riverboat lunch london

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Thames River Lunch Cruises

Select Your Experience

Evening Cruise on River Thames

• Enjoy a 2-hour cruise on the Thames during the sunset which offers the best views of the city at the best times of the day.
• Check out the prominent landmarks of the city from the water including the London Eye, Big Ben, London Bridge and more.
• Relish a selection of delicious canapes and sparkling wine as you relax on the Thames evening cruise.
• Head indoors and witness the breathtaking cityscape while enjoying a live pop, rock, swing, or funk performance.
• Please note: Children aged 13 and under are not allowed on the cruise.
• 2-hour evening cruise on the Thames
• Sparkling wine or soft drink on arrival
• A selection of cold canapés served throughout the evening
• Live music performances on board
• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Thames River Lunch Cruise Ticket

• Enjoy an afternoon cruise along the River Thames and take in breathtaking views of London from the waters.
• The friendly staff on board the cruise will serve up a delicious two-course lunch for your culinary pleasure.
• Gasp in awe as you enjoy the 360-degree view of the river from the deck.
• Cruise past various well-known sights including the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, and gain a different perspective on them from the waters.
• Admission to the cruise
• 2-course meal
• Live or recorded commentary
• Transportation to the pier

Thames Afternoon Tea Cruise

• Embark on an enchanting 1.5-hour-long afternoon cruise along the River Thames and take in unmatched views of the city.
• Listen to informative commentary on board as you sail along the Thames and recognize London landmarks, such as the Tower of London, the London Eye, the Tower Bridge, and more.
• Enjoy a cherished afternoon tea session on this cruise and feel like royalty as you sip on unlimited cups of tea.
• Try the perfect tea-time treats laid out to compliment your tea, such as scones and pastries.
• The recommended dress code for this experience is smart casual wear.
• Admission tickets
• A selection of pastries, scones with clotted cream and jam, and more
• As much tea and coffee as you want
• Live or pre-recorded commentary

Barbers cheddar ploughman on granary

Free-range egg and cress on soft grain

Oak-smoked salmon and cream cheese on granary

British ham & cheddar cheese with Branston pickles

Sultana scone with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve

Selection of small pastries

###Beverages Tea, coffee, and a selection of herbal and fruit teas

Top 5 Reasons to Go on a Thames Lunch Cruise

• Spectacular Views: Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of London's iconic landmarks along the River Thames while indulging in a delicious meal. It's a unique and memorable way to experience the city's beauty.
• Culinary Delights: Savor a delicious lunch prepared by talented chefs, featuring a range of cuisines. Whether it's a gourmet feast or a themed menu, the experience adds an extra touch of luxury to your cruise.
• Relaxing Ambiance: Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and unwind in a serene and elegant setting. The ambient atmosphere creates a tranquil environment perfect for relaxation and enjoyment.
• Special Occasions and Celebrations: A Thames lunch cruise provides an ideal setting for special occasions and celebrations. Whether it's a birthday, anniversary, engagement, or corporate event, the combination of scenic views, delicious food, and a festive atmosphere creates a memorable and celebratory experience.
• Unique Perspective: Seeing the city from the water offers a fresh perspective, allowing you to appreciate the architecture and landmarks from a different angle. It provides a new way to discover and learn about the history and significance of the Thames and its surroundings.

What does a Thames Lunch Cruise Include?

Delectable Starters

Embark on a Thames River cruise and treat your taste buds to a delightful array of appetizing starters, crafted with culinary expertise and designed to tantalize your senses.

A Hearty Main Course

Indulge in a satisfying main course on a Thames lunch cruise, where you can relish dishes crafted with care, featuring delicious flavors and quality ingredients that will leave you thoroughly satisfied.

Delightful Desserts

End your Thames lunch cruise on a sweet note with delightful desserts that will tantalize your taste buds, providing the perfect finishing touch to your culinary journey along the scenic river.

A Rich Bottle of Wine

Enhance your Thames lunch cruise experience with a rich bottle of wine, carefully selected to complement your meal and elevate your enjoyment as you sail along the picturesque river.

Things to See on a Thames Lunch Cruise

Timings: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM approximately

Duration: 1.5 -2.5 hours

• Consider the Weather: London weather can be changeable, so it's wise to check the forecast and dress accordingly. 
• Arrive Early: Plan to arrive early to allow for check-in procedures and to ensure a smooth boarding process.
• Dietary Restrictions: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, inform the cruise operator or booking platform in advance.
• Be Mindful of Motion Sickness: If you are prone to motion sickness, consider taking preventive measures such as taking motion sickness medication.
• Respect the Environment: Help keep the Thames clean by not littering and by disposing of any waste properly. Be mindful of the environment and avoid disturbing the wildlife or vegetation along the riverbanks.

• Spacious Seating: The riverboat is equipped with comfortable seating arrangements, ensuring that all passengers, including families with kids, have ample space to relax and enjoy the cruise.
• Indoor and Outdoor Areas: The cruise typically offers both indoor and outdoor deck areas. Families can choose to sit indoors, protected from the weather, or venture out to the open deck for panoramic views and fresh air.
• Restrooms: Onboard restrooms are available for passengers' convenience, making it easier for passengers and families with kids to take care of their needs during the cruise.
• Entertainment: To keep the passengers engaged and entertained, some cruises provide onboard entertainment.
• Informative Commentary: The cruise often includes informative commentary from a knowledgeable guide or the captain, sharing interesting facts and historical tidbits about the landmarks and sights along the Thames.

• Kid-friendly menu: The Thames lunch cruise offers a kid-friendly menu with a variety of tasty and nutritious options suitable for young appetites.
• Interactive entertainment: Keep the kids entertained with onboard entertainment, which may include face painting, or even a mini dance floor where they can groove to their favorite tunes.
• Captain's commentary : Listen to the captain's informative commentary about the history and significance of the landmarks you pass by, engaging the kids with interesting facts about London.
• Safe and comfortable environment: Rest assured that the riverboat provides a safe and comfortable environment for kids, with childproof railings and spacious seating arrangements.
• Onboard activities: Some lunch cruises may offer interactive activities for kids, like treasure hunts, arts and crafts, or storytelling sessions, making the experience more engaging for young minds.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thames Lunch Cruises

A Thames lunch cruise offers a scenic boat ride, delicious onboard dining, and stunning views of London's landmarks.

Absolutely! Most Thames lunch cruises offer vegetarian options to cater to various dietary preferences. You can expect a range of delicious vegetarian dishes.

Typically, these cruises last between 1.5 to 2.5 hours, providing ample time to enjoy a leisurely meal, soak in the scenic views, and experience the atmosphere of the river

Yes, most Thames lunch cruises offer a selection of alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer and more.

Yes, you can absolutely go on a Thames lunch cruise alone. These cruises provide a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for solo travelers.

The lunch menu on Thames cruises is typically pre-set and offers a fixed selection of dishes for each course.

Yes, absolutely, these cruises often offer special menus for kids and provide a family-friendly dining experience.

Thames lunch cruises usually have a smart casual dress code. While formal attire is not required, it's recommended to dress neatly and comfortably.

On a Thames lunch cruise, you can see iconic landmarks such as the London Eye, Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, and the picturesque riverbanks of London.

11 London boat restaurants to dine on in 2023

Disclosure: I may earn a small commission from the companies or products mentioned in this post.

Here in London, we love a quirky restaurant . Whether that’s a supper club on an abandoned tube carriage , eating in the pitch black or dining at the top of one of the city’s tallest skyscrapers . But one style of dining which often seems to float (geddit!?) under people’s radar is London’s floating restaurants.

There aren’t that many places to eat on a boat in London. But the few floating restaurants you do find are definitely worth adding to your London foodie bucket list.

With some of the coolest settings, spectacular views, and unbeatable menus in the capital, these are the 10 best London boat restaurants to dine on in 2023…

Static Boat Restaurants in London

Moored on London’s many canals or the bank of the River Thames, these are the best static boat restaurants in London…

Darcie & May Green

Where? Paddington.

This super Instagrammable spot in Paddington combines two of London’s coolest dining trends; floating restaurants and pretty brunch cafes.

A member of the Daisy Green Collection – the renowned Aussie cafe brand that serves up some of the tastiest avocado toast in London – Darcie & May Green are two moored barges floating on the Grand Union Canal. The colourful barges were designed exclusively by the ‘godfather’ of British pop art, Sir Peter Blake.

With both indoor seating and an upstairs terrace to choose from, the pretty floating restaurant is open from early morning to late at night.

You can pop by for a morning coffee or enjoy their signature all-day Aussie brunch menu . Then for dinner, pick from dishes including halloumi fries, roasted aubergine, chicken parmigiana and tiramisu lamington. All paired with a few drinks from their fantastic cocktail list of course.

Darcie & May isn’t currently taking bookings. Walk-ins only.

The Cheese Barge

Quality cheese and fine wine… On a boat… In the sunshine… What more could you want!?

The Cheese Barge can be found on a large double-decker boat moored on the Regents Canal in Paddington, a short distance from Darcie & May Green.

The unique floating restaurant prides itself on its unbeatable offering of British cheeses.

The main dining room is open daily for lunch and dinner, serving a delicious seasonal cheese-focused menu.

Or for a more casual summer get-together with friends, you can head up to the boat’s rooftop terrace to enjoy a variety of cheese boards and grilled cheese sandwiches, accompanied by a great wine selection.

Love cheese? Check out more of the best cheese restaurants in London .

With two of London’s best floating restaurants sitting right next to each other in the Paddington basin, it’s almost impossible to choose between the two. My advice for the ultimate foodie day out would be to head to Darcie & May Green for brunch, then take a walk up to Little Venice and along the Regents Canal, before returning to the Cheese Barge roof terrace for mid-afternoon cheese and wine. Treat yourself!

Tattershall Castle

Where? Victoria Embankment.

Also known as ‘The Pub on the Thames’, The Tattershall Castle has some of the best views of any restaurant on a boat in London. Its prime location on Victoria Embankment means that you can enjoy dinner and drinks overlooking some of London’s most iconic sites, including the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.

But just because it has a 5* location, this doesn’t mean you’ll be paying 5* prices. The casual floating dining spot has an affordable menu of British classics including fish and chips, burgers, pies, platters, and more.

Being a pub, Tattershall Castle also hosts weekly comedy nights, live music and DJs, and a monthly pub quiz.

The Waterside Cafe

Where? Little Venice.

Dating back to 1995, The Waterside Cafe is London’s original floating cafe.

Located on a historic barge in the canal basin of Little Venice, this peaceful spot serves breakfasts, light lunches, afternoon teas, and freshly baked cakes that you can enjoy inside the air-conned boat or out on the lovely terrace on a sunny day.

The Waterside Cafe is the ideal place to grab a coffee and a light bite before heading on a walk along the Regents Canal to Camden Town (my favourite walk in London!) .

The cafe is only small and you can’t book a table in advance. But even if you can’t find somewhere to sit at the cafe, you can always grab a drink and slice of cake to go and enjoy it somewhere else along the canal – there are plenty of benches and other places to sit by the water.

If you’re looking for a boat restaurant on the Thames for a special occasion, The Yacht is the place to go.

Set on a luxury 1920s motor yacht, the elegant restaurant serves a modern European menu, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views along the Thames and across to the Southbank.

There’s also a swanky 1920s cocktail lounge to enjoy a couple of drinks before or after your meal, and a terrace area that can be hired for private events and parties.

