Three Rounds Tavern

Three Rounds Tavern in Spitalfields is named after a Chinese saying that real conversation begins after the third round of drinks, an approach embodied by the restaurant's warm, welcoming hospitality and friendly staff that are liable to ply you with complimentary shots.

The Shoreditch restaurant features a mellow dining room with modern wooden tables and lighting inspired by traditional Chinese lanterns. Though the ambiance is more contemporary than what you might expect from a tavern, decorative touches like mounted animal heads and Chinese ceramics add a touch of old-school familiarity for added cosiness. 

When it comes to the menu, the Three Rounds Tavern is all about authentic Chinese comfort food, with a particular emphasis on cold cuts, applying a two-step process of slow-braising in soy and spices, then smoking for depth of flavour – order their signature charcuterie platter to experience their mastery in full. Plant-based diners can get in on the action too, with the restaurant braising veggie-friendly options like tofu, mushrooms, and lotus root. In addition to the cold cuts, the restaurant serves a concise selection of all-time Chinese favourites like salt and pepper squid, spicy sea bass, and dumplings.

It's not all about the food, however – Three Rounds actually emphasises a drinks-first approach, with the food designed to be paired with the unique drinks offering headlined by potent, hard-to-find baijiu spirits. For a more approachable option, modern baijiu-based cocktails and Chinese craft beers are available. Whichever you end up going for, don't expect the conversation and good times to stop any time soon.