Lido

Chinese Restaurant in Chinatown
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8 / 10 from 9 reviews
Address
41 Gerrard Street
Chinatown
London
W1D 5QF
Map
Telephone
020 7437 4431
Cuisine
Chinese
Region
Chinatown
Nearest Station
Leicester Square
0.11 miles
Opening Times
Monday Open 12:00 - Closes 23:00
Tuesday Open 12:00 - Closes 23:00
Wednesday Open 12:00 - Closes 23:00
Thursday Open 12:00 - Closes 23:00
Friday Open 12:00 - Closes 23:00
Saturday Open 12:00 - Closes 23:00
Sunday Open 12:00 - Closes 23:00

Lido serve a variety of Chinese and Peking dishes to eat in or take away. Catering for private parties of up to 30 guests is available upon request. Seating on the pavement area is provided.

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All In London Review

If they dimmed the lights, Lido would be the ultimate Chinese restaurant. Still, you can put up with the glare for this food.

Review Image
If you don’t mind placing ambience to one side and embracing the food then Lido is a good call for some of the best food in Chinatown. Open early, open late, serving dim sum and some authentic Chinese cuisine, this Gerrard Street stalwart does it all.

Spacious and relaxed are two words you might not often associate with Chinatown restaurants. It can often feel like you’re in on the conversation beside you, that is if conversation can even be conducted, with staff forever busily trying to hustle you out if your chopsticks aren’t in hand and working. Lido doesn’t go for that. Spread across two floors, there is space between tables and a staff who seem content to allow you to be content before you leave. This is such a positive that it can’t be stressed enough. Whitewashed with hints of pale green in places, Lido could benefit with a more interesting décor to assist the atmosphere. The super-bright lights are seemingly never dimmed and that only increases the slight soullessness of the space. However, the food is the tops.

People come far and wide for the simple roast duck and rice, not to mention the Peking style duck with pancakes. There’s something about the way that Lido cook it apparently. While we can’t claim to be duck fanatics, going on taste we’d have to agree with the widely held belief that this is some of the best in Chinatown. We steer clear of rice and noodles and opt for some interesting dishes. The aubergine stuffed with prawn is excellent, with the plump prawn complimenting the moist, puffy aubergine perfectly. We try the minced pork, which comes served with jumbo lettuce leaves – the idea is that you spoon the meaty mixture into the leaf and wrap into a bundle before stuffing it in. It’s the lighter version of the Peking duck pancake and every bit as good. We finish with Chinese greens, which are served in a garlic and ginger dressing that is so rich you can almost taste cheese – except it isn’t really there. Strange, yet delicious.

With two bottles of red wine and dishes brought to the table as and when, we spend just over two hours at Lido, which must be a record for Chinatown. The service makes this is a good place for family meals and big groups. If only they’d dim the lights…

Reviewed by T.A.O
Published on Oct 18, 2013


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We've put together a list of the best places to get your Dim Sum fix

Lido is the home of consistently consistent dim sum. Service comes with a smile and the atmosphere is just about soothing enough to feel like you’re allowed to relax. The steamed baskets of dumplings appeal for their freshness, which is all too often a problem in China Town. Solid dishes every time makes Lido a top recommendation.

User Reviews

MarcusP

Nov 12, 2013

Nice place. The food was delicious and the service was great. Would definitely visit it again.
Sheenacctang

Jun 3, 2012

I've visited this restaurant many times and it hasn't disappointed. I think it's one of the constantly high achieving places in the area with delicious food every time. In addition I think the service is very quick and effective with some lovely staff. I would definitely recommend this place.
Anonymous

Jul 31, 2010

We have been to Lido Chinese restaurant four times during the last 2 months and on each occasions we enjoyed the friendly service and excellent food (dim sum).We highly recommend Lido and its very good value for money.
Anonymous

May 20, 2010

I use this restaurant regularly for business lunches, its very reasonable plenty of room between the tables and the service unobtrusive. We also use it as a family if we are visiting Chinatown on the weekend. I generally order off the dim sum menu, but you can always add a vegetable or a noodle dish. The food is excellent
Anonymous

May 14, 2010

I've visited Lido many times before and have really enjoyed myself every time. I went with a friend the other day as the restaurant had just reopened and was happy to find the food was still of a high standard and the staff were very warm and helpful as usual.

I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a lovely meal and friendly service all at a reasonable price.
Anonymous

Oct 26, 2009

I was invited to an anniversary party in Lido and liked the food very much.
When my son had his birthday, we took him there. We enjoyed the dishes,
especially the lobster noodle dish. We will definitely go back there again.
Anonymous

Mar 6, 2009

Had a dim sum lunch in Lido on Wednesday and it was superb. Service was quick and friendly, the food was excellent, freshly prepared, hot and very tasty. I would certainly recommend the grilled dumplings, vietnamese spring rolls and prawn and chive dumplings. I will definitely visit again.
Anonymous

Feb 22, 2009

My friend and I visited LIDO for the second time last night. We were absolutely disgusted - uncooked food, poor service, rude and extremely insulting waiters (they referred to us as female sex workers)! In addition to the rude staff, they consistently bought us multiple starters which weren't ordered. The main course was the same - after sending a portion of uncooked lemon chicken back they lied to us and told us the kitchen was closed and couldn't order anything else! At the end of the meal weren't even offered desert menus or coffees. Despite all this - they confronted us when we refused to pay the service charge!

We will never return to this place - it was the worst experience i've ever had in a restaurant. It was more like a circus than a dinner.

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