A lively Chinatown Chinese spot with broad appeal, generous portions, and lots of loyal fans, but service consistency and billing/service-charge complaints are the main reasons to go in with your eyes open.
New China delivers solid food quality with fresh ingredients and generous portions, but inconsistent execution and variable service attentiveness prevent a higher grade. Unusual review patterns create uncertainty in our assessment, while the vibrant Gerrard Street location offers authentic Chinatown appeal without luxury positioning.
New China feels like a classic Chinatown workhorse: busy, multi-level, and geared toward people who want a lot of Chinese dishes without fuss. Many diners talk about generous portions, a spacious room, and staff who can be genuinely warm and helpful, with one recent wave of reviews showering particular praise on a few named servers. The flip side is that the same place can also feel abrupt or rushed, and a handful of guests were clearly unhappy about billing and service charges. On the plate, this is not an experimental kitchen; it’s a broad, crowd-pleasing Chinese menu with dim sum, roast meats, seafood, hot pot, rice dishes, and plenty of familiar favorites. The cooking gets the best reaction when it leans savory, fresh, and boldly seasoned—think crispy duck, spicy beef, prawns, and hot-pot dishes rather than delicate precision. It suits diners who want variety, big portions, and Chinatown convenience more than fine-dining polish. Families can do well here because the menu includes easy wins like sweet and sour chicken, egg fried rice, dumplings, roast duck on rice, spring rolls, and vegetable gyoza, so picky eaters are not stuck. That said, the restaurant is not especially baby-friendly in the review sample: one family reported trouble with a stroller and no high chair, and the outdoor seating can be less comfortable than the main room. Older kids and mixed-age groups should be fine; toddlers may need a bit of patience and planning.
Area vibe: Bustling central district with theatres, shops and diverse dining options.
Safety: Generally busy and well-lit at night but petty crime and crowds are common; stay aware in evenings.
What's nearby: Located in Chinatown near Leicester Square and Shaftesbury Avenue with many restaurants, theatres and Tube stations nearby.