Canary Wharf, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

Abu Dhabi royal Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan was – as of mid 2025 – rumoured to be on the verge of buying a £1 billion stake in Richard Caring’s restaurant empire, of which this famous brasserie chain is the crown jewel. Presumably, he’s more interested in ‘rolling out’ the brand in The Gulf and beyond rather than dropping by for a Salmon Fishcake and ‘Ivy Chocolate Bombe’, but if he’d asked the opinion of our annual diners’ poll, we’re not sure that he’d sign on the dotted line. “How can a restaurant with this heritage produce such uninspired, tick-box food?” is a question merited by its poor ratings, ditto what explains the “very slow and disinterested service”? The answer may be that “you don’t come here for the food, obviously” but for the “gorgeous” interior design and “picturesque” locations that continue to underpin their appeal. Let’s hope for the Sheikh’s sake that the middle classes of the Arab World are as undiscerning as those from the UK!

James Dawson’s half-dozen wine bars are “super venues to try interesting new wines in”, with “informative service” – “food is something of an after-thought, but pretty good for all that”, and comes into its own with a “fantastic Sunday roast menu: lamb and beef are high-quality and cooked perfectly”. Top Tip – “great deals on a Monday when most others are closed”.

2022 Review: A marvellous waterside location, plus large terrace – in the heart of Canary Wharf overlooking Middle Dock – is a key strong point of this early 2020 newcomer. It’s not a foodie hotspot, but a good-looking after-work rendezvous or somewhere to head to at weekends for a bottomless brunch.

A superb waterside position and outside terrace, with gorgeous Thames views over to The O2 earns a spot in the guide for this “warm and inviting historic pub”. It is run by Fullers nowadays, and is not as notable as the days (ten years ago) when it commanded lots of attention as part of ETM Group. But as an escape from Canary Wharf or for a scenic Sunday roast it’s still worth a trip.

“A popular chain with an interesting and varied international menu” – “V.G. value too” – these Kiwi-run cafés are “still seeing off all of the competition” for their many fans. In particular, they do a “great brunch, and they’re right to boast about their filter coffee” – and given the volume of feedback they generate, there is remarkably little negative criticism. Depending on the venue and the time of day, they work equally well for a “working lunch meeting” or “families out for the day visiting the sights”. Top Menu Tip – “the cornbread is to die for”.

“Finally an excellent option in Canary Wharf” – Jack Croft and Will Murray followed up their foodie hit Fallow with this “enormous” 500-seater in the “heartless financial district in which it’s oddly situated”. For local worker bees it’s “very convenient” for its “simple food done well”, and for those further afield “really worth a trip” down to the “utterly delicious and inventive” grilled meat (majoring in venison, hence the name), fish and veg, plus “decent sharing plates and flatbreads” too. “The eyecatching, huge dining room is an experience in itself” – on the plus side “the atmosphere positively hums”, but it can also feel like a “weird” space “due its flashy ‘newness’, grand scale and Dubai-esque aesthetic”. Top Menu Top – “great brunch dishes on the very flexible menu”; “Sunday roast lived up to the hype” too.