Whether you visit by day or by night, this sophisticated spot is guaranteed to impress.

Where? Hackney Wick.

Barge East is a 118-year-old Dutch barge turned award-winning floating restaurant and bar on Hackney’s canals, just a short walk from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Westfield shopping centre in Stratford.

With a charming rustic interior and an outdoor deck overlooking the East London skyline, the restaurant serves a luxury seasonal British set menu designed by head chef Stefano Campione.

The unique location combined with their fantastic food even won Barge East the title of #1 restaurant in London on TripAdvisor in both 2019 and 2020! Pretty impressive right?

If you can’t get reservations on the barge itself, be sure to check out its lovely riverside garden, with stunning canal views, heated seating areas, and its own food and drink offering.

Feng Shang Princess

Where? Primrose Hill/Regents Park.

Feng Shang Princess is London’s only ‘floating Chinese restaurant’, sitting on the Regents Canal between Regents Park and Camden Town .

The unusual London restaurant has an authentic Chinese look both inside and out, complete with plenty of traditional red Chinese lanterns, and serves a menu of delicious Chinese cuisine, fine wine, cocktails and champagnes.

Rumour has it, Feng Shang Princess was Paul McCartney’s favourite Chinese restaurant in the city.

Cruising Boat Restaurants in London

If a dinner cruise is more your speed, check out these canal boat and riverboat dinner cruises in London…

The London Dinner Cruise

Where? River Thames.

Best known for their sightseeing boat trips along the River Thames in central London, City Cruises also host regular showboat dinner cruises.

On The London Dinner Cruise, you’ll enjoy a 4-course dinner and live cabaret show while taking in some of the capital’s most famous landmarks, including the London Eye, Tower Bridge and St Pauls Cathedral.

Certainly a little more gimmicky than some of the other boat restaurants in London, The London Dinner Cruise is still a super fun option for tourists wanting to see more of the city or for locals looking for a London dining experience with a twist.

London Shell Co. Prince Regent

Where? Regents Canal.

Enjoy a seafood dinner cruise along the beautiful Regents Canal onboard London Shell Co.’s Prince Regent canal boat. The concept was launched just a few years ago by siblings Harry and Leah Lobek and has very quickly become one of the most popular and in-demand boat restaurants in London.

On this luxury dinner cruise, you’ll be served a set menu of the finest British seafood, with dishes changing daily to focus on the freshest locally sourced ingredients and specially selected wine pairings.

The small intimate setting also gives the restaurant a supper club atmosphere, so don’t be surprised if you end up leaving with new friends as well as new memories.

London Shell Co. has also recently opened their first permanently moored floating restaurant in London; The Grand Duchess in Paddington. Their static boat restaurant also serves a menu of fresh fish and artisan wines.

Bateaux London

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bateaux London (@bateauxlondon)

One of the most elegant and unique riverboat restaurants on the Thames, Bateaux London’s Green Room will have you floating through central London in what looks like a giant greenhouse.

This upscale dinner cruise will take you past London’s most famous landmarks on its famous glass-walled boat, meaning you won’t miss a single sight no matter where you sit. You’ll also be serenaded by relaxing live music along the way, making it one of the most romantic boat restaurants on the Thames.

The dinner menu consists of contemporary European dishes, all made fresh using seasonal produce in the state-of-the-art onboard kitchen.

Skuna BBQ Boats

Where? Canary Wharf.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Skuna Boats (@skunaboats)

From high-end dining to DIY BBQs, there’s a London boat restaurant to suit everyone.

Skuna Boats offer what is definitely one of the most unique dining experiences in London ; a self-drive BBQ boat.

Seating up to 9 people, the unusual boats come with a built-in BBQ and utensils. All you have to do is bring the food and drinks and set sail around the waterways of Canary Wharf.

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Emily is a born and raised London girl, starting life in the north of the capital then moving down to Fulham in the southwest. She has a master’s degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology from University College London and now works full-time running this blog and as a freelance travel writer, splitting her life between London and travelling the world as a digital nomad.

Find me on: Instagram

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• Lunch Cruises

1hr 45min Thames River Cruise with a Two-Course Lunch and Commentary - From £49pp

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A River Thames Cruise with Afternoon Tea, Lunch or Dinner

Enjoy a River Thames Cruise with afternoon tea, lunch or dinner served on board. Enjoy spectacular views of London as you tuck into a delicious meal. You’ll get to see iconic London landmarks along the way.

River Thames Cruise with Lunch

Available every day, departing at 11:45 am from Tower Pier

Enjoy a 2-course freshly cooked lunch with tea and coffee as you cruise along the River Thames. You’ll have one hour and forty-five minutes to enjoy a delicious meal and soak up splendid views!

Book now: River Cruise with Lunch

River Thames Cruise with Afternoon Tea

Available every day, departing at 3:30 pm from Tower Pier

Get ready for afternoon tea on the River Thames! You’ll be served a mouthwatering traditional afternoon tea set against the backdrop of London’s most famous sights. Enjoy a selection of sandwiches and sweet and savoury treats on this 90-minute river cruise!

Book Now: River Cruise with Afternoon Tea

River Thames Cruise with Dinner!

Available every day, departing at 7:30 pm from Tower Pier

Tuck into a four-course meal with a live singer as you cruise along the River Thames. Dine while enjoying show songs and top hits sung live. Get ready for 3.5 hours of pure joy!

Book Now: River Cruise with Dinner & Dancing

And more…

And if you’re in the mood for afternoon tea but prefer to keep your feet on dry land, why not take a ride on our Afternoon London Tea Bus tour? We’ll serve a scrumptious afternoon tea as you travel around London onboard a classic double-decker bus.

Book Now: Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

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London’s best riverside restaurants

Discover the best places near the Thames and London's glorious canals for great food and incredible views

There’s something magical about dining beside water, whether it’s the silvery Thames or London’s intricate network of canals. By day, riverside diners can delight in watching the passing boats and the odd duck or two, while at night, the water becomes a mirror that reflects the city’s sparkling lights. Here are some memorable options for riverside dining, whether they’re plush South Bank restaurants, or even cafés on boats. Cast your eyes south for a round-up of our favourite waterside restaurants in London, a few of which can also be found on our best outdoor dining  and  restaurants with a view  lists.

RECOMMENDED: Sip a pint at the best riverside pubs  in London.

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Top riverside restaurants in London

1.  Towpath

• Restaurants
• price 1 of 4

Breakfast on the towpath overlooking the Regent’s Canal near Whitmore Bridge is a cracking way to start the day, and once you’ve bagged a table you may be tempted to linger for hours – especially if the sun is shining. This self-consciously low-key café has always been a favourite with passing dog-walkers, runners and cyclists, who stop off for coffee and snacks, rustic but skilfully cooked hot lunches and light-as-air cakes.

2.  Caravel

Caravel is a restaurant on a boat, but don’t expect any ahoying. It’s on a boat with a vibe so distinctly unboaty that you’ll forget you’re floating on Regent’s Canal until the moment you need to climb back on to dry land to pop to the loo.  If you’re a fan of St John, Jolene or Rochelle Canteen then you’re probably going to love the menu here.  Caravel is run by brothers Fin and Lorcan Spiteri, t he sons of two of London’s most renowned restaurateurs (m um  Melanie Arnold is the co-founder of  Rochelle Canteen and dad  Jon Spiteri is the co-founder of Session Arts Club ).

3.  Ombra

• Bethnal Green
• price 2 of 4

An easy-going bar/eatery in a one-time art gallery by the banks of the Regent’s Canal, but don’t expect to see any gondolas floating by – this is Bethnal Green, not Venice, after all. Edgy interior design, tall windows and tables painted in garish high-gloss colours set the scene for cicchetti nibbles, plates of pasta and a tip-top selection of traditional spritzes.

4.  London Shell Co.

Climb aboard The Prince Regent for a posh lunch. Moored up next to Paddington station, the barge chugs along the Regent’s Canal to Camden Lock and back again, taking in sights such as London Zoo and Regent’s Park while guests partake of the classiest seafood boozathon in town. 

5.  Darcie & May Green

Moored on the Grand Union Canal outside Paddington Station, Darcie Green and May Green aren’t simply floating barges; they’re also floating pieces of art designed by the legendary Sir Peter Blake. With owners from Australia, it’s no surprise that there are flat whites and slices of banana bread for breakfast, plus bottomless Aussie brunch and a menu of Antipodean-inspired dishes. The combined 50-metre upper deck is perfect in summer.

6.  Le Pont de la Tour

• Tower Bridge

This classy Thames-side beauty is a looker inside as well as out. There are sweeping views of Tower Bridge and beyond, and Le Pont de La Tour touts a sought-after terrace, a conventional brasserie-style Bar & Grill and a posh restaurant majoring in elaborately plated modern dishes with a French flavour.

7.  Crate Brewery

• Bars and pubs
• Hackney Wick

Things don’t get much more bucolic in London’s East End than at this hip warehouse-style pizzeria-cum-brewery on the banks of the Lea. In summer, arrive as early as decency allows, bag a reclaimed riverside bench, then proceed to order your first pint of Crate’s own craft beer, lager or cider (with perhaps a pizza on the side). After that, sun yourself, watch the birds and gaze at the boats bobbing past until last orders.

8.  Gunpowder

Sitting glamorously beside Tower Bridge, this branch of Gunpowder, the home-style Indian sharing-plates joint, is split over two floors. Their riverside spot is much bigger than the Spitalfields original, features stylish design, an old-school Indian soundtrack, and best of all, a delicious menu of both traditional and more innovative spicy dishes.

9.  River Café

• 4 out of 5 stars
• Hammersmith
• price 4 of 4
• Recommended

Set back from the Thames Path, the River Café is a celeb in its own right, and something of an icon when it comes to riverside dining in the capital. Warm, buzzy and casually expensive, it’s dedicated to serving unfussy yet stunning Italian food based on artisan seasonal ingredients. Ok, the prices are  excruciating , but portions are generous – so go for a summer lunch, sit on the terrace, order a plate of pasta and live like the A-listers do.

10.  Rotunda Bar & Restaurant

• King’s Cross

Rotunda really embraces the potential of its Regent’s Canal location: the dining room gives wide-angled views of the aquatic action outside, while the large shaded terrace is a lovely spot on warm evenings. In the kitchen, the focus is on quality meat from the owner’s Northumbrian farm (think sirloin steak, rib of beef and slow-cooked shoulder of lamb) backed by elaborate desserts and excellent wines. 

11.  OXO Tower Restaurant

• price 3 of 4

Oxo Tower is a bona fide London landmark, so it’s no surprise that its eighth-floor restaurant, brasserie and bar emanate a sense of occasion. A glass frontage makes the most of the river views, and the plum vantage point allows you to fully appreciate the splendour of St Paul’s (note that it’s first come, first served for terrace tables). The food has an adventurous global slant, with accompaniment from a jazz trio in the evening.

12.  Emilia’s Crafted Pasta

You guessed it: handcrafted pasta takes centre-stage at this charming little restaurant overlooking St Katharine Docks – and they take the whole business of rolling, shaping and cooking very seriously indeed. The menu is short and familiar, but the results are so unpretentiously delicious you’d think they’d come straight from nonna’s hob. Staff are sweet, the vibe is cosy, and prices are rather reasonable.

