RestaurantsLondonSouthwarkSE1

survey result

Summary

£92
 ££££
3
Good
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

This “classic” Italian with landmark status at the back of Waterloo station notches up its half-century this year, still knocking out a traditional menu with a good helping of old-school pizzazz (steak diane flambéed at your table!). “It looks unassuming from the outside, but the cooking will surprise you” (albeit the bill might too…). Top Menu Tip – “their alla Barca seafood spaghetti is delicious”.

Summary

£90
 ££££
3
Good
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“From a bygone era, and all the better for it!” – this family-run Italian restaurant behind Waterloo station set sail almost 50 years ago, offering “a combination of excellent traditional dishes, lively atmosphere and attentive service from staff, many of whom have worked there for years”.

Summary

£83
 ££££
3
Good
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

This “busy Italian”, whose familiar ship has sailed behind Waterloo station for almost 50 years, has hosted countless pre- and post-theatre meals for audiences and cast from the Old Vic opposite. It’s “unchanged for decades, but actually very appealing as a result”. Though sometimes considered “expensive for what it is”, fans say the cooking is “cracking”.

Summary

£82
 ££££
3
Good
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

This “family-owned Italian restaurant” is a well-known landmark behind Waterloo Station “that feels like it hasn’t changed in 50 years” – it even “seems the same staff has been there” since its 1970s opening. But “they’re friendly and cheerful” and ensure this is “the place to go after performances at the Old Vic”, almost opposite – as thespians including Sir Ian McKellen, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino have done in the past.

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 La Barca?

80-81 Lower Marsh, London, SE1 7AB

Restaurant details

Yes
Highchair,Menu,Portions
Yes
No dress code
80

La Barca Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of La Barca Restaurant in SE1, London by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of La Barca restaurant.
Geoffrey P
Expensive, Retro, Charming, Good Pasta, Lov...
Reviewed 1 months, 9 days ago

"Expensive, Retro, Charming, Good Pasta, Lovely Service - but somehow not quite as good as I remembered"

Report this comment
Alistair S
Old school Italian which focuses more on pr...
Reviewed 5 months, 23 days ago

"Old school Italian which focuses more on presentation than taste. Table side service, things in paper bags, servings of veal milanese or tuna which cover the plate but are wafer thin. All seems very bland - veal kidneys tasted simply of cream and unexciting mushrooms. Being cruel, it feels like a place for Daily Mail readers who want a safe night out. On the plus side, the wine list is sensibly priced it seems."

Report this comment
Have you eaten at La Barca?
Post your own review of La Barca and contribute to our annual restaurant review guide.
Post your own review

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Veggies Pudding
£17.50 £21.90 £5.90 £9.50
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £25.90
Filter Coffee £6.00
Extras  
Bread £7.00
Service 13.50%
80-81 Lower Marsh, London, SE1 7AB
Opening hours
Monday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm
Tuesday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm
Thursday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm
Friday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm
Saturday6 pm‑10:30 pm
SundayCLOSED

Best Italian restaurants nearby

Mercato Metropolitano
Italian restaurant in London
£47
   ££
3
Good
3
Good
4
Very Good
Macellaio RC
Italian restaurant in Southwark
£74
  £££
2
Average
2
Average
3
Good
Café Murano
Italian restaurant in Covent Garden
£78
 ££££
3
Good
3
Good
3
Good

Best similarly priced restaurants nearby

The Cinnamon Club
Indian restaurant in Westminster
£91
 ££££
4
Very Good
3
Good
5
Exceptional
The Ivy Market Grill
British, Modern restaurant in Covent Garden
£93
 ££££
1
Poor
1
Poor
3
Good
Margot
Italian restaurant in Covent Garden
£92
 ££££
3
Good
3
Good
4
Very Good