Yauatcha

Yauatcha has been holding court on Broadwick Street since 2004, and two decades on it remains one of Soho's most reliable dim sum destinations. The casual sister to Hakkasan, it serves all-day dim sum in a space that splits into two distinct moods: a bright, convivial ground floor that channels the energy of a Hong Kong chatter shop, and a moody basement with deep booths, low lighting, candlelit tables, and an illuminated fish tank that still feels cool after all these years. The dim sum is consistently excellent — beautifully made, delicately flavoured, and the menu has enough range to keep things interesting whether you're a regular or a first-timer.

Where Yauatcha really surprises people is the drinks. The cocktail program is genuinely strong, not just an afterthought — reviewers consistently highlight the cocktails as a standout. The tasting menu gets praise too, with dishes like wagyu and venison (chevreuil) earning mentions. And don't skip the desserts: the petit gâteaux are almost as famous as the dim sum, displayed like jewels in the entrance and worth the visit on their own.

Is it the cheapest dim sum in London? No, not even close. But you're paying for the whole package — the setting, the service, the consistency. It's the kind of place you can take a date, a client, or a group of friends and know exactly what you're going to get. Book ahead for dinner, especially weekends, and ask for the basement if you want atmosphere.