Harden's survey result
Summary
“With spectacular views of London over the Thames, this is the place to bring out-of-towners”, say fans of this huge, Brutalist chamber, built in the 1950s as the South Bank’s original destination restaurant (when it was known as ‘The People’s Palace’). Supporters – particularly those on business – say the food is “perhaps a little formulaic, but reliably good too”. This is not a universal experience, though, and too often this D&D group venue suffers from “complacent service” and “below-average cooking”. (Some reports do also tip it as “a very nice spot to eat before a concert”. But others have had a bad pre-show trip… “what we ordered never arrived in time”).
Summary
“Great views over the Thames” and a vast interior (it was built as ‘The People’s Palace’ – the destination restaurant originally at the heart of the Brutalist South Bank arts centre), make this D&D London operation “good for both business and social” dining. The cuisine has often seemed like an afterthought here, but was mostly well-rated this year.
Summary
An airy, light-filled space, with vast picture windows overlooking the Thames – this large dining room (once known as The People’s Palace) showcases the 1950s Brutalist architecture of the South Bank arts centre at its best, and that inherent appeal keeps business ticking over at this D&D London venue. Too many reporters, however, say the food is merely “decent” or “not too bad”, which makes the whole enterprise feel like a “missed opportunity”.
Summary
“Still one of the best views in London” – this vast chamber was built, back in this South Bank arts centre’s, 1950s, Festival-of-Britain prime, as ‘The People’s Palace’ and it remains “a great-looking venue with an enviable location overlooking the Thames” through gigantic picture windows. All reporters would agree that it’s a “brilliant spot for watching the world and river go by, and the cocktails are great”, but too many find the cooking either “expensive” or “disappointing”, or both. Top Tip – “worth visiting for the ‘Saxy Saturday Brunch’ featuring a nice but limited set menu but also bottomless Prosecco which helps draw in a crowd”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Skylon, South Bank Centre?
Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
Restaurant details
Skylon, South Bank Centre Restaurant Diner Reviews
"If you have a table overlooking the Thames, it is hard not to love the space, and it is certainly full of light and air, so I think previous reviewers are a little harsh on ambience. Perhaps we were lucky, the server was cheerful and attentive enough, although we were less happy with the wine bottle being placed away from us, so depended on him for refilling (which he did assiduously enough). The food was far better than expected, but when most reviewers give it 2, that is not so difficult. It is not going to move the earth as a dining experience, when most there are thinking about the performance they are about to see or hear. Anyway, we were all pleasantly surprised and satisfied. - we all chose fish, and each was declared pleasant."
"Window tables have great views"
"Wonderful views, well-done food if a rather unimaginative menu, attentive service."
"A great brunch spot with a two and three course option. Nothing out of the ordinary but what they do offer is well done and there's plenty for the vegetarians. "
"Based on this lunchtime visit I've been surprised at how badly rated Skylon seems to be - though admittedly I wasn't paying, and the lunch / theatre offers make a big difference. For me it's a friendly menu with quite a lot of attractive options and good enough to be a useful spot to know. I also love the space - though on my visit it was bizarrely dominated by having John Bercow bellowing at the next table. "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £30.00 | £35.00 |  |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £13.50 | £24.80 | £7.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £45.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 13.00% |
Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 11:30 am‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 11:30 am‑8:45 pm |
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