The Lighterman
Safety precautions
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Common areas deep cleaned daily
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available
- Sealed or wrapped utensils used
- Limited number of seated diners
- Extra space between tables
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
Had a great time. Always better to be served Guinness in the proper glass though, rather than in a tall pint glass.
Great food and service... bit chilly outside but there were heaters. Terrace at back was closed unfortunately
We sat outside under a heater which kept us perfectly warm with a nice view of the square. Lovely.
It was great, always is. We'll be back. Merry Christmas!
Love it!! I keep on going back for more:) Fantastic location!
Portions a little on the small side, particularly the fries.
I attended the Lighterman last Sunday evening for a date night. We were disappointed with the service, it was slow and the waitress was always in a rush to get away. We both ordered the burgers but they arrived cold and tasteless. We had high expectations as I have eaten at The Lighterman twice before in the last 4 years and had great meals. The chips were stone cold, it was like eating cardboard. We barely ate our meals and we quickly asked the waitress for the bill. She took our payments with out asking what could have possibly wrong with our unfinished meals. Not once were we approached to ask how our meals were through out the evening. A meal we were looking forward to turned out to be incredibly poor.
We privately emailed the restaurant so we didn’t have to write a bad review however we haven’t had a response.
This restaurant doesn’t seem to have the time or staff to fully care and give time to there customers.
Really nice Christmassy ambience, quite loud but didn’t mind! Waiters were attentive and the food (Sunday Roasts) were absolutely delicious. Would definitely go back!
The service was exceptional, it is definitely value for money with generous portion sizes. Despite unprecedented times, the staff were cheerful and it made us feel welcome. We would definitely book here again.
Was good however felt constantly pressured by the waiter that we had to leave by a certain time. I know it’s busy because of covid but one reminder is fine, not five.
Rude and unhelpful staff. Overcharged, wrong drinks, cold (but tasty) food.
Hey Anon, I am sorry to hear about your past experience with us. Can you please provide me with some more details (booking name, what was wrong etc) so that I can look into this, and make sure it doesn't happen again. Many thanks,
We had a lovely time! Thanks to all staff who braved the cold to make this night so fun!
Whilst it was very busy being a Saturday night in December, I was left disappointed by our visit to The Lighterman. Service was slow, and we waited over 45 minutes for our food (one starter never arrived). After finishing our starters we were told they would need the table back in 20 minutes to which we said we hadn’t even had our main courses so that won’t be possible.
We were sat outside and whilst there were plenty of heaters, they were more like glorified lamps that gave our zero warmth!
Beautiful restaurant- all spaces were great. We ate by the canal and it was cold outside and had to keep pressing the shared button to keep the lamps on.
Food looked and tasted great- I just wish there was slightly more to eat.
I would definitely come back here.
Great evening and lovely ambience thanks to all the staff
Hey SarahW, thanks for leaving a great review! We hope to see you again soon.
Waiter we had was pushy and rude
I usually go here and service and food are excellent.
Hey Alepat1978, I apologise that your last visit with us was not up to our usual standard. I do hope that you will give us another chance, and we hope to see you again soon.
Overall disappointing. The food was average and expensive for what it was. We were overcharged for drinks when the bill arrived.
We asked to move inside after our meal and was told we had to buy more food, even though we were still drinking . This may be the house rule, but given the restaurant was not that busy, it felt unnecessary and just profiteering.
The staff were not that friendly or accommodating.
This is a nice restaurant but the staff demonstrate a level of arrogance presumably based on its popularity and it's prime location. I would not rush back there.
Hi Benjamin, I am sorry to hear that your last visit did not live up to expectation. I apologise about you being overcharged for drinks, and hope that this was corrected on the day. Unfortunately, due to Teir 2 restrictions we cannot serve alcohol without food, and any customers that wish to stay longer and keep drinking will also have to continue to order food. Please let me know directly when you plan to visit next so that I can make sure you are looked after. Thanks
Very impressive - good food, great atmosphere and reasonably priced.
Hey JamesL, thank you for the great review! We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Completely understand it’s difficult for staff during these times but poor welcome from staff at the door.
Was offered a miserable table just inside the door or a table at the window. It was 12.30 on a Friday & empty, why not offer people the best tables when you’re empty?
Had a salad which was fine but the chicken I ordered to accompany it was not a fresh chicken breast but sliced reformed meat. The menu is poor & needs updating.
Have visited The Lighterman a number of times now, mainly because in Coal Drop Yard it’s a cheaper option to the other hugely overpriced restaurants.
Would recommend but would warn what to expect and watch out for extra drinks being added to the bill.
Hi Chilly, thank you for taking the time to write a review! I do apologise that this visit did not live up to your expectations, and we will take this all on board to improve our service. We had 335 covers on Friday lunch and as such had all the tables allocated for particular bookings. I can assure you that all our produce is freshly delivered, and freshly prepared. Please let me know directly on your next visit so that I can make sure you are looked after. Many thanks
Modern stylish venue overlooking Granary Square and canal. A good place to go in the current restrictions with plenty of covered outdoor seating. Good selection of food. Not super cheap but good quality and nice presentation. Side dishes not always necessary but menu could be clearer on this.
Staff helpful and although booking limited to two hours found us another table for coffee after the meal. Layer up for cold weather but you won't regret coming.
