London Canary Wharf Restaurant Guide

“I’ve never had a bad meal at Roka, and I’ve eaten there many, many times” – Arjun Waney and Rainer Becker’s small modern Japanese group delivers an “exceptional”, “all-round” package of clean-tasting fusion food served in stylish and “buzzy” contemporary surroundings. Dishes are “beautifully presented but also amazingly well-flavoured” – be it “fantastic black cod”, “fabulous sushi” or grilled tapas-y bites from the robata grill. Top Tip – in E14, the “weekend brunch menu is splendid value for money: especially the children’s menu”.

“Sustaining their excellent reputation”: these NYC-style steakhouses offer a solid and comfortable, rather than a particularly vibey environment, but when it comes to the quality of their meat – sourced in the UK, US and Spain; and dry-aged on-site – they are “second to none”; and the City branch, in particular, slugs it out with its nearby rival Hawksmoor as a favourite haunt of carnivorous expense-accounters. “Expensive but always a treat”.

“So delicious and affordable every time!” – the Elliot brothers’ “speedy and cheerful” small chain put in a stellar performance this year as London’s top pizza multiple, pipping rival Homeslice by tiny decimals. “You can see the dough being made on entering: everything is very fresh, and you get crisp, thin pizzas with quality toppings”.

Atop Canada Place, opposite One Canada Square tower, this D&D London operation is well-known to denizens of Canary Wharf as one of its top expense-account destinations, thanks not least to its stunning views across the development. Those not slaving in the local money mills are less inclined to make the trip (except perhaps for brunch), but Jeremy Trehout’s modern European cuisine is consistently well-rated this year. Top Tip – the adjoining grill is cheaper than the main restaurant.

“Top ramen with great broth and good combinations”, win fans for this genuinely Japanese chain (originating in Fukuoka), which has branches in Holborn, Embankment and Canary Wharf. Ratings, though, fall short of the top heights at the hands of those who feel its food is “not bad, but not memorable”. A fourth branch is to open in Fitzrovia in autumn 2019.

“Not Japanese nor pretending to be” – this Danish fusion-chain offers a suspicious-sounding-but-successful mix of “fancy sushi” with “plenty of other stuff on skewers” (i.e. yakitori ‘sticks’). “Some of the non-traditional additions don’t quite work, but those that do are lovely”; and as a group, “where so many others fail, it delivers well on consistency”. Its “big and spacious”, Scandi-style branches create a “vibrant and exciting” environment too, “but, oh my word, the prices…”

“The views alone make it worth a visit” to this Grade II listed Docklands pub operated by Fuller’s. Directly opposite The O2, with extensive conservatory and terrace seating, it’s a “great little spot on the river”, with “upscale food and service”.

From its first branch, on Great Portland Street, which opened in 2007, these “buzzy”, “authentic” and relatively stylish Spanish tapas-haunts have grown into a national chain, boosted by their “consistent standards, fair quality and sensible prices” (although “service is a bit uneven”).

“Good basic BBQ and fried foods” plus “similar lobster and seafood options” (and “live music is another plus”) have kept this gen-u-ine American crabshack an always-packed-and-noisy feature of the King’s Road for nearly 30 years. “Good-sized portions” and good times are also reported at its newer, if less-established ,spin-offs in Covent Garden and Canary Wharf.