Best Chinese restaurants London: 26 must-try dining destinations

London has a wealth of Chinese restaurants to choose from, ranging from high-end, high-spend places in the likes of Mayfair and Knightsbridge to the more affordable budget-friendly eateries in Soho’s Chinatown. Whatever you are looking for in terms of style or budget, it is a well-known fact that the capital is not short of excellent restaurants, so you should find something to suit you in our round-up of the best Chinese restaurants in London below.

The truth about Chinese food in London is that, we're blessed with an incredible range of regional Chinese food that doesn't exist anywhere else in the country. There was a time not long ago when the idea of Chinese food was really Cantonese food, made popular by the many Cantonese families that arrived in the UK. These days the capital boasts wonderful restaurants that cook regional food from all over China, not just the far south, and we're discovering fantastic new places to eat every day. 

For us, the criteria for the best Chinese restaurants in London changes from venue to venue. Sometimes it is the incredible service from knowledgeable staff that simply elevates your experience, or perhaps the seductive interiors that provide the perfect backdrop for an Instagram worthy selfie. Other times, it is instead about the attention paid to sourcing and using top-shelf ingredients, which gives way to drool-worthy meals that we just can’t stop thinking about.

Lots of the best Chinese restaurants in London will require pre-booking to secure your seat, as they are a popular clutch of places. So have a scroll below and read our thoughts on each spot, find your favourite, and then call ahead to book, to make sure they are ready and waiting for you on your desired date - happy eating!

Gouqi, St James's

What: Chef Tong Chee Hwee put many of London’s most famous Chinese restaurants on the map, not least Hakkasan where he was the head honcho for 18 years. Gouqi marks his return to London’s dining scene and, yes, it is so expensive you’ll sweat as you read the menu, but you’ll struggle to find a better Chinese fine dining restaurant in the entire city. The black truffle roasted duck with honey-glazed Iberico char siu and salted egg yolk is profoundly delicious.
Where: 25-34 Cockspur Street, SW1Y 5BN
Book now: Gouqi

Dim Sum Duck, King's Cross

What: One of London’s ‘prepare to queue’ elite, Dim Sum Duck attracts hungry diners from all over the city who are ready to queue for at least half an hour to get stuck into their plump dim sum and roast duck. Beef ho fun is also a must-order and frankly, most of the menu is worth the queueing time - get here as close to opening as possible to shorten your wait.
Where: 124 King's Cross Road, WC1X 9DS
Book now: Dim Sum Duck

Master Wei, Holborn

What: After chef Guirong Wei put Shaanxi cooking on the map at Xi’an Impression, she promptly went and opened Master Wei in Holborn, which delves further into delicious food from this central Chinese province. Must orders include beef biang biang noodles, cold shredded chicken in spicy sauce and a good helping of excellent dumplings.
Where: 13 Cosmo Place, WC1N 3AP
Book now: Master Wei

Lucky and Joy, Clapton

What: This popular Clapton cafe-style hangout has a colourful 80s neon vibe, but it doesn’t detract from the excellent food, which changes up pretty often. The menu delves into regional influences from all over China with excellent results, and there’s a set menu option that is extremely good value too.
Where: 95 Lower Clapton Road, E5 0NP
Book now: Lucky and Joy

Etles, Walthamstow

What: Uyghur cuisine is among the least recognisable regional Chinese cuisine in London, but if Etles is anything to go by, it deserves far more attention. Uyghur cuisine combines Chinese, Middle Eastern, Persian and even some Russian influences, so expect big meaty kebabs and lots of offal alongside hand-pulled noodles, manti dumplings and baklava.
Where: 235 Hoe Street, E17 9PP
Book now: Etles

Murger Han, King’s Cross, Mayfair and City

What: Murger Han has been the other big name in Shaanxi cooking (alongside Guirong Wei’s Xi’an Impression and Master Wei) and whilst we prefer the latter for some classic dishes, Murger Han’s murgers (a Chinese-style burger with shredded pork) and chewy hand-pulled noodles are elite.
Where: 62 Eversholt Street, NW1 1DA; 8A Sackville Street, W1S 3DF; 9 Philpot Lane, EC3M 8AA
Book now: Murger Han King’s Cross; Murger Han Mayfair; Murger Han City

