Looking for a restaurant on the South Bank? You've come to the right place. This popular riverside stretch of central London boasts some of London's most iconic landmarks, making it popular with tourists and sightseers. Start your journey from Lambeth Bridge and you can explore Lambeth Palace and its famous Gardens, as well as the Garden Museum and the accompanying Garden Museum Cafe - perhaps one of London's most underrated and beautiful restaurants. As you swing up and around the curving banks of the Thames you'll see London Aquarium, The London Eye, Royal Festival Hall, The National Theatre and more besides; the South Bank really is one of London's most culture-rich destinations.
As well as that, South Bank offers some of the best food in the city, with a bevy of glorious riverside restaurants that allow you to dine al fresco with lovely views out over the Thames. There's a wide spectrum of choice on offer here too - whether you're looking for modern European fine dining, easy-going street food markets, a quick lunch stop or proper British gastropub grub, South Bank has plenty to offer on all fronts.
Not only that, but this is a common destination for large groups, private events, parties and dinners. With South Bank being smack bang in the middle of London and easily accessible from multiple large stations, this is central ground for bringing groups of people together, and South Bank has a huge range of venues available to hire for private events and dinners. Indeed, some of the aforementioned landmarks - the likes of Royal Festival Hall, for example - often host private events, and there are lots of grand, historic buildings up and down this stretch of the Thames with large and small spaces available to hire for a variety of occasions, not to mention restaurants with private dining rooms.
So, the long and short is, whatever you're looking for, it exists on the South Bank. Scroll down and you'll find a directory of all the restaurants and venues on the South Bank - just hit the quick links to find what you're looking for.
Restaurants, bars and cafes in South Bank
12th Knot
Where: 20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD
Contact: 020 3747 1063; 12th Knot
All Bar One Waterloo
Where: 1-3 Chicheley Street, SE1 7PY
Contact: 020 7921 9471; All Bar One Waterloo
Art Yard Bar & Kitchen
Where: 2 Blackfriars Road, SE1 9JU
Contact: 020 3943 2020; Art Yard Bar & Kitchen
Azzurro
Where: 1 Sutton Walk, SE1 7ND
Contact: 020 7620 1300; Azzurro
Bao Fa Garden
Where: County Hall Building, The Queen's Walk, SE1 7PB
Contact: 020 7261 1196; Bao Fa Garden
Bar Topolski
Where: 150-152 Concert Hall Approach, SE1 8XU
Contact: 020 7620 0627; Bar Topolski
Beany Green
Where: Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
Contact: 020 3597 9908; Beany Green
Benugo
Where: Waterloo Station, 19/20 The Balcony, SE1 7LY
Contact: 020 7928 0786; Benugo
BFI Riverfront Bar & Kitchen
Where: The Riverfront, BFI Southbank, SE1 8XT
Contact: 020 7928 0808; BFI Riverfront Bar & Kitchen
Birleys
Where: 10 York Road, HA9 0BU
Contact: Birleys
Black and Blue Waterloo
Where: 1 Mepham Street, SE1 8RL
Contact: 020 7928 9131; Black and Blue Waterloo
Black Sheep Coffee
Where: Unit 4 & 5A, Southbank Central, Hatfields, SE1 9PG
Contact: 020 3988 6994; Black Sheep Coffee
Brasserie Blanc South Bank
Where: 9 Belvedere Road, SE1 8YP
Contact: 020 7202 8470; Brasserie Blanc South Bank
BrewDog Waterloo
Where: Unit G, Waterloo Station, 01 The Sidings, SE1 7BH
Contact: 020 7397 1010; BrewDog Waterloo
Caffè Nero
Where: Waterloo Station, SE1 7LY
Contact: 020 7261 9999; Caffè Nero
Côte Brasserie – Royal Festival Hall
Where: Festival Terrace, Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
Contact: 020 3846 5606; Côte Brasserie – Royal Festival Hall
Delice de France
Where: Lambeth, SE1 8SF
Contact: 020 7401 8366; Delice de France
Doggett’s Coat and Badge
Where: 1 Blackfriars Bridge, SE1 9UD
Contact: 020 7633 9081; Doggett’s Coat and Badge
Draughts
Where: Arch 16 Leake Street, SE1 7NN
Contact: 07903 441976; Draughts
Fed By Plants
Where: 56 Upper Ground, SE1 9PP
Contact: 07383 517368; Fed By Plants
Fountain & Ink
Where: 52 Stamford Street, SE1 9LX
Contact: 020 3475 1642; Fountain & Ink
GAIL’s Bakery
Where: 28 York Road, SE1 7PD
Contact: 020 3995 5277; GAIL’s Bakery
Garden Café
Where: 5 Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 7LB
Contact: 020 7401 8865; Garden Café
Gillray’s Steakhouse and Bar
Where: County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB
Contact: 020 7902 8000; Gillray’s Steakhouse and Bar
Giraffe
Where: Riverside Level 1, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
Contact: 020 7042 6900; Giraffe
Gourmet Pizza Co.
