12 Best Dumplings in London: From Xiao Long Bao to Manti
London is a fantastic city for dumpling lovers. From delicate soup-filled xiao long bao and translucent har gow to crispy potstickers, handmade northern Chinese dumplings and Central Asian manti, there is an impressive variety to explore.
You’re looking for a quick lunch, a Chinatown favourite, a cosy date-night restaurant or somewhere specialising in handmade dumplings, these are 12 of the best places to eat dumplings in London.
1. Din Tai Fung
If you’re serious about xiao long bao, Din Tai Fung is one of the first places to consider. The restaurant is internationally famous for its delicate soup dumplings, which are carefully folded around a savoury filling and hot broth.
The dumplings arrive in bamboo baskets, and part of the fun is learning how to eat them without losing all that delicious soup.
The Centre Point location is particularly convenient if you’re around Tottenham Court Road, Soho or the West End.
Beyond xiao long bao, there are plenty of other dumplings and dim sum dishes to explore, so it’s a good place to visit with a group and order several plates to share.
What to order: Pork xiao long bao and a selection of steamed dumplings.
Best for: Soup dumpling lovers and first-time visitors.
2. YEYE’S Noodle & Dumpling
YEYE’S Noodle & Dumpling is a great choice when you want dumplings to be more than just a side dish.
The restaurant focuses on noodles and dumplings, giving diners plenty of opportunity to build a meal around freshly prepared Chinese comfort food.
Its Artillery Passage location makes it especially convenient when exploring the City, Spitalfields or nearby Brick Lane.
The atmosphere is casual, making it suitable for a quick lunch as well as a relaxed dinner.
What to order: Handmade dumplings with one of the restaurant’s noodle dishes.
Best for: Casual dining and handmade dumplings.
3. Xi Home Dumplings Bay
Xi Home Dumplings Bay is another excellent destination when dumplings are the main reason you’re going out to eat.
The restaurant has a strong focus on dumplings and offers different fillings and preparations, making it a particularly good choice for sharing several plates.
The East London location near Spitalfields also makes it easy to combine lunch or dinner with a wander around the market and surrounding streets.
For a proper dumpling feast, order several varieties for the table rather than sticking to one filling.
What to order: A selection of different dumplings to share.
Best for: Dumpling lovers exploring East London.
4. Yauatcha Soho
For a more sophisticated take on dumplings, head to Yauatcha Soho.
This stylish dim sum restaurant is known for beautifully presented dishes and a menu that includes steamed, baked and fried dim sum.
Har gow is a must for prawn-dumpling fans. The delicate translucent wrapper and juicy filling make it one of the classic dishes to order.
The restaurant is considerably more polished than a casual Chinatown dumpling shop, making it a good choice for birthdays, special lunches and date nights.
What to order: Har gow and a selection of steamed dim sum.
Best for: Elegant dining and special occasions.
5. Dumplings’ Legend
Right in the middle of Chinatown, Dumplings’ Legend is an obvious stop for anyone searching for dumplings in central London.
The restaurant is particularly known for xiao long bao and other Chinese dumplings, making it a convenient alternative to travelling across the city when you’re already in the West End.
The Chinatown location also means you can easily turn your visit into a larger food crawl, with plenty of restaurants, bakeries and dessert shops nearby.
Come hungry and order several dishes to share.
What to order: Xiao long bao and steamed dumplings.
Best for: Chinatown food crawls and soup dumplings.
6. Lily’s Dumpling
Located around Hatton Garden, Lily’s Dumpling is the sort of restaurant to put on your list when you want dumplings to be the main event.
The dedicated dumpling concept makes it different from larger Chinese restaurants where dumplings are just one small part of an enormous menu.
It is a particularly good option for a relaxed dinner with friends, as you can order different fillings and share them across the table.
Its location also makes it convenient for anyone exploring Farringdon, Clerkenwell or Holborn.
What to order: Several dumpling varieties for the table.
Best for: Dedicated dumpling dinners.
7. Ugly Dumpling
Ugly Dumpling takes a more playful approach to the humble dumpling.
Rather than sticking rigidly to one traditional style, the restaurant has built its identity around a broad range of fillings and flavour combinations.
That makes it particularly interesting if you’ve already tried the classic pork, prawn and vegetable dumplings and want to experiment with something different.
There are London locations including Rathbone Place and Brixton, making it relatively easy to fit into a day out.
