For more pics: http://roastedmontreal.blogspot.com/2010/09/yauatcha-dim-sum-heaven.html Yauatcha was stunning. I was fortunate enough to be part of a corporate night out which included dinner at this restaurant. We entered the restaurant for our 7:00 reservation and had a short wait in the front shop area which is exquisitely designed and sells a selection of macaroons and chocolates in house. They are extremely tempting and a few in our party bought a selection to take home. We were lead downstairs to the restaurant which is a square brick room with a partially hidden kitchen, sparkly lights on the ceiling (sounds tacky it isn't) and cut outs in the brick with faux candles. I can imagine what the room must have looked like at one time, and am very impressed with what they've done. The service was absolutely stunning, and I can hand on heart say it was probably the best service I have ever had especially considering we were a group. At one point the manager came to me (I was the organizer) and asked me how my food was. He then very specifically asked how the service was and to please tell him if there was anything. It was extremely sincere and very surprising. A colleague later told me that the reviews about their service on the website were very poor so this appears to be something they are working hard on and have completely turned around. This is impressive, and if you were ever put off from a visit because of this I recommend you visit. For the food I just asked them to bring us a selection to the table. It was brought in even intervals without any long waits, and the empty dishes were quickly whisked away. If we needed another glass or bottle of wine it was almost immediate. I couldn't believe it. We were all very impressed. The food was also very good. Highlights for me were the Beancurd Cheung Fun which I believe was beancurd and pork in a long roll, the scallop shumai with the most exquisitely cooked scallops, and the Ribeye Beef in Black Bean sauce. I didn't try it but was told that the Orchid Pao Chung (Orchid Tea) was amazing. They chose a wide range of dishes for us, and served a perfect amount of food. We didn't drink a lot (3 bottles of wine for 9 people) but it turned out to around £46 per person including tip which is fabulous. I can't wait to go back, and hope it can live up to my previous experience! http://www.roastedmontreal.blogspot.com read more

This one Michelin starred restaurant assured me that one star can be bought. Food is ok but definitely not Michelin star calibre. Ambiance is cool and chic. Service is horrible. I had been here twice, once for lunch and another for dinner. For lunch, I ordered some tea and they ran out of the tea leaves then decided to serve hot water without any explanation AND charge me the price of tea. When I complained, the manager came over and told me I will get a small dish for free. Never a proper explanation nor APOLOGY. For dinner, six of my friends and I booked for dinner on Saturday, ordered over £1,000 worth of food and drinks, and this manager lady approached me and told we must leave before our two hour time allowance ends. Never informed of such a ridiculous policy when I made the booking and this is unheard of in Michelin star restaurant to chase out diners. Venison puff is what's recommended, it was ok bit salty for my taste. Har gau was good Any spicy Sichuan dish is not recommended as this isn't the right place to have it. Just go for dim sums, if you must visit this restaurant. Quite obviously, I will never go back to this place. read more

If the food was as good as the staff is inattentive and pretentious, then the food would be extraordinary. Alas, the food tastes very, very average. Combined with high prices, it is not a place I would recommend. I will NOT go back. read more

Really enjoyed our recent visit for pre-theater dining. Very exotic decor, but oddly soothing. Waitstaff was not overly friendly, but informative and very efficient. One of our party had a shellfish allergy and they were really on guard after hearing this news. "Shrimp! Don't eat that! Eat this!" "This has only sweet potato -- you can eat this!", accompanied by lots of vehement hand gestures. Only quibbel -- we asked for 4 macaroons and they didn't offer us any choices. We assumed (incorrectly) that choice was not an option. We got 3 weird ones: violet, popcorn and bubblegum (I would not have chosen any of these, voluntarily) and one normal one: tiramisu (yum!) So, definitely specify. read more

The food was delicious but the tight small tables and poor service were a big turn off. I won't be going back - far too many great restaurants in London. read more

Food was good. Service was not what you would expect from an upscale restaurant and for the prices that they charge. As for Chinese food, there are many choices with better values just a few blocks down in Chinatown. Don't think I will go back or would recommend to my friends. read more

