Best London Restaurants in the Shard

Best London Restaurants in the Shard

Every Londoner and tourist knows the Shard – it’s the glistening, all-glass, pyramid/spire-shaped building that rises multiple stories above the London skyline. Taking a boat trip on the Thames, you can see this iconic building that was first built in 2013.

The Shard is a near-100-story skyscraper that contains offices, a viewing platform, a five-star luxury hotel, and various restaurants and bars that provide some of the best views in England’s capital.

The Shard’s construction began in 2009 and was finally finished 3 years later, opening in November of 2012. The privately-operated observation deck, The View from the Shard, was opened the following year.

The View from The Shard offers extensive fiews from the skyscraper, with two viewing platforms inside of the towering structure. However, the View isn’t the only spot inside of the Shard that provides a panoramic picture of the bustling metropolis.

Let’s see the best London restaurants in the Shard for a quick business lunch or a romantic date night that provides great views, quality food, sultry ambiance, and a night (or day) to remember.

Bar 31

Shard, Londres – By By Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35489767

Although on the ground floor, this sports bar is a casual stop that is the most laid-back of the Shard restaurants. Despite not getting the panoramic view that you will find on a higher floor, this trendy pub is a great stop for a quick pint after work or catching a Premier League match on one of the many plasma screen televisions.

For between £20 and £30 a person for a drink and a main course, this stylish pub is a great stop for dinner after a long day at the office.

Oblix

The Shard from the Sky Garden – By By © User:Colin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39978232

This relaxed restaurant provides excellent views and a prime location. Split between the East and the West, the East is a casual spot that serves up a decadent weekend brunch, while the West is more formal and home to traditional British afternoon tea.

For savory food lovers, head to the West side for in-house rotisserie, suckling pig, porterhouse steak, and scrumptious duck – although this last option will cost you at least £57 to share between you and your date.

Coming out to between £50 and £80 a person, this restaurant is diverse enough to work for any event or occasion.

Aqua Shard

The Shard at sunset – By © User:Colin / Wikimedia Commons

Arguably the best view out of all of the Shard restaurants, Aqua does not skimp on flavor, ambiance, or food and rest on their laurels of the panoramic sights. The menu uses top-tier, classic, British ingredients, serving up dishes like truffled leek veloute, apricot ravioli, and barbary duck breast.

Although you can expect to pay between £50 and £100 per person for dinner here,  the incredible view is priceless.

TING

City of London from the Shard – By By Gab.pr – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=82852833

Part of the Shangri-La hotel, this restaurant might not list the most creative or well-renowned menu options, but the afternoon tea is the reason to come here. Offering over 30 different types of tea, TING is a versatile spot, serving English tea, pan-Asian food, and a modern European menu to appeal to anyone’s palette.

Are you an early riser? Head here for the £16 Asian breakfast, set with the newly-rising sun in the background.

Hutong

Queen’s House and the Shard – By By Tristan Surtel – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83144357

One of the most upscale restaurants in the Shard, Hutong at the Shard is a dimly-lit and Chinese-inspired restaurant that gives each diner substantial views of the shimmering London skyline.

Serving traditional Chinese dishes with a creative flair, you should try the deep-fried lobster, dim sum, and a global wine from an extensive list.

With the views and tasty food, you can expect to pay at least £100 per person, with most dishes costing over £30 for the main course.

GONG

Southwark Cathedral and the Shard – By By Tristan Surtel – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83173843

Although not technically a restaurant like the other options on this list, this is part of the Shangri-La Hotel – similar to TING. GONG owns floors 34-52 in the Shard, boasting an illustrious and spectacular hotel bar that features a cocktail bar, swimming pool, and posh champagne bar for a fancy after-date drink.

The Shard is the tallest building in the United Kingdom and the sixth-tallest in all of Europe – no wonder it provides some of the best views in the entire city, entire country, and the entire continent.

Heading here for a blind date, romantic date night with your partner, casual brunch with friends, or an after-work drink spot will never disappoint, with restaurants and bars in the Shard doling out some of the best atmospheres and vistas in all of London.