Wander between Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus and you might spot an unexpected sight – red lanterns blowing in the wind, street signs in English and Chinese, a colourful and imposing Qing dynasty-style gate, and an abundance of Asian restaurants and stores. If you can see all that, you've made it to Chinatown. As you'd expect, some of London's most delicious food can be found in this Asian enclave but with so many options it can be tough to decide where to go. We'll help with our guide to the best restaurants in Chinatown.
Guide to the best restaurants in Chinatown
In this guide
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The best Chinatown restaurants in London
- Food House – Fiery Sichuan food
- Speedboat Bar – Chinatown meets Bangkok
- Rasa Sayang – Inspired by Singapore and Malaysia
- Olle Korean Barbecue – Grill food at your table
- Café TPT – Cosy Chinese meals
- Four Seasons – A Chinatown favourite
- Dumplings' Legend – Dim sum hotspot
- Chuan Royal China – Elegant food and surroundings
- Bun House – Affordable steamed buns
- Wong Kei – Notorious Chinatown eatery
- Er Mei – Chinatown's original Sichuan restaurant
- Shu Xiang Ge – Sizzling hotpot specialists
- Jinli – Chinese dishes to share
- The Eight – Elegant dim sum spot
- Leong's Legend – Home of gua bao buns
- Misato – Colourful Japanese cuisine
- Viet Food – Vietnamese favourites
- Beijing Dumpling – Freshly-made dim sum
- Tao Tao Ju – Cosy space, classic recipes
- C&R Café – Real Malaysian flavours
- Ji The Chicken Shop – Trendy Taiwanese fried chicken
- Orient London – Sophisticated dining space
- Plum Valley – Contemporary Cantonese dishes
- San Chiu Dim – Vibrant dim sum
- Lido – Chinatown's original restaurant
- Eight Hundred Flavours – Qingdao street food
- YiQi – Asian food done your way
The best Chinatown restaurants in London
The best restaurants in Chinatown London.
Fiery Sichuan food
Come to Food House for filling portions of Sichuan cooking packed full of spice and complex flavours. The classic interior has red paper lanterns hanging up. The menu features a wide range of affordable dishes including barbecue skewers, dumplings, hotpot, offal, and a classic dish of noodles drenched in red chilli oil.
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46 Gerrard St, Soho/Covent Garden
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Food House
020-728 728 18 - Read more on Thatsup
Chinatown meets Bangkok
Speedboat Bar takes inspiration from Chinatown in Bangkok, delivering a piece of the district to the heart of London. This cosy spot features an upstairs bar with signed portraits of canal speedboat racers, plus a downstairs dining room. Expect Thai-Chinese dishes like drunken noodles and stir-fries, plus signature cocktails.
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30 Rupert St, Soho/Covent Garden
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- Read more on Thatsup
Inspired by Singapore and Malaysia
Rasa Sayang takes inspiration from the vibrant hawker scene in Malaysia and Singapore. This bustling restaurant has a simple dining area and serves a menu that's completely halal. Food options include small plates, curries, noodles, and vegan recipes. There's a small selection of alcoholic drinks, plus soft drinks and tea.
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5 Macclesfield St, Soho/Covent Garden
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Website
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Rasa Sayang
020-773 413 82 - Read more on Thatsup
Grill food at your table
Try classic Korean barbecue at Olle Korean Barbecue. The venue is noisy, bustling, and full of distinctive character. Both classic and traditional dishes are available, with heaps of items to grill yourself at your table. Choose from options like ox tongue, wagyu beef, and scallops. Bigger groups are welcome here too.
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88 Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho/Covent Garden
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Olle Korean Barbecue
020-728 719 79 - Read more on Thatsup
Cosy Chinese meals
Cosy eatery Café TPT is one of Chinatown's favourite dining spots. This intimate venue has a bustling atmosphere and serves an array of Chinese street food and Malaysian specialities. You can try options like soup, sizzling hotpots, seafood, and Peking duck. Food is served in a bright and simple setting.
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21 Wardour Street, Soho/Covent Garden
- Website
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A Chinatown favourite
With three locations in Chinatown, Four Seasons is a stalwart of Chinese food in London. Expect ducks rotating as they roast in the window and a whole array of comforting Chinese dishes. You can eat indoors or on the terrace whilst you soak up the lively atmosphere of the area.
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23 Wardour St, Soho/Covent Garden 12 Gerrard St, Soho/Covent Garden 11 Gerrard St, Soho/Covent GardenFour Seasons Wardour Street
23 Wardour St, Soho/Covent GardenFour Seasons Chinatown
12 Gerrard St, Soho/Covent GardenLittle Four Seasons
11 Gerrard St, Soho/Covent Garden -
Four Seasons Wardour Street
fs-restaurants.co.ukFour Seasons Chinatown
fs-restaurants.co.ukLittle Four Seasons
fs-restaurants.co.ukFour Seasons Wardour Street
020-728 799 95Four Seasons Chinatown
020-749 408 70Little Four Seasons
020-728 709 00 -
Four Seasons Wardour Street Four Seasons Chinatown Little Four Seasons
Dim sum hotspot
When you're craving dim sum in Chinatown, Dumpling's Legend is a popular place to eat. In the cosy and modern dining room you can see into the open kitchen where mountains of dim sum are made every day. On the menu you'll find inventive twists on classic recipes, including a vegetarian version of xiaolongbao.
