London is home to some of the best restaurants with spectacular views. From high-end modern cooking in iconic buildings to traditional pubs serving hearty meals, there is something for everyone. The views are diverse, ranging from peaceful English villages to the stunning city skyline we all know and love.
In this article, we will explore some of the best restaurants with breathtaking views in all four corners of London. Whether you’re in Central, East, South, North, or West London, there is a spot waiting for you. So, let’s dive in and discover the best places to dine while enjoying the stunning views that London has to offer.
Key Takeaways
- London has a variety of restaurants with spectacular views, from high-end modern cooking to traditional pubs serving hearty meals.
- The views are diverse, ranging from peaceful English villages to the stunning city skyline.
- The article explores the best restaurants with breathtaking views in all four corners of London.
Central London
Fenchurch Restaurant
Fenchurch Restaurant is a modern British cuisine restaurant located at the top of Sky Garden on Fenchurch Street. The restaurant offers a stunning view of London and a lush covered garden that catches the sun all day long. The restaurant has an award-winning wine list and serves mains such as pan braised halibut, baby artichokes, confit garlic, and monks beard, or aged beef fillet, braised cheek, truffle, bone marrow, carrot purée with a thyme jus. Fenchurch Restaurant prides itself on great ingredients showcased on a brilliant menu. It is highly recommended to book the Fenchurch for sunset to experience one of the best restaurant experiences with a view in London.
Aqua Shard
Aqua Shard is a modern British cuisine restaurant located on level 31 of the Shard in London Bridge. The restaurant offers panoramic windows and impossibly high ceilings that provide a stunning view of the city, the river, and the East End. Aqua Shard serves fancy weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner the rest of the time. The kitchen likes to showcase British ingredients, from Cornish mackerel to Hereford 28 day dry-aged beef to a Neal’s Yard cheese board. Aqua Shard is a perfect place to end an evening after watching the sun set over London.
Galvin at Windows
Galvin at Windows is a classic upmarket London restaurant located high up in the Hyde Park Hilton. The restaurant offers 360-degree views of the city and the park. The muted decor allows the panorama to really sing, and a modern French, unfussy menu does the same for the food. The restaurant serves a beef wellington, a whole dover sole, or gnocchi with peas, morels, summer truffle, and ricotta. Galvin at Windows has impeccable service and is a great place to experience fine dining with a view in London.
Marsha
Marsha is a restaurant located in Gabriel’s Wharf, Southbank, that serves chicken cooked with passion, amongst a few other options. The restaurant offers a view of London that is almost unparalleled, overlooking the Thames from its terrace. The food is comforting and classic, with a twist. There are great buttermilk fried chicken tenders and a grilled chicken menu that includes a spatchcock with black garlic, mustard, and fennel seeds. Additionally, there are some veg-forward large plates like a beetroot quinoa salad and a vegan burger. Marsha also has a full cocktail menu, perfect for relaxing and watching the South Bank pass by.
City Social
City Social is located on the 24th floor of Tower 42 in the City of London. The restaurant offers some of the best views of London, with a sprawling cityscape in front of you. The restaurant is owned by Jason Atherton, a protege of Gordon Ramsey, and has a modern European cooking style that takes on the Josper grill to cook reasonably sourced, British ingredients to a fine art. The cooking is very unlikely to let you down, and the restaurant has gained much attention, respect, and even the odd Michelin star. City Social is a perfect place to experience fine dining with a view in London.
East London
The Duck and Waffle
The Duck and Waffle is a popular restaurant located in Bishopsgate. It is known for its stunning views of the city and is often regarded as one of the best restaurants in London with a view. The restaurant is open 24 hours a day, which means that customers can enjoy the breathtaking views of the city at any time of the day or night. The all-day menu features a variety of large and small plates, including the famous duck and waffle dish that the restaurant is named after.
Boundary Rooftop
Boundary Rooftop is a rooftop bar and grill located in Shoreditch. The restaurant offers stunning views of East London and the City, and the menu is inspired by Mediterranean cuisine. The menu features a variety of dishes, including grilled brochettes of vegetables, cheeses, glazed duck breast, and even octopus. Mains include chicken cassoulet with nduja, and grilled asparagus with pine nuts, parmesan, and a soft egg. Customers can complete their meal with one of the Boundary spritzes, which are a selection of refreshing cocktails.
London in the Sky
London in the Sky is a unique dining experience located in The O2 Arena. The restaurant is suspended high above the arena, offering stunning views of the Thames and beyond. The menus are curated by top London chefs and offer a variety of dining options, including breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and cocktails. The dinner menu features a variety of dishes, including Rump & Shoulder of Lamb, Pickled Heritage Carrot, Pea Puree, Sweet Potato Pave & Watercress Salsa Verde, Rosemary Jus, and a seared cauliflower steak with dukkah for vegetarians.
Scoff and Banter
Scoff and Banter is a restaurant located in Canary Wharf with views across the Thames. The menu features modern British cuisine, described as ‘British Soul Food.’ The restaurant offers a vegan menu in addition to its regular menu, making it an ideal place for a multigenerational family party. Customers can hop on the ferry to the O2 arena just outside the restaurant, which is a pleasant activity in itself and offers a new perspective of the city.
