Swan

100 year old bar lounge featuring a rare collection of whiskies. And mixologist Francesco is an…read moreartiste.

One of our last nights in London we stopped into The Bloomsbury Club…read more After being seated at the covered outdoor bar, the service was spectacular and I ordered (and enjoyed) a Dingle gin (just having been to Ireland and had a Dingle gin flavored ice cream that I loved) with a pineapple juice mixer and the honey ordered a mango fizz (which he adored). During our visit the musician Colin Andrew played/sang and he was amazing. With notes of Paolo Nutini, he really added to the overall vibe and made the night a hit. All in all I can't speak highly enough about The Bloomsbury Club drinks and vibe and would absolutely return in a second!

Ren

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The Water Rats

3.4(48 reviews)

1.7 mi•Bloomsbury

Sunday Roast was on my to do list and after traveling from the country side via train and tube from…read moreOxfordshire with suitcase and delays, I was delighted to find this cute pub next to my hotel. The service was friendly and I met the owner Sharon and we had a lovely chat. My roast arrived and it was just the meal I needed. Roast beef smothered in brown gravy, veggies cooked to perfection, and Yorkshire pudding (a light delicate bread) and I washed it down with a Diet Coke. Truly such savory meal that didn't feel heavy at all. With that fuel I hoped on thr tube and explored London. Priced fairly and a space with a rich musical history, I'd gladly be a water rat again!

We had some time to spare before catching our train from King's Cross, so we stopped by this spot…read morefor a quick breakfast. We kept it simple--just scrambled eggs with bread. The place had a nice, spacious vibe, and since it was really early, we pretty much had it all to ourselves. But what really made it special was what we found out afterward-- Here's the cool part: there's been a public house on this site for over 500 years! The current building was put up in 1878. It was a regular hangout for none other than Karl Marx and Lenin--how wild is that? The walls are covered with photos of famous performers who've been there, along with images from the Grand Order of Water Rats. The whole place just feels rich with history--both old and more recent. The pub was bought in 1986 by the Grand Order of Water Rats, a showbiz charity whose members have included legends like Charlie Chaplin, and currently, Rick Wakeman. Even cooler--it's where Bob Dylan played his first-ever UK gig back in the 1960s. Since then, it's hosted the London debuts of bands like The Pogues and Oasis. And in this tiny back room, they've had live performances by major international stars, including Katy Perry.

The Water Rats,London_Yelp_Sanju-11

The Water Rats,London_Yelp_Sanju-12

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Wallacespace

5.0(2 reviews)

1.9 mi•Bloomsbury

A great venue for small conferences, meetings, events and training. A former warehouse, the…read morebuilding has been thoughtfully refurbished and retains a lot more character than many antiseptic modern venues. A nice feature is the plentiful availability of food, from breakfast onwards in the basement cafe. Lots of healthy choices (salads, veggie options) as well as a range of desserts - the gluten free "Rocky Road" style brownies were a particular favourite in our group. On each floor are tables laden with sweets, nuts and cereal bars to munch on during meetings, with fridges containing a wide range of soft drinks, home made cordials, a range of teas and coffee. Very friendly and obliging staff. I'd very happily go back.

Wallacespace - St. Pancras is a marvelous place to hold off-site work meetings, workshops or…read morecourses. The rooms are lovely; most appear to have a lot of windows and natural light, as ours did. The snacks and meals are extraordinarily good. The support from Wallacespace staff was what stood out most of all. I managed the delivery of a three-day course there; Wallacespace staff cheerfully helped me and my team to resolve the last minute emergencies that arose. Participants commented also that the setting was a big "plus" for the course. I highly recommend them if you are looking for a venue to hold your meeting/course/workshop etc.

