22 of the best dim sum restaurants in London for top-tier dumplings and more

If you've ever visited one of London’s plethora of Chinese restaurants, the likelihood is that you have sampled dim sum. Just in case you have forgotten what this staple of Chinese cuisine is all about though, here is a quick refresher; dim sum is a style of food originating from China, which consists of a selection of miniature dishes traditionally enjoyed in the afternoon alongside a pot of tea.

The selection normally features a variety of steamed and fried buns, rolls and dumplings in both sweet and savoury flavours, filled with everything from pork, to chicken, to beef (there are veggie varieties too). Dim sum has taken on a life of its own in London, with restaurants from Shoreditch to Soho and Marylebone to Mayfair all serving up delectable platters of the stuff. Dim sum literally translates into English as 'touch the heart' and it’s hard not to fall in love with these little parcels of joy.

With so many restaurants serving dim sum around the capital though, how do you know which ones are worth your time? In life, you dim sum and you lose some (sorry), but our pick of the best dim sum London has to offer is here to help you avoid any bad experiences.

All of the restaurants that have been included in our curated list of the best dim sum in London have been tried and tested by our team of professional food critics, so you can trust that these spots are more than worth a visit. If you have got a hankering for steamed pork ribs and shrimp dumplings, or you fancy getting steamy with some buns, check out our pick of the best dim sum you can find in London below – trust us when we say you will not be disappointed.

Best dim sum in Mayfair

Park Chinois, Mayfair

What: Mayfair restaurants already have quite the reputation for elaborate design and Park Chinois certainly does not disappoint with its art deco interiors, which are modelled after the speakeasies of 1930s Shanghai. The opulent features such as swan-shaped taps in the loos and gold-plated columns in the basement Club Chinois are matched by a superior dim sum menu, which features the decadent likes of a black truffle dumplings, Wagyu beef gyoza and prawn toast topped with foie gras. To get a taste of luxury for a little less, there's a special lunch menu available on Thursdays and Fridays that treats guests to the restaurant's most famous dim sum (think Ibérico siew long bao and truffle dumplings) plus mains of grilled black cod or Wagyu beef and mushroom cheung fun. 
Where: 17 Berkeley Street, W1J 8EA
Book now: Park Chinois

China Tang at The Dorchester, Mayfair

What: China Tang could possibly do with a freshen up, but that would certainly take away some of its charm – this place oozes old-school glamour and if the walls could talk, we’re sure they’d have a scandalous story or two to tell (Kate Moss famously held her 40th birthday party here). From the extensive dim sum offering, we’d recommend ordering the Cha Siu Bao (a steamed bun filled with barbecue pork) and the scallop dumplings.
Where: 53 Park Lane, W1K 1QA
Book now: China Tang at The Dorchester

Hakkasan, Mayfair

What: Hakkasan has 12 locations around the globe (with two London sites), but we’d argue that the Mayfair branch is the best. The restaurant has an ineffable air of cool and is regularly packed with the rich and famous. Luckily, the dim sum matches the grand interiors, with the likes of crab, caviar and Wagyu beef all having been employed. Prices are sky high, but the dim sum lunch menu offers a (slightly) more affordable way in.
Where: 17 Bruton Street, W1J 6QB
Book now: Hakkasan Mayfair

Best dim sum in Chinatown

Orient London, Chinatown

What: Dim sum is handmade daily in this large, popular dim sum hub in Chinatown. Inside is cosy and well-worn, with mosaic-tiled walls and comfy chocolate brown banquettes to sit on whilst wave after wave of dim sum delights arrive at the table. The menu is absolutely enormous, but fear not - there are great value set menus as well as the a la carte, with dishes including Shanghai dumplings, crispy duck tempura rolls and sweet treats like mango cheesecake.
Where: 15 Wardour Street, W1D 6PH
Book now: Orient London

Dumplings Legend, Chinatown

What: Dumplings Legend comes with built in lofty expectations thanks to that memorable name, but we’re happy to report that most of the time this place gets it right. We find the evening menu here to be a little conventional, so you’re better off stopping by at lunchtime, when you’ll find a whole host of delightful dim sum to tuck into. Our top order? The wonderfully delicate house special of siu long bao, which is served hot with a splash of vinegar.
Where: 15-16 Gerrard Street, W1D 6JE
Book now: Dumplings Legend

