Southwark, Chinese Restaurant Guide

“Authentic and tasty dumplings” and other northern Chinese street-food classics make any of Wei Shao’s small group “a great standby for a quick and fun meal”. Some prefer to stay longer (“our family goes for a Sunday feast”) with the biggest range of dishes at the 120-cover flagship near Borough Market. There are also branches in Chinatown, Soho, and the Market Halls in Victoria and Oxford Street.

“Fantastic views” are the universally acknowledged highpoint of a visit to this swish Asian / British restaurant on the Shard’s 35th floor. It is most often recommended for its “great twist on a traditional afternoon tea” (including an “exceptional vegan tea”) – for more substantial meals, it is too often “not worth the price you pay for uninspiring dishes”.

“What an amazing place” – this Asian joint on the 33rd floor is never short of guests having a good time. However, “the prices are extremely steep”… just like the Shard’s glass wall… which contributes to the mixed feelings it inspires. Business entertainers say it’s “classy” (“I’m always willing to go… on someone else’s budget!”), but even some fans feel that “even the stunning vista don’t justify the bill”. And others are more definite: “I’d rather eat at my local Chinese”.