11 of London’s Best Dim Sum Restaurants
Did you know ‘Dim Sum’ simply translates to ‘Touch the Heart’? See, you learn something new every day… Whether you’re looking for an informal place to tuck into your bamboo baskets, or somewhere a little bit more special, we have rounded up our favourite dim sum restaurants in London, from the Michelin-starred to the humble street food.
Hakkasan
Michelin-Starred Dim Sum With an Intimate Feel
The thing with Hakkasan, is it’s just unashamedly cool. It attracts the Londoners and A-listers alike with its chic, dark interiors who are looking for an intimate place to hang out and feast on Michelin Star food. The baked venison puff is incredible and the char sui bun is one of our favourites too. Love them or hate them, Kanye and Kim are fans and so are we.
Where: 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair, W1J 6QB
Website: www.hakkasan.com
The Drunken Monkey
Dim Sum, Cocktails and DJs
With most traditional dim dum restaurants in Shoreditch only serving at breakfast and lunchtime, this is the place to go if you’re craving the cuisine well into the evening. The Drunken Monkey offers a massive selection on its dim sum menu, our favourite being the ‘And Then Sum’ menu. Visit at the weekend and take full advantage of the 8-hour Saturday ‘Happy hour’ (12-8pm) and the even better ‘Happy all dayer’ on Sunday. With a different line up of DJs each night playing a mix of funk, soul, house and disco, can anyone else feel a Drunken Monday morning coming on?
Where: 222 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, E1 6PJ
Website: www.thedrunkenmonkey.london
Royal China
Traditional and Fresh
It’s always a good sign if there is a queue outside a restaurant don’t you think? Royal China is a popular restaurant that can be seen all over London, with Baker Street being the flagship restaurant. With its gold and black lacquer it offers to host the smallest of family gatherings or up to 200 guest banquets. Here you can enjoy traditional dim sum and Chinese tea in a lively atmosphere. To ensure maximum freshness, the Dim Sum here is freshly steamed or fried just after you place your order. For pudding you have to try the black sesame dumplings in peanut crumbs… delicious.
Where: 24-26 Baker Street, Marylebone, W1U 3BZ
Website: www.rcguk.co.uk
Koi Ramen Bar
Japanese Street Food
An understated gem in the heart of Pop Brixton, Koi Ramen’s gyozas gives you serious reason to get yourself to SW9. Choose from pork, chicken or veg and whether you want 3 or 6 of the Japanese grilled dumplings and you’ll get change from a fiver. Douse them in chilli sauce and a sprinkling of spring onion and you’re good to go. We’d go as far as saying they’re up there with the best dumplings in London.
Where: Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, Brixton, SW9 8PQ
Website: www.koiramenbar.co.uk
Park Chinois
Mayfair Dim Sum
Fancy dim sum for lunch or brunch? Then head to Mayfair’s opulent restaurant, Park Chinois. You’re going to need to book in a long lunch, because the menu is extensive to say the least. Currently on the menu there are 35 items…including the likes of kingfish dumplings, scallop xo dumplings, prawn beancurd roll and baked char siu bao.
Where: Park Chinois, 17 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, W1J 8EA
Website: www.parkchinois.com
Dim T
Cheap and Cheerful With Unbeatable Views
Here you can enjoy a variety of steamed bamboo baskets, each being under £4, while taking in the fantastic views of the River Thames and Tower Bridge. With an informal and modern atmosphere, you can simply just stop here for Dim Sum or if you wanted to be creative with your tastebuds, the Noodle Bar allows you to choose exactly what you want from Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian and Thai. If you’re looking to create a special dim sum night with friends at home, or if you hadn’t planned on getting out of your onesie all weekend, there is a takeaway option available here too.
Where: 2 More London Place, Tooley Street, London Bridge, SE1 2DB
Website: www.dimt.co.uk
