London Restaurants with Incredible Views
By Ellie Smith
4 months ago
Views to dine for
Like your dinner with a view? There’s nothing like a good panorama to admire as you enjoy your meal. London is filled with sky-high restaurants where you can admire the city from above, from the world-famous Shard to newer openings like JOIA in Battersea. But you can also get great views from ground level, with a string of of dreamy riverside restaurants overlooking the Thames. Here’s the C&TH pick of London restaurants with the best views, perfect for special occasions.
London Restaurants with the Best Views
- Decimo
- Wagtail
- Galvin at Windows
- JOIA
- Sabine
- 8 at The Londoner
- Aqua Shard
- TĪNG Restaurant
- City Social
- The Gun
- Duck & Waffle
- OXO Tower
- SUSHISAMBA
- Fenchurch Restaurant at Sky Garden
- Darwin Brasserie at Sky Garden
- Min Jiang
- Coppa Club
- Bōkan
- Hutong
Hutong
Undoubtedly one of the most special spots to dine in the city is Hutong, another of The Shard’s sky-high eateries located on the 33rd floor. With dark red, moody interiors, sparkling lanterns and a traditional Chinese wishing tree where guests hang their wishes on branches, Hutong oozes the romance of fairy tales and is an absolute delight. This is our top pick for a splash-out supper, with its vast selection of fine northern Chinese cuisine and creative cocktails set against the backdrop of the sprawling London skyline, which twinkles at night. Allow longstanding waiters to guide you through the menu, but don’t miss the pink champagne prawn dumplings and Peking duck which is carefully sliced instead of shredded. Book far in advance to secure the best tables in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows and soak it all in – you’ll struggle to go back down to earth.
33 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY, hutong.co.uk
Bōkan
Bōkan 37 is far more swanky than its exterior suggests. To get there you have to weave through the not-so-glamorous industrial landscape of Canary Wharf until you reach The Novotel, head through an unassuming door and into a small lift which whisks you up to the 37th floor. As soon as you step out, however, you’ll see the magic. There are many sky-high restaurants in London, but the vantage point from here is quite different to the city centre spots, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering jaw-dropping 360 panoramas. Go for an unusually civilised bottomless brunch before heading to the rooftop terrace to continue the party.
40 Marsh Wall, London E14 9TP, bokanlondon.co.uk
Coppa Club
Coppa Club’s Instagram-friendly riverside igloos are back for the winter, set against the backdrop of Tower Bridge, The Shard and the city beyond. Whatever the weather these make an idyllic al fresco dining spot – just be sure to book ahead, as they’re hugely popular. Food options include everything from pizzas to vegan burgers to small sharing plates, all very reasonably priced, which you can enjoy alongside some of the tasty cocktails on offer.
3 Three Quays Walk, Lower Thames St, London EC3R 6AH, coppaclub.co.uk
Min Jiang
It may be a lesser known spot, but Chinese restaurant Min Jiang – perched on the tenth floor of the Royal Garden Hotel – boasts one of the best views in London. A hidden gem overlooking the picturesque Kensington Gardens, Min Jiang is renowned for its impeccable service, as well as its picture-perfect vista. Go for the house duck: a whole Beijing duck served two ways, the first with homemade pancakes, and the second a dish of your choice – fried rice, with diced or minced duck and a lettuce wrap. One of London’s finest Chinese restaurants, with magnificent views to match.
2, 24 Kensington High St, London W8 4PT, minjiang.co.uk
Darwin Brasserie at Sky Garden
Located on floor 36 of the iconic Walkie Talkie, the views from the Darwin Brasserie are pretty striking. Although Fenchurch Restaurant – one of Sky Garden’s other offerings – is higher, the Darwin Brasserie has better views thanks to its position further back from the Sky Garden’s atrium roof. A good option if you want to enjoy the sights without the flocks of camera totting tourists.
Level 36 Sky Garden, 20 Philpot Ln, London EC3M 8AF, skygarden.london
Fenchurch Restaurant at Sky Garden
Known as the Walkie Talkie due to its unique shape, the Sky Garden has remained hugely popular since opening in 2015. Spanning three stories, the space boasts the city’s highest rooftop gardens alongside observation decks, an open-air terrace and various dining options. The highest and most upscale is Fenchurch Restaurant, located on the 37th floor of the building. Though undeniably a hotspot for tourists, Fenchurch feels somewhat separated from the hustle and bustle going on outside its glass walls. Interiors are understated, and rightly so: the views speak for themselves. Be sure to get a seat at one of the west-facing windows though, as the views from some tables are slightly obscured by the building’s beams. With a new Head Chef in the form of Kerth Gumbs, visitors are in for a refined yet playful treat.
