17 Best London Bridge Restaurants You MUST Try in 2023

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17 Best London Bridge Restaurants You MUST Try in 2023

Searching for the best places to eat near London Bridge? Once upon a time, Bermondsey was London’s foremost food production hub.

The area was home to legendary brands such as Branston Pickle and Twiglets. Almost all of the city’s meat, butter and cheese processing factories were concentrated around London Bridge, earning it the nickname “London’s Larder.”

Although we’ve come a long way since entrepreneur Bryan Donkins produced the world’s first can of tinned meat, Bermondsey is still one of London’s favourite food spots. With Borough Market just a stone’s throw away, you’ll be hard-pressed not to find a nice place to eat around the SE1 area.

So, without further ado, here is our list with the best London Bridge restaurants, as chosen by our team of in-house gourmands.

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Table of Contents hide
Arabica Bar & Kitchen
El Pastor
Duddell’s
Oblix
Padella
Elliot’s
Katzenjammers
Vivat Bacchus
Gunpowder
Champor-Champor
Tas Restaurant
Pizarro
Bar Douro
Native Restaurant
Flour & Grape
Lobos Meat & Tapas
Casse-Croûte
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Arabica Bar & Kitchen

Best London Bridge Restaurants

The Arabica Bar & Kitchen is a cosy Mediterranean-themed restaurant located in bustling Borough Market. All of the dishes on Arabica’s menu centre around fresh, seasonal produce and mostly draw inspiration from traditional Turkish or Lebanese cooking.

Within the past few years, Arabica has twice received the honour of being listed as one of Open Table’s “Diners’ Choice” winners. A few popular main plates at Arabica include the Lebanese 7-spice chicken wings, octopus pide, and lamb cutlets with za’atar.

Guests will also find an extensive list of alcoholic beverages and small plates on Arabica’s menu.

You can reserve a table at Arabica online or by calling +44 203 011 5151. Please note, Arabica reserves the right to give your table away to other patrons if you arrive 15 minutes late.

  • Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Turkish
  • Directions from London Bridge
  • Address: 3 Rochester Walk, Borough Market, London SE1 9AF, UK
  • Website: http://www.arabicabarandkitchen.com/

El Pastor

El Pastor is as close as you’ll get to a real Mexico City taqueria in the British capital. Chefs at El Pastor take great pride in making all of their corn tortillas and salsa mixtures in-house using time-honoured Mexican recipes.

Popular taco options available at El Pastor include chargrilled stone bass with sautéed onions, chipotle-cumin chicken, and chorizo with potatoes and salsa verde.

In addition to its famed tacos, El Pastor offers plenty of savoury tostadas, quesadillas, and shareable dishes.

Bear in mind that El Pastor currently only accepts walk-ins at its 7A Stoney Street address, so you might have to wait during peak hours.

  • Cuisine: Mexican, Latin American
  • Directions from London Bridge
  • Address: 7A Stoney St, London SE1 9AA, UK
  • Website: https://www.tacoselpastor.co.uk/

Duddell’s

Duddell’s is an artsy, high-end Chinese restaurant located in Southwark’s iconic St. Thomas’ Church. Based on the original Michelin-star restaurant in Hong Kong, Duddell’s London caters to clientele who love Cantonese cuisine as much as contemporary art.

Indeed, the interior “teahouse” décor was designed to foster dialogue between patrons about food and the arts. Some Duddell’s signature dishes include the Peking duck, smoked black angus ribs with red wine soy sauce, and tea-smoked Cantonese soy chicken.

To capitalise on its artistic vibe, Duddell’s frequently hosts special art exhibits featuring the work of up-in-coming artists.

Anyone can reserve a table at Duddell’s by calling +44 (0)20 3957 9932 or emailing [email protected].

  • Cuisine: Cantonese, Chinese, Asian
  • Directions from London Bridge
  • Address: Duddell’s, 9a St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY, UK
  • Website: https://www.duddells.co/london/

Oblix

Best London Bridge Restaurants

Oblix is a fine dining restaurant that’s as well known for its panoramic views as it is for its contemporary European cuisine.

Located on the 32nd floor on the 95-story tall Shard skyscraper, Oblix is split between two restaurants that offer different menus and different views of the London skyline.

Guests on the west side will have access to a rotisserie menu while those on the east side receive a menu focusing on seasonal recipes. A few of the signature dishes on the western side include wagyu beef tomahawk and bone in rib-eye.

Signature dishes on the east side, however, include BBQ black cod, sea bass with tomato and basil, and whole lobster with lemon and garlic butter.

You can reserve your table on Oblix’s main website or by calling +44 (0) 207 268 6700. Oblix is right above the London Bridge Station and literally, impossible to miss!

