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Aqua Shard

3.2 (321 reviews)
Ultra High-EndBritish, Breakfast & Brunch, Cocktail Bars
Closed 7:00 am - 10:30 AM, 12:00 pm - 2:30 PM, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Aqua Shard Photos

AQUA SHARD ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Trendy
Good for groups
Dressy

Recommended Reviews - Aqua Shard

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Reviews With Photos

Octopus
Felicia M.

It was my mother and my last evening in London and we wanted to celebrate a great trip. I had reserved the window experience and an experience it was! The view was amazing and the food delicious! My mom had the steak and I ventured out with the venison and I'm so glad I did, amazing! This is a pricier restaurant but certainly worth for a special occasion!

Desserts
Jade M.

Stunning views! The elevator ride is super quick so be ready for a fast change in elevation! We booked the Peter Pan tea and it was well worth it to have afternoon tea with gorgeous views of London. Was it expensive? Yes, but for us it was a bucket list item and something we were really looking forward to. The tea was delicious and you receive a generous amount of desserts, finger sandwiches and canapés. We were lucky to be seated right by a window and were offered tea refills and were even able to try multiple flavors. The food itself was average but the atmosphere was wonderful. Know that you're really paying for the view!

View from our table
Bear A.

A mind blowing view 30 stories above London is the perfect setting for what is literally "high tea". The service is excellent and the themed tea seems precious but is actually quite sophisticated. A highlight of our trip.

Set menu
Pam B.

Last leg of my Europe visit and I was going to fly out of London. My SIL reserved a nice lunch at this restaurant for me and this is my welcome to London moment. If you're looking for such a place to dine and see the sights of the city - this is the best place to be. We were here for lunch last Monday. We were seated right by the window with a view of the city - the side of the London eye. We were presented the menus - there's the regular menus and a set menu. We opted for the 3-course set with white wine. It was 49 + 10 with the wine so I thought that was a good deal. I highlighted both our orders below. My SIL soup with quail eggs was creamy and good, my tartine was also well prepared. The Roasted fillet sea bream was cooked to perfection and well seasoned. They poured the sauce after it was served and it had all the perfect elements for a main entree. The desserts were also divine - not too sweet and just right. Best place to go when you're visiting the city. Everything in this place was immaculate.

April H.

This was our first time at the Shard and it took us a minute to figure out where to enter to get to Aqua Shard. So note to others - you enter from the lower street level. Once you walk inside you go thru security and elevator takes you straight up to the restaurant. The views are beautiful. We checked in for our tea reservation and had a drink at the bar. The bar had good service and a fun cocktail menu. We then moved over to a window seat and had the Peter Pan afternoon tea. The experience was a lot of fun. The tea presentation was excellent and all the items of good quality. The service was good but a bit slow. Overall we greatly enjoyed it.

Desert
Jeff C.

Food was very good! Visited with friends and really enjoyed our experience. The service was top notch and the drinks excellent. We hit a clear day and could see miles. Make sure you plan enough time for the security line though!

Bar menu

If you're going to have a drink in London, Aqua Shard should be at the very top of your list. The views are jaw-dropping--floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping panoramas of the Thames, Tower Bridge, and the entire city skyline. It honestly feels cinematic. The bar itself is just as impressive as the setting: elevated but relaxed, with impeccably crafted cocktails that are balanced, creative, and absolutely worth lingering over. Service was polished and attentive without being stuffy, which made the experience even better. Yes, it's a splurge--but for the view, the atmosphere, and the quality of the drinks, it's 100% worth it. A must-do London experience.

The view from our seats, just amazing!
Edna D.

My husband and I came here without any reservation, wearing our casual clothes and sneakers, they allowed us in! My first reaction was "Wow"! As soon as you come in you'll be amazed with the glass windows, the layout of the restaurant was really pretty! We were greeted by Erin and she was really pleasant with a great smile. We were seated by the window and it was amazing to see the view of London. I'm pretty sure it's more beautiful at night! We were offered a Peter Pan Afternoon Tea so we were actually excited to try it for the first time. The food was elegantly presented but overly priced. Flavor is there but portion size not satisfied at all! We were asked if we wanted more of the sandwiches and baked fig which my husband said yes but it never came. The sweets not really impressed! Again, just cute to look at, food quality doesn't match the cost! The scones and sweets came in a pirate ship, the sandwiches and other savory selections came in a decorative lovely serving dish, both uniquely served! There are a few things not right and left us disappointed! We were able to experience the Afternoon tea and to see the breathtaking view, would recommend for the view but not the food!

Madison N.

What a magical place! The views are incredible here and the afternoon tea was just as great. The food was all delicious and unique from each other, I got a tasty meal with a memorable display! Loved the Peter Pan theme so much, but would definitely go back just for the views and scones!

Chocolate dome
Mike S.

First off-- the views are spectacular! But beyond this the Aqua Shard is just OK! We went for Sunday brunch --food was ok( desserts were excellent esp the Posset and chocolate dome)Service was less than stellar-- our waiter disappeared halfway through our meal on his break but never informed us---we had to flag down another waiter to get our plates cleared--never saw him again...basically it's all about the view as for the high prices they charge there are many better meals to be had in London...would we go back? Definitely not for a meal but maybe a drink...the third star is for the view.

