If you're in London and looking for the best Waterloo restaurants, look no further, we have them right here! It's no secret that London has one of the best global food scenes. In fact, the city boasts almost every cuisine under the sun. Therefore, it’s the perfect place to try something new.
Waterloo is an area in London East of Big Ben with attractions across the Thames River. So whether you're in the area for work or pleasure, there's every reason to grab a delicious bite to eat at any of the quirky restaurants near waterloo.
There are a lot of great places to eat. However, if you want to go to one of the best, check out our recommendations for 15 of the best Waterloo restaurants.
Jump to:
- La Barca Ristorante
- Cubana Restaurant Waterloo
- Wahaca Waterloo
- The Duke of Sussex
- The Founder's Arms
- Honest Burgers Waterloo
- Tate Modern Kitchen and Bar
- Skylon Bar and Restaurant
- Limin' Beach Club
- Draughts Waterloo
- 4 Fratelli Caprini
- Black & Blue
- Ping Pong Southbank
- Crust Bros Pizza Waterloo
- Banh Bao Brothers
- Our Top 15 Restaurants in Waterloo
- Our Favourite Waterloo Restaurants
La Barca Ristorante
If you are craving pasta or classic Italian dishes, you can't go wrong with La Barca Ristorante. Opened in 1976, locals and visitors have been coming here for fine Italian dining. La Barca Ristorante is one of the best restaurants near Waterloo Station. So, you don't want to miss out if you're in the area!
As one of the best Waterloo restaurants, La Barca Ristorante has an elegant yet casual atmosphere and also traditional Italian cooking. And of their signature attractions is the flambé dishes that they serve right at your table!
La Barca is the perfect Italian restaurant near Waterloo Station. Located near several theatres, La Barca is an excellent place to eat before or after a show. The atmosphere is ideal for date night or a treat for yourself.
In all honesty, everything on the menu is mouthwatering, but their two best dishes are the Tagliatelle Carbonara and the signature Spaghetti Alla Barca made with fresh seafood. So, you won’t want to miss them!
La Barca Ristorante
80-81 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AB, United Kingdom
Cubana Restaurant Waterloo
The Cubana Restaurant Waterloo is one of the best Waterloo restaurants for authentic Cuban food. It's a casual spot with live music, fantastic food, famous cocktails, and vibrant colours. They're known for their mojitos that come in several flavours. You can also order a glass or jug to share with friends.
The menu boasts traditional Cuban cuisine and other popular Latin American dishes. One of their best dishes is the slow-roasted Cuban pork. It's tender and comes with black beans and rice. But, if you're looking for something lighter, the mixed tapas sharing plate lets you sample a selection of their best appetisers. So either you come here for a big meal or just a few cocktails and tapas on the terrace, you’ll enjoy it.
Finally, whether you're in the mood for a quick bite for lunch or an evening of Latin music, Cubana Restaurant Waterloo needs to be on your list of must-try Waterloo restaurants in London.
Cubana Restaurant Waterloo
48 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7RG, United Kingdom
Wahaca Waterloo
Wahaca is one of the best Mexican restaurants near Waterloo Bridge. It is one of many Waterloo restaurants with outdoor seating near the bridge. And so, you'll want to take advantage of this on a nice day.
Wahaca's brightly coloured walls and artwork creates a lovely ambience for you to enjoy your meal. One thing that draws people in is their focus on sustainability. They have partnerships and work with local suppliers. So you know everything you're eating is fresh and comes from a sustainable source.
They have everything from tacos to quesadillas to burritos. So, therefore, you’ll be spoilt for choice and won’t know what to order. But, you can't go wrong with their grilled chicken enchiladas or the steak and cheese tacos.
Wahaca Waterloo
Bishops, 119 Waterloo Rd, London SE1 8UL, United Kingdom
The Duke of Sussex
The Duke of Sussex is one of the best restaurants near Waterloo Station South Bank. Locals refer to this pub as the heart of the community. When you walk inside, you'll immediately feel the warmth of the people who work and regularly dine here.
