Looking for delicious dim sum in Soho? We’ve got it covered.

In my humble opinion, Yauatcha Soho is still one of central London’s most reliable spots when you want dim sum with drama – the kind of place that feels special, but still casual and easy. Here’s what you need to know about London’s favourite Cantonese dim sum spot:

Yauatcha Soho Review: The Lowdown

Tucked away on Broadwick Street, Yauatcha feels more clubby teahouse than traditional restaurant: low lighting, neon glow, a hum of chatter and friendly staff that welcome you from the moment you walk in. Upstairs has that buzzy Soho energy, while the brick-lined basement with its glowing fish tank is moodier – date-night territory with candlelit tables and a distinctly Soho feel. Yauatcha has a luxury feel – from the service to the handcrafted patisseries – but you can also stop in after a day of shopping in Soho and feel totally at home.

Yauatcha Soho Review: The Food

The food. Oh boy, the food.

I’ve visited Yauatcha a number of times over the years and one thing I can honestly can about it, is that it’s one of the most consistently good restaurants in London. I’ve ordered and enjoyed the same dishes (can you come here and not order the Cheung Fun?!) and always found them to be fresh, expertly crafted, balanced and busting with flavour.

The headline here is the divine Cantonese dim sum. I love the steamed offering; bamboo baskets arrive billowing with fragrant steam, revealing plump, translucent parcels that are as pretty as they are satisfying. Prawn har gau and lobster dumplings are bouncy and sweet, scallop shui mai are generously filled, and the drunken chicken and prawn wontons with crunchy cashews deliver a deep, savoury hit that leaves you wanting more.

There’s a confidence to the textures: the wrappers are silky, never stodgy, and each dumpling has that perfect snap of freshness, whether it’s a juicy seafood filling or a delicate vegetarian number. Wagyu puffs remain non‑negotiable – glossy, golden and impossibly flaky, with rich, slightly sweet cumin-spiced meat inside that makes them dangerously easy to demolish in seconds. New recent favourite is the sesame prawn toast – I’ve never in my lifetime enjoyed a prawn toast SO filled with prawns, it’s totally addictive.

Crispy duck pancakes are pure comfort: the skin arrives bronzed and crackling, with tender meat underneath that shreds beautifully, ready to be tucked into warm pancakes with cucumber, spring onion and a generous lick of glossy hoisin.

Beyond the sharing plates, bigger dishes keep the standard high – we loved the stir-fried rib eye beef with black bean sauce and the garlic chilli steamed prawns are so packed with flavour. Dim sum purists can happily graze through baskets all evening, but it is worth planning for at least one main if you’re in a group and love family‑style dining.

Yauatcha Soho Review: Dessert

Dessert is where Yauatcha quietly shows off; the patisserie counter is lined with jewel-like cakes and macarons that look straight out of a high-end Parisian bakery. The vegan pear and chocolate dessert is a stand‑out: think silky, bittersweet chocolate ganache balanced with fragrant pear puree and the most silky, sweet pear sorbet. I’ll be dreaming of this dessert for years to come.

Yauatcha Soho Review: The Cocktails

The bar offers a line‑up of creative cocktails, a serious tea list and plenty of sake. A Schezuan-inspired cocktail brings a gentle tingle and spice to the party – bright, punchy and slightly numbing in that addictive way, it cuts cleanly through richer dishes like duck and beef puffs.

For something moodier, their take on an old fashioned is sublime: spirit‑forward, subtly sweet, with just enough spice to feel modern without losing that smoky, slow‑sipping soul. With its smoky drama, it’s the perfect nightcap after dessert.

Yauatcha Soho Review: Our Verdict

Yauatcha Soho isn’t the cheapest dim sum in town, but you’re paying for perfectly executed cooking, a bit of theatre and that unmistakable sense of occasion. For birthdays, date nights and “need-to-impress” dinners, it still earns its status as a Soho staple – especially if your perfect evening involves clouds of steamed dim sum, crispy duck pancakes, a show-stopping dessert and cocktails that keep pace with the food.

Book your table today: https://hakkasangroup.com/venues/yauatcha-soho-london/