13.  The Gun

• Isle of Dogs

Way out east, far away from the City’s maddening crowds, this early 18th century pub, which is now owned by Fuller’s Brewery, nevertheless gets rammed with people who have made the pilgrimage. It has many charms: the vast outdoor terrace (nearly opposite the O2 complex in Greenwich), washed over by bracing breezes; the smart gastro menu and seriously good bar bites; the globe-trotting wine list, the beers and the riverside views unspoilt by tourists.

14.  Number 90

Billed as a ‘bar and kitchen’, this all-rounder sits right beside the Regent’s Canal – no wonder Hackney Wick hipsters crowd around rough-cut communal tables and lounge in old-school deckchairs within a toe’s dip of the water. Popping here for a Sunday roast can herald the start of a lost afternoon, with craft beers, cocktail coolers and a full programme of leftfield cultural events on offer to keep punters entertained.

15.  The Lighterman

With its first-floor wraparound terrace and an alfresco area overlooking Regent’s Canal, this capacious bar-restaurant hybrid is a magnet for waterside drinkers and diners. The Lighterman’s alfresco spaces all operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so prepare for a bun fight on hot days. Happily, the canal views from inside the beautifully decorated dining rooms are just as soul-restoring, while menu highlights include wood-grilled meats, superfood salads and flatbreads topped with thoughtful, seasonal combinations.

16.  Wright Brothers Battersea Power Station

Seafood specialists Wright Brothers have washed up by the water’s edge in Battersea with one elegant-looking restaurant: glossy marble tables, dark wood and walls peppered with illustrations of crustaceans. This site is home to the group’s first Josper charcoal oven, too. Everyone is here for the immaculate oysters, however. 

17.  Rick Stein

It’s not a bracing Cornish seascape, but we doubt you’ll be disappointed by the views from the London outpost of Rick Stein’s empire, right by the river in well-to-do Barnes. Ask for a window table to make the most of the Thames-side vistas while gorging on plates of messy, finger-lickin’ Cornish lobster, Indonesian seafood curry, and other fabulous seafood favourites from the TV chef’s worldwide travels.

18.  Swan at Shakespeare's Globe

What’s in a view? A great deal, judging by this restaurant attached to Shakespeare’s Globe on Bankside. Bag a seat facing the window if you can – by night, the riverside aspect of St Paul’s in all its illuminated glory is stunning. As well as making the most of its watery backdrop, this venue also allows visitors to feel part of the bustling walkway. It’s a win-win situation.  

19.  Skylon

• Contemporary European

A fail-safe on the first floor of the Royal Festival Hall, Skylon’s wow-inducing views of the Thames and the South Bank make it a permanently spectacular venue, day or night. The restaurant’s menu is sufficiently fancy to underscore those vistas, offering dishes such as lemon sole, crab and prawn linguine and lunch set menu.

20.  The Bingham

• Haute cuisine

For a waterside dining experience straight out of ‘Downton Abbey’, head to this stately, country house-style hotel bordering the Richmond towpath. The spacious, gold-accented restaurant is lit by impressive chandeliers and has huge windows overlooking the river, while a decked patio brings you closer to the water’s edge in fine weather. The modern European menu is as highbrow as the surroundings; dishes such as halibut with jersey royals, confit fennel and fennel velouté are priced accordingly.

21.  Duke's Head

It may date back to Victorian times, but this Putney institution has moved with the times – note the spruced-up parquet floors, dangling metal lamps and gallery of modern artworks. It’s not quite on the water’s edge, but it certainly gets into the riverside spirit – especially when the Boat Race is on. Seasonal dishes go down the gastro route: think home-smoked duck breast with chicory, bobby bean and walnut salad or hanger steak with bone marrow and tarragon butter.

22.  Stein's

If you’ve never been to a German beer garden – and don’t fancy a trip to Munich – you could do worse than Stein’s, a live-wire ‘outdoor’ restaurant promising ‘the Bavarian experience’ beside a stretch of the Thames towpath. Its huge riverside space can seat up to 300 alfresco diners at shared wooden tables, many of which offer some shelter from the elements. Don your lederhosen for the menu, which features doughy pretzels, gigantic wurst and steins of Continental beer.

23.  Sea Containers at Mondrian London

Looking for a stylish Thames-side riverside restaurant that promises equally stunning views inside and out? Then try this Tom Dixon-designed dining room, where the shipping-themed decor nods to London’s docklands and you can watch the joggers while ticking off the notable sights on the opposite riverbank. Don’t miss a cocktail in mixology maestro Ryan Chetiyawardana’s  L yaness bar, either.

24.  Beit el Zaytoun

Enjoy Lebanese delights in a riverside garden at this appealing Harlesden restaurant. If you go in the morning you can enjoy breakfast items like labneh, eggs and balilah (lemon and chickpeas), while later in the day you can get your hands on hot and cold mezze, salads, kebab platters, burgers and wraps. 

Find more interesting outdoor options

The best rooftop restaurants in London

Find rivers a bit wet? The sky's the limit at London's rooftop restaurants 

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London's best boat restaurants

This summer, jump aboard the capital's most scenic floating restaurants, bars and pubs – it's time to live it barge.

Hawksmoor, Canary Warf

Published: Tuesday 20th June 2023

The novelty of floating restaurants well and truly comes alive in the summer, and with the  Thames carving its way through the capital, there are plenty of riverboat restaurants on London's rivers, canals and waterways to get your fix.

Dating back around a thousand years to ancient China, the ever-popular floating restaurant is not a new phenomenon. It's something that really caught wind in London post-17th century, after the Great Fire of London rebuild that caused the Thames to become the capital's main street.

From riverboat bars, restaurants and even nightclubs, the magic of these aquatic establishments is that they use London's landmark-filled skyline, iconic bridges and tranquil waters to create the most scenic backdrop to your evening.

So which riverboat restaurants float to the top? From a fromage barge to a floating steakhouse and everything in between, these are London's nine best boat restaurants, raising the bar(ge).

The best 9 boat restaurants in London

The cheese barge.

Sheldon Square, W2 6DL

The Cheese Barge, Paddington

Bread and butter

Floating fromage will always be a good idea, and that's the venture of the Cheese Barge, a double-decker boat permanently moored on the Grand Union Canal at Paddington Central. It's the sister restaurant to the ever-popular Cheese Bar and serves up an entire menu (from starters to puddings) that revolves around British cheese . It's the venture of Mathew Carver, founder of Funk Cheese Shop, Pick & Cheese and The Cheese Truck; calling him an expert in British cheese, almost feels like an understatement. The menu covers many bases from  cheese boards laden with veiny blues, creamy Caerphilly and crunchy clothbound cheddars, melty grilled cheese sandwiches dunked in chilli honey, smaller plates like fried curried cheese curds and stilton devils on horseback and bigger eats like a huge baked Baron Bigod Brie.

thecheesebar.com/paddington

River Lee, Sweetwater Mooring, E9 5EN

Barge East, Hackney Wick

Cabbage and potato croquette

Ham hock and pistachio terrine

Venison loin with parsnip and pomegranate

Chocolate millefueilles

If award-winning, seasonal ,  sustainably sourced food on a 120-year-old Dutch barge tickles your fancy, then you best be heading to Barge East in Hackney Wick. Stefano Camplone, whose resume includes impressive stints at Clipstone and Roganic, is at the helm of the kitchen, and he's cooking a menu of totally devourable dishes like ham hock and pistachio terrine with ajo blanco, whey brined roast chicken with wild garlic pesto and unctuous hazelnut cake with sorrel and tonka bean cream. For those who can't decide, there's a six-course tasting menu, and if you can't get a spot on the barge, there's a  beer garden adjacent, which is one of the biggest in London, housing up to 300 people with the added bonus of scenic  riverside views.

bargeeast.com

Hawksmoor Wood Warf

1 Water St, E14 5GX

Hawksmoor, Wood Warf

T-bone steak

Darthmouth lobster with garlic butter

Hawksmoor interior, Wood Warf

As a restaurant that was indeed instrumental in the new wave of great  steakhouses in the country and serves up some of the best beef in the UK, you would have thought  Hawksmoor didn't need to make any more noise. However, they've only gone and opened a huge floating pavilion-come-steakhouse on the riverside in Canary Warf. The building is architecturally impressive (and unmissable), with sleek interiors on brand for its swish financial district location, including a wood-panelled ceiling, marbled floors and a large mirrored bar. The menu stays true to the Hawksmoor philosophy – nailing the classics with excellent quality produce, including grass-fed, dry-aged, ethically reared beef, sustainable seafood , unmissable sides and seriously tasty cocktails . It might not be revolutionary, but you'd struggle to find someone who's not infatuated with Hawksmoor.

thehawksmoor.com/locations/wood-wharf

Sweetwater Mooring, E9 5EN 

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The name is perhaps a misnomer because Milk Float serves everything from cocktails to Latin-themed  burgers and, of course, killer ice cream . Located on the river in Hackney Wick, it's the perfect hideout on a summer's evening with its charming fairy-light-clad roof terrace. On the menu are local Five Points  craft beer, mocktails, cocktails, and milkshakes alongside burgers, hot dogs, cold cuts and ice cream for when you get peckish. Want to spend the whole day on the water? Not a problem – you can rent out a Moo Canoe from Milk Floats' sister company and paddle through the five nearby waterways.

themilkfloat.com

London Shell Co

Union Canal, W2 6EP

Dressed oysters

Smoked cod's roe with breakfast radishes

Sliding into a seat, almost level with the waterline in one of London Shell Co's two canal boats, is a potent tonic for city life. Never mind that you wouldn't want to put anything caught out of the canal in your mouth or that you may be accosted by all matter of metropolitan debris floating past your window; for the duration fo your joyous meal, simple eating by the water is escapism enough. The menu is, unsurprisingly, seafood-heavy and is one you could confidently call Modern British, full of seasonal ingredients and fusion flavours. Fancy taking your dinner on the move? Hop aboard their second boat, the Prince Regent, and dine on a set menu while cruising along the canal. Those who like their dinner on terra firma can head to London Shell Co's new fishmonger/wine shop/restaurant on Swain's Lane. 

londonshellco.com

172 Shepherdess Walk, N1 7JL

Caravel may be on a boat, but it's the kind of restaurant that, rather than leaning into its unique location, seems to almost make you forget you're floating on the water at all. Owners Fin and Lorcan Spiteri have London restaurants in their blood – their mum, Melanie Arnold, is a co-founder of Rochelle Canteen and their dad, Jon Spiteri, opened, among others, The French House, St John and Sessions Arts Club. Hints of all of these restaurants can be found on the menu at Caravel, where simple, quality ingredients are given just the most delicate of coaxing with an expert hand. 

caravelrestaurant.com

Embankment Pier, WC2N 6NU

For those wanting a suitably boujee waterside experience, book a table at Bateaux – a luxury Thames restaurant cruiser that makes for an unforgettable evening. Cosplay as a character from Succession as you sip  champagne on the boat deck or tuck into a plate of salmon mousseline while gazing at the stars through the glass roof. There's a host of different experiences to book at Bateaux, including afternoon tea, Sunday roasts , floating jazz nights, candlelit concerts, five-course luxury dinners and even a Father's Day cruise. Whatever experience you book, rest assured you'll be tucking into plates of classic, refined food and delicious bubbles amid one of London's most scenic backdrops.

bateauxlondon.com

Feng Shang Princess Restaurant

Southern Star Cumberland Basin, NW1 7SS 

Rumour has it Feng Shang is Paul McCartney's favourite  Chinese restaurant, and whether or not those whispers are true, it's soon to become yours too. Located in Cumberland Basin in Regent's Park, Feng Shang (which looks like something out of a Bond film) sits proudly in a three-tiered pagoda boat complete with hanging lanterns and neon strip lights, which reflect on the water. On the menu are all the classics like crispy sesame prawn toasts, salt and pepper squid, and tender beef ho fun, alongside great sharing plates like a whole grilled seabass spiked with ginger and spring onion and the legendary Cantonese roasted duck with a crispy, fragrant skin.

fengshang.co.uk

Tamesis Dock

Albert Embankment, SE1 7TY

Permanently moored between Lambeth and Vauxhall Bridge, Tamesis Dock is a 1930s Dutch barge-turned-pub serving up beer, cocktails and  pizza with scenic views of London landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, Battersea Power Station and the London Eye. There's also a regular schedule of live bands and jazz acts playing throughout the week – making Tamesis Dock a novelty music venue as well as a pub and restaurant. With its prime central London location, sunny deck, cocktails and DJs, Tamesis Dock always promises an evening of Thames-side debauchery.

tdock.co.uk

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16 Of The Best Floating Bars And Restaurants In London For A Lovely Day On The Water

Hop aboard London’s most scenic floating pubs, bars, and restaurants.