The decor of one of the best Waterloo Station restaurants is a modern version of a classic London pub. Inside, the lighting is dim, and the space has modern furniture boasting pops of yellow. When the weather's nice, you should try to sit out in their beer garden to enjoy a refreshing drink and delicious meal.
When you visit The Duke of Sussex, you'll see an extensive menu. It has seasonal salads, sandwiches, steak, and plenty of side dishes. They also have a children's menu if you're dining with little ones. So, there is everything for the whole family!
Other than their beer and wine list, two of the best options to eat on the menu are their buttermilk fried chicken burger with pickles or the bangers and mash.
The Duke of Sussex
23 Baylis Rd, London SE1 7AY, United Kingdom
The Founder's Arms
If you're looking for one of the best Waterloo restaurants in Southbank, The Founder's Arms is the one for you. This classic British pub has an extensive beer and wine list and plenty of delicious bites for you to try.
The pub has floor-to-ceiling windows, so you get a stunning view of the river and surrounding area from almost every corner. The atmosphere is laid-back with a refined touch.
The Founder's Arms is an ideal spot for a meal with friends or a date at one of the Waterloo restaurants with a view. The Founder's Arms is also well-known for Sunday brunch with their classic breakfast dishes or a traditional Sunday Roast. And if you love the classics, their two most popular dishes are the classic burger and beer-battered pollock.
The beer and wine list is impressive, with red, white, rose, sparkling and seasonal wines. If you enjoy a drink with your meal, you can ask your server for their recommendation to pair with your food.
The Founder's Arms
52 Hopton St, London SE1 9JH, United Kingdom
Honest Burgers Waterloo
Honest Burgers is one of the best Waterloo restaurants for burgers and chips. This burger joint has been a favourite for over ten years when people want a juicy, delicious burger made with locally sourced ingredients.
As you enter, you'll see the menu selection written on a chalkboard and order at the counter before taking your seat.
You can find Honest Burgers all over London, but you have to try the special burger you can only get at this Waterloo location. The signature burger comes with cheese, béarnaise butter, shoestring fries, bacon gravy, rocket, and pickled shallots.
If that doesn't appeal to you, their classic chicken sandwich is another fantastic menu item. Also, don't forget to grab a nice cold beer or soda to enjoy your meal.
Honest Burgers Waterloo
39 The Cut, London SE1 8LF, United Kingdom
Tate Modern Kitchen and Bar
Inside the stunning Tate Modern Art Museum is one of the best Waterloo restaurants. The Tate Modern Kitchen and Bar is an excellent place to have lunch after exploring the museum or when you're looking for an elegant London dining experience.
The restaurant's modern and minimalist design allows the show's real star to be the delicious creations of their talented chefs. The views from the restaurant aren't too bad either, so you definitely want to try and get a table near the windows.
The Tate Modern Kitchen and Bar offers a more refined menu. You'll find a curated selection of starters, mains, and desserts. Above all, the ash-baked leek is an appetiser to die for, and the confit duck leg is the perfect main to go with it.
Something to keep in mind if you want to eat here is that you have to get a gallery ticket to dine. However, we promise it’s well worth a visit, and the restaurant won't disappoint.
Tate Modern Kitchen and Bar
Bankside, London SE1 9TG, United Kingdom
Skylon Bar and Restaurant
Skylon Bar and Restaurant is one of the best Waterloo restaurants on the South Bank. This elegant restaurant offers you some of the best river views and will make you feel like the most important patron there.
It's a great restaurant when you want to impress someone or enjoy a meal where you'll feel like royalty. Everything from the decor to the cocktails to the food is perfectly curated.
As one of the best Waterloo restaurants, you'll have various menu options. For example, the bar area has a specific menu for bites to pair with your drinks. Alternatively, they also have a two and three-course set-price menu where you can try several dishes or order a la carte.
They have a little bit of everything. If we had to recommend two things to try, it would be the grilled blue lobster tail and the grilled baby chicken. Also, if you love a good cocktail, check out their British Icons cocktail menu. It features drinks inspired by famous figures such as The Churchill or the Ziggy Stardust.
