This listing is from 2022, profiles will be updated after the Restaurant of the Year event in mid-October.

In amongst a crowd of unassuming Henderson takeaway joints and eateries, Mr Lobster takes up a sizeable storefront with a blazing neon sign – Mr Lobster Private Kitchen – to let you know you’re in the right place. The inside is huge, with two separate private dining rooms perfect for small family functions (of which this style of dining is well-suited towards) and plenty of classic circular tables with revolving lazy susans.

It’s common to see live seafood tanks in Cantonese restaurants. Mr Lobster has more than most, teeming with lobsters that you can order in a variety of dishes, such as deep-fried or wok-fried with truffle paste. We also recommend opting for a live fish from the tank, too – the most common species you’ll find is blue cod, which is then best served steamed and soy sauce and ginger. The texture of the fish, so bouncy and smooth, is unrivalled; the freshness is immediately apparent.

Also common to Cantonese food is a long, expansive menu, with dishes that require diners to share and balance across the sections – a good rule of thumb is to order at least one vegetable dish. And we wouldn’t blame you if you stuck with the seafood here, but the Peking duck (one course only) is also one of the best around – razor-thin pancakes that are kept warm by a candle flickering away underneath the raised plate; tender, expertly cut fragrant duck; and a moreish sweet-spiced sauce. We’ve never been disappointed by a single dish we’ve ordered here, helped along by the swift, informed service (if you’re unsure of something, the staff will help you out). Note that during the day, Mr Lobster serves yum cha.