London Restaurants within a 5 minute walk of Barbican Station | Ratings, Reviews & Maps

As a regular business traveler to London, I have stayed in many of the 4&5 star hotels. The Malmaison London sits towards the top of the list. Quiet location (rare), rooms and showers excellent, breakfast choice is very good. Staff were quick to respond to my request and without fuss. I will be back!
Robert - 2 weeks ago

This contemporary modern hotel with fresh and vibrant colours is located a 3 min walk from the Barbican underground station. From the moment you walk in, you are transported into a world of lovely designs and splendour. The reception is on the ground floor whilst there is a stairway that leads to the lower ground floor where the hotel's restaurant and bar is located. The bedrooms are beautifully done with luxe materials and it's great value for money. The food was so good, tasted their new sample menu and I was blown away. The service all through the evening was professional and welcoming, their staff catered to our needs and showcased their meeting spaces too. Over all, I would recommend it for corporate events, meetings, away days and overnight stays ❤️🙌🏽
Olapeju Ashiru - 2 months ago

Had a lovely stay at Malmaison for my birthday. Lovely touches left in the room including balloons and two small cakes which were delicious. The room was nicely furnished, spacious and clean. Located in a quiet square close to the station which was convenient and our room had nice views of the square at the front of the hotel. Breakfast was delicious and staff were very friendly and professional. Would recommend for anyone visiting.
Alice Fortune - 5 months ago

A warm and friendly welcome at this stylish but homely hotel. The front desk staff were superb. Room faciliities were spot on and the location was great. Breakfast was good but a little slow. We will be back for sure.
Victoria Giordano - 3 months ago

A fantastic hotel, especially convenient if you have meetings at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. Its central location makes it an excellent base for exploring the area. The rooms feature the distinctive, stylish decor Malmaison is known for, adding to the charm of your stay. The full breakfast is absolutely worth it—delicious and satisfying. The staff are exceptionally friendly and attentive, making the overall experience even better. Highly recommended!
John X - 4 months ago

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What a special restaurant! Really enjoyed the inventive British menu, every dish was unique and thoughtful, without being pretentious. Fun to try some more unusual cuts of meat. Great drinks list and the bread pudding dessert was incredible. Service was extremely thoughtful and attentive, and helpful with dietaries. Wonderful experience and I look forward to our next visit!
Ying Wong - a week ago

Very much enjoyed this visit. The room had a great vibe. The service is very friendly, and the food was fantastic. We had a large group and had almost one of everything and it was all good. Some weird stuff like chicken neck and lamb liver but all of was excellent. The smell and taste of the fresh Madeleines at the end were simply awesome. I will be back on future London visits.
P Mizell - 2 weeks ago

Perfect for people who want good cooking with adventurous options! Got a drink at the bar as I arrived a little early, house wine was great. Our waitress was wonderful, and spent extra time recommending dishes for us. I got the Pig and Ox Liver, both of which were amazing. The madeleines cannot be missed, I would go for them over a regular dessert. Easy recommendation, get a reservation early!
Sam Gamgi - a month ago

We stopped here for lunch while exploring England, drawn in by the restaurant’s strong reputation. Our group ordered a wide range of dishes—from tripe to a simple roast chicken—but unfortunately, none of them left much of an impression. My roast chicken, in particular, was disappointing: moist but bland, and honestly not as good as what my mom makes at home. Surprisingly, the appetizers were more enjoyable than the mains, which helped salvage the experience a bit. Overall, we left feeling underwhelmed and less enthusiastic about exploring British cuisine—unless it’s the classic fish and chips.
Jordan Higgins - a month ago

Attentive service. Food was great. Bone marrow tasted great but very little substance. The butter was nice. Madeleines was perfect. Ambience a bit plain and run down. Feels not so clean.
Chinese Moon - a month ago

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I was very lucky to be taken on a first date here. The restaurant was empty but the food was amazing. Had a phenomenal tasting menu and by the end, my date and I were on the floor, we could not eat anymore, we were extremely well fed. They really catered to my date’s gluten free diet as well so he was not missing out on anything. The only annoying thing for me was the person serving us wouldn’t leave us alone to talk on our date, she proceeded to tell my date her entire life story which I found rather odd. They need to leave people alone to have their conversations and not tell them their entire life story, highly inappropriate especially as I was on a first date. However the food was incredible and they really catered to my date’s gluten free requirements so we were both very happy.
Saher J - a month ago

