The best Chinese restaurants in Edinburgh: 12 spots to get oodles of noodles

Dim sum – and then some. Here are the best spots to grab Chinese fare in Scotland’s capital.

Updated on • Written By Holly Butterfield

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The best Chinese restaurants in Edinburgh: 12 spots to get oodles of noodles

Edinburgh’s food scene is ever expanding. There’s so much more than deep-fried Mars bars and haggis, and if you’re on the hunt for the Scottish capital’s best Chinese restaurants, then you’ve come to the right place. Over the years Edinburgh has really solidified its place as one of the country's foodie hotspots, look no further than its collection of Michelin-awarded spaces, bringing your internationally-inspired menus from across the globe. But if you’ve decided that nothing will quite suffice like an evening of Chinese fare, then this is the guide for you.

Chinese food has long been a favourite amongst Brits, there aren't many places across the country where you won't find a decent offering of Chinese restaurants, from the dumpling specialists to the all-you-can-eat buffet varieties. Not only that, but Edinburgh's Chinese dining scene is hardly a new fad, with countless options dating back as far as the 50's. These restaurants have been around for decades, and so trust us when we say that they know what they're doing.

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Edinburgh is brimming with a great selection of Chinese restaurants, serving everything from pillowy dim sum, to bowls packed full of thick noodles. There's something for every style and budget, regardless of the occasion. Whether you're on the hunt for fine dining menus amongst an ultra-glam backdrop, or cosy little hideaways that are best known amongst the locals, Edinburgh's best Chinese restaurants bring some seriously good deals.

So what are you waiting for? Browse our selection of the best Chinese restaurants in Edinburgh below, and if anything strikes your fancy then be sure to click through and book your table today.

Tattu Edinburgh

the floral dining room at Tattu Edinburgh

What: Bringing a more contemporary feel to your Chinese dining, it doesn’t get more glamorous than Tattu. This statement-making spot brings eye-catching decor and its famous foliage, alongside indulgent menus of authentic Chinese fare. Take a seat beneath thousands of cherry blossoms and floating lanterns with your choice of a la carte or tasting menus. If the likes of XO scallop skewers, caramel soy beef fillet and Shanghai black cod sound right up your street, then Tattu could be exactly what you’re looking for.
Where: 18 West Register Street, EH2 2AA
Book now: Tattu Edinburgh

Street of Beijing

a birds eye view of a selection of Chinese cuisine on a table

What: This family-owned Chinese restaurant has been serving the people of Edinburgh since it opened its doors back in 2018. Beloved amongst locals, Street of Beijing brings an extensive collection of authentic cuisine, offering something for all tastes, and catering for a range of dietary requirements. If you’re looking for relaxed yet refined dining for all the family, you’ll find it here, with menus packed full of dim sum, soups, noodles and plenty more.
Where: 37 Home Street, EH3 9JP
Book now: Street of Beijing

Rendezvous Restaurant

the sleek interiors of rendezvous restaurant

What: Turning out authentic Chinese cuisine to the punters of Edinburgh since 1956, Rendezvous is one of the city’s original Chinese restaurants, and decades later it’s still a fan favourite. We would go for the Peking-style banquet, which features all your favourite Chinese specialities, such as crispy aromatic duck, lemon chicken, special fried rice and toffee apple for pud. The extensive a la carte menu showcases all you would ever want from a Chinese restaurant, though, so you’re guaranteed to find your favourite knocking about if you don't fancy a full set menu.
Where: 10a Queensferry Street, EH2 4PG
Book now: Rendezvous Restaurant

Beijing Banquet

a birds eye view of a selection of Chinese cuisine on a table

What: The seasonally-changing menu at Beijing Banquet Danderhall comes in the shape of a buffet, which means you should arrive hungry. Stack up on a rich array of seafood, dim sum and noodle dishes in the dining room, which is all dark oak and brick with smart-looking tables with white cloths. The family-run restaurant is a local favourite and also has sites in Glenrothes, Sighthill and Renfrew.
Where: 17 Maulsford Avenue, EH22 1PJ
Book now: Beijing Banquet

The Golden Dragon

a selection of Chinese cuisine and tempura prawns on a table

What: Another long-standing Chinese restaurant that still impresses the locals (this one has been open since 1964), The Golden Dragon serves traditional Cantonese food in a smart dining room. Using locally-sourced Scottish ingredients to turn out authentic Chinese dim sum, head chef Mr Chan puts emphasis on texture and balance of flavour and colour. The most popular dish on the menu has for a long time been the deep-fried shredded beef – you should give it a go!
Where: 21 Castle Street, EH2 3DN
Book now: The Golden Dragon

