The best Chinese restaurants in London for 2026

It’s the Year of the Horse 2026, and that means time to feast. 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 cuisine is a mix of fine dining in the West End to trendy Shoreditch eateries. Here are the best Chinese restaurants in London no matter what your price point, occasion, or dietary requirements.

Are you travelling to London soon? Our London experts offer a 45-minute call to discuss your itinerary and offer suggestions that align with how you want to explore, including ideas you may not have even heard about. Enjoy the capital like a local and get some tips on where to eat, stay and explore. Book your session here today.

The best Chinese restaurants in London

1. Golden Phoenix | Chinatown

Cuisine: Cantonese (dim sum & banquet dining)
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Group dining, celebrations, dim sum feasts
Standout features: Large banquet hall, handmade dim sum, set menus, dim sum afternoon tea
Address: 37-38 Gerrard St, London W1D 5QB

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 is handmade fresh daily, 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, and the restaurant offers a luxurious ‘golden caged’ dim sum afternoon tea, Monday to Friday, 12 pm – 4 pm.

Find out more about Golden Phoenix

2. Chop Chop | Leicester Square

Cuisine: Cantonese (Hong Kong-style roast meats)
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Late-night dining, casual groups, post-theatre meals
Standout features: Roast duck specialist from Four Seasons group, underground casino setting, open until late (4 am)
Address: Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square, London WC2H

The Chinese community in Soho spends a lot of time in casinos, so it’s only natural that the biggies of Leicester Square are serving them right. Chop Chop was a delightful surprise for us the first time we visited three years ago, and since then it’s been one we keep coming back to. 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. 

There are some new items for 2026: we couldn’t get enough of the Chinese sausage steamed buns – seriously, we’d have them for breakfast, lunch and dinner (!), and the Braised Pork Belly with brothy glass noodles that swirl fragrantly and saucily on rice. The sweet ending just got better: Mamamasons Dirty Ice Cream, Ube flavour, alongside one of the Sakura-do cakes…and if it’s a weekend then we recommend adding the Golden Koi cocktail, too. A casual yet funky dining den tucked underneath The Hippodrome.

Find out more about Chop Chop

3. Imperial Treasure | St James’s

Cuisine: Cantonese fine dining
Price: $$$$
Best for: Luxury dining
Standout features: Michelin-recognised group, Peking duck, live seafood
Address: 9 Waterloo Place, St James’s, London SW1Y 4BE

Survey folks around the world on their best Chinese fine dining experiences, and chances are, an Imperial Treasure lands on their tongue. This group has multi-awarded and acclaimed outposts in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris…and right here in London.

On Waterloo Place, there isn’t a table that can resist Signature Peking Duck, the team’s most famous dish (tip: order in advance to guarantee this prized item on your visit). But juicy duck aside, we absolutely loved the melt-in-your-mouth Braised Spinach Tofu with Mushrooms and Dried Scallops, and the hearty Seafood in Shrimp Broth that popped with a side of crispy rice. 

There’s plenty of caviar on the menu, too, at such an upscale establishment, of which the heavenly Caviar on Egg White & Crab Meat should do nicely if you’re looking to impress. And to finish, ask about dessert specials, such as the autumn mooncakes, available alongside sweets spanning sesame balls to rich and creamy scoops of ice cream.

Find out more about Imperial Treasure

4. Sanhao | Chinatown

Cuisine: Chinese ramen
Price: $–$$ 
Best for: Brothy soup or dry hand-pulled noodles, spring rolls, and bao
Standout features: Cappuccino spicy chicken noodles, 8-hour truffle duck broth noodles
Address: 3 Gerrard St, London W1D 5PD

Bet you didn’t think Chinese ramen could beat the type you know and love, but trust us, it’s gonna all be about the OG from now on (fact: Japanese ramen is actually derived from Chinese noodle dishes!). Sanhao’s strands are made fresh in-house daily using traditional techniques, then beautifully swirled on bowls such as the 8-hour duck broth noodles (dusted with truffle! yum!), and the creamy ‘Cappuccino’ spicy chicken noodles. You can even go soupless on dry-tossed noodles, too.

The crispy golden spring rolls and refreshing drunken goji chicken make delightful appetisers, and the restaurant will soon launch desserts to finish. Add a pot of tea or a lychee cocktail to the table, and ramen time just got the full dine-out works in Chinatown.

