Harden's survey result
Summary
“Just love this authentic busy Chinese!” – Since 1978, this “bustling” linchpin of Queensway has won a huge following and is a “favourite Chinese” for many Londoners. Despite its grungy, ’70s-tastic interior and brusque service, it’s actually known for high-quality seafood: in particular, lobster and noodles with ginger. That said, its ratings were more middling this year, on the back of some who say “the positivity this resto attracts continues to puzzle me”; or who find dishes “solid but uninspiring”. Top Menu Tip – “We always eat exactly the same things: salt and pepper asparagus, lobster with ginger and spring onions, Peking duck, chicken with dry chilli and ginger… because they’re so damned delicious; and fantastic value!”
Summary
“The lobster noodles are as legendary as ever” – “best in the world!” – chorus a legion of fans for this 45-year-old Queensway institution that’s “tops for Chinese seafood in London”. It’s a “buzzy family restaurant” too, with “really lovely friendly staff”, even if it’s “a bit too brightly lit”.
Summary
“Who would order anything but the lobster noodles?” (“the best way to get the most out of a crustacean, and surprisingly good value!”) at this “unbeatable Cantonese classic” in Queensway: a “chaotic, crowded and noisy”, if “efficiently run” stalwart (est 1978) which sells more lobster than just about any other restaurant in the UK. If you do, there are other delicious seafood dishes to try (scallops, crab, razor clams…) and the Peking Duck’s not bad either.
Summary
“This stalwart of Queensway’s mini-Chinatown is back and better than ever”, thrilling diners with its signature lobster noodles (a dish invented on the premises) as well as superlative “steamed scallops, razor clams and all-round seafood”. “The best meal we’ve had for a long time.” Founded in 1978, MK is “always crammed”, but a makeover a couple of years ago, and improved service, are signs that more effort is now going into the ambience.
For 33 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).
Have you eaten at Mandarin Kitchen?
14-16 Queensway, London, W2 3RX
Restaurant details
Mandarin Kitchen Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A very good, seafood focussed Chinese restaurant in Bayswater. One of the few true fine dining Chinese restaurants in London. Service from the restaurant manager was excellent, extremely charismatic and friendly. Food was all delicious, seafood fresh and cooked perfectly. An excellent restaurant for Chinese food in West London."
"First time to this popular destination. Superb food, and the restaurant packed with Chinese guests. Friendly polite service, caring and efficient. Seafood dishes were especially good. Overall excellent and very good value. Supper and wine for three for £50 per head."
"very dull starter platter that the waiter didn't believe in either. And then we had the usual lobster. Solid but uninspiring. The positivity this resto attracts continues to puzzle me on a 2nd visit."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £27.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.30 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
14-16 Queensway, London, W2 3RX
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑11:15 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑11:15 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑11:15 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑11:15 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑11:15 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑11:15 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑23.00 |
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