Craving authentic Chinese food in London? From Chinatown’s best roast duck to Michelin-starred dim sum, here are my top personal recommendations for every budget.
Craving authentic Chinese food in London? From sizzling street-style noodles to elegant fine dining, the city has something for every taste. Having spent years navigating the alleyways of Chinatown and the polished streets of Mayfair, I’ve realized that “Chinese food” in London isn’t just one thing, it’s a massive, delicious map of regional specialties.
The Best Chinese Restaurants in London:
If you’re in a rush and need a table now, here are my non-negotiable top three:
- Four Seasons (Gerrard St): The gold standard for Cantonese roast duck.
- Hakkasan (Hanway Place): The ultimate “special occasion” spot for Michelin-starred modern Chinese.
- Din Tai Fung (Covent Garden): The world-famous masters of the Xiao Long Bao (soup dumpling).
Top 10 Best Chinese Restaurants in London:
Before we dive into the details, here is my curated list of the absolute best Chinese restaurants in London right now:
- Four Seasons (Best for Roast Duck)
- Hakkasan (Best for Fine Dining)
- Din Tai Fung (Best for Soup Dumplings)
- A Wong (Best for Innovative Dim Sum)
- Silk Road (Best for Xinjiang/Regional Flavors)
- Xi’an Biang Biang Noodles (Best for Hand-Pulled Noodles)
- Golden Dragon (Best for Traditional Chinatown Dim Sum)
- Min Jiang (Best for Views & Peking Duck)
- Park Chinois (Best for Live Music & Glamour)
- Master Wei (Best for Authentic Shaanxi Cuisine)
Best Chinese Restaurants in Chinatown London:
Chinatown is the heartbeat of the London scene. While it can feel “touristy,” there are gems here that locals still swear by.
1. Four Seasons
Whenever I have friends visiting from out of town, we almost always end up in the queue at Four Seasons. It’s loud, it’s cramped, and the service is “efficient” (don’t expect small talk), but that’s part of the charm.
- What it’s known for: Widely considered the best roast duck in the world (even the Financial Times said so!).
- Signature Dishes: Special Roast Duck (boneless), Char Siu Pork.
- Price Range: £20 to £40 per person
- Best for: Families and groups who don’t mind sharing tables.
- Insider Tip: I always ask for extra “duck juice” on the side. I usually grab a portion of duck to-go, then walk over to a nearby bakery to buy a fresh pineapple bun. Stuffing the duck inside is my secret London “street food” hack.
2.Golden Dragon
This is my Sunday morning ritual. If you want that classic “carts pushing dim sum” vibe (though many places use menus now), this is the spot.
- What it’s known for: Classic Cantonese Dim Sum and grand banquet-style dining.
- Signature Dishes: Scallop Dumplings, Cheung Fun (Rice Noodle Rolls).
- Price Range: £15–£25 per person
- Best for: Large family gatherings and Sunday brunch.
- My Experience: I once sat here for three hours with a newspaper and a pot of Jasmine tea. I ordered the Chicken Feet in Black Bean Sauce. It’s an acquired taste, but here it’s gelatinous perfection.
Best Chinese Restaurants for Fine Dining:
When you want to dress up and experience Chinese food as high art, London has a few heavy hitters.
3.Hakkasan (Hanway Place)
Hidden down a literal back alley near Tottenham Court Road, walking into Hakkasan feels like entering a high-end nightclub. The incense, the blue lighting, and the carved wooden screens set a massive mood.
- Luxury Experience: It’s a Michelin-starred journey that focuses on Cantonese techniques with luxury ingredients.
- What I Order: I always go for the Peking Duck with Tsar Nicoulai Caviar. It sounds pretentious, but the saltiness of the caviar against the crispy duck skin is life-changing.
- Price Range: £42 to over £100+ per person
- Best for: Couples on a romantic date or celebrating a big promotion.
Best Cheap Chinese Restaurants in London:
You don’t need a massive bank account to eat like a king in London. Some of my favorite meals have cost less than £20.
4. Xi’an Biang Biang Noodles (Spitalfields/Highbury)
This place is a carb-lover’s paradise. They specialize in the thick, wide, belt-like noodles of the Shaanxi province.
