Dining
The 6 Best Dumplings in London
Six dumpling kitchens across London, covering soup filled xiao long bao, pan fried sheng jian bao and hand pleated jiaozi.
In short: our top picks are Din Tai Fung, Dumplings' Legend and Dumpling Shack. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Chinatown alone would give London a decent dumpling scene, but the best plates now turn up well outside it, in Clapton, Stoke Newington and a market stall in Spitalfields. Xiao long bao, sheng jian bao and hand pleated jiaozi all demand a different technique, and it shows in how differently each kitchen approaches the fold. Some of these six are cheap and functional, built for a fast lunch between errands. Others, like Bright Courtyard’s truffle dim sum, aim for something closer to a special occasion. Both approaches have their place.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Din Tai Fung | Covent Garden | £££ |
| Dumplings' Legend | Chinatown | ££ |
| Dumpling Shack | Spitalfields | ££ |
| Baoziinn | Chinatown | ££ |
| My Neighbours the Dumplings | Clapton | ££ |
| Bright Courtyard | Marylebone | £££ |
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Editor’s choice
Din Tai Fung
Why we pick itDin Tai Fung built its reputation in Taiwan on the number of pleats in each xiao long bao, eighteen exactly, and the Covent Garden branch follows the same recipe with broth that stays scalding until the first bite. Expect a queue even on a weekday lunchtime.
Worth knowingConsistency varies between visits, with some reporting blander dumplings than the brand's reputation suggests at prices above other international branches.
Taiwanese soup dumpling specialist
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Dumplings' Legend
Why we pick itDumplings' Legend has been on Gerrard Street since Chinatown's dim sum boom and its soup dumplings remain the reason people keep coming back, alongside a full Cantonese menu that runs late into the night. It is a proper sit down restaurant rather than a quick counter.
Cantonese restaurant known for soup dumplings
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Dumpling Shack
Why we pick itDumpling Shack trades from a stall inside Old Spitalfields Market and turns out sheng jian bao, pan fried and steamed at once, so the base stays crisp while the inside stays juicy with broth. There are noodle bowls too if you want something more filling.
Market stall serving Shanghainese dumplings
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Baoziinn
Why we pick itBaoziinn keeps things basic and cheap, a Chengdu style canteen on Newport Court where the jiaozi come boiled or pan fried and the bao are stuffed with pork or char siu. It has been a Chinatown fixture for years and the prices have not caught up with everywhere around it.
Chengdu style dumpling canteen
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My Neighbours the Dumplings
Why we pick itMy Neighbours the Dumplings pairs its handmade dumplings with a short sake list in a room that feels more like a neighbourhood bar than a dim sum hall. Fillings change with the seasons but the pork and chive version is the one regulars order by default.
Handmade dumplings and sake bar
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Bright Courtyard
Why we pick itBright Courtyard runs a full Cantonese dim sum service on Baker Street, with dumplings that range from classic prawn har gow to a truffle infused version aimed at a smarter crowd. It is the closest thing on this list to a special occasion dumpling lunch.
Refined Cantonese dim sum
Before you book
Din Tai Fung and Dumplings’ Legend both get long queues at weekend lunchtimes, so aim for an early sitting or a weekday visit if you want to skip the wait. Dumpling Shack and Baoziinn are better for a quick, cheap plate between sights rather than a sit down meal.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Din Tai Fung is our editor's choice: Din Tai Fung built its reputation in Taiwan on the number of pleats in each xiao long bao, eighteen exactly, and the Covent Garden branch follows the same recipe with broth that stays scalding until the first bite. Expect a queue even on a weekday lunchtime. Din Tai Fung, Dumplings' Legend and Dumpling Shack lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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