Best Dinner Places to Eat in Barking

"The ferns, fig trees and purple African lilies that clamber up the final three storeys of the 'Walkie Talkie' skyscraper are mere wallflowers at this 155m-high rooftop garden – it's the rather extraordinary 360-degree views of London (the best in the City) that make this vast, airport-terminal-like space so popular (advance booking recommended). Located on the 35th floor of 20 Fenchurch St, the Sky Garden has front-row seats for the Shard and vistas that gallop for miles east and west."

"20 Fenchurch Street was beautifully designed by renowned architect Rafael Viñoly. The building spans 37 storeys and rhubarb occupies the top three levels alongside the public space known as Sky Garden, which provides 45,000 sq ft of high level amenity space. Visitors can wander around the exquisitely landscaped gardens with 360 degree panoramic views of London and all of the flora and fauna they need!"

"If you guys have been following this blog for a while you may have realised that I am borderline obsessed with Sky Garden. I think it’s not only one of the best views and best rooftop bars in London, but it’s also very Instagrammable. The combination of stunning views over the rooftops of London, with modern architecture and green plants is a winner for me."

"Like it’s taller sister Duck & Waffle, the spectacle of the iconic SUSHISAMBA Liverpool Street begins from the panoramic glass lifts, which whisk you up to the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower where the restaurant is located. It boasts one of the highest outdoor dining terraces in Europe, but during the winter months you can admire the views from indoors thanks to the restaurant’s three glass walls. A glamorous New York City import, the menu fuses together Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisines."

"Peruvian and Japanese cuisine have a well-known partnership, but at Sushisamba, the Brazilians are joining in the party too. You’ll find an El Topo salmon nigiri served with jalapeno and melted mozzarella, and a kobe steak with churrasco among the larger dishes. The sushi here, of course, comes with a view at the city location, where diners can enjoy the fruits of the 38th and 39th floor spot in 110 Bishopsgate."

"Sushisamba – the Brazilian, Peruvian and Japanese joint – is finally back up and running, and is certainly one of the best City of London rooftop bars. The indoor restaurant is now open as well as both outdoor terraces. Choose between the sprawling views on the East Terrace or toast the summer on the Tree Terrace under our iconic 26ft orange tree."

"A sour, hesitant welcome by a pompous ground-floor doorman made for a bad start to my visit to Duck & Waffle on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower. Once in situ service is still somewhat inconsistent - I found it slow at times, over-attentive at others - but overall the vibe here is relaxed and informal. The destination is more moderately priced than Sushisamba below, the clientele more diverse and the offering more accessible."

"Restaurants Contemporary European Liverpool Street. When 24-hour licensing was introduced in the UK, we looked forward to round-the-clock craic. Not much actually changed – but at least it meant London could welcome this swanky, sky-scraping restaurant and bar with its 24/7 opening hours and spectacular 360-degree views of the capital."

"The Duck & Waffle is a bit different when it comes to dining in London since it is open 24/7. Located on the fortieth floor, this restaurant has delicious British and European cuisine served in modern surroundings. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views."

"Restaurants Spanish King’s Cross. This Barrafina outpost is on the top floor of Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross has – in a Barrafina first – a few tables for four inside and some decent space for outdoor dining (every other restaurant has been counter seating only). The signature long dining counter, bustling open kitchen and menu packed with flavour all remain."

"In a nutshell: Everything breadcrumbed and fried Where is it?. 119 Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 0UD Why should you care?. Starting life as a delivery-only place during lockdown, this new venture is open as a bricks and mortar restaurant in Stoke Newington."

"Restaurants Contemporary Global Peckham"

"Somewhat bemusingly, it claims to be the oldest French restaurant in London despite only being founded in the 1940s. Still, the menu is brimming with classic French dishes, so we’ll forgive this apparent fib."

"Following all Soho House group traditions, The Ned’s spa offers a range of deeply relaxing Cowshed treatments, mani-pedis and the chance to get your back and sides done at Ned’s Barber. Built around a 20-metre pool, surrounded by marble columns, and featuring a traditional Moroccan hammam, the space is a welcome - and rather grand - retreat in the centre of The City. While non-members are welcome for treatments, spa facilities are currently restricted to Ned Club members and hotel guests only."

"In 2008 Shigemi Kawahara and his team took over New York's emerging ramen scene to rave reviews and packed dinnertime walk-in lines. While London might have been slow to pick up the ramen trend, it's here in full force, with Ippudo representing its slightly swankier side. Try a classic Tonkatsu, or branch out and try their Bakuretsu tofu: "spicy tofu, minced chicken and crunchy ramen noodles stewed in a sizzling pot"."

"Japanese , Ramen"

"Arguably the city’s most flamboyant restaurant, Richard Caring’s Sexy Fish is a sight to behold. Apparently it cost £15 million to produce – which won’t come as a surprise to anyone who has stepped inside. With bronze Damien Hirst-designed bronze mermaids adorning the bar, a coral reef ceiling, a giant gold-plated crocodile on display and walls running with water, the space feels like some kind of mystical, underwater-inspired wonderland."

"There’s only one place that we could be talking about and it’s, of course, Mayfair’s hottest restaurant, Sexy Fish. The restaurant brought in giant international names like the Martin Brudnizki Design Studio team and architect Frank Gehry to create sensational underwater motifs."

"Reserve a table - Take Away"

"Probably the first London opening to demonstrate the nature of the tail-end pandemic market: a corporate-indie (Harts Group) taking an absolutely premium Soho restaurant site (formerly Hix) and going hard on vibes, vibes, vibes. The large-format sharing plates — a short rib of beef; cochinita pibil; and an aping of Mexico City restaurant Contramar’s famous red-green sea bream all served with fixings and tortillas — are probably the trend to keep an eye on, following as they do from Santiago Lastra’s Kol, while frozen margaritas and a covetable mezcal range add their own buzz. If someone wanted to say “Soho is back,” they’d probably point here."

"The newest member of the ever-expanding family of London taquerias, El Pastor Soho will be bringing the company’s trademark tacos, tostadas, mezcal and a distinctly fiesta spirit to London’s West End. There’s not a single dud on the menu, which includes the house special taco, made with marinated pork shoulder and caramelised pineapple. 66-70 Brewer St, Soho, London W1F 9UP Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus"

"Taking over the old Hix space, El Pastor's latest Mexican restaurant is landing in Soho. Alongside tacos and tostadas, they have a bar with a "house party vibe" in the basement too."

"In a nutshell: A US chef and a Parisian restaurateur are hoping to make London their new home Where is it?. 13-15 West St, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9NE Why should you care?. New Orleans chef Slade Rushing has moved to London to open Louie in the old L'atelier de Joel Robuchon site in Covent Garden, joining forces with Parisian powerhouse restaurant group Paris Society."