  • Cuisine: European, Contemporary, Seasonal, Rotisserie
  • Directions from London Bridge
  • Address: 31 St. Thomas Street, Level 32, The Shard, London SE1 9RY, UK
  • Website: https://www.oblixrestaurant.com/

Padella

Best London Bridge Restaurants

Padella is a chic Italian restaurant in Borough Market that specialises in house-made pasta dishes. All of the dough used in Padella is hand-rolled by employees every single morning to supply guests with the freshest possible pasta.

While menu items continuously change depending on the season, a few unique recipes Padella has offered in the past include fettuccine with cobble lane cured nduja, spinach ravioli with ricotta, and taglierini with crab, chilli, and lemon.

In addition to pasta, Padella also serves Italian alcoholic beverages, antipasti dishes, and puddings.

Please note, Padella doesn’t accept reservations, so there’s almost always a long queue outside this restaurant’s front doors.

  • Cuisine: Italian, Pasta, Mediterranean
  • Directions from London Bridge
  • Address: 6 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TQ, UK
  • Website: https://www.padella.co/

Elliot’s

Elliot’s is a rustic Borough Market restaurant with a comforting brick interior. The chefs at Elliot’s place great importance on getting the freshest possible produce every day from local farmers.

For this reason, guests will find that Elliot’s menu is constantly changing. Although it’s impossible to predict what visitors will see when they arrive at Elliot’s, this restaurant specialises in steak and seafood.

A few sample menu items at Elliot’s include cod with charred leeks and harissa, a 30-day aged sirloin steak, and brill with olive oil mashed potatoes.

You can reserve a table to Elliot’s either online or by calling +44 020 7403 7436. Keep in mind that parties of 8 or more are only allowed to order Elliot’s pre-set “Seasonal Feasting” menu which costs £35 per person.

  • Cuisine: Steakhouse, Seafood, European, Seasonal
  • Directions from London Bridge
  • Address: 12 Stoney Street, Borough Market, London SE1 9AD, UK
  • Website: https://elliotscafe.com/

Katzenjammers

Katzenjammers is an authentic German Bierhall and Bierkeller in the heart of Borough Market. Guests visiting Katzenjammers’s 200-seat Bierhall will find rows of oak tables, a dizzying selection of Bavarian sausages, exceptional German brews, and, of course, a live oom-pah-pah band.

For people who want a more subdued experience, you could reserve a table at the Bierkeller and Restaurant. In addition to beers and sausages, the Bierkeller offers a wide range of starters and main courses such as roasted half-chicken, pork schnitzel, and roasted ham loin.

Anyone who wants to book a table at Katzenjammers could send a request on the restaurant’s website or call +44 020 7234 0835.

  • Price Range: ££
  • Cuisine: German, Pub Grub, Bavarian
  • Directions from London Bridge
  • Address: 24 Southwark St, London SE1 1TY, UK
  • Website: http://katzenjammers.co.uk/

Vivat Bacchus

Vivat Bacchus is a no-frills restaurant specialising in South African wine, cheese, and cuisine. All of the ingredients used in Vivat Bacchus’s kitchen are sourced daily from some of the best local producers, and all wines and cheeses are imported directly from South Africa.

Although many people visit Vivat Bacchus for wine and cheese tastings, this restaurant also boasts 21-day aged steaks from Surrey Hills on its menu.

A few other creative menu items at Vivat Bacchus include salmon with avocado and lime purée, crispy pork belly with black pudding, and confit leg of duck with blood orange jus and spring greens. On Saturday evenings, you can enjoy one of the restaurant’s weekly jazz concerts.

Guests can reserve a table at Vivat Bacchus either by visiting the company’s website or by calling +44 20 7234 0891.

  • Cuisine: South African, Steakhouse, Artisanal, European
  • Directions from London Bridge
  • Address: 4 Hays Lane, London SE1 2HB, UK
  • Website: https://vivatbacchus.co.uk/

Gunpowder

Gunpowder is an Indian restaurant that made a splash when it first opened in Spitalfields.

Their location at Tower Bridge, just a few blocks away from London Bridge follows their original recipe for success: a unique and inventive take on Indian food. Perhaps the biggest change from the original is the sleeker design and the more professional demeanour of the staff.

Food is heavenly, with the Madras chicken lollipops and the tandoori chicken stealing the show.

On weekends, you can also grab breakfast here. Worth an early visit for the caramelised banana with cardamom pancakes alone. Other dishes that you should try are the rabbit pulao, lamb chops and the vermicelli doughnut.

Champor-Champor

Champor-Champor is a new-age Thai restaurant in the vicinity of London Bridge. Its name aptly means “mix and match,” which is perfectly descriptive of the design and menu choices.

Although the cuisine is described as Thai-Malay, many Western influences are hiding in the dishes of Champor-Champor. Some of our suggestions are the spiced lamb neck with sweet potato mascarpone and red snapper with squid-ink linguine.

Desserts like chocolate-chilli cheesecake are a must, even if you’re filled to bursting with the generous portions. After all, there’s always room for dessert.

Tas Restaurant

Founded in 1999, Tas Restaurant has become one of the most prominent Turkish chain restaurants in the British capital.

