The Imperial China Restaurant in Lyndhurst is one of the best-kept secrets in the New Forest. The red-fronted restaurant gives few clues to the culinary delights nor the excellent service that greets you once inside.

Diners can expect an exquisite and extensive Chinese and Szechuan menu, which is available both in the restaurant and to take away. New Forest locals come time and time again to experience the friendly service, and nobody visiting Imperial China fails to comment on the high quality of the food no matter how many times they have dined here.

The food simply speaks for itself, and with over 100 dishes on the menu you’ll be spoilt for choice. After choosing from a selection of appetisers, choose from a variety of pork, chicken, beef, vegetable and seafood dishes.

Alternatively diners can plump for a set dinner, a Szechuan feast of selected dishes, which happen to be the chef’s current favourites. Start with fried seaweed, chicken satay, salt and pepper king prawns, spring rolls and spare ribs, followed by classic aromatic crispy duck, before moving on to sweet and sour pork, shredded chilli beef, fried Szechuan king prawns and chicken with black bean sauce. The feast is accompanied with stir-fried mixed vegetables and fried rice – not for the slight of appetite. Another popular choice is the lobster special, comprising fresh lobster served with ginger, spring onion and chilli – a taste sensation.

Gary Kwok owns and runs the restaurant to a very high standard, and takes great pride in serving good food. One of Gary’s greatest pleasures is meeting his customers and hearing about how they enjoy his food. Praise he’s bound to hear very often.