Best Hot Spot Restaurants in Waterloo

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

BeckenhamCity of LondonDocklands & Canary WharfEast LondonNew MaldenNorth London

Neighborhoods

AldgateAngelBalhamBankBarbicanBarking

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

246 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Skylon

4.1

Excellent(3681)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• British • Waterloo

Booked 40 times today

Skylon is set in the middle of the vibrant South Bank with its floor-to-ceiling windows looking out across the Thames. With a seasonal British menu offering lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, the restaurant provides the perfect setting for any occasion.

2. The Archduke

4.5

Awesome(4296)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • Waterloo

Booked 24 times today

Set on the bustling South Bank, moments from the world-famous London Eye and Royal Festival Hall,The Archduke restaurant, cocktail and wine bar is a local institution. A mainstay since 1979, TheArchduke was the first restaurant to open in this area, occupying the Victorian railway archessurrounding Waterloo Station with live jazz performed every night and Sunday afternoon. Owned and operated by Black and Blue Steakhouse, customers indulge in heavenly cocktails,delicious wines and modern cuisine including mouth-watering steaks, grilled fish, andclassic rotisserie chicken. For your private events please contact us for details, we’d love to help you celebrate your specialoccasion.

A photo of The Black Penny Southbank restaurant

3. The Black Penny Southbank

4.4

Awesome(57)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Café • Lambeth

Booked 28 times today

Welcome to The Black Penny Southbank — your go-to spot for freshly prepared brunch, vibrant salads, speciality coffee, and classic-to-creative cocktails. We’re known for our gourmet brunch, featuring signature dishes like The Hunter and The Gatherer — our twist on the full English — as well as Wild Mushroom Polenta Hash, Salt Beef, and Crispy Duck hashes. Come evening, enjoy our all-day dining menu and unwind in our stylish cocktail bar. With antique-inspired interiors, upbeat music, and attentive service, we’re a standout in Southbank’s newest development by the London Eye. Committed to sustainability, we proudly partner with some of London’s best producers. Come and find a penny soon.

4. Wahaca Southbank

4.2

Awesome(53)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Lambeth

Booked 102 times today

Vibrant, Mexican small plates, made with over 200 ingredients, everyday by talented chefs. Cocktails freshly shaken to order, from iconic margaritas, made with 100% blue agave tequila, to mezcalitas and beautifully crafted non-alc cocktails. A taste of authentic Mexican flavours from Oaxaca to Wahaca. With a relaxed, laid-back vibe, where everyone’s welcome, any time of day.Cooking with fresh, local, ingredients, with a wide variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes, Wahaca has been consistently recognised as a leading sustainable restaurant.Our iconic Southbank restaurant is housed in eight recycled shipping containers, sitting alongside the Southbank Centre and overlooking the Thames. With outdoor terraces and river views, it’s the home of tacos and margaritas overlooking the river.

A photo of Hawksmoor Air Street restaurant

5. Hawksmoor Air Street

4.5

Awesome(13684)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Piccadilly

Booked 113 times today

The Hawksmoor Air Street menu is equally steak and seafood, receiving some of the freshest produce from Brixham Market & high standard UK beef, as well as cocktails made by award-winning bartenders.

A photo of Los Mochis London City restaurant

6. Los Mochis London City

4.3

Awesome(1235)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Pacific Rim • Liverpool Street

Booked 214 times today

Where Mexican & Japanese Cuisines Meet with City ViewsPerched above Broadgate Circle, Los Mochis London City promises an unparalleled fusion of vibrant Mexican and Japanese flavours with breathtaking city views. Explore diverse spaces, from the main dining area with a sushi bar to a scenic rooftop terrace, an intimate private dining room, a chic Agaveria bar & lounge, and an exclusive omakase experience. Each zone offers a unique ambiance, providing an unforgettable backdrop to savour the cityscape. Embark on a culinary journey that seamlessly blends Mexican and Japanese influences at Los Mochis London City, a top destination for a dynamic dining experience in the heart of the city.