Find out more about Sanhao

5. Murger Han | City, Euston, Mayfair, & Elephant and Castle

Cuisine: Murgers and Xi’an cuisine
Price: $–$$ 
Best for: Murger Chinese sandwiches, biang biang noodles
Standout features: The crispy pork murger, oil-splashed chilli biang biang noodles, four London outposts
Address: 10 Philpot, London Bridge, EC3M 8AA

There’s no going back after you’ve tried your first Murger: available from one of London’s top Xi’an restaurants, Murger Han. This beloved Chinese burger comprises flatbread loaded with slow-cooked meats and herbs, originally a favourite of ancient Shaanxi workers. Good thing, for modern London workers, we can get our fix from four outposts across the city. There’s toasted duck hoisin murger, toasted spicy beef murger, and our fave: the crispy pork murger.

And besides the traditional street ‘wich, Murger Han has further delights. The sit-down musts include their hand-pulled biang biang noodles, rich with chilli oils, and comforting clay pots, which come with your choice of noodles, stock base, veg and proteins. Then, if you’ve room, the sweet finale has got to be the ice cream trio, topped with a tasty (and rather social media-friendly) strawberry Terra Cotta Warrior. Wash it all down with refillable teas or soy milk.

Find out more about Murger Han

6. Banquet 88 | St Katharine Docks

Cuisine: Cantonese
Price: $$ 
Best for: Chinese banquet dining, authentic Cantonese dishes, dim sum with a dockside view
Standout features: Speciality and classic dim sum, Cantonese roast pork, congee
Address: 2 Commodity Quay, London E1W 1AZ

St Katharine Docks is a bit of a destination nowadays, and even more so with the addition of one of London’s best new Chinese restaurants: Banquet 88. You know the dim sum is good here, because the team are also behind Chinatown’s Tao Tao Ju. These dumplings are all handmade, and the siu mai is just as juicy as in the West End. But do add some of the speciality parcels to the menu, namely the black truffle har gau (truffley, but not overpowering) and the cuttlefish and crab.

And leaning on adventure, skip plain and go for Banquet’s crispy red rice skin cheung fun. One of the best to have ever touched our chopsticks, it’s richer in flavour than the standard and an ideal alternative when you fancy something new. Other Cantonese menu highlights include roast meats, fresh seafood, congee, and a rather delicious pea shoots veggie side cooked in soup and goji berries. At various points throughout the feast, we wondered, ‘Is this St Katharine Dock or Causeway Bay?’ HK-Delicious!

Find out more about Banquet 88

7. Bun House | Shoreditch or Chinatown

Cuisine: Cantonese street food
Price: $–$$
Best for: Quick bites, casual dining, trendy spots
Standout features: Fresh steamed buns, creative fillings, neon-lit interiors, cocktails
Address: 118 Bethnal Green Rd, London E2 6DG or 26-27 Lisle St, London WC2H 7BA

How do you like your buns? If warm, pillowy, and darn right delicious is your answer, there’s only one place for them: Bun House, now with two outposts, one on Bethnal Green Road and one in Chinatown. The Cantonese steamed bun specialists make them from scratch on-site, including both savoury and sweet options spanning ‘Lamb Bun’ to burst-open-runny ‘Custard Bun’, plus the odd limited edition holiday treat on CNY or during the autumn festival. 

These buns aren’t just to-go either. Guests who park at the fluorescent disco can sit their buns alongside saucy wontons (we love them swimming in Dan Dan sauce, mmm), satay beef ragu noodle, and some rather addictive prawn spring rolls for the complete experience, and of course, it all can be capped with a Pandan Negroni. Perfection.

Find out more about Bun House

8. Hotto Potto | Aldgate

Cuisine: Sichuan hot pot
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Group dining, interactive meals, spicy food lovers
Standout features: Authentic Chengdu-style broths, DIY hot pot, karaoke rooms
Address: 157 Commercial Road, Aldgate, London E1 2DA

Authentic Sichuan hot pot doesn’t get any better than this (and we just got back from the region, FYI). Hotto Potto is led by Chef Zhang XiaoZhong, a Chengdu-native who, along with a skilled culinary team, tantalise guests on delicious broths infused with aromatic spices, from the kung fu kick Beef Spicy Tallow to the mild and comforting Plane Bone. Mix and match to get the best of both spectrums. The hot pot menu features an extensive BBQ selection of meats, seafood, tofu and veg, including platters so you can sample a bit of everything, and is available for solo diners as well as groups. 

Do add the (cooked) handmade wontons to the table, which nicely dip in the spicy broth, and finish on the glutinous rice cakes once the soup is slurped. A warm and inviting restaurant that makes us feel like regulars in Chengdu again, and there are karaoke booths if the spice kicks you into the mood.

