Harden's survey result
Summary
As a “great place to have an afternoon tea” (themed for Peter Pan), this scenic dining room with commanding views from the 31st floor of the London landmark continues to win some approval. More generally, though, the experience of dining here continues to generate limited and mixed support: even those rating the food as good can view the experience as “overpriced” and with the hint of a “conveyor-belt” approach. Perhaps the June 2025 appointment of a new chef – Mark Abbott – who has worked in many top kitchens will pep up its offering: he arrives with the aim of ‘celebrating British produce and emphasizing seasonality’.
Summary
“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”.
Summary
“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!
Summary
Near the top of the Shard, on its 31st floor, there’s no doubt this is a stunning venue, most recommended for a special date or the “amazing afternoon tea”. No-one says its modern British menu is disappointing, but there is a feeling that it’s “very expensive” and the cynical verdict is that “you don’t go for the food, you go for the toilets, which give you an unparalleled widescreen view of London”.
For 34 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 Aqua Shard?
Level 31, 31 St Thomas St, London, SE1 9RY
Restaurant details
Aqua Shard Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Service was slow and dining table delayed, 8 couldn’t squish into a banquet booth! We were eventually offered some on the house fizz and olives but not sure compensated for an hours’ delay. Waiting staff didn’t have allergy knowledge, so some dishes under whelming, lacking sauce and side dishes didn’t match order. Service was very slow but not relaxing. On the bright side, the night time views amazing, even from the loos! Felt underwhelmed. "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £60.00 |  |
|
 |
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 39.00 | Lunch only | 2 |
| Menu2 | 49.00 | Lunch only | 3 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £21.00 | £48.50 | £12.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £45.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 15.00% |
Level 31, 31 St Thomas St, London, SE1 9RY
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10:30 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 10:30 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm |
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