Touristy during the day but trendy/ hipster during the evening. I came here three times during my stay in London. Yes, I am both a glutton and a creature of habit when on vacation. First time, to grab dessert and a drink before the the play "Comus: A Masque in Honour of Chastity". As part of my solo dirty 30 celebration. Second time, after the play for a bit of warm soup and two cocktails (2 of the Rose Sangria and does taste like rose!). The third time, for an actual proper meal... I had the soup again, the main course special: pheasant, and apple pie with vanilla ice... My favorite was the peasant because it had a nice umami sauce with rosemary. The second favorite part of the meal was the dessert with its fresh out of the oven pastry and delicate apple goodness. Also the people you meet are worth it. Ranging from the locals to Aussies to drunk out of their minds folks, it won't be a dull evening. So, I recommend coming here during the evening if you want a savory English meal or a pint. read more

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Came here for NYE and had a blast with my family. We were a group of 5 and I reserved their prix fixe menu. Service: The staff was extremely helpful and sweet. They did everything with a smile on their face. It was NYE and I'm sure nobody wanted to be working. Really lovely people and worked very hard. Venue: We could see some fireworks on the balcony to ring in the new year. The staff gave everyone party hats and favors. Such a delight! Decor was very beautiful and not pretentious at all. Definitely somewhere you can go for a date or come with family. Food: Everything was so delicious!! Thank you for such a great time. read more

Came here because it was next door to the Globe to try their dinner pre-fix menu. The highlight of my meal was the sole filet but nothing really stood out. The recommended cocktail was more acidic than refreshing. Pricey for what the meal was. More stars off for the hostess. When we came in, the restaurant upstairs was 70% empty but she sat us in the only poor seat in the house away from the windows, saying everything else was reserved, which judging by the crowd that was trickling in (mostly tourists), it wasn't. Didn't appreciate her profiling and won't be back. read more

Pre Shakespeare Shepard pie. The burger here is great. They a have an adequate selection of local ales and a great selection of other cocktails and wines. The service is really good for the pre show crowd. That's a big deal really, it's a perfect spot as far as proximity to eat before a show at the globe, they actually have an exit from the restaurant that puts you inside the ticketed area for the globe. The servers know when the show starts and can accommodate a fast turn around for guests. The place gets pretty loud when it's crowded. The window seating is wonderful looking out over the river as well as great people watching. read more

Literally writing this review as I'm dining at the restaurant right now (after ordering our food) because I'm just that blown away. Marvelous space overlooking the Thames. Service thus far has been excellent. Update: the food was top-notch. Great, great meal... read more

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This is my first British restaurant review The food of course is different The restaurant is clean The ambience is excellent It is great sitting and eating close to Shakespeare theatre I had fish and chips - for us in the u.s. fish and French fries I had to keep reminding myself in England chips=fries But the food was great My daughter had a salad - she likes goat cheese The salad was good I'm not to crazy about goat cheese - but I can not it was bad. One thing I learned while in England they protect their forests so there are a lot of hand dryers and no paper towels No straws Good thing I always carried paper tissue in my back pockets I could have fallen on my butt and would have never felt pain- that how stuffed my pockets were But overall experience was excellent read more

I got a 50% off deal through toptable and went to the Swan for brunch today. Overlooking the Thames on a gorgeous sunny day with chill out music in the background, heaven! Attentive and friendly service, I had the vegetarian English breakfast which was perfect, delicious and beautifully presented. I loved it so much that I got a gift voucher for a friend - champagne brunch will be on me! read more

Swan - My view over brunch - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

