Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Waterloo

"The view from Rafael Viñoly’s Sky Garden, also known as the Walkie-Talkie building, is unlike any other in the city. From here you can survey London’s ever-growing sprawl with the city stretching up to the north, Tower Bridge and the Shard to the south, and Canary Wharf to the east. It’s free to explore the tower’s three stories of landscaped public gardens, but make sure to book in advance."

"Located on floor 36 of the iconic Walkie Talkie, the views from the Darwin Brasserie are pretty striking. Although Fenchurch Restaurant – one of Sky Garden’s other offerings – is higher, the Darwin Brasserie has better views thanks to its position further back from the Sky Garden’s atrium roof. A good option if you want to enjoy the sights without the flocks of camera totting tourists."

"Get the lift to the top of 20 Fenchurch Street and let your toddler explore London’s highest public garden. There are 360 degree views of the London skyline, gardens to run around in and a café where you can buy cakes and pastries. Cost – Free, but you need to prebook."

"Equal parts Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian, SUSHISAMBA – nestled high up on the 38th and 39th floors of 110 Bishopsgate – is the place to see and be seen in the heart of the City of London. Standing tall as the second-highest restaurant in London and with floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, this space beguiles its guests with its immersive views of the city at night. Order yourself a moqueca mista – a platter of jumbo shrimp, squid, sea bass and mussels with coconut milk, dende oil and chimichurri rice – and you’ll catch a feeling for why people fall in love with SUSHISAMBA."

"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."

"Restaurants Brazilian Liverpool Street. Take the glass elevator clinging to the side of Heron Tower, shoot up 38 floors in a few stomach-flipping seconds, walk through the pulsating bar and find your way to the double-height glasshouse of a restaurant, with its magnificent bamboo-lattice ceiling and wraparound views. Japan, Brazil and Peru come together here, making Sushisamba a sure-fire hit for a showy date night."

"The “highest 24/7 restaurant in London”, Duck & Waffle in the Heron Tower is almost as spectacular as the ride up the lift is thrilling. Dishes, which are matched, but not limited to their appropriate time of the day include duck egg en cocotte with soldiers; ox cheek doughnuts and their signature crispy duck confit and waffle; and corn dogs, duck kebabs, and crispy pig ears. Duck and waffle at Duck and Waffle, in the City — a 24-hour restaurant that is more than a late-night outlier"

"Food isn't the only thing that's elevated at this slick City space. Nestled on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, Duck and Waffle is known for its 24 hour menu, unrivalled views and signature dishes; from the eponymous plate to the ox cheek doughnut."

"It’s on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, making it one of the highest bars in London and Europe, for that matter."

"The plush interiors, designed by Alexander Waterworth Interiors, are super plush, cosy and romantic. Sink into rich red leather sofas, enjoy a cocktail at the dark stained oak bar or (in the warmer months!) kick back in the foliage-adorned terrace and feel the love grow. Why is it the perfect romantic restaurant?"

"Sticking to a lower budget doesn't mean you have to compromise on flavour, as Comptoir Libanais prove. With vibrant interiors matched by a vibrant menu of Middle-Eastern dishes, it's a go-to for those looking to grab an affordable breakfast, lunch or dinner."

"This lively restaurant chain is bringing plates of crowd-pleasing Middle Eastern dishes to London's families. The Lebanese spot has something for even the fussiest little eaters, with a hearty menu of mezze including hummus, falafel and healthy salads."

"Comptoir Libanais is a fail-safe, boasting bright interiors and a flavoursome menu to match. Of course, there's plenty of plant-based goodies to enjoy from mezze platters to salads and falafel wraps."

"Situated in the fancy Broadgate Circle near Liverpool Street, Yauatcha City is a huge restaurant with a stunning outdoor seating area adorned with cherry blossom - a perfect date spot. If you fancy taking your other half, a great friend or a family member out for lunch, their Yum Cha set menu gives you a LOT for the price and takes away the stress of ordering - just pick a veggie or a meat option, your cocktail and wine/tea of choice and they'll take care of the rest. The set menu offer runs on the weekend and there are three different price points: £58 per person for half a bottle of Henriot Champagne and the rest of the menu, £49 for the same but with a bottle of wine (you can choose red or white) instead of the champagne, and £47 for a selection of teas as the drink."

"This high-end dim sum paradise has the best location within Broadgate Circle. It wraps around about a third of the public space, with large terraces on both sides. Sit out here on a hot summer’s day, nibbling on delicately crafted dumplings and meat filled bao buns."

"People flock to Yauatch for the brand’s precision-made dim sum (buttery venison puffs are a must). There is also a short menu of more substantial Chinese classics like stir-fried beef rib-eye with black bean sauce."

"Scoff and Banter is located opposite the O2 arena, on the edge of the Thames, with views across the water. It offers modern (mostly) British fare that’s described in the menu as ‘British Soul Food’. Essentially, it’s elevated pub food."

"Vermuteria is an all-day cafe/bar in Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross inspired by the origins of Vermouth distilling. There is a terrace with space for up to 40 to enjoy their food and drink menu, with dishes such as duck rillettes with cornichons and Highland venison ragù with potato gnocchi and aged Parmesan."