Opium, Chinatown

What: Set across three floors of a Soho townhouse, Opium is a dim sum parlour and cocktail bar inspired by 1920s Shanghai. The fun decor and seductive atmosphere make it a great date night spot, while the menu of delectable dim sum is well paired with an extensive list of cocktails. Our top picks include the lobster dumplings and the barbecue pork buns, while from the drinks, the Opium No. 9 is a lethally addictive concoction.
Where: 15-16 Gerrard Street, W1D 6JE
Book now: Opium

Plum Valley, Chinatown

What: Unassuming Chinatown haunt Plum Valley is decked out with a minimalist aesthetic and a few statement art pieces inspired by Asia, which allows the food here to really do the talking. The dim sum menu here is shorter than at many of its contemporaries, but the quality shines through. Plum Valley is best at traditional dumpling varieties such as har gau, but it offers less conventional takes too, as well as a cracking list of cocktails.
Where: 20 Gerrard Street, W1D 6JQ
Book now: Plum Valley

Tao Tao Ju, Chinatown

What: Chinatown restaurants have a bit of a reputation for being low-key, no-frills joints, but Tao Tao Ju bucks the trend by being one of the area’s more elegant restaurants. Tao Tao Ju serves up a concise selection of pan-Asian dim sum which means you can stick to Chinese offerings such as crispy prawn wontons, scallop dumplings and pork char siu buns which are filled with sticky-sweet pork, or you can see what the rest of Asia has to offer via the likes of Vietnamese-style spring rolls.
Where: 15 Lisle Street, WC2H 7BE
Book now: Tao Tao Ju

Best dim sum in Soho

Yauatcha, Soho

What: With two London locations (there’s another in Broadgate Circle), Yauatcha has gained a reputation in the capital as one of the swishest dim sum spots in town. You can expect a rather hefty bill come the meal’s end, but it will be worth it to try the likes of perfectly steamed pork and prawn filled dumplings, as well as the now-famous roasted venison puffs, which arrive encased in a flaky, warm and buttery pastry shell.
Where: 15-17 Broadwick Street, W1F 0DL
Book now: Yauatcha

The Duck & Rice, Soho

What: In recent years, weekend brunch has practically become a rite of passage for Londoners, and The Duck & Rice is home to one of the best dim sum brunches in town. Stop by here to enjoy xiao long bao, scallop siu mai, and baked venison puffs. To wash all that down, there’s a selection of cocktails and beers, while those staying away from booze can pick from a wide range of speciality teas.
Where: 90 Berwick Street, W1F 0QB
Book now: The Duck & Rice

Best dim sum in Marylebone

Feng Shang Princess, Regents Park

What: If it’s ‘wow factor’ you’re after, you’ll struggle to find somewhere more impressive than Feng Shang Princess. For starters, it’s located on a hand-crafted, floating red pagoda on Regents Canal (wow), and secondly the dumplings are meticulously made with some of the best ingredients available - including the luxurious lobster dumplings. This also tops it as one of the most romantic options on the list, so it’s perfect for that special date night.
Where: Southern Star Cumberland Basin, Prince Albert Road, Regents Park, NW1 7SS
Book now: Feng Shang Princess

The Royal China Club, Marylebone

What: The flagship branch of the Royal China group has still got it and is ideal for an evening of decadent feasting (there are five private dining rooms should you want an extra touch of exclusivity). From the dim sum menu, you can sample the likes of a steamed har gau, Shanghai-style pork dumplings with crab, and pan fried shrimp and pork dumplings. Dim sum even makes an appearance at dessert, where you’ll find steamed custard buns.
Where: 40-42 Baker Street, W1U 7AJ
Book now: Royal China

Bright Courtyard Club, Marylebone

What: Finding its home on Baker Street, this London outpost of the acclaimed Shanghai original is a buzzy spot, complete with a wall of wine and a chocolate and cream colour scheme. Dim sum can be enjoyed in Bright Courtyard Club's tea lounge or the main dining room, and on the menu you can expect to see the likes of sesame prawn toast, spicy jellyfish and Shanghai-style mini spare ribs. It's worth exploring the Euro-centric wine list too.
Where: 43-45 Baker Street, W1U 8EW
Book now: Bright Courtyard Club

Best dim sum in Covent Garden

RedFarm, Covent Garden

What: An import from New York, RedFarm has gained Insta fame thanks to its colourful dumplings that are made to look like PacMan characters. Although this is not the place for Chinese food purists, there is lots of fun to be had; check out the xiao long bao soup dumplings which arrive with the handy addition of a straw to suck up the pork and prawn broth, or indulge with a helping of cheeseburger spring rolls.
Where: 9 Russell Street, WC2B 5HZ
Book now: RedFarm

