The guide to the best dim sum in London

Legend says that if you piled up all 8,000 dumplings this minimalist dining room in Chinatown makes each day, the Tower of Dumpling would easily overshadow The Shard. It's not only quantity that Dumplings' Legend is known for, however, as its creative twists on the classic xiaolongbao fillings and other dim sum offerings set it yet another step apart from the usual dim sum shops. Oh, and you can also hire a private karaoke room here.

Din Tai Fung's hand-crafted xiaolongbao dumplings, each with exactly 18 delicate folds, are a global delicacy in and of themselves, even winning the chain's first Hong Kong branch a Michelin star. The classic version comes with a pork filling, but you can sample other variants as well. They're all made fresh and brought to your table still hot, steaming and flavourful.

These adorably named dumpling houses are family-run, invoking tradition and cosiness in their homemade, hand-rolled dumplings. The little pockets of flavour come with different meat and veggie fillings, and there are other dim sum specialties on the menu, for example sesame prawn toast. Everything, from the venue to the dishes, is designed for sharing.

Wielding two Michelin stars, A.Wong is an authority on Chinese dining in London, explore the rich and vibrant regional cuisines of China through extravagant menus. The complete lunchtime dim sum menu features both traditional and innovative flavours, from crispy wontons to mushroom and truffle steamed buns. You can have the chef choose a bespoke selection for you as well, or order them à la carte on your own.

Yauatcha might draw your eye with its colourful European-style patisserie treats, but the sleek teahouse setting in the back serves equally pretty dim sum all day. You can choose from different signature set menus, for example the exclusive On Cloud Wine rosé and dim sum pairing, or drop by on the weekend for brunch.

Bun House moved from Soho to Chinatown proper and now encompasses a larger café across two floors. The steamed delicacies it became known for are still here, however. You can get your fluffy buns with different fillings, for example BBQ pork belly, curry chicken and beef brisket. You can also sample dumplings, wontons and various other Cantonese small plates.

When you really want to go all out on the dim sum, one of the Ping Pong branches around town on a Sunday is where you'll want to head. They do an all-you-can-eat offer on their dumplings, gyoza, bao and other dim sum delicacies, accompanied by their fruity house cocktails. Depending on the location, you can even drop in a day sooner for their bottomless brunch, or during the week for their DJ nights.

The luxurious Park Chinois cabaret restaurant provides an immersive experience of 1930s Shanghai, complete with live music and thrilling performances. Fans of dim sum will want to drop by during lunchtime from Thursday to Sunday for the dim sum lunch with tempting signature options such as Iberico Siew Long Bao or Scampi Shumai with Tobiko Caviar & Chicken.

Transplanted from New York, London's Redfarm is aiming for the same sort of virality with its arrangements and flavour combos. It's East-meets-West here, with dishes such as cheeseburger spring rolls and bacon & egg fried rice. Meanwhile, ingeniously designed plates such as the Pac Man shrimp dumpling build up the social media clout. Whether you're in it for the snaps or the bites, there's plenty of different dishes to choose from.

A sleek, elegant Chinatown mainstay, Orient London adds a touch of sophistication to its comfortingly familiar Chinese fare. The family-run restaurant boasts an extensive and exhaustive menu of Cantonese and Sichuan specialties, from hot pots to noodle and rice dishes. It's also well-known for its seafood dishes, its considerable offer of dim sum, and the overlap between the two – think seafood dumpling in stock, for example.

The Hakkasan restaurants in London specialise in Cantonese cuisine, taking you through the region's flavours with their signature tasting menus. The Mayfair location offers a special lunchtime dim sum menu with upmarket dishes such as Wagyu beef shu mai or black truffle duck puff, while Hakkasan Hanway Place serves dim sum off the à la carte menu. The high-end delicacies can be paired with a selection of wines, champagnes and cocktails from the bar.

Brixton's The Courtesan tantalises and entices with a stylish storytelling aesthetic in a refined setting. The all-female chef team honours dim sum's regal origins, creatively enhancing the small plates with global ingredients for unique dishes such as the Tortelli al Vapore, an Italian-inspired take on dumplings. The drinks include signature cocktails, and there are regular cabaret and burlesque nights as well.

Featuring a cherry blossom mural spanning the length of the dining room, this contemporary Chinese restaurant boasts two dim sum menus, a daytime and an evening one. You can sample delicacies such as wasabi prawn dumplings, king's scallop shu mai, crispy aromatic duck roll and more at Pearl Liang. The venue also includes a cocktail bar with a luxurious Oriental atmosphere.

