Order Food at the Best Chinese Restaurants in Waterloo!
Whenever I’m looking for food that feels comforting, with intense flavors and all reasonably priced, I always look towards Chinese food. After exploring London for quite some time now, I found that Waterloo has some of the best restaurants tucked away.
For good food and great experiences, read on to discover our list Chinese restaurants near waterloo that are sure to satisfy your cravings!
What makes Waterloo a Good Area for Chinese Restaurants
- Variety of Authentic Chinese Cuisines – Waterloo has a diverse range of authentic regional Chinese cuisines including Cantonese, Szechuan, Hunan, Shanghai, and Taiwanese. Restaurants like The Dumpling House, Golden Wok, and China Bowl offer delicious dishes from across China.
- Caters to Diverse Tastes – Chinese restaurants in the area range from casual takeout joints to upscale dining venues
- Access to Fresh Ingredients – Being located in a major city like London allows the Chinese restaurants in Waterloo to source high quality ingredients like seafood, meat, and produce.
- Proximity to Chinatown – Waterloo is right next to London’s Chinatown, which is a hub of Chinese culture and cuisine. Chinatown provides a steady stream of Chinese residents and visitors who are looking for authentic food.
Our Picks of the Best Chinese Food in Waterloo
Hutong at The Shard
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Hutong is an upscale Chinese restaurant located on the 33rd floor of The Shard in London. It serves dim sum and northern Chinese cuisine while offering impressive views of the city. The elegant interior features silk curtains, lanterns, and carved wooden moon gates.
The restaurant serves finely executed Northern Chinese cuisine, with bold and complex flavors in dishes like Peking duck, mapo tofu, and noodle soups. The elegant interior provides a sophisticated ambiance with Chinese decor elements like silk curtains, carved wooden screens, and red lanterns.
📍33 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY, United Kingdom
Great For: Couples, Groups of Friends
Imperial Treasure
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I recently had the pleasure of dining at Imperial Treasure, a luxurious Chinese restaurant located in Waterloo, London. From the moment I entered the elegant interior filled with Chinese artifacts and furnishings, I could tell this was going to be a special dining experience. To start, I ordered the roasted Peking duck, which is one of Imperial Treasure’s signature dishes.
The duck arrived with perfect crispy skin wrapped around tender, flavorful meat. It was expertly sliced and served with thin pancakes, hoisin sauce, and julienned scallions and cucumbers. Each bite was absolute perfection.
Great For: Couples, Groups of Friends
📍9 Waterloo Pl, St. James’s, London SW1Y 4BE, United Kingdom
Sticky Mango Waterloo
Stepping into Sticky Mango, I was immediately impressed by the contemporary, yet authentic décor. Chinese lanterns hung from the ceiling over warm wood furnishings. Despite the trendy ambiance, you could tell this was a restaurant serious about quality Chinese cuisine.
For my main course, I selected the kung pao chicken. The wok-seared chicken was tender and coated in a mouthwatering sauce with peanuts, sichuan peppercorns, and red chilies. The portion size was generous and included plenty of fresh vegetables like snap peas and water chestnuts.
Great For: Couples, Business Meetings
📍33 Coin St, London SE1 9NR, United Kingdom
Culture Grub
Culture Grub has an extensive menu including dim sum, noodle dishes, chef’s specialties and more. The balance of flavors and textures in each dish was fantastic.
With its warm, contemporary ambiance, excellent service and incredible Chinese food, Culture Grub has become one of my favorite restaurants in London. I highly recommend it for superbly executed dishes in a stylish setting. It’s a great spot for a casual meal or special occasion dinner.
Great For: Couples, Catching up with Friends, Groups of Friends
📍84 The Cut, London SE1 8LW, United Kingdom
Silk’s Fusion
Northern Chinese Cuisine Waterloo London is a fantastic takeaway Chinese restaurant that I would highly recommend visiting. The food is absolutely delicious. They offer a wide variety of Souteast-Asia and Chinese-inspired food that are sure to satisfy everyone.
Overall, if you’re looking for quick and tasty Chinese cuisine in London, I can’t recommend Silk’s fusion enough. The food is excellent and reasonably priced for the quality. It’s one of my favorite Chinese restaurants in London, simply because it’s no fuss, quick and easy take-out food!