Skylon Bar and Restaurant
Belvedere Rd, Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 8XX, United Kingdom
Limin' Beach Club
If you're looking for one of the best Waterloo restaurants that takes you somewhere tropical, Limin' Beach Club has to be on your list. This popular bar and restaurant is the perfect place to try some tropical cocktails with friends and enjoy a tasty meal.
The atmosphere at Limin' Beach Club is lively yet laid-back. You'll often see people sitting outside sipping out of a whole pineapple. That's right. They serve cocktails inside of entire pineapples! On the weekends, you'll see crowds lining up for their boozy beach brunch.
The cuisine at Limin' Beach Club is a combination of Latin American and Caribbean. Limin's menu has a variety of meat and vegetarian dishes, so no one has to miss out. Their jerk chicken is very popular and a must-try. But be sure to save room for dessert because the baked cheesecake is to die for!
Regardless of when you visit Limin' Beach Club and what you order, be sure to take advantage of their outdoor seating. The small sandbox with tables and chairs make you feel like you're actually on the beach!
Limin' Beach Club
GV5Q+6W, London SE1 9PP, United Kingdom
Draughts Waterloo
Arguably one of the most quirky restaurants near Waterloo, Draughts Waterloo is located underneath the Station. It is the perfect place for a game night with friends when no one wants to host or cook.
Draughts Waterloo makes our list of the best Waterloo restaurants because it's unique, casual, and has fantastic food and drink. What’s more, it has over 800 board games for you and your friends to enjoy. Therefore, this cosy spot is perfect whether you're dining with one friend or 12.
Besides the giant board game selection, their food selection puts Draughts on the best Waterloo restaurants list. They have tacos, burgers, nachos, appetisers, and desserts. Everything is casual and perfect for a game night. But, some dishes do stand out from the rest. The salt and crispy pepper squid is a delicious appetiser, and the pulled pork tacos are fantastic. The best part is they offer vegetarian and vegan options for almost all their menu items.
Draughts Waterloo
Arch 16 Leake St, London SE1 7NN, United Kingdom
4 Fratelli Caprini
Another one of the best restaurants Waterloo has to offer is 4 Fratelli Caprini. For over 40 years, this Italian and Mediterranean eatery has been a go-to for locals and visitors for delicious Italian food. In addition, it has some of the most authentic dishes outside of Italy and the Mediterranean.
The friendly staff welcomes you in from the moment you walk through the doors. The atmosphere is sophisticated but family-friendly. They have simple yet flavourful dishes with some more complex options.
You can order anything on the menu, but their t-bone steak and seafood linguine pasta are the most popular. The staff are knowledgeable and always happy to help you make the right choice. As one of the best Waterloo restaurants for classic Italian food, 4 Fratelli Caprini is the place to be.
4 Fratelli Caprini
77 Waterloo Rd, London SE1 8UD, United Kingdom
Black & Blue
A perfectly juicy steak can make your evening out on the town so much better. So if you're looking for a pre-theatre meal before a show, go to Black and Blue. This steakhouse is one of the best Waterloo restaurants.
Black and Blue isn't your traditional steakhouse because it's slightly more modern and casual. When you see the bright neon blue lights outside, you'll know you've arrived. You can either come in casual attire or dressed up for a night out, and you'll definitely have a good time.
This steakhouse has more than just your favourite cuts of steak. You can also get delicious burgers, ribs, chicken wings, and salads. Additionally, they have a great beer, wine, and cocktail list for the perfect drink.
Everything at Black and Blue sounds tasty, and most people opt for one of their famous steaks. However, if that isn't what you're interested in, you can't go wrong with the baby back ribs and king prawns.
Black & Blue
1 Mepham St, London SE1 8RL, United Kingdom
Ping Pong Southbank
You can find cuisines from all over the world in Waterloo, and Ping Pong is one of the best restaurants near waterloo station South Bank for Chinese food. This famous restaurant chain is trendy for lunch and dinner for a good reason.
Ping Pong is laid-back and the ideal place to enjoy some dim sum by yourself or with friends. They offer Chinese cuisine that uses seasonal and local ingredients in everything, including their hand-crafted cocktails.