Chinese food made so beautiful. good dim sum. We made a reservation on the same day. The service is good. the environment is very comfortable. Not stiff at all. Good for family read more

This is the place to go if you love dessert. They have a wide variety of dessert to choose from and they are all very delicious. I am only giving this place a 3 star because of its poor service. I went there with another 2 friends on Saturday night for drinks, and some dessert but was refused entry. The waitress told us, unless we are having meals as well, they cannot give us a table. I am disappointed as the restaurant seem to focus on 'main meal' customers and not dessert lovers. Shame. read more

We went to Yauatcha with another 6 friends last night. It was a wonderful experience. Food quality is unquestionable high in quality, and the bill comes to about £30 per person (with careful ordering). One thing worth mentioning is their selection of dessert. The dessert menu changes every day and you will find each time you find some of the best dessert. read more

Yauatcha is well known for it's dim sum. In this review, I would like to share my 'Afternoon Tea @ Yauatcha'. Went there with a friend on her birthday and we decided to give Yau's Afternoon Tea a try. It's interesting to see the afternoon tea set comes with a char siew bun! Of course the tea selection are mainly chinese tea with some english teas variety. Recommended for a refreshing afternoon tea. read more

I had the soft-shelled crab and a couple of other dishes. All uniformly over-spiced, as if someone had decided to sprinkle chilli flakes over everything just for fun. And the crab came on a bed of toasted nuts. Why? The service was efficient and friendly, the tea was lovely, but in the end it was the food that was memorable for all the wrong reasons. read more

I went there with 5 friends to celebrate Bday. We had a lot of different starters, mains and deserts. Food was amazing service too. Place is quite expensive. Dinner for 6 without wine £600. I will definitely recommend this restraunt and will get beck there one day ;-))) read more

Yauatcha is a unique place for devouring Chinese food as if there's no tomorrow :)) such a chic decor, gets you in the right state of mind from the moment you enter the restaurant, the food exceeded my expectations, and I was left feeling happy, full and delighted with the flavours and mouth watering dishes a must for all Chinese lovers! read more

Simply excellent. Extremely knowledgable and professional wait staff, incredible food and great atmosphere and decor.

Feb-10, Chinese New Year - 2013: a cold and clammy day in London - one couldn't imagine a worse day to be outdoors. Yet we were out, celebrating (...or trying to) with thousands of others, in horrendously inclement weather - at Trafalgar Square, in and around Leicester Sq, and China Town with the dancing Chinese lions, and finally in Soho... to eat at Yauatcha - the Chinese restaurant with a Michelin Star rating. It was frustrating disappointment at first, to find the place packed and not a single table available. Especially with two little toddlers in tow! The wait was long, but they accommodated us away from the rain, sleet, and outside cold.... in the limited bar area; a big relief in itself that set the positive tone for the evening at this restaurant. Right away they relieved us of our heavy coats and rain covers, and let us order drinks, which never tasted better - Martinis ginger & chillie for men; litchie & coconut based Haka for the ladies.. Overall ambience and décor quite good, but nothing really to write home about despite the elaborate and luxurious Bar settings on both floors - lending the place an up market elite look. Apparently satisfied with the interiors that got it Michelin's One Star rating, they've felt shy perhaps of changing any of it for the last almost a decade! I have read some reviews on this place critical about the service - but I must say the level of service we got was superb, and we were lucky to have an excellent waiter. And true to its fame, the food was out of this world. Every item was delicious - the venison baked puffs, the wagyu beef puffs, har gao (prawn dumplings), chicken sui mai (dumplings), soft shell crab with toasted chilli almonds, hand pulled noodles, char sui pao (steamed pork buns), fried bean curd cheung fun, the sticky rice, and many more... If at all I were to nit-pick for something negative, there were just two my critical palate did have reservations over - the Halloween-type magic-pumpkin dimsum with duck filling, and the rubbery chewey lamb dish. The place is very expensive. Even so, the class and standard of the restaurant, plus the level of service we got, and the taste in their dim-sums and dishes, I believe made it worth the wait (...indoors and warm); and to some extent the price. Last but not the least, even as we got up from our seats after the bill was paid, members of the staff were ready with our scarfs & jackets, overcoats and wintergear, helping each of us don them just at our table! Maxwell Pereira/ New Delhi/ India read more

Good food! Good service! Nice atmosphere... Dimsums and the desserts are really good ... Enjoy ! read more

Yauatcha - My desert - Dim Sum Near Me - London, XGL

See all

The shiiiit service ever! The food is not warm and fresh. Either too light or too salty! They don't provide take away and warm up food at all. I will never recommend any friend go there! read more

Great food, loved the fried rice. Kinda reminds me of Ping Pong Dim Sum. Overall, ggood experience and nice decor.

