11 June 2026
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In our regular series, we ask famous chefs and personalities to tell us all about 'their London'. From top tips on where to dine in the city, to their personal haunts ranging from bakeries to book shops, we’ve got the inside track on London’s premier spots from the people who know it best.
Andrew Wong is a chef who, frankly, should need no introduction – but let’s give him one anyway. As the chef and owner behind the Two-MICHELIN-Star restaurant A. Wong, he has helped to transform the way British diners view Chinese food. His restaurant draws on influences from all over China to deliver a highly original multi-course experience that showcases an impressive array of techniques and ingredients. Here, this inspirational chef tells us all about the places that inspire him.
What recent openings have you been impressed by?
Poon’s. They have such an incredible history in London, and a beautiful dining room in Somerset House. It’s nice to see a Chinese menu that is fresh, not just trying to recreate Chinese menus in the Western world. It’s doing its own thing and has its own personality.Oudh 1722. I haven’t managed to go to Opheem in Birmingham yet, so it’s great to see Aktar’s work in London. I like the way it’s got a real hominess to it; he’s such a lovely guy, and we have a good laugh.
Where do you go for a quick bite?
It’s amazing to see Sri Lankan food celebrated at Hoppers, and I love the magic of the egg hoppers. Even though the brand now has multiple sites, each restaurant still retains a warm neighbourhood feel.
Which restaurant would you recommend for a celebration?
Brooklands. I like their way of serving dishes in multiple collections – and it has an incredible bar.Do you have a personal connection to any London restaurants?
Hakkasan Hanway Place [now closed] is such an important restaurant for me personally. 25 years ago, when it first opened, it changed the way London looked at and perceived Chinese cuisine.Which London hotel would you recommend?
The Peninsula, because of its personal connection to me. Originally a Brit went to Hong Kong, opened a hotel and now he’s become an icon in Asia.
If you only had one day to show an out-of-towner around London, where would you take them?
Breakfast at Brown’s Hotel because it’s the oldest hotel in London. I would walk over to Kung Fu Noodle in Chinatown to enjoy some spicy beef noodles and chilli whelks. If I wanted dim sum, I would head to New Loon Fung; it's the closest experience to old-school dim sum places in Hong Kong, which are very hard to find in London these days.On my way, I would pass through Edgware Road and grab some booza ice cream from Diwan Damas. After that, I would walk to Victoria for a coffee at Ben Venuti. Then, I would continue to Battersea Power Station to get an egg tart from Santa Nata. From there, I would visit the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A). On my way home, I would stop by Din Tai Fung in Selfridges and have dinner at Corenucopia, which is a great place to take the family.
Discover more highlights from our My London series:
Matt Abé / Adriana Cavita / Michel Roux
Clare Smyth / Hélène Darroze / Tom Kerridge
Matt Abé / Adriana Cavita / Michel Roux
Clare Smyth / Hélène Darroze / Tom Kerridge
Which markets do you like to visit?
Chinatown is still the hub for getting an array of ingredients from Hong Kong, China and all of Southeast Asia. It’s also the one place in London where the Chinese have managed to hold onto a sense of community.What's your favourite bakery in the city?
Poilâne in Victoria is the most famous bakery in the world. We watched Apollonia grow the business when she took over from her parents. She still has a tiny shop on Elizabeth Street in Victoria and bakes downstairs in a tiny unit (we did a tour at one point). It now ships around the world to Hong Kong and Tokyo, all from Victoria.Do you have a favourite café?
Ben Venuti is at the back of A. Wong. It’s a tiny coffee shop run by two Italians who are there every single minute of every day. We watched it grow from a site no one wanted to touch, and now it’s always busy and has a lovely warm smell of roasted coffee, fresh pasta and cannoli.
Do you have a favourite London gallery?
I love the Victoria and Albert Museum, because secretly I wanted to be a tailor. I really like suits, and I’m interested in how they are made and the craftsmanship used. I also like the National Portrait Gallery because it’s got a lovely mix of contemporary and classical paintings. Each year, it hosts The Portrait Award, which showcases modern artists.What does London do better than anywhere else in the world?
It offers a great variety of cuisine at various price points. We have incredible creativity in celebrating London as a melting pot of cultures and across generations. Young chefs of Chinese origin experiment with recipes their grandfathers cooked, while older generations play around with modern dishes.
Where can people find a good green space in the city?
Battersea Park. Location wise, it’s a wonderful balance of being on the riverside and being close to central London. It’s very family orientated with a picnic area as well as bike riding around the outside – it’s the ultimate park for a day out. The revamped Battersea Power Station is close for lunch as well.Which is your favourite area of London?
Pimlico, otherwise known as deep southern Knightsbridge. We still have small, independent shops, market traders, books, bread makers, patisseries and breakfast spots, and we all know each other.Related Articles:
Hero Image: Andrew Wong, the chef behind Two-MICHELIN-Star A. Wong in London. © Jutta Klee/A. Wong
