Restaurants With The Best View: London Guide
If there’s one thing that everyone on this planet can agree on, it’s that a good view can take anyone’s breath away. It’s even better with a tasty tipple in hand, am I right?
Luckily, London’s skyline is one of the most iconic in the world so it’s no wonder that some of London’s bars are head and shoulders above the rest.
Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, hosting a work do, or on a hot date, let those sweeping views be your wingman.
FAQ
Q: What makes the Sky Garden one of London’s top restaurants with a view?
A: The Sky Garden offers an unparalleled dining experience as it houses London’s highest public garden. Located at 20 Fenchurch Street, it provides stunning 360° views of London’s skyline while offering multiple dining options including the elegant Fenchurch Restaurant for fine dining and more casual spots for small plates and cocktails. The lush, landscaped gardens surrounding the dining areas create a unique atmosphere that combines natural beauty with modern British cuisine, making it one of the most sought-after restaurants with a view in London.
Q: Is The Shard worth visiting for its restaurants with a view?
A: Absolutely! The Shard houses several spectacular restaurants with some of the most breathtaking views in London. Aqua Shard on the 31st floor offers contemporary British cuisine with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing panoramic views of London Bridge, the Thames, and beyond. For an elevated experience, Hutong on the 33rd floor serves Northern Chinese cuisine against the backdrop of the city skyline, making it one of the London restaurants with the best views across the Thames. The height of The Shard makes it unrivaled for views, particularly at sunset when the city lights begin to twinkle, making it well worth the visit for a memorable dining experience.
Q: What are the best London restaurants with a view for special occasions?
A: For special celebrations, London restaurants with a view offer unforgettable settings. The OXO Tower Restaurant combines stunning Thames views with sophisticated fine dining and an extensive wine list. Aqua Shard provides elegant modern British cuisine with dramatic vistas of London Bridge and beyond. For something truly spectacular, Fenchurch Restaurant at Sky Garden offers exquisite fine dining surrounded by London’s highest public garden. Duck & Waffle, open 24/7, provides a unique experience with its 40th-floor location and innovative menu, perfect for marking milestone occasions against the backdrop of the city skyline.
Q: Are there any good rooftop bar options among London restaurants with views?
A: London boasts several excellent rooftop bars that combine spectacular views with great drinks and food. Radio Rooftop at ME London offers panoramic views of the Thames and London skyline with stylish cocktails and Mediterranean small plates. Madison near St. Paul’s Cathedral features a popular terrace bar with stunning cathedral views. Savage Garden near Tower Bridge provides dramatic skyline vistas with creative cocktails and contemporary food. Many of these rooftop bars transform from relaxed daytime spots to vibrant evening venues, making them versatile options for enjoying London’s views while socializing.
Q: Which restaurants near London Bridge offer the best views?
A: The London Bridge area is home to some of the city’s finest view-focused dining establishments. Aqua Shard stands out with its spectacular vistas from the 31st floor of The Shard, offering modern British cuisine. Hutong, also in The Shard, provides northern Chinese cuisine with stunning views. At ground level, restaurants like Coppa Club Tower Bridge feature glass igloos on their terrace with direct views of Tower Bridge. For a historic setting with river views, The Ivy Tower Bridge combines British classics with panoramic vistas of the Thames and the iconic bridge, making the London Bridge area a prime destination for scenic dining.
Q: Where can I find the best fine dining restaurants with views of London?
A: London offers several exceptional fine dining restaurants with stunning views. Fenchurch Restaurant at Sky Garden provides sophisticated modern British cuisine within London’s highest public garden with panoramic city views. Galvin at Windows on the 28th floor of the Hilton Park Lane combines Michelin-starred French cuisine with views over Hyde Park. For river views, OXO Tower Restaurant offers contemporary British dining with a spectacular Thames backdrop. City Social in Tower 42 combines Michelin-starred cuisine by Jason Atherton with dramatic skyline vistas. These establishments offer not just meals but complete dining experiences where exquisite food meets unforgettable views of London’s iconic landmarks.
Q: Are there any restaurants in London that offer afternoon tea with a view?
A: Several London restaurants combine the British tradition of afternoon tea with spectacular views. The Sky Garden offers afternoon tea surrounded by lush greenery in London’s highest public garden with panoramic city views. Aqua Shard serves a contemporary afternoon tea with creative pastries while overlooking London Bridge and beyond. For a classic experience, The Shangri-La at The Shard offers TĪNG afternoon tea with Asian influences and stunning vistas. Closer to the ground but equally impressive, The Ivy Tower Bridge provides traditional afternoon tea with direct views of the Thames and Tower Bridge, combining quintessential British traditions with London’s iconic skyline.
Q: What are the most affordable restaurants in London with good views?
