Tower Hill, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

“Sat in an outdoor pod with the family, drinking mimosas and with lovely views of the river” is a key feature of London’s two outposts of these comfy venues (part of a national chain), both of which have riverside terraces featuring all-weather igloos for year-round fun. The Italian-ish food in the dining rooms is “unexceptional”, but “their lounge areas are cosy and just the place for morning coffee or afternoon tea”.

“Great decor” in the shape of 2,500 living evergreen plants vie with the “stunning 14th-floor views” over the City for top billing at this D&D London venue in 120 Fenchurch Street. By comparison, the “expensive but good food” from an Anglo-French menu is somewhat in the shade.

“The view from the gallery over the city is great” at this sky-high brasserie, on the 36th floor of the ‘Walkie Talkie’. Reports this year were limited and rather uneven, so we’ve taken ratings down a peg. It won particular praise, though, as a glam breakfasting destination.

Limited feedback in this year’s annual diners’ poll on the 37th floor of the City’s ‘Walkie Talkie’ – perhaps many Londoners regard it as touristy. Such accounts as we have, though, on the cooking under chef Kerth Gumbs is upbeat: you can have an eight-course tasting menu for £115 or eat à la carte (although the latter is not much less inexpensive with main dishes circa £50). Incredible views, of course.

2022 Review: Near Aldgate, a new hotel – a ‘with-it’ extension of the Hilton brand – opened in April 2021. Later in the year, this large new rooftop terrace and restaurant opens to help it live up to the hotel’s name. Attractions will include an all-day menu from breakfast.

2021 Review: “One of the best views in the capital”, over Tower Bridge and the Thames, is the highlight of any meal at this venue from D&D London, on the first floor of the former Design Museum. Beyond that, there’s “no problem with the food or cooking”, which can be “surprisingly delicious” nowadays.

“Quite an experience” – Tom Sellers has established his unique foodie temple near Tower Bridge as one of a kind. Each quixotic menu relates a culinary ‘story’ which unfolds over numerous courses and the “fabulous” results mean that quibbles regarding the mind-numbing prices – though often present – were a minor theme this year in diner feedback compared with satisfaction with the overall stellar performance. Just after our survey concluded in May 2023, the restaurant closed for the addition of a second floor, outside terrace, and the promise of new areas in which to dine. TS has also been busy with the openings of Dovetale and Story Cellar – hence for the time being we’ve left it unrated.

Originally closed to the public when it opened 20 years ago, Norman Foster’s ‘Gherkin’ – arguably the most iconic of the City’s modern towers – now has a dining room run by catering company Searcy’s on its 40th floor, which is “just so wonderful, with a glass-roofed bar and wall-to-wall windows in both bar and restaurant” – “it’s my ‘go-to’ when l visit London for an excellent meal, first-class presentation, attentive staff, and all at a reasonable price. Win, win, win all round”.

2021 Review: “Good coffee… and the food’s OK too” – this Borough Market café remains one of the top caffeine hits in SE1. “It’s great for breakfast” too.

“You book for the view, which is obviously incredible” at this 32nd-floor venue, run by Rainer Becker (of Zuma and many other top London restaurants). Like most places with a stunning outlook and “special occasion” suitability, it often takes flak for its sky-high pricing to match. This was absent in (admittedly thin) feedback this year, though, and the luxurious outputs from its open kitchen (with Josper oven, charcoal grill and rotisserie) were well-rated. (For cocktails or afternoon tea, head to Oblix East).

This solid English brasserie in a converted banking hall not far from the Bank of England continues to win a general thumbs-up as an “excellent business lunch venue” – although “it could do with tables further apart”.

“Everyone is here for the view” on the 31st floor of the Shard, with “all diners glammed up to celebrate something special”: “it’s what you are paying for”. “And boy are you paying!” – “when you consider the sky-high bills”, the cuisine is somewhere between “decent enough” and “bog standard”. In a similar vein, “service is fine, but could use some improvements… with views to attract the crowds anyway, perhaps management aren’t super-worried about the service levels”. Overall, though, it’s a Faustian bargain many reporters are prepared to make, especially for afternoon tea or a date… or both!

“What could be nicer than sitting on the 38th floor of the Shard with fantastic views of London”, while lingering over a “lovely unrushed afternoon tea” or – later in the day when the mood is “very romantic” – sampling its “fresh Asian-inspired dishes”. Not a huge volume of feedback, but ratings are better this year as it escaped the customary complaints for overpricing.

In Autumn 2023, the famous West End icon will start a new, ultimately global, roll-out. First stop is the City, with this conversion of the ground floor of the old House of Fraser building, near Monument tube and looking onto London Bridge. The site is considerably larger than that on Piccadilly and the website promise is of ‘a younger sister to the original, not a replica’.