chop with red bean curd paste, and prawns with cashew nuts. Set menus are also available to sample the greats.
Find out more about Golden Phoenix
6. Lido | Chinatown
Fact: this is one of London’s oldest Chinese restaurants, established in 1969. 55 years later, it’s still going strong. Dim sum is always a treat, especially if you save room for their creamy custard buns. The a la carte and set menus feature items such as sizzling chicken with chili and black bean sauce, and a range of dumpling soups that feel like they were lovingly made by Chinese granny. Lido also has an extensive wine list.
Find out more about Lido
7. Lotus Garden | Chinatown
A Chinatown staple, Lotus Garden’s menu features over 200 dishes, spanning Cantonese and Pekinese cuisine. Whatever the family’s in the mood for it’s here: hot pot, roast pork, barbecued octopus, and veggie options. The restaurant also has a solid selection of wines including Shao Hsing Chinese wine.
Find out more about Lotus Garden
The best dumpling restaurants in London
8. Xi Home Dumplings | Shoreditch
For authentic Northeastern Chinese dumplings, head to Xi Home, helmed by Dalian native Wenjun Xiang. This dumpling mecca folds around 20 different handmade parcels for the table, including classics like the spicy pork and the king prawn, to the ultra-luxurious Jade Lobster dumpling, a Xi Home signature; and all generously portioned. The menu also features buns, rolls, pancakes and soups (we recommend ordering a big wonton soup so you can dip your other dumplings in, plus the tableside sauce), and Dalian speciality desserts include crispy milk curd and steamed sticky pumpkin cake. It’ll be hard to resist ordering everything from their fun magazine-style menu—expect to carry home leftovers.
Find out more about Xi Home Dumplings
9. Chai Wu | Knightsbridge
Shopping and dumplings go hand in hand…at least they do at Harrods. Chai Wu sits on the fifth floor in a space where pals can sip and savour the afternoon away on all that is haute Chinese-centric cuisine. Think caviar-topped dumplings, Shanghai fresh noodles stir-fried, and sides like pak choi elevated with black truffle. Portion sizes are generous, as Chinese food should be, so come hungry.
Find out more about Chai Wu
10. Din Tai Fung | Multiple Locations
The Taiwanese giants have taken the world by storm, and it’s all down to the famous Xiao Long Bao, their signature dish. If you haven’t tried them yet (where have you been?), then they’re dumpling perfection—each one is delicately rolled, filled, and folded 18 times, and they burst with the tastiest broth. The chicken buns and noodle soups make for delicious accompaniments.
Find out more about Din Tai Fung
11. Tao Tao Ju | Chinatown
Dumpling feast in Chinatown? It’s steaming over at Tao Tao on Lisle Street. The Cantonese & Sichuanese eaterie serves it with finesse, with standouts including the crystal prawn dumplings and the steamed rice roll with prawn. It’s also a top spot if you like things spicy: the curry prawns and pork in Sichuan spices have all the fire. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list.
Find out more about Tao Tao Ju
The best Chinese restaurants in London for Pan-Asian choice
12. Straits Kitchen | Liverpool Street
Pan Pacific, Singapore’s jewel, has a property in London with a flagship restaurant serving the city’s finest Southeast Asian cuisine. Helmed by Executive Chef Adam Bateman, recipes are rooted in tradition but executed using modern Western cooking techniques. The result is elegance that bursts with flavour.
We love the Scottish salmon with sweet miso, wasabi, and green peas, and dry-aged Gressingham duck served with Peking-style pancakes. Melaka crème brûlée and Chinese wines rarely found in London round off an impeccable dining experience at Straits Kitchen. You’ll easily think those glittering vistas are part of the Lion City.
Find out more about Straits Kitchen
13. YiQi | Chinatown
Chinatown’s newest concept is a trip to Malaysia; serving Pan Asian cuisine with a heavy focus on the South East. Think: stir-fries spiced up, short ribs with all the dips, and creamy curries served with rice in bamboo. The ABC dessert, a Malay shaved ice, is big enough to share. Speaking of which, “Yi Qi” means “together” in Chinese, so do bring the clan and feast together in this casual yet chic space.
Find out more about YiQi
14. UBA | Shoreditch
A team of globe-trotting chefs take guests on an exciting journey through Asia at UBA, and if you can’t get enough of dim sum, you’re in for a real treat. The chicken & edamame banh tran rolls, and the spicy aubergine-spinach dumplings are creative additions to HK yum cha staples like xiao long bao, har gao and siu mai. Meanwhile, Korean crispy fried chicken, miso black cod, and fresh cuts from the raw bar round out a trip to the Far East here in Shoreditch. Happy hour and a weekend brunch are also available.
Find out more about UBA
15. Mei Ume | Tower Hill
Chef de Cuisine Peter Ho adds a touch of magic to Asian staples to give guests flavours so unique and so tantalising their tongues won’t know what hit them. The whole Peking duck is a show-stopping arrangement with (recommended optional) caviar to lather on that hoisin spread, and the sesame prawn on toast is the perfect balance of crunch and flesh rather than soggy bread offering you’re used to. Sashimi, soups, noodles, and dim sum also join the Chinese meets Japanese dance in the kitchen.
Find out more about Mei Ume
The best Chinese restaurants in London in casinos
16. Chop Chop | Leicester Square
The Chinese community in Soho spends a lot of time in casinos, so it’s only natural the biggies of Leicester Square are serving them right. Chop Chop was a delightful surprise for us; from the folks behind Four Seasons Chinese restaurants, it’s best known for Hong Kong-style roast duck. Don’t miss the other Cantonese delights like the Ma Po tofu, Braised tofu with pork belly (the tofu’s all really good!), and the soya chicken. A casual yet funky dining den tucked underneath The Hippodrome.
Find out more about Chop Chop
The best Chinese restaurants in London for vegan and vegetarian options
17. Tofu Vegan | Multiple Locations
With three outposts across the city, it’s hard to believe that everything on Tofu Vegan’s menu is made from plants, that even the carnivores in the party might find themselves converted. The chefs hail from Sichuan, the Cantonese south, and Dongbei, bringing with them regional influences on goodies made from tofu, mushrooms, bean proteins, and other meat-free alternatives. Our favourites are the Gong Bao King Oyster Mushrooms laden with cashew nuts, and the Housemade Silken Tofu in Spicy Sauce.
Find out more about Tofu Vegan
18. Chinese Cricket Club | Blackfriars
New to the scene in 2023 and nestled inside Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars, Chinese Cricket Club takes guests on a journey of fine cuisine spanning Canton to Sichuan. The restaurant, helmed by veteran chefs, crafts everything from the highest quality ingredients and this really comes through in the flavours. Plant-based eaters will love the Jade Vegetarian Set which features delicate Tofu Skin Rolls that we can’t get enough of along with some of the best veggie Ma Po Tofu in town. Don’t skip out on the divine desserts either; the Mango Coconut Pudding is heavenly.
Read our full review of Chinese Cricket Club.
Find out more about Chinese Cricket Club
19. Loving Hut | Multiple Locations
IYKYK. If you don’t, you should. Loving Hut is a chain of over 200 vegan restaurants across the globe that dishes up a blend of Asian delights. In London, the Archway spot serves up a hearty Aromatic Veggie Duck and a damn good Braised Aubergine. The team are uber friendly and the ethos behind the brand is Be Vegan; Make Peace, so expect good vibes only.
Find out more about Loving Hut
But wait, there’s more…
- Check out the complete list of our favourite restaurants in London
- We review the London Stock in Mayfair and discover the best bread basket in town
- Getting your roast duck in Hong Kong? Consider staying at the St. Regis with our review
