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.
The best Chinese restaurants in London
The finest upscale Chinese restaurants in London
1. 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
2. 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
3. Canton Blue | Belgravia
Canton Blue’s one of the newbies in London, but it’s already garnering legendary status among the Chinese community. 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, it’ll be hard to resist a second ordering.
Find out more about Canton Blue
4. Park Chinois | Mayfair
Park Chinois is housed in a glamorous boudoir by French designer Jacques Garcia. Inside there are two distinct dining experiences: Salon de Chine and Club Chinois. One is a plush dining space strumming live jazz seven days a week, whilst the other is a supper club and cabaret in the style of a 30s Shanghai speakeasy. We love the chef’s decadent dim sum selection. Order something up from the bar too (Park Chinois recently won a Michelin Award for their cocktails).
Find out more about Park Chinois
5. Hakkasan | Multiple Locations
For over 20 years, Hakkasan’s been synonymous with Chinese fine dining. When someone plans an outing at the legend, you know it’ll be an occasion to remember. At the original in Hanway Place, guests enter a sultry space conceived by Christian Liaigre. They dine on modern Cantonese, like delicately roasted black truffle duck with plenty of sauce for your rice, fragrant sizzling clay pot grouper with spring onion and pepper, and ho fun made with Yorkshire Waygu beef. Add autumn mushroom and golden squash to any main. For those wanting omakase, several sets are offered. Forever abuzz, this grand dame of Chinese cuisine is a fixture going nowhere.
Find out more about Hakkasan
The best family-style Chinese restaurants in Chinatown
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
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 swanky yet serene 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.
The sweet and sour chicken is a showdown with the perfect crunch, served in a dragon fruit for a unique spin. Portion sizes are generous, as Chinese food should be, so come hungry. The open kitchen provides a focal point from which to enjoy an exotic cocktail or mocktail for those looking to quench their thirst during the retail workout.
Find out more about Chai Wu
10. Yauatcha | Soho
Yauatcha’s another one that’s stood the test of time. Back in the noughties, it was the new dumpling on the block, just off the main Chinatown drag. It’s today a staple in the city’s dim sum sphere, the Soho branch as steamy as ever.
All the mainstays are here, so fill your table with scallop shu mai, cheung fun, venison puff, char sui buns, and the like. But this is more than just the meats. Yauatcha’s expansive tea menu encompasses white teas to complex herbal expressions, and what goes great with tea? Cake. The restaurant is famous for combining dim sum with patisserie, and guests will spin out over the ‘set of five’ platter. We know we did.
Find out more about Yauatcha
11. 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
12. 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 casinos
13. 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
14. 7th Cat | Leicester Square
Chop Chop isn’t the only good Chinese in Leicester Square…those casino restaurants certainly have some tricks up their sleeves. Empire’s the daddy of them, and 7th Cat is a recent opening helmed by Chef Ellen Chew. Peddling dim sum, won ton noodles, and roast duck as authentic as the steaming stores behind the Red Gates. Brunch on pork char siu bao and spicy prawn wontons before the local slot lovers descend on the casino-floor tables for lunch. Save room for ice cream mochi which comes as a set of three.
Find out more about 7th Cat
The best Chinese restaurants for vegan and vegetarian options
15. 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
16. 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
17. 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
