London’s crop of skyscraper restaurants are proving hugely popular with the capital’s diners a respected guide will reveal tomorrow.
The 2014 Guide to London’s Best Restaurants and Bars, published by Square Meal, shows that high rise dining was the dominant trend in the market during 2013, with the Shard’s 32nd storey Oblix grill proving to be the most visited restaurannt of the year. This was followed by the Aqua Shard on level 31, while the 33rd floor Hutong took sixth place.
Other popular spots to share a meal with a view were the Sushisamba, on the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower and the Duck and Waffle situated on the floor above. The restaurant in the South Bank’s Oxo Tower also proved popular with diners, finishing the year in eighth place.
Square Meal editor Ben McCormack told the Evening Standard that skyscraper dining is as good an experience as London has to offer.
“Not only are you reminded what a phenomenal choice of new restaurants there are in the capital, but the view from the window is guaranteed to give you an adrenaline rush as you take in what a dynamic place London is to live – and the restaurant scene is very much part of that excitement,” he said.
Executive chef at the Duck and Waffle, Dan Doherty, said that the 24 hour restaurant has gone from strength to strength and that tables for lunch and dinner need to be booked up to eight weeks in advance. And he believes that the view is a major factor in its popularity.
“The great thing about the view is that you can see old and new together,” he said. “You have the Gherkin and the Shard, but also these beautiful old churches.”
This year another crop of towering venues will add to the choice of skyscraper leisure establishments. The Shard’s Shangri-La Hotel will accommodate Asian restaurant Ting, 24 hour café Lang and London’s highest bar Gong when it opens in May.
These will be joined by City Social at Tower 42, which is also due to open in May, and 20 Fenchurch Street’s Sky Garden restaurant and champagne bar which is scheduled to open in the autumn.
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