Harden's survey result
Summary
This “always reliable” and “slightly upmarket” Cantonese group “remains the standard that all other dim sum places should be judged against – exemplary is an overused term here but is very much justified”. But a somewhat dark cloud has hung over the operation since its prominent Baker Street branch was stripped of its licence to sell alcohol and fined £360,000 after a series of Home Office raids over six years discovered multiple cases of illegal immigrants working, in one case for 66 hours a week at almost half the minimum wage. As of August 2024, the Fulham Road branch is ‘Temporarily Closed’.
Summary
“Sunday dim sum lunch is always full of happy families” at this popular Cantonese group with 1980s-nightclub decor – an occasion for which they “cannot be beaten” for many diners: so “arrive around 10:45 to join queue for 11am opening”. With the closure of its Bayswater branch a few years ago, Baker Street and Canary Wharf are its preeminent spots (and SW6 can be “disappointing” by comparison). All feedback is about the lunchtime service – “the evening offering is a bit ordinary”.
Summary
“It can be very crowded so get there early” if you visit this well-known Cantonese chain: still a top choice for “very tasty dim sum”. With the famous Queensway branch closing a couple of years ago, you now have to go to Baker Street, Canary Wharf or Fulham for your fix (although the latter is little commented on). “Whatever else keeps people coming back here, though, it’s certainly not the service!”
Summary
“Like Rick’s in Casablanca, everybody looking for dim sum in London comes to the Royal China” – whose well-established venues (decorated along the lines of an ’80s disco) in Baker Street, Canary Wharf, Fulham and Harrow deliver the proper Cantonese experience. They “never disappoint” (although “main dishes can be less successful”), but, “given the well-known robotic efficiency of their approach, if you want ambience, you have to bring your own”. One big loss this year, though – their most popular branch, on Queensway – has bitten the dust.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
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Restaurant details
Royal China Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Still among the best dim sum in London, though the evening offering is now a bit ordinary. The Canary Wharf branch has nice river views"
"It was a pleasant, unrushed dinner. The restaurant is not as plush as the Toyal China Club a block away."
"Oh dear, what went wrong over the last decade! A bit shambolic, no licence anymore and the quality of food has definitely worsened. The service was never the quickest so little to recommend these days!"
"Pleasant surprise that they were open after the scandal. Food and service ok. Pricing is much higher."
Opening hours
Last orders: 11 pm, Fri & Sat 11.30 pm, Sun 10 pm
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