Find out more about Hotto Potto

9. DanDan | Battersea

Cuisine: Modern Sichuan
Price: $$–$$$ (£20–£40 pp)
Best for: Casual dining, noodles, roast meats
Standout features: Hand-pulled noodles, roast meats, spicy broth dishes
Address: Unit D, Moat Street, 57 Nine Elmes Lane, London, SW11 7EU

Ever since we got our first spoonful at their London Bridge outpost, we’ve been ticking off visits to DanDan like Labubu’s (albeit there are just 4)…and the new Battersea edition was the one we’ve been waiting for. This one roasts Cantonese meats like you’re back in HK, thanks to a former chef a la Imperial Treasure. Do the three kinds of BBQ select for the holy trinity – you won’t be disappointed. Meanwhile, new dishes also include Wagyu Beef in Spicy Golden Broth, Sichuan Style Braised Duck with Konjac, and Stir-fried Spanish Iberico Pork. 

Of course, the DanDan classics are all here too, with those fresh hand-pulled noodles absolutely mandatory. We like them shaped like Lanzhou beef noodles, but you can enjoy signature dandan with minced pork, and even ramen-style slurps too. For the table, add a dim sum platter and the famous golden king prawns with salted egg yolk to feast, and save a little room for the new mochi ice creams at the end, which we verify absolutely hits the sweet spot. 

Find out more about DanDan

10. MiMi Mei Fair | Mayfair 

Cuisine: Chinese fine dining
Price: $$$$
Best for: Special occasions, Peking duck
Standout features: Apple wood-fired Peking duck, elegant townhouse interiors
Address: 55 Curzon Street, Mayfair, London W1J 8PG

Set within a stunning Georgian townhouse on Curzon Street, MiMi Mei Fair’s our pick for the most glam Chinese eatery in the West End. This is where to feast like a Chinese emperor, on a decadent menu that spans Cantonese, Shanghainese and Beijing influences.

The signature is the apple wood-fired Peking duck, roasted until crisp and carved tableside, while the handcrafted dim sum and dishes such as Wagyu black pepper beef, Iberico char siu and wasabi prawns are equally worth exploring. We also recommend the Steamed Atlantic Seabass, beautifully sliced and presented on a bed of refreshing spring onion, ginger and soy. It pairs well with the Crunchy Seasonal Vegetables (featuring water chestnut and white fungus, yum!). 

Plush boudoirs and polished service, including sommelier-curated wine, round off a stellar choice for any special occasion that calls for authentic Chinese cuisine. 

Find out more about MiMi Mei Fair

11. Noodle and Beer | Shoreditch 

Cuisine: Sichuan Chinese
Price: ££
Best for: Bold, spicy noodles, and late-night cocktails
Standout features: Chongqing-style noodles, Sichuan flavours, late-night cocktails
Address: 31 Bell Lane, London E1 7LA

This always-happening Sichuan restaurant and bar is our top spot for big spicy (and not spicy!) bowls of noodles, dry or in soup; our fave being the founder’s beloved Chongqing xiao mian. The wheat noodles dressed with chilli, cabbage, peanuts, pickled greens and Chinese mustard are packed with layer upon layer of flavour. If you can take the heat, it’s hard to resist!

But there’s plenty more than noodles, of course, with a menu running from sizzling starters such as fried Jiucai Hezi duo to those more substantial Sichuan dishes. And right now, Noodle & Beer is getting into the Mid-Autumn spirit, with three mooncakes – custard, chocolate and matcha – paired with cocktails like Matcha Made in Heaven. The dine-in mooncakes and cocktails run from September 1, while the wider 2026 mooncake range is available at both Spitalfields and Chinatown from August 19 to September 25. Oh, and there’s a £75 deluxe gift set containing four artisan mooncakes, a Longquan Celadon Cup, bamboo lantern stand and greeting card, in case you want to share the joy.

Find out more about Noodle & Beer

12. Xi Home Dumplings Bay | Locations across town

Cuisine: Northern Chinese (Dalian-style dumplings)
Price: $$ (£20–£40 pp)
Best for: Dumpling specialists, casual dining, authentic regional cuisine
Standout features: Handmade dumplings prepared fresh to order, open kitchen, signature lobster dumplings and giant soup dumpling
Address: Liverpool Street and Covent Garden

For Northeastern Chinese dumplings, head to Xi Home Dumplings Bay, the authentic dumpling mecca, folding scratch-made parcels from classics like the spicy pork to the ultra-luxurious Jade Lobster dumpling. For Lunar New Year, they turn things up a notch too, thanks to a Golden Spring Feast (and we mean FEAST) of seabass, abalone, and dishes symbolising prosperity for the table. Expect to carry home leftovers. And of course, it wouldn’t be CNY without buns. The hand-crafted Lion Dance Buns ooze with custard and matcha, making for the sweetest gifts (and hurry, because at our time of visit, they were sold out!) Honestly, it was hard for us to resist ordering everything from their magazine-style menu.

