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

Gorgeous hotel, all hotel staff were really friendly and accommodating. Only downside was there seemed to be limited staff in the bar area, the staff that were there were very friendly and professional but they couldn't prepare cocktails. Maybe there needs yo be some training so guests can enjoy everything advertised on the menus.
Adrian Farrow - 3 months ago

Overall, a nice hotel - handy location, cool interiors, cosy bed with good quality bedding, nice breakfast, polite service, and it's not noisy. However, the room was very cold, with no option to put the temperature up (only the cold aircon setting was working). At the end of October heating function should already be available, and temperature in the room should be at least 20c at all times - not in its "teens". Shower was also lukewarm even at the hottest setting. I would like to come back during the summer, but would be afraid to be this cold again during another winter stay.
Agne Dr. - 8 months ago

Amazing room! Kasturi and the rest of the reception team were incredibly professional. As always, breakfast was delicious—Pravin and Steve provided the best service and are such humble people. Overall, a great stay.
Shah Deep - 3 months ago

My wife and I stayed overnight at the Malmaison in London last Sunday. She became very ill the morning we were checking out. The staff - especially Blessing - were spectacular. She was kind and understanding allowing us to extend our checkout time. Thankfully, my wife was able to recover enough for us to leave later in day. Forever grateful for the support and generosity we received. The hotel and our room were lovely. It is in an excellent location in London as well - very convenient with the Elisabeth line tube station a short distance away and you’re spoiled for choice regarding eateries, bakeries and coffee shops. We will definitely be returning!
Roy Raphael - 6 months ago

Above and beyond! A huge thank you to Victor and Blessing. My husband and I stayed at the Mal in London on a Sunday evening before the Christmas holiday. The room was lovely and the service was excellent. Unfortunately, I became quite ill early on Monday morning when we were to check out. We were offered a very late check out to accommodate our needs and assured we could stay in the room another night if I was unable to travel. Luckily, I was able to travel by 2:00 pm. The excellent service and kind words that Blessing and Victor offered us made a very challenging situation much easier. The location was fabulous, only a few minutes walk from the Elizabeth Line. The area is especially peaceful at night. Our room overlooked the Charterhouse. Everything you might need including coffee shops and restaurants are only a short walk from the Square. We will definitely return to this Malmaison!
Robin Sharp - 6 months ago

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A legendary London restaurant I’ve long wanted to visit: St. John. Located right next to London’s largest meat wholesale market, it’s famous for its exceptional offal dishes and lesser-known cuts, especially its iconic beef offal. Today’s daily special was ox heart, and it was absolutely stunning—so delicious and perfectly executed. The bone marrow was also fantastic and well worth trying. The whole atmosphere is wonderfully comfortable, and the staff are excellent and incredibly welcoming, taking the time to explain so many dishes to us. We had a truly lovely lunch. Highly recommended.
Golucci - a month ago

St. John is not just a restaurant—it is an institution. Few places have had such a profound influence on modern British dining, yet what strikes me every time I visit is how honest and unpretentious it remains. The room is simple, the service is understated, and the focus is entirely on the food. The cooking is a masterclass in restraint. There is nowhere to hide when dishes are built around a handful of ingredients, and St. John consistently demonstrates how extraordinary simplicity can be when executed perfectly. Whether it’s one of their iconic nose-to-tail dishes, a seasonal vegetable preparation, or one of the famous desserts, everything reflects a deep respect for ingredients and craftsmanship. There are trendier restaurants in London and certainly more luxurious ones, but very few have the soul, influence, and enduring excellence of St. John. A place every serious food lover should experience at least once, and probably many more times after that.
Amir Reifer - 4 weeks ago

Had a great late lunch here with family members to celebrate a retirement. The dining room is unpretentious, comfortable and welcoming. Service was extremely efficient and friendly - our waiter was brilliant in explaining the dishes and the specials on offer. We all ate very well and had some unusual dishes that we wouldn’t normally have come across. The food was fantastic - clean plates all around. Mussel salad and skate wing special were particular highlights, but in all honesty, everything was great. Definitely recommend treating yourself to some madeleines straight out of the oven for dessert!
Nick Brown - 2 months ago