For the price they charge, I would expect much better service. We had a dinner for my anniversary. I specified that, when booked the table, however no one greeted us for our celebration. We had 6 course tasting menu. Food was ok, but not more than that. Despite being a French restaurant, I sensed a lot of middle-eastern notes in spices and sauces. My wife did not touched the mushrooms, but no one asked her if she wants something else. I was almost running for the waitress to get the bill. After all that, 13.5% were included for the service fee. Don’t understand how restaurant with such service gets a Michelin star. Very disappointed. I am sure there are better venues in London
Simon Abramovich - 3 months ago

This restaurant lives up to its Michelin status. Amazing food and fantastic service! I read the menu before booking this restaurant... Description of food sounded so delectable I was immediately hooked. Upon arrival, we were directed to our table.. The server was very friendly and made several recommendations for our meal. We started with the smoked bread and trio of butters. Then had the Faux Foie Gras (yummy!) and White Asparagus & Sorrel Sorbet (another star dish) for starters. We chose Tipsy Duck, Confit Legs for mains. Duck portions were very generous (whole duck shared between 2 pax) and served as a duck breast (medium rare, nicely pink and tender) and a duck confit leg. The duck confit leg was very moist and tender.. Falls off the bone. Skin wasn't crispy though. Very flavourful (salty). The accompanied sides (mash + salad) were done to perfection as well, particularly, the mash. For dessert, we shared the Phyllosophies, which was another unique creation from the Michelin star chef. All the courses were beautifully plated and exquisite prepared. We had a very enjoyable meal.
R W - a month ago

The food was great overall, the starter was fake fois gras made using nut butter which was yummy and ethical. Haha. The main was roast duck and portion was generous. However the lemon dessert with curry cream inside was not nice.. the waitress said it was their signature dessert and they have been making it for 26 years... omg, lemon and curry combo was probably the worst thing I have tasted. But the cheese and bread round up the meal nicely. Service was excellent and atmosphere was good. Price was definitely eye watering but overall experience was a pleasant one. We had a nice evening there.
C. C. - 7 months ago

The food is very tasty. The chef is very classy but with some modern twist. The dining room is beautifully decorated. There is plenty of space between tables. The service is flawless- friendly，professional and efficient. The pace is very well controlled. The portion is surprisingly big！ Would definitely recommend to everyone！Well worth the price！
duanmu wang - a year ago

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Nice small pub close to St Bartholomew's Hospital and Smithfield's Market. The staff were friendly and welcoming. They had a good selection of beers, wine and spirits to choose from. They also served food
Jennifer Clifford - 5 months ago

Small pub with a terrific beer selection. Not many ales if that is your thing. Dining area upstairs with toilets downstairs. Pleasant service.
Christopher Griffin - 5 months ago

Had drinks and dinner here last night. Only went downstairs so not sure what it’s like upstairs but was pleasant down stairs. Service was really good. Polite and friendly barman. Ordered a platter of wings and potato wedges etc. was pretty good for £29. Was enough to share for three. Extra points for this place having a cute dog while I was there.
Tom - 6 months ago

My favourite pub in London. I always enjoy coming back here for their amazing pies. The staff are very friendly and welcoming. I definitely recommend it.
Karolina Kędzierska - a week ago

Went to this pub yesterday before going to see hawkwind. Lovely little pub on two levels,we sat upstairs. Had food. Chicken and ham pie mash and vegetables,my husband had beef and ale pie chips snd vegetables. Lovely food and a decent portion size too. Great friendly service. Busy pub with a good vibe.
Claire Salter - 3 weeks ago

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A great pub with great atmosphere, comfy sofa/chairs, a piano, a resident cat- and most importantly has a few boardgames. So essentially you can always come here with your friends and play (for free might I add- unlike those commercial and expensive boardgame pubs)
Sazid Ahmad - a year ago

