Imperial China

Imperial China in Soho's Chinatown

Imperial China is a large Cantonese restaurant set just off Lisle Street in Chinatown, in Soho. It serves traditional dim sum by day and à la carte Cantonese dishes through the rest of the day, making it a practical choice for both a quick lunch and a longer evening meal. Visitors go for the breadth of the menu, the scale of the dining rooms and the setting, which is reached across a small wooden bridge over a koi pond at the entrance.

The restaurant occupies a quieter courtyard at White Bear Yard, set back from the main run of Lisle Street, so it offers more space than many of the smaller frontages nearby. The kitchen is run by a team of Hong Kong chefs, and the dim sum selection is extensive, with steamed, baked and fried options alongside cheung fun, vegetarian dishes and sweet items. Dim sum is served until late afternoon, after which the focus moves to main Cantonese plates.

Dining and Private Rooms on Lisle Street

Spread across three floors, Imperial China is one of the bigger venues in the area and is well suited to groups. It has a set of private dining rooms fitted with karaoke, which the restaurant uses for corporate gatherings, wedding celebrations and traditional Chinese banquets. Larger party menus are available on request, typically for tables of ten to twelve or more, which makes it a useful option for celebrations that need seating beyond a standard restaurant table.

The address on Lisle Street places it within a short walk of Leicester Square and Shaftesbury Avenue, so it works for theatre dinners and pre- or post-show meals as well as daytime visits. Walk-ins are common for dim sum, while bookings are advisable for evening service and for any private room or banquet arrangement.

Visiting Imperial China in Chinatown

For anyone exploring Chinatown, Imperial China is a reliable stop for a sit-down Cantonese meal rather than a counter snack. The full menu covers dim sum, seafood, roast meats, noodle and rice dishes and vegetable plates, so mixed groups and varied appetites are easily catered for. The restaurant is at White Bear Yard, 25a Lisle Street, London WC2H 7BA, and bookings can be made by phone on 020 7734 3388 or through the official website. As a long-standing fixture among Soho Chinese restaurants, it remains a steady choice for both casual and occasion dining in the area.