Read our review of Kerth Gumbs’ new tasting menu here
Sky Garden, 1 Philpot Ln, London EC3M 8AF, skygarden.london
SUSHISAMBA
Like it’s taller sister Duck & Waffle, the spectacle of the iconic SUSHISAMBA Liverpool Street begins from the panoramic glass lifts, which whisk you up to the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower where the restaurant is located. It boasts one of the highest outdoor dining terraces in Europe, but during the winter months you can admire the views from indoors thanks to the restaurant’s three glass walls. A glamorous New York City import, the menu fuses together Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisines. There’s everything from gyoza to nigari to samba rolls to ceviche to robata, with dedicated vegan and gluten-free menus too. Our highlights? To name a few: the yellowtail crispy taquitos, sea bass tempura, veggie maki samba rolls, eggplant with mustard miso, and the perfectly cooked ribeye, chorizo and aged picanha dish. Cocktails are equally divine – the Lychee Cooler, made with elderflower, vodka, vanilla, coconut cream and lychee water, is particularly good. A heads up: SUSHISAMBA is not cheap, but the combination of top quality food, unparalleled views and faultless service warrants the high price point. Just be careful not to accidentally order the Kobe Beef Ishiyaki, or you’ll find yourself £1000 out of pocket…
Heron Tower, Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY, sushisamba.com
OXO Tower
One of London’s older rooftop restaurants, the OXO Tower is at a lower altitude than its City counterparts, eight stories up – but it proves height isn’t always everything. From this slightly lower vantage point, diners can watch boats drift by along the meandering river while also seeing the span of the London skyline.
Barge House St, London SE1 9PH, harveynichols.com
Duck & Waffle
At Duck & Waffle the fun begins in the lifts, which feel like you’re shooting up into the sky. One of London’s highest restaurants, it’s located on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, and being open 24/7 means you can catch the stunning panoramic views whenever you fancy. It’s the kind of place people go to be seen – but it’s smaller and less showy than its sister SUSHISAMBA, which sits a few floors below. An early breakfast is particularly magical here – catch the sun rising over the city, and give their titular dish a whirl: two fluffy waffles topped with crisp-skinned duck confit and a fried duck egg, drizzled in maple syrup – sounds strange, but it’s surprisingly tasty. More of a night owl? You’ll be well catered for with their late night menu, available from 11.30-5am. Who wouldn’t want duck ‘n’ cheese at three in the morning?
110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY, duckandwaffle.com
The Gun
Off-the-beaten-track gastropub The Gun is a bit of a walk from Canary Wharf, but it’s well worth going out of your way for. Perched right on the Thames, the stylish pub boasts lovely views of the 02 and Greenwich – particularly from its waterside terrace, which fills up quickly during the summer months. Despite undergoing a lengthy refurbishment recently, The Gun maintains its history and heritage, with long-cherished features such as open fires and wooden panelling. Head there on a Sunday afternoon for a tasty roast with a view.
Docklands, 27 Coldharbour, London E14 9NS, thegundocklands.com
City Social
In recent years London has grown taller, with skyscrapers popping up all over the shop. Tower 42, however, is the original: opened in 1940, it stood as the UK’s tallest building for a decade. While its title has been usurped since then, the views from its 24th floor bar and restaurant City Social are pretty spectacular, particularly from its front row seats: curved booths pressed right up to the windows. A glamorous, Art Deco-style spot, City Social – part of the Jason Atherton empire – is far bigger than one might assume from its tucked away entrance. The space is divided into two sections: the restaurant, and the bar, Social 24. In the restaurant, Executive Chef Paul Walsh serves up a selection of beautifully presented Michelin-starred dishes, while Social 24 offers a smaller bar food menu – although it’s important to note this is worlds away from your average bar snack selection. The menu includes a rib-eye steak, as well as a cote de boeuf for two, alongside a number of small plates including some delicious goats cheese churros and avocado tempura bites with a spicy aubergine dip. Drinks-wise, colourful cocktails are the star of the show: we recommend ‘One More’, a mix of Absolute Elyx Vodka with blood orange, vanilla syrup, egg yolk and champagne, served with a smoked marshmallow; and ‘Punch Me If You Can’, a fruity gin-based drink blended with hibiscus tea, strawberries, grapefruit and green chartreuse. With its low lighting and widely spaced tables, Social 24 makes the perfect date venue, while its Michelin-starred neighbour is ideal for special occasions. Be sure to book a window booth for maximum awe factor.
Tower 42, 25 Old Broad St, London EC2N 1HQ, citysociallondon.com
TĪNG Restaurant
Also well worth a visit in The Shard is TĪNG, an Asian-inspired spot on level 35 (the venue’s highest restaurant). Floor-to-ceiling windows offer some of the best 360 views in the capital, with food available from breakfast through to afternoon tea and evening, plus a suitably stylish selection of cocktails. The restaurant has recently launched a five-course whimsical menu, which focuses on locally and ethically sourced ingredients. Think miso aubergine croquettes, steamed wild Scottish halibut, dry aged beef fillet and more, alongside a plant-based alternative featuring organic delica pumpkin, and celeriac and truffle tart.
