Shikumen

"There are lots of nice places to eat Chinese food in London. Between all of them, you could probably cover every occasion in London. Alternatively, you could just go straight to Shikumen. The classic cuisine at upmarket Chinese restaurant Shikumen is excellent. It’s the number one reason we’ll sit on the Central line for close to an hour to eat dumplings, and thinking about their Singapore noodles and the traditional Sichuan ‘mouthwatering’ chicken (tender boneless chicken in chilli oil) on our journey definitely keeps us in our mental happy place, even if a busker decides to play ‘Kiss From A Rose’ on his ukulele in between stops. The dim sum is exceptional and also extremely consistent. If you’re into roast duck, their whole duck is carved tableside and is very good as well. Despite Shikumen’s capacity for great group dinners, it’s also an excellent spot for a low-key dinner with a few friends or a date, and the low lighting and slick, upscale vibe definitely help to that end. Even though it looks like a sceney Chinese restaurant, it’s neither ridiculously expensive nor pretentious. We’re not saying you should use it to drop in for a cheap bowl of noodles, but considering how good the food is, it’s a price we’re more than happy paying every now and then - which is more than we can say for the average busker on the tube. Food Rundown photo credit: Rob Greig Five Star Xiao Long Bao These brilliant Shanghai-style soup dumplings are excellent, and a required order if you’re planning to eat here. photo credit: Rob Greig Chilean Seabass If you’re ordering this, then you’re probably on a date. The fish will melt in your mouth - it’s pretty darn tasty, and we wouldn’t blame you for not sharing. Singapore Noodles This doesn’t go at all with the other stuff on this rundown, but you’re here to party, not to be a pedant. Shikumen’s version of Singapore noodles is as refined and satisfying as you’d want it to be. photo credit: Rob Greig Roast Duck Gather up all of your friends for the whole duck extravaganza. Yes, even the ones that you kind of hate - it’s all worth it when you’re tucking into one of the best ducks in town." - David Paw

"Our version of ‘dinner and a show’ is the whole peking duck carved tableside at Shikumen. It’s an upmarket Cantonese restaurant inside the Dorsett hotel in Shepherd’s Bush, and you’re going to want to order anything and everything that comes with a hoisin sauce sidekick and the consistently great xiao long bao if you’re dropping by during the day. The upscale, low-lighting look makes it perfect for a date night or bring a group here to order the whole peking duck. " - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak, daisy meager

"Set within the Dorset Hotel, Shikumen might not appear to be anything out of the ordinary – that is, until it comes to the food. Care and skill go into preparing a mix of regional Chinese and slightly westernised dishes. The balance of textures and flavours is excellent, and the dim sum are superb." - Michelin Inspector

"To treat yourself If Westfield is a planet, then Shikumen is the nice moon that we all escape to when a riot in Primark’s sale section triggers the complete collapse of civilisation as we know it. This is arguably the nicest restaurant in Shepherd’s Bush and works for a quick dim sum lunch before heading back in to the belly of the beast, or a full-blown roast duck extravaganza once you’re finally done." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing

"If you like exceptional roast duck and dim sum, you’ll like Shikumen. One of London’s best Chinese restaurants, it’s upmarket and has that put-on-a-nice-jacket feel without you having to take out a loan just to cover a portion of xiao long bao. We’d recommend everything from the Singapore noodles to the chilli-factor-10 Sichuan chicken, but really you’re here for the ‘Legendary Roasted Duck’. The whole duck will set you back £68 but you’ll get two separate servings and it’s carved tableside, so really, you’re getting dinner and a show." - heidi lauth beasley