London Wapping Restaurant Guide

The original – “a very friendly and very cosy little place with approximately 16 covers in St Katharine Docks” – is the most commented on of this small chain: “brilliant in its simplicity and delivery” of a straightforward pasta menu. Also with spin-offs near Aldgate and, more latterly, Canary Wharf.

“Stunning views of Tower Bridge and brilliant seafood” are twin highlights at this popular destination (sibling to a similar veteran, in Ongar), which is “right on the river” in Wapping. “It’s a bit out of the way, but well worth going off the beaten track for”. “As for the décor, who doesn’t love a restaurant with white tablecloths and smartly presented staff?”

“Love the different pizza-base options such as charcoal and gluten-free” (there’s also wholemeal and ‘traditional’) at these popular pizza pit stops, where the dough is fermented for 48 hours then cooked in purpose-built gas and wood ovens. Two branches were added in 2022: in Stoke Newington in April and in Canary Wharf in summer.

“It’s great to sit outside on a sunny day and see the beautiful London sights” – not least Tower Bridge of course – from the superb, Thames-side, heated terrace of this long-established D&D London destination on the South Bank. It can be “perfect for a quiet, professional meal”, aided by an “amazingly wide wine list”. In other respects, though, its atmosphere and classical Gallic cuisine are very “subdued” compared to yesteryear (when it was the famous flagship of Sir Terence Conran’s restaurant empire). A fair summary? – “nice to eat by the river… not really worth the journey… food OK”.

“A great place for meat, nicely served” – this modern version of the traditional British chophouse is a business-friendly destination close to the City, from the D&D London stable. Its main attraction is a comfortable dining terrace above the river, with spectacular views of Tower Bridge. The restaurant was created by Sir Terence Conran as part of his ‘Gastrodome’ complex on the South Bank of the Thames, and has flown somewhat under the radar for many years now.

This 19th-century vaulted wine cellar near Tower Hill offers “an amazing and enjoyable selection of wines to buy and then open and drink right there” (at off-licence prices plus £9.50 corkage). “Service is ‘fetch your own’”, and platters of buffet-style “finger food” – charcuterie, French cheeses, and more – contribute to an “always agreeable visit”.

“Top-top quality food” – from Matt Beardmore, formerly of Trullo – has established a glowing reputation for this small Italian on the South Bank near Tower Bridge. He opened it two years ago with ex-Barrafina manager Jay Patel, to immediate good reports – and “you can see why it has attracted all the hype”.

“Sustainable, fresh, well-cooked with interesting Korean and Caribbean influences” – this avant-garde seafood operation in Wapping, from Dorset-based fish supplier Shaun Henderson and chef Neil Wager, opened in stages through 2022. The chippy came first – “but what fish ’n’ chips!”, with ten chip varieties, including ‘extra-large smoked with togarashi and okono sauce’ – followed by a full-service seafood restaurant and a ‘butchery’ specialising in dry-aged fish. Reports are too limited for a rating but initial feedback is very positive.

This Latin-American venue in St Katharine Docks, with views of Tower Bridge, brings together Mexican fusion dishes with Peruvian-Spanish influences, from former Barrafina head chef Tomasz Baranski. It promises a less flamboyant but more authentic and elegant approach to Mexican cuisine than is the norm in Britain.

In July 2023, pan-Asian restaurant Sticky Mango took over the prime Tower Bridge riverside premises of Cantina del Ponte, which closed down in June 2023 after 31 years.