Level 35, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9QU, ting-shangri-la.com
Aqua Shard
No list of restaurants with the best views in London would be complete without some mention of The Shard: the city’s tallest building, towering 306m above ground. Half way up on the 31st floor you’ll find Aqua, an upscale, stylish spot with floor-to-ceiling windows. Nab a table beside one of them for a truly breathtaking dining experience – particularly at night, when the London panorama is lit up with thousands of twinkling lights. The menu offers a selection of contemporary British dishes made with fresh ingredients and luxurious flavours. Enjoy alongside freshly-muddled cocktails, courtesy of the centrepiece bar, and expect great service, with friendly, helpful staff to make your Shard experience all the more amazing. Unsurprisingly the sky-high location comes with a price tag to match, but it’s the perfect place for special occasions.
Level 31, The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY, aquashard.co.uk
8 at The Londoner
Naturally, boutique hotel The Londoner has its own rooftop restaurant and bar. 8 at The Londoner is an izakaya lounge that reimagines the traditional Japanese style of dining and drinking. Striking interiors by Yabu Pushelburg are set against the London skyline, with a sculptural rope installation suspended above a contemporary fireplace forming the centrepiece. Guests can enjoy a menu of sharing-style light bites – think grilled padron peppers with miso, wagyu with Gorgonzola dolce crème and chargrilled cabbage steak – alongside a wide selection of champagne, sake, Japanese whisky and cocktails.
38 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DX, 8atthelondoner.co.uk
Image by Andrew Beasley
Sabine
A fairly recent addition to the city’s rooftop offering is Sabine, perched on the seventh floor of the Leonardo Royal Hotel. Lots of sky-high bars have stellar views – but Sabine’s USP is its proximity to St Paul’s, which feels so close you could almost touch it. The lush, plant-filled terrace is idyllic year-round – though if it’s a bit chilly, the inside-outside conservatory makes a good compromise, complete with a retractable roof. Inside is equally pretty too, with tropical greenery and living walls continuing the botanical theme. Cocktails are seasonal, which means the current menu is filled with warming tipples like the Sweet and Cosy, made with spiced rum and fig liqueur. On the food side, the menu offers a mix of small and larger plates, with influence from a range of different cuisines. Think goat’s cheese arancini, miso mushroom skewers, baked focaccia and braised short ribs.
10 Godliman St, London EC4V 5AJ, sabinelondon.co.uk
JOIA
Like many things in Battersea, JOIA is a brand new restaurant and bar, perched atop the chic art’otel Battersea. It’s a feast for the eyes – expect stylish avant garde interiors in baby pinks and blues, accented by gold finishes and table lamps – as well as the stomach, with a stellar menu from celebrated Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa in his first London restaurant. Pick from a short but comprehensive menu centred on sharing plates. Start with bombas or croquetas, perfectly crispy morsels of potato and either beef and sausage or vegetables (la bombas) or Iberico ham (croqueta). Then, the petiscos (snacks in Portugal): try a generous bowl of plump mussels, refreshingly topped with garlic, coriander and chilli – or the delicate octopus salad. For mains, don’t miss the catch of the day, cooked delicately and simply so the fish can shine, and deboned right beside the table.
But, set 15 floors up, the views are the scene stealer: gaze across the art deco Battersea Power Station, its towering white chimneys contrasted against the sundowning sky. It’s a stunning view, only improved by one of JOIA’s delicious cocktails; the Perola (Peach shrub, peach liqueur, lillet, rhubarb bitters, champagne) is a delightfully sweet beginning, or try the Port Old Fashioned (sandeman tawny port, sugar, bitters) for a Portuguese twist on a grown-up classic. By Olivia Emily
1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ, joiabattersea.co.uk
Galvin at Windows
A less flashy, more old-school option, Galvin at Windows has years of experience in providing impeccable service to its diners. Situated on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane, the restaurant overlooks Hyde Park, with views of the city’s skyscrapers and landmarks like the London Eye and Buckingham Palace. As befits a restaurant of this caliber, the food is delicious and beautifully presented, with a modern British menu courtesy of Chef Patron Chris Galvin and head chef Marc Hardiman.
22 Park Ln, London W1K 1BE, galvinatwindows.com
Wagtail
Opened last year just round the corner from Monument is Wagtail, a rooftop restaurant and bar located atop a 1920s building. From the outdoor terrace (which has a retractable roof), you get a view of many of the city’s most famous restaurants, with The Shard, St Paul’s and the Walkie Talkie all within eyeshot. Its location means it’s often filled with schmoozing City types, but on weekends the bottomless brunch pulls in diners from far and wide: enjoy dishes like lobster rolls, burgers and risotto alongside free-flowing fizz.
68 King William St, London EC4N 7HR, wagtaillondon.com
Decimo
Perched on the 10th floor of one of London’s coolest hotels, The Standard in King’s Cross, is Decimo, a buzzy restaurant helmed by esteemed chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias. Wherever you’re sitting, you can enjoy excellent views of the city, with floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace. The menu fuses Spanish and Mexican cuisine, with tacos, Iberico pork, and gambas rojas all on offer, alongside an array of mezcal and tequila cocktails. The eatery has a young, fun vibe, with a lively brunch on Saturdays complete with music from DJs.
10th Floor, 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG, decimo.london
