OXO Tower Restaurant

Harvey Nichols’ penchant for high-rise dining has found the perfect home on OXO Tower’s eighth floor. A site of two halves, the eastern side features the flagship restaurant; a more formal experience than its brasserie counterpart with pristine white tablecloths, multi-course menus and astute service.

We make our way to seats overlooking the Thames - the best seats in the house - with faux-grass underfoot and St Paul’s in the distance. Despite the incredible views from the wrap-around, OXO Tower isn’t just style over substance.

A chef’s tasting menu is on the cards this evening, a seven-course option which comes as intriguing and simple one-word descriptions - ‘Scallop’, ‘Lamb’, ‘Strawberry’ - that have you putting yourself into the hands of the very capable chefs. Each dish has a central focus, every ingredient’s origin pinpointed on the menu’s map of the British Isles. It’s an interesting and carefully constructed concept, spanning a variety of dishes with fish, meat and veggies, each getting their moment in the spotlight.

Scallop tartare arrives topped with a soy-cured quail’s egg yolk, swimming in a cucumber and green chilli sauce. The fish is fresh and light, with hints of chilli which are careful not to overpower. There’s a pleasant simplicity to the menu, each dish combining just a few staple ingredients. White asparagus is another standout, deep-fried with a crispy outer layer that delivers a satisfying crunch with each bite. It's a pleasing amalgamation of texture and flavour all rolled into one, served atop a delicately seasoned gribiche sauce.

Whilst every plate is well-crafted, the menu starts to feel a bit formulaic as the evening wears on, courses following the same structure and perhaps playing it a little safe. For the £115 price tag, we would have appreciated a bit more variation and creativity across the menu.

Service here, however, is impeccable; a skilled team harmoniously floats around, crumbing tables and replacing cutlery after each course, seamlessly recommending wine pairings from the tome-like menu. It’s a sweltering night but our water glasses are never empty, a bucket of ice always on hand.

Whilst the views are undoubtedly a bonus, OXO Tower Restaurant holds its own as a fine dining spot for every occasion, with seasonal menus and top-quality service that can’t help but impress.

For dramatic London dining with a truly special feel you could do much worse than the OXO Tower Restaurant. This iconic eatery is found on the eighth floor of the oft-illuminated OXO Tower on London’s South Bank and affords diners some pretty spectacular views of the capital. Stretching out before you as you dine is the skyline of London, with the majestic St Paul’s cathedral just across the river being the centre of the scene.

The OXO Tower Restaurant is owned by Harvey Nichols and headed up by chef Jeremy Bloor who has a passion for cooking with the best of British ingredients, showcasing seasonal produce in his ever-changing menus. Starters might throw up combinations like Orkney scallops with a blood orange gel, arancini and monk’s beard or white bean soup with Beyond Meat and beetroot tortellini for guests who prefer vegetarian dishes. Mains include high-end cuts like Chateaubriand and venison haunch steaks as well as plenty of seafood options that showcase some of the UK’s finest coastal catches. Pudding brings classics like babas, panna cottas and cheese plates.

Wine at the OXO Tower Restaurant is as impressive as the food offering, having been chosen by Head Sommelier Diego Muntoni. Indeed, if you prefer you are welcome to enjoy a few drinks and snacks at the bar instead of a full three course meal. Elsewhere, the 250-foot terrace is the perfect place to watch as the skyline darkens on balmy evenings or can be braved in the winter with hot drinks, a good bottle or bubbly or a few rounds of cocktails with friends.

Throughout the year the restaurant often celebrates special occasions and holidays with carefully curated menus, marking days like Valentine’s Day, Christmas and Chinese New Year. There is also a beautifully laid out Afternoon tea each day.