We came here on a Thursday evening and the one positive thing was that our server was lovely. Apart from that, we found the food very average to somewhat disappointing, particularly for the price. The desserts were decent - the bread parfait was nice, but the bread pudding was far too sweet! We enjoyed the atmosphere and the style of plating which brings back a lot of simple cooking, at-home-nostalgia, but for these prices, the food needs to hold up, which it didn’t. We probably won’t be coming back, which is sad because we’d really looked forward to coming here!
Cherie - a month ago

I visited St Johns because I volunteer at the Spitalfields City Farm, where I know the restaurant sources some of its produce from. I had also read lots of good reviews about their food, and I can happily say that all the positive reviewer are correct. The food here is incredible! The dishes are simple but you can tell the care and intention that has gone into sourcing quality ingredients and cooking them with precision. Their vegetarian menu is not expansive but we tried pretty much all the veggie dishes they had, and I loved every single one of them. All the dishes look to celebrate the flavour and texture of the vegetables so the seasoning is light and designed very much to complement the produce, rather than overpower it. My favorite was their side cabbage greens - it was cooked to perfection, with the most subtle but delectable buttery dressing. Their desert menu was very impressive. We had their chocolate cake which was very delicious - perhaps one of the best ones I’ve had. They also brought out complimentary madeleines which we had with some coffees To finish it all off, the service was also very good. All the staff were friendly, kind and precessional. I would very much like to come here again, and also try the other branches of St Johns.
Paakhi Bhatnagar - 4 months ago

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Had a very enjoyable Steak and Ale Pie washed down with a bottle of Red Wine. My partner went for a veggie Cauliflower Pie. Both were excellent, as was the service. It's a small pub across the road from Farringdon Station. We ate in the upstairs bar.
Joe Busa - 6 months ago

I love this place, I had a lovely Sunday roast on Easter Sunday. The food was great, plentiful, lot of veg, which I love. Maybe I would like a better roast on the potatos, but still, amazing. The waiter was super kind and helpful. Don't hesitate to ask for a box for your leftovers. Ambiance of this pub was super cool, amazing music too (like Led Zeppelin etc.).
Ivana Babić - 2 months ago

What an amazing place, excellent food. Huge portions, amazing staff, especially the Spanish waitress, she never stopped, on the go all the time. Kept everything moving smoothly
Helen Marriott - a week ago

Old Red Cow is a lovely pub tucked away on a quiet street not far from St. Paul’s Cathedral. We stopped by for some good beer and dinner — and we weren’t disappointed! The crowd seemed mostly local, with people chatting in pairs, which gave the place a warm and cozy vibe. It was pleasantly quiet and perfect for conversation. There’s a great selection of draft beers on tap, and the shepherd’s pie was delicious and tasted truly authentic. Friendly staff and great atmosphere — definitely recommend this spot! 🍺
Daria Ostapenko - 8 months ago

Came here for a Sunday roast dinner and a pint. We arrived before 5:30 and they had run out of the chicken and lamb, so we ended up getting the beef and mushroom Wellington. The portion of food was great, and it really hit the spot. Service was fantastic!
Gloria Jin - 4 months ago

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We recently held a work baby shower at The Shakespeare and it was brilliant! The staff were fantastic! They let me go in early and set up the area with decorations, they were so kind and accommodating, I honestly cannot thank them enough! Especially Alex and Ruthie
Gabriella Williams - a month ago

A good pub close to Barbican, with plenty of tables to sit down. I really liked the “Shakes Alphabet” — fun and clever, and it adds a nice touch to the place.
K Migs - 2 months 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 - 2 years ago

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 - 2 years 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 - 4 years ago

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The food was excellent. I had to remind the waiter that I had ordered a spinach side dish... it arrived some 10 minutes into the meal. Same waiter, struggling to take the capsule (foil) off the £80 bottle, made us wonder if we had purchased a shake-before-use wine. Thankfully a wine without sediment. On two occasions Staff arrived at our table with a view to removing plates/cutlery when we had not finished. Bit disappointing that...
Han van de Braak - 3 weeks ago

Really great Italian restaurant located in Farringdon! To start we had a selection of starters including arancini, croquettes and burrito… all delicious, followed by a stunning pasta dish, pappardelle ragu… seriously yummy! It isn’t on the cheap side, so definitely somewhere to go for a special treat.
D Robs - 5 months ago

