4 premier London restaurants with spectacular views

Dining high above the capital, with the city lights stretching to the horizon, remains one of London's most sophisticated pleasures. The city's culinary landscape features several outstanding high-rise dining rooms, where panoramic views of the River Thames and the City's iconic skyscrapers accompany world-class gastronomy.

This curated guide highlights the premier restaurants in London offering spectacular views, where exceptional cuisine and breathtaking vistas come together.

1. Hutong

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Website

Contact details: +44 20 3011 1257

Operating hours:

• Monday to Wednesday: 11:30 am to 12 am
• Thursday: 11:30 am to 1 am
• Friday to Sunday: 11 am to 1 am

Price: £££

Situated on level 33 of The Shard, Hutong offers exceptional Northern Chinese cuisine against a backdrop of panoramic views spanning from St Paul's Cathedral to the London Eye. The dining room is exquisitely designed, featuring traditional red lanterns and hand-carved wooden screen doors that evoke the character of old Beijing.

The kitchen specialises in the bold, spicy profiles of Shandong province. Signature dishes include the Imperial Peking Duck, carved tableside by skilled chefs, and the crispy soft-shell crab. The bar complements the menu with innovative cocktails inspired by traditional Chinese botanicals.

Pro tip: For a dramatic and flavor-packed dish, order the Red Lantern, featuring crispy soft-shell crab served in a traditional basket of aromatic red chillies.

2. OXO Tower Restaurant

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Website

Contact details: +44 20 7803 3888

Operating hours:

• Monday to Friday: 12 pm to 9:30 pm
• Saturday: 12 pm to 10 pm
• Sunday: 12 pm to 9:30 pm

Price: £££

A classic landmark on the South Bank skyline, the OXO Tower Restaurant combines seasonal British dining with panoramic views of the River Thames and St Paul's Cathedral. The venue features a sleek, contemporary dining room and a magnificent 250-foot garden terrace, offering an ideal setting for pre-dinner drinks.

The kitchen focuses on beautifully presented dishes that highlight the finest regional British produce, supported by an extensive, award-winning wine list. The service is highly professional, matching the elegant setting.

Pro tip: For a more casual yet equally scenic experience, consider booking a table at the adjacent OXO Tower Brasserie, which offers a popular set-price lunch menu.

3. City Social

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Website

Contact details: +44 20 7877 7703

Operating hours:

• Monday to Thursday: 12 pm to 2:30 pm, 6 pm to 9:45 pm
• Friday: 12 pm to 2 pm, 6 pm to 9:45 pm
• Saturday: 5 pm to 11:30 pm
• Sunday: Closed

Price: £££

Situated on the 24th floor of Tower 42, City Social offers exceptional dining in a glamorous, Art Deco-inspired setting. The dining room features intimate booths with low, ambient lighting, designed to frame dramatic views of the Gherkin and the surrounding skyscrapers of the City of London.

The kitchen, created by acclaimed chef Jason Atherton, delivers sophisticated modern British cuisine that highlights the quality of regional ingredients. Standouts include the dressed Devon crab and refined vegetarian dishes. The adjacent lounge bar is renowned for its bespoke cocktails and elegant after-hours atmosphere.

Pro tip: The bar boasts an outstanding selection of creative non-alcoholic cocktails, crafted with the same attention to detail and flavor complexity as their alcoholic counterparts.

4. Duck & Waffle

Media credits: duckandwaffle

Website

Contact details: +44 20 3640 7310

Operating hours:

• Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours

Price: £££

Situated on the 40th floor of 110 Bishopsgate, Duck & Waffle is one of London's highest dining rooms, offering a dramatic culinary experience with panoramic views of the city, including Tower Bridge and the River Thames. Operating 24 hours a day, the restaurant is equally famous for its vibrant late-night atmosphere and spectacular sunrise breakfasts.

The menu is playful and innovative, centred on the signature dish of crispy confit duck leg served on a golden waffle with a fried duck egg and mustard maple syrup. Other creative highlights include the spicy ox cheek doughnuts.

Pro tip: Window tables are highly sought after; secure your reservation several weeks in advance, especially for dinner, requesting an east-facing table for the best views over the Thames.