🚇 Barbican 🍺 £6.70 Moretti ❤️ A brutalist Barbican boozer. The Shakespeare sits on a corner of a crescent of shops and flats at the front end of the Golden Lane Estate EC1. The nearest Tube is Barbican which is only a two minute walk. The Shakespeare was built in 1964 and is Grade II listed. The name is inspired by the Bard himself, who lived some hundred metres away throughout his time in London. The is a one bar pub with a comedy club in the basement. The bar is set out in almost a “H” shape with the servery on the left hand side as you walk in. Even though this pub is traditionally decorated, due to the architecture of the building it does feel modern in here. The seating is a mix of elongated leatherette banquettes, a few poser tables and traditional tables and chairs. Around the walls are gold framed Elizabethan era repro portraits, mirrors and chalkboards with promotions. The beer choice was a straightforward selection of keg beers and ciders. I opted for a Moretti, decent enough pint but a bit pricey for this lager. There is a simple eclectic food menu comprising of Burgers, pasta and Toasties, a Ham & Cheese Toastie cost £5.95. I arrived around 4.30pm on a sunny Friday afternoon in July. The pub was fairly quiet as Fridays in the city are not as busy as they once was. There were a few punters sat inside, the majority were sat outside enjoying the summer sun and watching the world go by. The service here was excellent, the Guvnor is a bit of a character, he was jovial and set an upbeat tone. @theshakespearebarbican is not the most handsome of boozers you’ll come across and almost has an estate pub feel. I enjoyed my visit here primarily due to the pub’s location and sitting outside watching the comings and goings around the Barbican. This pub is worth a look of you’re in the area. ℹ️ Info correct on visiting 07.07.23
London Pub Map - a year ago

Nice pub just on the outskirts of the Barbican. Some outdoor seating on the sunny side of the street. Perfect for catching a few rays.
Debra Roberts - 2 months ago

The barmen were friendly. Happy hour cocktails (5-7pm) are valid when ordering the same drink. The food menu was quite limited but from the options available, we chose tortellini and a beef burger - both were delicious. Toilet facilities could be better.
Edward Rayner - 3 years ago

A large, modern pub, but with several different sections. It was quiet on the Saturday evening that I went, so I would say a good place for a quiet pint and maybe a neighbourhood pub. A reasonable selection of beers.
Peter Claydon - a year ago

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Very nice place for a good selection of food and wine. Overall, the atmosphere is relaxed and the service is friendly and attentive. Had a very lovely Cornas wine from the northern Rhône region, chosen from their ‘not coming back’ wine list. Had a nice selection of small dishes, all very delicious. The dessert weren’t fantastic, but tasty nonetheless. Would absolutely be happy to come back!
Lars Bjørnbakk - 6 months ago

Had the set lunch menu, which is good value for money. Good portion, and the food was ok. The waiting staff are nice and attentive however the kitchen is too slow, it took ages for our starters and mains to be served.
Traveler Sans Frontières - 7 months ago

We went here for a friends 30th birthday and it was pretty good. The prawn starter was full of bursting flavours, and the pecan dessert was impeccable.
Sofia Silva - 4 months ago

I had lunch with my daughter at Vinoteca Farringdon. I chose the Cauliflower soup with croutons for my starter. The waitress took the knife and fork away when she brought my soup and left the dessert spoon. I requested a soup spoon, so she brought a serving spoon. I explained I wanted a soup spoon, not a serving spoon. It appears they do not have soup spoons. I do not like eating soup with a dessert spoon. The Cauliflower soup was delicious and filling 😋 The Sea Bass, my daughter, had for main course was well presented. I also enjoyed the chocolate brownie with ice cream for dessert.
Len Page - a year ago

We booked the private room for a special occasion for 20 guests. The space is a beautiful setting, the food was amazing and the service was impeccable. The team were attentive and proactive throughout and were really diligent with a couple of allergies within the group. Thank you guys for making our night so memorable!
Jamie Harvey - 2 months ago

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Loved our experience! I decided to come here for my last dinner in London before I move and it was amazing! Ghow was so friendly and took care of us through the whole experience. It’s really like no other. The food was amazing even tho we couldn’t see a single thing. Would totally recommend 🩷
Effy Liu - 2 months ago

A completely different experience & very humbled with the experience. How it felt to be blind for a couple hours, eating food and drinking while trying to figure out what I was eating with people on other tables chatting away. Your phones & any smart devices that give light are taken away and stored in a safe locker on arrival and you’re seated to have a drink before the experience begins. Personally I loved the experience as was worth every penny of it. Polite staff all round. Such a dope experience in my eyes & i would and will definitely be trying it again. I spent around £180 something as we went for the 3 course meal chefs surprise & a few glasses of wine. The food was I say 3/5, it wasn’t crazy delicious. Starter and desert for me was the best, main was good. We all know wine boosts up everything. Thank you again for this humbling experience. What I can say is that I’ve eaten and EATENNNNN there 🤭
Mr 10 - 4 months ago