The chefs at all Tas Restaurant locations specialise in a wide range of Anatolian Turkish cooking ranging from hot and cold meze, shareable plates, and charcoal grilled meats and seafood. Some of Tas Restaurant’s better-known recipes include slow-cooked lamb stew, chicken kebabs, and okra mixed with tomatoes, onions, and potatoes.

One of Tas Restaurant’s most famous dishes, however, is a mixture of grilled meats in pide with tomato and yoghurt.

Pizarro

Pizarro Bermondsey is a Spanish restaurant and bar created by legendary chef José Pizarro. Located near St. Mary Magdalen Church, this restaurant has plenty of seating by the windows and at the bar. The design of this restaurant resembles a traditional Andalusian home, with food to match.

There are also many tables for groups and private events in the back of the restaurant. As for the food, Pizarro specialises in traditional Spanish tapas and meals inspired by Pizarro’s youth in Talaván. Some of the acclaimed dishes on Pizarro’s menu include spicy shrimp fritters, Castilian-style leg of lamb, and Spanish canelones with raisins, pine nuts, and manchego cheese. The bar at Pizarro also boasts a great selection of Spanish sherries, wines, and gin tónicas.

You can reserve a table to Pizarro by visiting the restaurant’s website, emailing [email protected], or calling 020 7378 9455.

Bar Douro

Bar Douro is a Portuguese restaurant located on Southwark Bridge Road. The ambience of Bar Douro, with its marble countertop and blue-and-white tiles, instantly transports visitors to a traditional eatery in Lisbon. Of course, the food and wine on offer at Bar Douro are also 100 percent Portuguese.

Staples on Bar Douro’s menu include smoked mackerel, pork loin with clams, and octopus with sweet potato.

The staff at Bar Douro is trained in the art of pairing Portuguese wines with different dishes, so be sure to ask your waiter for more info if you’re interested.

Groups of five or less can book a table for Bar Douro on the restaurant’s website. If you want to reserve a table for more than five people, however, you must send an email to [email protected].

Native Restaurant

Native Restaurant is a rustic restaurant on Southwark Street that uses only fresh UK produce, seafood, and game in its recipes. Since it’s opening, Both GQ Food & Drink and the Observer FoodMonthly Awards have recognised Native Restaurant for its innovative menu items.

Although the options at Native Restaurant are always changing, here are a few signature dishes: clams with pig cheek bacon dashi, beetroot tartare with egg and nettles, and lamb loin with garlic and dandelion.

Groups of nine or larger must book a table with Native Restaurant beforehand using this email address: [email protected]. If your party is eight or less, however, you could book a table at Native by visiting the restaurant’s website.

Flour & Grape

Flour & Grape is an Italian restaurant by the St. Mary Magdalen Churchyard that focuses on homemade pasta recipes.

Some of the more popular plates of pasta on Flour & Grape’s menu include the tagliatelle with asparagus and egg, the fettuccine in a lamb ragu, and the classic spaghetti with tomatoes, garlic, white wine, and basil.

In addition to pasta, Flour & Grape also offers small plates like pork tenderloin, marinated artichoke, and bruschetta. Although most of the items on Flour & Grape’s menu are pasta plates, there are many gluten-free alternatives available.

You can reserve a table for lunch either online or by calling 020 7407 4682, provided you’re in a group of no more than ten people. For dinner, Flour & Grape only accepts walk-ins.

Lobos Meat & Tapas

Lobos Meat & Tapas is a Spanish restaurant that’s famous for its wide selection of high-quality Iberico pig. Indeed, all of Lobos’s main dishes are meat dishes, most of which feature the famed Iberico breed.

Just a few of these main meat dishes include Iberico pork shoulder with red peppers, ribeye with foie gras, and pork cheeks with horseradish.

Besides Iberico, however, Lobos has an extensive tapas menu including squid & prawns in black rice, fried monkfish with leeks, and grilled octopus.

You can reserve a table ahead of time by visiting the Lobos website or emailing [email protected].

Casse-Croûte

Casse-Croûte is a small bistro on Bermondsey Street specialising in traditional French cuisine and wine. Since the chefs at Casse-Croûte place a high importance on fresh ingredients, the menu here changes day-by-day.

A few fan favourites in the past include boeff en croute, monkfish, and chicken quenelle. Since this is a French eatery, you should also expect many fine pastries, coffees, and wines on Casse-Croûte’s menu.

To reserve a table, call: 0207 407 2140.

Store your luggage near London Bridge

London Bridge Station is located beneath one of the world’s modern wonders: the Shard. Designed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, this imposing glass tower can be seen gleaming from all over London, resembling a giant shard of glass. From this station, you can catch trains to destinations all over the UK and Gatwick airport.

Here are some of our most popular StashPoints around London Bridge.

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If you enjoyed our guide about the best London Bridge restaurants, then you might also be interested in some of our other London food guides!