Tower Hill, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

This comfortably decorated national chain feels akin to dining in a hotel, but minus the bedrooms; and its two London branches – near the Tower and in Putney – benefit from attractive Thames-side locations, where “it’s lovely to sit outside on a warm day by the river, or year-round in one of their igloo pods”. “There’s a warm fire inside with cosy armchairs”, too, which make the venues “fine for coffee or snacks”, although for more substantial meals “the food is only OK”.

“A great view” is the undeniable plus point of this D&D London venue, on the 14th floor of the scraper at 120 Fenchurch Street. Other than the odd recommendation as a business lunching venue, however, it inspires strikingly few reports for a venue boasting 2,500 evergreen plants and – though harsh critiques are lacking – its luxe-brasserie menu incorporating oysters, sashimi, caviar, steaks and other grills goes uncommented-on.

London’s highest rooftop brasserie is on the 36th floor of the Walkie Talkie – “booking a meal here is the easiest way to get the view as the free public tickets vanish very quickly when made available!”. “The venue does not trade too rapaciously on the location and offers a pleasant if unambitious menu”. (“The view is best appreciated from the ‘Sky Garden’ that surrounds the restaurant, so it is worth taking time before or after eating to explore that”).

Still-limited and somewhat up-and-down feedback on the posher part of this foliage-filled space on the 37th floor of the ‘Walkie Talkie’ (your reservation gives you access to the surrounding ‘Sky Garden’, for which you otherwise need a ticket). Nowadays the stoves are overseen by Anguillan-raised Kerth Gumbs, who puts a Caribbean spin on some dishes, be it from the à la carte or the 9-course tasting menu for £95. The odd critic considers it “overpriced and mediocre”, but fans say it’s “exceptional and romantic”.

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.

Tom Sellers established himself as one of the UK’s top chefs at his singular foodie temple near Tower Bridge, which emerged from a major revamp in January 2024 complete with a second floor, outside terrace and new bar: a “delightful setting” glazed floor-to-ceiling. “He seems to be clearly targeting a third Michelin star, as prices seem to have shot up” and the current dinner offering is a nine-course tasting menu, with snacks and treats priced at £250 per person; with a classic drinks pairing at £125 per person. Opinions on its performance differ somewhat in our annual diners’ poll; although, to be fair, this was also often the case here pre-refurb. One former fan was “disappointed after so many memorable meals”, feeling results are now more “mundane”; and another repeat visitor considers the place “overpriced”. But most accounts say it’s still “top-quality” and a diner who has visited twice since the relaunch opines: “it’s not quite three-star, but it’s very close: with the right tweaks I’m sure they can get there!”

Book in advance to enjoy a meal on the 40th floor of a London icon – Norman Foster’s famous ‘Gherkin’ – whose glass-walled (and roofed!) brasserie is run by well-known caterers, Searcy’s. There’s a fair-value, something-for-everyone set menu on offer, but it’s not aiming for culinary fireworks: the best bet here is to book yourself in for a splurgy afternoon tea, complete with fizz.

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.

Breathtaking views are a surefire attraction at Rainer Becker’s 32nd-floor venue – the first to open in The Shard over 10 years ago now. There are two dining areas – ‘Oblix East’ for bar snacks, afternoon tea, cocktails and a short three-course menu; or ‘Oblix West’ for a more substantial à la carte, with steak, fish and rôtisserie chicken for sharing. We need more reports though – such feedback as we have is positive, but too limited to make for a safe recommendation.

This “City classic” in a former banking hall near the Bank of England makes a “safe if unexciting choice for dining with ‘colleagues’” or clients. “Nothing hits a high note but neither is it tuneless” – which suits its besuited business clientele just fine. There’s a wide range of traditional-ish brasserie fare, with daily specials, pies, steak and British Cheeses each something of a menu feature.

“The panorama is fantastic”, of course, from this 31st-floor roost “at the top of the Shard”. Reports from diners here, though, are often presented in terms of pros and cons, with the vista balanced by modern British food that can seem like “an afterthought”; or occasions of “mediocre” service. And to the most cynical, it’s a case of “absolute hype and focus upon the view and the supposed glamour, which is actually fairly threadbare under the veneer”.

“The views are fantastic, especially if you get a window seat” at this 35th-floor venue at the top of the Shard. It’s open from breakfast (Asian or Western) onwards, via lunch and afternoon tea to dinner, when there’s an Asian-inflected menu where items like Glazed Cauliflower “Steak” with Couscous, Coconut & Lime Foam rub shoulders with more wholeheartedly Oriental dishes such as Bo Xao Luc Lac Five Spices Beef. Especially by the standards of the venues in the Shard, moans about prices are most notable by their absence.

“A welcome and stylish addition to the City” – this vast newcomer has a Manhattan-esque exterior at the foot of a huge 1920s block facing onto London Bridge (the ground floor of the old House of Fraser building). Inside, it‘s “a mimic of the original” near the Ritz, with its high ceilings, monochrome tiled floor, and cream and chestnut colour scheme: “it may not have quite the same buzz as Piccadilly”, but looks-wise “does the job well”. It serves a similar “brasserie-plus” menu, and although results can be “mediocre”, then firstly, this is also true of the original; and secondly, “as you would expect, the trade is mostly business lunchers” whose expectations tend to be modest. In fact, many reports rate it as “almost identical to its namesake” and often compliment its service too. Overall, though, ratings are dragged down by too many middling and poor reviews. No particular themes emerge as to where the main faults lie, but with a venue this big consistency is key and still seems to need work. Top Tip – as at the original, “breakfast is superb” and already popular with the local suits, with “duck egg and haggis particularly recommended”.