St. Pancras London, Autograph Collection

4.1(111 reviews)

1.9 mi•King's Cross

Our first trip together to London found us staying at the glorious St. Pancras Renaissance. It was…read morean absolute glorious hotel for of grand Victorian ceilings and elegant nouveau furnishings and style. We spent four nights at the St. Pancras in a lovely room with. A cozy long sized bed and sofa to lounge when we needed to chill without lying down. There was ample closet space and some shelving to putting away clothes. The desk area was very nice and roomy with a nice style about it. The lamps had good lighting that was warm and inviting. The bathroom had good water pressure and sink space to place all toiletries. The staff was incredibly helpful and accommodating. They allowed us to use the amenities at their spa when our room wasn't ready and we needed to clean up from the all-day travels we had spent since the day before coming over from the States. Staying at the hotel is an experience from the fact that this Victorian building used to be the original train station for St. Pancras. They have repurposed the high-ceiling gothic interior that originally served for the meeting and ticketing offices for the main lobby area and the Booking Office 1869 bar. The grandeur of the design is allowed to fully take place in the superb elements of fine dining and comforting relaxation. The Booking Office Bar & Restaurant was a mainstay for us during our time at the hotel. It's difficult not to want to check out the Victorian splendor of that interior while enjoying delicious cocktails and food at the bar or one of the nearby tables. While we didn't have the opportunity to enjoy the Victorian Punch Hour that was at 5:05 each afternoon, it is something of heard to check out if you can. In addition to the Booking Office, there is the Hansom in the lobby, the Seasonal Terrance for wine hour, MI + ME, and the Gothic Bar. The latter of which was also quite magical with its Victorian design and grand luxurious interior with darkly warm lighting and creative cocktail menu. Located next to King's Cross Station in addition to St. Pancras International Station, you have immediate access to the high-speed rail system that takes you as far north as Scotland and south throughout the heart of Europe. You have one of the central hubs to multiple Underground rail stations that can take you all through Central London and its outskirts. You are also a very short walking distance from both the British Library and the British Museum. Like literally across the street close. The St. Pancras was an excellent choice for a hotel during our stay in Central London. I hope we can return again when set our course back across the pond.

This is a great hotel and well situated to both the underground and train service. Private…read moreentrance to the hotel from the station kept me out of the elements and was very nice. Lots of food options within walking distance. Hotel staff are very friendly and customer service oriented.

The Chambers Club

St. Pancras London, Autograph Collection

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Conway Hall

4.1(8 reviews)

1.2 mi•Bloomsbury

Big, rented space venue. Apparently they allow one hour and a half between space rented one and…read moreanother- on the dot of 4pm(scheduled end of some vegan event) was the announcement, "please leave, or we have to pay extra because there is another event at 5:30!" As rented spaces go, not bad- a bit crowded with the stalls, but that's how these events go-not the venue's fault. Good, bright lighting, high ceilings.

Claims to be "the landmark of London's independent intellectual, political and cultural life", it…read morehosts a wide variety of lectures, classes, performances, community and social events. It is the only remaining ethical society in the United Kingdom. It's a particularly great venue for the Sunday Sermons held by The School of Life http://www.theschooloflife.com/shop/classroom/sunday-sermons/

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The Crypt

4.0(1 review)

0.9 mi•Farringdon

The Crypt is the perfect venue for a work dos and special events. It has much History such as King…read moreHenry V111 held his three-day wedding feast there in 1531. I went along with my work colleagues as they hired out the venue for a Christmas work party. The Crypt is quite a decent size to hire out we had 10 tables seating 10 people around each table which seems to be the max number of tables that this venue can hold in the size it accommodates along with a DJ/band and bar area. As you can imagine the venue looks like a church outside and in as it used to be. So you have nice stone wall and stain glass windows. Lovely place for a wedding reception. The food that was served was all quite nice but not totally hot but then i did not expect it to be when they have to serve approx. 100 people on the night but I am sure if was much lesser people food would of been hotter and nicer. Only one thing I feel the portions are quite small and half a icecream scoop of mash. Other than that lovely venue and the staff are very nice and willing to please.