Tinkerbell dessert
Mysti L.

My daughter and I had a magical experience getting the Peter Pan high tea. They were accommodating to her food aversions and everything was delicious and so memorable.

Agree
Gavin C.

We were in London for a day, and searching for a place to have tea (as one should do when one is in London). Aqua Shard came recommended and the Peter Pan Tea seems appropriate as I was celebrating a birthday but also refusing to feel into my age. Let me start by saying that the views, atmosphere and service were worth it. Our server (ahoy Captain Jack) was fantastic. The staff checking us is were fantastic. Have I said fantastic enough? Probably not. The tea itself was the best hot tea I had on this run through London and France. The sweets were better than they needed to be. The presentation of the food was phenomenal. If the goal was to delight in a way that made me feel like a kid again ... they succeeded. A note for the gentleman who may be reading this ... the men's room was the single more spectacular men's room I have ever seen. Floor to ceiling views while one conducts one's business. I know ... I can't believe I'm reviewing the bathroom, but it's ASTONISHING. We only had about 10 hours in London on this visit, and I'm genuinely happy that two of them were spent here. Thanks to Aqua Shard for a truly special birthday experience.

Cocktail
Kavitha P.

Always a great place to have cocktails whenever I'm in London The views esp if you actually have a window seat are amazing and the atmosphere is classy and chic They have tight security at The Shard which I appreciate and also a dress code - no trainers/tennis shoes etc Service has always been attentive Obviously drinks are expensive but as a tourist trap what would you expect!

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Aqua Shard Reviews in Other Languages

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The Alchemist - Drunken veggie dumplings

The Alchemist

3.9(119 reviews)
0.8 miAldgate
££

Giving this place 4 stars. The food and cocktails were spectacular, the service left a lot to be…read moredesired. I'm visiting from the States and this place was an excellent stop. We had a party of 13 so I understand there would be somewhat of a wait and that the whole Dining experience might take a while. We dined on a Tuesday night and the place was quite busy! It took at least 30 minutes from sitting down to get our drinks and another 10 on top of that for them to bring out some bottles of water. It seemed like our server was training someone new. They could have been more efficient, but it took a long time for them both to go around the table and enter in our orders. We were at a work after hours function so we all ordered from the 3 courses for 45 quid option. All of the starters sounded good, but I was slightly disappointed in the drunken dumplings as there were only 2, but the presentation was cool with them pouring the broth into the bowl at the table. I wish I had ordered the cheddar and shrimp toasties as they looked quite good! This place has awesome & fun cocktails, hence the Alchemist name. I didn't realize this at first so ordered a Mai Tai which was not nearly as exciting as some of what my colleagues ordered. Second time around I ordered the red zombie which came out smoking with a test tube vial of absinthe to add in! Definitely cool, but also a bit strong. I had the ribeye steak for my main. It was delicious! The cauliflower and potatoes very good too. Had the next level chocolate brownie for dessert. My only thought is it could have used a bigger scoop of ice cream compared to the size of the brownie but it was delicious! So good, in fact, that I had to finish every last crumb. The ambiance was nice. The bathroom was clean, but a little hard to locate. All in all, I would definitely come back if in the area again.

One of the better cocktail menus I've ever experienced anywhere in the world. The presentation was…read morefantastic, but the flavors were also spot on. Very unique, yet approachable. We did not eat, but would absolutely recommend the cocktail experience.

Photos
The Alchemist - Inside

Inside

The Alchemist - Shrimp toasties

Shrimp toasties

The Alchemist - Mezcal Meringue, Espresso Martini, French Kiss

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Mezcal Meringue, Espresso Martini, French Kiss

Dirty Martini - Dirty Martini on Bishopsgate in London.  December 2022.

Dirty Martini

3.4(20 reviews)
0.9 miAldgate
££

We found this cocktail bar when staying in the City of London at the end of December 2022 and…read morethough it seemed promising. At the time, we did not know it was a chain, but in any case it was unimpressive. It was not terrible but it was not very good, ultimately just ok. The place had some nice decor elements but seemed very much like an loud party place for drinkers who don't really know about drinks but want to seem sophisticated and have fun. I had the seasonal Fairytale of New York, which was the best of the lot, in part because it had no juice or other mixers like that. I often go with drinks along that line if I don't know the place. I then had the Scotch Mist, which was not as good. But it had grenadine, pineapple, and citrus, so there as the problem: it had too much of those and not enough of the Scotches. My wife had the Flyaway, tequila-based, and found it ok but too watery,juicy, and weak. Again, it had juices in it. Our daughter had a dirty martini which was not good. It had kalamata olives, which we took to be an attempt to seem fancy or avant garde, but which simply didn't work in a martini. This was not terrible but basically just an ok,somewhat crass cocktail place for people who want to seem sophisticated and "have fun" with loud music, etc., but don't really know anything about drinks. I can see this filling the role for people like that, but I would never go here again.