Just had the pleasure of trying this place out when I was visiting family in London and fell in love with the delicious food and their wonderful service! The employees were very friendly and helpful to us newcomers and the wine was fantastic as well! Can't wait to head back to London to eat here again read more

In love with this place - the food is delicious (even the veggie dumplings), the drinks are inventive, and the atmosphere is lovely. Would eat here all the time if I could afford it. Wasn't the biggest fan of the desserts, although I didn't try the macaroons. read more

The food at Yauatcha was absolutely phenomenal; It was the best dim sum I've ever had. The selection was great and there were plenty of options. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was because the staff was rude and condescending (the woman at the host stand, in particular). Loved the chic decor. Despite the rude staff, I will definitely return on future visits to London. read more

Yauatcha - Lobster roll - Dim Sum Near Me - London, XGL

See all

A complete waste of time. After a confirmation call from the restaurant the night before,asking our table preference, special occasion etc., the hostess managed to not only treat us with utter disrespect but would not seat us until we PROVED we had a reservation here. All this on my birthday! We did manage to find an email, but needless to say we were in no mood to eat here after all the unnecessary drama and went elsewhere. There are so many evening dim sum joints in Soho alone, so skip this pricy snooty place. read more

My girlfriend and I had visited Hakkasan two nights previously for her birthday dinner, and I could not be more grateful that we had not chosen Yauatcha for that particular occasion. We arrived at around 6pm for the 9-course tasting menu, which we had eaten a few months previously at Yauatcha City, it's junior restaurant in East London. Shockingly, Yauatcha Soho doesn't even rank on the same scale as its budget alternative, let alone its more upscale competitor, Hakkasan. Here's what was wrong: 1. Yauatcha has no atmosphere. Admittedly, we weren't in the basement, but your dining experience should never depend on which floor of the place you're lucky/unlucky enough to be sat in. The restaurant was loud (helped in no way by the waiter's mumbling), dark, and claustrophobic (my girlfriend was sat so close to the anniversary celebrating couple next to us she could read the woman's texts - she was cheating). 2. Yauatcha has abominable service. Seconds after being sat down, we were approached by our waiter, who would later become the scourge of our evening. He did not present us with a menu, rather asking us if we were here for the tasting menu. We said yes, and then had to specify that we wanted the vegetarian version (he didn't seem aware of its existence). He then gave us a choice between two cocktails, rum-based, and lime and passionfruit. No explanation as to what these two cocktails consisted of - we were expected to make a blind, immediate choice. I ended up wishing I had ordered the other one. We finished our cocktails about halfway into our meal, and our glasses were still there when we left. Nor were we asked if we wanted another cocktail from the a la carte? Literally any drink at all? We weren't asked, and Yauatcha missed out on our money by not asking us. After a meagre hors-d'oeuvres of thin cucumber slices with far too much sauce, we were presented with about two-thirds of the tasting menu at once. There was no explanation of what to eat first, and we weren't even sure of what we were eating as we had no menu, and the staff mumbled far too quietly for us to hear. After finishing this plethora of food, we then had to wait about 30 minutes for any idea of what was happening next. Beginning to get hungry, our waiter then arrived to ask us if we had finished. We explained that we'd had six of our nine courses, but he didn't seem to grasp this simple concept, repeatedly asking if we were finished. The couple next to us had received every course seamlessly, and had had a main-couse-style dish with rice. We had no such thing. Our waiter then brought us the exact same dumplings we had received in our previous course. I'd be angry if someone in a Nandos had messed up my order. This is Yauatcha, for God's sake. Rule number one of being a waiter is to remember what's going on with the customers food. If you can't remember the stage of the set menu they're at, WRITE IT DOWN. Unacceptable from any restaurant. 3. Yauatcha's food is hit-and-miss. Genuinely. We really enjoyed half our dishes, and found the other half bland and unappealing. Of course, no food is truly enjoyable if you have to eat it in the kind of environment that Yauatcha provides. Cognizant of how amazing Chinese cuisine is, particularly when it comes to vegetables and seafood, we were extremely disappointed to discover that most of our meal consisted of dim-sum, which varied considerably with regards to temperature. We were only told that one of our sauces contained seafood towards the end of our meal, which would have been truly appalling if my girlfriend didn't eat fish. Regardless, why is seafood in a veggie tasting menu? Not only do the staff at Yauatcha not seem to know how to serve a vegetarian tasting menu, they seem clueless as to its contents, or even how to make it look appealing and varied. 4. Yauatcha can't handle complaints. Not only did our waiter seem indifferent when we were visibly upset with our meal, Yauatcha's manager didn't seem to care either. He explained to us that they don't print their menus and that's why it's hard to keep track of orders. Don't offer a tasting menu if you don't know how to serve it to customers, and especially if you can't even find room in the budget to print menus. We mentioned our experience with Hakkasan and he appeared offended that we could have even brought them up. I'm sorry, Hakkasan is your competitor and they provide a level of dining that you should be aspiring to. We did receive a begrudged apology from the manager and two biscuits to take home, which were revolting. I don't know what was in them, and I don't want to know. We didn't receive money off our bill, as is normally the case when a restaurant receives a complaint. This was especially aggravating as we remain convinced we didn't receive all nine courses. All-in-all, I would rather eat myself than go to Yauatcha again. read more