Chinese Cricket Club, Blackfriars

What: Chinese Cricket Club is among the smarter restaurants in the city, in keeping with its digs inside the Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars. Despite that, the restaurant itself is pretty relaxed, but the menu is a fascinating, wide-spectrum look at different regional dishes from all over China. You can’t go wrong with the Shanghai-style 24-hour slow cooked pork.
Where: 19 New Bridge Street, EC4V 6DB
Book now: Chinese Cricket Club

Facing Heaven, Hackney 

What: This vegan Chinese restaurant from Mao Chow founder Julian Dennis is whacky and wonderful in the best possible way. Dennis has kept the funky neon interiors of his original restaurant and turned them up a notch. Expect sunshine yellow tables, pink lighting and black and white checkerboard floors. The name refers to a Sichuanese chilli that grows pointing upwards, so diners can expect dishes packed with plenty of heat! Look out for crispy tofu skin, seaweed toast with ‘everything sauce’ and cauliflower florets with crispy chillies. 
Where: 1a Bayford Street, E8 3SE 
Book now: Facing Heaven

Four Seasons, Chinatown 

What: With Chinatown packed to the rafters with restaurants, it can be tricky to seek out the good from the very good. Our advice? Look for the ones with queues out the door, a commonplace occurrence for this branch on Wardour Street. It's known for its BBQ meat dishes, steaming hot pots and unique takes on Cantonese and Sichuanese dishes, although its most famous offering is the meaty ‘golden trio’ of crispy duck, char siu and siew yoke, which punters enjoy with little more than sticky rice.  
Where: Wardour Street, S1D 6PW 
Book now: Four Seasons

Park Chinois, Mayfair 

What: If it wasn’t done so well, the grandeur of Park Chinois could feel a little over the top. We’re referencing the swathed curtains, live music entertainment, red velvet seating and fringed table lamps. In their quantity they become theatrical and fun, giving the room a celebratory buzz. When it comes to the food we loved the XO mooli cakes that were stir-fried with snow crab for a moreish sweet and savoury plateful. Elsewhere you can find fabulous examples of all the classics – Peking duck is roasted to order and served with baby cucumber and duck sauce, while the restaurant’s version of carbonara takes udon noodles and combines them with egg, guanciale and sea urchin, with unexpectedly fantastic results.
Where: 17 Berkeley Street, W1J 8EA
Book now: Park Chinois

Bright Courtyard Club, Marylebone

What: As with a lot of London’s best Chinese restaurants, Bright Courtyard Club is a sibling of a global original – in this case, a Shanghai flagship. Interiors are a little dated, with tiled floors and neon feature lighting, but the menu remains luxe. Indulge in lobster hot and sour soup, pan grilled scallops with foie gras and wagyu beef with black pepper sauce.  
Where: 43-45 Baker Street, W1U 8EW
Book Now: Bright Courtyard Club

Three Uncles, Brixton  

What: Cantonese roast meat specialists Three Uncles is a casual joint set up by friends and co-founders Chong Yew (Uncle Lim), Pui Sing Tsang (Uncle Sidney) and Mo Kwok (Uncle Mo), who wanted to bring the Siu Mei (roast meat) they enjoyed while growing up in Hong Kong to London. After trading for three years as a takeaway kiosk, Three Uncles opened its first bricks and mortar site in Brixton Village in 2022, where it serves its famous roast meats, alongside plenty of noodles dishes, dim sum and tasty specials. Choose from the likes of roast duck, crispy pork belly, char siu BBQ pork or Hainan chicken, all of which are served with rice and pak choy.  
Where: Brixton Village, SW9 8PR 
Book now: Three Uncles Brixton

