10 Best Chinese Restaurants in London
The Best Chinese Restaurants in London – London’s culinary landscape offers an impressive array of Chinese dining establishments, ranging from authentic regional specialists to innovative fusion kitchens.
Finding the best Chinese food in London can be a challenge with so many options available, though there are so many options of London foods available.
The London city’s love for fresh, regional cuisine has raised the standard, offering dishes that evoke the flavors of China.
We have taken on the enjoyable task of sampling and reviewing to bring you the finest recommendations for Chinese cuisine in London.
Chinese Restaurants In London Based on Style and Experiences
This guide examines the finest Chinese restaurants across the capital, providing you with essential information to make informed choices based on cuisine style, atmosphere, location, and price point.
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10 of the Best Chinese Restaurants in London
This list thoroughly explores the best Chinese restaurants located throughout the capital city, offering detailed and clear insights to help you make informed dining decisions.
You will find comprehensive information covering various aspects, including the specific style of Chinese cuisine each establishment features, the overall atmosphere you can expect, precise locations within the city, and a clear indication of price ranges.
By showcasing examples and describing each factor in greater depth, this guide aims to assist you in confidently selecting the restaurant option that best suits your personal preferences and needs.
A. Wong
A. Wong stands as London’s premier Chinese restaurant, boasting two Michelin stars and showcasing the diversity of Chinese cuisine through meticulously crafted dishes.
Chef Andrew Wong’s 10-course “Taste of China” menu takes diners on a culinary journey across the various regions of China, presenting traditional flavors through contemporary techniques.
The dim sum service at A. Wong offers a particularly noteworthy experience, with each piece prepared to order and served individually rather than in traditional steamer baskets. This approach allows for greater precision and creativity in both flavor and presentation.
The restaurant’s atmosphere balances sophistication with comfort, making it suitable for special occasions. Reservations are typically required several weeks in advance, particularly for dinner service and weekend dim sum.
- Location: 70 Wilton Rd, Pimlico, London SW1V 1DE
- Cuisine: Modern Chinese, Dim Sum
- Price Range: £££-££££
Kai Mayfair
Situated in the heart of Mayfair, Kai presents Chinese cuisine at its most refined. The restaurant has maintained its Michelin star through a commitment to exceptional ingredients and meticulous preparation techniques.
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The menu places particular emphasis on seafood and offers thoughtfully developed vegetarian options.
The dining room exudes elegance with modern design elements that complement the sophisticated menu. Service is attentive without being intrusive, creating an environment well-suited to business dining or celebration meals.
Signature dishes include the lobster with ginger and spring onions and the “Beijing Style” roasted duck. The restaurant also offers an extensive wine list with selections specifically chosen to complement Chinese flavors.
- Location: 65 S Audley St, Mayfair, London W1K 2QU
- Cuisine: Refined Chinese, Seafood Specialties
- Price Range: ££££
Gouqi
Gouqi represents the new wave of Chinese fine dining in London, combining traditional techniques with contemporary presentation and occasional fusion elements. The restaurant’s aesthetic mirrors its culinary approach, with sleek interiors and artistic plating that make each dish visually striking.
The menu changes seasonally but typically includes innovative offerings such as truffle-infused dim sum and wagyu beef with Asian-inspired accompaniments. The bar program deserves special mention for its creative cocktails incorporating Chinese ingredients and spirits.
The intimate setting makes Gouqi particularly suitable for date nights or small gatherings where conversation and food appreciation take center stage.
- Location: 25-34 Cockspur St, London SW1Y 5BN
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion, Modern Chinese
- Price Range: £££-££££
Tattu London
Tattu has quickly established itself as one of London’s most visually stunning dining destinations. Located on a rooftop in the West End, the restaurant combines dramatic design elements with equally theatrical food presentation.
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The cherry blossom installations and mood lighting create an atmosphere that feels both exclusive and energetic.
The menu focuses on contemporary interpretations of Cantonese classics, with particular attention to presentation. Dishes often arrive with creative flourishes such as dry ice effects or elaborate garnishes.
Popular options include the caramelized sour pork, black truffle shumai, and the signature dessert featuring a chocolate dragon egg with smoking dry ice.
The restaurant’s bar area offers an excellent pre-dinner experience with Asian-inspired cocktails and city views, making it advisable to arrive early for your reservation.
- Location: The Now Building Rooftop, Outernet, Denmark St, London WC2H 0LA
- Cuisine: Contemporary Cantonese
- Price Range: £££
China Tang at The Dorchester
China Tang provides a glimpse into the glamour of 1930s Shanghai within one of London’s most prestigious hotels. The Art Deco interior features authentic Chinese antiques and artwork, creating an atmosphere of refined nostalgia.
This setting has made it a longtime favorite among celebrities and the fashion crowd.
The menu concentrates on traditional Cantonese preparations executed with premium ingredients. The Peking duck, prepared in the restaurant’s dedicated duck oven, represents a signature offering that requires advance ordering.
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The dim sum, served during lunch hours, maintains high standards of freshness and technique.
The bar at China Tang merits a visit in its own right, offering classic cocktails and one of London’s most extensive selections of rare Chinese teas.
- Location: 53 Park Ln, London W1K 1QA
- Cuisine: Classic Cantonese
- Price Range: ££££
Hakkasan
Hakkasan revolutionized high-end Chinese dining in London when it opened, and it continues to set standards for atmosphere, service, and culinary execution.
The restaurant’s darkly glamorous interior, designed by Christian Liaigre, creates an immediately recognizable environment that balances energy with exclusivity.
