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Original poster

Help me find a restaurant in London?

28 replies

MidnightHangingTree · 07/12/2020 17:41

DP and I visit London occasionally (we are very much country folk!) but tend to be so busy with various activities that we just stop and grab a quick bite to eat, so we don't really know any 'nice' restaurants.

We've got a trip planned for next March (covid permitting!) and will be going with my mum and my foster brother; it will be his 18th birthday so we'd like to treat him to a nice meal out (he's not NT and doesn't do anything on his own, so he won't have any other plans or friends to celebrate the day with).

I have no idea where to start looking though!! DP and I are big meat eaters, both my mum and foster brother don't eat a lot of meat but aren't vegetarian IYSWIM. Neither are overly keen on red meat, whereas steak is one of my main food groups Grin

We don't want anything overly fancy, I'm just thinking a nice place that does posh pub grub type food? Sort of thinking somewhere that does starters up to £15ish, mains up to £30ish.

We're going to be at The Shard in the afternoon, so somewhere sort of close to that would be good, but it's not essential as we can always get the tube.

If any Londoners, or people who go to London a lot more often than I do Blush, can give me some ideas, I would be eternally grateful!!

OP posts:
lastqueenofscotland · 07/12/2020 17:45

Chez Bruce is lovely it’s about £50ppph for 3 courses if I remember rightly?

gannett · 07/12/2020 18:12

Hawksmoor

Plonque · 07/12/2020 18:16

@gannett

Hawksmoor

I haven't been to the one in London but Hawksmoor Manchester does theee best steak I've ever had 😗👌🏽

user1471515926 · 07/12/2020 18:18

I third Hawksmoor. The Air st branch has a great fish selection for the non steak eaters

Dbrook · 07/12/2020 18:28

Hawksmoor is good and there’s a branch in Borough which is very close to the Shard. There is a lot to choose from around Borough Market if Hawksmoor is too meat heavy for the others. I like Brindisa for tapas, and there is a good Italian restaurant called Flour and Grape in nearby Bermondsey.

Fivemoreminutes1 · 07/12/2020 18:28

The Barrowboy and Banker

Titsywoo · 07/12/2020 18:29

Hawksmoor/Black and Blue/Gaucho are good for steaks.

mynameiscalypso · 07/12/2020 18:30

There's an Ivy Cafe near Tower Bridge that night work? I know it's a chain but it has a wide menu and great views.

Respectabitch · 07/12/2020 18:30

There's also a very nice gastropub type place along Bermondsey St very close to the Shard - I think it's changed name since I lived there but they'd do a very nice steak type meal but also a range of other things.

Tons of restaurants of every variety scattered around Borough Market too. With someone who likes veggie I'd be inclined to think about some excellent Indian, unless that's ruled out by your steak preference?

MissClementine · 07/12/2020 18:31

I was also going to suggest Hawksmoor. We go to the ones on Air Street and in Covent Garden but I think there is one in Borough too which is very close to The Shard.

mynameiscalypso · 07/12/2020 18:33

I do like Hawksmoor a lot and go to the one in Borough frequently but I do find that it gets pretty pricey pretty quickly.

LaBodDelMed · 07/12/2020 18:34

I was going to say Hawksmoor!
But I have also had a delicious steak a few times at The Ivy Tower Bridge, and as a PP said the menu is quite varied which might suit the other guests. Lovely views of Tower Bridge too.

Lovelydovey · 07/12/2020 18:35

Rabot 1745 or Roast in Borough Market if you’re after recommendations in that area.

JurassicParkAha · 07/12/2020 18:45

Ivy Tower Bridge, Bala Baya (Israeli) by Southwark station, Pizarro Bermondsey (Spanish tapas), le pont de la tour (french, fantastic views of tower bridge), Roast (borough market).

For gastro pubs, the anchor and hope by Southwark is excellent (one of the first to start the gastro pub concept).

Onesipmore · 07/12/2020 18:51

I think if its OPs brothers birthday and he and dm are not red meat fans, then the Hawksmoor may not be for them. Ivy would cover all bases and feel like a treat.

Titsywoo · 07/12/2020 21:27

Oh also oxo tower is great and there are always nice meat options plus lots of fish and veggie stuff. The restaurant not the brasserie though.

RNBrie · 07/12/2020 21:32

The Garrison is near The Shard, it's a very nice gastro pub. It's on Bermondsey St and there are a lot of nice places on the same road. I'd recommend more or less all of them except Village East.

In Borough Market there are some nice places too, Roast is in there but I find that a bit overrated. You can't go wrong with Hawsmoor as plenty of people have said already.

The Gun in Canary Wharf is amazing but a pain to get to.

MotherWol · 07/12/2020 21:37

Hawksmoor is a great choice, or if you get the tube into Central, Blacklock, Flat Iron or the Quality Chop House.

For something a bit more varied for the non meat eaters, I’d consider Bermondsey Larder or 40 Maltby Street, they’re both very convenient for The Shard and nice for a special occasion.

Tearsfortiers · 07/12/2020 21:48

We ate here last time we were in London and it was delicious. www.cerurestaurants.com

HelloViroids · 07/12/2020 21:51

I love Hawksmoor but think too pricy/meaty for what you suggest - I’d advise Black and Blue

AcornAutumn · 07/12/2020 21:52

@mynameiscalypso

There's an Ivy Cafe near Tower Bridge that night work? I know it's a chain but it has a wide menu and great views.
Is Ivy City Garden still there? Shorter walk to the Shard and v nice.

If you want to watch chemical cocktails, so to speak, the Alchemist bar is good and does good food.

mynameiscalypso · 07/12/2020 22:12

Isn't Ivy City Garden up near Liverpool Street? Tower Bridge is definitely closer to the Shard (I work nearby and have done the walk between London Bridge and Liverpool Street many times)

AcornAutumn · 07/12/2020 22:17

@mynameiscalypso

Isn't Ivy City Garden up near Liverpool Street? Tower Bridge is definitely closer to the Shard (I work nearby and have done the walk between London Bridge and Liverpool Street many times)
Oh sorry I’m being a plum

I don’t walk by Tower Bridge much so I’ve probably got my walking times in a muddle.

Ally19 · 07/12/2020 23:06

The Blueprint Cafe is a bit off the beaten track but absolutely worth it - try and book a window seat if you can! www.blueprintcafe.co.uk/

lurker101 · 07/12/2020 23:13

Casa do Frango is nearby and is really nice - Piri Piri chicken, like a nicer nandos and a great vibe, plenty of less meaty options too.

If you’re up to travel a bit towards either Shoreditch or Soho, there’s Gloria or Circolo Popolare, they’re both Italian restaurants by the same group. If you’re on Instagram check them out - lots of fab dishes especially desserts, pizzas and carbonara served from the cheese wheel. I think this would feel special and “buzzy” for a birthday

I’d second cocktails at the alchemist, even if your party aren’t “drinkers” the theatrics of it is very cool, especially for an 18th birthday.