A photo of St. JOHN Smithfield restaurant

7. St. JOHN Smithfield

4.8

Exceptional(4269)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• British • Farringdon

Booked 55 times today

Fergus Henderson’s original home of “Nose to Tail Eating” opened in a former smokehouse around the corner from Smithfield Market in 1994.Celebrating the finest of indigenous British produce and making the most of what is seasonally best whilst applying straight forward cooking techniques, St. John is now celebrated as one of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World and in 2009 was awarded its first Michelin Star.Nose to tail eating means that, where appropriate, every part of the animal should be put to good use in the kitchen and so along with Roast Beef and Lemon Sole, diners will find Rolled Pig’s Spleen, Kidneys and Ox Heart, Liver and Chitterlings as well as the Roast Bone Marrow & Parsley Salad, something of a ‘signature’ dish.

A photo of Hawksmoor Seven Dials restaurant

8. Hawksmoor Seven Dials

4.6

Exceptional(13229)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Covent Garden

Booked 87 times today

Hawksmoor Seven Dials – Steak, Seafood & Cocktails in Covent Garden.Tucked away in a former brewery just off Seven Dials, Hawksmoor is the spot for seriously good steak, seafood, and cocktails right in the heart of Covent Garden. Whether you’re settling in for a long lunch, grabbing a bite before or after the theatre, or just fancy a perfectly chilled martini at the bar, it’s the kind of place that feels special without being stuffy.The menu is all about top-quality British produce—grass-fed native-breed beef cooked over charcoal, sustainable seafood, and proper seasonal sides. And if you’re around on a Sunday, the roast is not to be missed: dry-aged beef, crispy beef-dripping roast potatoes, and ginormous Yorkshire puddings. Basically, great food, good people, and a place you’ll want to come back to.

9. Roast

4.2

Awesome(12005)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• British • London Bridge

Booked 64 times today

Deliciously British, Roast is aptly situated in Britain’s oldest food market. We are dedicated to classical British cooking and using the finest seasonal produce. Our dishes wines and cocktails are constantly evolving and, wherever you sit, there is a view- either into our open kitchen, over Borough Market or onto St. Paul’s Cathedral.

A photo of Riding House Fitzrovia restaurant

10. Riding House Fitzrovia

4.4

Awesome(4904)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Modern European • Fitzrovia

Booked 70 times today

Riding House Fitzrovia is a hit with locals and visitors alike, known for its fun, informal neighborhood vibe and high-quality Modern European cuisine. The restaurant's ambiance is consistently praised in reviews, with customers describing it as 'lively,' 'welcoming,' and 'trendy.' The food is also highly rated, with many reviewers noting the 'excellent' and 'delicious' dishes. It's a place that offers great food, excellent service, and a vibrant atmosphere, making it a 'hot spot' in Fitzrovia.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Mike
London •17 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
First time at Wahaca and can't believe I haven't been before. On a very warm evening, wanted somewhere to eat outside. Lovely location on The Southbank with a view of the river. Great service and the food was delicious and very reasonably priced. Will definitely not be my last visit.
More info
Wahaca SouthbankPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Lambeth
•
4.2
H
Helen
London •1 review
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
Lovely London setting, delicious food, quiet music so could chat, a little pricey but special
More info
SkylonPrice: Expensive• British• Waterloo
•
4.1
S
Shaun
London •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
The pre theatre menu is such great value especially for the fantastic quality of food
More info
Hawksmoor Air StreetPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Piccadilly
•
4.5
A
Angela
Kent •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
We had a pre theatre lunch with cocktails. The service was friendly and the food and cocktails were excellent. Such a unique venue will be coming back again
More info
The ArchdukePrice: Moderate• Steakhouse• Waterloo
•
4.5
M
Mingwei
London •1 review
4.0
Dined on Jun 22, 2025
We had lunch at 12.30, Sunday. We were informed that the food would be delayed for 40mins. A bit weird, as it was not fully seated and the kitchen is supposed to be 100% functioning in this busiest time. Fortunately we were not rushing on time. Service was good, people were friendly. Food was great as well.
More info
The Black Penny SouthbankPrice: Moderate• Café• Lambeth
•
4.4

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