- Budget-Friendly: You can get a massive, steaming bowl of noodles for around £13–£16 per person.
- Value for Money: The portions are huge. I usually order the Biang Biang Noodles with Special Chili Sauce. I remember the first time I had them; I accidentally splashed red chili oil all over my white shirt because the noodles are so springy and wear black!
- Best for: A quick, casual lunch or a solo “fuel-up” meal.
5. Silk Road (Camberwell)
If you’re willing to travel a bit south, Silk Road is legendary. It’s rustic, cheap, and incredibly flavorful.
- The Vibe: Long wooden benches and a very “home-cooked” feel.
- Signature Dish: Big Plate Chicken (Dapanji). It’s a spicy stew with potatoes and hand-pulled noodles underneath.
- Price Range: £15–£25 per person
Best Chinese Restaurants for Dim Sum:
Dim Sum is the “tapas” of the East, and London does it incredibly well.
- Din Tai Fung: I’ve queued for two hours at their Covent Garden branch just for the Pork Xiao Long Bao. Each dumpling is folded exactly 18 times. Watching the chefs through the glass window is like watching a surgery. It’s that precise.
- A Wong (Pimlico): This is “Elevated Dim Sum.” Chef Andrew Wong is a genius. I tried his Clear Shrimp Dumpling with Sweet Chili Sauce and it literally looked like a piece of glass jewelry. It’s expensive, but it’s an education in flavor.
Halal Chinese Restaurants in London:
Finding authentic Halal Chinese used to be hard, but the scene is growing fast.
- Zheng (Chelsea): A beautiful spot that mixes Malaysian and Chinese influences. Their Cereal Prawns are incredible.
- Noodle & Beer (Spitalfields): While not fully Halal, they have several Halal-friendly options and the Sichuan flavors are punchy and authentic.
Chinese Takeaway & Late-Night Options:
Sometimes, you just want to eat on your sofa or you’re wandering the streets at 2 AM after a few drinks.
- Duck and Rice (Soho): A “Chinese Pub” that does high-end takeaway-style food.
- Loon Fung: If you’re near Chinatown late, this is a classic for a quick late-night fix.
What to Try: Must-Eat Chinese Dishes in London
If you’re looking at a 50-page menu and feeling overwhelmed, stick to these classics:
- Peking Duck: Look for the glossy, deep-red skin.
- Xiao Long Bao: Soup dumplings. Bite the top, sip the soup, then eat the rest.
- Har Gau: Translucent shrimp dumplings.
- Mapo Tofu: Sichuan silken tofu in a spicy, numbing sauce.
- Char Siu: Honey-glazed BBQ pork.
Tips for Eating at Chinese Restaurants in London:
- Booking is Key: For places like Din Tai Fung or Hakkasan, book weeks in advance. For Chinatown spots, show up at 5:30 PM to beat the dinner rush.
- Chinatown vs. The Rest: Chinatown is great for atmosphere and roast meats. For regional “numbing” Sichuan food, look toward Spitalfields or Islington.
- Service Charge: Most London restaurants add a 12.5% service charge to the bill. In Chinatown, this is standard, so check before tipping extra.
FAQs (People Also Ask)
What is the best Chinese restaurant in London? It depends on your vibe! For duck, it’s Four Seasons. For luxury, it’s Hakkasan. For authentic regional noodles, try Xi’an Biang Biang.
Where is Chinatown in London? It’s located in the West End, centered around Gerrard Street, nestled between Leicester Square and Shaftesbury Avenue.
Are Chinese restaurants expensive in London? There is a huge range. You can spend £15 at a noodle bar or £200 per person at a Michelin-starred spot in Mayfair.
What is the best dish to try? You cannot leave London without trying the Cantonese Roast Duck. It is truly world-class here.
London’s Chinese food scene is a beautiful, messy, delicious world that I never get tired of exploring. Whether you’re sitting on a plastic stool in Spitalfields or a velvet chair in Mayfair, the flavors of China are alive and well in this city.
Which restaurant are you excited to try first? Drop a comment and let me know if you found a secret spot I missed!
Planning a full trip? Check out my guides to the Best Cafes in London and Where to Stay in London and Best places to visit in London and things to do in London to make the most of your visit!