Noodle and Beer is one of the most loved Chinese joints in Chinatown. Chinatown can be overstimulating at the best of times (how is anyone supposed to know where to eat when every corner has an incredible restaurant?). But for a quality, homely meal in an ambience that still feels refined and elegant, Noodle and Beer is the place to be.

The interiors are bright red velvet and super spacious — making it a fantastic escape from all the pushing and shoving that’s just part of the Chinatown experience. Maybe we took the name a bit too literally, but it honestly seemed like the smartest move. Their menu is huge, so we eased in with a pint of Kirin Ichiban (don’t bother with the half pint — trust us). It paired perfectly with the Sichuan fried chicken wings, which had just the right kick and the kind of meat that falls clean off the bone.

Then of course, it was noodle time. They’ve got dry noodle options, but with the rainy London weather, we couldn’t resist a soupy moment. We went for the waiter’s recommendation — the Xia Xia Mian. This had a flavour-packed broth loaded with king prawns, fish balls, tofu, bok choy, and veg. Every sip absolutely soothed the throat.

After all that salty goodness, we had to end on something sweet. The deep-fried sticky rice cake with brown sugar was something new for us — and honestly, something we’re now obsessed with.

Have to try: Beer of the month and sichuan fried chicken wings
Perfect for: Comforting Chinese food
Approx price for 2: £40–£50 for two (with drinks)

YiQi is a super casual, homely spot tucked away in Chinatown. It’s a pan-Asian joint — which we loved for the variety, though it definitely didn’t help our indecisive nature. Still, no complaints here; it felt like we got a mini food tour around Asia, all from one table.

They’ve got a cool list of Asian-inspired cocktails, and there was no chance we were saying no to that. The standout was easily the Tamarind Mojito. Fruity, refreshing, and somehow healing with that tangy tamarind spice. So in our minds, it’s basically healthy. It also paired perfectly with the prawn fritters served with sweet chilli sauce.

One thing we loved was how the menu says exactly which region each dish comes from. We tried to stay as global as possible and went for the Malaysian sweet and sour curry, paired with fluffy coconut rice — absolute flavour bomb. The Thai lemongrass chicken was sensational too, bursting with citrusy freshness. And for our dose of wellness, we got the Singaporean black garlic stir-fried pak choy. Sounds unassuming, but trust us — it’s an absolute must. The way that veg soaks up the garlicky flavour? Unreal.

Have to try: Black garlic stir fried pak choy
Perfect for: Range of cuisines
Approx price for 2: £40–£45 for two (with drinks)

We’re heading over to India now, with Bengal Village on Brick Lane. It’s a beloved, family-run restaurant that oozes warmth and genuine hospitality. Basically one of those spots where the atmosphere feels just as comforting as the food itself.

The mango lassi is a non-negotiable here. Yes, it’s super filling and basically dessert in a glass, but it’s so creamy and decadent that skipping it should be a crime. That fruity sweetness pairs perfectly with the poppadom assortment and spicy chutneys. There’s always room for lassi.

We’re creatures of habit, so naturally, starters had to include onion bhajis and chicken tikka. But we did step a little out of our comfort zone and tried the chicken momos — like an Indian-Chinese fusion. Spiced chicken wrapped in soft dumpling dough that bursts with flavour in every bite. Unreal.

They’ve got every curry imaginable here, so you can’t really go wrong. Obviously, a chicken tikka masala made its way onto the table (it’s a classic for a reason), but the unexpected standout was the saag aloo. The spinach was silky and beautifully seasoned, while the potatoes just melted in our mouth. Scooping it all up with a buttery garlic naan honestly sent us to heaven.

Have to try: Saag aloo
Perfect for: Family meal out
Approx price for 2: £45–£55 for two (with drinks)

Dishoom hardly needs an introduction—locals and tourists alike love it. It’s easy for popular restaurants to fall into the tourist-trap trap, but not here. The food stays authentic, with the classics alongside fun twists on favourites. Normally, knowing the local Indian is just a Deliveroo away keeps us at home, but here, the dishes are so exciting and full of flavour that they practically force people out of bed and into the restaurant.

We kicked things off with the okra fries. Insanely crispy and perfect with a chilled beer. The chilli cheese toast was another highlight. Yes, a toastie at a fine-dining Indian restaurant, but trust us: this is the most flavourful, decadent cheese-on-bread experience we’ve ever had. 

For mains, the Chicken Ruby is an absolute must. The chicken melts in the mouth, and the sauce is packed with rich, spicy, creamy flavour. Mopped it all up with garlic naan and a side of steamed basmati rice, and we were in heaven.

Have to try: Chicken Ruby
Perfect for: Family meal out
Approx price for 2: £50–£60

A place that serves up Chinese Indian fusion- does it really get better than that? A unique cuisine invented when people from Canton immigrated to India bringing their traditional Chinese cooking techniques, but using Indian spices. A relaxed atmosphere with both Hindu and Chinese text on the walls, so we were immersed into Indo-Chinese cuisine and it really does taste as good as it sounds. 

The momos are a classic must try. These are steamed dumplings filled with spiced meat, super soft and satisfying on the outside and full of flavour on the inside. The monkfish malabar curry is a coconut based curry that’s creamy and sweet with a hint of warm spices. The sticky sesame vegetables are incredibly moreish with the sweet and umami sauce coating each vegetable perfectly including carrots, cabbage and green beans. 

They also have a set menu for £40pp, which is the best for getting a taste of it all! 

Have to try: Sticky sesame vegetables
Perfect for : Trying Indo-Chinese cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere
Approx price for 2 people: £50-60

Roti King is a sleek, modern Malaysian restaurant with several branches across London. Honestly, it was the perfect way to dip our toes (or food) into authentic Malaysian street eats.

