My first time here, was visiting from Toronto. Food was delicious, staff was really lovely my only qualm was just the wait time. I work in a restaurant so I understand that they were doing their best though. I ordered a drink at the beginning of my meal and got it at the end. They were super apologetic but if that happens I feel like they should have taken it off the bill. But I do not fault the workers whatsoever. Other than that though, the chestnut rice dumpling was unreal. So nice and balanced. I would go back if I was in the area, but just be ready that there may be a bit of a wait.
Had dinner there, food is very tasty with good presentation, i can tell they serve really good quality food, bao bun is small so you can try more than one 😂, staffs are very friendly and professional. Upstairs seatings are along the bar table, it’s nicer to sit upstairs. I would recommend it for friends gathering or date night out.
As someone who grew up in Asia, I’m always skeptical of restaurant chains serving Asian food, but BAO was fantastic.
We asked the waiter for a few recommendations and ordered the tofu balls, ox cheek nuggets, fried pork chop, bone marrow rice and classic bao.
Everything was amazing and we loved the sauce that came with some of the dishes. We also ordered the confit bao, house salad and hollicks ice cream bao.
The only down side was that it took a little while for the food to arrive, especially the dessert. But, I definitely recommend this place and will be checking out their other branches too!
BAOs are nice, but small plates are better - second time @ BAO fitzrovia .
Met up with a friend and we sat by the bar counter on the ground floor. Stools are a bit too close, so limited space to eat.
Good and quick service with friendly staff.
Small menu with delicious selection of small plates, signature BAOs and drinks.
Definitely recommend for a date night or catching up with a friend.
Overall, feels a bit pricy especially when considering no meat dishes were ordered.
Details below:
Party size: 2
Atmosphere: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Food: 8.5/10
Drinks: 8/10
Value for price: 7.5/10
Standout: tofu balls
Disappointed: black cod bao
We are so glad we stopped here for lunch, it was absolutely incredible. We did the £15 lunch special and fell in love at the first bite.
The flavors are spot on, and the dishes are not something you can find at many places. From the perfectly cooked chicken to the bone marrow fried rice, and of course the delightful bao, we thoroughly enjoyed everything.
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We simply loved it.
FOOD
We ordered 3 baos and 3 other dishes for two and it was fantastic. As starters I have to say I really enjoyed the tofu balls which were exceptional and didn’t even taste like tofu (my gf doesn’t like tofu but loved this). Then the fried chicken is really a treat, probably my favourite dish although not sure what the egg is doing in that dish, not needed. Finally the baos were excellent, with the classic bao our clear favourite. We actually complained about the pork belly bao as it felt a little dry and so they were kind enough to replace it for us free of charge.
STAFF/SERVICE
The staff are super friendly, upbeat and professional offering good suggestions. Food was served very rapidly also.
ATMOSPHERE
There is level ground seating around the bar while the downstairs area offers some tables next to the kitchen. Overall the restaurant is super tiny and that’s especially visible when visiting the toilets as I had to duck to get through doors.
Overall I highly recommend and will return.
Went all out, spent too much, worth it, great cocktail (bit strong for me), starters were very good, chicken was amazing, and all the bao options were outstanding, plus the dessert bao has to be tried, will need to come for that, no way I'll find that anywhere else. Bit pricey, spent £42 each, but cocktail was £10 (standard for London tbf) and got 3 courses each, then there was a service charge.
Been wanting to go to Bao for such a long time and was definitely worth the wait and the hype around it. We didn’t really recognise much of the menu so relied upon the suggestions of the server. Not only was she right about all those dishing tasting amazing, she was a lovely and friendly waiter, wish I got her name to put here. From memory we had the fried chicken, the bone marrow rice, beef shin nuggets, pork sushi, the beef bao and the prawn bao. ALL SO GOOD! The beef nuggets, mushroom rice and Bao’s were my favourite. Can’t wait to go again and well worth the money
Exemplary. Punches and caresses on the face by a violent triad of crunchy fried chicken, cockerel-fiery sauce and majestic golden egg, pearls of perfect rice with godly marrow, subtle spice lifting the cod bao. Well priced lunchtime menu. Excellent service and achingly cute tableware. Quiet street corner blessed with rays and strays. Can't wait to come back for cocktails.
There are so many new dishes to try here. I was amazed at how fantastic all the dishes are. Brand new flavours I hadn't tasted before.
The top spot for me would be the pork bun and fried chicken. Melt in your mouth and flavoursome crispy chicken.
It's more expensive than a normal lunch place, but very much somewhere to go for a great lunch date and dinner.
Will come back for the bun again soon!
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