In Horto

Sitting under the woven roof and wooden beams of In Horto, it’s hard to believe you’re right in the heart of London Bridge. Sandstone lower walls, terracotta tiles and an exposed layout call to mind somewhere more like Greece or Italy, as do the tantalising smells of roasted meat and vegetables wafting from the open fire. The hospitality too is decidedly Mediterranean, as we find ourselves welcomed by staff with smiles and open arms.

Our server was quick to recommend a range of specials not listed on the menu, as well as several of the standout dishes from the mouth-watering selection. After much deliberation, we decided on bread with ‘nduja butter, Padron peppers and the much-recommended burrata as starters. Each bread was delicious, with the olive bread meriting a special mention - perfect accompaniment to the creamy yet spicy ‘nduja butter - and padron peppers were expertly charred with the perfect helping of chilli and salt. The burrata, however, was the true star of the show. Appearing deceptively simple, the accompaniment of figs, cherry molasses and wild rocket made this an unforgettable explosion of flavour.

Well presented in In Horto’s signature rustic style, our mains were faultless. Sharing is caring here, so we went for the generous 2-3 person portions of baked cauliflower with four cheese potatoes, garlic and parsley, and slow cooked lamb shoulder and harissa vegetables. The tender lamb fell apart at the touch, juicy vegetables were packed full of flavour and crispy potatoes and cauliflower were smothered in an impossibly delicious cheesy sauce, granting us the cheese pulls that dreams are made of. All of this was perfectly complemented by a full-bodied Spanish rioja, again at the expert recommendation of our server.

Dessert hit the spot, with an incredibly rich chocolate mousse pairing well with salted caramel ice cream and crunchy honeycomb. The house tiramisu heavily featured the creamy topping with lighter hints of coffee, much needed after our feast.

All in all, this outdoor dining experience firmly plants itself among the best in central London.

In Horto is a restaurant on Southwark Street in Borough, brought to London by the team behind Flat Iron Square and Goods Way (TVG Hospitality). The Latin phrase ‘In Horto’ translates to ‘in the garden’, with the inspiration for the restaurant drawing on themes of nature and pastoral tradition to create a rustic dining experience.  

In keeping with this, a host of natural materials have been used throughout the space to evoke the feel of a botanical garden. Characterful brickwork, foliage displays, wooden beams, woven lampshades and wooden benches encourage relaxed, communal dining, while a vast in-house, bespoke brick oven can be seen in the open kitchen where it turns out a seasonal menu of rustic plates.  

The menu has been designed primarily with a sharing style of dining in mind, with guests able to order dishes ‘for one’ or ‘for two/three’. Diners can choose from a concise selection of mains, as well as breads and sides, with examples of dishes including whole-baked cauliflower with four cheese potatoes, garlic and parsley, cod fillet with fire-roasted ratatouille, herb and preserved lemon salsa, roast chicken with crème fraiche, vermouth, garlic potatoes and leeks, and slow-cooked lamb shoulder with harissa vegetables. A choice of olive oil bread or a tear and share loaf can be ordered alongside, with either burnt onion butter, nduja butter or aubergine dip.  

Discover a series of garden-inspired cocktails where botanical ingredients are placed in the spotlight. Opt for something simple such as a Cucumber and Elderflower Tonic made with cucumber, lime, elderflower tonic and gin, while the Bumble Fresco combines blackberries, mint, bourbon and ginger beer. A broad wine list offers bottles from exceptional producers and vineyards around the world, while a focus on organic and biodynamic labels is in keeping with its all-natural ethos. 

In Horto is committed to using local suppliers wherever it can with an emphasis on sustainability and seasonality.