The sophisticated Marylebone restaurant takes classic Hong Kong favourites to another level with prized ingredients such as foie gras, lobster and black truffles, drawing in an upmarket crowd in search of exclusive dishes you can't get anywhere else. Expect a varied array of intriguing dim sum such as the Shanghai-style Juicy Pork Dumplings with Crabmeat, or the Har Kau Steamed Prawn Dumplings.

If you want a view to go with your dim sum, you can't go wrong with Hutong. The luxurious Chinese restaurant on the 33rd floor of The Shard boasts stunning views from all of its tables, with high-flying dim sum to match. You can get a variety of upmarket dishes such as rosé champagne shrimp dumplings, Wagyu beef mille-feuille and pan-seared ginger lobster bao here, along with various other Northern Chinese specialties.

Fans of Chinese food flock to Dim Sum Duck on the regular. The King's Cross joint doesn't accept bookings, so get ready to queue, but once inside, you'll uncover fresh, generously sized dim sum from a chef with 30 years' experience. The menu also includes a broad array of rice and noodle dishes, as well as flavourful roast duck.

Imperial Treasure caters to both gourmands and casual diners, offering sophisticated Chinese cuisine in an opulent setting. The award-winning global group's London restaurant is located in a Grade II listed building next to Piccadilly Circus. The menu features an assortment of original dim sum, for example edamame and truffle dumplings, BBQ Ibérico pork buns, fried Wagyu puff pastries and more.

In the heart of Chinatown, the family-run Plum Valley brings contemporary twists to traditional Cantonese dishes. The dim sum on the menu pay attention to presentation as well as flavour, with the offer including a rainbow platter and fillings such as chicken & sweet corn, or asparagus & prawn. You can enjoy your food on the patio outdoors or in the more intimate booths inside. The restaurant also has private karaoke rooms.

The BaoziInn outposts draw on Northern Chinese flavours and culinary tradition for their comfy street-style food. Expect various small plates such as jiaozi dumplings with different authentic fillings, wontons and freshly-grilled skewers. The BaoziInn in Soho is the first in London to serve an all-day Cantonese dim sum menu with influence from the Sichuan and Hunan provinces.

When you're tired of the classic dumplings available around town, head over to Ugly Dumpling. The mad geniuses behind it have applied a little creative fusion to British seasonal ingredients in order to elevate the Asian staple, resulting in crossbreeds such as cheeseburger, Thai green curry or taco dumplings. If that all sounds a bit too much for you, they also serve a selection of classic flavours such as pork belly.

The Duck and Rice in Soho is both a proper British pub with copper beer tanks and a stylish Chinese eatery. The menu features classics such as crispy duck, chop suey dishes and an array of dim sum, but the latter really shines during the weekend brunchtime. Dig into a varied array of dumplings, shu mai, wontons, cheung fun and more, washing them down with bellinis or one of the house beer cocktails.

The Dim Sum Terrace is situated on the fourth floor of the renowned Harrods department store. Their menu offers contemporary dim sum delicacies throughout the day, skilfully integrating luxury ingredients like caviar, wagyu, and lobster while preserving the traditional flavours of the cuisine. The restaurant boasts a wide range of options, including traditional Chinese teas, an extensive wine list, and Asian-inspired cocktails. You can dine indoors in the opulent ambiance or outdoors on the heated terrace. 

This laid-back eatery is a sanctuary of handmade momo dumplings and other authentic Nepalese dishes. From classic steamed momo to those drenched in spicy chilli sauce, there's a varied assortment of morsels to choose from, along with heftier options such as curries if you're after a bigger meal. Takeaway is available as well.

China Tang offers a luxurious dining experience in an elegant setting that merges traditional and contemporary elements, highlighted by Art Deco interiors and classic Chinese decor. The dim sum here feature upmarket fillings such as wagyu and caviar, with other refined delicacies such as lobster noodles available as well. The high-end restaurant also offers afternoon tea featuring dumplings instead of the usual sandwiches.

The unassuming wooden tables and benches of Silk Road conceal a cherished gem among London's Chinese food enthusiasts – this eatery is considered one of South London's premier destinations for dishes from the Xinjiang region. Food lovers citywide are drawn to Camberwell to sample the hand-stretched noodles, hearty stews, and charcoal-fired skewers, along with a selection of dumplings.