This was our choice of a dinner venue after visiting The Piano works. It is a small intimate restaurant and wine bar which was busy, but still had a nice relaxed feel about it. We enjoyed an excellent bottle of Rose wine and several dishes from the very interesting menu. The food lends itself to being enjoyed as a sharing type meal similar to tapas. The Venison meatballs were outstanding. My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed everything we ate. A little gem of a wine bar.
Ralphie - 8 months ago

We booked the private dining room downstairs for my partner’s 50th and it was excellent. The food was delicious and all served together which was impressive. We were hosted by Francis and Ofo who were so accommodating and efficient. Nothing was too much trouble and the whole evening went smoothly. Thanks so much!
Natalie - a month ago

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 - a year ago

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A phenomenal and unique experience that everyone should try - unless, of course, you are afraid of the dark! The food was better than I'd expected from reading through people's reviews, and the experience of navigating in the dark, using cutlery, and guessing what food we were eating was very enjoyable. All my senses felt amplified with the loss of my sight, and even though we only spent about an hour in the blacked out room, it was probably one of the most memorable hours of my life. Special thanks to our guide Michael, who helped us find our bearings in the dark and reassured us all the way.
Athena Liu - 2 weeks ago

The staff is amazing! Especial mention to Simone as she allowed me to live and enjoy the experience according my personal needs. She helped me massively! Thanks again lovely! -otherwise I would have missed the experience. Food was really good and from what my tummy reckons the portions are good too! My admiration and empathy to impaired community is even bigger now, definitely. If I could suggest something this would be to strongly advice people not to be loud as this can negatively impact the atmosphere.
Esperanza758 Narvarte - a month ago

One of the most unique dining experiences I've ever had. The idea behind it is genius and brave. The staff were very attentive, especially our waiter Michael who was exceptional. A very sweet and charming man who mentioned that it felt like his second home. We decided on the 5 course chef's menu which did not disappoint. Now that my wife and I have tried it, we will be sure to recommend it to friends and family and hope to return in the not so distant future. Thank you for looking after us.
Andy Barber - 3 weeks ago

We booked Dans Le Noir not really knowing what to expect, and it ended up being one of the most memorable dining experiences we’ve had in London. Eating in complete darkness is such a strange feeling at first, but after a few minutes you completely forget about it and just enjoy the experience. It really makes you appreciate the food differently and turns dinner into something genuinely fun and surprising. A huge thank you to Michael, who looked after us throughout the evening. He was brilliant from the moment we arrived, friendly, reassuring, funny, and incredibly professional, and his smile and kindness really got me. He made us feel comfortable straight away and guided us through the whole experience with such ease that we could just relax and enjoy ourselves. Michael was a big part of what made the night so special, also because being in complete darkness could be a bit unsettling sometimes, but his guidance and calm voice was definitely helping to stay calm and to feel comfortable. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was unlike anything we’ve experienced before, and the whole team did an amazing job. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for something a bit different from the usual restaurant experience. Thanks again to Michael and the team for a fantastic evening!
Ilaria reffo - a month ago

We were very excited to have this unique experience of dining in the dark. Our guide Ghow was the most perfect guide ever! He so expertly made us at ease walking, sitting down, eating in the dark, even pouring drinks from our bottle! He explained in detail where everything was, what was around us, what was about to happen and made us feel like he welcomed us into his unique world and shared his daily experiences with us. He was very gentle, attentive, knowledgable and kind and we loved interacting with him. The food was great, we loved the textures and flavours too! Ghow also included the rest of the diners in singing a birthday song to our birthday boy and made our experience even more special. We definitely felt slightly gutted when we got out of the restaurant and were able to see the light again :)
aleksandra jovanova - a month ago

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I’m writing this review with mixed feelings for a different reasons, The first is that years ago I used to come here and love the meat and this is why I’ve brought a customer to this restaurant again and one main element was a miss The service was spectacular especially when it came to the sommelier, I’m a bit picky about my wines and she was spot on - I’ll come back just for her I’ll group the starters and the sides and give them a high score, they were special, well prepared, seasoned perfectly and very pleasing Where the restaurant fell short is on its main ingredient, the steak, we took one of the sharing dishes and for a medium rare meat it was very chewy- I make my own meat and I can tell you that this was not good - not only this, the cut we got had too much fact on it. In hindsight, I should have returned it and if we weren’t already well into our drinks I may have done that The cocktails were quite good especially the spicy cocktail with Tabasco which definitely carried a punch but we loved it So, there are plenty of reasons to come back and one of them is to remember again how a properly cooked steak can be prepared by them
Ronnen Brunner - a month ago

