Waterloo Bar & Kitchen

The Squid and chorizo salad was excellent, as was the lamb marinated in rosemary. Equally impressive was the graceful and courteous service, not easy for restaurant staff who, as I arrived (6pm) were in the act of tactfully pouring onto the pavement the 30 or so swaying gents who had clearly en joyed their long pre-Christmas lunch. I was shown a table out of their way; I was asked what time i wanted to leave for the theatre; I and my companion were served promptly. It was such a wonderful experience that I am taking my next guest there too, in a fortnight's time. I can see I shall become a ‘regular’.
Marianne Rodney

I go to the Old Vic a couple of times a year and have always struggled with where to eat beforehand; the chains on the Southbank are a bit far away and very dull. My (previous) favourite place on The Cut doesn't take bookings, so all in all theatre nights were all a bit stressful. I have no idea how I didn't notice the Waterloo Bar & Kitchen before; it's practically in the same building as the theatre, only a few metres from the front door. It's definitely top of my list for future Old Vic nights out after Saturday's dinner.

The menu (see website) has a good range of bistro classics with something for everyone. It is supplemented by 4/5 daily specials and we had a real struggle chosing. In the end the four of us went for chorizo & squid (starter served as a main), Thai sea-bass with coconut rice and prawns, and 2 steaks. We also ordered some spinach and mixed veg on the side. The side dishes were smaller portions than we expected, I probably got one carrot and a forkful of spinach, but apart from that we were all very pleased with dinner. The seabass was delicately flavoured and perfectly cooked, the chorize and squid was gobbled down so quickly I didn't get a taste (it was declared “delicious”) and the steak was exactly medium-rare (I am sick of being served steak cooked through and told it's medium-rare).

For dessert we shared a cheeseboard and the blueberry cheesecake, all delicious.

The restau definitely caters for the pre-theatre crowd; we had a 6pm table for a 7.30pm performance and assumed this would mean just enough time for main course before popping next door, but service is very prompt so we had time for dessert as well.

There was a good atmosphere, plenty of buzz and the restaurant was pleasantly full.

My only complaint is that the house white isn't great – a bit chemically.

I am booking again today and would definitely recommend it to friends.

I have been a regular at Bar and Kitchen for a few years now and I just keep wanting to go back. The menu is great balanced, lots of fish, and well priced. Each time I go there are four or five dishes, from each course, I want to eat.

The food is always excellent, the halibut is particularly good and so is the duck as well as steak, fishcakes, the lamb sea bass and so no.

Service is great and the manageress seems to know everyone.

The dishes are reasonably priced and better value than a lot in Waterloo.

Definitely my favourite restaurant in the area.

Booked this in a rush yesterday to have something arranged for visitors before seeing a play in the Old Vic. I read some of the reviews and even had a look at the outside of the place using Street View. I have to agree with other reviewers. The menu is good and covers a wide range, the food was excellent and the service pleasant. The food definitely makes up for the interior was a comment passed at my table. My only fault was discovered at 3am, when I was still wide awake…my decaf wasn't so decaffinated I think.

The best eggs Benedict I've ever eaten. I've tried other places in London and other cities, but nobody comes close.

They cook fish and meat really well here. Simply prepared and quite generous portions. There's a decent wine list and a couple of good beers on tap. The only slip-up I've seen was when the kitchen has been trying too hard to impress: delicately-flavoured fish cakes can't stand up to a concentrated tomato-based sauce and their qualities were completely hidden when I tried them.

I hired the downstairs room for a party once and both the service (manager, barman, waiting staff) and the canapes I ordered were superb.