Dining
The 5 Best Restaurants in London Bridge
Borough Market on the doorstep and the river alongside: where to eat well around London Bridge.
In short: our top picks are Aqua Shard, Padella and Restaurant Story. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
London Bridge has quietly become one of the city’s best places to eat, with Borough Market on its doorstep and the river alongside. From skyline dining in The Shard to railway-arch rooms and market stalls, this is a quarter that rewards the hungry. These are the tables worth crossing the river for.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Aqua Shard | London Bridge | ££££ |
| Padella | Borough | ££ |
| Restaurant Story | Bermondsey | ££££ |
| El Pastor | Borough Market | £££ |
| Roast | Borough | £££ |
-
Editor’s choice
Aqua Shard
Why we pick itModern British cooking on level 31 of The Shard; the three-storey atrium is the view.
Worth knowingThe cooking does not match the setting and portions read small for the price; without a window table booked well ahead, the point of coming is lost.
-
Padella
Why we pick itHand-rolled pasta at a counter by Borough Market; the pici cacio e pepe is the order.
Worth knowingNo bookings, ever, and a weekend queue that can eat an hour before you see a menu. The room is narrow, loud and built for turnover rather than lingering.
-
Restaurant Story
Why we pick itTom Sellers two-star narrative tasting menu; one of Londons most personal kitchens.
-
El Pastor
Why we pick itA buzzy Mexican taqueria in the railway arches; the al pastor tacos and a mezcal.
Worth knowingTacos add up quickly once you order enough to fill up, and the bill surprises people expecting taqueria prices; most seating takes no bookings.
-
Roast
Why we pick itBritish produce cooked above Borough Market; the place for a proper London Sunday lunch.
Worth knowingThe setting does more work than the kitchen and the bill outruns the cooking. Book a window table, because the interior seats are far less special.
Before you book
Borough Market is best early and midweek before the crowds; the surrounding restaurants are calmer then too. Book the destination rooms, especially anything with a view, and leave room to graze the market either side. And walk the riverside afterwards; it is one of the best in London.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Aqua Shard is our editor's choice: Modern British cooking on level 31 of The Shard; the three-storey atrium is the view. Aqua Shard, Padella and Restaurant Story lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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