We arrived without reservation on a busy Thursday evening, around 7:30pm. We dined on the fourth floor and whilst the had a number of large corporate tables, they were able to squeeze us in. There is a sommelier on hand, walking the floor to help with any wine selections. We chose their recommendations and had a mixture of seafood and meat dishes. The starters were delicate and full of complex flavours. For mains, side dish’s are needed. The cabbage and spinach were delicious, with the triple cooked chips being light and fluffy.
Raul - 3 months ago

Smiths of Smithfield had good food, but poor service and a busy atmosphere. Upon arrival, we were seated and waited 15+ minutes for a server to come to us to order drinks or food. When we were first approached, we asked for a specific bottle of wine and were told we could not order the bottle through the waitress but had to wait for the sommelier (despite knowing what we wanted). We waited another 5-10 minutes until she came and we were able to order. Then a few more minutes for the server to come take our order. We were seated at least 20 minutes total before we were helped with anything. The starters were good - the steak tartare, oysters, and scallops were all tasty.We ordered the t-bone and chateaubriand both medium rare, but I much preferred the t-bone, though it was cut with so much meat left on the bone. The ox cheek mash was the highlight of the meal. Overall, the service was unfortunately what left me wanting more. Between the long waits & asking the waitress for more water twice (and never receiving it), we were disappointed. The place was very noisy, which I am not accustomed to for a “steakhouse”. At the end, after ordering over 600 pounds worth of food, we went to order dessert and they were out of what we wanted. When we asked to modify the ice cream flavor on a second dessert, the waitress said it was just “too busy to ask the servers to change something”. After paying so much, I would really have appreciated simply changing out an ice cream flavor, but that wasn’t provided.
Sabs A - 6 months ago

This place is very popular but I found it to be mediocre in terms of the quantity and quality of the food for the money they charge. Worth dining once but there are plenty of other options in the neighborhood that are much more reasonably priced and offer better food.
Ashish Gupta - a month ago

Exceptional dinner at Smith's a few months ago. The food was out of this world both in presentation and flavour! We were so well looked after by the staff and I would be back again in a heartbeat. The Grill is the perfect location for a special dinner. I'll be back as soon as I'm next in London.
Claire Dibben - 3 months ago

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Floor is bigger in my caravan, obviously just for an afternoon drink,rather than a dance venue, music ok.Maybe they should put how big the venues are?¿and specify, what kind of event .Card only also, good job I had mine with me, because I don't always,,Cash is still king in my opinion,use it or lose it 😉you live and learn.
Edward Jackson - a month ago

Works drinks for a colleague who was sadly leaving. Fantastic food. Lovely to have have our own area downstairs that felt safe to put bags down and wonderful to have a bar downstairs that can cater for most desires. I suspect we'll be back!
Julian Rose - a month ago

A great little pub, on the night I was there, it was a Ska night, full of warm lovely people, and great bar staff. If in London we'll worth a visit!
Lee Farrier Bossman Prodiet - 5 months ago

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 - a year ago

What a cool place! Stopped for drinks on a Saturday afternoon. Female DJ spinning soul on vinyl, super friendly barman, and groups of mods and Northern Soul enthusiasts digging the tunes. Didn't try the pizza this time but they looked fab. Immaculately clean throughout. Will definitely return.
Fee 1 - 8 months ago

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I have to say it’s a very good pub here. But I give 2 stars because of one staff here(see picture) being super rude and racist. The rest of the team are very nice and friendly especially for one of the lady, except for this guy (otherwise I will be giving a 1 star).
Chenyao Wen - a month ago

We recently had the privilege to shoot a wedding reception in this beautiful central London space and its honestly such a great option for a London wedding reception. Location is of course impeccable, but the space itself was absolutely beautiful and the food excellent and varied. Perfect for couples wanting a London wedding!
Szerdi - Andy and Szerdi Photography - 9 months ago

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 - a year 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 - 2 years 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 - 2 years ago

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This is a really excellent restaurant. The setting and live music give the place a really special feel, and the food is very well done - but still has a home cooked vibe to it that makes it absolutely delicious. Would really recommend for a special occasion.
Alistair D - 4 weeks ago

