The best restaurants in London Bridge

This tiny neighbourhood restaurant in London Bridge is run by three Thai sisters and features a long menu of classic Thai dishes. Feast on everything from fragrant soups and salads to curries, noodles, fried rice and a nice variety of cocktails to accompany the food. The restaurant is small, intimate and casual, and sort of feels like you’re dining at an old friend’s house.

Oh, just another pasta spot to add to your never-ending list of pasta places to visit in London. Flour and Grape serve handmade pasta using only the highest-quality ingredients, like their legendary tortellini filled with roasted pork shoulder and drenched in silky butter. It’s pretty casual, so you’d be fine coming here for a slightly fancier occasion or flying solo simply 'cos you need to get your pasta fix.

Lupins is the place to go for British fare with a twist made with top-quality, native ingredients, like Cornish oysters and Welsh lamb. It was opened in 2017 by British chefs Natasha Cooke and Lucy Pedder, just a five-minute walk from London Bridge station through the picturesque Borough Market. The drinks menu features a small list of natural, organic and biodynamic wines from the independently-run Smashing Wines. As for the food, you can expect dishes like grilled onlet with bone marrow and aioli and lemon sole with butter sauce and wild garlic.

Since it opened in 2011, Elliot’s has been a mainstay on the city dining scene, gaining a reputation for being one of the best restaurants in London Bridge. The food is unfussy and straightforward but maxes out on flavour, while the setting matches this by being unpretentious and welcoming. Their iconic cheeseburger can be enjoyed only at lunchtime, while the evening food is plated up family-style. The wines served here are biodynamic, and the staff will be on hand to help you pick the perfect bottle.

El Pastor in London Bridge is the first venue of the mini Mexican chain and can be found under the arches by the entrance to Borough Market. The food takes inspiration from the tacos in Mexico City, which are made using heritage, non-GMO corn direct from farmers in Mexico. There’s also an impressive selection of margaritas, from the hibiscus and honeydew to the mezcarita.

Head to the 33rd floor of The Shard for exquisite Chinese fare with a spectacular view of London’s skyline. This ultra-swanky spot is on the pricier side, so it is an excellent place to dine for a special occasion. Their dim sum is a highlight, but you should also expect polished takes on the classic Chinese dishes we all know and love.

Two words: vermicelli doughnut. The star of the show at Gunpowder. This savoury doughnut is filled with minced venison and crispy vermicelli on the outside, perfectly balanced by sweet mango chutney. This family-run restaurant errs on the side of fancy but is also ideal for a casual weeknight dinner. You should also check out their brunch menu; it includes caramelised banana pancakes and baked eggs.

If it’s authentic Portuguese peri-peri chicken you want to chow down on, Casa do Frango has got you covered. There’s a reason The Sunday Times described Casa do Frango as having the best chicken and chips in town. This London Bridge spot is set across two floors in a 19th-century industrial warehouse with vaulted ceilings. There’s also a secret speakeasy-style bar hidden beneath an unmarked door - head there for a post-dinner glass of wine.

Another one to add to your list of Portuguese restaurants in London is Bar Douro. This charming bar is housed in one of the old railway arches and serves a menu chock with seafood and classic Portuguese dishes, like garlic prawns, sausage croquettes and octopus rice. The place is tastefully decorated and would make for an ideal date spot.

Padella in London Bridge is their original restaurant branch, the one that saw them shoot to fame and subsequently open a second spot in buzzy Shoreditch not long after. The pasta here is all made on-site, which you can see in the window from the outside, and the menu is uncomplicated, featuring only a handful of dishes, starters and desserts. The pici cacio e pepe and 8-hour Dexter beef-shin ragu are favourites. The restaurant is small, cosy and intimate, and you might be sat at the bar.

This swish spot on Bermondsey Street is chef José Pizarro’s second London venture, located only round the corner from his original tapas bar right next to London Bridge Station. It’s reminiscent of a rural country house in Spain, with 360-degree bare wooden furnishings and bright hanging lights. The tapas-style small plates feature a range of seafood, vegetarian dishes and classic meat, like the leg of suckling lamb.

This seafood spot is far enough from Borough Market that you skip the busy hustle and bustle but close enough to soak up some of the buzzy vibes. Take a pew with a beer and a pint of prawns, or go ever-so-slightly OTT with a full-blown seafood tower. They live by the motto ‘’from shore to door’, sourcing directly from specific boats so they can tell you which exact boat brought in your fish.

