Best River Boat Restaurants in London

Bateaux London is a must-do dining experience combining fresh food with exclusive views of London and live entertainment to create one of the city's most unique river boat restaurants on the Thames. Dining here includes Sunday lunch jazz, afternoon tea and romantic date nights.

Whether you're making your way to the Olympic Village or simply fancied a walk down Hackney's canals, there's a floating restaurant in East London that is worth taking the time out for. The ever-charming Barge East is a striking 114 year-old barge transformed to a sleek dining destination.

Stroll down Paddington and you'll pick up plenty of interesting sights along the way, but there are none as colourful as Darcie & May Green. A corker of a boat restaurant with Australian brunch at its core, you can even hop aboard the attached boat for cocktails once you're done with grub.

Sailing down the River Thames, the London Craft Beer Cruise offers afternoon excursions packed full of carefully curated pints, tasty BBQ dishes and incredible views. Meet fellow hopheads as you samples sips from the likes of Signature Brew, Hackney Brewery and Anspach & Hobday.

The Tattershall Castle provides a welcoming yet elegant setting for riverside dining, with the terrace outside offering some spectacular views of the surrounding city. When it comes to food? The Embankment boat restaurant specialises in British classics, with an affordable drinks menu to match.  

Get your Italian kicks on the water at the Tamesis Dock, the converted barge found on the Thames at Vauxhall. From a hefty range of vegan and veggie toppings through to meat-stuffed calzones, you'll be hard pressed to find a prettier setting for your pizzas.

The Grand Duchess is a luxurious restaurant barge offering a seafood-focused menu from London Shell Co. Nestled in the heart of Paddington, it offers a quirky alternative to average dining and a relaxing break from city life, perfect for summer lounging on the canal.

If you're looking for a floating London restaurant that not only sits atop the river, but moves along it too, add The London Shell Co to your bucket list. Bringing you unique seafood plates and delicious wines, it's perfect for that special dining experience. 

If sophisticated is what you're after from a boat restaurant, you'd be hard pushed to ignore what The Yacht is serving up. Not only is European cuisine with British twangs on the menu, this restaurant boasts a prime spot on the river for those all important views.

Setting off from Hackney Wick, Alfred Le Roy is one of the dreamiest dining experiences you can have on the water in London. The barge restaurant will take you on a tour of the River Lee, filling you up with cocktails and cheese and charcuterie boards as they go.