Skyscrapings: Towers You Can Eat Up
75th floor restaurants are pretty much two-a-penny in New York, a table with a view is a pre-requisite in, say, Hong Kong. But in a low-rise city like London, well, the options are a little more, um, thin on the ground. However, if you are keen to get up through the atmosphere, up where the air is clear, etc. Ever wondered how many different ways there are to rave about basically the same view? Read on…
Min Jiang Restaurant
Not exactly soaring, but despite being an architectural dwarf at just 10 storeys up, Min Jiang nevertheless commands an impressive view thanks to being on the edge of Kensington Gardens. The view across Hyde Park beyond and much of London is impressive, as is the food. The Peking Duck is some of the best outside of China, and if you want to discover that Chinese wine is actually surprisingly drinkable, head to Min Jiang.
Where: Royal Garden Hotel, 2-24 Kensington High Street, Kensington, London, W8 4PT, United Kingdom
Website: www.minjiang.co.uk
Aqua Shard
Aqua Shard brings all the magic powers of Aqua (see Aqua Nueva and Aqua Kyoto, over on Regent Street, some of our favourite low-level restos) and literally elevates them. 31 storeys, that is. The view is superb, as you’d expect from the unbeatable vantage point and one of London’s most iconic towers, while the modern British menu shines despite hubbub around the view and location.
Where: Level 31, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RY, United Kingdom
Website: www.aquashard.co.uk
Hutong
A hutong is a narrow alley, generally found in northern China, particularly Beijing. Which isn’t exactly what comes to mind when you look at The Shard. But the culinary experience of Hutong, on level 33 of the tallest building in Europe, certainly is reminiscent of some of the most authentic Chinese cuisine around.
Where: Level 33, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RY, United Kingdom
Website: www.hutong.co.uk
Sky Garden
Sky Garden is a garden… in the sky. The actual sky. The vast, curved, Mercedes melting, canopy of The Walkie Talkie gives way to a dining and entertainment space that’s a genuine pleasure. And within that, Fenchurch Restaurant is the literal pinnacle, sitting above the action below and serving a refined menu of British contemporary food.
Where: Sky Garden, 20 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 8AF, UK
Website: skygarden.london
Searcys at The Gherkin
The Gherkin is one of London’s most iconic buildings, the design of Sir Norman Foster and instantly recognisable for its phallic, gherkin-esque shape. Until recently the restaurant, at the pinnacle (where the stalk would go, were it an actual gherkin), was the preserve of the insurance brokers and suchlike that occupy the building, but Searcy’s have now opened it up to the public, but now the restaurant (Helix) and bar (Iris) are free-for-all. And the increasingly crowded skyline isn’t much of the problem as the tower still offers some of the best views in the city.
Where: 30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin), Saint Mary Axe, London, United Kingdom
Website: www.searcysatthegherkin.co.uk
Galvin at Windows
You’d better get a window seat at Galvin At Windows, partly because you’ll miss part of the point if you don’t, but also because the view is unsurprisingly rather stunning. As, of course, is the Michelin starred French-Korean menu, courtesy of Head Chef Joo Won. The fantastic fusion food can only be matched by the far-reaching views from the 28th floor of the Hilton Park Lane.
Where: 22 Park Ln, London W1K 1BE, United Kingdom
Website: www.galvinatwindows.com