On a stretch of river in our capital city filled with world famous buildings and iconic views, there can only be two sureties; loud, jostling hungry tourists, and overpriced, substandard restaurants to feed them. One of the jewels along the waterside is the Globe Theatre. Only a teenager (started by Sam Wannamaker in 1970, opening after his death in 1997), it fits in perfectly with its older neighbours and has rightly become a real destination along the bank. For the last year or so they've also been blessed with the Swan. A lovely little bar and brasserie adjoining the theatre 'directed' by ex Ramsay cohort Mark Sargeant, there's a sense of real purpose about the menu. They shout loud and proud about their reliance on foragers, farmers and local markets (they are just up the road from Borough Market after all) and the menu reflects this seasonality. Sadly that season has just passed. On a gorgeous spring night it's a shame that most of the food on offer has a distinctly wintery note. Don't get me wrong, I love the sound of the Cashel Blue macaroni cheese and spiced Elizabethan mutton casserole is just what you'd expect to eat before outdoor Shakespeare, but not when the weather outside is so warm. I went for the one seasonal starter. Trimmed asparagus with hollandaise. Sometimes kitchens have to realise that you don't mess with perfection and that was certainly the case. Cooked for a couple of minutes, lightly drizzled with a zingy sauce, it was heaven. Nicco Polo was slightly less lucky. His scallop and spring onion gratin was average at best, with an excess of herbed breadcrumbs and a strong gratin sauce overwhelming the more delicate scallops. The confit pork belly was a big homely portion. Again, not necessarily suited to a spring night, but I'm a big fan of the pig and won't let a little thing like seasonality get in my way. The large slab came with a sweet honey and dill glazed crackling, sweetly tender fat and a creamy, mustardy celeriac remoulade that set it off perfectly. Finishing off with the summer pudding, I was struck by just how conducive the restaurant was to having a good time. It was so friendly and comfortable with some excellent food, that and the very central location mean I'll certainly be coming back. For a very reasonable price, we had three strong courses, an aperitif and a Chilean Pinot Noir from a tasty little list that struggled to top £40 a bottle. Looking out at the tourists crossing the Millennium Bridge as the light gradually faded behind St Paul's dome we wondered how many of them would look up and check out the Swan, or given the sad state of occupancy would they all end up flooding into the overpriced 'ye olde pubbe' or one of the chain restaurants that infest the area. More fool them if they do. read more

Swan - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

I am always on the look out for romantic brunch restaurants and by the Thames is always a win win situations for things to do after and the beautiful scenic walk there. But sometimes I want something more casual, no fancy dress code, somewhere I can relax and be cosy and Swan at the Globe is always one of those places I return to for that. It is a mix crowd of people depending on what time you come. I am recommending an early brunch as it's definitely more quiet and peaceful before the bar gets busy and the louder crowd comes in, especially during the weekends for pre-theatre drinks. They have recently refurbished their upstairs restaurant if you prefer more formal dining but I haven't been upstairs to comment. One thing I find myself drooling for are their beautiful rich yolky poached Legbar eggs. It must be the reason why their eggs Benedict is known to be their signature dish being voted top 10 in London by the Evening Standard too. We started with a mocha and an Americano presented in two different classic mugs like I entered someones's home. Very cute. Mocha was rich and chocolatey and Americano smooth and fragrant. Good coffee! For food we ordered: Eggs florentine Just like how I ordered them 3 years ago. The muffin was light and fluffy, toasted do was nice and crisp around the edges. The spinach was fresh, velvety and cooked to perfection. But the highlight of it all were those two large poached eggs sitting on top. The yolk came out blood orange, deliciously rich and thick. The accompanied hollandaise sauce did it much justice adding that lovely creaminess to it and bringing everything together. Full English breakfast It didn't have all the fancy presentation or looked like much. But the beauty was inside as everything tasted great. Juicy portobello mushroom, silky creamy scrambled eggs, sweet crispy bacon, the sausages were very flavoursome, full of herbs and texture and same goes for the black pudding. It came with a jar of baked beans so it was kept warm inside but you ate it and a slice of toast. Service was great and efficient. We even asked for more of that delicious crisp fluffy toast to accompany it all and they gave it to us without no questions. Buttermilk pancakes, berry compote and vanilla cream. These were slightly disappointing. The pancakes themselves were slightly too dense and bland. The berries were tart but refreshing if you like that kind of sourness. The vanilla cream did a good job balancing out the flavours though. Overall I really enjoy Swan at the Globe. Although it is right next to the Globe theatre itself, a big tourist attraction, prices are still affordable. If you manage to grab a booth table and able to enjoy the comfy leather couch seating then you can find yourself here letting time fly by. Otherwise it might be a shared table with other diners next to you. Whatever it is just order an eggs Florentine/Royale/Benedict. You won't regret it. read more

