The best restaurants in Waterloo and the South Bank (2024)

Scooter Caffe

Address: 132 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AE

What We Know:

This vintage cafe survived the threat of closure recently to the delight of its many fans. It serves up great coffee by day, moving to more of a co*cktail vibe in the evenings. The vibe is homespun and the welcome is always warm.

Roti King Waterloo

Address: 97 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AB

What We Know:

Chef and founder Sugen Gopal's boutique restaurant group serves up a easy-to-like menu of Malaysian and Singaporean street food. The fabulously flaky roti canai are obviously what to order here alongside other classics like nasi lemak and beef rendang.

Flat Iron Waterloo

Address: 41-45 The Cut, London SE1 8LF

What We Know:

The South Bank branch of the Flat Iron empire is a great spot to hit up if you're after good, but affordable steak. There's always the signature flat iron cut along with beef dripping chips on offer along with soft serve for dessert.

Hannah

Address: Southbank Riverside, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 7PB

What We Know:

Tokyo-born Chef/Proprietor Daisuke Shimoyama grew up working in his uncle's restaurant before training up as a chef (and also a sake sommelier). The ex-Umu chef has moved from running his own street food stall to this bricks-and-mortar spot on the South Bank serving up an omakase menu at lunch and dinner.

Mar I Terra

Address: 14 Gambia St, London SE1 0XH

What We Know:

This long time Bankside tapas joint has survived the test of time. The owners pride themselves on their close links to producers in Spain and, in addition to the tapas menu, there are always some interesting specials to check out.

Limin Southbank

Address: 56 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PP

What We Know:

Trinidad and Tobago-born Chef-Owner Sham Mahabir serves up a menu of home-style Caribbean cooking at this restaurant and beach club on the South Bank. Treats include the Trinidadian street food snack of doubles.

Passyunk Avenue Waterloo

Address: 22 Leake St, London SE1 7NN

What We Know:

For a taste of Philadephia without having to cross the Atlantic, this American dive bar underneath the arches in Waterloo is the place to go. The Philly cheesestakes are a speciality but there's plenty of options on the menu. It's also a good place to catch NFL and NCAA games.

Address: County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB

What We Know:

Riverside steakhouse Gillray's with its views over the river and London Eye goes big on its British heritage with all its meats sourced from South West London butcher Browne's.

Address: Barge House St, London SE1 9PH

What We Know:

This longstanding London riverside establishment still has the wow factor, not least down to its amazing views across the City. The brasserie is the more casual dining space while the restaurant offers a more elevated menu focusing on British produce.

Bala Baya

Address: Arch 25, Old Union Yard Arches, 229 Union St, London SE1 0LR

What We Know:

With a menu billed as a modern twist on Israeli cooking, this Southwark spot aims to transport London diners to Tel Aviv. Chef Eran Tibi serves up a range of sharing plates in a lively atmosphere.

Unwined Waterloo

Address: 137 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AE

What We Know:

This self-styled 'quirky' wine bar is run by a pair who met up while working at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen. They're super keen on making wine accessible and the food menu is a good mix of interesting small and large plates.

Seabird

Address: 14th Floor, South Bank, 40 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8NY

What We Know:

Perched on the top of The Hoxton in Southwark, Seabird is a great rooftop restaurant focusing on seafood with a Spanish influence. They go big on oysters, with one of London's largest oyster lists, and weekend brunches are big here too.

Forza Wine at the National Theatre

Address: National Theatre, Upper Ground London SE1 9PX

What We Know:

They started out as a rooftop in Peckham and for their second restaurant, Forza Wine took over one of the restaurants at The National Theatre. It has a great view of the Thames and on a good day, you'll definitely want to grab a table on the extensive terrace. As for the food, expect Italian small plates and a natural wine list that's pretty good value for the area.

Lasdun

Address: National Theatre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX

What We Know:

The National Theatre brought in a powerhouse team to be in charge of its main restaurant - the people behind Hackney's hugely popular pub, The Marksman. On the South Bank the restaurant makes good use of the Brutalist architecture while serving up a brasserie-style menu that features many of the hits from their pub, including a truly great pie.

The Anchor and Hope

Address: 36 The Cut, London SE1 8LP

What We Know:

One of the most longstanding places to eat around Waterloo (it opened in 2003) has also remained one of the very best. From the same people behind The Canton Arms and The Clarence Tavern, it has a regularly changing menu of seasonal British food and like all the best gastropubs, operates as both a restaurant and a proper pub. Grabbing a space on the terrace is where you want to be in the summer months.

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