Bokan
Bokan is a sky-high restaurant located in Canary Wharf, 37 floors in the air. The restaurant offers stunning views of the city, including the Thames. The menu features contemporary European cuisine, with experimental dishes at times. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere, despite having all the makings of a fine-dining establishment. The European waiters are knowledgeable about wine and are happy to recommend.
South London
The Mayflower
Located in Rotherhithe, The Mayflower offers a unique dining experience with a view of London that transports you back in time. The cobbled streets and wooden deck overlooking the Thames add to the charm of the place. The modern pub food, including the pulled pork burger, brings you back to the present. The Sunday roast is a must-try and pairs perfectly with a pint of ale. The leaded windows offer a picturesque view of the river, making it a dreamy spot for a meal.
Frank’s Cafe
Frank’s Cafe, located in Peckham, is a rooftop eatery that offers breathtaking views of the city. The ex-carpark is a canvas for a huge weather-reflecting painting by Richard Wentworth, adding to the unique experience. The small plates, such as mackerel, labneh, and charred peppers, and BBQ lamb’s ribs with tzatziki are all under ten pounds each and are a great option for a quick bite or a full meal.
Forza Wines
Forza Wines, located in Peckham, is a fancy wine bar that serves amazing small plates. The hills in south London offer some of the best views of the city, and Forza Wine on Rye Lane is no exception. Burrata and raw artichoke, taleggio and pickle toasties, and charred asparagus with crab mayonnaise and lemon are just some of the delicious options available. For only 99 pounds, you can try everything on offer, but it’s recommended to bring some friends to share with.
Skylon
Located in the Royal Festival Hall on the Southbank, Skylon offers a contemporary European dining experience with a view of the river and the Southbank. The name Skylon comes from a spindly futuristic object sculpture that first appeared in the Festival of Britain back in 1951. The menu offers a range of options, from foie gras to burgers and steaks. The first-floor dining room offers stunning views of the city, making it an excellent spot for a meal.
North London
Beit El Zaytoun
Located in Harlesden, Beit El Zaytoun is a Lebanese restaurant that offers a stunning view of the river Brent and a beautiful garden. The restaurant is known for its breakfast offerings, which include labneh, hummus, Turkish coffee, and more. For only £17 per person, guests can enjoy a full morning feast. Later in the day, the restaurant serves wonderful mezze plates and chicken shawarma, often accompanied by live music. The service is incredibly friendly and efficient, making Beit El Zaytoun a must-visit restaurant in North London.
Rotunda Bar and Restaurant
Situated on York Way, Rotunda Bar and Restaurant offers a picturesque view of Regents’ Canal. The restaurant’s terrace is a treat for the eyes, designed by London sculpture garden at Pangolin. The food is modern international, with a focus on British ingredients. Guests can enjoy mains such as hand cut pasta with sorrel cream and rainbow chard, and tandoori spatchcock with cumin red rice and white daal. The restaurant is perfect for a blowout lunch by the canal.
Lockside Camden
In the heart of Camden, Lockside Camden is a casual restaurant that offers a great view of the canal. The restaurant is known for its generous portions and reasonable prices. Guests can enjoy a hearty burger, excellent battered haddock with chips and mushy peas, or a buddha bowl if they’re not feeling like red meat or fried food. With its stunning views and delicious food, Lockside Camden is a great choice for a casual meal in North London.
West London
Fenn Restaurant
Located in Fulham, Fenn Restaurant is a new establishment run by the team behind Nest at the Treehouse Hotel in Fitzrovia. The restaurant sources all of its ingredients from UK producers and boasts an ever-rotating wine list curated from 120 wineries to complement its menu. The set menu offers a variety of dishes, including Fenn fried chicken, beef tartare, and smoked oil, as well as halibut, Cornish crabs, and sea herbs, among others. Vegetarians can also enjoy a full set menu. The dining space is small but cozy, with windows on every wall providing great opportunities for people watching.
Rick Stein Barnes
Rick Stein Barnes, located in Richmond, offers a bucolic atmosphere with its ramshackle lanes, tumbledown old pubs, population of deer, and the Thames at the center of things. The restaurant’s courtyard or window tables provide a perfect setting for watching the world go by. The menu is based around excellent seafood, with Dorset oysters in shallot dressing being a popular starter. Guests can also enjoy fish and chips with tartar sauce or the more upscale lobster thermidor. With its stunning view, Rick Stein Barnes is a London restaurant that is hard to forget.
The Skylark Cafe
The Skylark Cafe in Wandsworth Common may describe itself as a cafe, but it certainly qualifies as a London restaurant with a view. The restaurant carefully sources all of its meat and Cacklebean eggs. The wine list is perfectly curated to the season and includes some great lesser-known wineries. Guests can grab a breakfast bap and take in the gorgeous views of Wandsworth Common and the 150-year-old farmhouse beside the Skylark. Alternatively, they can sit down to a freekeh, baby artichoke, and pickled courgette brunch bowl and a mimosa. The Skylark Cafe offers a well-priced restaurant experience with a stunning view.