What kind are you looking for? There's a great one on Gerrard St or Lisle St (can't remember which but it's the one closest to Leicester Sq) where they make the dumplings in the window. It seems one of the most authentic.
Also, there's My Old Place in E1 or the City that is very authentic but can be very spicy.
Wong Kei in Wardour Street. It used to be known for the gruff staff (rudest restaurant in London was claimed) but that was the attraction in a way, abuse but stunning food (and cheap).
It's changed its approach now, apparently, but the food is still just as good I hear.
Four seasons is very good. Won kei has gone down hill, I remember when the original restaurant was down a little alley just down from where they are now, the service was always bad but comical but the food was superb, then they moved to Wardour st, the service was much the same as was the food, but the last time we went there we waited ages and ages (which you never had too) and to be honest the food was at best average! I wont be going back, not when there are so many good Chinese restaurants so close by.
About 7 years ago I worked on an air handling unit based at the back of an office above a restaurant, to access it I had to walk down an alley that ran between the back of all the restaurants, after what I saw it's safe to say I will never eat in Chinatown, things may have changed now and could probably be said about a lot of places but that was enough for me.
I am Chinese so can give you some advice. Are you after dim sum or a la carte? If you want one with pleasant surroundings than Imperial China is good: http://www.imperialchina-london.com
If you fancy decent dim sum then Joy King Lau: http://www.joykinglau.com (but get there early to avoid queuing which can get chaotic or try to reserve a table).
Outside Chinatown I would definitely recommend Phoenix Palace near Baker Street or Hunan in Pimlico (near-ish to Victoria station). They are very, very good.
I am Chinese so can give you some advice. Are you after dim sum or a la carte? If you want one with pleasant surroundings than Imperial China is good: http://www.imperialchina-london.com
If you fancy decent dim sum then Joy King Lau: http://www.joykinglau.com (but get there early to avoid queuing which can get chaotic or try to reserve a table).
Outside Chinatown I would definitely recommend Phoenix Palace near Baker Street or Hunan in Pimlico (near-ish to Victoria station). They are very, very good.
Hope the birthday goes well.
Booked Imperial China, will report back. Thanks for the heads up.
Comments
Also, there's My Old Place in E1 or the City that is very authentic but can be very spicy.
It's changed its approach now, apparently, but the food is still just as good I hear.
I like Hung's but I'm usually s**tfaced when I go there so don't listen to me.
Then I went in sober and had a meal - pretty bloody rank!
If you fancy decent dim sum then Joy King Lau: http://www.joykinglau.com (but get there early to avoid queuing which can get chaotic or try to reserve a table).
Outside Chinatown I would definitely recommend Phoenix Palace near Baker Street or Hunan in Pimlico (near-ish to Victoria station). They are very, very good.
Hope the birthday goes well.