Wing Sing Inn

a bowl of noddles and some chopsticks

What: If it’s westernised Chinese food you’re after, keep scrolling. Authenticity is the order of the day at Wing Sing Inn, which is probably why its regulars mainly consist of Chinese expats – always a good sign in our eyes. Another couple of pluses are its reasonable prices and generous portions – expect fresh seafood and northern Chinese hotpots. What it lacks in décor, it sure makes up for in flavour and exciting ingredients. Pork lung, jellyfish or preserved eggs, anyone?
Where: 147 Dundee Street, EH11 1BP
Book now: Wing Sing Inn

Chop Chop @ Luckies

a bowl of dumplings

What: Fronting its tagline of ‘Can a billion people be wrong?’ on both its restaurant window and menus, Chop Chop prides itself on being dubbed Edinburgh’s best Chinese restaurant. This combined with lots of praise being received in the national press means Chop Chop has grown in popularity, and we can see why. Starting off life as a dumpling factory, jiao zi dumplings are at the forefront of their best dishes and delivered with real panache, and a must order if you’re planning to visit.
Where: 437 Gorgie Road, EH11
Book now: Chop Chop @ Luckies

Chinese Manor House

a cosy booth decked out with Chinese-inspired decor

What: Located close to Edinburgh Airport, the Chinese Manor House is a popular choice with tourists, but the locals love it, too, thanks to its expertly designed dining room complete with koi pond paintings, royal red colour scheme and hanging lanterns. It’s also the first restaurant to bring the dish of Hong Kong lime duck to Edinburgh, so we recommend you give that a go. If not, the salt and haggis chilli is a must-try dish that fuses Scottish and Chinese cuisines.
Where: 2 Glasgow Road, EH12 8HL
Book now: Chinese Manor House

Dumplings of China

plates of rainbow dumplins

What: For those on the hunt for authentic Chinese dumplings, you’ll find them here, with an extensive menu that keeps diners returning again and again. The chefs here are experts in what they do, having spent years working across some of China’s best restaurants in order to master the fine art of dumpling making. Colourful plates of pillowy dumplings are stuffed with everything from cuttlefish to beef and onion, with extensive offerings available for the non-dumpling fanatics too!
Where: 60 Home Street, EH3 9NA
Book now: Dumplings of China

China Red

a wooden container of steamed dim sum

What: Often, Chinese food is associated with buffets, and although buffets are – in our not so humble opinion – one of life’s little wonders, they sometimes get a negative (and unfair) reputation. Not at China Red’s two Edinburgh sites, though. The buffets are loved by the locals and we can understand why with a regularly changing menu and neatly presented desserts. Budget-friendly prices allow you to stuff your face with more than 40 different dishes – with bargain prices for under 11s.
Where: 30 Grindlay Street, EH3 9AP
Book now: China Red

Kweilin

the dining rooms at Kewilin and battered salt and pepper prawns

What: Operating since 1984, this can almost be considered an old-school Chinese in Edinburgh – we guess the Georgian design details play their part, too. The fare is Scottish Cantonese, using proud local ingredients (largely seafood) with Chinese cooking techniques. The spiced and salted monkfish with chilli is a winner, and so are the scallops with cashew nuts served in a nest. There are also some delicious tasting menus, such as an ‘Executive Dinner’ and ‘Crispy Duck Dinner’, if you’re wanting to try a little bit of everything.
Where: 19-21 Dundas Street, EH3 6QG
Book now: Kweilin

Cool Jade

the exterior of Cool Jade restaurant

What: Complete with white tablecloths and origami napkins, Cool Jade is one of Edinburgh’s finest Chinese restaurants. This family-friendly spot is elevated by enthusiastic staff and authentic Chinese cooking. Opt for signature dishes such as the Sizzling Chui Chui or Spicy Szechuan to get an inkling as to why the restaurant has become so popular among locals. There’s also a handsome selection of soups, light bites and noodle dishes, with plenty of veggie and gluten free options also hitting the menu.
Where: 3-4 Downie Terrace, EH12 7AU 
Book now: Cool Jade

On the hunt for a breakfast spot, too? Here are our top picks of where to go for breakfast in Edinburgh.