Where: 56 Upper Ground, SE1 9PP
Contact: 020 7928 3188; Gourmet Pizza Co.
Great British Fish & Chips
Where: County Hall, Queens Walk, SE1 7PB
Contact: 020 7928 3019; Great British Fish & Chips
Hannah
Where: Southbank Riverside, Belvedere Road, SE1 7PB
Contact: 020 3802 0402; Hannah
Hola Guacamole
Where: Unit 11, Gabriels Wharf, 56 Gabriel's Wharf, SE1 9PP
Contact: 07876 337761; Hola Guacamole
Honest Burgers
Where: 9 Festival Terrace, SE1 8XX
Contact: 020 3146 6379; Honest Burgers
Hot Mess Toasties
Where: 10 Gabriel's Wharf, SE1 9PP
Contact: Hot Mess Toasties
Island Poke
Where: Unit 2F, Southbank Place, SE1 7NW
Contact: 020 3982 0020; Island Poke
Kerb at The Understudy
Where: National Theatre, Upper Ground, SE1 9PX
Contact: 020 7452 3551; Kerb at The Understudy
La Cucina Di Mamma
Where: 3J-3K Belvedere Road, SE1 7GP
Contact: 020 7921 9352; La Cucina Di Mamma
La Gamba
Where: Unit 3, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX
Contact: 020 71830 094; La Gamba
La Gelateria
Where: La Gelatiera Unit G5, Barge House Street, SE1 9PH
Contact: La Gelateria
Lasdun
Where: National Theatre, Upper Ground, SE1 9PX
Contact: Lasdun
Las Iguanas
Where: Festival Terrace, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
Contact: 020 7620 1328; Las Iguanas
Leon
Where: 135 Strand, WC2R 1HH
Contact: Leon
Limin South Bank
Where: 56 Upper Ground, SE1 9PP
Contact: 07916 316851; Limin South Bank
Locale
Where: 3B Belvedere Road, County Hall, SE1 7GP
Contact: 020 7401 6734; Locale
Lyaness
Where: 20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD
Contact: 020 3747 1063; Lyaness
Mamuska
Where: 9 Addington Street, SE1 7RY
Contact: 020 3602 1898; Mamuska
Marugame Udon
Where: Unit 16-17 The Balcony, Waterloo Station, SE1 7LY
Contact: Marugame Udon
McDonald’s Waterloo Station
Where: Unit 43 The Colonnade, Waterloo Station, SE1 8SW
Contact: 020 7928 4809; McDonald’s Waterloo Station
Mi Casa Burritos
Where: Waterloo Rd, South Bank, London SE1 8SW
Contact: Mi Casa Burritos
Mulberry Bush
Where: Mulberry Bush, 89 Upper Ground, SE1 9PP
Contact: 020 7928 7940; Mulberry Bush
Nando’s
Where: 108 Stamford Street, Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre, SE1 9NH
Contact: 020 7261 9006; Nando’s
Neds Noodles Bar
Where: 3 Belvedere Road, SE1 7GQ
Contact: 020 7593 0077; Neds Noodles Bar
Okan
Where: County Hall, Belvedere Road, SE1 7PB
Contact: 07746 025394; Okan
OXO Tower Bar, Restaurant & Brasserie
Where: OXO Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, SE1 9PH
Contact: 020 7803 3888; OXO Tower Bar, Restaurant & Brasserie
Paradiso
Where: 56 Upper Ground, SE1 9PP
Contact: 020 3034 0791; Paradiso
Passyunk Avenue
Where: Leake Street, SE1 7NN
Contact: 020 3926 5144; Passyunk Avenue
Ping Pong Southbank Centre
Where: Festival Terrace, Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX
Contact: 020 7960 4160; Ping Pong Southbank Centre
Pizza Express
Where: Unit 3 The White House, 9c Belvedere Road, SE1 8YP
Contact: 020 7928 4091; Pizza Express
Pret A Manger
Where: Waterloo Station, York Road, SE1 7NQ
Contact: 020 7633 9233; Pret A Manger
Sea Containers Restaurant
Where: 20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD
Contact: 020 3747 1063; Sea Containers Restaurant
Skylon
Where: Royal Festival Hall, SE1 8XX
Contact: 020 7654 7800; Skylon
Slug and Lettuce
Where: 5 Chicheley Street, North Block (1–63), County Hall, SE1 7PJ
Contact: 0845 129 7637; Slug and Lettuce
Southbank Centre Food Market
Where: Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX
Contact: Southbank Centre Food Market
Starbucks Waterloo
Where: 12 A Mepham Street, SE1 8SE
Contact: 07817 924 579; Starbucks Waterloo
Strada – Royal Festival Hall