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Haberdashers' Hall

4.5(2 reviews)

0.7 mi•Farringdon

I went here for a financial breakfast presentation this morning and the place is lovely!…read more Very kind, welcoming staff. I love the fountain in the middle of the courtyard (pictured) that has jets of water shooting up from the ground landing in the receptacle at the top an then filtering back down. We had bacon sandwiches for breakfast which were devine! Most likely because the Hall is in the area best known for the Smithfield Meat-Market! Nom nom nom

I had a group lunch meeting here through work, and I love it when these give me a peek inside some…read moreof the historic buildings around the City that aren't usually open to the public. This venue is a gorgeous old livery building complete with grassy green courtyard and fountain at its heart that would've been lovely to sit in the afternoon sun were it not for the management team waiting to present upstairs. There were sunlit reception drinks on the upper level overlooking the courtyard through floor-to-ceiling windows, which led through to the spacious main presentation room. The 3-course lunch was delicious - a goat's cheese starter on flaky pastry, a salmon main served unusually on a mushroom with an almost sweet red sauce, and creme brulee for dessert that needed a pleasing amount of force to smash the top. Superb service meant it was all delivered and cleared smoothly and silently - and whilst wearing soft black gloves! Special kudos for the mini pot of jelly babies in the middle of each table too - I may have been playing the serious grown-up hard at work but they were the perfect light-hearted touch to make me smile :) Impressive all round - I'll be looking out for more meetings in this venue again!

House Of Detention

5.0(1 review)

1.2 mi•Clerkenwell

I am a big fan of site-specific theatre and an even bigger fan of forgotten gothic sites around…read moreLondon, especially catacombs and prisons ... The House of Detention ticks all the right boxes and I was thrilled to find out about this amazing space via the Southwark Playhouse who currently host Belt Up Theatre's Macbeth here. Whether you are a fan of Shakespeare or not, the venue alone is worth the entry fee. And the acting is actually rather good, too, and felt in keeping with how the play would have been performed originally.

The Rhythm Cafe

4.0(1 review)

3.0 mi•Camden Town

The Rhythm Cafe had their opening night on the 12th February. It went down an absolute storm. For…read morethis night they moved to the Interchange Studios in Hampstead but its home will be the The Pirate Castle every Friday night from the 19th Feb. The line up is something we'll hopefully be seeing on a regular basis. Beats Ecstatic rocked the show as over 150 people partied the night away. Jally Keba Susso wowed everyone with his musical talents. The chill out room housed a bar, and different options on vegan food. There was even a space for getting a massage. The best thing about this night is that it is open to all the family. Young and old get together to enjoy drumming circles, dance and performances. If you have a love of rhythm, like to rub shoulders with shamans, healers and other such esoteric and holistically astute people mixed with a true marriage of cultures, races and ages, you should check out The Rhythm Cafe. It is awesome.

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Qype User (alvart…)

14 years ago

Hi everybody, We had the chance to have dinner in the Swan yesterday and I have to say that this is by far the worst SERVICE I've ever had. I want to stress that it was the service and not the food, which was pretty good. Let me share my reasons with you. We booked a table for 6 at 10pm and they kept us waiting for 15mins. When we finally were taken to the restaurant's floor, there were plenty of tables available but they gave us the worst one by farhardly could see any views from there. Then we ordered and wellsuch a disaster!! We ordered meat and it took them almost 1;30mins to serve us (11;45pm). Also, with every dish we had the right to have a side dish. Well we should have had 8 side dishes and we had 4no explanations or whatsoever were given by the staff. We ordered a bottle of wine and after 45min waiting for it, and after having told the waiter twice, the bottle wasnt there yet. When we told them that we had wait for almost two years the waiter said " Yeah, three years better". I dont know you, but I can not cope with bad service plus bad manners. Then they offered the bottle for free, which we thought was a good way to compensate all the hassle. Another oneat the very beginning of the dinner, they kindly asked us for the desserts that we wanted (even though we had not even started). We ordered the desserts and not surprisingly those were never cook for usthey just simply decided to close the kitchenthat was unbelievable! they offered us a glass of champaign for the hassle, which we accepted. So after all this mess we asked for the bill and tarah!! they had charged us with 3 bottles of wine when we had had 2 and one those two was meant to be for free. So we told them and they removed it. But come ontoo many mistakes in one nightthere's no way to accept that, especially when the restaurant is not precisely cheapso we decided not to pay the service chargeand they decided to play some music similar to the ones that would be played in a cemeteryOMGthose mannersI could not believe thatIf I were the owner I would get rid of the managers since they were the ones that had really bad manners and played the musicI am sorry for the waiter, who was trying to do what he couldthe manager kept hidden all the time. In short, if you want to have a good beer it is a nice place to go. If you want to spend between £50-60 and enjoy of a nice restaurant then chose any other restaurant in the city. Have a good day! read more