The best dim sum in London. Once you've been here, you won't go anywhere else.

Just got back from lunch at Yauatcha. Delicious! Liked the decor, too, although maybe a bit dark in the basement for lunchtime, would love to come back one evening. We ordered lots of different dishes and shared them, but they all tasted amazing. Particularly the duck roll! I got taken here on a business lunch so didn't have to pay, otherwise the visit might have left a bigger dent in my purse than I would have preferred. But as I said, it was delicious, so maybe worth it! read more

Food to eat

Exceptional place! The food is amazing and it would be a shame if I didn't mention the guys' effort. The management have obviously done an excellent job everyone in there knows they're doing and do it with passion and a smile. read more

Loved loved dining here in London. But I must say that I preferred the appetizers than the main course. We had prawn and beancurd cheung fun which was incredible, I could have had like 50 of them. Also the beef wrapped with pastry was also delicious. But the main course was not wow enough for me with the thai style chicken and I forgot what the other main dish I ordered. Overall it was a great experience with good service and atmosphere. read more

Beautiful place with delicious food. Dim Sum heaven.

Not bad did this Tuesday cake ok but bit expensive. Tasty though just added 1 more star read more

I tried their pineapple desserts and it was exactly what I expected. It wasn't too sweet and it was just the way I like it

Worthy of its Michelin star as far as I'm concerned. Almost every dim sum dish we ordered was excellent (except for the Szechuan wontons, which were surprisingly lacking flavor). We came for dinner on a Friday without a reservation, but came early and luckily got a seat immediately. Also thankfully, unlike other reviewers, our server was super attentive. read more

We were unable to get a table sooner than 9:30pm with toptable yesterday. we got there promptly at 9:15 and were ushered to our tables. after waiting for 10 mins for someone to take our drink orders, we requested the waiter serving the adjacent table to help us and ordered a few beers. in the next 5 mins around 9:30 we ordered a food at one go. when we were eating our excellent dimsums, the waiter asked us if there was anything else we wanted to order as the kitchen was closing (at 9:45???) I informed him that we would like desserts which he said was fine. we then got our main course. by the time we finished our main course 10pm, the waiter who had been serving us was no where to be seen, it seemed his shift was up and he dissappeared! after waiting patiently for some one to serve us, I called the manager and asked for the dessert menu, which I got promptly, only when I asked to order the dessert (now 10:10) was I told "I will send some one for this". What I got next is a Russian gentleman who could just about express himself in english telling me out of the 2 pages of over a dozen varieties there are only 2 "remaining available desserts". why would you take a reservation at 9:30 if you run out of food by 10:15? Im paying 50 quid a head for street food at a fancy place, the least you can do is make it available?? the dimsums are great both veg/non-vegatarian, the food is average, the service is average the VEGETARIAN options are MINIMAL to say the least and the desserts ran out! read more