The vibe. The Music. The Wait Staff. The Diversity of guests. THE DRINKS! The freshness…read more All of the above were accurate during my visit. First time in this part of London and traveling from the US. It was a really good experience. I will definitely return.

Photos
Dirty Martini - Dirty Martini on Bishopsgate in London.  December 2022.

Dirty Martini on Bishopsgate in London. December 2022.

Dirty Martini - Dirty Martini on Bishopsgate in London.  December 2022.

Dirty Martini on Bishopsgate in London. December 2022.

Dirty Martini - Cocktails

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Cocktails

Be At One - Lychee martini

Be At One

4.1(22 reviews)
1.1 miAldgate
££

The happy hour deal is good, with you getting two cocktails for the price of one. I like how the…read morewhole menu (which is massive, by the way) is eligible for the happy hour price. Two for one is a good deal but I wish you didn't have to get two of the same cocktail. I got the lychee martini and honestly it didn't taste much like lychee at all - also every lychee martini I've had in the past was made with vodka and this one was made with gin (fine, just unusual). The music was so loud I could barely think - my ears are still ringing today. I wish they had turned it down a little bit because it was really overbearing. The overall bar is nice but a little bit cramped. There was limited seating at the bar and only a few tables that were all occupied once I got there. The bartender was nice. I wouldn't rush to return although the happy hour deal is good for what you get.

Best mixology bar I've found in London!…read more The menu of 'house-drinks' is usually only a starting place for me. We usually try several of the menu drinks to get a feel for the bartender skillz, before ordering what we really want. But; surprise, surprise! The menu drinks here are actually great! My wife loved one of the chocolate martini style drinks (I forgot the name), and she barely drinks ETOH. I started with the Porn-Star, expecting mediocrity with a catchy name - but it was great! I'm a huge fan of vodka mojitos, so the Twisted Mojito was next. HOLD YOUR TEXT MESSAGES; this is the best mojito I have had in a long time!! (and I drink a lot of Mojitos!). I quickly drank another; still perfect!! Great service from the friendly bartender, fair prices, and EXCELLENT drinks. We will be back before we leave London!

Photos
Be At One
Be At One
Be At One

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Found - Front door next to Cantina

Found

4.8(5 reviews)
1.4 miLiverpool Street / Broadgate
££

Oh you know, one of those hidden gems that no one seems to know about, no big deal. JUST KIDDING IT…read moreIS A BIG DEAL. We were able to make reservations, which made me happy. And that meant we got to sit in this tiny tucked away little corner archway for just us 4 peeps and it was totally awesome. The cocktails were lovely and I really enjoyed our time here. Such a funky place. The cherry on top was the owner speaking to us after. It's really refreshing to have the actual owner come talk to you and show interest in how you heard of the place and how you Found (ha!) it. He was lovely, and so were the cocktails, and so was Found.

This place must be new right or is it that hidden that no one FOUND it?…read more The bar staff are really cool and funny also happy for us to keep a tab going. The smell of fresh paint, with it's a lovely warm atmosphere, magnolia walls, dark wood, candles on each table and lots of cocktails to choose from makes it a great after work or pre-party venue. I got the cocktail which was the first on the menu and it was called Frothy Lady (I think). Very sweet and hardly tasted the alcohol. The espresso cocktail tasted great too but couldn't taste the alcohol. So it got me wondering if they were being stingy or were they just really good. The jalapeño pretzels were really nice and the olives had too much lemon on them for my liking but I was hungry so ate them all anyway. It's next to The Book Club and a short walk from Old Street so if you're around give it a try!

Photos
Found
Found
Found

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Callooh Callay - Psyduck

Callooh Callay

3.9(153 reviews)
1.5 miHoxton
£££

Callooh Callay is kind of a hole-in-the-wall but the inventive cocktails will have you chortling in…read moreyour joy. I'd describe it as busy but not overcrowded, dim lit and divey but not dirty, with fair prices, interesting drink options and friendly service. And there was a live DJ starting around 10:30 PM. For drinks, I had the BBQ Negroni. I have no idea what gives it the "BBQ" flavor, but it's there and it is good. My wife ordered the Green Card, a tequila-based drink that features a mango chutney. (The Green Card is unfortunately cursed though with way too salty ancho mix on the rim). Overall, it's a quality spot for a drink before galumphing on.

Loved this dive bar-esque place. My personal preference, I didn't love the drink options. I knew I…read morewasn't staying long but I have to tip my cap to the bartender (sorry forgot his name). But I told him about my venture, visiting London for a quick weekend and wanting to bar hop through Shoreditch. He was surprised I was in the neighborhood considering I was staying in Soho. He commented Shoreditch was a bit of a journey but he appreciated the effort and wrote down a list of bars he recommended. He gave about 6-7 and my partner and I managed to hit 3. They were definitely unique bars, including one that gets going at 1am, a bar with shapes for a name.

Photos
Callooh Callay - Mirror door leads to bathroom!

Mirror door leads to bathroom!

Callooh Callay - Menu

Menu

Callooh Callay - Bloody screwdriver + Jack-o-spiced punch from their Halloween menu

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Bloody screwdriver + Jack-o-spiced punch from their Halloween menu

Aqua Shard - british - Updated May 2026

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