Royal China (Canary Wharf)

I'm surprised Royal China's average rating on this site is so low - I've been there many times and love it.

The best aspect his the venue itself - big open space inside, with views of the river and a nice bar/seating area for pre-dinner drinks, which is useful since you might need to wait for a table if you don't book. Best of all, dining outside by the riverside walkway is a fantastic experience in the summer - the best dining location I know of in London.

The food is OK - not outstanding, but a wide range, and the many dishes I've had there were all fine. Service is friendly. It's also a good place to take kids/babies.
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Austin - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, April 17, 2008

We’ve been there for dinner five times -- twice were superb, but the other three times were below average. Fortunately for dim sum, it always maintains its high quality.
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FineDiningExplorer - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Monday, March 31, 2008

Great place to go in the summer, just 5 minutes walk from station. The dim sum is generally good, the service is standard chinese(if you know what i mean).

Wait for a hot summers weekend and go for lunch.
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Will
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Monday, March 24, 2008

I took a friend there to tried the food as it was probably the most well-known Chinese restaurant in London. However, the services was very poor and the food was very fatting, with loads of fats and substitude of the some ingredients to cheaper version. Loads of MSG & salt so we were drinking loads of water afterwards. The pork ribs were full of fat... probably about 2/10 was actually meat - both of us will not go back ever again.
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Monday, March 10, 2008

Great food, not too expensive - just felt slightly rushed with over attentive service. sometimes (being asked if you wanted drinks three times in less than five minutes felt a step too far).

Lovely setting and good value for what it was - seemed very busy (probably why they wanted the table back). My advice would be to pace yourself as i said its not too expensive but its not supposed a fast food outlet!)
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Fiona
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Sunday, March 02, 2008

This has to be the WORST Chinese food i have ever eaten, laden with salt & MSG..

All the strarters were fried and greasy. The crispy duck was also salty and the plum sauce had so much salt none of us could eat it.

The main courses fared little better, basic, no flair, all the meat had been pre-cooked, it was just rubbish.

The most surprising thing, it was a Thursday night and the restaurant was full. How could it be full did any of the other customers have taste buds

We complained after the starters, duck and main courses, they gave us some fruit at the end of the meal as compensation.

£300 badly spent, do yourselves a favour save your money. Must have drank three gallons of water through the night, two of my four collegues were ill!!!!!!!

20th February 2008
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Simon
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Sunday, February 24, 2008

Royal China is one of my favourite Chinese restaurants in London. Whenever I crave for something from my home town, Hong Kong, I go to RC as they are the only ones that still produce authentic stuff and can be innovative at the same time. Part of the dim sum menu changes seasonally, as the main meals menu, and the staff are so attentive. I took my husband there on his 45th birthday with a reservation made only an hour in advance, and only casually mentioned it upon arrival; but to our utter surprise we were treated with a huge exotic fruit platter, an an extra pudding. My husband was so embarrassed when the light dimmed and "Happy Birthday" piped through their sound system. It was a wonderful evening. Apart from that, I notice that they refill my teapot very swiftly. As soon as I put the lid of the teapot in the "Cantonese way", they come within 30 seconds to fill the pot. Having said that, they seem to behave in a very typical Hong Kong way, i.e., extra nice to familiar customers, but can be abrupt to people who are not used to their way. And because they are often full, they can be quite impatient, too. One negaive experience, though. On one occasion I saw their poster promoting discount dim sum lunches on weekdays, but when I went in and asked, they said the poster was out-dated.
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Deborah Chan
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, February 06, 2008

I love Royal China. I've lived in China for most of my life and they certain serve the closest to 'real chinese' food in any restaurants around. None of this 'westernised' - i.e. spoilt - Chinese food :P I would definately recommend Royal China to anyone wanting really good Chinese food. The Dim Sum is also amazing. It is very good value too. Like ordering one chicken noodles will serve 2 people if you just eat that alone.. and thats less than 8 pounds! Well worth a visit!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Royal China (Canary Wharf) is one of my favourite restaurants in London — on a summer Sunday I love to go for dim sum under the trees and watch the river glide by. Plus, they do arguably the best cheung fun in the city. Bliss. Sometimes the staff can be a wee bit less than all over you but I don't take it personally because they are working flat out and constantly busy. Mostly I find them delightful.
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clare
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, September 17, 2007

Can't think of a nicer restaurant in London! Wonderful food, well presented by a friendly staff. The setting is great & comfortable & in good weather the tables under the trees with a peacful view over the Thames, take a a lot of beating.
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A. Russell
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, September 16, 2007