The Best Chinese Restaurants In London

The Courtesan hopes to transport you back to the peak of Imperial China with its modern dim sum and cocktail bar, hidden away from the bustling streets of Brixton. Modelled on the moody décor of a Chinese opium den, it packs dark furnishings, ruby red light fixtures and candle-lit, cosy nooks, ideal for date night. It's also home to the world's only female-led wine and spirit list, comprised of drinks made or grown exclusively by women. You won't be strapped for entertainment here as throughout the week it hosts an exciting roster of burlesque performances from the likes of Miss Betsy Rose. The dim sum is made in-house, with a focus on fresh, modern ingredients to make up a tempting menu of XO chicken cross dumplings, plus pumpkin-filled bao buns. The Court Cocktail list is not to be missed either, with each concoction telling a story such as the Diaochan, made with cognac, almond, limoncello cream and chocolate, aimed to be so beautiful it could eclipse the moon.

It's no secret that when it comes to finding a stellar Chinese restaurant, Chinatown has plenty of them, including the 1920s-themed speakeasy drinking den, Opium. You'll discover this ruby-red haunt snuck away behind a mysterious door on Gerrard Street, offering three floors of opulence. From the Apothecary Bar, inspired by 19th-century Chinese opium haunts and decorated with a selection of Cantonese medicinal bottles, to the old-world Hong Kong drinking area the Peony Bar. There's a secluded spot for everyone to enjoy some of its award-winning signature cocktails as well as a scrumptious range of dim sum. Platters start from £23 and include a selection of dumplings with fillings such as mushrooms and truffle, plus pork and prawn. If you're planning a date night, this is a great choice for a few bespoke concoctions in a romantic setting; the Playwright gin-based Cherry On Top is a stunner, as well as the Donatello, made with Ojo de Dios Café mezcal and Drambuie whisky liqueur.

Ping Pong serves a hearty selection of handmade dim sum and assorted small bites at numerous outposts across London, including St Christopher's Palace, St Katharine Docks and Southbank. The spacious and pretty restaurants (think cherry blossoms and twinkly lights to name a few of the charming fixtures) bring delicate, East Asian flavours in the form of chilli prawn bao buns, honey-glazed spare ribs and mochi for dessert. It encourages sharing with friends and even offers a twist on a classic afternoon tea with its signature set for £20 per person. This includes three steamed dumplings, three Asian crispy bites, a black coconut ice-cream bao, a petit chocolate fondant and a mini cheesecake, all paired with a selection of gourmet Chinese teas. And if you swing by on a 'Lazy Sumday', you'll be able to indulge in unlimited dim sum for £26.95 each. 

Over by Aldgate, you'll find some of the silkiest hand-pulled noodles in the business. Set in a canteen-style dining space that's bright and airy, it makes for a sociable location to take friends for a catchup over some incredible grub. The signature dish has been around for thousands of years and the people behind this cracking haunt have truly mastered the art - they're long and slurpy, plated in the centre of the dish and glistening under the lights. Apart from the street food noodles, there are only a few items on the menu and they're executed well: from the boneless chicken in special sauce to the smacked cucumber and garlic, everything is absolutely delectable and this will soon become your new favourite post-work food spot.  

You'll find Mei Ume within Four Seasons Hotel London, serving two very distinct cuisines, Chinese and Japanese, with a modern approach. It's divided into sections by towering pillars and glass walls; you'll find the bar adorned with cherry blossom and the main dining area kitted out with textured, dark red walls and authentic prints. Try a collection of delicious sakes and whiskeys before being tempted by a mouthwatering menu which includes salmon ceviche, a whole Pecking duck, and hot stone wagyu beef. The restaurant has been known to host an array of exciting events too, from sake masterclasses to learning the art of Hanami, the traditional Japanese custom of 'flower viewing'. 

Yauatcha is home to some of the top dim sum in the city and is the only one to have received a Michelin star in its time in Chinatown. Upstairs you'll find cabinets filled with handmade patisseries such as petits gateaux and macarons where you can snap up a set of five for £25. Then, downstairs offers a more sultry dining experience with celestial ceiling lighting and a tropical fish tank below the bar. Watch dishes get plated up in an open kitchen and choose from a selection of tasting menus that feature steamed buns filled with scallop shiu mai and seafood black truffle, plus drunken chicken and prawn wontons. Signature sips include sake plus innovative concoctions such as a Szechuan margarita, containing Don Julio Reposado and finished with a mezcal mist.

Feeling fancy? Hakkasan is a Chinese restaurant in London's Mayfair that's all about beloved Cantonese plates at an elevated level. Upon entrance, you'll find interiors, originally created by famous designer Christian Liaigre, featuring Chinese motifs, dark wooden screens and soft lighting to create intimate yet opulent surrounds. The luxury eatery boasts over 400 wines from across the globe as part of an exclusive program where they're tried and tested on the regular, and at the kitchen's helm is head chef Tong Chee Hwee. As well as a stunning a la carte menu, there are signature sets available, from the £268 per person Silk offering, which includes a whole lobster with braised dragon beard noodles, to the Taste of Hakkasan from £39. You can wash delectable mains down with elegant cocktails, such as the Smokey Negroni or the Silk Road Margarita, made with Casamigos Blanco tequila, pistachio and pineapple.