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15-16 Gerrard Street, Soho/Covent Garden
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Dumplings' Legend
020-749 412 00 - Read more on Thatsup
Elegant food and surroundings
For refined Chinese cooking in opulent surroundings, check out Chuan Royal China. This sophisticated restaurant is full of colour. The menu celebrates the diversity of Sichuan cooking, with a range of dim sum as well as seafood, noodles, and plenty of spicy dishes. There's a considerable range of drinks and private dining is available.
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30 Gerrard St, Soho/Covent Garden
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Chuan Royal China
020-773 413 88 - Read more on Thatsup
Affordable steamed buns
Head to Bun House for an affordable and authentic meal. This spot specialises in fluffy steamed buns. The spacious and lively venue is set across two floors. You can try out a variety of Cantonese small plates like century egg salad, plus buns and dumplings stuffed with a range of tempting fillings.
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26-27 Lisle St, Soho/Covent Garden
- Website
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Notorious Chinatown eatery
In the past Wong Kei was well-known as London's rudest restaurant. Whilst the attitude has calmed down a bit now it's still one of Chinatown's biggest and most popular eateries. This classic restaurant serves Cantonese dishes in a simple space, including set menus. A small selection of wine is also available here.
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41-43 Wardour St, Soho/Covent Garden
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Wong Kei
020-743 784 08 - Read more on Thatsup
Chinatown's original Sichuan restaurant
Er Mei Restaurant was the first in Chinatown to focus on Sichuan dishes. This smart and simple venue still offers signature recipes that you can't find anywhere else. Try dishes like marinated jellyfish with chicken, stir-fried frog's legs, hotpot, and noodles. A varied range of wines are available to complement a meal here.
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6 Lisle St, Soho/Covent Garden
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Website
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Er Mei Sichuan Restaurant
020-773 481 28 - Read more on Thatsup
Sizzling hotpot specialists
Discover Chinese hotpot at Shu Xiang Ge. These guys are experts, offering a choice of soup bases, spices, and sauces, as well as ample meat, veggie, and seafood bits to cook yourself in the simmering broth. It's a relaxed and casual space where you can customise your meal - choose pieces like scallops, Wagyu beef, or fresh vegetables.
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10 Gerrard St, Soho/Covent Garden
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Shu Xiang Ge Chinatown
074-453 666 66 - Read more on Thatsup
Chinese dishes to share
Chinatown is home to two branches of Jinli, including the flagship restaurant. These spacious eateries are modern and serve classic Chinese dishes that are perfect for sharing. There are set menus if you're not sure what to choose and on the main menu there are options like spare ribs, deep-fried bean curd, and chicken with cashew nuts.
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4 Leicester St, Soho/Covent Garden Unit 15 Central Cross, 16-18 Newport Place, Soho/Covent GardenJinli Chinatown
4 Leicester St, Soho/Covent GardenJinli Chinatown Flagship
Unit 15 Central Cross, 16-18 Newport Place, Soho/Covent Garden -
Jinli Chinatown
jinli.co.ukJinli Chinatown Flagship
jinli.co.ukJinli Chinatown
020-743 715 28Jinli Chinatown Flagship
020-773 458 36 -
Jinli Chinatown Jinli Chinatown Flagship
Elegant dim sum spot
Enjoy Cantonese cooking in an elegant environment at The Eight. One of Chinatown's newer restaurants, it's already made a splash here. The setting is laid-back and you can try a variety of specialities at this Hong Kong-style tea house. There are options like dim sum, curry fish balls, and wonton noodles.
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68 Shaftesbury Ave, Soho/Covent Garden
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Website
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The Eight
020-333 223 13 - Read more on Thatsup
Home of gua bao buns
Leong's Legend has some serious pedigree, being the first to introduce gua bao buns to UK diners. It's a secretive but sought-after spot where you gain entry by knocking on the locked door. Inside the restaurant has a traditional style. Dim sum are made to order and other treats include spring onion pancakes, ribs, and congee.
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39 Gerrard St, Soho/Covent Garden
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Leong's Legend
020-743 408 99 - Read more on Thatsup
Colourful Japanese cuisine
Cute and colourful restaurant Misato is a destination for Japanese cuisine. The vibrant exterior with a beckoning cat motif waves you inside to an equally vibrant dining space with a welcoming and busy atmosphere. Try sushi platters and bento boxes or hot food like noodles, donburi, and katsu curry.
