Words by Arabella Peterson
If respite from the hustle and bustle is what you need during a day of shopping in Knightsbridge, you’ll find it on the fourth floor of the iconic Harrods building. The recently opened Dim Sum Terrace promises a melange of the traditional and the contemporary under one ornate roof. Inspired by the teahouses of China, it seamlessly offers culinary finesse in an unexpectedly tranquil environment.
Dim Sum Terrace offers a unique vantage point, perched above the Victorian buildings of Southwest London. Adorned with a conservatory-style design and awash with cascading natural light, Harrods’ iconic Baroque brown-brick and alcove walls wed organically with the tearoom-inspired interior. But what sets Dim Sum Terrace apart is, predictably, its terrace. One of only two outdoor spaces within this storied institution, it’s an al fresco haven designed to suit any occasion, be it a quick refuelling amidst a shopping outing, a relaxed lunch, or a sundown soirée.
Food
At its heart, Dim Sum Terrace is committed to culinary prowess. Each dumpling is handcrafted by their in-house chefs, blending time-honoured classics with innovations unique to the restaurant. The selection ranges from luxurious lobster and coriander dumplings topped with caviar to sapid truffle cheese wontons with fresh truffle shavings and sweet chilli sauce. And if you’re in the mood for something baked or fried, offerings like the kataifi-encrusted king scallops with sweet mango mayonnaise or the Wagyu-infused taro dumpling crowned with caviar are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
Eddie Lim, the visionary behind Dim Sum Terrace, sums it up aptly. “Our goal is to straddle the line between the familiar and the innovative. We want to rekindle memories of one’s first dim sum while also creating novel, delightful experiences. From brisk bites to languorous feasts, we envision the Dim Sum Terrace as a venue for every occasion.”
My favourite dish of the night was the mushroom and truffle buns, fluffy and light with a semi-sweet pâté filling. Truffle, which is often overused and overpowering, served here as a delicate accent. Earthy tones enrich the umami goodness of the mushroom rather than overshadowing it. Next was the prawn with XO sauce dumplings, a sure-fire hit with a tender texture and masterful preparation that retains its natural brininess. XO sauce – a Cantonese dressing blending dried seafood, chilli, and garlic – elevates the sweetness of the prawn. These dishes not only showcase the restaurant’s adeptness at harmonising flavours but also their commitment to reimagining classic ingredients.
If you were to order just one item from the menu, I’d recommend the steamed dim sum platter for its diverse flavour profiles. You’ll receive one piece of each signature dumpling – prawn with XO sauce; lobster and coriander topped with caviar; fermented chilli and dover sole; scallop and prawn siu mai; saffron king crab with mixed seafood and mushroom and morel.
Based on my selections, the menu is moderate when it comes to spice, so if you’re a heat-seeker, make sure you use the speciality in-house chilli sauce generously. Surprisingly, this signature relish, made with pineapple and vinegar chilli, was one of the highlights for me. A sweet-but-not-saccharine overtone meets tangy notes of vinegar and balanced heat – sweet, sour, and subtly spicy.
As someone inclined to choose salty over sweet, I appreciate a simple, considered dessert menu. With just two items available, I reluctantly abandoned the green tea crème brûlée topped with lychee pearls and went with the other option, a steaming black lava custard bun oozing with velvety smooth vanilla custard. Naturally, my resolve to have ‘just one bite’ of dessert was quashed within seconds.
Drink
Guests have an outstanding range of cocktails to choose from; from classic concoctions to signature delights like the fiery Picanteria (Jose Cuervo Reposado, fresh coriander, agave syrup, fresh lime juice, jalapeño) and the robust Saketini (Junmai Sake, Beefeater Gin, elderflower liqueur, lychee juice, rose syrup, lemon juice). The connoisseurs aren’t left behind either, with the terrace boasting an ultra-premium cognac and cigar offering in partnership with Louis XIII.
I indulged in two cocktails from their impressive selection, an ideal number, in my opinion, considering their generous size and tendency to lean on the sweeter side. The Pink Mexican Dragon blends the smoky depth of Mezcal Verde with the tropical nectar of pink dragonfruit, its zestiness providing a perfect counter to the mezcal’s intensity. My second choice, the Amaretto and Grapefruit Sour, offers the initial marzipan flavour of amaretto, cut through by the tang of fresh lime juice and grapefruit purée.
Non-drinkers have a bevvy of mocktails on offer that will satiate those with a sweet tooth (Coco Banana Breeze), a classic palette (Nojito), or those who are after something new and refreshing (Aloe Cooler). Of the ample non-alcoholic options, the standout selection is the flowering teas available in jasmine, peachy rose, lychee and my choice, mango. I recommend ordering these as a post-dessert digestive to finish your meal.
In a nutshell
Dim Sum Terrace is an oasis for those seeking time out from the frenetic Knightsbridge streets, blending traditional culinary art with modern flair. With its tearoom ambience, sunlit terrace, and diverse menu spanning handcrafted dim sum to innovative cocktails, it offers a dining experience both familiar and refreshingly novel.
Factbox
Address: Room, 87, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL
Email: info@thedimsumterrace.co.uk
Website: thedimsumterrace.co.uk