Kai, Mayfair

What: Michelin-starred Kai has held onto its star for a good 13 years, so you can expect some of the best Chinese food London has to offer at this Mayfair restaurant. Bookable for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea, Kai specialises in Nanyang cooking from southern China, where the climate is more tropical. Expect lots of fish and seafood, such as lemon and chilli prawns with curry leaves and Nanyang chilli lobster. You’ll find desserts are placed at the start of the menu in a bid to try and persuade diners to leave enough room for the sweet course before they order their food. With creations such as a coconut parfait with chocolate, coconut and mango sorbets, lychee and a host of exotic flavours, it would be unwise to miss out.
Where: 65 South Audley Street, W1K 2QU
Book Now: Kai

The Duck and Rice, Soho

What: Having become a Soho favourite since opening, it’s not hard to see why people flock to The Duck and Rice. All the familiar favourites are present and correct: prawn crackers, sweet and sour pork and prawn toast (pictured), for instance. The venue spans two floors, with a more relaxed pub-style situation serving British brews on the ground floor, while upstairs lies an intimate dining room ideal for all occasions. It serves the same menu wherever you choose to perch though! Order as many dishes as you can manage and share them with everyone at the table.  
Where: 90 Berwick Street, W1F 0QB
Book now: The Duck and Rice

A. Wong, Pimlico

What: When A. Wong received a second Michelin star in 2021, the restaurant became the only Chinese restaurant outside of Asia to hold such an accolade. Andrew Wong’s signature style and never-seen-before dishes are truly to be marvelled and will leave a lasting impression on the diner long after the meal has finished. Guests can dine a la carte at lunch, while in the evening it serves a series of tasting menus where the likes of barbecued sweetcorn, wagyu beef meat paste and truffle will change the way you look at Chinese food forever.  
Where: 70 Wilton Road, SW1V 1DE
Book now: A. Wong

Min Jiang at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington

What: Enjoy top-end Chinese cuisine with stunning views of London's skyline at Min Jiang, which is located 10 floors up at the Royal Garden Hotel. Here, dishes are luxurious and rich, and all the better for it. A visit wouldn't be complete without ordering the Beijing duck, which is presented in three different styles at your table – our favourite being the crispy-skinned serve that comes with a sugar dip. Elsewhere, there are stalwart crowd-pleasers such as pancake wraps and lettuce parcels, as well as very good dim sum and black pepper steak.
Where: Royal Garden Hotel, 2-24 Kensington High Street, W8 4PT
Book Now: Min Jiang

MiMi Mei Fair, Mayfair

Why: This bold and confident restaurant is found in a Georgian townhouse that has been beautifully decorated with plush rooms furnished in rich colours and layers of textural elements. At MiMi Mei Fair you can enjoy starters such as xiao long soup dumplings, or salt and pepper silken tofu, and for mains choose between a far-reaching selection of meat, fish and plant-based options such as Hunan crispy seabass and clay pot aubergine with black beans. Dont skip the crispy duck which is carved table-side and comes with multiple garnishes and sauces. 
Where: 55 Curzon Street, W1J 8PG
Book now: MiMi Mei Fair

Yauatcha, City & Soho

What: For reliably good Chinese in the capital, it’s hard to beat Yauatcha, an all-day dim sum tea house with locations in Soho and the City. Dumplings are consistently good here and include things like seafood black truffle and spicy pork Szechuan wontons. For mains, there is a huge selection of meat, fish and vegetable plates, with a section dedicated solely to tofu if you're looking for good veggie options. You can also find bao buns, soups and salads! If you’re a pudding person, make sure to save room for one of their signature desserts – think yuzu and matcha macarons or a plum and pecan cake.
Where: 15-17 Broadwick Street, W1F 0DL; Broadgate Circle, EC2M 2QS
Book Now: Yauatcha City; Yauatcha Soho

Royal China Club, Marylebone

What: Where other Chinese restaurants in London may look to diversify and modernise their menus, Royal China Club knows its strengths lies in its classics. These comforting, familiar dishes are elevated by the use of the very best ingredients – caviar, scallops, foie gras and Wagyu beef – giving diners a really special experience. This Baker Street site is its flagship restaurant and largest dining room, capable of serving up to 250 guests! 
Where: 40-42 Baker Street, W1U 7AJ
Book now: Royal China Club