Find out more about Xi Home Dumplings Bay

13. Poon’s | Covent Garden

Cuisine: home-style Northern Chinese
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Contemporary Chinese dining, cultural experiences
Standout features: Heritage recipes, seasonal menus, Somerset House setting
Address: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA

If Chinese food is a date night affair, then reserve a table at the swoonsome Poon’s. The new restaurant from the esteemed Poon family is situated within Somerset House, in a gorgeous blush space filled with art, design furnishings and periodicals from their own private collection. On the menu are signature dishes from the famous branches of Lisle Street and Covent Garden, such as the Zha Jiang Noodles and Claypot rice, but Amy’s taken it and put a seasonal spin for a welcome treat each time you visit. 

We loved her home-style items over wintertime, such as granny’s magic soup and the healthy whole steamed fish brothed with Poon’s own special soy sauce, spring onion and ginger. Then there’s ‘The Hill That Amy Didn’t Die On’, her upgrade on the beloved prawn toast, minus the toast, so good it’s impossible to share (good thing there are two on your plate!). A venue, food and drink selection that’s five stars all round.

Find out more about Poon’s Somerset House

14. Dream Xi’An | Tower Hill

Cuisine: Xi’an (Northern Chinese)
Price: $–$$
Best for: Noodle lovers, spicy food fans
Standout features: Biang Biang noodles, hand-pulled dough, bold chilli flavours
Address: 62 St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1LB

Dream Xi’An is the best place to taste the cuisine of Xi’an, Northern China, specifically the physically demanding ‘Biang Biang’ noodles. These hand-pulled bowls are full of silky bounce and jam-packed with flavour, whether you go down the veggie, beef, pork, or combination route. Guirong handpicks the very best chillies herself for that linger-on-your-tongue finish. And noodles aside, you’ll want to save room for street food plates such as the spicy cumin beef bun, and the pan-fried chicken and mushroom pot sticker dumplings. If you love a kick with your Asian food, this is your number one Spice Girl. 

Find out more about Dream Xi’An

15. Noodle Nova | Strand

Cuisine: Northwest Chinese (Lanzhou noodles)
Price: $$ 
Best for: Noodle lovers, quick meals, authentic hand-pulled noodles
Standout features: Fresh hand-pulled noodles, Lanzhou beef noodle soup, homestyle regional dishes, strong drinks list
Address: 229 Strand, Temple, London WC2R 1BF

Noodle Nova is pure noodle heaven, where every strand is hand-pulled fresh. If it’s your first visit, the signature Lanzhou Beef is a mandatory slurp, and after that, any of the delicious noodles sit nicely alongside the restaurant’s superstar mains. Ours were the hand-grabbed Mutton (which are much tastier than they look, FYI!), the stir-fried shredded beef with Chinese cabbage and glass noodles, and the saucy aubergine with peppers and tomatoes.

Pair your meal with a glass from their rather extensive wine list, plus baiju, beers, or a refreshing sanpao tai tea that can be topped up throughout the meal. Nova’s in a charming abode along the Strand, and is packed with locals seeking a homestyle experience in the city.

Find out more about Noodle Nova

16. Da Long Yi | Soho

Cuisine: Sichuan hot pot
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Groups, spice lovers, social dining
Standout features: Extensive sauce bar, multiple broths, global hot pot brand
Address: 46 Gerrard Street, London W1D 5QH

Hailing from Chengdu (and with over 300 outposts worldwide), Da Long Yi has everything your hotpot dreams desire, from more than 20 condiments at the sauce bar to a menu that seemingly goes on forever. We recommend choosing two or three broths so you can sample a range. Veggies and vegans will love the mushroom option that has a little bit of a spicy vibe, or meat-eaters can choose from a variety with different spice levels.

Load up on fresh veggies like mushrooms, greens, and corn, as well as protein like beef, lamb, seafood or tofu. We are big fans of the fresh noodles and the fried fish balls, and you have to get the huge potato noodles that you’ve probably seen on social media. Finish off with a mango and pomelo dessert, and you’ll have a good excuse for a long walk around the shops in Oxford Circus.

Read about our favourite restaurants in London’s Soho, too.

