Skylon

British·
££££
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Silver Award
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SquareMeal Review of Skylon

Silver Award

With views overlooking the Thames and the South Bank, as well as its soft lighting and chic interiors, Skylon has long been a favourite among Londoners. But while the setting might tick all the boxes for destination dining, the cooking wasn't quite hitting the same high notes as the Royal Festival Hall location – which is why owners D&D London have revamped the menu with a line-up of classic comfort food.

The cooking might be uncomplicated, but ingredients are fastidiously sourced and executed to high standards – think a heap of fresh and sweet Devonshire crab served on toasted bread and smothered with brown crab mayonnaise, or a warming bowl of velvety white coco bean soup, accompanied by a slither of toast piled high with chopped mushrooms.

The best thing we ate was a classic dish of fish & chips from the pre-theatre menu: flaky Brixham haddock wrapped in a deep-fried casing of batter and served with mushy peas, tangy tartar sauce and never-bettered thick-cut chips, golden and crisp with every bite.

For afters, try sticky toffee pudding served with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream, or opt for Skylon’s upmarket take on a slice of apple pie, a disc of pastry crowned with slices of stewed apple and a scoop of milk ice cream.

Sweet staff and a wide-ranging international wine list are further draws, while a variety of menus (brunch, lunch, Sunday roast) solidify Skylon’s status as a reliable all-round performer in London’s ever-evolving restaurant scene.

Good to know

Spend SquareMeal Smart Vouchers
Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
British
Ambience
Glamorous, Lively, Unique
Food Occasions
All day dining, Bottomless brunch, Brunch, Sunday roast
Alfresco And Views
Great views, Waterside
Special Features
Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Child friendly, Dates, Group dining [8+], Romantic
Food Hygiene Rating

About

Whether you're a born-and-raised Londoner or you've been living in the city for years, there are certain views that still make you say 'wow'. And, looking out from the third floor of the Royal Festival Hall, across the Thames and over to some of the capital's most recognisable buildings is one of them. 

This is where you'll find Skylon, the Royal Festival Hall's in-house restaurant which takes its name from the original, iconic structure which was built for the 1951 Festival of Britain. Today, it's a stylish and well-to-do eatery, boasting huge, floor-to-ceiling windows and mid-century design details that nod back to that time, mixed with contemporary touches, too. 

In the heart of the restaurant there's a stunning central bar, often flanked by large vases filled with flamboyant floral schemes. Here is a wonderful place to enjoy a drink and soak up the buzzy atmosphere. It would be rude not to try one of the signature cocktails, such as the Southbank's Martini which mixes Cambridge Gin, elderflower, lime juice, fresh cucumber and lychee juice. There's also a lengthy selection of sparkling cocktails, as well as all the classics. Plus, if a bite at the bar is what you're after, there's a selected menu with nibbles such as an English cheese board, Nocellara olives and truffle parmesan fries. 

When it comes to food there are several menus available, beginning with a la carte which focuses on traditional British fare with some European influences, too. Here, you'll find mains such as crab and prawn linguine, Barnsley lamb chop and ale battered haddock. To be followed by puddings such as date and molasses sticky toffee pudding and English trifle. 

Other menus to try include the weekend brunch with prawn cocktail, smashed avocado toast and plenty of egg dishes, while the set and pre-and-post theatre menus offer deals on two or three courses. 


FAQs

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Yes

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Skylon restaurant

Location

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

020 7654 7800 020 7654 7800

Website

Opening Times

Mon-Sat 12N-2.30pm (Sat 11.30am- ) 5pm-10.30pm Sun 11.30am-4pm

Reviews

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44 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

KP P

12 August 2024  
Food & Drink 3
Service 1.5
Atmosphere 2.5
Value 2.5
Skylon and things you should be aware of!

We reserved a table for Saturday, August 10 at 13:30 to celebrate my stepfather's friend's birthday, who was visiting London from Oslo. We ordered three courses with bottomless options. Everything was fine until our waitress went on her break. We noticed that the service was not up to par; my stepfather had to raise his hands twice for his wine to be topped up. The assistant manager (white guy in a navy suit) came to top up our drinks and said this would be the last order, so we agreed and did not notice anything until this waiter (an Asian man) walked up and down our right side of the tables (4 tables), jumping over our table to our left side (1 table) and topping up their drinks. He repeated this topping-up drink twice until we noticed that every time this waiter walked past our table, he ignored us, even though my father was attempting to make eye contact with him to ask why our table was being ignored for service. He was completely disregarding him.