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My brother and I came here as we were exploring our first area after we settled into our hotel and we found this place on an empty stomach. We were actually looking for sunday roasts and this place had it, which was really convenient. So, we ordered that and some mulled cider too, both of which were new to us. Without any point of comparison, I will just say that I found the food to be very delicious and the mulled cider was pretty good. My roast came with a side of cauliflower gratin and had, on the plate, potatoes, yorkshire pudding, kale, and bone marrow. All of it was quite good, but I liked my brother's roast better. He got a crispy pork belly roast with kale and potatoes and an applesauce dip. Overall, I enjoyed this place and would consider coming back. In writing this review, I noticed other stuff on their menu that I might try out next time. read more

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After completing the arduous jet journey from Miami to London, we ended up here as my daughter is studying/performing at the Globe. As the name implies, it is conveniently located in the Globe complex and near the Tate Modern. It is a cozy space with a lovely view of the Thames and St. Paul's cathedral. For lunch I had an excellent soup (Jerusalem artichoke with spinach and hazelnut pesto. I had a half pint of prawns...they were ok but then I'm spoiled with locally sourced Florida Keys seafood. Maybe it's me but the service seemed inattentive but my daughter says the Brits are unobtrusive in that way. It was pricey but I'm attributing that to the location. This seems like a good place for a pre or post show meal. read more

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Love it! It's so cute and yummy here!!! We came here for the Titania's brunch and loved it! It's so girly and perfect! The little sandwiches were adorable. The egg sandwich did nothing for me, but the chicken salad and the smoked salmonella were quite nice! The leek and mushroom mini quiche was divine. The chocolate cake, macaroons, and pudding were divine. The scones with clotted cream and jam were lovely. The tea comes with a glass of bubbly and a lovely tea selection. All this comes in a gorgeous floral room, and adorable "Midsummer's nights dream " china. Lovely just lovely!!! read more

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I really enjoyed my meal at the Swan. We arrived on a Tuesday night and we got a spot for 4 at a communal table right away. I ordered fish and chips with mushy peas. The chips were thick and delicious. The peas were well seasoned. The portion was huge. My only gripe was the stools at the table were uncomfortable. Highly recommend coming here over all the chains on the south bank. read more

Swan - Flowers - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

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I can't say I've tried the food (and couldn't do better than the review below!), but the Swan also makes for a decent wine/cocktail bar. The decor treads the fine line between trendy and kitsch (the angel-winged lightbulbs somehow work) and creates a nice space the views across the Thames to St Paul's don't hurt either. With a decent wine and cocktail list, it's no surprise all the window seats are taken by loved-up couples. During daylight hours, the outdoor balcony would be a great place to sun yourself while sipping something cold. A welcome respite from the string of chain restaurants along this stretch of river! read more

Swan - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

Great food, great service. I absolutely loved the chicken pie and fish cake. Would definetly come again. Views are wonderful and a perfect meal before a Hamlet play next door. read more

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As a tourist and a theater fan, I had to check this place out. I sat in the communal seating area. Though there are more private tables. I got the Shakespeare Ale and the Fish and Chips, because again, tourist. They had wifi. I tried to buy tickets for the show that night but it was sold out. The staff was friendly and accommodating. They didn't rush me. The bathroom is upstairs and has a lot of photos on the walls leading up to it of past shows. I spent a lot of time looking at those. read more

