London
South of the river, dressed to the nines
Worth dressing up for
Updated
South Bank and Borough do special occasions two ways: with a view, or with a tasting menu. For the view, there’s Oblix West and Hutong high up in the Shard, Le Pont de la Tour by Tower Bridge, the Oxo Tower Restaurant and Skylon above the river. For the cooking, Restaurant Story by Tower Bridge, Trivet near London Bridge with its deep wine list and Sollip, where French technique meets Korean flavours, are the ones to book ahead. Hawksmoor, tucked behind Borough Market, is the pick for a big steak and a cocktail.
Our picks
Restaurant Story
Tooley Street, Bermondsey
Address: 199 Tooley Street, London SE1 2JX- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- A treat
- Romantic
- Foodie
Book Tom Sellers' tasting menu, a run of playful, inventive courses rooted in British flavours, in a calm modern dining room by Tower Bridge.
Why it's a good date: Keep it for an anniversary or a big occasion, and give it the whole evening: the courses come at an unhurried pace and it's all about the food. Book well ahead.
Trivet
Snowsfields, Bermondsey
Address: Trivet, 36 Snowsfields, London SE1 3SU- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- A treat
- Foodie
- Romantic
Book dinner at Jonny Lake and Isa Bal's Michelin-starred restaurant near London Bridge, with inventive cooking and a famously deep wine list.
Why it's a good date: Serious food in a relaxed, unstuffy room, so it feels special without being formal. Let the sommelier choose a wine for you.
Sollip
Melior Street, London Bridge
Address: Sollip, Unit 1, 8 Melior Street, London SE1 3QP- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- A treat
- Foodie
- Romantic
Book the tasting menu at the small Michelin-starred restaurant near London Bridge, where French technique meets Korean flavours.
Why it's a good date: A calm, elegant room run by a married couple, with each course a little surprise. A quiet, grown-up choice for an anniversary.
Oblix West
The Shard, London Bridge
Address: Oblix, Level 32, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- A treat
- Romantic
- Big night
Book a window table on the 32nd floor of the Shard for grilled meat and fish with the whole of London spread out below.
Why it's a good date: The view is the star, so book for sunset and ask for a window. It's a proper treat, so save it for a big occasion.
Hutong
The Shard, London Bridge
Address: Hutong, Level 33, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- A treat
- Romantic
- Big night
Head up to the 33rd floor of the Shard for northern Chinese cooking in a dark, lantern-lit dining room with floor-to-ceiling views.
Why it's a good date: Glamorous and dramatic, especially after dark when the city lights come on. Book well ahead for a window table.
Le Pont de la Tour
Shad Thames, Bermondsey
Address: Le Pont de la Tour, 36D Shad Thames, London SE1 2YE- Restaurant
- A treat
- Romantic
- Big night
Book a table by the river at the classic French restaurant in Butler's Wharf, looking straight out at Tower Bridge.
Why it's a good date: Hard to beat for a romantic view, with a terrace on summer evenings. Walk along the cobbles of Shad Thames afterwards and over the bridge.
Oxo Tower Restaurant
Oxo Tower Wharf, South Bank
Address: Oxo Tower Restaurant, Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, London SE1 9PH- Restaurant
- A treat
- Romantic
- Big night
Take the lift to the top of the Oxo Tower for modern British cooking and a long view up and down the Thames.
Why it's a good date: A South Bank classic for celebrations, with a terrace looking over the river towards St Paul's. Ask for a window table when you book.
Skylon
Royal Festival Hall, South Bank
Address: Skylon, Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- A treat
- Romantic
- Big night
Dine in the big glass-walled room on the upper floor of the Royal Festival Hall, looking out over the river.
Why it's a good date: A sense of space and occasion, and handy before or after a concert in the hall below. The bar is lovely for a drink with the view.
Hawksmoor Borough
Winchester Walk, Borough
Address: Hawksmoor Borough, 16 Winchester Walk, London SE1 9AQ- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- A treat
- Foodie
- Big night
Share a big charcoal-grilled steak at Hawksmoor's handsome restaurant tucked behind Borough Market.
Why it's a good date: A handsome, polished room that suits a celebration, with excellent cocktails. Have a look round the market first if you go at lunchtime.
Quick answers
Which of these has the best view?
Oblix West and Hutong are on the 32nd and 33rd floors of the Shard, and Le Pont de la Tour looks straight out at Tower Bridge. Ask for a window table when you book.
Is there somewhere special before a concert at the Royal Festival Hall?
Skylon is on the upper floor of the Royal Festival Hall itself, in a glass-walled room looking over the river.
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