Qype User (tangot…)

18 years ago

I was sceptical when I first went to the Globe. How on earth could an American director recreate Ye Olde Shakespeare's Globe Theatre? Was I buying into some terrible illusion of Merrie England? Would I feel the inevitable fleecing that happens when you enter zone 1 of London tourist attractions? I'm pleased to say that it remains my favourite London theatre, and I go every summer on the Yard tickets. The trick with the £5 standing tickets is not to rush to be too close to the stage as a. you can't see too well, and b. the actors may well pour something on you, if only scorn! I got bashed in the head with a dead pigeon during a production last summer, which was slightly traumatic. They do some fantastic stuff, though, and the cast always includes well-seasoned actors - Josie Lawrence was there this season. Bargain. Pack your flask of Pimms and lemonade, sit down during the intervals and give yourself a calf massage, and enjoy the shows! read more

Qype User (ahunte…)

11201

981

740

19 years ago

Went to watch Romeo & Juliet here during the summer. Great fun. Particularly on a warm, dry evening (rare in London. I know!). We stood in the Yard which was cheap and a really great experience. I was dissapointed to learn there was no rotten veg to chuck at the actors though. Ho Hum. We went with a friend who is a local guide and it was brilliant fun hearing all the interesting facts about the globe. Here's a couple i can remember - - Built by a chap called Sam Wannamaker, an American actor. He was appalled to learn that there was no monument to the old globe theatre. So he made it his lifes work to rebuild the globe. - They have to repaint the globe every year, because it is so open to the elements - Not single nail was used when building the globe. It's all clever joint work. Just like the original. All in all a brilliant day out. A must for all Londoners and visitors. read more

Qype User (rachel…)

6740

572

510

17 years ago

There are plenty of good reviews available for this fantastic site so I'll keep mine straight forward. Booking advance if you want to see a show at a popular time, otherwise you can get tickets the morning of, so if you are about on a week day and have the time you can bag yourself some tickets that would otherwise be sold out. Standing is well worth it! You are amongst the actors in parts, and also right near the action. I think if you are going open air, in a replica of something traditional then you should stand around the stage and take in the atmosphere (note: if you can't stand for an hour or two then cave and get a cushion and a bench seat). As it is exposed you should enjoy this experience so much more in summer (midnight shows are especially fun) but if you come to visit in the colder months do rug up properly! read more

Qype User (TaiGam…)

13 years ago

Being a groundling is worth doing once, but don't choose a long play and do bring a cushion for the interval! Game Mobile (http://www.taigame247.net/) . Khan mobi (http://www.taigame247.net/khan-mobile.html) . Game Avatar (http://www.taigame247.net/game-avatar/) . Khí Phách Anh Hùng (http://www.taigame247.net/khi-phach-anh-hung/) . Game Music city (http://www.taigame247.net/game-music-city/) . Game Iwin (http://www.taigame247.net/game-iwin/) . Game Bigone (http://www.taigame247.net/game-bigone/) . Ngu Long Tranh Ba (http://www.taigame247.net/ngu-long-tranh-ba/) . khi phach anh hung (http://www.wapgame247.com/khi-phach-anh-hung-145/) read more

Qype User (eamo…)

6563

461

252

16 years ago

The theatre is wonderful, if you're proper old school like me and don't mind a bit of standing about. But, here's a word or two of warning: If you're strolling past on WS's birthday, don't be tempted in by free entrance fee that coincides with and celebrates the day of the Bard's birth. The museum lacks invention and inspiration and overall was about as stimulating as Camilla Parker-Bowles underwear draw, as boring as being locked in a room with Andy Murray and as a result, even the most hardcore tourists were losing the will to live. It's easily the worst free ticket I never spent money on. read more

Qype User (kirsty…)

