Rapha’s guidebook
Food scene
Highly recommended neighbourhood restaurants for dining in - all within walking distance
Vibrant food and a lively atmosphere make up this Tel Aviv restaurant. Nestled into the railway arches close to Union Street, the incredible flavours and seasonal menus make this a must-see
6 habitants recommandent
Bala Baya
229 Union StVibrant food and a lively atmosphere make up this Tel Aviv restaurant. Nestled into the railway arches close to Union Street, the incredible flavours and seasonal menus make this a must-see
Authentic Neapolitan cuisine not far from Borough Market producing some of the finest pizza in London. Excellent Neapolitan 'street food' snacks too
12 habitants recommandent
'O Ver Borough - Italian Restaurant
44-46 Southwark StAuthentic Neapolitan cuisine not far from Borough Market producing some of the finest pizza in London. Excellent Neapolitan 'street food' snacks too
Ev is a hidden gem serving up fresh salads and Turkish pastries. The restaurant is wonderful, although we think the cafe next door is even better. The cafe can get a little busy at lunchtime so arrive early to beat the queue
29 habitants recommandent
Ev Restaurant
98 Isabella StEv is a hidden gem serving up fresh salads and Turkish pastries. The restaurant is wonderful, although we think the cafe next door is even better. The cafe can get a little busy at lunchtime so arrive early to beat the queue
London isn't typically associated with barbecue, but Texas Joe's has broken the mould and serves up incredible slow-cooked meats. Probably the best barbecue you can eat in London.
10 habitants recommandent
Texas Joe's Slow Smoked Meats
8-9 SnowsfieldsLondon isn't typically associated with barbecue, but Texas Joe's has broken the mould and serves up incredible slow-cooked meats. Probably the best barbecue you can eat in London.
tibits
12-14 Heddon StExcellent and varied vegetarian dishes in a welcoming setting
Some of the finest burgers in London made with fresh and quality ingredients. They have some seasonal items on their menu which are often worth sampling alongside their classics
Honest Burgers - Waterloo
39 The CutSome of the finest burgers in London made with fresh and quality ingredients. They have some seasonal items on their menu which are often worth sampling alongside their classics
Palomar is one of our favourite restaurants in London. Delicious middle eastern menu options in a chic setting. Accessible by foot following a short stroll over Hungerford Bridge
22 habitants recommandent
The Mulwray
28 Rupert StPalomar is one of our favourite restaurants in London. Delicious middle eastern menu options in a chic setting. Accessible by foot following a short stroll over Hungerford Bridge
Some excellent fusion dining in this chic and cool restaurant in the middle of Soho. Unique dishes and flavours and available until late
32 habitants recommandent
Chotto Matte London
13 Frith StSome excellent fusion dining in this chic and cool restaurant in the middle of Soho. Unique dishes and flavours and available until late
Exotic and flavoursome dishes in a simple setting. Lots of salads and small plates to sample. Part of the Ottolenghi empire, this places never fails to impress
24 habitants recommandent
Nopi
21-22 Warwick StExotic and flavoursome dishes in a simple setting. Lots of salads and small plates to sample. Part of the Ottolenghi empire, this places never fails to impress
Delightful Taiwanese restaurant serving mostly small to medium plates from Taiwan. Hidden down an unassuming street not far from theatreland, this place is an excellent spot for lunch, or pre-theatre dinner. Also serve an incredible selection of teas to accompany your food.
XU Teahouse & Restaurant
30 Rupert StDelightful Taiwanese restaurant serving mostly small to medium plates from Taiwan. Hidden down an unassuming street not far from theatreland, this place is an excellent spot for lunch, or pre-theatre dinner. Also serve an incredible selection of teas to accompany your food.
Mildred's is probably the best vegan restaurant in London right now. Creative cooking and vibrant ingredients produce some truly delicious vegan food. You can find it just a short stroll over the river into Soho.
45 habitants recommandent
Mildreds Restaurant
45 Lexington StMildred's is probably the best vegan restaurant in London right now. Creative cooking and vibrant ingredients produce some truly delicious vegan food. You can find it just a short stroll over the river into Soho.