I bought this experience for my son's birthday after he said "I saw everything, nothing can surprise me any more"... But... It's was pp absolutely unexpected! Firstly we were seen in a bar and offered cocktails. After the explanation we were escorted to the restaurant. It was absolutely pitch black ! All waiters blind. First impression - panic. You try to concentrate and see at least something but .. nothing. After a few minutes you relax... Andy there all the enjoyment starts! Our waiter was a very nice woman, she was very attentive and friendly. Food -amazing!! Not every Michelin star restaurant can offer duck high quality dish! Our starter was sea bass tartrate with asparagus, peas shoots and artichokes. Main was venison steak with artichokes and white asparagus. And white chocolate martini... Omg....it was divine! Nice touch... Everyone in the restaurant was singing happy birthday to my son! So cute! My son was gobsmacked! After he said "now I saw everything, it will be the memory for the rest of my life"
D. K. - a month ago

Definitely an interesting experience to try, but the price to quality ratio was not there. The food itself was enjoyable, but I'd estimate at least half of the price you're paying is for the experience and unique element of the restaurant, rather than the food or atmosphere. The biggest issue for our party though was the atmosphere of the place. While the staff were very friendly and our blind waiter was accommodating, the dark room feels very cramped, and appears to have a lot of hard surfaces, so it was extremely loud both with guests, waiters, and service. It's necessary for the staff to speak as they move, so they don't bump into people and people know to expect them; and it's known that guests can sometimes be louder when they don't have visual contact with the person they're speaking to, but the volume, clattering, chaotic service, and raised voices really give the atmosphere of a fast food restaurant, rather than a relaxed dining establishment. For a venue that is focused on removing a sense, so heightening others, I'd expect more attention to be paid here. Focusing on improving the atmosphere with solutions such as, softer surfaces, calmer staff, quieter trolleys, using gentle bells to communicate movement, playing calming music, having fewer guests so there is more space between them, briefing guests before they're in the dark rather than hearing the same shouted explanation for each new group that arrives, or even having the bar staff downstairs operate in a calmer and more relaxing manner, would make a good improvement to the experience and make it more likely we'd bring people back. Right now, you're paying a relatively high price for the experience of being in the dark, with fast food quality atmosphere, food around the quality of your average pub, and generic wine. Perhaps fun to try once, but not something we'd revisit or recommend. Our advice, try one of the other dining in the dark experiences that exist around the world that pay more attention to the atmosphere, not just food in the dark. Or if you're going to go to this one, bring earplugs and/or book at the earliest time slot.
Pez Cuckow - 2 months ago

Having wanted to visit for years, Dans Le Noir turned out to be an incredible, new experience I enjoyed with friends as part of my 30th birthday celebrations. Our Restaurant Guide- Aliya- was so welcoming and bubbly; it felt like she was genuinely having fun being with us. Though I won’t talk about the food, it was all delectable. I started off using cutlery…but always relied on my fingers to ensure a clear plate at the end of each course! Dining in pitch black was very surreal: I liked having to rely on touch, smell and sound throughout the meal.
TFT - 4 months ago

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The place is stunning. The views from top floor are amazing. The food was fabulous. High quality, well prepared, spot on presentation. The staff is very attentive and always on hand to help. Felt very welcoming. Highly recommend for both the meal and the view. The terrace in the summer is definitely the perfect choice.
Karolina G - a month ago

We had such a brilliant evening at the Grill at Smiths of Smithfield. Huge thanks to Head Chef Tim and the kitchen team – every dish was spot on. The T-bone steak was a real highlight: perfectly cooked, with the sirloin just a touch more done than the fillet, exactly how we like it. Starters and sides were all delicious, and the desserts were honestly fantastic – clearly a very talented pastry team behind them. Lukasz looked after us so well, and the cocktails were great too – the coconut margarita and smoked old fashioned really hit the spot.
Zak Samak - 2 weeks ago

