Kensington, Chinese Restaurant Guide

“The other customers are as fun as the food is delicious” at this good-value Cantonese on Kensington High Street – a no-frills fixture since 1971, where “local croupiers and chauffeurs mix with regulars like Tom Parker Bowles”.

“The only challenger to A Wong as best Chinese in London” is, say many fans, this “lovely dining room” at the top of a deluxe hotel in Kensington with “fantastic views over the capital”. A “perfect venue for a slow lunch of dim sum – service is helpful and attentive but not hurried, with all the favourite dishes. The tea pot is always topped up and the view and peacefulness make it magical”. Alongside the dim sum, the “amazing roast duck is a must” – “as in any respectable Beijing restaurant, it comes in multiple servings: the first is the pancake with duck skin. The second, either lettuce wrap, duck and tofu soup, fried rice or fried noodles”. “Good craft cocktails” and “a really great-value wine list” also hit the spot. Top Menu Tip – “turnip with XO sauce is a surprising new delight”.

Fresh-made biang biang noodles and other Sichuan street-food favourites are the draw at these functional modern cafés in Earls Court and Fulham Broadway, with helpful staff to guide you through the spice levels available.