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Best restaurants in Waterloo

The Waterloo area is best known for its train station packed with fast food outlets and one-stop coffee shops, yet many Waterloo restaurants outside the Victorian station offer something truly unique. So whether you’re searching for some sustenance while trudging back home from the London Eye or The National Theatre, or are simply seeking a midweek dinner after a hard day's work, there’s no need to worry. We’ve sifted through the best restaurants in Waterloo so you can eat, drink, and explore your way around the area at your leisure.

Updated on 10 April 2024

Many of the restaurants in Waterloo reflect the cosmopolitan character of the area. Here you can find Malaysian and Caribbean street food brushing shoulders with upmarket modern restaurants serving plates peppered with micro greens and doused in emulsions. We’re not surprised. Since the first opening of Waterloo Bridge in 1817, followed by Waterloo Station in 1848, the area has become a hub of connectivity, interaction, and of course entertainment.

Apart from the tourist hotspots like the London Eye and the London Dungeons, the area hosts some of the best galleries and theatres in London; The Tate Modern, Hayward Gallery, and the National Theatre, to name just a few. And where there is culture and creativity, great food follows. So whether you’re craving a Mediterranean feast, some American nostalgia, or searching for an achingly on-trend wine bar to add some sparkle to your date, this handy list of the best eateries in Waterloo is the place to start.

Our collection covers all the top places to eat in Waterloo from the edge of the Imperial War Museum all the way to Blackfriars. Alternatively, if you’re looking to explore the restaurants and bars that sit on the Thames riverside, you can find many more restaurants in South Bank to escape the crowds and enjoy sunset views.

Skylon

Skylon

Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, Waterloo, London, SE1 8XX

An iconic pick just a few minute's from Waterloo, Skylon is Royal Festival Hall's in-house restaurant and boasts sublime views over the Thames and the South Bank. Start your night at its stylish central bar with one of its bespoke cocktails - there's no better spot for a date or special occasion. 

£50 - £79
British
Florentine at Park Plaza Waterloo

Florentine at Park Plaza Waterloo

6 Hercules Road, London, SE1 7DU

A Florentine trattoria and pizzeria serving a vibrant menu of Italian dishes just like nonna makes. A great spot for a quick pizza, or a lazy lunch of zucchini fritti followed by a ribeye steak with a glass of Primitivo.

£30 - £49
Brasserie
Anchor & Hope

Anchor & Hope

36 The Cut, Southwark, London, SE1 8LP

Half bar, half restaurant, The Anchor and Hope boasts an eternally popular chalkboard menu of frequently changing but continually satisfying gastropub dishes and modern European fare. There’s also a menu of quality natural wines and inventive cocktails like a tantalising beetroot Martini.

£30 - £49
Gastropub
Limin South Bank

Limin South Bank

56 Upper Ground, South Bank, London, SE1 9PP

When you think of the South Bank, you probably don’t envision a Caribbean beach club experience. But at Limin, that’s just what you get. Expect a selection of inspired bites like Trinidadian puri, jerk pineapple and plantain, and fried dumplings.

£30 - £49
Vegetarian
Vegan
Caribbean
Bars
Meson Don Felipe

Meson Don Felipe

53 The Cut, Waterloo, London, SE1 8LF

If you find yourself in the mood for Spanish food, Meson Don Felipe is just the ticket. Just yards from Waterloo Station, the menu of tapas, paella, and tortilla could make you think you’re in the heart of Madrid.

£30 - £49
Tapas
Spanish
£30 - £49
Cubana

Cubana

48 Lower Marsh, Waterloo, London, SE1 7RG

Known for freshly prepared authentic Cuban and Latin American dishes and tropical cocktails, Cubana is a vibrant restaurant open seven days a week for great Mojitos, Cuban barbacoa, and traditional slow-cooked Cuban dishes, along with tapas and street food.

£30 - £49
South American
Cuban
Lasdun

Lasdun

National Theatre, South Bank, London, SE1 9PX

Lasdun isn't a simple pit stop for theatregoers, it’s a true celebration of British cuisine. Located inside the National Theatre, the team behind Hoxton’s Marksman pub have put together a menu of oysters, exceptional pies, and developed a must–try brown butter custard tart.

£30 - £49
British
Brasserie
Bars
SquareMeal London Top 100
Passyunk Avenue - Waterloo

Passyunk Avenue - Waterloo

Leake Street, Waterloo, London, SE1 7NN

Located in the graffiti tunnel of Leake Street, Passyunk Avenue is an American restaurant serving Philadelphian favourites, dive bar aesthetics, and all the North American sports you could ask for. Think all-American menu items like Philly cheesesteaks, wings, and hoagies.

£30 - £49
North American
Bars
Mar I Terra

Mar I Terra

14 Gambia Street, London, SE1 0XH

A longstanding feature in Waterloo East, Mar I Terra serves a thoroughly authentic tapas menu informed by decades-long connections with Spanish producers, some seriously great specials, and an almost shockingly affordable wine list with bottles from vineyards throughout Spain.

£30 - £49
Tapas
Spanish
Roti King Waterloo

Roti King Waterloo

97 Lower Marsh, Waterloo, London, SE1 7AB

If your tastebuds need an awakening, head to Roti King. Founded by chef entrepreneur Sugen Gopal, Roti King specialises in soft and flaky roti served with spiced curries, daal, along with other dishes inspired by the street foods of Malaysia and Singapore.

Under £30
Malaysian
Singaporean
Crust Bros

Crust Bros

113 Waterloo Road, Waterloo, London, SE1 8UL

Known for its affordable thin-crust wood-fired pizzas, Crust Bros understands that classic pizzas aren't always to everyone's taste, so they’ve created an entirely customizable menu to allow total topping freedom. This is where your very own Neapolitan-style signature dish is born.

Under £30
Pizza
Italian
La Gamba

La Gamba

La Gamba, Unit 3, South Bank, London, SE1 8XX

Searching for a Spanish summer in London? La Gamba is a chic tapas restaurant overlooking the Thames serving a menu of Iberian classics including crab croquetas, Galician fried octopus and burnt Basque cheesecake. Of course, you can eat your fill of gambas too.

£30 - £49
Tapas
Spanish
Seabird

Seabird

32-40 Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, SE1 8PB

At the top of the Hoxton Hotel, Seabird dishes up fresh Southern European flavour and panoramic views of the city. Blessed with the longest oyster list in London, this is an impressive spot to have up your sleeve for a magical date night.

£50 - £79
Portuguese
Fish
Brasserie Blanc Southbank

Brasserie Blanc Southbank

9 Belvedere Road, Southbank, South Bank, London, SE1 8YP

Raymond Blanc's relaxed chain brasserie serves up bourgeois food and a French-leaning wine list in the heart of Southbank's arts scene. Whether you're stopping by for a pre-theatre meal or a happy hour cocktail, there's a menu for all occasions here. 

£30 - £49
French

Looking to plan a day out in the area? Take a look at our round-up of things to do in South Bank. Or, if you’re not fussed about what bank of the river you’re on, you can cross over to Big Ben and explore some of the best restaurants in Westminster to find everything from Michelin-worthy fine dining to rustic neighbourhood eateries. There are many options to discover on this stretch of the Thames catering to all budgets, preferences, and occasions. If you stumble across one that ticks your boxes, simply click through to the restaurant page and secure your reservation.

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