Chertsey, Chinese Restaurant Guide

Reliably “fabulous” classic Chinese dining makes this offshoot of a London-based group (founded in Chelsea in 1979 and now with eight branches) a long-time “favourite for a special occasion” in the Surrey ’burbs – even if its appeal is “a little dated” for followers of fashion. Top Tip – “there’s a very good-value set lunch”.

“Great dim sum” and “fast and efficient service” ensure this Oriental spot is “always packed” – “I’m of Chinese descent and this is the best and most authentic Cantonese restaurant in SW London. My family love their crispy noodles and won’t eat anywhere else” (although a more jaded view puts its popularity down to “a lack of local competition”).

For more than 35 years, this “reliable” family-run outfit on the Kew side of Richmond has offered “familiar British-Chinese food, very well executed and with great service”. One recent innovation is a dim sum menu. Top Tip – the set midweek lunch is a snip, starting at under £10 for two courses.

Celebrating their half century this year, three generations of the Lou family have been an “always reliable” source of “consistently tasty and well prepared Chinese food” for local Actonians since the 1970s. Lawrence, who runs it these days, pretty well grew up in the restaurant and makes sure that “service is always friendly”.

All-you-can-eat vegetarian Indian buffet with a “good selection of dishes at reasonable prices”. Based in Wembley, where it started out 40-odd years ago as a family-owned market stall, it now has spinoffs in Harrow, Kingsbury and Hatch End (the latter à la carte only). Signature dishes include bhel puri, crispy bhajia and chilli paneer, washed down by a selection of soft drinks.

This well-known Cantonese group retains a large fan-base praising “still among the best dim sum in London”, presented in “comfortable surroundings” by “amiable (if overselling) service” (although feedback on the evening offering suggests it’s a matter of “fine dining prices for indifferent food”). As damaging, though, are the company’s multiplying legal problems, with diners complaining of “no alcohol licence!” at the Baker Street branch, which was stripped of it in 2024 and fined £360,000 for employing illegal immigrants, and in March 2025 its Royal Gourmet division, which produces wontons, steamed buns and roasted duck at a facility in Park Royal, was fined a total of £113,000 by Uxbridge magistrates after pleading guilty to 11 serious failures in food and hygiene safety – including rodent droppings. Royal Gourmet also paid £332,000 in fines for breaches of the Water Industry Act back in 2019. As one reporter comments: “Oh dear, what went wrong over the last decade! A bit shambolic… , and the quality of food has definitely worsened” in recent times.

Fans “absolutely love the food” (dim sum in particular) at this well-reputed, modern Chinese restaurant in a Hong Kong-owned hotel overlooking trafficky Shepherd’s Bush Green. “Service is much improved but still hit-and-miss” (on occasion, it can be “very slow”). The venue takes its name from the western-influenced ‘shikumen’ architecture of pre-revolutionary Shanghai.

2024 Review: This “surprisingly good Chinese” in Putney specialises in the cuisines of Shanghai and Sichuan, and the “flavours and produce” are by all accounts “excellent” (even better if you “ask for the Chinese menu”). Top Menu Tip – “particularly fine duck”.

The first UK branch of one of China’s largest chains (with more than 6,000 branches around the world) opened without fanfare in early 2024, just off Hammersmith Broadway. You can eat anything you like, so long as it’s Malatang (hotpot): choose your own custom ingredients from the chiller cabinets lining the wall, place your order and you are called up when your broth has been prepared. A big TikTok hit with Asian students, it also got a thumbs-up from Daily Mail critic Tom Parker Bowles in his April 2024 review.

“The texture of the perfect hand-pulled wheat noodles is wonderful – toothsome and delicious with just the right amount of chew – and in fragrant and spicy sauces”, all “freshly prepared and swiftly served” at Wei Guirong’s “always busy and excellent value” Shaanxi canteen near Russell Square, which now has a lesser-known sibling in a modern unit just off Hammersmith Broadway (as well as Xi’an Impression and Dream Xi’an). Top Menu Tip – “don’t miss the simple deep, peppery and comforting beef pao-mo soup and the ‘burgers’ with Silk Road spice”.