Hakkasan, Mayfair & Fitzrovia

What: For a special occasion or celebration, we suggest heading to Hakkasan for exquisite Chinese food in a sleek setting. There are Western twists on classic dishes, but somehow this only strengthens the offering, rather than diluting it. Choose from an extensive selection of tasting menus, with each one designed around a specific theme, or browse the a la carte menu for a range of crowd-pleasing and luxurious dishes including classic dim sum, golden fried soft shell crab and black truffle roasted duck. 
Where: 17 Bruton Street, W1J 6QB; 8 Hanway Place, W1T 1HD
Book Now: Hakkasan Mayfair; Hakkasan Fitzrovia

Din Tai Fung, Various locations

What: Din Tai Fung never fails to please on the dumpling front. We like that it’s on the more casual side, making it a great place to pop in for a spot of lunch or a chilled dinner with mates while you let staff deliver beautiful baskets of steamed buns to your table. Any of the xiao long bao are a must, which each feature a minimum of 18 folds and are wrapped, pleated, twisted and steamed. Fillings include chilli crab and pork, chicken, and beef. 
Where: Various locations
Book now: Din Tai Fung Covent Garden

Imperial Treasure, St James’s

What: Shanghai-export Imperial Treasure occupies an opulent three-story space in the St James’s area, where it turns out luxurious Chinese delicacies to a well-heeled crowd. Considering its original flagship restaurant in Shanghai holds an impressive two Michelin stars, expectations are high for this London outpost. Its signature dish is the Peking deck, which needs to be ordered in advance and is served tableside. Do yourself a favour and make sure to request it when you book! 
Where: 9-10 Waterloo Place, SW1Y 4BE
Book Now: Imperial Treasure

Hunan, Pimlico

What: Hunan’s no-menu policy makes dining here either stressful or stress-free, depending on how you look at it. If you’re the kind of person who can never decide what to order – great, this one’s for you. If you prefer to scour the menu online before visiting a restaurant, then dining here might be a little unnerving. The process is as such: simply tell the waiters what you like (and what you don’t!) and they’ll do the rest. Expect 12-18 small courses for lunch or dinner. Examples might include xiao long bao, crispy taro roll, chilli ribeye beef and quail egg dumpling.  
Where: 51 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8NE
Book now: Hunan

Mei Ume, City

What: Mei Ume succeeds where so many others fail, in serving the cuisines of two countries side by side. With both Japanese and Chinese dishes on the menu, you might be forgiven for thinking they must have sacrificed the quality of each somewhere along the line, but somehow they manage to serve everything up to a high standard. Try crunchy fried squid in a salted egg batter or a selection of eight pleated dim sum, to give you a variety of tastes and textures in one serve.
Where: 10 Trinity Square, EC3N 4AJ
Book Now: Mei Ume

Barshu, Soho

What: If you like your food hot, Barshu is a chilli mecca not to be missed. Specialising in Szechuan-style cooking, nearly everything is given a lick of heat. Dry wok dishes of pig’s offal and beef tripe are flavoured with punchy red chillies while slices of belly pork come in a fiery red sauce. The menu is humungous and pretty expensive, even for Soho. Dishes are generous though, so you won't need more than a few plates each.  
Where: 28 Frith Street, W1D 5LF
Book Now: Barshu

Hutong at The Shard, London Bridge 

What: With its glamorous air, Hong Kong export Hutong at The Shard occupies the 33rd floor, and offers sky-high views to lucky diners. Although prices are punchy, the service and quality of the food make it worth the spend. Try exquisite XO scallop and crystal prawn dumplings or braised Chinkiang pork ribs with a sweet vinegar sauce. Arrive early, if you can, so you can treat yourself to a couple of the bar's innovative oriental cocktails – they’re worth a trip up in themselves.
Where: Level 33, The Shard, SE1 9RY
Book now: Hutong at The Shard

If you love sampling the various cuisines of the world, why not try one of the places on our round-up of the best Indian restaurants in London.