Din Tai Fung, Various locations

What: Internationally renowned Din Tai Fung arrived in the capital amidst a blaze of publicity, with the papers reporting that five hours queues were expected to form out of the doors. After a slightly lukewarm start, the dim sum giant has started to ramp up the pace - now it has a number of sites across the capital, all knocking out fabulous dim sum to queues of people.. The classic pork xiao long bao is not to be missed - it's a marvel of engineering, handmade on site and pleated 18 times.
Where: 5 Henrietta Street, WC2E 8PT
Book now: Din Tai Fung Covent Garden; Din Tai Fung Selfridges; Din Tai Fung Centrepoint

Best dim sum in the rest of London

Hutong at The Shard, London Bridge

What: Found on Level 33 of The Shard, Hutong is the London flagship of the Hong Kong-based Aqua group. As well as those enviable views of the capital’s skyline, premier dim sum is the draw here. If you’re with a group, you can opt for one of the sizeable dim sum platters, while those on regular sized tables can chow down on the likes of tempura eel dumplings or Iberico pork xiao long bao.
Where: Level 33, The Shard, SE1 9RY
Book now: Hutong

Dim Sum Duck, King's Cross

What: Dim Sum Duck burst onto the scene in 2020 and has had people queuing out the door ever since - sometimes for hours. Unsurprisingly it’s known for its impeccable dim sum and roast duck, both of which are worth the wait (and the ever so slightly cramped seating). Make sure you get there early to bag yourself a seat, and bring a bottle of the good stuff because it’s BYOB.
Where: 124 King's Cross Road, WC1X 9DS
Book now: Dim Sum Duck

A Wong, Pimlico

What: Widely believed to be one of London’s best Chinese restaurants, A. Wong is split across two floors: a relaxed ground-floor space which overlooks an open kitchen, and an opulent basement dining room. Evenings are all about tasting menus, but lunchtime is the moment to enjoy dim sum of the highest standard. Top shouts include the wild mushroom and truffle steamed bun, the crispy wonton with sweet chilli jam, and the quail egg croquette puff with ginger relish.
Where: 70 Wilton Road, SW1V 1DE
Book now: A. Wong

Pearl Liang

What: Paddington is hardly known for being a restaurant hub, but Pearl Liang hides in plain sight as one of the best dim sum options in London (let alone the local area). Both the menu and decor will leave a lasting impression, with water features, bamboo and a full-room length painting of cherry blossom. If you’re looking for somewhere that feels special but still won't break the bank, Pearl Liang is a no brainer.
Where: 8 Sheldon Square, W2 6EZ
Book now: Pearl Liang

Shikumen, Shepherd’s Bush

What: The flagship Shikumen (there’s a second site in Aldgate) finds its home at the Dorsett Hotel. The dining room is spacious and stylish, well matched to the equally as fashionable menu of tea, cocktails, sake and handmade dim sum. Pair your tipple with dishes such as a crispy soft shell crab, roasted pork puffs and honey roasted pork buns, before moving onto miniature sweet egg tarts for pudding.
Where: 58 Shepherd's Bush Green, W12 8QE
Book now: Shikumen

Imperial Treasure, Waterloo

What: Although virtually unknown in the UK, Imperial Treasure’s brand of high-end dim sum has already achieved international success, with its locations in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore all boasting Michelin stars. On these shores, you can visit to try out luxe dim sum such as the snow mountain pork bun (essentially a savoury doughnut which balances salty and sweet perfectly). Once you’ve filled up on dim sum, move on to the Peking duck, which is carved tableside.
Where: 9-10 Waterloo Place, SW1Y 4BE
Book now: Imperial Treasure

My Neighbours The Dumplings, Clapton

What: Having started out life as a pop up, My Neighbours The Dumplings now boasts two London locations, one in Clapton and the other in Victoria Park. Traditional dim sum rubs shoulders with more innovative ideas on the menu here - there's your usual suspects like har gau, potstickers and siu mai, alongside dumplings filled with the likes of potato and truffle or lamb and coriander. They are also very well made, while it’s refreshing to see a Chinese restaurant with plentiful vegetarian options too.
Where: 165 Lower Clapton Road, E5 8EQ
Book now: My Neighbours The Dumplings

If you’re love of Chinese cuisine doesn’t stop at dim sum, take a look at our overall pick of the best Chinese restaurants in London.