Tea was wonderful! The food was brilliant and a great value for the price. The separate gentleman's tea was a treat. But for the sideshow... one of the waitresses was upset, huffing and really working very hard. A man who acted like a manager ( not a good one) came out and spoke harshly to her in front of a whole room of guests. Everyone was uncomfortable, guests, other staff. Then he proceeded to stand in the hall between the guests and kitchen and sulk and fume. It really ruined the mood for the tables nearby. Really, take the drama to the stage. What a downer on what could have been a perfect lunch. read more

If you like literature, or have studied, or even if you know the name William Shakespeare, then the Globe Theatre is definitely worth a visit. One of my favourite places in London, the replica theatre (the original burnt down and was further back from the Thames) takes you back to a time when theatre was the main form of entertainment. The tour around the Globe itself is interesting and full of facts - just make sure you ask all the questions you want as you will find the tour guide will then open up and let you deeper into Shakespeare's world! Best to sign-up to the Globe website so they can let you know when their summer theatre season begins. I am going to see King Lear in June and I absolutely cannot wait! read more

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I am hesitant to recommend Swan at Shakespeare's Globe. It's definitely designed for tourists and I was extremely hungry when I decided upon eating. The service was iffy at best and I found that my cutlery was not clean. My eggs florentine was decent but not the best. You also pay far too much for subpar food and service. Skip if you can. read more

Swan - Eggs florentine - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

The waiter was amazing and the experience was by far my favorite of my trip to London. They even had an afternoon tea for my husband!

In its first staging at The Globe Theatre, All's Well That Ends Well is brought to life in John Doves production. It tells the story of Helena (Ellie Piercy) who is in love with her Count Bertram (Sam Crane) though he doesn't seem to notice she exists. After curing the King of France (played wonderfully by Sam Cox) she is allowed to marry the man of her choosing and chooses Bertram, much to the delight of his mother, the Countess of Roussillion (played delightfully by Janie Dee). As this is a Shakespeare story, nothing goes to plan and Helena is left feeling rejected and in need of a plan to truly win the heart of the man she loves. Although it is one of Shakespeare's lesser than plays, All's Well That Ends Well is the perfect production for a place like The Globe, with its simple storyline and modest scenery and cast. You really feel as if you are personally witnessing this love story unfold as if you were a member of the household and can't help but feel your heart warmed by an ending, that for once, ends the way you feel every love story should. All's Well That Ends Well is showing at The Globe Theatre until August 21st. http://www.itsnosmallthing.weebly.com read more

Swan - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

The food was wonderful. Excellent wait staff. The setting is lovely- looking out on the Thames and London.

Came here on a Sunday evening to enjoy their Sunday Dinner offer of 2 courses for £25. They also offer 3 courses for £28. I had the lamb roast dinner as a main and it was delicious. Great roast potatoes and I was very pleased to see a Yorkshire pudding included in the "trimmings". My lamb was flavoursome, if a little fatty. I opted for a meringue and fruit desert. It was good but my friend had the brown sugar tart which was delicious and immediately gave me dessert envy. Lovely service and the staff were very attentive. They checked on us and get us topped up with wine throughout the meal. Finally, the thing that absolutely makes this place a must visit, is the view from the dinner table. Beautiful scenes of the river and the stunning skyline across London. read more

It was okay. Menu we were given was different than the menu they posted outside, so that's one thing. Came here while starving after spending a long day walking around the City and right before spending another couple hours at Tate Modern. It was close to the bridge where we crossed the river and looked descent. Considering it's part of the Globe Theater, it seems they get a lot of patronage as part of the theater going crowd. The space is nicely decorated and the cocktail I ordered was good. Our server was harried but friendly. However food wise I found the selection underwhelming, I ended up getting a cold potato leek soup and vegetarian focaccia sandwich because nothing really caught my fancy. I admit however that their fries were really delicious. But this place really did really have the feel of a tourist trap, unfortunately. read more