18 years ago

The idea behind the Globe was a great - to recreate the Elizabethan theatre in which Shakespeare would have shown his plays. The architecture and design have been recreated as faithfully as possible (complete with no roof, so don't forget your brolly!). It also gives a completely different theatre experience to the norm - especially if you just pay the fiver to stand and watch as a groundling. However, is it more of a museum/experience type venue rather than a credible artistic one? I for one have seen some pretty abysmal productions here. Very touristy. read more

Qype User (jackha…)

13 years ago

I was at the Globe back in 2006 with my Class, unfortunately I can't remember the name of the play. But it was gorgeous! The play was very funny and the actors where quite good. And the venue itself, I think there is nothing more to say then: Beautiful! The next time I'm in London I'll definitely be there ;) aánh bài online (http://migamevn.com/) . game dân gian (http://migamevn.com/web/baucuaca.html) . tours vietnam (http://toursvietnam.vn/) . hack avatar (http://wapchoi.mobi/online/avatar/) read more

Qype User (bexb-…)

8805

138

14 years ago

Make sure you try to pick a day when it doesn't rain we were lucky as it didn't, but I can imagine that it could be a soggy affair if it was. But the fact that there's such a monument of history which is so welcoming and actively used is a real testament. The plays themselves are fantastic interpretations great if you've got any school-aged children. A tip if you're standing up get there early and lean against the back of the theatre, as after a few hours, you'll need it. read more

Carolina C.

102

349

13 years ago

This is the place to go if you want a perfect dining experience for your date. The food is perfect, the view from here is perfect (I love the River Thames), the service is also good. It's conveniently located at the Shakespeare's Globe so we didn't have a hard time finding some other restaurants that serves overpriced food. Dining at The Swan may have cost a bit more than some place else but it's worth every euro spent. read more

Luke M.

10 years ago

This is amazing classy place. I even felt a little bit uncomfortable in this shiny atmosphere. The menu is very formal but it was delicious,the staff was friendly,attentive,explaning the menu and making sure we were comfortable, As far as I know the food is sourced from the local market down the road. There is great view of the river. It is great for luch and I think for dinner too. read more

Qype User (DienDa…)

13 years ago

An excellent site to see, this really is a very special place. Where else (apart from Stratford Upon Avon or the Minack in Cornwall) would you want to see some good ye olde Dien aàn rao vat (http://ndfloodinfo.com/) . rao vat mien phí (http://ndfloodinfo.com/) . game dien thoai (http://www.wapgame247.com/) . khí phách anh hùng (http://www.wapgame247.com/khi-phach-anh-hung-145/) read more

Christina M.

7 years ago

I had the sandwich, a grilled cheese with caramelized onions on sourdough, with tomato soup instead of salads. I added a bacon and it was whopping with flavor already. The staff was friendly and accommodating. They didn't rush us while we are deciding what to order. I look forward on coming back for teatime next time, scones and all the pastries seems to be delicious. read more

Qype User (chrisa…)

15 years ago

We visited The Globe during a weekend in London as we had a 2-for-1 voucher from travelling by train. Of everything we did, this will stick in the memory the longest. The guided tour was superb, being both informative and light-hearted at the same time. The greatest compliment I can give is that after visiting we are now eager to return and actually watch a play. read more

Qype User (TuanAn…)

13 years ago

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Qype User (louise…)

14 years ago

For only £ 13.50 you can enjoy the atmosphere of this place. The tour is interesting, I'm planning to go there soon. The magnificent and iconic building will capture you with its history and special atmosphere. Sometimes its too noisy during the tours, so keep this in mind when you're going there. read more

Qype User (shelle…)

105

18 years ago

A thatched recreation of the original theatre of the same name. A creation of Sam Wannamaker who sadly neverlived to see his baby completed. Is it a disneyesque abberation? surprisingly not. It is actually a very good theatre experience,either standing or sitting. read more

Sunny L.