A: Enjoying London’s stunning views doesn’t have to break the bank. Darwin Brasserie at Sky Garden offers more affordable dining options than its upscale counterpart while still providing access to London’s highest public garden and spectacular views across the Thames. Pergola rooftop venues across London combine reasonable prices with skyline vistas in a casual setting. The Founder’s Arms pub on the South Bank offers simple British pub fare with direct Thames views at moderate prices. Tayyabs in East London features rooftop dining with glimpses of the city skyline while serving affordable Pakistani cuisine, making it a hidden gem among London rooftop restaurants. These venues prove that experiencing London restaurants with a view can be accessible without the premium price tag of fine dining establishments.
Q: What makes the Sky Garden one of London’s top restaurants with a view?
A: The Sky Garden offers an unparalleled dining experience as London’s highest public garden. Located at 20 Fenchurch Street, it combines lush greenery with spectacular 360-degree views of the London skyline, making it a must-visit for those seeking the best of the city. The venue houses several dining options including the elegant Fenchurch Restaurant for fine dining with modern British cuisine, and the more casual Darwin Brasserie. What truly sets Sky Garden apart is the stunning combination of botanical gardens and panoramic views of iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge and the Thames, all accessible with free entry to the garden itself (though restaurant reservations are recommended).
Q: Is The Shard worth visiting for its restaurants, and which is the best dining option there?
A: The Shard is absolutely worth visiting for its restaurants, offering some of the most breathtaking views in London from Western Europe’s tallest building. Aqua Shard on the 31st floor is perhaps the most popular choice, serving contemporary British cuisine with floor-to-ceiling windows providing stunning views of London Bridge and beyond. Other excellent options include Hutong (33rd floor) for upscale Northern Chinese cuisine with amazing views, and TĪNG (35th floor) for British fare with Asian influences that elevate the dining experience. Each restaurant offers a unique dining experience with unmatched views of the city skyline, though they come with premium prices reflecting their exclusive location.
Q: What are the best London restaurants with a view for special occasions?
A: For special occasions, London restaurants with a view offer unforgettable settings. The OXO Tower Restaurant provides stunning views of the Thames and St. Paul’s Cathedral with sophisticated modern British cuisine. Duck & Waffle stands out as a 24/7 option on the 40th floor of Heron Tower with innovative British fare. For romantic celebrations, Galvin at Windows on the 28th floor of Hilton Park Lane offers Michelin-starred French cuisine with panoramic views of the London Eye and the city skyline. If weather permits, rooftop restaurants like Coq d’Argent with its manicured gardens and city views provide elegant settings for milestone celebrations, with impeccable service and fine dining experiences to match the spectacular vistas.
Q: Are there any good restaurants with a view near London Bridge that won’t break the bank?
A: Yes, there are several restaurants near London Bridge offering great views without premium prices. The Founder’s Arms pub offers Thames-side dining with views of St. Paul’s and reasonably priced British classics. Tavolino, with its riverside terrace, provides affordable Italian cuisine and cocktails with Tower Bridge views. The Ivy Tower Bridge combines the famous Ivy experience with Thames vistas at more moderate prices than some competitors, especially during their set menu hours. For casual dining, Vapiano on Bankside offers self-service Italian food with river glimpses, while The Horniman at Hays provides traditional pub fare with a terrace overlooking the Thames, showing that stunning views don’t always require fine dining prices.
Q: What rooftop bars in London offer the best combination of views and dining?
A: London’s rooftop bars offer exceptional view-and-dining combinations. Radio Rooftop Bar atop ME London Hotel provides tapas-style small plates with panoramic views stretching from the Shard to Big Ben. Madison near St. Paul’s Cathedral features a spacious terrace with grills and cocktails overlooking the iconic dome, perfect for enjoying the amazing views of the city. Pergola Paddington transforms seasonally, offering street food vendors and communal dining with city views. Savage Garden at Tower Suites combines dramatic skyline vistas with creative cocktails and contemporary small plates. For a truly unique experience, Seabird at The Hoxton Southwark offers London’s longest oyster menu alongside Mediterranean cuisine on a plant-filled terrace with 360-degree views, proving that London’s rooftop scene successfully marries culinary excellence with breathtaking vistas.
Q: Where can I find the best afternoon tea with a view in London?
A: London offers several exceptional venues for afternoon tea with stunning views. TĪNG at the Shard provides a classic British afternoon tea with Asian influences at a breathtaking height, offering panoramic views of London’s skyline. Aqua Shard also offers a contemporary take on afternoon tea with their theatrical “Mary Poppins”-themed experience against the backdrop of London’s landmarks. For a more traditional setting, The Thames Foyer at The Savoy serves a classic afternoon tea with views of their beautiful garden courtyard. Sky Garden’s Darwin Brasserie combines their afternoon tea service with views from London’s highest public garden. For a unique experience, B Bakery’s Afternoon Tea Bus Tour lets you enjoy tea and treats while passing London’s famous sights from a vintage Routemaster bus.