Though life in the city can feel hectic at times, we’re blessed to be surrounded by beautiful parks , charming canals , and the River Thames, right here in London. When you’re in need of a break from the hustle and bustle, there’s nothing better than a drink or a meal on the water, especially when it’s sunny out. We’ve rounded up some of the best floating bars and restaurants in London that offer great food and panoramic river views:

1. Barge East, Hackney Wick

Barge East is the epitome of romantic waterside dining, with dreamy fairy lights, delicious food, and a scenic, maritime atmosphere. Moored at Sweetwater in Hackney Wick, the nearly 120-year-old Dutch barge has been transformed into one of London’s finest outdoor bars and kitchens, serving a seasonal British menu and drinks. Due to its popularity, Barge East has added an entire garden area to accommodate more guests, and is a perfect date spot both during the day and and night. River Lee, Sweetwater Mooring, White Post Ln, E9 5EN . More info on their website .

2. Alfred Le Roy, Hackney Wick

Crate Brewery in Hackney has its own boozy barge serving up cocktails, beer, wine, and food while moored. Alfred le Roy also offers private hire and canal cruise experiences along the Lea Navigation. Queen’s Yard, White Post Ln, Mooring, E9 5EN. More info on their website .

3. The Milk Float, Hackney Wick

These milkshakes bring all the boys to the… barge. The Milk Float  is exactly what you’d expect, a charming lil’ boat serving scoops of delicious ice cream, coffee, and cakes. But there’s actually much more: Not pictured here is a large seating area out on the water, where you can order (alcoholic) drinks from the bar, and eat street food from the back deck. Tacos, burgers, and then ice cream and shakes — need we say more? Capital Ring, E15 2DZ. More info on their website .

4. The Cheese Barge, Paddington

If you’ve been following our page throughout the year, this brand new floating temple of fromage needs no introduction. The Cheese Barge is dedicated entirely to cheese, and comes from the team behind The Cheese Bar , so you know it was bound to be a success. Fromage lovers can stuff their faces with endless cheesy goodness while enjoying views of the water. Paddington Basin, Sheldon Square, W2 6DL . More info on their website .

5. Darcie and May Green, Paddington Central

These pop-art barges will really float your boat.  Darcie Green is the perfect setting for al fresco dining, serving Aussie dishes. May Green , open all day, transforms into a buzzing bar with delicious and creative cocktails. The two boats share an open-air deck overlooking the Grand Union Canal, making them the perfect outdoor hangout spots for food, booze, and good times. Grand Union Canal, Sheldon Square, W2 6DS. More info on their website .

6. London Shell Co – The Grand Duchess & The Prince Regent, Paddington

London Shell Co is known for their floating fish restaurants in Paddington, The Prince Regent and The Grand Duchess . Dine on deck of the permanently docked Grand Duchess boat, or hop aboard The Prince Regent for a cruising lunch or dinner. You can always expect to enjoy the freshest catch and outstanding seafood here. Sheldon Square, W2 6PY. More info on their website .

7. Feng Shang Princess, Regent’s Park

Feng Shang Princess is a floating Chinese restaurant on the edge of Regent’s Park. Aside from traditional Chinese cuisine, they also serve wine, cocktails, and champagnes, but the *floating* aspect and picturesque location is what really sets this haunt apart from other options in London. Cumberland Basin, Prince Albert Road, Regents Park, NW1 7SS. More info on their website .

8. Tamesis Dock , Vauxhall

Tamesis Dock is a converted 1930s Dutch barge-turned-pub, moored between Lambeth and Vauxhall Bridge. Guests can catch live music gigs, eat handmade pizzas, and drink their way through the never-ending selection of beers, ciders, and ‘docktails’. Albert Embankment, SE1 7TY. More info on their website .

9. Bateaux London/ Glass Room , Embankment Pier

Bateaux London is your destination for luxury dining and events on the River Thames. With incredible city views and floor-to-ceiling windows, the Glass Room boat will take you on scenic dining river cruises during the day and at night. The venue is incredibly beautiful and hosts a number of events, such as floating jazz evenings and romantic candlelight concerts . Embankment Pier, Victoria Embankment, WC2N 6NU. More info on their website .

10. Bar&Co Boat, Victoria Embankment

Also known as ‘The Party Boat Rocking The Thames’, Bar&Co is a bar, restaurant, and nightclub right outside Temple Station. Watch your favourite sports games on the lower-deck screens, dance all night with views of The London Eye and Big Ben, or simply spend a sunny afternoon downing a few pints on the water. Temple Pier, Victoria Embankment, WC2R 2PN. More info on their website .

11. Tattershall Castle, Victoria Embankment

The Tattershall Castle is perfectly located opposite The London Eye and between Westminster and Embankment Tube stations, so you’re guaranteed a prime view from the deck. The ‘Pub on the Thames’ offers the usual pub grub such as fish & chips, but you can also come here for bottomless brunches and afternoon teas. Plus, The Tattershall Castle hosts various events, such as comedy nights on the Thames — find your tickets here . Victoria Embankment, Whitehall, SW1A 2HR. More info on their website . 

12. The Oiler Bar, Royal Victoria Docks

This ex-Royal Navy refuelling barge is now a floating beer garden with views of the Royal Docks, the Canary Wharf skyline, and the WakeUp Docklands watersports park. The Oiler Bar is a lovely spot for a daytime drink on the water or a pizza dinner while watching the sunset. Royal Victoria Docks, Royal Victoria Beach, E16 1AG. More info on their website .

13./14. Hawksmoor & The London Project, Wood Wharf

London’s newest pair of floating restaurants has docked in Wood Wharf, and it’s set to open later this year. As you can see, the structures are quite the eye-catcher, and the eateries setting up shop inside surely won’t disappoint either. Moving in are a new branch of the London steak restaurant Hawksmoor , plus a brand new addition to our city’s dining scene, namely The London Project , a Dubai -based bar, restaurant, lifestyle venue, and gin distillery. Needless to say, there’s plenty to look forward to here! 5 Water Street, Wood Wharf, E14 5GX. More info soon on the Hawksmoor and The London Project websites.

15. The Barge House Brunch Boat, Haggerston (temporarily closed)

There are many reasons to visit Barge House , and their lovely canalside setup is merely one of them. Their famed ‘Breakfast En Bread’  (a huge sourdough loaf stuffed with all the best breakfast foods) draws crowds in, and they can enjoy them out on the water on a dedicated Brunch Boat sailing down the canal. Due to the pandemic, the restaurant is currently closed (they do deliver), but keep this place on your must-visit list when they reopen. 46a De Beauvoir Crescent, N1 5RY. More info on their website .

16. Waterside Café, Little Venice

This tiny boat is actually London’s ‘original floating café’, delighting passersby in Little Venice since 1995. Waterside Café offers tea, coffee, breakfast, light lunches and even afternoon teas, and is a perfect spot for a sun-drenched break during a walk along the canalside. Warwick Cres, W2 6NE. More info on their website .

Now that you’ve crossed off floating bars and restaurants, head to the sky for these 27 places with panoramic views of London .

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• A Boat Dinner – Hop Aboard These Floating Restaurants
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• 14 May 2021

From drinks on the cool canals of the North East to riverside rendezvous on the Thames with postcard-worthy views; There are a variety of fabulous places you can enjoy a boat dinner in London.

Whether it’s a pub-style boat charged with live music and craft beers, to exclusive seafood fine-dining along the Regents Canal – we’ve picked out some of the leading boat restaurants in London to hop aboard this summer.

Table of Contents

1. Barge East, Hackney Wick

A barge owned by three childhood friends who sailed from Holland before settling in Hackney Wick is Barge East. This East London (no surprises there) floating restaurant and riverside bar, onboard a century plus old boat, has done pretty well since dropping anchor to open up in 2018.

This includes winning London’s #1 Restaurant 2019 – 2020 and Travellers’ Choice 2020 Tripadvisor  awards. Offering a British set menu with global influences and dishes which change with the seasons, following their success, last year they opened up their garden by developing the land adjacent into a place  to eat in London , to drink, dine and socialise.

Today, they say, it is one of the largest outdoor dining spaces and boat dinners in East London.

Read our full review of the popular Barge East .

www.bargeeast.com IG: @bargeeast

2. Tamesis Dock, Vauxhall Embankment

This 1930s converted Dutch barge located between Vauxhall Bridge and Lambeth is the ideal place to polish off delicious Italian dishes including hand-crafted, fresh pizzas and a range of vegan and veggie calzones and salami stuffed calzones.

The Tamesis Dock is the complete package, with astonishing Central London river views and with a generous outdoor and indoor space, it has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere throughout.

As evening draws in, step inside and catch one of the live gigs whilst you make your way through the selection of craft beers and boat dinner.

www.tdock.co.uk IG: @tamesisdock

3. Alfred Le Roy, Hackney Wick

Set off the summer season in style aboard Alfred Le Roy who’ll take you on a cruise down its East London canal. Starting out at Hackney Wick, the team will guide you on a tour of the River Lee, whilst settled in one of their low-lit booths.

Hum along to the onboard sound system as you float down the river with decadent cocktails, cheese and charcuterie boards.

Described as ‘Hackney Wick’s favourite speakeasy on the water’, this classic British, wide beam canal boat is also available for private hire and private skippered cruising.

www.alfredleroy.com IG: @alfred_le_roy

4. Bar & Co, Temple

The ‘party boat rocking on the Thames’ is Bar & Co. A combined bar, restaurant and nightclub, it hosts a number of events throughout the year just five minutes from Holborn and right outside Temple Station.

Revelling in landmark views that include the London Eye, Big Ben and Oxo tower, its late licence until 3 am makes it the perfect raving river spot, whilst upstairs, the deck is ideal for a cool beer in the sunshine.

www.barandcompany.com

5. The Prince Regent, Regents Canal

These floating seafood specialists will be running private cruises on their canal boat restaurant, The Prince Regent this summer. Serving an al fresco six-course meal on the deck of the boat, guests will be able to enjoy exclusive use of the space as it travels to Camden Lock and back.