You're in the right place if you love jamón and good wine. Bar Torzino, located under the atmospheric railway arches of Maltby Street in Bermondsey, serves Spanish-inspired small plates alongside an excellent wine menu. The space is ambient, with wooden furnishings and low-hanging lights, perfect for a romantic rendezvous or catching up with an old pal over a few glasses of wine. Expect classic tapas dishes like patatas bravas and gambas of king prawns cooked in mountains of garlic, exactly as they should be.

If it’s a solid slab of good-quality meat you’re looking for, then Hawksmoor is the place to be. They serve aged British steaks in a relaxed setting, with specials that change daily depending on what’s available. Try their baked oysters and scallops dish if you prefer seafood to meat. Oh, and swing by on a Sunday if you want to try one of the best Sunday roasts in the country. 

Parrillian is part of the newly-built Borough Yards development, a new London destination designed for shopping, eating, working and playing. It’s bringing sunny Spanish dishes to London Bridge, focusing on produce cooked over the flames of a wood-fired grill; Galician steaks, whole fish and an assortment of seasonal vegetables. The best time to visit is during the summer when you can dine al fresco. Each table has its own mini parrilla, so you can eat straight from the grill.

Bringing a fresh Mediterranean breeze to London Bridge, In Horto serves wood-fired cooking in a rustic, garden-inspired setting with plenty outdoor tables. You can share freshly roasted specialties such as whole baked cauliflower, parmigiana, roast chicken or pork belly while sipping house cocktails such as the Lemongrass Sour, the Cucumber & Elderflower Tonic or the raspberry-flavoured Moonlight Martini.

Oma is led by chefs formerly from Kiln and Sabor and is influenced by the cuisine of the Greek islands. The menu highlights fresh seafood and wholesome Mediterranean dishes, complemented by an extensive wine selection boasting 400 different labels. The restaurant's decor is inspired by landscapes, featuring natural tones and textures, and includes a raw bar, an open-plan kitchen, and a terrace offering views of Borough Market.

Rambutan is the first restaurant by British-Sri Lankan chef Cynthia Shanmugalingam, taking inspiration from her deep dive into food cooked over an open flame. The restaurant spans two floors and is decorated with artwork by independent Sri Lankan designers. The venue offers a daily evolving menu featuring street-style snacks, hearty dishes, and authentic seasonal curries. Downstairs, the bar serves up cocktails, craft beers, and low-intervention wines.

Borough Market is a must-visit on any food-filled trip to London Bridge. This iconic establishment came about in 1756 and is steeped in history. These days, you'll find a huge variety of dining options here, from restaurants to street stalls, catering to all tastes. The market is renowned for its artisanal ingredients, which are ideal for picnics or home cooking, with tempting free samples adding to the bustling vibe. Weekends here draw a vibrant crowd eager to feast on international cuisines like Indian street food and veggie dishes.

Lolo is another venture belonging to the acclaimed Spanish chef José Pizarro, who serves authentic tapas as well as breakfast service for the first time. Lolo is located within walking distance of his legendary tapas bar, serving all-day dining focused on traditional Spanish flavours and dishes. During the day, the restaurant omits a café vibe, whereas, at night-time, it has more of a wine-bar feel.

Immerse yourself in Parisian charm at Bermondsey's Casse-Croûte, with quaint red-and-white checkered tablecloths, French wine bottles, and a daily-changing menu handwritten in French on a blackboard. Feast on French classics like rib steak, fish soup with croutons, or chicken fricassee. If the weather is playing ball, take a seat at one of the sunny outside tables for a European-esque al fresco meal. 

Agora is sibling to the upstairs Oma but contrasts with refined elegance and a lively atmosphere buzzing with Borough Market's crowds. This relaxed Greek restaurant serves smoky Athenian street food such as spit-roast pig and refreshing cocktails. Daytime options include takeaway coffee and pastries, while evenings bring a cosy yet buzzy vibe. Agora operates on a walk-in basis only.

Bao Borough is the Borough Market branch of the renowned restaurant, serving its renowned steamed milk buns alongside Taiwanese grill specialities like hispi cabbage, ox heart skewers, chilli chicken wings, and beef rice bowls. Enjoy a highball with your meal, and for extra fun, book a private karaoke room to belt out your favourite tunes.