Top 10 Best Dim Sum Restaurants in London

The City sibling of the Soho original brings the same Michelin-caliber dim sum to the financial district with a slightly more corporate polish. The prawn and chive crystal dumplings are translucent works of art—delicate wrappers showcasing plump prawns and fragrant chives inside. The ground-floor bakery tempts with takeaway treats, while the upstairs dining room caters to expense-account lunches and after-work cocktails. It's marginally less atmospheric than Soho but equally accomplished in the kitchen, making it ideal for City workers who don't want to trek west for quality.

A Chinatown veteran that's been serving dim sum since before it was trendy, Joy King Lau remains a go-to for traditionalists who appreciate trolley service and honest cooking. The turnip cake here is exceptional—pan-fried to crispy-edged perfection with a soft, flavourful centre that showcases proper wok hei. The multi-floor layout can feel like navigating a labyrinth, but the efficient service and generous portions keep locals returning. It's not fancy, but for authentic Hong Kong-style dim sum without the Michelin markup, this is your spot.

This Soho institution reimagines the traditional British pub through a Cantonese lens, housed in a beautiful Grade II-listed building with a roast duck counter that's visible from the street. The crispy duck is the showstopper—lacquered to mahogany perfection and served alongside excellent dim sum that holds its own against Chinatown specialists. The upstairs dining room offers a more refined experience, while the ground floor bar keeps things casual with craft beers and baijiu cocktails. It's Alan Yau's love letter to East-meets-West, and it works brilliantly.

With a stunning 4.9 rating, this Junction Market stall punches well above its weight, serving some of North London's most authentic dim sum in decidedly casual surroundings. The char siu bao here are the real deal—soft, fluffy buns with perfectly caramelized pork that disappear too quickly. It's a no-frills operation where quality and value trump ambiance, beloved by the local Chinese community which is always the best endorsement. Perfect for a quick, satisfying lunch that won't break the bank, though don't expect tablecloths or cocktails.

This Shoreditch favourite has built a cult following with its modern take on Cantonese comfort food and a 4.8 rating that speaks volumes. The prawn toast here is next-level—thick-cut, generously topped, and fried to golden perfection—while the dim sum selection hits all the classics with freshness and flavour. The industrial-chic space attracts a young, creative crowd, making it buzzing on weekends but still relaxed enough for families. Prices are reasonable for East London, and the sharing-style menu encourages group dining.

Perched on the 33rd floor of The Shard, Hutong trades traditional dim sum intimacy for jaw-dropping panoramas and Northern Chinese flair with Sichuan heat. The red lantern soft-shell crab is the signature—crispy, spicy, and utterly addictive—while the dim sum selection leans luxurious with ingredients like lobster and Wagyu. This isn't your budget Chinatown experience; it's a special occasion destination where the views compete with the food for attention. Book a window table at sunset and prepare for one of London's most cinematic dining experiences.

Tucked inside The Thin White Duke on Great Windmill Street, this tiny operation is a hidden gem that locals guard jealously. With a near-perfect 4.8 rating from a small but devoted following, Mai Dim Sum focuses on authenticity over ambiance—think steaming baskets of prawn dumplings and char siu bao that taste like they've been teleported from Hong Kong. The space is intimate and unpretentious, making it ideal for casual lunches or solo dining when you want quality without the fuss. Cash-friendly prices and generous portions seal the deal.

This Michelin-starred gem from the Hakkasan Group brings haute Cantonese cuisine to Soho with an Alan Yau-designed aquarium-lit interior that feels like dining in an upscale underwater grotto. The venison puff is legendary—a flaky pastry parcel that demonstrates why Yauatcha earned its star—but don't sleep on the scallop shumai or the delicate har gau. It's pricier than Chinatown competitors, but the precision, presentation, and those heavenly French-patisserie-meets-dim-sum desserts justify the splurge. Perfect for business lunches or when you want to treat yourself properly.

The Taiwanese legend finally graced London with its first UK outpost, and the queues haven't stopped since. Din Tai Fung's xiao long bao are the stuff of obsession—each soup dumpling allegedly folded with exactly 18 pleats and filled with perfectly seasoned broth that requires surgical precision to eat without scalding yourself. The open kitchen lets you watch the dumpling masters at work, turning the meal into dinner and a show. Expect waits during peak hours, but the turnover is quick and every minute is worth it for those first-bite bursts of umami.

This rooftop stunner brings contemporary Chinese dining to the heart of Outernet with a dramatic, Instagram-worthy interior that's equal parts moody and glamorous. While Tattu is known more for its theatrical ambiance than traditional dim sum, their scallop shumai stands out as a luxurious take on the classic. The cocktail programme here rivals the food, making it ideal for date nights or impressing out-of-town guests who want spectacle with their steamed buns. Book ahead for the rooftop terrace—it's one of London's most coveted dining spots.