Ping Pong is one of the best Waterloo restaurants because of their extensive menu. Feel free to ask your server for the best recommendations. However, we think you should try their honey chilli chicken rice pot and their steamed baos. They do have vegan and gluten-free options too!
Ping Pong cares about the environment. They make sure to use biodegradable straws, utensils, and packaging. So you get to eat excellent food from an environmentally friendly company. It's a win-win.
Ping Pong Southbank
Festival Terrace, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX, United Kingdom
Crust Bros Pizza Waterloo
Many of the restaurants in Waterloo have been around for at least a decade. Even so, that doesn't mean trendy new restaurants aren't making waves. Crust Bros Pizza is one of the best Waterloo restaurants because who doesn't love a great slice of pizza?
Furthermore, sometimes less is more. Crust Bros Pizza focuses entirely on pizza. They have tomato sauce-based, pesto-based, and white-based pizzas made to order. They also offer a range of vegan and gluten-free options.
Their white-based pizza with mozzarella, mushrooms, and truffle oil is absolutely divine! If you prefer something more classic, their meat pizza has three types of meat. So it will satisfy any meat-lover. Don't forget to check out their dipping sauces!
The best part is that you can create your own pizza if you don't want something off their menu. Crust Bros is perfect for any time of day, whether you're craving a bite after walking along the river or for a late-night munch.
Crust Bros Pizza Waterloo
113 Waterloo Rd, London SE1 8UL, United Kingdom
Banh Bao Brothers
Last but not least is Banh Bao Brothers. It is one of the best Waterloo restaurants when you want Vietnamese cuisine with a cool atmosphere. The decoration inside is chic with vibrant colours and walls lined with street art.
Bahn Bao is sophisticated but still fairly casual. They dim the lights and illuminate the interior with colourful lights at night. The menu is relatively small, but everything on it is absolutely delicious and worth trying.
When you're craving bao, Bahn Bao Brothers is one of London's best Waterloo restaurants. If you don’t want to order one of everything on the menu, we recommend trying a few things. We love the braised lamb bao and the popcorn chicken with sriracha mayo. So, you should definitely give them a try!
If you don't like braised lamb, they have other bao options on their menu. Their Pork Belly or Pulled beef Baos are great options. Otherwise, try the Mushroom Bao if you're looking for something vegetarian. Everything pairs nicely with rice. The cocktails are unique and really delicious, but they also have a selection of soft drinks, wine, and beer.
Bahn Bao Brothers
20 Leake St, London SE1 7NN, United Kingdom
Our Top 15 Restaurants in Waterloo
Waterloo is an area in London that has everything you want to eat. Here's a summarised list of our 15 favourite Waterloo restaurants.
- La Barca Ristorante
- Cubana Restaurant Waterloo
- Wahaca Waterloo
- The Duke of Sussex
- The Founder's Arms
- Honest Burgers Waterloo
- Tate Modern Kitchen and Bar
- Skylon Bar and Restaurant
- Limin' Beach Club
- Draughts Waterloo
- 4 Fratelli Caprini
- Black & Blue
- Ping Pong Southbank
- Crust Bros Pizza Waterloo
- Bahn Bao Brothers
Our Favourite Waterloo Restaurants
It's hard to pick a favourite among the 15 best Waterloo restaurants above. In fact, you really can't go wrong with any of them, but we definitely have a few favourites.
Cubana Restaurant Waterloo
Cubana is our favourite if you want a tropical dining experience with its colourful atmosphere, live music, and also delicious cocktails.
Tate Modern Kitchen and Bar
The Tate Modern Kitchen and Bar has fantastic views, stunning art and delicious food. So naturally, it's an excellent place for upscale dining.
4 Fratelli Caprini
4 Fratelli Caprini is a sophisticated place to spend a beautiful evening enjoying authentic Italian cuisine with your loved ones.
Whatever you're craving, Waterloo won't leave you disappointed or hungry. So, depending on your taste, you can find Italian, casual bar bites, Vietnamese, or something different.
If you want to keep up with all the best local eats in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, follow us on Instagram at @honestfoodtalks.
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