Great For: Groups of Friends
📍189 Waterloo Rd, London SE1 8UX, United Kingdom
Wing Loon Cafe
The decor is modest with just a few tables crammed into the small space. But the food more than makes up for the lack of ambiance. My companion and I started with the chicken and sweetcorn soup which was piping hot and full of flavor. The chicken was tender and the broth was nicely seasoned with a little kick from white pepper.
The egg fried rice was simple but perfectly executed. Each grain was coated in egg and the rice had a lovely smoky wok flavor. The portions are generous, the dishes are full of flavor, and you can tell everything is made fresh to order. It’s a great spot to stop in for a quick lunch or dinner if you’re in the Waterloo area. I’ll definitely be back again soon to sample more of their menu.
Great For: Solo, Catching up with Friends,
📍130 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AE, United Kingdom
Spring Orchid
This small little gem is operated by the owner herself! Which is quite frankly super amazing knowing how complicated Chinese food is but somehow she is still able to pack quality dishes time and time again.
The spices and food being cooked up basically fill up the space, making you that much excited for when you’re order arrives. They’re also open late and on weekends which I greatly appreciate and the passion and dedication this woman has for cooking make you feel right at home!
Great For: Groups of Friends
📍Duke of Sussex, 31 Baylis Rd, London SE1 7AY, United Kingdom
Not Really in Waterloo But Worth a Mention
Ping Pong Dim Sum
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My friend and I started with a round of dim sum to share. The har gow shrimp dumplings were delicately wrapped with a lovely bounce to the fresh shrimp filling. The sui mai pork dumplings were juicy and flavorful. And the bbq pork buns were pillowy soft and filled with sweet roasted pork. Each dim sum piece was expertly made with quality ingredients.
In addition to the stellar food, the service really impressed me. Our server was exceptionally attentive, efficient, and happy to explain the menu. The balance of flavors and textures across each dish demonstrated culinary mastery.
Great For: Groups of Friends, Catching up with Friends,
📍Festival Terrace, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX, United Kingdom
Crystal China
For mains, I selected the Szechuan crispy beef, which had excellent wok flavor from the spicy sauce coating the crispy fried beef. My partner ordered the seafood noodle soup, which came piping hot with an array of fresh seafood and Chinese broccoli in a light ginger broth.
With its classic ambiance, fantastic service and exceptional Chinese fare, Crystal China is my new go-to for excellent Cantonese cuisine in London. I highly recommend it for the full experience of aromatic, flavorsome Chinese dishes in a refined yet casual setting. It’s a wonderful spot for gatherings with family and friends over first-rate Chinese food.
Great For: Groups of Friends, Catching up with Friends,
📍78-80 Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 4TP, United Kingdom
Dragon Castle
What truly sets Dragon Castle’s apart is its commitment to authentic Chinese cuisine, expertly prepared and presented in a welcoming and comfortable setting. The restaurant offers a diverse menu that caters to a variety of tastes, making it an ideal choice for both casual meals and special occasions.
The portions were generous, and the quality of the ingredients was evident in every dish. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Dragon Castle and will definitely be returning for more delicious Chinese food in the future.
Great For: Groups of Friends
📍100 Walworth Rd, London SE17 1JL, United Kingdom
Looking for More Guides?
If you’re looking for more guides on where to place your reservations, check out some of our other guides! We’ve got guides on a bunch of restaurants all throughout London from cafes, bars, pubs, and amazing things to do so head on over!
FAQ
What are some popular Chinese dishes and takeout options?
Popular Chinese dishes you can find in Waterloo include dim sum, fried rice, noodles, sweet and sour chicken, kung pao chicken, beef and broccoli, dumplings, Peking duck, and chow mein. Many restaurants offer takeout and delivery for classic Chinese takeout favorites. Quick bites like egg rolls, wontons, and pork buns are also available for easy takeout meals.
What is the ambience and service like at Chinese restaurants in the area?
The ambience at Chinese restaurants in Waterloo can range from upscale venues with elegant decor to casual, family-style eateries. Many provide a relaxing and welcoming dining atmosphere. The service also varies but most restaurants have friendly, attentive staff aiming to provide a great dining experience. Top rated restaurants like Hutong and Imperial Treasure offer excellent service with knowledgeable servers.
Are there Chinese restaurants suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, many Chinese restaurants offer vegetarian-friendly options and dishes made without meat. Some vegetarian items include vegetable dumplings, eggplant claypot, Buddha’s Delight, ma po tofu, and fried rice or noodles made with tofu instead of meat. Many are known for their tasty Indo-Chinese vegetarian dishes as well. Be sure to mention any dietary needs when ordering.