The perfect way to toast milestones and occasions with loved ones, which could not be celebrated during lockdown – each private dining cruise features fresh seafood supplied by Cornish day boats and seasonal ingredients.

Whilst dining, cruise along the Regents Canal passing beautiful scenery and iconic landmarks such as London Zoo, Regents Park and through the iconic Maida Hill Tunnel.

For £75 a head, highlights from the six-course menu include cured trout, a warm shellfish & asparagus salad and Cornish hake with braised artichokes & Jersey royals.

www.londonshellco.com IG: @londonshellco

6. An Embankment Boat Dinner at Bateaux London.

Bateaux  London is a restaurant cruise experience on the River Thames, that serves up beautifully fresh British flavours, paired with fine wines and an alternative perspective of London from the Thames.

Departing from Embankment Pier, its route guides diners elegantly down towards the banks of West London and Battersea Park, before turning around and heading back towards the striking setting of Tower Bridge.

Whilst you wait to step aboard is their bar ‘The Pier’. Conveniently located on the historic Victoria Embankment and offering sensational river views, The Pier is suited to an intimate catch up, after-work drink or pre-dinner aperitif.

www.bateauxlondon.com IG: @bateauxlondon

7. Feng Shang Princess, Regents Park Boat Dinner

A floating Chinese boat dinner experience along the banks of Regents Canal is Feng Shang Princess. Plating up hand-crafted Chinese cuisine, this Asian restaurant combines traditional and modern innovations washed down with fine wines, cocktails and champagnes.

The elaborately decorated and bright red barge situated between Primrose Hill and Regents Park offers a wide range of dumplings, soups, duck specials and beef dishes, all in the beautiful surroundings of the canal.

Voted the best Chinese restaurant in Primrose Hill, they’re also known as an alternative venue for any Chinese food lovers looking to host a party or wedding.

www.fengshang.co.uk IG: @fengshangregentspark

8. Tattershall Castle, Embankment Boat Dinner

Tattershall Castle is a popular central boat restaurant in London destination for al fresco dining and drinks opposite the London Eye and between Westminster and Embankment tube stations.

With a spacious deck area that is unrivalled amongst similar venues in the vicinity, this pub on the Thames provides a cosy and elegant setting to grab a boat dinner with the terrace outside offering postcard views.

With fair priced delicious pub classics with a twist like calves’ liver and bacon or the ploughman’s platter; Tattershall Castle is a modern classic to put on your checklist.

Not only is it affordable, flavoursome and carries a striking view, it also offers itself up as a floating nightclub at the weekends.

www.thetattershallcastle.co.uk IG: @thetattershallcastle

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London’s Best Waterside Restaurants

Beautiful seafood on a boat, Venetian pasta on the canal, Sri Lankan cuisine by the lake, and more

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Sitting by the water can instil a sense of calm in a frenetic city, and luckily for Londoners, there are plenty of canals, rivers, lakes and lidos to seek respite… and a pint or brunch. Seek out the best waterside cafés and restaurants, kick back and chill out.

Crate Brewery & Pizzeria

A brewery, taproom and pizzeria on the Hackney Wick canal, Crate Brewery has everything you need to while away an afternoon by the water. After sinking a couple of pints from an approachable list of juicy IPAs, crisp lager and velvety stout, tune in to the alluring aroma of the homemade pizzas. All served on a crispy, thin base, pizza toppings range from the familiar (classic margherita or spicy salami) to the more creative (fragrant dahl with sliced, fresh banana or sweet potato, stilton and walnut). Top tip: get one per person, because no-one will want to share.

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Towpath Café

De Beauvoir’s cult canalside café doesn’t announce itself loudly along the Kingsland Towpath — a gaggle of trendy twenty-somethings and the produce-forward small plates are signage enough. The menu shifts with what’s good but expect dishes like warm, sweet tomatoes, drenched in olive oil and piled on toast for breakfast, with smoked mackerel and its dollop of crème fraîche and pickled cherries for dinner. There will (almost) always be radishes with taramasalata (with more of that olive oil.) Towpath Café only opens its shutters over spring and summer (the weekend closest to Bonfire Night is usually the last service of the year) so get in quick.  

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Modelled on a Venetian bacaro, Ombra on the Regents Canal in Bethnal Green is a delight. Sure, it’s not beside Venice’s waterways, but why complain when there are smashing negronis, tagliolini with summer truffle ( and parmesan, of course ) and a whopping ricotta cannolo . Molto bene!

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Cafe Cecilia

There’s canalside seating coming soon to really clinch the waterside deal, but Max Rocha’s resplendent Cafe Cecilia is close enough to abutting the barges of Regent’s Canal. The atmosphere is continental, the food a little more new-school Modern British, with onglet and chips ( not steak frites), a deep-fried bread-and-butter pudding with cold custard for hyphenate fans, and often, on Fridays, a majestic sandwich ready to be taken away along the water.

Dig Into the Sweet Nostalgia of the Best Old-School Puddings in London

The newest outfit from Fin and Lorcan Spiteri is a barge converted into a classy, permanent restaurant, a foil to Pontoon, the more casual waterside spot they run right next door. There’s pedigree here: they’re the sons of current Sessions Arts Club connector Fin Spiteri and Melanie Arnold of Rochelle Canteen, and the food is appropriately boisterous in its modern European sensibility: salsify with gribiche; mussels and chips; and pasta dishes like a crab and fennel tagliatelle.

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Perched on the edge of the lake in Victoria Park, Pavilion’s domed building slings some of the city’s best pastries, buns and breakfasts. Come the weekend, the benches outside are filled with the hungover and hungry feasting on vegetarian fry-ups, Sri Lankan string hoppers with dahl and stacks of fluffy pancakes. Grab a couple of turmeric buns to go, then walk it off around the park.

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London Shell Co.

For lunch or dinner on the water, hop aboard The Prince Regent and dive into a five-course, seafood-focused menu courtesy of the London Shell Company. What runs the risk of being a gimmicky concept restaurant, is in reality, just great food in a fun setting. Set sail from Paddington Central and journey down Regent’s Canal and through dishes like zingy, briny Dorset estuary rock oysters, delicately braised squid with borlotti beans, and scrape-the-plate-clean crab tortellini with beurre blanc and seaweed. There is also a “static” lunch service during the week.

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Emilia's Crafted Pasta

Nestled among the chain restaurants overlooking St. Katharine Docks marina is a diamond in the rough. Skip Zizzi’s and head to Emilia’s Crafted Pasta which serves fresh pasta, made daily on site. The specialty from the Genoan-born head chef is, naturally, casarecce tossed through a thick, creamy pesto, but don’t miss the rich walnut sauce with chestnut mushrooms, from the same north west Italian region of Liguria.

Blueprint Café

It’s a hard push to find somewhere with a better, more quintessential Thames view. Play tourist and watch the river’s traffic pass by, with Tower Bridge in the background, while dining on refined modern British dishes. Pork chop with anchovy and potato purée might precede a divine treacle tart with a healthy dollop of clotted cream. Linger on with Muscat dessert wine and watch the sun go down.

The River Café

On the north bank of the Thames in Hammersmith, the pioneering River Cafe celebrated 30 years of serving fine, seasonal Italian dishes, last year. Soak up summer’s swansong evenings in the garden terrace which leads down to the river. On the brink of the seasons, you might find culatello with black figs or wood-roasted pigeon and risotto with courgette flowers: whatever the weather, there’s always the chocolate nemesis for dessert.

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Rick Stein, Barnes

Pretend you’re in Cornwall, in southwest London at Rick Stein’s outpost in Barnes. Nab a Thames-side table and sip sundowners curated by the capital’s esteemed bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana before a fishy feast. The kitchen bangs out Stein classics like Dover sole à la meunière or Indonesian-inspired sea bass, prawn and cod curry. Pull up a chair at the seafood bar for shellfish on ice — oysters and langoustines — plus razor clams and mussels.  

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Best Riverside Restaurants In London

The weather is glorious and you want to make the most of it - and why shouldn't you? Sunny days are few and far between and the thought of wasting them in stuffy eateries is a crying shame. Whether you're after a low-key bite to eat by a quiet canal, a classy sunset dinner near the Thames or something a little different, here are London's best restaurants by the water.

Last edited by Kiera Chapman

Last updated on 8th January 2024

The Union Bar Paddington

Located in Sheldon Square right next to the canal, not far from Little Venice, The Union Bar Paddington boasts pretty views of the river. While you admire them, dig into tapas washed down by one of the many fantastic wines.

• Restaurant ⋅ Restaurant Bar ⋅ Event Space

Gaucho Tower Bridge

Looking for a celebratory meal near the Thames? Gaucho's Southbank restaurant is sure to impress, offering up some of the finest Argentinian steaks, sophisticated interiors and unparalleled views of Tower Bridge.

• City of London
• Restaurant Bar ⋅ Restaurant

Founders Arms

Founders Arms is a great haunt if you're looking for top-notch views of the Thames. Situated right on the river, next to the Tate Modern and Millennium Bridge, this glass-fronted boozer offers a boat-load of pub favourites to enjoy at the gorgeous location.

• Waterloo ⋅ London Bridge
• Pub ⋅ Restaurant ⋅ Restaurant Bar

Obicà Mozzarella Bar – Canary Wharf

Set within an atmospheric glass atrium and flaunting a waterside terrace, Obica Mozzarella Bar is perfect for those who fancy eating by the river. Head along to the Canary Whard hotspot to indulge in expertly prepared Italian fare paired with plenty of vino.

• Canary Wharf
• Restaurant ⋅ Cocktail Bar ⋅ Event Space

LIMIN SOUTHBANK

Limin Southbank is a cool bar along the Thames. Head here for palm trees and sandy floors, along with rum-laced concoctions and a range of Caribbean street food classics, including BBQ jerk chicken, jackfruit roti and masala chips.

• Southbank ⋅ Waterloo
• Cocktail Bar ⋅ Restaurant Bar ⋅ Party Bar

The White Cross

This traditional boozer is undoubtedly one of the best pubs and riverside restaurants in London. Situated on the water's edge at Richmond, The White Cross' cosy interiors and comforting food make it an ideal spot come rain or shine.

• Richmond ⋅ Richmond ⋅ South London

Swan at the Globe

One of the best restaurants on the Thames in Southbank, Swan At Shakespeare's Globe isn't your average pub. Knocking up delicious British fare with produce from local markets, it also wins in terms of looks, with scenes of St Paul's Cathedral looming over you.

• London Bridge ⋅ Southbank
• Restaurant Bar ⋅ Restaurant ⋅ Event Space

Arepa & Co Haggerston

Arepa & Co Haggerston is bringing the taste of Venezuela to the capital. The kitchen dishes up a selection of arepas, rice bowls and cachapas (pancakes made with corn flour) for hungry diners to nibble on while admiring the passing swans and kayaks.

• Dalston ⋅ Hackney
• Cafe ⋅ Restaurant ⋅ Restaurant Bar

The Oyster Shed

Oyster Hour

One of the best restaurants on the River Thames near London Bridge is none other than The Oyster Shed. Not only is the view monumental, looking over The Thames and with The Shard looming, but it also has a fantastic menu of fine wine, seafood and elevated pub grub.

