Chinatown London

London's Chinatown occupies a compact pedestrianised pocket of Soho around Gerrard Street, marked by ornate paifang gate arches, red lanterns strung overhead, and one of the highest concentrations of Chinese, Cantonese and pan-Asian restaurants in the city. It's small enough to explore in under an hour but dense enough to keep you eating for a full afternoon.

Where It Is

Chinatown centres on Gerrard Street, with Wardour Street to the west and Newport Place to the east, just north of Leicester Square and a few minutes' walk from Piccadilly Circus.

What to Eat

Cantonese roast meats (char siu, roast duck hanging in shop windows) are the signature dish — several restaurants specialise in nothing else. Dim sum is widely available at lunch, and the area has expanded to include Sichuan, Taiwanese bubble tea shops, Korean and Japanese options alongside the traditional Cantonese core.

Shops and Culture

Asian supermarkets along Gerrard Street and Newport Court stock ingredients hard to find elsewhere in central London. The area hosts Chinese New Year celebrations each year — usually the largest outside Asia — with a parade, lion dances and stalls filling the surrounding streets of Soho and Leicester Square.

Getting There

Leicester Square station (Northern and Piccadilly lines) is the closest stop, a two-minute walk. Piccadilly Circus station also works well.

Tips

• Come hungry — portions are generous and many restaurants specialise in one style of cooking done well.
• Evenings and weekends get busy; a weekday lunch is calmer if you want a table without a wait.
• Check the Chinese New Year dates each year if you want to catch the parade — it draws large crowds.
• Combine with Leicester Square and Soho for a full evening out in one compact area.