London, with the mighty Thames slicing through its core and a tangle of canals snaking outward like silver threads, is rich in places to soak up the river – whether you’re watching nature bob on by from your perch or waving to the canal boats as they glide along. These are the best waterside tables to bag, whether you’re in for a sun-drenched lunch or a to marvel at the city’s lights reflected romantically in the water come suppertime.
Main image: The Summerhouse, Little Venice
The River Café, Hammersmith
No serious list of London’s riverside restaurants could reasonably exclude The River Café. A landmark since its earliest days in the late ’80s when it was founded by Ruthie Rogers and the late Rose Gray, this Hammersmith icon began life as a staff canteen for architect Richard Rogers’ practice (Ruth’s husband). It quickly evolved into one of the capital’s most revered dining rooms and, these days, has an A-list following that includes everyone from Victoria Beckham to Jony Ive – guests Ruthie now interviews on her own podcast. The food is simple, seasonal, and exclusively Italian, with chefs regularly flying to Italy for culinary inspiration. Yes, the prices are steep, but if your budget allows, a sun-soaked table on the riverside terrace here is truly one of London’s great dining pleasures. Book it.
Towpath, Haggerston
Sun’s out? Head immediately for Haggerston and, specifically, to a table at the perennially popular Towpath. It is the creation of Lori De Mori, an American Italian food writer, while inside the kitchen chef Laura Jackson rustles up an unpretentious roster of Italian inflected brunches and lunches (for the latter, think ultra smart cheese on toast – and frankly there is nothing nicer as river life rolls on by). Pretty and slightly boho in sensibility, there are no bookings here, so do turn up early and hope for the best. Oh, and supper is served Thursday to Saturday through the summer. Sam and Sam Clark call it ‘unique, charming and delicious in equal measure’, while mega fan Keira Knightley says, ‘Towpath is one of the reasons I live in London. It’s a jewel-like, dream of a place.’ Discover more.
Sam’s Riverside, Hammersmith
Just upstream from The River Café, this Sam Harrison-run establishment is the waterside sibling of the excellent Sam’s Kitchen in Chiswick and Sam’s larder, also in Hammersmith. Kick off with the excellent oyster menu or seafood platters (expect excellent stuff from a chef who previously worked for Rick Stein) and then move on to classic and beautifully executed mains, which hit all the right Anglo-French notes. On sunny days, nab a table on the terrace and be seduced by both food and setting. Sublime. Book it.
The Summerhouse, Little Venice
Tucked along the canals of Little Venice, this relaxed waterside restaurant evokes easy holiday vibes. With rolled-back windows, striped furnishings, and New-England-style seafood (think crispy calamari and popcorn shrimp), it’s a serene escape from city bustle. Surely one of the very prettiest restaurants in the capital. Date night on the cards? This is the one. Book it.
Darcie & May Green, Regent’s Canal
Part of the Daisy Green collective – and may we suggest the group’s most fun iteration of all – these vibrant, artfully painted barges in Paddington are perfect for both lazy brunches and long summer evenings. The brainchild of Prue Freeman and Tom Onions, whose idea took root in 2012 as part of street food collective, KERB, the winning Daisy Green formula has since been rolled out across a full roster of cafes, restaurants, secret underground gardens, canal boats and shipping containers. We’re pleased to report that punters can still expect the same Aussie-inspired dishes and cocktails that made it a hit from the very start. Plus, the boats themselves feature decorative paintings by Sir Peter Blake. What’s not to adore? And if you love this one, hop down to Richmond, where you’ll find Peggy Jean At Riverside Green – another floating ode to relaxed Australian cuisine. Book it.
Caravel, Regent’s Canal
A red barge reborn as one of London’s most romantic dining spots on the water, this is the stellar creation of brothers Fin and Lorcan Spiteri – a duo with serious London gastronomic lineage (their mum, Melanie Arnold, is the co-founder of Rochelle Canteen and dad, Jon Spiteri, is the co-founder of Session Arts Club). It shows. Restaurants on boats can, how can we say, feel a little… gimmicky. Not so Caravel, which serves up hearty, seasonal European fare in an intimate, candlelit setting. Expect dishes such as potato rösti with caviar, goats’ curd, broad beans and tapenade on toast, and saffron risotto with monkfish and squid skewer, alongside Fin’s bespoke cocktails (strawberry Negroni, rum ’n’ coke Old-Fashioned, for example). We love the bistro-style interior, and how the windows offer glimpses of canal life – in short, it’s the summer-date dream. Book it.
Ombre, Bethnal Green
Ombra is all about casual sophistication. Sitting just off the Regent’s Canal, this unfussy but utterly stylish Italian spot delivers seasonal plates with serious flair. The menu changes often (as they say, it is ‘dictated by the best produce available either from the motherland or by local small farmers’), but you can expect hand-rolled pasta, crispy polenta, rich ragu and lots of punchy aperitivi. Sit out front if the sun’s out, or perch by the big windows for views of the water and passing cyclists. A low-key gem that always over-delivers. And if you like what you taste, there is plenty more in the Ombra stable to sample, including Forno, its bakery, and Brillo, its pizzeria. Safe to say, no one’s going hungry. Book it.
Crate Brewery, Hackney Wick
Not all riverside hang-outs need linen napkins and reservation-only vibes. Crate is Hackney Wick’s beloved industrial-chic brewery and pizzeria, housed in a converted print factory right on the canal. Grab a picnic table out front, order one of their crisp, home-brewed lagers or IPAs, and dig into sourdough pizzas that punch well above their weight. It’s casual, buzzy, and one of the best people-watching spots in the east of the city. Book it.
1665 Brasserie, Hampton Court
For something a little grander, head to the leafy fringes of west London. Inside The Mitre Hotel – a riverside coaching inn turned boutique stay – you’ll find 1665 Brasserie, where classic British dishes meet soothing Thames views. Think pan-fried seabass, venison, crisp roast chicken, all served on a sunny terrace with whispering willows nearby. With boats bobbing outside and Hampton Court Palace just across the bridge, it’s ideal for a weekend escape lunch. Book it.