Read more about Da Long Yi

17. Three Uncles | Multiple locations

Cuisine: Cantonese (Hong Kong-style BBQ / siu mei)
Price: $$
Best for: Quick meals, takeaway, roast meat lovers
Standout features: Char siu pork, roast duck, crispy pork belly, rice boxes and lo mein dishes, modern casual setting
Address: Multiple locations including Liverpool Street & Camden, London

The original outpost of Three Uncles on Liverpool Street feels exactly like a hole-in-the-wall in Hong Kong; counter service, just 12 seats, and a kitchen peddling the tastiest roast meats and rice in town. No need for all the bells and whistles. Siu Mei is one of the most popular everyday foods for Hong Kongers, taking marinated meats which are then hung and fan-dried overnight before laborious roasting and resting. The result is a burst of flavour on every tender bite. It’s served here with pak choi and white Jasmine rice, or you can have them sliced on top of a generous portion of lo mein noodles. We always go for the meat combo. Remember, this is a first-come, first-served situation, so arrive early during peak hours for your succulent Siu Mei fix. 

Find out more about Three Uncles

18. Shan Shui Social | Victoria

Cuisine: Cantonese and Malaysian comfort food 
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Social dining, groups, modern Chinese interiors
Standout features: Stylish setting, classic Cantonese dishes with contemporary presentation, cocktails + sharing plates
Address: 14 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0QP, UK

Shan Shui Social is the brainchild of Ellen Chew, who brought Singapulah and Rasa Sayang to the capital, and this new concept fans the flavours of Guangdong (and beyond) within an intricate 1920s Shanghai space. Whilst there’s no going wrong with anything from the dim sum, wok, or roast menu, we highly recommend the beautifully marinated sweet pork belly char siu, the funky wood ear fungus in Chef Jason Li’s Kaofu, and the fresh garlic-tossed Gai lan. There are two desserts, light enough that you might as well order both, and anything from Ellen must be capped off with a stiff Singapore Sling.

Find out more about Shan Shui Social

19. Tao Tao Ju | Chinatown

Cuisine: Cantonese & Sichuan
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Dim sum, Chinatown dining
Standout features: Crystal dumplings, spicy Sichuan dishes, strong wine list
Address: 15 Lisle Street, London WC2H 7BE

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

20. Dim Sum Library | Covent Garden

Cuisine: Cantonese (modern dim sum)
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Trendy dining, creative dim sum, vegan options
Standout features: Wagyu puffs, dan dan xiao long bao, Hong Kong classics with twists, good selection of plant-based options
Address: 9–10 St Martin’s Court, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4AL

Trust the team behind Hutong to bestow a dumpling treasure; Dim Sum Library is an authentic Hong Kong concept now open in Covent Garden. The menu has all your Cantonese daytime classics, from the fragrant Crystal Har Gau to the deliciously slippery prawn Cheung Fun, served alongside modern elevations on tradition such as the Wagyu Beef Puff and the Dan Dan Xiao Long Bao, which dare we say, is as good, if not better, than the traditional Shanghainese offering. We always find adding rice or noodles makes it more of a complete meal, but then you might want to save space for more parcels. More Black Garlic Siu Mai perhaps? As for dessert, don’t miss the old skool HK egg tarts, or follow the younger Gens, and do the Pistachio Lava choc mochi instead.

Find out more about Dim Sum Library

21. House of Ming | Westminster

Cuisine: Sichuan and Cantonese Chinese
Price: $$$–$$$$
Best for: Special occasions, business meals, group fine dining
Standout features: Located within Taj’s luxurious St. James’ Court hotel
Address: St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, 54 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AF

House of Ming brings a touch of old-world grandeur to Westminster, hiding behind the doors of Taj’s St. James’ Court hotel like a well-kept secret. Swathed in rich reds and jade greens, the dining room feels suitably regal, in an atmosphere that’s more imperial banquet than everyday Chinese restaurant. 

The menu travels across China’s culinary map, with a particular focus on Cantonese delicacy and Sichuan firepower. Expect crafted dim sum like the Prawn & Scallop with Chiniang Caviar, and stir-fry with a kick in Wagyu Black Pepper Beef. The main event has to be their Peking Duck, and your parting dish has to be the delightfully sweet and refreshing Citrus (lime and yuzu mousse) dessert. Sure, central London has no shortage of Chinese restaurants, but for us, House of Ming stands apart for its delicious sense of occasion.

Find out more about House of Ming

But wait, there’s more…

• Check out the complete list of our favourite restaurants in London
• If you’re craving something sweet, how about one of the best afternoon teas in London?
• Getting your roast duck in Hong Kong? Consider staying at the St. Regis with our review