Elite 26

381

759

1 year ago

Just steps from the iconic Shakespeare's Globe, this spot is perfect for enjoying bites and cocktails before a show. With a casual atmosphere, decent food, friendly staff, and refreshing drinks, it's an ideal pre-theatre stop. Reservations are highly recommended! read more

Qype User (maever…)

922

14 years ago

There is no excuse. Not to go. There are standing tickets for 5 pounds each (no orange sellers but you can't get closer to the real deal that this). You have more money to spend? You can sit too. That's all really. Just go. You'll be charmed. read more

Qype User (jonath…)

13 years ago

An excellent site to see, this really is a very special place. Where else (apart from Stratford Upon Avon or the Minack in Cornwall) would you want to see some good ye olde shakespeare. Excellent destination, I would highly recommend it. read more

Swan - british - Updated September 2026

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4.2

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I loved this place!…read more We had the wedding party do an early supper in the afternoon here with a ton of food and drinks . It was a big group and we were very happy! Fish and chips - 4 stars my goodness Burgers- 4 stars , soooo yummy Steak frites - done right 4 stars Caesar Salad- 4 stars Roast Lamb Rump - 4 stars Beef Short Ribs - 4 stars

Stopped by unexpectedly. I ate an amazing Sunday meal. We had the chicken roast. It was…read moreunbelievable with the gravy that accompanied the meal. This place deserves five stars. We sat upstairs and it is a quaint nicely designed Victorian style restaurant. Our server Stevie was very friendly and informative. Downstairs is a proper pub. I would highly recommend if you're traveling to London.

Millie's Lounge

4.2

(18 reviews)

Beautiful location and delicious food for a high tea. We went on a Saturday at noon and enjoyed the…read morevariety of sandwiches, scones and desserts with, of course, a nice selection of teas, All were lovely and classic. I'm a huge dessert (especially chocolate) fan and my only slight criticism is that the chocolate dessert had a very thick outer shell which was a bit too heavy for me. A thinner shell would have complimented the insides without overpowering it. The location in the Ned Hotel was airy and bright and there was a three piece band playing jazzy versions of pop songs (e.g., Toxic by Britney Spears!). They were very good but it made it a bit difficult for conversations, probably because our seat was so near to the stage. Our waiter was attentive and helpful. We enjoyed seeing the variety of people there as well, including kids with their grandmothers, young couples, London residents, and tourists. It's not super dressy and a jacket is not required, although I wouldn't recommend going there in a t-shirt or ath-liesure. A super nice experience!

Millie's was exactly what we were looking for for our high tea!…read more We went on a Friday afternoon and were able to get a reservation day of. This place is located near Bank Station and is in a grand building with other restaurants all in this large open space. But even with that, the experience still felt elegant and intimate. The staff was lovely and our main server was super cheerful and bubbly. He described all the sandwiches and desserts in great detail and even gave us a little history on them as well as his own personal faves. The tea selection was great, with ~10 teas to choose from. The food was DELICIOUS. We had second servings on all the sandwiches and as we were too full to finish our desserts, the staff helped us pack them up to go for later. This is a phenomenal choice for a high tea in London for both the food, ambiance and location.

The Ivy Chelsea Garden

3.9

(116 reviews)

Came here for dinner with family and left with mixed feelings…read more The experience started off a bit rough. We were told to wait in the lobby for a table, but there weren't enough seats available, so several of us ended up standing around awkwardly. Once seated, the restaurant was extremely loud. It made conversation difficult, and I definitely wouldn't recommend it as a date-night spot unless you're comfortable raising your voice just to hear each other. The lighting was also surprisingly dim--I could barely read the menu without using my phone light. Unfortunately, our seating situation didn't help either. We were placed next to a large family party with two children running around and playing on the bench seating. They repeatedly kicked my dad by accident, and after several incidents I finally had to ask them to stop myself. What was frustrating was that the parents never seemed to intervene. As for the food, there were definitely some highlights. The beef tartare was excellent--fresh, flavorful, and the egg on top tied everything together nicely. They served it with four slices of bread, though I personally think chips or crostini would have complemented it better. The duck salad, on the other hand, wasn't for me. It had a strange sweet-and-savory fusion flavor that reminded me of fruit-flavored duck jerky mixed into a salad. For the mains, the Shepherd's Pie was decent. The flavors were good, though nothing particularly memorable, but the presentation was impressive. The standout dish of the night was the teriyaki salmon. It was cooked perfectly, moist, and packed with flavor. We also ordered the scallop and scampi linguine. The sauce was enjoyable, but the pasta itself didn't seem freshly made and lacked the al dente texture I was expecting. Overall, the food ranged from good to very good, especially the salmon and beef tartare, but the noisy atmosphere, poor lighting, and seating experience took away from what could have been a much more enjoyable meal.