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11 Wardour Street, Soho/Covent Garden
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Website
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Misato
020-773 408 08 - Read more on Thatsup
Vietnamese favourites
Try modern Vietnamese street eats at Viet Food. The restaurant is spacious and contemporary with exposed brickwork and lots of light flooding in. Sample classic recipes like bun, pho, and Vietnamese bento boxes that are great for lunch. Set menus and the chef's table experience are also available in the evening.
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34-36 Wardour Street, Soho/Covent Garden
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Viet Food
020-749 445 55 - Read more on Thatsup
Freshly-made dim sum
At Beijing Dumpling you'll see dim sum being freshly made in front of you. The restaurant is cosy and bustling, serving freshly-steamed dumplings plus other Chinese favourites. Try plates like xiaolongbao and prawn toast plus meat, seafood, tofu, and vegetable dishes, as well as rice and noodles. Alcoholic drinks are also available here.
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23 Lisle St, Soho/Covent Garden
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Website
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Beijing Dumpling
020-728 768 88 - Read more on Thatsup
Cosy space, classic recipes
Discover Southern Chinese cuisine at Tao Tao Ju. This cosy spot has a traditional feel and serves generous portions of dim sum and other classic dishes like noodles, spare ribs, and squid. There's a fully vegan menu available plus a set menu. A considerable choice of wine is on offer.
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15 Lisle St, Soho/Covent Garden
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Website
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Tao Tao Ju
020-736 700 83 - Read more on Thatsup
Real Malaysian flavours
Sample the rich flavours of Malaysian laksa at C&R Café Restaurant. This friendly and compact restaurant serves streetfood favourites – think noodles, rice, and aromatic curries. Dishes here are affordable, no bookings are taken, and service is speedy, making it an ideal dining spot at anytime.
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4-5 Rupert Court, Soho/Covent Garden
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C&R Café Restaurant
020-743 411 28 - Read more on Thatsup
Trendy Taiwanese fried chicken
At bold and colourful establishment Ji The Chicken Shop you can sample the flavours of Taiwanese fried chicken. This modern eatery uses traditional methods and secret spices for an unmistakable flavour and crunch. Try chicken dishes, seafood, or crispy tofu, washed down with a fruity or milky bubble tea.
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14 Little Newport St, Soho/Covent Garden
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Ji The Chicken Shop Chinatown
077-843 128 88 - Read more on Thatsup
Sophisticated dining space
Visit Orient London and you'll find an elegant and sophisticated eatery serving comforting Chinese classics in a refined setting. This family-run restaurant has a considerable choice of seafood dishes and dim sum, but other options include wonton soup, crispy shredded beef, and sweet and sour tofu. Alcohol and Chinese tea is also on offer.
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15 Wardour Street, Soho/Covent Garden
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Orient London
020-798 988 80 - Read more on Thatsup
Contemporary Cantonese dishes
Family-run restaurant Plum Valley puts its own contemporary twist on classic Cantonese dishes. The restaurant's interior features intimate booths and there's an outdoor terrace too. Food here is carefully presented and full of flavour, with dim sum fillings like chicken and sweetcorn or pork and asparagus, plus colourful rainbow platters of dumplings.
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20 Gerrard Street, Soho/Covent Garden
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Website
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Plum Valley
020-749 443 66 - Read more on Thatsup
Vibrant dim sum
Blue-fronted restaurant San Chiu Dim specialises in dim sum and Chinese dishes. Dumplings are made in front of you at this bustling and laid-back eatery. As well as a big choice of dim sum, you'll see options like lettuce wraps and crispy duck. Colourful cocktails and a varied range of wines are also on offer.
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17 Lisle St, Soho/Covent Garden
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Website
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San Chiu Dim
020-706 527 40 - Read more on Thatsup
Chinatown's original restaurant
It's worth checking out Lido if you're in Chinatown - it opened in 1969 and is the oldest Chinese restaurant in the area. It's a bustling venue with a classic dining room. Dim sum and other Chinese dishes are the speciality. You can choose from fried and steamed dumplings plus classics like congee and stir-fries. Set meals are on offer as well.
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41 Gerrard St, Soho/Covent Garden
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Lido
020-743 744 31 - Read more on Thatsup
Qingdao street food
A Chinatown undertaking by the entrepreneurs behind Barshu and BaoziInn, Eight Hundred Flavours zeroes in on the flavours of the Qingdao region, highlighting street-food-inspired choices like their signature steamed fish dumplings. They also offer grilled specialities, including BBQ skewers and other dishes that make for an easy-to-carry takeaway.
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8 Little Newport St, Soho/Covent Garden
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Asian food done your way
YiQi presents a fresh pan-Asian dining concept, emphasising a cosy and welcoming environment enhanced by its wooden decor and comfortable furnishings. Guests have the opportunity to select from an array of fresh seafood, vegetables, and meats, which are then expertly prepared using their preferred method – sous vide, binchotan, or teppanyaki.
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14 Lisle Street, Soho/Covent Garden
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Website
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YiQi Pan Asian Cuisine
020-728 727 51 - Read more on Thatsup