A top-notch Top Floor Experience! Amazing service from the always professional and lovely Lenka! Beautiful of London on the sunny patio a perfect place to relax and enjoy a glass of Nytimber sparkling! Chef Stan is leading the show by creating magical dishes in that kitchen, let me tell you: the most perfect oysters with playful tequila granita, scallop tartare with lardo to die for, delightful pickled tomatoes, Devon crab and zesty yuzu.. need I say more!?
GourmetGab by Pertu - 2 months ago

Wonderful evening. We had a roof top champagne work event here. The Hors d’Oeuvres and cocktails were wonderful. Our main waitress for the evening was Lenka. She was amazing.. attentive, friendly and non intrusive.. very professional. She made the evening run so beautifully. Thank you so much for a successful evening.
A Y - a week ago

I had an amazing experience and left feeling truly delighted, all thanks to the exceptional service from Maria, Alex, and Florin! Their dedication made the visit unforgettable. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a perfect blend of delicious food, great ambiance, and top-notch hospitality!
Armel Dakleu - 4 months ago

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Amazing cozy pub serving crispy base pizza and good house pours 🍻🍻. We ordered one of everything for pizza. Great place for team drinks+food on a budget 😊
Chloe Chan - 2 months ago

I booked a table for 15 for a work social at White Bear and we were given the whole downstairs area which was super cute and cosy, vibey and had a private bar. It was quite hot as it was right by the pizza oven but the lovely staff brought us down a giant fan when they could see we were struggling which was perfect. The pizzas were absolutely delicious and the service of the one barmaid manning the private bar completely alone (didnt catch her name but had brown hair) was incredible. She was running up and down the stairs getting drinks from the main bar for us and dealing with the chaos of the definitely more than 15 people that turned up. I havnt had such good service from anyone in London for a very long time, she made the evening perfect and couldnt do enough for us. Thank you so much for being so nice and chill, you made the evening perfect! Would definitely return to White Bear, such a nice and atmospheric pub compared to so many blah ones in the area. Thanks again!
Anna Savage - 2 weeks ago

What a great spot. The pizza was delicious (had the pepperoni slice) and even though I've spent the last decade in NYC I wasn't at all let down, it was great. Prices are good, plenty of space, and the staff was nice, too. Plus WiFi? Great spot.
Leo Wiggins - a month ago

We came in for a team drinks catch up. We immediately liked the cozy vibe. The staff were super helpful and friendly and made us feel very welcome. We all loved the pizza and had a really good time. We'll be back for sure! Thank you guys!
Steph Wigglesworth - 4 months ago

One of the best boozers in the area. Feels old, but with a modern vibe. I booked for 15 people and there was plenty of space, service was friendly. Worth your time!
Dan Spry - 3 months ago

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I recently had the pleasure of photographing a wedding at Balfour at St Barts, and I can confidently say it’s a hidden gem in the heart of London. This venue combines a love for English wine, exceptional food, and a stylish atmosphere, making it an unforgettable setting for any wedding or special event.
The Kensington Photographer - 7 months ago

Held a private event here (wedding). It was so much fun! Food was great, staff incredible and it was all reasonably priced. We had a wine tasting before which was much appreciated (thanks, Daphne!)
Elizabeth Pearson - a year ago

We got married here in June 2023 and couldn't be happier with our venue choice. The entire planning process was very smooth due to the very helpful Matilda who was a huge help in making sure our wedding planning was stress-free and our day was perfect. The venue is the perfect location for a London wedding as the streets are very quiet at the weekends meaning our guests could all enjoy drinks outside and we could get some fantastic photos without hardly anyone around at all. The food was a stand out part of our day, with countless guests telling us it was the best food they have ever had at a wedding! The menu options are great and we could not fault the food at all. Overall we had a great experience at Balfour St Barts and could not recommend it enough as a wedding venue!
Olivia Gahagan - a year ago

We attended a private function so it was only our guests there. It's a lovely venue, spacious with plenty of seating. There's also an upstairs area with a glass balcony that overlooks the downstairs. Stylishly decorated.
Debra DS - 10 months ago

We went for dinner and drinks. The staff were lovely and wine was excellent (as expected, as we had previously visited the winery and knew the Balfour wine was great!). However, unfortunately there wasn’t much of an atmosphere as it was the first week in January and assume it’s quieter than usual, and the food was cold and overcooked at the same time. A real shame as I think the location, staff and wine make it fantastic, but just missing the atmosphere and good food. It was also very expensive for what we got!
Sarah Ralphs - 5 months ago

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