The place has a very chic and elegant atmosphere. We went without a reservation but were still able…read moreto find a table. From the moment we walked in, the staff were extremely polite and welcoming. The food was delicious and the presentations were very well done.

OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar And Brasserie

4.0

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Loved the service - very attentive staff. Our waiter was really kind and helped us make great…read moredecisions. The crab toast was a great appetizer. The bread tasted great and the crab mix on top was fresh, not too heavy. Perfectly seasoned. The prawns were juicy and they give you a fair portion. The best part is the rice cake it's served on. Fried perfectly and soaks up the curry sauce nicely. We also got two bloody Mary's which were well mixed. Will definitely return

Returning to the OXO Tower after more than two decades was a nostalgic experience. My first visit…read morein 2002 with my wife left a lasting impression, and this time, I was eager to share the memory with my son during our English football trip to London on Sunday October 5, 2025. The views from the south bank of the Thames remain unmatched--truly the best spot I've ever dined in London. Looking out over the city, it's hard to imagine a better vantage point. But the experience is more than just the scenery; the service was impeccable. Both our waitress and the sommelier were attentive, friendly, and made us feel right at home. The food was memorable as well. I started with the Surrey courgette carpaccio, which surprised me as a vegan dish--full of flavor and delicious. For my main, I had the Welsh lamb with haggis-boulangère potato, onion, and sage sauce. It was outstanding! We paired our meal with a bottle of French wine from their thorough catalog, choosing a modestly priced option and skipping the Château Margaux this time. Although we didn't have room for dessert, the menu offered plenty of choices. Overall, the food was delicious, the views legendary, and the service and ambiance made the experience complete. I wish I could visit this place more often!

Laughing Gravy

4.2

(62 reviews)

Funny name (no pun intended) for this cozy tastefully modern British fare restaurant located in…read moreSouthwark. I strolled in sans reservation on a Saturday night and luckily was able to be seated (perks of traveling solo?) however recommend making a reservation as the place is quite small in size. Service was friendly and attentive. The staff seems to work together to ensure costumer satisfaction. For beverages, there is a list of speciality or classic cocktails, some beers, limited wines by the glass, and a more extensive wines by the bottle list. I was delighted with my gin based cocktail from their speciality menu. Not sure if this is a London thing or just in my case but water was free... the still seems to be tap as many tables had metal refillable carafes. I chose sparking and was pleasantly surprised when the bill came and I was not charged. The plating of food is beautifully presented. I order the Market fish entree. The one star down is due to the fact I was told it was halibut today as they had a few more before they switched to serving salmon. Once my order came out it was indeed salmon, would have been nice to give me notice in case I wanted to change my order based on the unavailability. Worthy of mention is the automatically added 12% gratuity to your bill as the menu does not disclose this.

We had a couple of missed food moments in London (two-hour wait for Dishoom, Bumpkin Notting Hill…read moreclosing down, etc.), but we were very glad that the Laughing Gravy came through. A quick walk down Blackfriars Road, Laughing Gravy is a cute restaurant with a beautiful dining area and bar. The menu is offers dishes that infuse the essence of traditional British food with new-style cooking. I decided to start the meal with their spin on Scotch Eggs - with scallops and squid on a bed of arugula and seaweed. Very unique - and the flavors worked very well together! I don't think I'll be able to find another scotch egg like that one. For my main, I got the fowl with mustard sauce and white beans. Savory and just SO good. Every bite. Delicious. Great meal. Pricey, but it's to be expected. Quite, quite good.

Holborn Dining Room

4.0

(76 reviews)

This was one of those places that infiltrated my Instagram algorithm, and I'm glad it did…read more It's everything I love, top tier delicious food in an unpretentious environment. On top of that, the service was friendly (like the server actually loved the food too) and their recommendations were all welcome and on point. Things I loved: - Beef Pot Pie with the sauce on the side. It has made my small list of food so good it made me mad. Loved everything about it. - Strawberries and cream dessert. Perfectly sweet, the crunchy texture of merengue. Mascarpone cream. 5/5 on food, service, and the unpretentious ambiance. Come at 5pm before the crowd comes in for an early quiet dinner, otherwise at 7pm the restaurant starts to fill up. Navigation tip: Instead of telling your cab driver go to "Holborn Dining Room" tell them go to the "Rosewood Hotel". It's the restaurant facing the street, but attached to the hotel.