With a name like that, we had to start with one of their stuffed rotis. They offer a spinach and cheese or lamb filling, and as certified cheese fiends, it’s pretty obvious which one we went for. The filling was generous, creamy, and paired beautifully with the nutty flavour of the wholewheat roti. While it’s common to enjoy roti alongside curry, we decided to switch things up and explore their rice dishes too.

Enter the nasi lemak — a Malaysian staple and a total feast in itself. Steamed coconut rice topped with fried anchovies, sambal, egg, and crispy fried chicken, all sprinkled with peanuts for that perfect crunch and extra saltiness. For some saucy goodness, we added a side of prawns balado, served in a spicy sambal sauce. Pro tip: drizzle that sauce all over the rice — life-changing move.

Obviously, we weren’t done with the roti obsession just yet. Dessert featured it too (of course). We couldn’t pick one, so we got both: the banana roti and the roti filled with Malaysian coconut jam. As much as we love anything banana, that coconut jam stole the show. Coconut in dessert form just never misses.

Have to try: Sweet roti filled with malaysian coconut jam
Perfect for: Trying something new
Approx price for 2: £35–£40

Gunpowder is a refined yet homely spot, with exposed brick walls and minimalist interiors that set the mood just right. The dining style here is a little different from most Indian restaurants. It’s more of a pick-and-mix sharing concept than the typical starter–main setup. They recommend 2–3 small plates per person, and of course, we went for the higher end. Everything on the menu just sounded too good to pass up.

A must-order has to be the okra fries — beautifully crunchy, perfectly seasoned, and the ultimate drinking snack. Another winner was the tandoori chicken chops, smoked and marinated so well that the meat just fell off the bone. Naturally, no Indian meal feels complete without a curry (or three). Surprisingly, our favourite turned out to be the veggie option: the saag with tandoor paneer. Creamy, spicy, and absolutely packed with flavour, with the smoky paneer adding the most moreish touch. We scooped it all up with fragrant saffron rice, though we couldn’t help but wish a naan or two had been on the table to really take it over the edge.

Dessert was a little less traditional but no less delicious. We went for the rum bread and butter pudding. Rich, warming, and basically the perfect sweet treat for a chilly evening. 

Have to try: Saag with tandoori paneer and okra fries
Perfect for: Family meal out
Approx price for 2: £70–£90

BAO is the perfect spot to hit up when you’re craving something light but still want that ultimate comfort food fix. The interiors are minimalist and lowkey — exactly the vibe for a quick lunchtime catch-up with friends or an easy, satisfying meal.

We kicked things off with the Melon Me Softly cocktail, and refreshing is truly the only word for it. Think cucumber, melon, ylang ylang, sparkling wine, and vermouth — all those feel-good fruity notes in one glass. It’s dangerously drinkable, especially on a summer day. Pair it with the sweet potato fries (trust us on this one). They come with a pickled plum ketchup so good we were genuinely scraping the sides of the dish to get every last drop.

Then came the main event — the bao (of course). We went classic with the pork, and honestly, they could have filled that bun with anything and we’d still be obsessed. It’s that texture — soft, pillowy perfection — that makes every bite so satisfying. We also ordered the Taiwanese fried chicken nuggets with basil ranch, and these were a serious hit too. Crispy, herby, and dangerously moreish.

They do have sweet buns for dessert, but for a lighter lunch vibe, we opted for the brown sugar bubble milk tea instead. Think of it as dessert in drink form. Rich, cosy, and perfectly autumnal with that deep brown sugar sweetness. 

Have to try: Fried chicken and bubble tea
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2: £35–£40

When we call Inamo a fun restaurant, we mean it in the most literal way. It’s perfect for kids, and equally perfect for competitive adults who still think they’ve got that Mario Kart edge.

The interactive tables are the highlight because there’s nothing worse than just staring at waiters, waiting for the food to arrive. The time flies here by playing games and changing the table settings. On top of that, they’ve got a games room you can book (fully or semi), stacked with retro classics and childhood faves. 

But it doesn’t stop there. Inamo hosts comedy nights, cocktail lessons, and sushi masterclasses, so they keep that “fun” element alive in every possible way.

For food, we went with the Asian tapas option to try as much as possible. The standouts? The bang bang cauliflower (crispy, sweet, and spicy perfection) and the spicy mayo chicken bao buns. Those pillowy-soft buns are dangerously addictive.

Have to try: Lychee mojito
Perfect for: Parties
Approx price for 2: £70–£90

Cinnamon Bazaar offers an experience far from the typical curry house. The interiors are super modern and cutesy with pink décor and fairy lights strung all around. Honestly it’s more like walking into a chic café instead, but the heavenly aromas quickly reminded us otherwise.

We went for their weekend brunch, where we could add on bottomless prosecco, beer, mimosas, or mocktails for £29. The best part? The menu still features all the classics from their regular lineup, so we didn’t need to worry about missing out on the good stuff. We kicked things off with the samosa chaat, and honestly, we never truly knew the meaning of “flavour explosion” until this. The spicy samosa filling with the sweet and tangy tamarind chutney? Dreamy.

For mains, we tucked into the chicken biryani and, of course, no Indian feast is complete without a curry — so the saag paneer made its way to our table. Scooping it all up with fluffy peshwari naan was nothing short of perfect. And because there’s always room for dessert, we finished with the carrot and ginger toffee pudding. This is a spiced Indian twist on a British classic, and utterly delicious.

Have to try: Samosa chaat
Perfect for: Family meal out
Approx price for 2: £80–£100 (with bottomless drinks)