Used to be great, seems the food has slipped, some of the items we had were terrible combos of tastes. Personally wouldn't good back anytime soon. read more

By far the best Chinese dining experience I have ever had! The staff were incredibly accommodating, the atmosphere was chic and serene, and the cocktails we had whilst waiting for our table were delicious and expertly made! I came with six of my friends to celebrate the joint birthday of two of them and it was definitely a special night. We had to queue for a few minutes but that is bound to happen in a place of this caliber. Instead of each ordering a separate meal, we ordered a myriad of different dishes and all shared everything. In my opinion that is the best way to eat Chinese food as it enables you to try a range of different things. The dim sum were delicious, and there was a wide variety of meat and vegetarian options available. The restaurant also let us bring in a cake and bottle of champagne, and brought both out for us when the time was right. 10/10 would recommend to anyone in the area! read more

Simply delicious. Upscale dim sum restaurant. As a tourist this place was loaded with locals. Fast service and large dessert selection. I wish they had one in Los Angeles. read more

we come here (from Washington DC) for my husband's birthdays, since it opened... food is wonderful .... but we were rushed out, and we did not idle, we were eating all that time and the waiter messed up the birthday surprise, he told my husband that the dessert is coming! when I've emailed them, and I told our waiter in person how I wanted to handle it ... all he said: "ooops" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UPDATE: I took my girlfriend for dinner to celebrate our arriving in London (Date: December 18th) worst experience ever. Waiter from Lithuania did not understand us, did not care to serve us. We were in a basement (I made a reservation for the main floor) it was literary empty, just few tables were busy, he was too busy to chit-chat with his fellow co-workers. One of my order was (always is) the crispy duck salad. The table next to us ordered the same their waiter mixed it well for them at their table. Not for us! I had to ask this female waitress to do it for us too, please. My cocktail came after 25 minutes sitting at empty table. No more, never ever I will go back to this place. read more

it offers very authentic chinese dim sum and beautifully decorated desserts. the environment is very elegent and suitable for dates. the service is great. highly recommended. read more

BE WARNED! THE WAIT STAFF WILL POCKET YOUR CHANGE!!!!! Normally I would have given them a much higher rating but the service CLEARLY was soo bad I have to give them this low rating. I had ordered the 2-person taste of Yua-Atcha- which was exceptional. HOWEVER the staff was quite rude about stating their policies(they "never" allowed take-away - not true) But the main sore point was the fact when the bill came, I paid in cash over the amount(did not have exact change) - now the gratuity of 12.5% had ALREADY been added to the bill's total amount. I waited and waited until finally asked where my change was - she looked confused and walked away. I then asked the manager for the receipt to check the amount I gave them, again he said NOTHING about returning my change. - NOTE TO ALL - BE VERY WARY - I think that they feel that they "deserved the extra tips....I definitely will NOT be returning to their establishment! read more

I did not have dinner at Yauatcha but visited the shop part of the restaurant where they sell their pastries. I hesitated a lot but finally decided on the milk chocolate and jasmine mousse with honey panna cotta one and it was delicious. The mousse was very light and the panna cotta soft, the chocolate cake moist and the addition of the popping candy was delightful though I wish there had been a bit more. Entremets often lose on texture and taste because of the gelatin they use to make them but this wasn't the case and I could have eaten another one of these right away! Service was perfect, the lady described all of the cakes and answered all my questions while I was trying to decide and even offered to let me sample a raspberry and chocolate macaron which was out of this world! You can go in there with your eyes closed and I will be looking forward to an occasion to eat at the restaurant, even just for the dessert. read more