My beloved readers… today I’m taking you to a French restaurant in the middle of London.. We came here on a Friday evening, so of course we booked in advance. In the reservation comments I specifically asked for a quiet table by the window for four people… and I was actually SO happy they really listened to our request 🕯️ The restaurant was quite busy, there was live music - a pianist playing classical music throughout dinner 🎹 and it added so much atmosphere.. Although I will say… it was definitely loud- even though we were seated in the furthest corner from the piano, sometimes hearing each other was still a little difficult. Now let me tell you where this restaurant is located… It’s hidden in this tiny little alleyway, which felt really special and reminded of Parisian narrow roads👀 I came here with my dad, my boyfriend, and our family friend. Since my dad came to visit me in London, he REALLY wanted us to go somewhere beautiful and elegant... The interior was gorgeous - brick walls, little framed artworks, dark wooden ceilings, white tablecloths… the entire place felt INCREDIBLY warm and intimate 🕯️Special little thing that I loved - every table had its own candle.. perfect .. The restroom was downstairs in this beautifully arranged basement area, and when I was walking through the corridor I could literally smell wet brick, stones after rain… 🌧️ it genuinely smelled like Paris.. I don’t know how else to explain it… I became emotionally attached to the corridor.. Now about the food 🍷 Our friend ordered the Scottish salmon with lentils and said the salmon itself was cooked absolutely perfectly- soft and really tender, but unfortunately she didn’t really enjoy the lentils, so her dish gets an 8/10. My boyfriend ordered the bavette steak with cabbage and cauliflower mash. The meat was AMAZING. Very tender and perfectly cooked… BUT… the sweet sauce on top slightly overpowered the actual flavor of the meat and the mash. Still… definitely a 9/10. As for me… my dear readers… I had a little crisis choosing what to order because I was also looking into either the salmon or the steak. But since I obviously needed to provide a broader review for YOU… I sacrificed myself for journalism and chose a third option.. sea bass with ratatouille and French beans 🐟 The sea bass itself was BEAUTIFUL. Very soft, delicate and not dry at all. The ratatouille was super tender and comforting… but those long green beans honestly felt a little random on the plate.. in my opinion they didn’t go good with the rest of the dish.. Still… I was starving and cleaned the entire plate. So overall I’d also give it a solid 9/10. My dad only ordered fish soup because he wasn’t super hungry. He actually didn’t finish it because it was too spicy for him but he still rated it 9/10 because he said the flavor itself was excellent. Also… they brought fries in these adorable little wooden bowls and I NEED to mention them because they were unlike any fries I’ve had before - tiny, thin and super soft inside… really good. Now desserts… My boyfriend and our friend ordered vanilla and chocolate ice cream, my dad ordered a mousse… and everyone was very happy with their choices, especially ice cream with some chocolate sticks! DELI 🍨 Meanwhile I experienced heartbreak 💔 Before coming here I had seen photos in reviews of these BEAUTIFUL fruit tartlets - sometimes strawberry, sometimes cherry… so I assumed the menu changes, so when I saw a pear tart on the menu and thought it would be the same tartlet but with pear. My dear readers… it was NOT the same tartlet.. it was a completely different dessert And honestly… I was so emotionally committed to the fantasy version that I didn’t even want to try it anymore. And honestly… I felt so bad in front of the waiter.. But thankfully the restaurant handled it very kindly and removed the dessert from the bill, which I really appreciate❤️ I truly recommend this place.. Beautiful atmosphere, delicious food, elegant interior, lovely candlelight, live music and an amazing service…🌝
Darina Valieva - a month ago

Food was excellent! We had pork escalopes and smoked fish for the main course - absolutely delicious. The atmosphere in the restaurant was overall so cosy: candlelight, live music, and a very welcoming vibe.
Y M - 5 months ago

The atmosphere is ideal for a date night, with candlelight, live piano, and cosy spaces that make the large restaurant feel intimate. Service is excellent, and the food is outstanding. An excellent choice for couples or small groups..
Ian Bryce - 10 months ago

Wow! We hired the private upstairs room for our wedding dinner and we're so glad we did. It was beautiful, well organised, and the food was insane! The staff had always been really communicative with us, always helpful and we felt very relaxed with them. We had 40 guests, which was a perfect size. Very glad we chose this place for our wedding. Would highly recommend.
China Jordan - 9 months ago

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