Where: Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
Contact: 020 7401 9126; Strada – Royal Festival Hall
The Archduke
Where: 153 Concert Hall Approach, SE1 8XU
Contact: 020 7928 9370; The Archduke
The Black Penny
Where: 17 Casson Square, SE1 7BQ
Contact: 020 7928 8383; The Black Penny
The Green Room
Where: 101 Upper Ground, SE1 9PP
Contact: 020 3034 0991; The Green Room
The Hole in the Wall
Where: 5 Mepham Street, SE1 8SQ
Contact: 020 7928 6196; The Hole in the Wall
The Mulberry Bush
Where: 89 Upper Ground, SE1 9PP
Contact: 020 7928 7940; The Mulberry Bush
The Pasty Shop
Where: Waterloo Station, SE1 8SE
Contact: 020 7388 9511; The Pasty Shop
The Rosarium
Where: Unit G8, The Sidings, Waterloo Station, SE1 7BH
Contact: 020 4580 1396; The Rosarium
The Strings
Where: Belvedere Road, SE1 7GA
Contact: 07742 207947; The Strings
The Thirsty Bear
Where: 62 Stamford Street, SE1 9LX
Contact: 020 7928 5354; The Thirsty Bear
The Waterloo Tap
Where: Sutton Walk, SE1 8RL
Contact: 020 3455 7436; The Waterloo Tap
Troia Bar & Restaurant
Where: Unit 3F, County Hall, Belvedere Rd, SE1 7GQ
Contact: 020 7633 9309; Troia Bar & Restaurant
Upper Crust
Where: 9 The Colonnade, Waterloo Station, SE1 7LY
Contact: 020 7928 6780; Upper Crust
Wagamama
Where: Belvedere Road, Lambeth, SE1 8XX
Contact: 020 7021 0877; Wagamama
Wahaca South Bank
Where: Southbank Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
Contact: 020 7928 1876; Wahaca South Bank
Wasabi
Where: Unit 45, Waterloo Station, SE1 8SW
Contact: 020 7928 0743; Wasabi
Westminster Kitchen & Grill
Where: 3A/B Belvedere Road, SE1 7GP
Contact: 020 7928 1986; Westminster Kitchen & Grill
Venues in South Bank
26 Leake Street
Where: 26 Leake Street, SE1 7RY
Contact: 020 3984 8826; 26 Leake Street
Aures
Where: 18 Leake Street, SE1 7NN
Contact: 020 7164 6331; Aures
BFI IMAX
Where: 1 Charlie Chaplin Walk, SE1 8XR
Contact: 0330 333 7878; BFI IMAX
BFI Southbank
Where: Belvedere Road, SE1 8XT
Contact: 020 7928 3232; BFI Southbank
London Eye
Where: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB
Contact: 0870 990 8883; London Eye
Rambert
Where: 99 Upper Ground, SE1 9PP, UK
Contact: 020 8630 0600; Rambert
Southbank Centre
Where: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
Contact: 020 7960 4200; Southbank Centre
The Vaults
Where: Leake Street, SE1 7NN
Contact: 020 7401 9603; The Vaults
etc. Venues County Hall
Where: Riverside Building, Belvedere Road, SE1 7PB
Contact: 020 3735 4200; etc. Venues County Hall
Hotels in South Bank
Bankside Hotel
Where: 2 Blackfriars Road, SE1 9JU
Contact: 020 3319 5988; Bankside Hotel
London Marriott Hotel County Hall
Where: London County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB
Contact: 020 7928 5200; London Marriott Hotel County Hall
Mad Hatter Hotel
Where: 3-7 Stamford Street, SE1 9NY
Contact: 020 7401 9222; Mad Hatter Hotel
Park Plaza County Hall
Where: 1 Addington Street, SE1 7RY
Contact: 0333 400 6116; Park Plaza County Hall
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
Where: 200 Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7UT
Contact: 0844 415 6790; Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
Premier Inn County Hall
Where: County Hall, Belvedere Road, SE1 7PB
Contact: 0871 527 864; Premier Inn County Hall
Premier Inn London Waterloo
Where: 85 York Road, SE1 7NJ
Contact: 0871 527 9412; Premier Inn London Waterloo
Sea Containers London
Where: 20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD
Contact: 020 3747 1000; Sea Containers London
If you're planning a trip to South Bank and want to fit in as much as you can in a short space of time, check out our things to do in South Bank guide, including upcoming events, great restaurants and other hidden gems.