Worse customer service in London! Over 15 employees in the actual restaurant and no sense of cordiality all of them busy chatting with each other. Spend your money elsewhere. read more

Afternoon tea was great. We were anxious with all the options during our trip but the service was 10/10, tea 10/10, and assorted foods 10/10. read more

Came here after the play and was super pleased with the ambience and the food. Its was very romantic and our table came with a view. The food was delicious!! Highly recommend this place! Even thought we were more than 15min late for our reservation because of the play but they were very friendly and got us a table. Again, highly recommend it!!! read more

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The food here is not the greatest. It has great views of London and has good drinks (beer and cider), but I wouldn't recommend a meal here. The staff is friendly and courteous which is a lot to say for London restaurants. read more

We came here around 10pm tonight (a Saturday night). It's a cute & cozy spot with a gorgeous view, and one of the few spots we found with a cocktail menu! The issue, however, was the service/bartender. Long story short, our server accidentally gave another person our drink, and as he was taking the drink away, she explained that she already sipped on it. He took the drink back to the bartender and, I kid you not, we watched him pour that drink into another glass. They all giggled behind the bar, prepared our other drinks, and had a different server bring our drinks to us. I returned the one drink, explaining to the new server that I witnessed the bartender pour someone else's sipped drink into a different glass and tried to pass it off as ours. The new server, Manto, ordered us a new drink (we watched the process) and our previous server dropped off the new drink without an apology and avoided us the rest of the night (I think his name was Adrian). After we finished our drinks, we asked for the check and Adrian added a "discretionary gratuity" to our tab. REALLY?! After all that, your gonna give yourself a tip?? I asked Manto to remove the gratuity for someone who didn't even serve us and when he did, did so poorly. We payed the bill and tipped Manto for all of his help and for righting the wrong of his co-workers. Manto is the only reason this place didn't get 1 Star. I wouldn't go back again after that experience. Even though Manto was great, I wouldn't trust a drink there again. read more

The ambiance was very lively and the service was terrific. Open with views of London and the Globe next door it creates a very enjoyable evening at the Globe theatre. The dinner was an excellent contemporary fare of a mix deliciously prepared variety vegetables, meats and fish. We will definitely return for another fun evening. read more

We went here for dinner before a show and it was pretty good. I had fish, and a pastrami prepared fish appetizer, the dessert - lemon 'meringue' wasn't very good. The grapefruit made it too sour and the 'meringue' bits were like little sugar cigarretes. It was described on the menu as pie, but there was no crust. read more

We had some food and drinks in the restuarant on teh first floor and I was stunned by the view over St. Paul's and the beauty of the place. The quality of food and drink was good and the service was good (efficient and attentive) even though they were clearly out of their depth as to the food they served (no bread plates with teh bread and do't even try to make them filet the fish). but if you are not a snob and can ignore these, you will have a lovely dinner. read more

Swan - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

We had the hotel concierge make reservations after they recommended The Swan for afternoon Tea (when we found out the London Ritz was full). We are glad we went to The Swan instead! I wouldn't even consider PM Tea as a meal if it weren't for my wife, but the Swan has a very well prepared "gentleman's Tea" that includes a BBQ beef slider, scotch egg and a pint of appropriately paired ale. No complaints here, as my wife is happy with her multi level terrace of treats (mine was on a cutting board). Go enjoy an afternoon on the Thames! read more

Swan - Nice tea at the Swan - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

This is a very romantic and beautifully styled place for dinner!!! Located in the Shakespeare Globe the fish stew and chicken pot dishes we had were incredible! I will be craving the fish stew until I can recreate it at home ;) read more

Swan - Chicken Pot - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

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One of my favorite restaurants in London. It combines a quaint public house with locavore offerings. The decor is rustic modern and so comfortable. We could have stayed for hours. The staff were attentive and lovely. The location is perfect next to The Globe and Tate Modern with views of the Thames and St. Paul's. Great twist in the name honoring on of the old theaters in the area during Shakespeare's day. Cheers. read more