By accident, ended up at the same restaurant and same server 2 nights in a row @Pie Room on High…read moreHolden, London. Lucia was fantastic, and our party of 4 became fast friends with her Monday night, and then tonight our CEO had booked the same restaurant (unknowingly) for our business party of 10, and fortunately she was our server again. Amazing savory pies, cheeses and red wine. A must stop on London - be sure to ask for Lucia and tell her I said hi! Be sure to try one of their 300 gins.

The Admiralty

4.1

(149 reviews)

This is my first visit to the UK. Started in Scotland and ended in London. Loved this pub! Great…read moreservice and great London vibes. Best fish and tartar sauce I had. Want the recipe. Also tried my first-ever meat pie! After reading about this in so many books...I can finally cross this off my bucket list of food to try. Will be back when I visit London again.

What a distinguished and cute pub!…read more Visiting the area and my friend couldn't wait to take me here to visit due to it being one of his favorite places to go. I absolutely loved the decor of the pub and appreciated the service. I had never had many of the beers on tap and the servers were so kind and letting me taste a few before I made my decision. I didn't get to taste the food but that will be next on my list the next time I visit.

The Swan

3.9

(173 reviews)

A Wonderful Afternoon Tea at The Swan - Thanks to Theo!…read more I had the absolute pleasure of enjoying afternoon tea at The Swan, and what truly made the experience exceptional was the outstanding service from Theo. From the moment we arrived, she greeted us with a warm smile and genuine hospitality that set the tone for a lovely afternoon. Theo was attentive, friendly, and incredibly professional throughout. She made sure everything was perfect--from keeping our teapots topped up to explaining each of the delicious items on the tray with care and enthusiasm. Her attention to detail and calm, welcoming manner made us feel completely relaxed and well looked after. The food itself was delicious--beautifully presented sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and a tempting selection of sweet treats--but it was Theo's service that turned a great tea into a truly memorable occasion. If you're planning an afternoon tea at The Swan, I highly recommend it--and be sure to ask for Theo. She's a true star! Excellent service.

We came here without a reservation and seated at a two person table in the back of the empty first…read morefloor. A bit too cozy with no windows in view. Wife had the 23 GBR sea bass which was decent but a very small portion perhaps 4 oz, I had the 20 GBR fish and chips which came with mushy peas. The fish was fantastic at least 8 oz fresh and moist with plenty of flavor. The chips were only so-so, and not up to McDonalds quality. Loved the 9 GBR sticky toffee pudding which came with a dab of vanilla ice cream. When I went upstairs to use the bathroom and found out the place had great views of next door across the street Hyde Park. Three stars for sitting downstairs but would have been four stars if they had seated me in the packed upstairs.

The Phoenix

3.6

(87 reviews)

We were looking for a place to have a Sunday roast near a particular area and The Phoenix came up…read more We made reservations and upon arrival we were sent upstairs where our roast was served. As most pubs in London, this place was beautiful and charming. We had a great time and a great Sunday Roast. A couple of us had the beef, a couple had the vegetarian version and another had the chicken. All were good except we all thought the Yorkshire Pudding left something to be desired. It was hard and not tasty. I expected it to be fresh and light like the others I've had over the years. We loved the maple carrots and the cheesy cauliflower as well. The biggest surprise of the visit was the unexpected and very cool magic by Marius, who we thought was just a staff member. But he also a pretty good magician. He showed us several card and coin tricks that were done tastefully and remarkably well. This man is a compliment to The Phoenix. I would return here again. You should try it as well.

I would like to say this is the best pub I've ever been to! The people, the atmosphere, the food,…read moreand the unique ciders they have. I hope one day we will get to come back here, because it was amazing.

The Ivy

4.3

(77 reviews)