The menu showcases modern Cantonese cooking with occasional global influences. Signature dishes include the black truffle roast duck, grilled Chilean sea bass with honey, and the crispy duck salad.
The desserts, often overlooked at Chinese restaurants, receive particular attention at Hakkasan with sophisticated options that blend Eastern and Western techniques.
The restaurant’s sommelier team provides thoughtful wine pairings, while the bar offers an extensive selection of cocktails featuring Asian ingredients. Weekend dinner reservations typically require booking several weeks in advance.
- Location: 8 Hanway Pl, London W1T 1HD
- Cuisine: Modern Cantonese
- Price Range: ££££
Hutong
Hutong combines extraordinary views with cuisine rarely found elsewhere in London. Situated on the 33rd floor of The Shard, the restaurant offers panoramic vistas of the city skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows.
The interior incorporates traditional Chinese elements like reclaimed wooden doorways and red lanterns to create an atmospheric dining space.
The menu focuses on the robust flavors of Northern China, particularly Beijing and Sichuan provinces.
Signature dishes include the Red Lantern (soft-shell crab with dried chili), Roasted Peking Duck served with pancakes and traditional accompaniments, and a selection of dim sum that incorporates northern Chinese elements.
The restaurant offers several seating areas with varying ambiance, from intimate window tables to the more energetic main dining room. A reservation coinciding with sunset provides an especially memorable experience as the city lights begin to illuminate.
- Location: Level 33, The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY
- Cuisine: Northern Chinese
- Price Range: £££-££££
Yauatcha Soho
Yauatcha has established itself as London’s premier dim sum destination, earning and maintaining a Michelin star for its innovative approach to these traditional small plates.
The two-level space includes a ground floor restaurant with an open kitchen and a downstairs area with a more intimate atmosphere.
The dim sum menu ranges from classic preparations to creative interpretations featuring luxury ingredients. Standout items include the venison puffs, truffle har gau, and scallop shui mai.
Beyond dim sum, the menu offers excellent wok dishes and beautifully presented desserts from the patisserie counter.
The restaurant maintains a lively atmosphere, particularly during weekend lunch service, making it more suitable for social dining than quiet conversation.
The blue-lit fish tank and contemporary design elements create a distinctive visual identity that complements the modern approach to traditional cuisine.
- Location: 15-17 Broadwick St, London W1F 0DL
- Cuisine: Contemporary Dim Sum, Cantonese
- Price Range: £££
Master Wei Xi’An
Master Wei offers an authentic taste of Xi’an, a historic city in northwestern China known for its distinctive flavor combinations and hand-pulled noodles.
The restaurant’s unassuming exterior and simple decor place full focus on the food itself, which delivers remarkable value and regional authenticity rarely found in London.
The menu specializes in hand-pulled noodles with various toppings and Xi’an street food classics.
The Biang Biang noodles (wide, belt-like noodles with chili oil and vegetables) represent the signature dish, while the cold liangpi noodles and Xi’an-style burgers (rou jia mo) provide excellent alternatives.
The cumin-spiced lamb skewers reflect the Muslim influence in Xi’an cuisine.
The casual service style and reasonable prices make Master Wei ideal for quick lunches or casual dinners. The restaurant does not take reservations and can have queues during peak hours, particularly on weekends.
- Location: 13 Cosmo Pl, London WC1N 3AP
- Cuisine: Xi’an Regional, Noodle Specialist
- Price Range: £-££
Orient London
Located in the heart of Chinatown, Orient London stands out from its neighbors through consistently high-quality execution of classic Chinese dishes.
The restaurant spans multiple floors, with the ground level typically reserved for dim sum service and upper floors offering a more traditional restaurant experience.
The extensive menu covers both Cantonese and Szechuan specialties, providing diners with options ranging from mild to intensely spicy.
The dim sum selection deserves particular attention, with items like xiao long bao (soup dumplings) and cheung fun (rice noodle rolls) prepared with notable skill. For main courses, the Cantonese roast meats and clay pot dishes represent standout options.
The restaurant typically attracts a mix of Chinese diners and knowledgeable food enthusiasts, which generally indicates authenticity. The reasonable pricing and central location make it an excellent option for pre-theater dining or Chinatown exploration.
- Location: 15 Wardour St, London W1D 6PH
- Cuisine: Cantonese, Szechuan
- Price Range: ££
Planning Your Chinese Dining Experience in London
When selecting from among London’s top Chinese restaurants, consider these factors to enhance your experience:
- Regional Focus: Chinese cuisine encompasses numerous distinct regional styles. Cantonese cuisine typically features milder flavors and seafood, Szechuan emphasizes bold spices and chili heat, while Northern Chinese cooking often incorporates wheat-based items like dumplings and noodles.
- Dining Style: Consider whether you prefer sharing multiple dishes family-style (traditional at most Chinese restaurants) or a more structured individual course format (common at higher-end establishments).
- Timing: Many Chinese restaurants offer different experiences depending on when you visit. Dim sum service typically runs during lunch hours, while special items like Peking duck often require pre-ordering when making your reservation.
- Group Size: Chinese cuisine is traditionally enjoyed as a shared experience, with multiple dishes placed in the center of the table. Most restaurants can accommodate groups comfortably, with larger parties having the advantage of trying more menu items.
London’s Chinese Restaurants scene is continually progressing, with established venues and creative new entrants shaping a richly varied culinary environment.
From the sophisticated refinement of A. Wong’s tasting menu and the regional authenticity found in Master Wei’s hand-pulled noodles to the visually striking presentations at Tattu, the city provides Chinese dining options suitable for nearly every taste and occasion.