I had the most lovely afternoon tea experience here. We sat at a table by the window overlooking the River Thames. We also opted for the love potion cocktail which was wonderful. Our favorite snack on the spread was the smoked tuna wrap, which was wonderful. I also enjoyed the whipped truffle cheesetart (although I'm a truffle fanatic). The desserts were wonderful and the Darjeeling tea was perfect. What a magical afternoon with a lovely interior. Also, our waiter was a pleasure to have. read more

Swan - Afternoon tea - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

I had such a lovely time here. I came here alone to enjoy high tea and had the A Midsummer's Night Dream afternoon tea and the Sapphire Earl Grey Tea. It's definitely a lot of food for one person but I enjoyed trying everything, it's a great value. I was seated right by the window and enjoyed the view of the Thames and people watched lazily. The presentation of the meal was all star (coming in four tier and with beautifully designed desserts and sandwiches) and served on Anna Westler's custom designed tea seat for Shakespeare's Globe. read more

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Came here for pre-theatre dinner (which you MUST book for, it will fill up!), and we had such a lovely meal upstairs in elegant restaurant, with the windows open and a lovely breeze flowing through - not to mention a view of the river and the city across it. The menu will change seasonally so there is no sense making particular recommendations - there are 2-3 choices for starter and main and dessert. I will say that everything was prepared beautifully and excellently cooked - at £24.50 for 3 courses, it is an excellent deal for such lovely, beautiful, seasonal food. The service was exceptional, the kind where you feel like they are truly happy to see you and wanting to make sure you have the best possible experience. We felt very looked-after, and the meal was really a proper treat before a night of great theatre. Why go anywhere else before the Globe - it's literally adjacent, in fact the Swan even connects to the yard of the theatre. If you don't finish your drink before the meal is over, they'll put it in a plastic cup for you so you can take it outside and into the Globe - what service! I've been here in the past and eaten downstairs at the bar before a show, which is more of a pub food menu but also delicious. I also had a friend rent out the bar for her engagement party, and it was a fabulous venue for it! But I'm biased because that was the party where I met my husband, so I guess the Swan will always hold a special place in our hearts! read more

I came with friends and it was so good that I had to go back with my husband and another couple (dear friends of ours). For starters, the Jerusalem artichoke soup is good, albeit a little bland (maybe it needs pepper, a spicy kick?). But my friend and husband both got the pork crackling with apple sauce. While they thought it was good, it was unexpectedly battered and extremely salty! Because of the salty starter, we must've gone through 8-10 bottles of still water throughout the dinner! For the main, the Beef Wellington is perfection. My friend's lamb was so tender that she could cut it without a knife. And dessert wise, the panna cotta was very mediocre while the apple tart and vanilla ice cream are amazing. Extra points go to uncharacteristically great service. Beautiful views of the Thames (I had requested a nice view and was given a lovely table for my second visit). Two sets of loos on the same floor, at opposite ends of each other) to make going a quick and convenient process, no matter which side you are seated on. Helps a lot when you are 8 months pregnant. All in all, a very lovely dinner and would recommend! read more

If you are looking for the best pancakes on the planet, check out the Swan! We popped in here during a Sunday stroll in London for a quick and tasty brunch. We were seated promptly. The service is a little sluggish, so plan accordingly with your time. I ordered the berry pancakes with whipped cream and could have happily ordered 3 or 4 more rounds - the best pancakes of my life. The pancake batter is similar to that of a victoria sponge and are griddled in butter, resulting in the most perfectly fluffy crunchy cake heaven you'll ever put in your mouth. The pancakes are then topped in a berry compote and scratch-made whip cream. The whip cream has little flecks of vanilla bean and is perfectly sweetened. No maple syrup is needed for pancakes this good. My partner ordered the eggs florentine. I tried some of his hollandaise sauce and it was divine. What a lovely spot overlooking the Thames. We sat at a booth by the window. It felt like a dream. read more