Dining in London is as much about the experience as it is the food – and nothing offers a better sharing experience than Chinese food. Originating in the Guangzhou region of southern China, dim sum cuisine features multiple small plates. It dates back to the 19th century and may include steamed dumplings, prawn toast and bao buns.
Can one person eat dim sum?
Dim sum is similar to English afternoon tea or Spanish tapas, so it’s best enjoyed shared with others. However, it’s not uncommon to eat these Asian favourites solo. You may be advised to have two or three bite-sized portions to yourself, or to accompany a meal at a buffet.
Can Muslims eat dim sum?
Many Cantonese style dishes feature foods that are banned in the Muslim and Jewish faiths, such as pork bun dumplings. There is a variety of meat served, but only certified Halal or Kosher meat will be acceptable. It’s best to look at your dim sum menu if you’re not sure.
The capital is home to a range of cultures and religions, so we’ve gathered up the best dim sum London has to offer.
Din Tai Fung
This dim sum Covent Garden favourite is famous for its meticulous attention to detail. The Taiwanese eatery’s signature dish is the xiao long bao, a steamed soup dumpling with wafer-thin skins and exactly 18 folds. They don’t just stop at savoury though – expert chefs have put their own spin on the pork variety with dessert versions, including red bean and sweet taro.
You’ll find the Covent Garden branch (W1D 6JE) just a seven-minute walk away from The Clermont Charing Cross. Alternatively, the dim sum Mayfair restaurant is based inside Selfridges on Oxford Street, or you can head to the Centre Point location near Soho.
Bookings are available online for up to seven people or you can make an enquiry for larger parties. There’s also click-and-collect if you’re in a hurry. Enjoy a wide selection of steamed buns and even Din Tai Fung branded craft lager.
Plum Valley
This fun-loving Chinatown London dim sum spot has been livening up the Soho area since the 1980s. Here you’ll find a wide selection of Japanese, Thai and Chinese delights, including handcrafted dim sum. Inside this modern dining room, you can enjoy informal group meals with booth seating.
Stop in from 11am to 5pm to enjoy the lunchtime dim sum menu. For a dim sum evening London experience, dive into platters of scallops, spinach and chicken dumplings. If that wasn’t enough, Plum Valley is also open for karaoke nights, so book your private room and belt out the hits. You’ll find it on Gerrard Street – pop in for a drink in our nearby Charing Cross bar before warming up your vocal cords.
A. Wong
A. Wong is the place to be for dim sum in Victoria, London – just a stone’s throw from our Victoria branch. Discover a delectable range of Chinese cuisine including dim sum duck, custard buns and crispy wonton prawn cocktails.
Celebrating all 14 of China’s international borders, A. Wong is run by Chef Andrew Wong, who took over from his parents in 2012. Today, one of London’s best dim sum restaurants holds a coveted Michelin star, steered by Wong’s generations of recipes passed down through the family.
Here you can sample an a la carte dim sum menu, or even just visit the Forbidden City Bar for a cocktail. See the city through the eyes of the Wong family, who are always innovating their dishes to give you a truly unforgettable experience. You’ll find A. Wong on Wilton Road in Pimlico.
Baozilnn
Widely considered one of the best vegetarian dim sum London restaurants, Baozilnn has two London locations. The menu covers the whole of China and Asia Pacific, from Northern flat noodles with seafood and chives to Southern wontons and prawn dumplings.
Can dim sum be vegetarian?
While high-end Chinese restaurants serve a range of meat-based favourites like siu mai and Peking duck, you’ll also find several vegetarian options. Baozilnn celebrates the sustainable lifestyle with its ‘Green Mondays’, where you can visit to enjoy tofu, mushroom skewers and spring rolls to your heart’s content.
There are also unlimited brunch options, so come in with a healthy appetite to get the best from Baozilnn. You can find it in Soho or by London Bridge, close to views of The Shard.
Royal China Club
This dim sum Marylebone eatery is another Michelin-starred pearl, serving up Hong Kong Chinese dishes since 1996. The brand has already made its mark internationally in China, Hong Kong and Dubai, and has other branches in Baker Street, Canary Wharf and Chinatown.
Visit the flagship in Marylebone to experience the very best of seasonal menus. This authentic dim sum London loves to innovate, taking inspiration not just from Asia but Western cultures, including British twists.
You can book a private room for personal celebrations, with world-class service under the watchful eye of Executive Chef Man Yuk Cheung. You can also try the Royal China Club’s sister restaurant, One68 Dim Sum, but be mindful of queues as this is walk-in only.
Enjoy the best dim sum places in London with The Clermont
From Shanghai to Paddington, London’s dim sum restaurants are putting Asia on the map. As you explore your culinary tour of London, be sure to stop over in The Clermont for drinks and a luxurious night’s stay.