Food on the go
Excellent options for grab-and-go food or supplies when you're on the move
Greensmith's is a wonderful grocery with a cafe and seating. They serve fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and other food supplies, as well as coffee and prepared sandwiches
47 habitants recommandent
Greensmiths
27 Lower MarshGreensmith's is a wonderful grocery with a cafe and seating. They serve fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and other food supplies, as well as coffee and prepared sandwiches
There are many Pret's in London and they're all good for grabbing a quick sandwich or salad. This one is slightly larger and has a good range of options
38 habitants recommandent
Pret A Manger
35-37 King's RdThere are many Pret's in London and they're all good for grabbing a quick sandwich or salad. This one is slightly larger and has a good range of options
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday is the eclectic Southbank Food Market, where you have many varied food stalls to choose from
36 habitants recommandent
Marchés alimentaires du Southbank Centre
Belvedere RoadEvery Friday, Saturday and Sunday is the eclectic Southbank Food Market, where you have many varied food stalls to choose from
The famous Borough Market should not be missed with a wide array of foods, drinks, and delicacies are available. It's open Monday to Saturday, but best visited from Wednesday onwards when the market is in full operation (closed on Sundays)
53 habitants recommandent
Borough Market
The famous Borough Market should not be missed with a wide array of foods, drinks, and delicacies are available. It's open Monday to Saturday, but best visited from Wednesday onwards when the market is in full operation (closed on Sundays)
Great coffee
London has many coffee shops; these are some of our favourites
Gail's Bakery Southbank
28 York RdWonderful coffee along with everything else you'd expect from a bakery
The coffee is excellent every time and they have some great vegetarian options available
8 habitants recommandent
Origin Coffee Roasters
65 Charlotte RdThe coffee is excellent every time and they have some great vegetarian options available
Grab some of the finest coffee at this Borough Market institution. Excellent pastries and you can also get beans to go for brewing at home
69 habitants recommandent
Monmouth Coffee The Borough - London
2 Park StGrab some of the finest coffee at this Borough Market institution. Excellent pastries and you can also get beans to go for brewing at home
Incredibly good coffee and excellent Staffordshire oat cakes - great for breakfast too. Grab some of their beans for brewing at home
9 habitants recommandent
Coleman Coffee Roasters
20 Lower MarshIncredibly good coffee and excellent Staffordshire oat cakes - great for breakfast too. Grab some of their beans for brewing at home
Views across London
Inside the Tate Modern is this cafe serving food, coffee, and wine with excellent views across the Thames and London
2008 habitants recommandent
Tate Modern
BanksideInside the Tate Modern is this cafe serving food, coffee, and wine with excellent views across the Thames and London
OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie
Barge House StreetGood dining options and splendid views across London
All of London's bridges offer up expansive views of London, but none so good as Waterloo. We'd recommend going at sunset or sunrise to get the full effect
46 habitants recommandent
Pont de Waterloo
All of London's bridges offer up expansive views of London, but none so good as Waterloo. We'd recommend going at sunset or sunrise to get the full effect
Enjoy excellent views from the top of the 'Walkie Talkie' building, including London's only garden in the sky. It's free, but advance booking is required. Search for Sky Garden London
29 habitants recommandent
Sky Garden
Enjoy excellent views from the top of the 'Walkie Talkie' building, including London's only garden in the sky. It's free, but advance booking is required. Search for Sky Garden London
Enjoy impressive views across London from our only cable car. Go during sunset for the best view. You'll need to purchase a ticket to ride, which is around £3 with an Oyster card
222 habitants recommandent
Emirates Royal Docks station
27 Western GatewayEnjoy impressive views across London from our only cable car. Go during sunset for the best view. You'll need to purchase a ticket to ride, which is around £3 with an Oyster card
Head to the north of London into Primrose Hill for expansive views of London - great at any time of day, although most impressive during sunset
790 habitants recommandent
Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill RoadHead to the north of London into Primrose Hill for expansive views of London - great at any time of day, although most impressive during sunset
Excellent 24/7 dining with some amazing views across London. Breakfast is our favourite time to dine here. They keep some tables aside for walk-ins, although it's recommended to reserve a table beforehand
216 habitants recommandent
Duck & Waffle
110 BishopsgateExcellent 24/7 dining with some amazing views across London. Breakfast is our favourite time to dine here. They keep some tables aside for walk-ins, although it's recommended to reserve a table beforehand
Europe's tallest observation wheel is just a few minutes walk from our place and offers up stunning views for miles across London
2099 habitants recommandent
Œil de Londres
Europe's tallest observation wheel is just a few minutes walk from our place and offers up stunning views for miles across London
Local theatres
Southbank offers an excellent array of theatres. Here's a pick of our favourites, all within walking distance.
The National Theatre is one of the UK's most prominent theatres. Just 5 minutes on foot from our place, we recommend checking out their listings in advance to see if you can catch a play during your stay
8 habitants recommandent
National Theatre
The National Theatre is one of the UK's most prominent theatres. Just 5 minutes on foot from our place, we recommend checking out their listings in advance to see if you can catch a play during your stay
Younger sister theatre of the Old Vic, showcasing emerging talent and young, rising actors.
