Hutong at The Shard in London follows a smart casual dress code that complements its dramatic level 33 setting with panoramic city views and fiery Northern Chinese cuisine.
The high-energy restaurant serves bold dishes like xiao long bao and lamb pot stickers in sleek, crimson interiors, popular for celebrations or date nights.
Open daily for lunch and dinner, it’s accessible via The Shard‘s private lifts for a stunning setting – with reservations essential for window tables.
Hutong at The Shard Dress Code Overview
Smart casual means neat and stylish with chinos or smart trousers and collared shirts or blouses recommended or dresses advised.
Jeans are fine if dark and paired properly and it’s recommended that you aim for city sophistication over beach vibes.
No sportswear, shorts or flip-flops are allowed, ensuring a polished atmosphere for dim sum, Peking duck and cocktails. No trainers either, even if they are smart and clean.
Enforcement is firm at the door when you arrive at The Shard, even booked guests are turned away for casual gear.
What To Wear
For men, go for suit polos, button-downs or smart shirts with chinos, trousers or jeans and loafers.
Women can wear blouses with skirts or pants, midi dresses or jumpsuits with heels and flats. Think subtle elegance that matches the skyline backdrop.
Footwear Rules
Closed-toe shoes like loafers or brogues are required. No sports trainers, sandals or flip-flops.
Key Rules
- No athletic wear, beach items or hats indoors.
- Kids in neat smart casual.
- Lunch slightly lenient, dinner stricter.
Hutong at The Shard Staff Clothing & Uniform
Staff at Hutong at The Shard maintain a smart, polished appearance that reflects the restaurant’s refined yet contemporary Chinese dining experience.
Front-of-house teams – including hosts, servers and bar staff – typically wear coordinated black uniforms with subtle red or gold accents, echoing the restaurant’s Northern Chinese aesthetic and dramatic interior design.
The look is elegant but understated, ensuring professionalism while complementing Hutong’s dimly lit, high-end setting.
Booking Information
Bookings are a must and you can reserve your table via hutong.co.uk for lunch (12-2:45 PM) or dinner (5:30-10 PM). Private dining is available available with pricing on request.
Hutong at The Shard Dress Code FAQs
Are jeans allowed at Hutong?
Yes, jeans are permitted, but they must be smart and well-presented. Dark or tailored denim paired with a collared shirt, blouse, or smart jacket is ideal. Avoid ripped, faded or overly casual jeans, as Hutong maintains an upscale dining environment that calls for an elevated smart-casual look.
Can you wear trainers at Hutong?
No, trainers, sports shoes or athletic-style footwear are not allowed in Hutong, regardless of their brand or design. The dress code leans sophisticated and polished, so guests are encouraged to opt for smart shoes, loafers or elegant heels instead.
Are shorts ever allowed at Hutong?
Shorts are not permitted at any time of year. Even during summer, guests are expected to wear full-length trousers, chinos, or dresses that maintain the venue’s refined dress standard. The policy ensures a consistent sense of occasion for both lunch and dinner service.
What are the rules for children at Hutong?
Children are welcome in the restaurant, and the same smart-casual expectations apply to them as to adults with neat clothing and tidy shoes recommended. However, note that the adjacent Hutong bar, located one floor up, is strictly for adults aged 18 and over after 5PM.
Is Hutong’s dress code stricter than the bar’s?
Yes. Hutong’s main restaurant enforces a slightly stricter smart-casual policy to preserve its fine-dining atmosphere. The bar above shares a similar standard but is marginally more relaxed in the early afternoon. In both spaces, sporty or overly casual attire is discouraged.