Recommend me a London restaurant with spectacular views….

[87SPD]

Hi there,

DH and I are going to London in April for our wedding anniversary and would like to go somewhere with a stunning view over the water for Dinner/lunch. DH loves a good steak and I like most fish or pasta dishes.

We want to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere but with excellent service. I’m picturing low lighting, pianist, private tables for a more intimate feel and of course the view! Any suggestions?

TIA x

Any of the restaurants in the Shard are quite dramatic at night. I've only ever eaten at Hutong (Chinese/pan-Asian), so that doesn't sound like quite the fit for you, but there are others. The food wasn't out of this world amazing, so if none of the restaurants there tickle your fancy, it may be worth going for drink there, but having dinner elsewhere. The loos are pretty incredible though - my dd still talks about them!

Haven't eaten there hut the sky garden which is in the walkie talkie is incredible inside and the veiws are gorgeous

The shard is good for views, also heron tower. OXO tower is only good by the windows when it’s light.

There are many restaurants on the south bank which give a pretty low level view (over the Thames etc) for example Skylon and Sea Containers.

There also Galvin at Windows that has impressive skyline views.

Galvin at Windows or Sky Gardens although the latter can’t be described as intimate

Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery

An oldie but a goodie, I love Le Pint De La Tour, right on the river with a wonderful view of Tower Bridge. Not all views are up high!

City Social is good. Fab view from the end ladies toilet as well!

Skylon. Not a high view, but iconic london and the River Thames.

https://www.skylon-restaurant.co.uk/

Tate Modern restaurant for lunch. Not the best food in London but quite ok. Amazing view across the river to St Paul's, plus a morning at the gallery

Skylon is beautiful, fantastic food, lovely river views and nice for a romantic date as the tables are well spaced.

We ate at Darwin Brasserie at Sky Garden , if I'm really honest it wasn't really worth it. I think I'd eat somewhere else and go to the sky garden bar, either before or after

https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/london-restaurants-with-the-best-views

Or check out these rooftop restaurants.

Duck and Waffle?

We ate here last year & it was spectacular. Try to aim for sunset as that was amazing

I definitely prefer the Sky Garden restaurant over Duck & Waffle. And both are much nicer than the Shard.

Searcy's at the Gherkin

Definitely Galvin at Windows

Agree with PP - Galvin at Windows.

Wow thanks so much for the recommendations- I am going to have a good look at each one and their menus now. Liking the suggestions of drinks only in certain places, I think that sounds like a great idea!

If you're near St Paul's in the shoplint centre they have a roof top bar called Maddison's that overlooks St Paul's cathedral it's stunning!

La Pont de la Tour, or Butler's Wharf Chophouse. When you book you will need to specify that you want a table on the terrace outside (covered above, and I believe has heaters if cold). But this will be your view! It's my "go to" place for when I have visitors come to see me in London.
If on a lower budget, Tavolino also has a view of Tower Bridge from further along. Again, you will need to specify you want a table with a view when you reserve the table.

Oxo tower - fabulous!

Aqua at the shard was gorgeous.

Duck & waffle I would avoid - food was just ok, very much a packed in environment though.

The Darwin at sky garden wasn't amazing either, the food defo did not reflect the price. There is also the Fenchurch which is on the next floor up, not sure how the menu compares.

I would probably be tempted to book to go to the sky garden bar late afternoon/pre dinner for a cocktail if time allows. The shard also has a bar you can book in for, although I do think that is chargeable.

If weather nice we go here for drinks

https://www.coqdargent.co.uk/

I had dinner at Oxo Tower years ago and once it was dark outside you couldn't see out because of the interior lighting reflecting on the windows. I don't know if that's the case with all restaurants with a view.

So maybe either stick to daylight hours or somewhere with a outside terrace, like Pont de la Tour.