RestaurantsLondonWaterlooSE1

survey result

Summary

£78
 ££££
2
Average
2
Average
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Great views over the Thames” and a vast interior (it was built as ‘The People’s Palace’ – the destination restaurant originally at the heart of the Brutalist South Bank arts centre), make this D&D London operation “good for both business and social” dining. The cuisine has often seemed like an afterthought here, but was mostly well-rated this year.

Summary

£78
 ££££
2
Average
2
Average
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

An airy, light-filled space, with vast picture windows overlooking the Thames – this large dining room (once known as The People’s Palace) showcases the 1950s Brutalist architecture of the South Bank arts centre at its best, and that inherent appeal keeps business ticking over at this D&D London venue. Too many reporters, however, say the food is merely “decent” or “not too bad”, which makes the whole enterprise feel like a “missed opportunity”.

Summary

£73
  £££
2
Average
3
Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Still one of the best views in London” – this vast chamber was built, back in this South Bank arts centre’s, 1950s, Festival-of-Britain prime, as ‘The People’s Palace’ and it remains “a great-looking venue with an enviable location overlooking the Thames” through gigantic picture windows. All reporters would agree that it’s a “brilliant spot for watching the world and river go by, and the cocktails are great”, but too many find the cooking either “expensive” or “disappointing”, or both. Top Tip – “worth visiting for the ‘Saxy Saturday Brunch’ featuring a nice but limited set menu but also bottomless Prosecco which helps draw in a crowd”.

Summary

£73
  £££
2
Average
3
Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Still one of the best views in London” – this vast chamber was built, back in this South Bank arts centre’s, 1950s, Festival-of-Britain prime, as ‘The People’s Palace’ and it remains “a great-looking venue with an enviable location overlooking the Thames” through gigantic picture windows. All reporters would agree that it’s a “brilliant spot for watching the world and river go by, and the cocktails are great”, but too many find the cooking either “expensive” or “disappointing”, or both. Top Tip – “worth visiting for the ‘Saxy Saturday Brunch’ featuring a nice but limited set menu but also bottomless Prosecco which helps draw in a crowd”.

For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).

Have you eaten at Skylon, South Bank Centre?

Restaurant details

Yes
Highchair,Menu,Portions
33
No trainers
110
Yes

Prices

Availability 2 courses 3 courses coffee included service included
Always £30.00 £35.00

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Pudding
£15.00 £31.00 £11.00
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £36.00
Filter Coffee £4.00
Extras  
Bread £2.50
Service 13.00%
Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
Opening hours
Monday12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm
Tuesday12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm
Thursday12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm
Friday12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm
Saturday11:30 am‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm
Sunday11:30 am‑5 pm

Best British, Modern restaurants nearby

Bustronome
British, Modern restaurant in Charing Cross
£132
£££££
2
Average
3
Good
4
Very Good
Gordon’s Wine Bar
International restaurant in Strand
£43
    £
2
Average
2
Average
5
Exceptional
Oxo Tower, Restaurant
British, Modern restaurant in Southwark
£107
£££££
1
Poor
1
Poor
1
Poor

Best similarly priced restaurants nearby

Sea Containers, Mondrian London
British, Modern restaurant in Bankside
£78
 ££££
2
Average
2
Average
3
Good
The Oystermen Seafood Kitchen & Bar
Fish & seafood restaurant in Covent Garden
£77
 ££££
3
Good
2
Average
2
Average
Fishworks
Fish & seafood restaurant in Covent Garden
£79
 ££££
3
Good
3
Good
2
Average