Harden's survey result
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”.
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”.
Summary
“Fabulous view of the Thames through huge glass windows is so romantic after a stroll along the river” in the signature dining room at the Southbank Centre. Its cooking (mostly) avoided criticism this year, but even some fans acknowledge that while “the food’s fine, but it’s the setting that makes the place”. (See also Skylon Grill.)
For 31 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?
Restaurant details
Skylon, South Bank Centre Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Diabolical service - 30 minutes before an order taken and in 90 minutes only one course eaten and yet booked for a pre-concert dinner - never again. It ruined our evening."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £30.00 | £35.00 |  |
|
 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £14.50 | £36.00 | £8.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £43.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 13.00% |
Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3:45 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3:45 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3:45 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3:45 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3:45 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 11:30 am‑3:30 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 11:30 am‑5 pm |
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