• City of London ⋅ London Bridge

Smith's Bar & Grill

Sharing Roast for 2 & Unlimited Red Wine and 12 other offers

Located on the banks of the Grand Union Canal, Smith's Bar & Grill is one of the best riverside restaurants in West London. Feast on juicy burgers, fresh fish and premium steaks while watching the narrowboats float past.

• Paddington ⋅ West London
• Restaurant Bar ⋅ Cocktail Bar ⋅ Event Space

Ping Pong St Katharine Docks

Lazy Sumday Bottomless Dumplings and 3 other offers

Seeking out restaurants on the River Thames with a view? Ping Pong St Katharine Docks flaunts a sprawling alfresco terrace with a dazzling backdrop. Chow down on delightful dim sum, soups and noodles at this stylish spot, with all-you-can-eat available on Sundays.

• Wapping ⋅ City of London

One Tower Bridge

London's best bars and restaurants, all in a single location? One Tower Bridge is making it happen. Head to the stylish eating and drinking destination and you'll find dishes from The Coal Shed, The Ivy and more, as well as stunning views across the Thames.

• Central London
• Restaurant ⋅ Restaurant Bar

Browns Brasserie & Bar Butlers Wharf

When all you want to do is soak up the sunshine and the capital's most iconic landmarks, Browns Brasserie & Bar Butlers Wharf is a fabulous shout. Head along to this snazzy space for beaut views alongside brunches, Sunday roasts and an a la carte menu of British favourites.

• Restaurant Bar ⋅ Restaurant ⋅ Wine Bar

Barge East Gardens & Terrace

One of the city's most popular riverside restaurants has got to be Barge East , a stunning spot actually located  on the water. Nestled alongside the floating eatery, the gardens and terrace offer the perfect plot from which to admire the glimmering River Lee.

• Hackney ⋅ East London
• Pub ⋅ Restaurant ⋅ Cocktail Bar

Gaucho Richmond

If you're looking for a restaurant with sweeping views of the Thames, Gaucho Richmond is a great bet. Here, you can tuck into Argentinian steaks in the sleek space or on a gorgeous terrace, with plenty of crackin' sides to boot.

• Restaurant ⋅ Restaurant Bar ⋅ Wine Bar

The Riverside

A cool and casual spot for both a drink and a bite to eat, The Riverside sits blissfully next to the water in Vauxhall, with a beer garden outside for when the sunshine hits. On the menu? Pub classics such as fish and chips, with a glass of wine or a craft beer to pair.

• South London ⋅ Vauxhall
• Lounge Bar ⋅ Restaurant ⋅ Event Space

Bottomless Weekends and 3 other offers

This gem is ideal for those seeking out a delicious and relaxing meal by the water. Situated in the hub of King's Cross, Rotunda boasts an award-winning wine list, a mouthwatering menu made using sustainable produce and a surprisingly large canalside terrace hidden out back.

• Kings Cross

Darcie & May Green

Taking waterside dining to the next level, Darcie & May Green is bringing you delicious dishes onboard a stunning barge boat. Head over to the Paddington Basin haunt for a host of Australian-inspired bites (you must try the award-winning banana bread sandwiches) and summery cocktails.

When it comes to places to eat by the river, The Ship is up there with the very best. Flaunting the Thames as its backdrop, the Wandsworth boozer comes up trumps for its ambience, location and scrumptious bites, along with its weekly live music sessions and quizzes.

• Pub ⋅ Event Space ⋅ Restaurant

Scoff & Banter Canary Wharf

Group offer: 25% off beverages

Cityscape panoramas, live entertainment and afternoon teas are all up for grabs at Scoff & Banter. What's more, the elegant Canary Wharf bistro also touts an enviable outdoor terrace where you can devour bites like pan-fried sea bass and cacio e pepe.

Busaba Kingston

If you're looking for somewhere to take a date with gorgeous riverside views, or are simply planning a catch-up with friends then you'll want to book Busaba in Kingston. This elegant restaurant boasts warm interiors and a menu packed with the flavours of Bangkok, like delicious curries and glazed meats from the grill. 

No.35 Mackenzie Walk

A riverside restaurant in Canary Wharf, No.35 Mackenzie Walk makes the most of its scenic location with a gorgeous outdoor terrace. Whether you're here for an after-work drink, light lunch or a bottomless brunch, you're sure to be in for a great time at this beautiful spot.

• Cocktail Bar ⋅ Restaurant

Zizzi Bankside

Found right by the River Thames, Zizzi Bankside (and its sister site in Greenwich ) offers dining with a view. Expect warm, rustic interiors, with indoor trees and wooden structures on the walls, as well as one helluva menu of Italian food. Think lasagne, seared salmon and pizza.

Estiva Restaurant And Terrace

20% Off Afternoon Tea - £28 and 2 other offers

A list of London riverside restaurants wouldn't be complete without The Chelsea Harbour Hotel & Spa, which overlooks the water and moored boats for fantastic views while you dine. Not only is there an alfresco terrace, but also Mediterranean munch galore.

• Chelsea ⋅ West London
• Restaurant Bar ⋅ Cafe ⋅ Lounge Bar

Two More Years

Located along Hackney Wick, Two More Years is a sustainable riverside restaurant that's dishing up desirable views and incredible burgers. Grab a table on the terrace and pick between a number of meaty and vegan patties.

• Party Bar ⋅ Event Space ⋅ Entertainment Bar

Dove is steeped in history; since it first opened in the 17th century, this Hammersmith watering hole has garnered quite the reputation. From the great atmosphere and riverside garden to the cask ales and crowd-pleasing grub, you can see why it's so popular.

• Hammersmith ⋅ Hammersmith
• Pub ⋅ Restaurant

Paradiso Burger & Cocktail Bar - Southbank

One of the hottest new riverside restaurants in London, Paradiso Burger & Cocktail Bar is the Southbank eatery you need to visit this summer. Nab a table on the covered balcony and enjoy views over the Thames as you chow down on delicious buns and small plates.

🥪 Lunch Set Menu 🥪 and 5 other offers

Gaze at The O2 as you sip your pint at this Docklands pub. Housed within a Grade II-listed building, The Gun has been beautifully redecorated while still holding onto its original features, making it a charming riverside restaurant in London.

• Canary Wharf ⋅ Docklands
• Pub ⋅ Restaurant Bar ⋅ Restaurant

The Cutty Sark

Searching for a place to eat near the Thames? Look no further than The Cutty Sark, a Greenwich gem and corker of a pub. Swing by as the sun is setting for banging British classics done just right and jaw-dropping panoramas across Canary Wharf. 

• Pub ⋅ Gastro Pub

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Going Out | Restaurants

Best waterside restaurants in London, from The River Cafe to Le Pont de la Tour

British beaches are overcrowded with staycationers and a summer of plane cancellations looks set to turn dreams of relaxing by the Med into a travel nightmare – but if you’re in need of a waterside retreat, look no further than the capital’s restaurants.

Landlocked London happily has the River Thames to break up the city heat, and from canalside cult favourites to French food with a view, the capital isn’t short of restaurants lining its waterways ( as well as plenty of pubs and bars ). Below, we’ve picked out our favourite spots for a bucolic bite to eat.

If you’re looking for a spot to soak up the sun with a cooling river breeze, most of these venues offer outdoor dining that gets you as close to the waterside as possible. For more al fresco hotspots, check out our full guide here .

Ready to take a dip in the world of waterside dining? Dive in.

The River Cafe

A legend among restaurants, Ruth Rogers ’s influential Italian dining room is still an enviable spot to spend a warm day in west London, even after more than 30 years. The main dining room is set back from the Thames, but distanced only by a leafy garden that in summer time is filled with tables of deep-pocketed (including a good-showing of celebrities) diners feasting on nettle pasta with butter and chargrilled Cornish monkfish with anchovy and rosemary sauce.

Thames Wharf, Rainville Road, W6 9HA, rivercafe.co.uk

Sam’s Riverside

Ever so slightly upstream from Rogers, restaurateur Sam Harrison has set up his own riverside retreat. With a cracking view of the green-and-gold towers of Hammersmith Bridge, Sam’s Riverside serves a seafood-leaning menu: dressed crab and roast brill, but also pork shoulder and venison chop. Large windows give most tables a view of the water whatever the time of year, with the best seats in the house on a summertime terrace.

1 Crisp Road, W6 9DN, samsriverside.co.uk

London Shell Co.

Who needs waterside dinners when you can have one actually on the water? That’s the premise of London Shell Co. anyway, the restaurant group that boasts two restaurants on board two barges — the Prince Regent and the Grand Duchess. The former takes diners on a cruise of the Regent’s Canal — from Paddington to Camden and back – while they enjoy a five-course set menu of British seafood (£65), with dishes including spider crab with Jersey royals and crispy bacon. If you haven’t quite got the sea legs, the Grand Duchess remains moored throughout the evening.

Sheldon Square, W2 6DL, londonshellco.com

Crate Brewery

Simple pleasures don’t get much better than beer and pizza – Crate Brewery does both of these very well, and throws in canalside dining to boot. The independent Hackney Wick brewery produces its own beer on site, and its pizza oven also turns out a good line in thin-and-crispy pizzas, topped with global flavours like kashmiri daal and Middle Eastern lamb. Sit out on the benches right by the River Lee Navigation, and watch the barges go by. Around the corner and upstairs is zero-waste Silo, presently a wine bar of sorts, though it doesn't offer the same riverbank vibes .

Unit 7 Queen's Yard, E9 5EN, cratebrewery.com

Tavolino is a relative newcomer to London’s riverside dining scene, and it’s arrived at a very pleasant spot indeed. The restaurant boasts exceptional views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London from the floor-to-ceiling windows that curve the length of the dining room while, outdoors, summer diners can take a seat at its 70-cover terrace. On the menu are Italian dishes such as mussels, pancetta and lemon bigoli pasta, roasted red pepper, pine nut, pesto and black olive pizza, larger plates such as pan-fried stone bass, pancetta, cannellini and borlotti beans and ice creams made in-house.

2 More London Riverside, SE1 2DB, tavolino.co.uk

Rick Stein Barnes

Rick Stein may be best known for his Padstow empire of Cornish seafood restaurants – oh, and being on the telly – but he’s also serving pescatarian pleasures in Barnes. Seafood is still the name of the game at his London restaurant, situated between Barnes and Chiswick bridges, in a dining room that is raised above a curve of the Thames and provides some pretty impressive views both up an downstream. There’s a little meat on the menu, There’s a little meat on the menu, but dishes of whole Dover sole, butterflied sardines and tronçon of turbot with hollandaise sauce steal the show.

Tideway Yard, 125 Mortlake High Street, SW14 8SN, rickstein.com

Sea Containers Restaurant

Named for a Bermudan shipping container company and situated inside a building inspired by the design of 1920s luxury ocean liners, the Sea Containers London hotel has seafaring in its bones. To complete the illusion, it’s perched right on the side of the Thames at the South Bank, and its restaurant opens out onto a pavement terrace a stone’s throw from the water’s edge. A relaxed, crowd-pleasing menu includes c small plates (crab on toast), large plates (halibut and fennel), health-conscious salads and ’nduja-topped flatbreads.

