Bateaux London

Despite the endless spread of metropolitan London for miles in all directions, the city remains inexorably linked to the River Thames at its centre and even for the most hardened, commute-weary Londoners, there’s something romantic about the idea of a boat down the Thames. Bateaux taps into that (as well as the many tourists who also want to float down the river) by merging a sightseeing boat trip with a spot of dinner and live entertainment.

As you board the glass-walled Thames clipper, there’s a real friendly atmosphere in the crowd - boats, unlike cars or the London Underground, seem to bring the best out of people. The interiors are fairly minimal - a neat bar area greets you as you arrive, and the main dining room has been cleared out for simple tables and chairs. At the back is an al fresco area where you can enjoy the bracing Thames air in between courses.

Depending which package you sign up for you’ll get different offerings of food and drink. Our seasonal spring menu kicked off with a neat roll of smoked salmon and mousseline with asparagus, roe and dill yoghurt - the plating is a tad old-fashioned but the flavours are good. Likewise a main course of chargrilled lamb - still tender and rosy in the middle - is ably cooked and nicely paired with a slick of potato mousse and charred wedge of hispi cabbage. Chalkstream trout is nicely cooked too, and it flakes quite happily into a nest of samphire and Jersey Royals.

A soft-poached rhubarb and vanilla tart rounds out proceedings as we glide back under Tower Bridge, returning to the pier; it’s a nice seasonal way to finish, though we had to battle through some tough pastry to get into it. Bateaux is just as much about the experience as just the food, and seeing London’s famous landmarks from the river is a unique spectacle.

Dinner aboard Bateaux London is a unique experience from start to finish. In fact, the journey starts before you even step foot on the boat - stage one of the Bateaux experience is in waterfront bar The Pier, which is outfitted with sleek Tom Dixon furniture and overlooks the Thames at Embankment Pier. Mixologists whip up a host of unique cocktails - try the Rumgroni (rum, vermouth and Campari) or the Last Wish (Nikka Japanese Whiskey, sweet vermouth, Campari and orange bitters) or relax and get stuck into the extensive spirit selection or wine list.

From there, step aboard one of three Bateaux boats to enjoy dinner as you cruise down the Thames. Bateaux's dinner experiences come in three packages - silver, gold and platinum - with higher levels affording you more courses and a greater drink allowance. Dishes are broadly European and include the likes of game terrine with fig chutney and chargrilled artisan bread, glazed confit duck leg with creamy whipped potatoes, thyme and orange sauce, and a Braeburn apple and forced rhubarb crumble with vanilla custard. 

The meal is complimented by free-flowing prosecco and wine, as well as live musicians who serenade you on your way down the river. As evening draws in, Bateaux continues to wind its way down the river, and you can expect to see lots of famous London landmarks from the windows, including the Houses of Parliament, St Paul's Cathedral, and the Royal Observatory at Greenwich. 

As well as dinner packages, Bateaux London also serves a three-course Sunday lunch with a back track of live jazz, and a delightful afternoon tea, where you can quaff Champagne, sip on fine loose leaf teas and enjoy a selection of sandwiches, scones and sweets as you drift down the Thames.