9 Floating Restaurants Worth Visiting
On land restaurants not cutting? It’s about time you jumped aboard ship and visited one of London’s floating restaurants instead. From Darcie & May Green’s multicoloured vessel to Hackney Wick’s hip hideouts, we’ve rounded up the nine best boat restaurants London has to offer.
Darcie & May Green
As colourful as they come and probably our favourite boat restaurant in London, Darcie & May Green is the canalside venture from brunch specialists Daisy Green. Located in Sheldon Square, this multi-coloured boat is covered in bespoke artwork by British pop artist, Sir Peter Blake.
With seats inside and aboard the top deck, they serve up some of the best Aussie brunch staples in the city, from their award-winning banana bread sandwich with honey mascarpone cream, fresh berries and flaked almonds to The Bondi, a mix of back bacon, poached eggs, chilli and fennel sausage, mushrooms, avo and house chilli pesto on cold fermented activities charcoal sourdough.
Sheldon Square, Paddington Central, W2 6DS
www.daisygreenfood.com
The Cheese Barge
From the team behind The Cheese Bar and Pick & Cheese, this Paddington vessel is home to copious amounts of cheese and wine. Designed by Adam Richards Architects, the design draws influences from the Electra bookstore in Venice, and boasts a copper ‘veil’ that acts as an awning for the lower deck dining room. While ‘upstairs’ is home to a 20-cover open-air area that’s perfect for wining and dining the night away.
All of the food is made fresh and in-house. Think boards that you can craft with your favourite cheeses, as well as small plates of Cropwell Bishop stuffed prunes and smoked bacon; Westcombe fried curried cheese curds; and grilled sandwiches with serious cheese pulls.
Paddington Basin, Sheldon Square, W2 6DL
www.thecheesebar.com
London Shell Co.
With two floating boats in Paddington, London Shell Co. specialises in fresh fish. Their vessel, The Grand Duchess, is filled with airy, light interiors and has a menu that nods to British classics. They use the freshest fish available, with their catch-of-the-day ingredients coming from Kernowsashimi and Wild Harbour. Their menu is filled with the likes of crab with charred leeks, hen’s egg and mustard vinaigrette; Scottish sea trout with fennel, blood orange and hazelnut; and marmalade and frangipane cake with whipped yoghurt.
Or cruise along the canal at The Prince Regent. Regularly changing, their menu is filled with dishes such as cured stone bass with blood orange and chicory; Cornish cod and mussel zarzuela with crispy pig cheek; and chocolate delice with beer ice cream.
The Grand Duchess & The Prince Regent: Sheldon Square, Paddington Central, W2 6PY
www.londonshellco.com
Bateaux London
Fancy cruising along the Thames? Jump aboard Bateaux London for a night filled with unrivalled views of the capital, fresh British flavours, live music and cocktails.
They have a whole host of dining experiences you can get involved in, from Sunday lunch to dinner cruises. All while going past some of London’s most iconic landmarks.
EMBANKMENT PIER, VICTORIA EMBANKMENT,WC2N 6NU
www.bateauxlondon.com
Caravel
Set up by brothers Fin and Lorcan Spiteri, Caravel is a restaurant and bar that’s housed on a converted barge.
The floating restaurant’s menu is concise and simple, highlighting the best of each season’s ingredients. Expect dishes such as salt duck with carrot and almond chutney; beef rump with pickled walnut and bitter leaf; and roast hake with chickpeas, chard and saffron aioli.
Drinks haven’t been forgotten either. Fin has created an exciting cocktail menu, featuring a delicious rose negroni, a floral twist on the classic.
EAGLE WHARF ROAD, N1 7ED
WWW.THESTUDIOKITCHEN.CO.UK
Barge East
Home to alfresco gardens and a 118 year old Dutch vessel, Barge East is Hackney Wick’s best kept secret. It’s a super trendy spot perfect for post-work drinks, catch-ups with friends and lazy Sundays by the waterfront.
The restaurant serves up a British set menu inspired by global influences. At the helm is Stefano Camplone, enjoy the likes of smoked haddock rillette with fried capers, bread and butter pickle and sourdough; venison loin with parsley root, pomegranate, rainbow chard and bread sauce; and homemade port tiramisu.
River Lee, Sweetwater Mooring, 98 White Post Lane, Hackney Wick, E9 5EN
www.bargeeast.com
Hawksmoor Wood Wharf
As if Hawksmoor couldn’t become any more iconic, they went and opened up a giant floating restaurant…
Housed in Canary Wharf’s new riverside neighbourhood, Hawksmoor Wood Wharf is an eco-friendly floating pavilion serving up their renowned meaty fare. The interiors are super chic and there’s even terraces with views spread far across the waters. The menu focuses on ethically reared beef, sustainable seafood from the South coast and seriously great cocktails.
1 Water Street, E14 5GX
www.thehawksmoor.com
Alfred Le Roy
Ahoy there! With the warmer weather on its way, now’s the perfect time to venture over to Crate Brewery to jump aboard their little pirate canal, Alfred Le Roy. The place is every bit as hip and trendy as you can imagine for a Hackney Wick venue, home to craft beer, great pizzas and calming views along the canal.
Unit 7, Queens Yard, Hackney Wick, E9 5EN
www.cratebrewery.com
Feng Shang Princess Restaurant
For London’s most striking floating restaurant, look to Feng Shang Princess Restaurant. Complete with Chinese lanterns, you can spot the ornate rosy red exteriors from across the river.
Inside you’ll find them serving up traditional Chinese fare, including the delicious sharing Chef’s Platter that’s packed with crispy smoked chicken; sesame prawn toast; crisp duck; stir-fry king prawn with broccoli; and egg fried rice.
Cumberland Basin, Prince Albert Road, Regents Park, Nw1 7SS
www.fengshang.co.uk
Boat restaurants not cutting it? check out the hottest spots to visit in our restaurant section