20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD, seacontainerslondon.com

Le Pont de la Tour

Don’t want to sit by just any old bit of the Thames? Then pull up a seat in full view of its most famous landmark. Le Pont de La Tour overlooks the turrets of Tower Bridge, boasting a spectacular perspective right on the south bank of the river at Shad Thames. You’ll want to grab a window seat when indoors (in either the bistro or more formal restaurant), but sunny days mean making the most of the terrace and its uninterrupted vista.

36D Shad Thames, SE1 2YE, lepontdelatour.co.uk

Darcie & May Green

The Daisy Green group has already brought its Australian-style dining across several oceans to London, but one of its hotspots is still keen to be out on the water. Diners will find Darcie & May Green onboard a canal-moored barge in Paddington, its colourful facade designed by renowned British pop artist Sir Peter Blake. Inside, you’ll find Antipodean-style cafe fare in the mornings – think flat whites and sweetcorn fritters – followed by summer barbecue-inspired dishes and an all-week bottomless brunch offering.

Sheldon Square, W2 6DS, daisygreenfood.com

The Gladwin brothers are passionate about farm-to-table dining – and if you head to their Battersea restaurant, that table can come with views of Ransome’s Dock, a little inlet off the Thames. An eclectically decorated, conservatory-style dining room channels the Sussex countryside where the family have their own farm, all while looking out onto the water through floor-to-ceiling windows. Expect steaks, veggie dishes and wine straight from Sussex, while everything else on the sustainably sourced menu is just as best-of-British. It’s dog-friendly inside and out, too.

35-37 Parkgate Road, SW11 4NP, nutbourne-restaurant.com

Emilia’s Crafted Pasta

It may not be the Amalfi coast, but Emilia’s Crafted Pasta is channelling Italian boating holidays at its St Katharine Docks branch. Situated alongside the yachts and barges parked up in the east London marina, the handmade fresh pasta restaurant serves up its simple but comforting menu on either outdoor tables or with a view out of its intimate glass-fronted shop. Tuck into casarecce with a creamy sauce of walnuts and chestnut mushrooms or ravioli stuffed with grass-fed lamb, parsley and parmesan, and pretend it’s Positano.

C3 Ivory House, St Katharine Docks, E1W 1AT, emiliaspasta.com

The Summerhouse

You must be standing on the opposite bank of the Grand Union Canal (or actually sitting at one of the waterside tables) to appreciate Maida Vale’s Summerhouse, which reveals nothing of its charms from its street frontage. Effectively a floating terrace, the restaurant is open to the elements when the weather is good, with nothing between diners and the ducks bobbing along the canal except a neatly trimmed box hedge. The seafood, thankfully, isn’t fished from local waters — there’s Canadian lobster, Jersey oysters and Mediterranean king prawns — as well as sirloin streak, rump of lamb and Sunday roasts.

60 Blomfield Road, W9 2PA, thesummerhouse.co

Steven Edwards at Bingham Riverhouse

A bijou dining room within a boutique hotel, Richmond’s Bingham Riverhouse combines a classically English scene of flowerbed-bordered lawns spilling down to the Thames with modern English cooking from Masterchef: The Professionals winner Steven Edwards. Expect cured mackerel with horseradish and chives, lamb with salsify, celery and mint, and apple parfait with white chocolate and apple sorbet from menus which range in price from two courses for £40 to five courses for £85; the more you eat, the (slightly) cheaper it gets. The best seats in the pretty Georgian townhouse are on a balcony overlooking the garden and river beyond.

61-63 Petersham Road, Richmond-upon-Thames, TW10 6UT, stevenedwards.binghamriverhouse.com

Brothers Fin and Lorcan Spiteri have hospitality in their blood: their father Jon has fronted sociable London legends such as St John and Quo Vadis while the pair have worked in some of the capital’s most respected restaurants and bars themselves. Here in Islington, they’ve taken over a barge on the Regent’s Canal and converted it into a 10-seat restaurant with space for 40 diners, at least half of whom are probably on dates and ready to be seduced by the eternal charms of sparkling napery and good-quality glassware. Fin looks after the cocktails while Lorcan is in charge of cooking: expect duck croquettes, crab tagliatelle, blood orange margaritas and rhubarb negronis.

17 Shepherdess Walk, N1 7JL, thestudiokitchen.co.uk

Hawksmoor Wood Wharf

This Canary Wharf outpost of the upmarket British steak chain makes the most of its Docklands location with sun loungers on the terrace where if the reflection from the water doesn’t give you a tan, the sunlight bouncing off the surrounding glass-walled skyscrapers will. The sundeck, in fact, is attached to Hawksmoor’s Lowback bar, where one may be forgiven for wondering whether the room is moving because of the tide or one-too-may lethal Shaky Pete cocktails; the dining room proper at this floating restaurant is on the floor above, where side orders of beef-dripping fries, macaroni cheese and grilled bone marrow are almost as good as the grass-fed, dry-aged, ethically reared steaks.

1 Water Street, E14 5GX, thehawksmoor.com

Canal towpaths are one of the capital’s most cherished shared spaces, and none more so than the terrace of this neighbourhood gem in Hackney, where cyclists, joggers and buggies form an ever-moving backdrop to Ottolenghi-esque cooking that provides the sunshine even if the weather isn’t playing ball. Expect cult favourites of olive oil cake, quince-jelly cheese toasties and fried eggs with mojo verde chalked up on a blackboard and crossed out when they’re finished. No bookings, but there’s no shortage of things to look at while waiting for a table.

42 De Beauvoir Crescent, N1 5SB, towpathlondon.com

Gaucho Richmond

Leafy Richmond doesn’t quite conjure the limitless plains of the South American pampas but who needs authenticity when there’s the Thames flowing right past the plate-glass windows and riverside terrace? This outpost of the Argentine steak chain, just down from Richmond Bridge, sticks to the Gaucho USP of carbon-neutral beef, whether burgers or empanadas, steak tartare or sirloin. Veggie options are surprisingly decent plus there’s a lunchtime set (two/three courses £26/£29.50) for locals. Kids get mini steaks and there’s a bottomless roast on Sunday afternoons (£35), too.

The Towpath, Richmond Riverside, Richmond-upon-Thames, TW10 6UJ, gauchorestaurants.com

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The River Restaurant by Gordon Ramsay

Discover The River Restaurant by Gordon Ramsay , a new restaurant by the multi-Michelin starred chef at The Savoy.

The restaurant is located in the heart of the hotel with panoramic views of the River Thames , offering both guests and destination diners a beautifully classic, yet stylish and relaxed all-day dining environment. There is also an elegant private dining room that seats 8 – 12 guests and is the perfect space for your special event. Find out more here .

The River Restaurant showcases the very best shellfish and seafood the UK has to offer; from fresh oysters, ceviche and caviar served at the centre-piece raw bar, to an incredible à la carte menu including delicately spiced tandoori monkfish curry, grilled Cornish lobster and whole dayboat fish.

Why not try an exquisite oyster and wine tasting experience for a truly memorable experience?

Bookings are available online.

Hours of operation

Breakfast Monday – Friday: 7.00am to 10.30am Saturday – Sunday: 8.00am to 10.30am In-house guests only Lunch & Dinner Monday – Saturday: 12.00pm – 12.00am Sunday: 12.00pm – 11.30pm

Tel. +44 (0)207 499 0122

[email protected]

The 11 Best Riverside Restaurants To Hit Up This Summer

photo credit: London Shell Co.

Heidi Lauth Beasley, Jake Missing & Rianne Shlebak

July 20, 2023

Despite a great big river running through the centre of the city, London is surprisingly lacking in good places to eat with a view of water. Unless you’re counting that Pret sandwich next to a puddle last week. But there’s something about summer and water, isn’t there? Something about the sun shining, glistening off that deeply polluted sewage water, that just makes you feel, well happy. Whether you’re looking for a meal on an actual boat, a pasta-filled view of the Thames, or a pizza by the canal, here are the best places to eat riverside in London.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Cafe Cecilia

London Fields

Nabbing a spot at one of Café Cecilia’s window-side tables early morning is one of the savviest restaurant moves you can make in London Fields. The hip British spot hugs the Regent’s Canal and, like the Hackney waterside walkway, is a bustling scene come lunchtime. But this fashionable canteen is at its best first thing. A plate with a crisp, still glowing fried egg alongside black pudding and brown sauce always goes down a treat, as does porridge with apple butter, or a few slices of Guinness bread with generous spreads of butter and jam. 

photo credit: Lasdun

Lasdun looks over the Southbank and the Thames from its spot inside the National Theatre. The slick British restaurant is from the same people behind the Marksman and, just like much-loved Hackney pub-cum-restaurant, there are pies and buns to get stuck into. Request a table by the window if you’re after that view to accompany your martini followed by devilled eggs and caviar. Or, hunker down in this slick Brutalist space for dinner and plan for an evening stroll along the Thames post-custard tart.

photo credit: Johnny Stephens

Scott’s Richmond

As quaint and romantic as a riverside picnic sponsored by a Tesco meal deal sounds, lunch at Scott’s is undeniably better. Always ask for a window table when booking at this high-end seafood spot in Richmond. The heavy curtains are drawn back to show what everyone’s taken the afternoon off for: the view of the river. The food is consistently impressive, whether that’s the monkfish and tiger prawn masala, or their take on fish and chips that will ensure you’re way too full for dessert. On a sunny day, a table overlooking the water is the best way to spend an afternoon in this city, and why you’ll keep the alfresco terrace front of mind come spring. 

Caravel is our favourite floating restaurant in London. It also gets the high accolade of being London’s most alluring floating fire hazard. On board this charming maroon barge near Islington, you’ll find lots of candles, natural wine, and a silken chicken liver pâté—yes we just used the word silken, deal with it. The menu, like the space, is compact but the medley of British and European classics is just as delightful as the houseboat heaven look. As you can probably guess, it’s perfect for a romantic date night followed by a casual stroll along Regent’s Canal. 

photo credit: Tavolino

The fact that Tavolino’s terrace overlooks one of London’s quintessential landmarks—Tower Bridge—means this very well might be one of the best terraces in the whole of London. Serving handmade pasta and proper negronis on a huge, rattan-chaired terrace has something very dolce vita about it. There are big views of the river. There are little kids frolicking in the nearby fountains. And there’s a whole lot of ricotta on the menu. If you come here without getting involved in the ‘nduja tagliatelle or the cacio e pepe, then you’re doing it wrong.

photo credit: Chakra

Kingston prides itself on being ‘upon’ the Thames. And we can see why when we head to the Riverside Walk on a sunny day. Think couples strolling down the river, watching people row by, and a strip of restaurants and proper pubs. At the start of this strip is Chakra, an excellent Indian spot serving everything from Desi classics like kake da lamb rogan josh and fish moilee, to lamb chops and mixed grill platters. You pretty much can’t go wrong with anything, but our go-to order is butter chicken and goan prawn curry, with saffron pulao and garlic naan. If the weather’s nice, try to sit outside.

photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli

London Shell Co

Sure, you could eat next to water. Or, you could eat on it. Not off a plate on a lilo, but on a canal boat. The Prince Regent is a floating restaurant from the London Shell Co and is like meals on wheels, but with no wheels and a lot more oysters. This canal boat serves a set seafood cruising menu and although it reads slightly novelty, this is a genuinely lovely experience. Particularly so in the evening when it feels like a romantic and very British mixture of Titanic and The Talented Mr Ripley . Only with far fewer fatalities. Touch wood. The Grand Duchess is another Paddington canal boat restaurant from the same people—but it’s permanently moored.

photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch

Hammersmith

It would be impossible not to include London’s most famous riverside restaurant in this list because, really, this is where you want to be eating if you want a view of water in London. The River Café is London’s most renowned Italian restaurant with good reason and it comes into its own on a summer’s day. Of course the Hammersmith restaurant is expensive but split every dish with a friend and it won’t break the bank completely.