"Set up by Christian Oddono, whose grandmother used to make banging homemade gelato back home in Italy, Oddono’s is one of the highest quality ice cream franchises in London. Fresh, natural Italian gelato is what you can expect from any of Oddono’s London outlets with the group producing all of its flavours from scratch in their South Kensington lab on a daily basis. Oddono’s have made over 130 flavours in their time but the move to make, for my money, is a scoop of the austere Madagascan vanilla."

"Several shops across the city but we’ve plumped for their flagship establishment in Kensington. Their gelato is so good and so authentic that it wins awards on a regular basis across the country. Grab a couple of scoops to go and enjoy people watching while devouring it in this fascinating part of the city."

"Cool down with a delicious ice-cream cone at much loved Oddono's. Open since 2004, this family-owned Italian gelato shop has a range of more than 100 flavours and makes its authentic creations daily at its artisan laboratory, age-old and new recipes."

"Churning its way to the top is Snowflake after founder Asad and gelato Chef Paolo opened up their first shop in 2012. With eight years now under their belt, they have several stores across the city delighting the busy commuters, tourists and passers-by with their specialities, handmade with love using some of the world’s finest ingredients. Despite expanding, each gelato is made by hand using the traditional Italian method, allowing each one to be naturally unique, just like a real snowflake."

"Restaurants Ice-cream parlours Bayswater. ‘Serving happiness’ by way of sorbetti and gelati, this light, bright, faintly space-age parlour has come into its own since Exhibition Road’s pedestrian-friendly revamp. More than 40 flavours are available behind the counter, plus chocolate-dipped mini cones, sundaes, waffles and crêpes."

"When it comes to authentic Italian gelato, Prime Gelato is the real deal. Smooth, flavourful and with just the right amount of sweetness, this is gourmet gelato at its best. Exceptional quality and velvety textures come together to produce real gelato that keeps Italians and Londoners alike coming back."

"London's Dulwich Picture Gallery is the oldest public art gallery in the country, opening its doors in 1817. The gallery was designed by architect Sir John Soane and is a Grade II listing on England's National Heritage List for its design. Today, the Dulwich Picture Gallery has one of England's best collections of Old Masters."

"Dulwich Picture Gallery opened in 1817 in Southwark, southeast London. It is the first purpose-built and London’s oldest art gallery. Nowadays besides the permanent collection of Old Master paintings, the gallery offers a program of temporary exhibitions, as well as public events that engage the community."

"Head to pretty Dulwich in south London, where you’ll find works by the likes of Rembrandt, Gainsborough and Canaletto at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Alongside its collection of Baroque masterpieces, England’s first purpose-built gallery hosts regular exhibitions spanning many art movements and mediums."

"Stefan Kalmár, the Director of the ICA London states: The Institute of Contemporary Arts in London has been the model for most ICAs that exist in the world today. Since its founding in 1946, the ICA contextualises contemporary culture within the socio-political conditions of the times. The ICA was created as an institute (not a museum), for the contemporary (not just modern) and for all the arts (not just art)."

"The Institute of Contemporary Arts is an art gallery near London's Trafalgar Square. In addition to exhibits on contemporary art, the ICA includes two cinemas, a bookshop, a theatre, and a bar. Established in 1947, ICA creators wanted to create a place for artists and other creative and science folk to debate ideas without being constricted by the rules and traditions of the Royal Academy."

"While Camden Market and Brick Lane may be more famous, Maltby Street Market comes out on top when it comes to proper street food. At this lively weekend market in the hip area of Bermondsey that lies hidden away beneath the railway arches, only those in the know spend their time eating here. Home to some of the best producers in town, the market prides itself on gourmet street food and fresh produce whether you’re looking for the city’s best badass brownies, Mozambique burgers, tender beef steaks, melt-in-your-mouth cheese, gyozas, coffee or baked goods - there’s even top-notch gin on the menu."

"One of our very favourite outdoor markets in London, Maltby Street Market is back with a slightly different look. Like Camden Market, they’ll be using a one-way system to ensure social distancing, and street food traders are making a slow, distanced return to the market. The market’s permanent residents will be selling produce from the railway arches, and opening hours are 8am-3pm on Saturday, and 10am-4pm on Sunday."

"You won't just find your usual street food offering here (although there is plenty of that too). At Maltby, you can also expect some more gourmet twists on traditional dishes, alongside craft beers and fresh local produce - all in a very laidback setting under picturesque railway arches. When to visit: It's open on weekends, Saturdays from 10am-5pm and Sundays from 11am-4pm."

"Kings College London only recently opened this permanent site for the Science Gallery, a dedicated space for showing contemporary artwork that explores scientific questions. Its inaugural exhibition is all about addiction, called Hooked, and previous shows in its travelling days have investigated blood, food and orifices. Think of it as looking at science through the eyes of an artist."

"Science Gallery London is an art-science-and-health inspired gallery in London. The free museum has been open since 2018 in London Bridge after a series of pop-up exhibits across London. The gallery aims to bring together scientists, artists, and communities with three themed seasons every year."

": Row upon row of glass jars, with everything from tiny organisms, to strange two-headed beasts, to examples of gross diseases, this museum can be very creepy at times, especially when it’s quiet. However, it’s so much more than the freakshow that it is sometimes made out to be, offering a unique insight into the history of surgery and advances in modern medicine. The next few months are your last chance to see the museum before it closes in 2017 for refurbishment, so get going!"