 

When we asked for the bill from the waiter, he directed the assistant manager to bring it to us. Before paying the bill, I inquired as to why every table had been toped for drinks while ours had been ignored by your waiter. He informed us that our table times had run out for the two-hour booking timeframe, which we had previously been informed of. However, I did inform him that when we arrived, the table on the right side (4) was already occupied and that they had already finished their desserts when we began our starters. What would justify our time in front of them, or would you choose to serve at each table based on your perceptions? He refused to answer our questions. My stepfather even requested that he check the CCTV to see the timing on each table. We simply want to know why only our table has been notified that the time limit has expired. He could not respond, so we requested that the service charge be removed from our bill. We are willing to pay the service charge if we are treated equally to the other customers here. He replied that it was fine, and we could do whatever we wanted.

 

After he left, we waved at the waiter, who came to our table and asked him the same questions we had asked his assistant manager. Why has our table been ignored for drink refills, and why has my stepfather's request for attention been ignored every time you walked past the table? You gave us the impression that you were racist because we are Asian. He replied in the same way as his assistant manager, "You can say whatever you want; I do not care," and walked away from the table.

 

We noticed the assistant manager having a conversation with the manager outside the restaurant about our table. We can see how they were both looking at us from the outside restaurant.

 

Before we left, we decided to go to the reservation desk and ask to speak with the restaurant manager (in the grey suit) who was discussing our table with the assistant manager. At this point, we were listened to by the manager and three receptionists. I told them how the waiter was making us feel today by providing constructive feedback, but he was extremely rude to us. Furthermore, the assistant manager was very biased and treated our table differently than other tables. I did mention that if we did not book a table here again on Sunday, we would not bother to file this complaint. We would pay a service charge and then never return. The receptionist checked the booking system and saw that my name was booked on the Opentable for Sunday 25 August for 4 people for lunch at Skylon for our best friend, who had recently married.

 

My point to them was that I do not want to feel this way again when I return next Sunday, and I just wanted the two of them to be aware of how they made us feel today. I did not request anything else. However, the way those two responded to our comments was so rude and egotistical that they seemed unconcerned about our feedback. At this point, the manager and three receptionists were nodding and reassuring me that they would look into it; I just wished the two of them (assistant manager and waiter) could learn customer service and how to behave like these people.

 

My recommendation for booking the Saxy Brunch at Skylone with bottomless:

Keep in mind that your service time is 2 hours.

Be aware that you have been treated equally with the other table, regardless of your gender, race, disability, or nationality (My stepfather was using the wheelchair

Be aware of those two - the assistant manager (white guy in blue navy suit) and waiter (Asian man) if you are being served by them. 

Be proactive in providing constructive feedback, as they require it. We are living in London and 2024, and we should be treated equally according to The Equality Act 2010 - regardless of our gender, race, disability, or nationality (My stepfather was using the wheelchair)

Enjoy your bunch and do not sit in silence. 

David F

04 August 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 4
Service 4
Atmosphere 4
Value 4

lovely setting light and airy and nice staff. Good selection of well priced wines. 

Lisa A

15 June 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 3
Service 3
Atmosphere 3
Value 3

A bit disappointed with the service and food. While the food was okay, and the service was friendly, they kept getting our orders wrong including the bill... so not really worth the money we paid. Can't beat the location and view though! 

Lisa A

15 June 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 3
Service 3
Atmosphere 3
Value 3

A bit disappointed with the service and food. While the food was okay, and the service was friendly, they kept getting our orders wrong including the bill... so not really worth the money we paid. Can't beat the location and view though! 

Lisa A

15 June 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 3
Service 3
Atmosphere 3
Value 3

A bit disappointed with the service and food. While the food was okay, and the service was friendly, they kept getting our orders wrong including the bill... so not really worth the money we paid. Can't beat the location and view though! 

Anne R

06 June 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Excellent business lunch

Great food, location and service

Sharon W

21 May 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 3.5
Atmosphere 2.5
Value 4

Really lovely staff , just thought food was slightly overpriced and did lack a bit of atmosphere although we were there at lunch time so I should imagine things liven up later on . 

Sylvia M

21 January 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 4
The sky is the limit!

I have never been there before and I was very happy. The food was very good. The service excellent. I will go back again. 

Robert A

06 June 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 1
Service 1
Atmosphere 1
Value 1

Keith G

02 June 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 4
Service 4
Atmosphere 4
Value 4
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