The Crabtree

If a meal with a view at The River Café feels (understandably) out of budget, then wander down the Thames Path for a pint and a scotch egg at The Crabtree instead. The Fulham pub is one of west London’s places to be during peak summer. Its Thames-side terrace looks out onto lapping water and, though this isn’t a Scampi Fries kind of pub, you can snack on beef dripping chips which very much do the job of soaking up. If fish and chips with a view is what you’re after, then head to the upstairs terrace. There are a load of suntrap tables to happily drink the day away in.

photo credit: David Paw

Crate Brewery

Crate is still one of the few restaurants doing a solid job around Hackney Wick. This brewery is ideal for you to pitch up alongside the canal, have a few too many with a group of friends, think you’ve contracted heat stroke, before eating one of its very decent pizzas and realising you were just hungry all along.

Towpath Cafe

Bakery/Cafe

Towpath is a seasonal cafe for seasoned table grabbers, but if you come here on a sunny day and nab a seat—alongside a plate of tomatoes on toast—you’ll soon see why it’s so busy. This  small spot along the Regent’s Canal near Haggerston station is pretty much entirely outside seating and it has a strong case for being one of London’s most dopamine-inducing restaurants. Tomatoes, fried eggs with mojo verde, and Spanish sausage sandwiches are all favourites. If possible, come for a midweek, day-off meal, because things can get a little hectic during weekend brunch hours. That said, it’s worth it.

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Posted on 11th May 2023 Categories Food

By: Author Alastair Reid Schanche

15 of the Best Riverside Restaurants in London for Every Occasion

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Your guide to the London riverside restaurants not to be missed. From fancy spots to cosy diners, here’s where to chow down.

Ok, you’ve got an anniversary, or maybe an important date, and you need to impress. Where do you take them? Nothing quite says romance like dining on the waterfront, and London does waterfront dining well. 

We’ve got some fancy places overlooking the Thames, there’s even a few spots floating on the water itself. 

It’s not all fancy though. We know there’s a time for dates and a time for mates. Whatever the waterside occasion, we’ve got you covered with our guide to riverside dining in London. 

Best Riverside Restaurants in London

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Without a doubt, the most iconic riverside restaurant London has in its playbook is the River Cafe . This Michelin-starred Italian restaurant has been top of its game in this city for longer than we can remember. 

In that time they’ve produced some of the finest chefs the English restaurant scene has, and even a few TV personalities – Jamie Oliver we’re looking at you. 

The restaurant’s garden and terrace are just a little back from the western waters of the River Thames and make a pretty dreamy place to eat an al fresco dinner . It doesn’t hurt that the food is pretty incredible too. 

Barge East 

Hackney Wick 

££

Another of the best riverside restaurants London has to offer comes in the form of Barge East . The floating restaurant made its home on a repurposed barge, and get this: the owners of Barge East had sailed this boat all the way over from Holland. 

In 2015 they pitched up on the bank of a canal in Hackney Wick and have gone on to become a bit of a local institution – one that Londoners are willing to travel across the city to get to. 

The food is heavily focused on sustainability and fresh ingredients. They’ll be knocking out modern takes on broadly British food and doing it largely with the help of the veg garden they grow on the canal bank – which, incidentally, is a very nice place to eat if you can’t get a seat on the boat itself. 

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Looking for restaurants on the River Thames? Make sure to have Skylon on your radar. This place is tucked up onto the first floor of Royal Festival Hall and offers some very nice views of the Thames if you can snag yourself a seat by the window. 

There are more reasons to come here than just for a waterside meal though. The food stands up. Modern European cooking from head chef Helena Puolakka takes a skillful look at dishes that’ll look pretty gorgeous on your ‘gram. 

This is essentially a pre-show restaurant though so you can still find a few laid-back items on the menu – the burger being one of them. 

The Cheese Barge

Paddington 

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Another favourite joint of ours that takes the whole riverside restaurant thing to the next level by actually being on the water is The Cheese Barge . Again, a giant barge docked up in a London canal, this time in Paddington. 

They are a favourite of ours for their dedication to something we love more than anything else in the world (pretty much): Cheese. This place takes some great British cheese and incorporates them into a menu that changes with the seasons. 

Expect cheese platters, melted cheese, grilled cheese and any other type of cheese you can think of. Then, add a little creativity and some good-quality ingredients and you’re there. 

The Pear Tree 

Battersea  

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Ok pedants, we hear you loud and clear. This one is technically a cafe. But so is the River Cafe, technically. And although there are a few grab-and-go options, The Pear Tree does plates of food like any restaurant. 

They’re excellent, too – mainly light brunch dishes that are available on an all-day menu and a spread of pan-Asian cooking for dinner. All this can be washed down with a decent selection of wines and cocktails. 

Cocktails – take note here because that’s what you’ll want to have in your hand as you dine away next to the still waters of Battersea Park’s ponds. 

Ok, so it’s not a riverside restaurant either. You got us. We think it still belongs here though. Chalk it up as an honourable mention. 

The Mayflower 

Rotherhithe 

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Few London riverside restaurants have as much history as The Mayflower . They call themselves the oldest pub on the River Thames, but a lot of pubs call themselves the oldest something so we’ll take that fact with a pinch of salt. 

They certainly are old though, old enough to be the place where the Mayflower ship set sail, carrying pilgrims to the New World. You can still see the mooring point in the river where they tied their boat before setting off in 1620. 

Inside is a welcoming pub full of history of its own. You can see it in the very walls of the place, and on them. Most of the free space has been used to hang trinkets and trophies gathered over the centuries. 

The Bingham

Richmond  

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Riverside property doesn’t come cheap in London. Especially when it’s as stately as The Bingham . This grand old country house turned restaurant is a one-of-a-kind place to eat by the water. 

The dining room is trimmed with gold and hung with chandeliers and looks as old-world and aristocratic as they come – we’re not sure if the staff here are butlers or waiters. 

You’ll be dining, though on a very modern menu of small and big plates. Food is presented with a style that’s more in touch with the contemporary diner than the setting would have you believe. 

Crate Brewery

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If you’re looking for less swanky riverside restaurants in London, check out Crate Brewery . It’s one of Hackney’s many craft breweries, but holds a special place in the hearts of east London’s young crowd for the chilled vibes of its waterfront location. 

As you can imagine, a place like this has some pretty excellent beers, and plenty of them. What you may not expect though is that Crate also does some pretty killer pizza. 

Cooked in wood-fired ovens and made with a thin, crispy base, these pizzas don’t mess around. They even get creative: sage and truffle pizza? How about smoked aubergine and goat’s cheese? We’ll have both. 

Duke’s Head 

Putney 

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There are plenty of restaurants along the Thames, some of them well known, some of them hidden gems. One of the latter is the Duke’s Head . 

This 150-year-old pub is something of a Putney institution. They’ve still got much of the old-wood decorations inside, but it’s the river you’re here for. The Duke sits almost directly on the waterfront and the river can be seen from the high windows while you dine. 

If it’s a nice day try your best to snag one of the few outdoor tables and get even closer to the water. There’s not many of them though so doing so is often easier said than done.

Gunpowder 

Tower Bridge 

We absolutely recommend Gunpowder to any fans of Indian cooking (we love their Soho branch). They first opened up in Spitalfields and pretty much instantly gained a cult following for their prawn toast, soft shell crab and lamb shanks straight off the grill. 

Since then they’ve gone on to open up a restaurant in Soho and another near Tower Bridge. The latter location is the one you should be considering today. 

With some A-list waterfront credentials and a menu of highly innovative, incredibly delicious food, what more could you ask for?

Le Pont de la Tour 

Tower Bridge

If you’re looking for fancy restaurants by the river London has plenty of options. Few of them, though, come as fancy as La Pont de la Tour.  

This white-tableclothed dining affair is the sort of place you want to be taking a date to impress. The kitchen turns out a mouthwatering menu of brasserie-style classics with no lack of bombast. 

The setting for all this? A newly renovated waterfront space that boasts sweeping – and we mean sweeping – views of the river, Tower Bridge framing the whole lot. 

Emilia’s Handcrafted Pasta

St Katharine Docks

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Sometimes simplicity is best. Just because you’re dining in full view of the river doesn’t mean you have to be doing it with your legs under a white tablecloth. 

Emilia’s Handcrafted Pasta doesn’t take itself too seriously. They know the secret to a place like this is the cooking. And so what they do take seriously is their pasta, all handmade – as you may have guessed – and fresh on the day. 

Could you think of a better place to enjoy it than on a sleepy dockfront, eyeing up the yachts of the rich and famous and wondering how long it’ll take you to own one of those things? 

Who cares when the pasta is this good? 

High Timber

The City of London 

High Tiber is one of those riverside restaurants in London that people often overlook. That might be because it’s hidden away in the network of buildings between St. Paul’s and Millennium Bridge – it certainly has nothing to do with the food. 

Cooking style here leans towards South African with plenty of grilled meat and even some homemade biltong. The restaurant is actually owned by a winery so as you can imagine they’ve got that whole side of the game on lock (not a canal joke). 

The riverside views are pretty spectacular. Situated just as the Thames starts to curve southward, you’ll have plenty of water to gaze upon, as well as some of the iconic buildings of the river’s south bank. 

Sea Containers Restaurant

Southbank 

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Sea Containers steals the show for a couple of reasons. First off is its view. Sitting high on top of the iconic Southbank building, you’ve got views that rival some of the best in the city. 

It might be tempting to think that because of that they’d whack the prices up and make the whole experience a very classy affair. They don’t. It’s still very relaxed and that’s reason number two. 

For a third, you can find some pretty great food on the menu here. Small plates of things like crab toast and smoked trout can be enjoyed to share, or you can dine out of something larger and just for yourself – we’ll take the lobster, please. 

Rick Stein Barnes

Richmond 

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A far cry from the coves and hamlets of North Cornwall, but that doesn’t seem to bother him. Rick Stein has made himself a nice home on the banks of the Thames. From Rick Stein Barnes he does what he does best: fish. 

The dishes you’ll find here are some of his classics – that clam chowder makes an appearance – but you’ll also find a few things that are unique to his London outpost. Surprisingly the food here’s not too expensive. They even have a steal of a lunch menu for £17.50. 

And of course there’s the location. Where better for a Rick Stein restaurant than within full view of a river – we just hope the Thames isn’t where he’s getting his fish. 

London’s Riverside Restaurants: Practical Tips

• We’d advise trying to get outdoor seating if possible. There’s nothing like a bit of fresh air to complete a dinner by the river. 
• Make sure you book ahead. These tables are in high demand. 
• You can always specify in your booking that you want a windowside table or one that’s in view of the water to ensure you don’t get shoved to the back of the restaurant. 

London’s Riverside Restaurants: Maps

More London Dining Guides

• Dinner is Served: 18 of the Best Tasting Menus in London
• 20 Fabulous Restaurants in London with a View
• New Restaurants in London to Visit This Month
• The Best Places to Eat in London: An Insider’s Food Guide

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