SAMA Bankside is a bar, restaurant and events space housed within twin railway arches and found next to Blackfriars Bridge on the south side of the Thames.
The restaurant’s dining room is a quirky subterranean space complete with high ceilings, exposed brickwork and industrial-style silver pipes. Adding some colour to the space is cosy blue and pink booth seating, mismatched chairs and bar stools and a line-up of contemporary artworks splashed across the walls.
The menu at SAMA Bankside is best described as modern British with a distinctly Carribean twist. To start, tuck into the likes of Caribbean inspired chicken wings or breaded halloumi sticks with a balsamic glaze, before moving on to main courses of classic fish and chips with mushy peas and tartare sauce or Caribbean inspired chicken with coconut rice, peas and pineapple coleslaw.
Pizzas make an appearance too: 12-inch stonebaked options include classic varieties of margherita, pepperoni and Hawaiian, as well as a Caribbean inspired option topped with mozzarella, chicken and barbecue sauce. Vegetarian and vegan diners meanwhile can tuck into a handful of meat-free options, such as a vegan burger, a vegetable pilau or a lively jackfruit curry.
For pudding, tuck into the tempting likes of salted caramel cheesecake or a chocolate brownie, or enjoy liquid afters instead with SAMA’s list of house cocktails - think the Bankside made with two types of rum, orange juice, pineapple juice and fresh fruit.
On weekends, including Friday nights, you can head here for a game of beer pong or a spot of bottomless brunch (three courses with 90 minutes of free-flowing Prosecco or Cosmo Punch), while Friday and Saturday nights see live DJs take to the decks so that you can keep dancing until the early hours. There’s a daily happy hour too, as well as bar snacks to line the stomach.