We've trod the pavement to help you find some of the best restaurants near South Bank and Waterloo, perfect if you're peckish after a walk next to the water. Take in the views of The Thames, stroll past the London Eye and finish up at the Globe before you try burgers at Honest, slices at Pizza Pilgrims, or wine and small plates at El Vino, plus everything from Indian food, to dim sum platters. We've also got suggestions for some of the best South Bank bars if they might take your interest after dinner too.
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In the National Theatre, Forza Wine puts you right in the heart of the Southbank. Take to the rooftop for views across the Thames or settle into the super cool bar and dining room for sensational Italian-“ish” small plates.
Wherever you pull up a pew, you can tuck into everything from cauliflower fritti and white wine mussels to pork cheek and gnocchetti. There's plenty to wet your whistle here too - we're talking natural wines, spritzes and craft beer.
Belushis London Bridge is not just a restaurant close to Southbank, it is also a party place and great spot to catch the sport with seven large screens and DJs playing late into the night. The menu is American styled and full of dishes such as nachos and burgers.
Located inside the Royal Festival Hall, this unique Southbank restaurant offers some of the most beautiful views in the city, not to mention a delicious menu of quality eats from brunch through dinner, alongside killer cocktails and an impressive wine list.
The stylish French restaurant Brasserie Blanc strikes the optimum balance between fine dining and comfort food, served within warm and inviting surrounds that are sophisticated yet unpretentious.
With seasonal menus inspired by Raymond Blanc OBE, it's a chic destination that attracts crowds with refined plates that fill you up. Ingredients are high-quality and thoughtfully sourced, with dishes featuring a selection of succulent steaks, escargot, twice-baked soufflé and 12-hour slow-cooked beef short rib – as well as the obligatory French onion soup done right.
Located in the heart of London's busiest business districts, this Spanish-inspired restaurant bar sits between London Bridge station and City Hall. Expect sharing plates, an extensive selection of wine and relaxed settings.
This Southbank restaurant is a stone's throw from the Tate Modern and River Thames and is perfect for a lunch pitstop or sophisticated dinner. The breezy eatery is in the landmark Blue Fin Building and has an open kitchen to watch your modern European cuisine being prepared.
Sat right on the Thames, Founders Arms is a scenic spot for dinner on the Southbank. The restaurant specialises in homely comfort food, with dishes such as beer-battered fish and chips and steak and ale pies adorning the menu. Watch the world float by on the Thames from the terrace come summer or snuggle up inside in the cooler months.
Tucked beneath the grand concrete curves of the Royal Festival Hall, Strada provides front-row seats to London's liveliest cultural strip.
It's an ideal pitstop whether you're breaking up a walk along the Thames, grabbing a bite after a Tate Modern visit, or refuelling before a show. Inside, the sleek, modern space is built for quick turnarounds and relaxed meals alike, while the outdoor terrace offers unmatched views across the river. The menu keeps things straightforward and comforting: think hand-stretched sourdough pizzas, generous pasta plates, and seasonal risottos served at a breezy, reliable pace.
Located inside the National Theatre, you won't find a much more conveniently located dining spot than Lasdun, a contemporary British brasserie that was created by the team behind iconic East London pub The Marksman.
There's both a stylish main restaurant and an intimate private room here, flaunting a minimal, stylish design. As for the menu, expect the likes of smoked haddock fishcakes, pot roast ham or chicken and leek pie.
If you're on the hunt for a place that's as a treat for the eyes as it is for the tastebuds, it has to be Sticky Mango. This South Bank restaurant is renowned for its botanical interiors and unique sculptures, as well as its mouthwatering menu of Thai delights.
Just a stone's throw from Southbank, you'll find Pizza Pilgrims fronting award-winning Neapolitan slices and plenty of pints. Perfect for refuelling after a stroll along the Thames, toppings on these bad boys include pepperoni and spicy honey, truffle, and aubergine parm.
From delicious pizza and pasta to calamari and other Italian dishes, Azurro is a great venue to check out in Southbank. When the weather warms, their outdoor terrace is brilliant for sun-drenched dinners and fab lunch specials.
Looking for hearty eats in laid-back surrounds? Then head to Honest Burgers, who have been flipping patties since 2011 at their UK restaurants. Their South Bank outpost promises a casual setting, as well as an extensive menu made using top-quality ingredients.
Sink your teeth into juicy beef, chicken or veggie burgers, with a wide range of toppings to choose from. we're talking Buffalo sauce, red onion relish or even plant-based bacon.
When it comes down to Southbank eateries, Auberge is at the top of our list thanks to its delicious French food. Whether you're in the mood for deep-fried camembert, moules thailandaise, steak frites or boeuf bourguignon, this fabulous restaurant has it all. And make sure not to check out the rooftop bar offering pretty glimpses of The Shard, along with private drinking or dining spaces and a modern bar.