Q: Which London restaurants with a view are best for impressing business clients?
A: For impressing business clients, City Social in Tower 42 offers Michelin-starred dining with sophisticated modern British cuisine and impressive views of iconic London landmarks like the Gherkin and the Shard. Helix Restaurant at the Gherkin provides exclusive access to one of London’s most recognizable buildings with refined European cuisine and amazing views of the city. Min Jiang in Kensington offers authentic Chinese cuisine with panoramic views of Hyde Park, perfect for international clients. Fenchurch Restaurant at Sky Garden combines fine dining excellence with the unique setting of London’s highest public garden. These establishments offer private dining options, impeccable service, and remarkable views that create the perfect atmosphere for business discussions while demonstrating London’s culinary prowess.
Q: What are the best restaurants with a view in London for watching the sunset?
A: For sunset dining in London, Sushisamba in Heron Tower offers spectacular west-facing views from its outdoor terrace, combining Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine with dramatic sunset backdrops. Darwin Brasserie at Sky Garden provides sunset views through its glass walls surrounding the highest public garden in London. Boundary Rooftop in Shoreditch features a weatherproof terrace with heaters and a retractable roof, perfect for enjoying Mediterranean cuisine as the sun sets over East London. Frank’s Cafe, a seasonal rooftop bar in Peckham, offers casual dining and drinks with panoramic sunset views at accessible prices. The terrace at OXO Tower Restaurant provides front-row seats to the sun setting behind London’s skyline while enjoying modern British cuisine with inventive cocktails.
GONG Bar: The one in Western Europe’s tallest building
Situated in Western Europe’s tallest building The Shard, GONG is art of the swish Shangri-La Hotel. It oozes sophistication complete with low-lit settings, dark, stylish interiors and dickie-bow donning bartenders.
The cocktails are exquisite and pretty quirky too. Many were inspired by inventions that revolutionised the world. Take the hot air balloon for example. And then there’s the view. At home in the prime location of London Bridge, you can see sone of London’s iconic landmarks wherever you’re facing.
RSVP ahead and request the best seat in the house by the windows at sunset, and watch as the sun sets transforming London into a city of twinkling lights. Perfect for dates? Sure is IMO.
Bokan 37: The Lesser Known One
Perhaps one of the lesser-known bars with a view because of its location. Anchored on top of Novotel, 38 floors up in Canary Wharf, this rooftop bar has beautiful vistas of London from the East End.
With a plush indoor bar area, laid-back luxury vibe, and a cracking panorama, Bokan is one of the nicest bars that I’ve been to.
The cocktail menu is innovative, paying homage to the London’s Docklands. If you’re feeling peckish, a top-class restaurant delivering a modern European fare is just beneath on level 36 placating appetite. Incredible in the summer during warmer climes, watch London transform as the sun sets in East London. Perfect for parties? Check.
St. James’s Bar: The One Overlooking a London Landmark
There aren’t many bars that overlook an iconic London landmark, but St. James’s does.
Overlooking historic Trafalgar Square, St. James’ rooftop bar in central London treats guests with comfy seats and a fully stocked up bar. It’s perfect for summer parties and the company do’s. Admittedly, it’s a little on the small side, but that just adds to the exclusivity of this central London rooftop bar.
City Social: The Smart One In The City
Almost hidden within a high-rise office building, City Social is a bit tricky to find. Persevere with the lift system, and you’ll be met with a classy, low-lit, sophisticated bar/restaurant smack bang in the middle of the City.
On a level with the other soaring skyscrapers of London, gaze out and admire the views overlooking the City of London and beyond.
Naturally, you’re in the City so, expect a lot of clientele to be suited and booted. But don’t let that put you off. No one will bat an eye lid. These city slickers with their ties off and top buttons undone, are ready for to wind-down from a day’s toiling in the City’s boardrooms. Expect smartly dressed staff and top-notch service.
Jin Bo Law: The Popular City One
Perhaps an odd name compared to others, but there’s nothing doubting the cocktails and views at this City bar.
Elevated 14th stories up, this chic interiors of JBL offers unparalleled views sweeping across the City of London. Explore the rooftop terrace and admire the incredible landmarks that is Tower Bridge, the Shard, the Walkie Talkie, the Gherkin and beyond. The cocktails aren’t half bad either concocted from unusual ingredients, taking you on an a journey of cocktail discovery.
That’s my top picks of the best cocktail bars with a view. Have I missed anyone? Let me know! 👇 Cheers 🍸