A fresh addition to Soho's food and drink scene, Duck and Rice is a new Chinese gastropub by Alan Yau, the culinary genius behind Wagamama and Hakkasan. This swanky hotspot is open seven days a week and offers a delicious menu featuring goodies with a fusion of British and Asian influences like black pepper spider crab with rice wine braised noodles, chicken chop suey, and crabmeat foo young. Head down for a quick solo bite or a romantic foodie date with your boo.

A high-end Chinese restaurant in London and a beautiful backdrop for a date, China Tang at The Dorchester serves traditional Cantonese food in a stunning setting and was opened by the famous businessman who also founded China Club in Hong Kong, Sir David Tang. It exudes opulence from the moment you pass through its Art Deco entrance on Park Line. Interiors are reminiscent of 1930s Shanghai, with ornate panelling on the walls and the bar styled to be a bejeweled re-imagination of Sir David's living room. Feast on authentic dishes in the main dining room, such as Peking duck with Kristal caviar and handmade pancakes, BBQ honey spare ribs and Szechuan king prawns. The dim sum offering is equally alluring, with Iberico pork siu long bao and lemon salted egg yolk custard buns on the menu, and the cocktail menu is divine: the pine and jasmine americano has caught our eye. 

Located on Level 33 of The Shard is a luxe dining setting sporting stunning panoramic views of the capital. Designed by the founder of Hong Kong's Aqua restaurant group, it serves flavoursome Northern Chinese cuisine in a breathtaking setting. Red lanterns illuminate the dining areas magnificently when night falls and you're surrounded by cool, stone walls and delicate trees. The Shanghai Bar is ideal for wooing somebody, thanks to its eclectic zodiac cocktails that are bound to get you talking. From the coffee and melon martini to the Bourbon-based Forbidden Duck, they're very tantalising. If you're visiting for lunch, the eatery offers a range of set menus such as a £39 introductory tasting course and The Orchid, which for £65 per person will feed you plates of Sichuan shredded beef, wok-fried Choi sum and mango pudding for dessert. With delectable food and jaw-dropping scenes, it's no wonder that Hutong at The Shard is one of the top Chinese restaurants in London. 

Supreme when it comes to the art of the xiao long bao, Din Tai Fung are globally well-known for the soupy dumpling, with their restaurants boasting queues of excited bun-enthusiasts dying to try their authentic Chinese options. Its founder Yang Bing-Yi opened his business in the 70s and, after a long and tiresome road, eventually found success with his signature dish that requires 40 minutes and 18 delicate folds to construct. There are now over 170 eateries across 14 territories, three of which can be found in Centre Point, Covent Garden and Selfridges. As well as its world-famous food, it also whips up a mean steamed chicken noodle soup, plus prawn and pork wontons in a 'superior broth'. Plates can all be enjoyed with a signature cocktail or two, such as the gin-based Din or the citrus-infused Patron Silver Tequila tipple, Tai.

If you're after a restaurant with Insta-worthy interiors, look no further than Tattu in Central London. Surround yourself with cherry blossoms and soft leather furnishings inspired by a traditional Chinese courtyard house. The intimate and picturesque setting includes back-lit flooring and a gorgeous terrace that together make a haven far removed from the bustling streets of the city. Offering an elevated dining experience, the eatery has menus that are bound to impress friends, family and most definitely dates. Signature plates include XO scallop skewers, pan-seared Iberico pork bao and caramel soy-aged beef fillet which can also be enjoyed as part of its Imperial Sunday Roast, where crispy salt and pepper potatoes are aplenty. End your meal by sipping on some of its unique and exotic cocktails, such as the Yichang Rickey, made with ODD Mezcal and yuzu. 

Out of every Chinese restaurant London has to offer, Master Wei is one of the best thanks to its elevated menu of Xi'an cooking. Run by chef Guirong Wei, who also founded Xi'an Impression, it's gained fame for its signature biangbiang noodles, available in both beef and vegetable versions. Each eatery sports relaxed decor and makes for a casual dining destination for lunch or dinner - think exposed brick walls with vintage-looking maps fixed to them and red leather sofas, crowned with golden lights. Head on over to Holborn or Hammersmith for the chance to tuck into street food-inspired dishes such as shredded chicken with spicy sauce and traditional Xi'an liangpi noodles. 

Having originated in New York, Red Farm has quickly become known for its signature Pac-Man dumplings. You can find the eatery in the ever-buzzing area of Covent Garden, serving playfully reimagined classic dishes in a relaxed setting. Established by Chinese food expert Ed Schoenfeld and dim sum master chef Joe Ng, it presents cute interiors of checkered booths, wooden panelling across the walls and the occasional potted plant in a rose gold container. The Russel Street spot serves up an eight-course tasting menu for a bargain £39.99 each - it's ideal for newcomers who are looking to get a feel of what this eatery is all about. To start, nibble on its famous dumplings and spicy crispy beef, then move on to sweet and sour katsu chicken (the Red Farm way) and Dingley Dell pork chops, then top it all off by devouring a custard lava bao bun.