Hey MikeF, thank you for taking the time leave a great review, and I am happy to hear that you enjoyed your time with us! We hope to welcome you again soon!
Good easy option in kings cross. Nice atmosphere in the downstairs bar. Staff were nice, but not terribly attentive. Had to wait a bit for food (about 25/30 mins) but was good when it came. Would recommend the flatbreads!
Hi RichardJ, thank you for the feedback! I will be sure to pass this on to the team! We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Really warm heaters, excellent small plates/sharers and our waiter was really friendly and helpful
Hey HarrietJ, thank you for taking the time to leave a review! I am glad to hear that you enjoyed yourself and we look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Was pleasantly surprised by our lunch given we had to sit outside in December due to restrictions. However, the heaters were effective and the canopies ensure a homely atmosphere. The food was excellent and the the service attentive. Faultless.
Hi JaneH, I am glad to hear that you and your friends had a great time with us! We hope to see you again soon.
Very dog friendly! Lovely food and excellent service!
It was a cold, cold night and we were seated right at the very edge of the external seating area so only just covered by the outer limits of the heaters but it was plenty warm enough to sit for a couple of hours.
The service was outstanding - fast, polite and upbeat. The social spacing was managed brilliantly well and I felt totally safe.
Hi HelenaO, thank you for taking the time to leave a review, and I am happy to hear that you had a great time with us the other day. I will be sure to pass this feedback on to the team! We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Visited for lunch with a friend so sat outside. All staff were great: food not good. We ordered artichoke and chestnut soup which arrived tepid, sweet potato chips which were old, cold and soggy and a 'flat bread' with sausage and tomato. It was in reality a very thin pizza base with an oily/slimy and wartery topping which meant the majority of the base was soggy. Sent the soup and chips back for new which then we're fine. But why should be have to? Gave up on the wet pizza.
The best part of lunch was a Guiness and the house white which was ok. Not good value for not a good lunch experience.
Hey NickC, I am sorry to hear that you did not enjoy your last visit with us. I do apologise that the food was not served to our usual standard. I will discuss this with the and make sure that this does not happen again. Please can you let me know directly when you plan to visit next so that I can make sure that you are well looked after. Thanks
Excellent we sat outside but I felt the tables were too close together. The sausage pizza was excellent
Hey Stephanieb, thank you for the review. We make sure to measure our tables before each service to make sure that we are complying with the current government guidance. We hope to see you again soon.
Heaters could work a bit better but this is a great place with lovely food and good staff.
Hey JetD, thank you for the feedback! We hope to see you again soon.
Great bar! I've been here a few times and loved it every time. Food is amazing too!
Hey SandyA, thank you for the great review! We look forward to welcoming you back again soon!
Lots of outside space, with umbrellas and heaters for when it's cold and raining.
Good food and quick service, would go back again.
Hi MirG, I am happy to hear that you had a great time with us the other day. We are trying to make it as comfortable as we can for those who have to dine outside! We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Had a really good experience here. The staff were really friendly and helpful, and the food was delicious. Overall a great venue with a great atmosphere.
Hi Rayf, thank you for taking the time to leave a review! I am happy to hear that our team were able to look after you. I will pass on the feedback.
Unfortunately the night we went to The Lighterman the outdoor heaters and electricity kept having issues and turning off. At one point we were sitting in the freezing cold and dark. We eventually had to move indoors which was not what we wanted to do due to covid.
The restaurant was slow to check on us and we had to take measures into our own hands to move tables. Poor service without any compensation for apologies from the staff.
Food was only okay, as half of it was eaten in cold dark atmosphere outdoors.
Very disappointed in how The Lighterman handled things for us. May be dining elsewhere this winter.
Very friendly welcoming staff and a nice ambience. Reasonable prices but the food was disappointing. I ordered a burger which was very dry.
Hey Elizabeth, thank you for the feedback. I am sorry to hear that you did not enjoy your meal, and I will be looking into this with the chef. Thank you.
Really good service and atmosphere, recommend it to anyone.
Hi Mahir, thanks for the great feedback! We hope to see you again soon.
Great margheritas, had a good if chilly evening with 5 friends.
Hey Genesis, thank you for leaving a great review, and happy to hear that you and your friends had a great time with us! We hope to see you again soon.
Great- keep on coming back as i love the location , the food and the ambiance.
Hi LineL, thank you for the kind words. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Always wanted to try this place and it didn’t disappoint! It would be even better in the summer
Hey FatimaJ, thanks for the kind words, and you are right - our terraces are picture perfect in the summer! We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Very nice Sunday roast, in the outside terrace with heaters. Staff very fast and super attentive.
A lovely setting - we were seated on the upstairs terrace under a heater and overlooking the canal. Service very attentive, food was good but not amazing for the price. Would recommend.
Hey Anon, I am glad to hear that you enjoyed our First Floor terrace for an al fresco meal! We hope to see you again soon.
Amazing Sunday roasts in a fantastic location with lovely views of Granary Square! The nut roast was excellent . Staff were a little hurried as it was getting busy, so weren't as attentive as they could have been.
FAQs
You can order delivery directly from The Lighterman using the Order Online button. The Lighterman also offers delivery in partnership with Deliveroo.
The Lighterman is rated 4.3 stars by 1967 OpenTable diners.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable. Due to local restrictions, this restaurant may not be accepting reservations at the moment.