Young Vic Theatre
66 The CutYounger sister theatre of the Old Vic, showcasing emerging talent and young, rising actors.
You can often catch a play with a well-known actor at this Waterloo institution. Both classic and modern productions on offer.
192 habitants recommandent
The Old Vic
103 The CutYou can often catch a play with a well-known actor at this Waterloo institution. Both classic and modern productions on offer.
Alternative theatre showcasing eclectic and varied performance and arts. Situated in converted railway arches to add to the atmosphere.
22 habitants recommandent
The Vaults Theatre
Launcelot StreetAlternative theatre showcasing eclectic and varied performance and arts. Situated in converted railway arches to add to the atmosphere.
Stunning replica of the thatched-roofed and oak-beamed Elizabethan theatre. Excellent for catching a Shakespeare classic in the original open-air style.
449 habitants recommandent
Théâtre du Globe de Shakespeare
21 New Globe WalkStunning replica of the thatched-roofed and oak-beamed Elizabethan theatre. Excellent for catching a Shakespeare classic in the original open-air style.
Characterful Pubs
A selection of nearby pubs with history, character, and charm
This cosy and traditional pub is a real gem. Tucked away halfway between Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square, they serve a selection of excellent beers, ales, and ciders. You can also get a sausage baguette at lunch during the week. Voted pub of the year countless times.
15 habitants recommandent
The Harp
47 Chandos PlThis cosy and traditional pub is a real gem. Tucked away halfway between Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square, they serve a selection of excellent beers, ales, and ciders. You can also get a sausage baguette at lunch during the week. Voted pub of the year countless times.
Traditional yet lively pub with an eclectic crowd in the heart of Covent Garden. Dating back to the Georgian era, you can feel the atmosphere and history of the place. Grab a pint and stand out the front on the cobbled area. Apparently it was once famous for bare-knuckle fighting, although such scenes now a thing of the past.
7 habitants recommandent
The Lamb & Flag
33 Rose StTraditional yet lively pub with an eclectic crowd in the heart of Covent Garden. Dating back to the Georgian era, you can feel the atmosphere and history of the place. Grab a pint and stand out the front on the cobbled area. Apparently it was once famous for bare-knuckle fighting, although such scenes now a thing of the past.
Situated on the wonderful Roupell Street (worth seeing in and of itself) this Georgian pub always draws a good crowd and serves a selection of beers, ales, and cider. Restaurant at the rear serving decent Thai food.
15 habitants recommandent
Kings Arms
27 Wormwood StSituated on the wonderful Roupell Street (worth seeing in and of itself) this Georgian pub always draws a good crowd and serves a selection of beers, ales, and cider. Restaurant at the rear serving decent Thai food.
This is not your typical pub - and it's all the better for it. Quirky and atmospheric place situated on the excellent Lower Marsh. Always a great selection of drinks on tap and good food available in this truly unique setting.
11 habitants recommandent
Vaulty Towers
34 Lower MarshThis is not your typical pub - and it's all the better for it. Quirky and atmospheric place situated on the excellent Lower Marsh. Always a great selection of drinks on tap and good food available in this truly unique setting.
Architecturally significant pub (it belongs to the National Trust, who ensure it remains authentic) just over the road from Borough Market. Dating back to the 17th century, it is a must-see. The only drawback is that the drinks selection is okay and the food of average quality, but the building is well worth seeing.
45 habitants recommandent
George
Borough High StreetArchitecturally significant pub (it belongs to the National Trust, who ensure it remains authentic) just over the road from Borough Market. Dating back to the 17th century, it is a must-see. The only drawback is that the drinks selection is okay and the food of average quality, but the building is well worth seeing.
Traditional Irish pub on Union Street serving your classic Irish beverages and a selection of Thai cuisine. Great atmosphere that feels like you are stepping onto the Emerald Isle.
Mc & Sons
160 Union StTraditional Irish pub on Union Street serving your classic Irish beverages and a selection of Thai cuisine. Great atmosphere that feels like you are stepping onto the Emerald Isle.
If you're looking for craft beer in Southbank, then look no further. Tucked under the railway Arches of Waterloo station, they serve 20+ kegs on constant rotation, so there's always something new to sample.
Waterloo Tap
Sutton WalkIf you're looking for craft beer in Southbank, then look no further. Tucked under the railway Arches of Waterloo station, they serve 20+ kegs on constant rotation, so there's always something new to sample.