The Best Dim Sum in London

With its Two Michelin Stars, this is the premier destination for Chinese food in London. Chef-Owner Andrew Wong has travelled throughout China and puts his own spin on recognisable dishes; sample his take on dim sum with the ‘Touch of the Heart’ menu. This is the ultimate London dim sum experience, with each dish bursting with innovation and demonstrating wonderful depth of flavour. Expect plenty of delicacy to the dishes, which showcase Andrew’s considerable knowledge and skill.

Michelin-recommended hotel The Guardsman is within walking distance of the restaurant – and is also just up the road from Buckingham Palace.

Dim sum does not need to be accompanied by lashings of glamour and luxury, but it certainly makes the experience feel a little bit more special. Any trip inside the impressive Peninsula Hotel will make you feel like a million dollars and Canton Blue is no exception. It’s the London incarnation of a brand found in numerous locations around the world, all inside Peninsula Hotels. The dining room has an elegant, clubby feel with sumptuous furnishings, and the relatively short dim sum menu offers classical dishes executed with a good degree of delicacy.

It’s unusual to find a restaurant as authentic as this outside of London’s Chinatown. This small and simple restaurant resembles so many places you would come across on the streets of Hong Kong or China, and the menu ticks all the boxes for Cantonese cuisine; start off with prawn dumplings and be sure to finish with a steamed custard bun. Be aware that they don’t take bookings and it’s extremely popular, so you may have to queue to enjoy the buzzing atmosphere and great quality cooking.

On an overnight trip to London? Book a stay at Michelin-recommended The Standard London, just round the corner from King’s Cross St. Pancras.

There may now be Hakkasan restaurants dotted all around the world, from Miami Beach to Abu Dhabi, but this is where it all began back in 2001. The glitzy décor and moody lighting have become as much a signature as the roll call of Cantonese specialities. The place retains the feel of somewhere a little bit special, with this original restaurant still drawing diners in. Choose between classic, supreme and vegan dim sum selections; and expect to find luxury ingredients like truffle, caviar and Wagyu beef throughout.

Need a hotel for the night? The Michelin-recommended Chateau Denmark is just a five minute walk away.

If it’s glamour you’re after, then there are few destinations better than Park Chinois, as this famously opulent Mayfair spot has a sumptuously designed interior modelled on 1930s Shanghai. Whilst the atmosphere in the day is a little calmer than when the band strike up in the evenings, this is still a pretty fabulous spot to spend your lunchtime. The lengthy dim sum menu includes a range of dumplings, bao and puffs, alongside a selection of cheung fun – best described as rolls of layered rice noodles.

Fancy finishing your night with a little more luxury? The May Fair, A Radisson Collection Hotel is a mere minute’s walk away.

Those familiar with restaurants in China and Hong Kong will immediately feel at home here. There’s always a lively atmosphere about the place and the service has a degree of vigour to it. For the best experience, come in a group to soak up the buzz and sample as much as possible from the extensive dim sum menu. Tucking into dishes like prawn & chive dumplings or Wagyu beef rolls, you’ll soon see why the place is always so busy. In the evening, dim sum is still served but in the form of sharing platters.

If you’re in need of a hotel, Home House London – Private Member’s Club is recommended by Michelin and is conveniently close to the restaurant.

When entering this contemporary Chinese restaurant, you’re faced with a choice: stay on the ground floor to gaze at the cabinets filled with pastries and chocolates; or head down to the basement for the livelier atmosphere, tropical fish tanks and celestial lighting? You can order dim sum as individual dishes, in platters or as part of larger sharing tasting menus (including a fully vegan option). Don’t pass on dessert, as those aforementioned sweet treats taste even better than they look.

Michelin recommends a stay at The Soho Hotel, a Firmdale hotel, which is just a short walk away.