Tao Tao Ju

Tao Tao Ju is a Lisle Street favourite for dumplings done with finesse, a Cantonese and Sichuanese kitchen that has quietly built a reputation for its steamer baskets. On a calmer stretch of Chinatown, it draws people who know exactly what they have come for: delicate, well-made dim sum at fair prices.

For carefully made Cantonese dumplings in Soho, the standouts are the crystal prawn dumplings and the steamed rice roll with prawn, alongside a broad menu that runs from Cantonese classics into spicier Sichuan territory. It is an unshowy, food-first sort of place, the kind locals return to rather than a tourist stop.

What to expect from this Cantonese dumpling restaurant in Soho

Expect the dumplings to lead: crystal prawn (har gau), steamed rice rolls, and a spread of dim sum, backed by Cantonese roast meats and stir-fries and a handful of Sichuan dishes for those wanting heat. Portions are honest and prices reasonable, which keeps the room busy and the turnover brisk.

The kitchen and the setting

Tao Tao Ju keeps to a focused, dumpling-led offering on one of Chinatown's quieter streets. It sits among Lisle Street's Cantonese kitchens, near Imperial China, with more of the area's tables in our Soho restaurants listings.

How a visit works

Tao Tao Ju serves lunch and dinner on Lisle Street, taking walk-ins and bookings; call ahead on 020 7734 8822 for groups. It is listed on the official Chinatown directory, and features in the Time Out Chinatown guide.