What to order: A selection of different flavours so everyone can try something new.
Best for: Creative fillings and casual meals.
8. Beijing Dumpling
Beijing Dumpling on Lisle Street is another central London option for dumpling fans.
The restaurant specialises in Chinese comfort food, with dumplings sitting alongside noodles and other dishes.
Its Chinatown location makes it particularly convenient before a West End show or while exploring Leicester Square and Soho.
This is more of a straightforward, casual dining experience than a luxury dim sum restaurant, which is exactly what many dumpling cravings call for.
What to order: Dumplings alongside noodles or another sharing dish.
Best for: Casual Chinatown dining.
9. YEYE Noodle & Dumpling Soho
If you’re spending the day around Soho, YEYE’s Wardour Street location provides an easy way to get your dumpling fix.
The restaurant specialises in noodles and dumplings, so you can combine both into one filling meal.
It’s particularly useful for lunch or a pre-theatre dinner when you don’t want a long, formal dining experience.
Order a few dumplings alongside noodles and you’ve got a simple but satisfying London meal.
What to order: Dumplings with a bowl of noodles.
Best for: Quick lunches and pre-theatre dining.
10. Xi Home Dumplings Bay
Xi Home Dumplings Bay also has a central London location on Chandos Place, making it a convenient option if you’re around Charing Cross, Covent Garden or Trafalgar Square.
The dedicated dumpling menu means you can try several different varieties without needing to travel out to East London.
It’s particularly handy before a West End show or after sightseeing around central London.
What to order: A mixed selection of dumplings to share.
Best for: Central London sightseeing days and pre-theatre meals.
11. Happy Dim Sum
For something a little more off the beaten path, Happy Dim Sum is worth seeking out.
This small operation at Junction Market focuses on handmade dim sum, including classics such as har gow and siu mai.
Its smaller scale is part of its charm. Rather than feeling like a large restaurant operation, it has a more intimate, market-style atmosphere.
If you’re exploring North London and want to discover something beyond the usual Chinatown choices, this is a particularly interesting stop.
What to order: Har gow and siu mai.
Best for: Hidden gems and handmade dim sum.
12. OshPaz
Dumplings aren’t limited to Chinese cuisine, and OshPaz is a great example.
The Uzbek restaurant in Covent Garden serves manti — larger steamed dumplings traditionally filled with meat or other ingredients.
Manti have a very different texture and flavour profile from xiao long bao or har gow, making them a worthwhile addition to your London dumpling tour.
The chicken and pumpkin versions are particularly interesting if you want to try something outside the usual Chinese dumpling styles.
What to order: Chicken manti or pumpkin manti.
Best for: Trying Central Asian dumplings.
Best Dumplings in London by Type
| If you want… | Try… |
|---|---|
| Xiao long bao | Din Tai Fung |
| Handmade dumplings | YEYE’S |
| Chinatown dumplings | Dumplings’ Legend |
| Luxury dim sum | Yauatcha Soho |
| Creative flavours | Ugly Dumpling |
| Casual dumplings | Beijing Dumpling |
| Har gow | Happy Dim Sum |
| Central Asian dumplings | OshPaz |
| East London dumplings | Xi Home Dumplings Bay |
| Dedicated dumpling dining | Lily’s Dumpling |
Tips for Eating Dumplings in London
Order for the table. Dumplings are much more fun when you can try several fillings and cooking styles.
Try different textures. Don’t stick to steamed dumplings. Pan-fried versions can offer a wonderfully crispy base, while soup dumplings provide an entirely different experience.
Be careful with soup dumplings. Xiao long bao contain extremely hot broth. Let them cool slightly and handle them carefully.
Check menus before travelling. Dumpling fillings and availability can change, particularly at smaller restaurants and market stalls.
Final Thoughts
London’s dumpling scene is far more diverse than you might expect.
For classic Chinese dumplings, Din Tai Fung, Dumplings’ Legend, Yauatcha and YEYE’S are excellent starting points. If you want to explore further, Ugly Dumpling, Xi Home Dumplings Bay and Lily’s Dumpling offer plenty of variety.
And for something completely different, OshPaz’s Uzbek manti prove that London’s dumpling scene stretches well beyond Chinatown.
Whether you’re chasing soup dumplings, crispy potstickers, delicate har gow or generous handmade manti, there is plenty to discover.
Bring an appetite, order several plates and make a day of it.
