Dining
The 6 Best Restaurants Near Tower Bridge
Six restaurants within a few minutes of Tower Bridge, both banks of the river, from a thirty year old French institution to fire-cooked Lake District steak and Cantonese dim sum in a converted church.
In short: our top picks are Le Pont de la Tour, Butlers Wharf Chop House and The Coal Shed. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Most of the eating around Tower Bridge is a tax on the view, and you can usually tell within one mouthful which places know it. The good news is that a short walk in either direction turns up kitchens that would hold their own a mile inland. Shad Thames, on the south side, is the old Conran heartland, all converted warehouses and the smell of the river. North of the bridge there are igloos and terraces aimed squarely at the camera, and a steakhouse doing serious things with coals. We have kept it to places worth the detour rather than the postcode. Book the riverside tables early; everyone else has had the same idea.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Le Pont de la Tour | Shad Thames | ££££ |
| Butlers Wharf Chop House | Shad Thames | £££ |
| The Coal Shed | One Tower Bridge | £££ |
| Coppa Club Tower Bridge | Tower Hill | ££ |
| Tavolino Bar & Kitchen | More London Riverside | £££ |
| Duddell's | London Bridge | £££ |
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Editor’s choice
Le Pont de la Tour
Why we pick itThe grande dame of the Butlers Wharf strip, going strong for thirty years and still the one for an anniversary. The terrace looks straight up at Tower Bridge, the wine list runs deep, and the kitchen sticks to classic French rather than chasing trends.
French
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Butlers Wharf Chop House
Why we pick itNext door to Le Pont and a touch less formal, this is where to go for native breeds, proper pies and a Sunday roast with the bridge filling the window. Sit outside if the weather holds; the riverside tables are some of the best in this stretch.
British steak and grills
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The Coal Shed
Why we pick itThree minutes from the bridge, doing 35 day dry-aged Lake District steaks over hot coals and South Coast seafood. The cooking is the draw here rather than the view, which is rarer than it should be in this part of town. Good cocktail bar for walk-ins.
Fire-cooked steak and seafood
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Coppa Club Tower Bridge
Why we pick itThe riverside igloos are the reason this place ends up on everyone's feed, and they are genuinely good fun in winter. The food is reliable all-day stuff rather than a destination, but the terrace view across to the Shard earns its keep. Book the pods well ahead.
All-day European
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Tavolino Bar & Kitchen
Why we pick itAn ex-Bancone chef cooking fresh pasta and aperitivo across two floors, with a terrace looking straight at the bridge. Come for a plate of cacio e pepe and a Negroni rather than a long blow-out; it does the casual riverside Italian thing properly.
Italian
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Duddell's
Why we pick itThe London outpost of the two Michelin star Hong Kong original, set inside a deconsecrated church a short walk back from the river. The dim sum is the thing to order, eaten under stained glass. Closed Mondays at present while the building is restored.
Cantonese and dim sum
Before you book
Shad Thames sits on the south bank, a five minute walk from Tower Bridge; Coppa Club and the Tower of London are on the north side. Le Pont de la Tour and the Chop House take bookings weeks ahead for terrace tables in summer. Expect around 70 to 110 a head with wine at the smarter rooms, less at Tavolino or Coppa Club. Most do weekday set lunches worth asking about.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Le Pont de la Tour is our editor's choice: The grande dame of the Butlers Wharf strip, going strong for thirty years and still the one for an anniversary. The terrace looks straight up at Tower Bridge, the wine list runs deep, and the kitchen sticks to classic French rather than chasing trends. Le Pont de la Tour, Butlers Wharf Chop House and The Coal Shed lead the guide, with 6 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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