The South Bank Centre Units 1 & 2 Riverside Level 1
Lambeth
London, SE1 8XX
Nearest Transport: Embankment
020 7928 2004
Giraffe is a chain of modern, buzzing restaurants that serve healthy food at all hours of the day, including a weekend brunch. It is a non-smoking restaurant and children are welcome.
I got the distinct impression that, whatever high principles they may purport to subscribe to, the people that run this place are not interested in their customers' best interests.
We had to queue for ages (approx. 30 minutes), standing in their busy doorway. Luckily I had a free paper with me, which I read from cover to cover.
Once seated, in front of aforementioned queue, I was glad of the pullover I'd brought as by now a sharpish breeze was blowing through the doorway, onto my back.
I've recently had to start trying to cut gluten out of my diet - much easier said than done as you'd be surprised how often it can sneak into products that you just wouldn't expect to contain it - so I'm especially grateful to food retailers that provide clear labels telling me what's safe and what's not. Unfortunately, Giraffe don't do this. However, the Manager did go out of his way to try and help and after much rummaging around in his office (and another fairly lengthy wait) was able to produce a list of which products did/didn't contain gluten. Unfortunately, that was nearly everything.
Eventually I opted for an overpriced steak (fatty) and mash (dry). The portion size was adequate though, which is more than I can say for the duck noodles that my boyfriend opted for. The look on his face was akin to a starving kitten, closely followed by one of pain, on receipt of the bill.
God bless the new Southbank redevelopment and the introduction of restaurants and cafe's. Giraffe is actually a chain of restaurants but I've only been to the one at Southbank Centre (a lot) so can't comment on the rest.Though I imagine the same good vibe flows through them all.
The food is cafe style fusion with lots of South East Asian influences although there are loads of good solid grill options like burgers and fish. All the ingredients are healthy and fresh and the dishes are cooked to order.
The service can be a bit iffy but this is possibly because the restaurant is always busy. I make it a policy to always book in advance if attending a play/gig as otherwise there is often a queue for a table.
I notice another review mentions a celebrity sighting in her local Giraffe and I would like to add my own 'Simon Amstell was here' at the Southbank. Not as glamorous as a Hollywood screen goddess but still...
Giraffe is set just off Upper Street where the majority of the restaurants in the area lie. It is a mixture of Cafe and restaurant with a good varied menu. It crosses a variety of cultures and you will find spring rolls, hummus with pitta, salads, burgers and noodles - and more. There's a great kids menu and the smoothies are definitely worth a visit. Giraffe is a nice place to go on a Saturday or sunday afternoon with friends or kids. The last time I went, I saw Cate Blanchett eating with her husband and child!!!!!!
Perfect place to get something to eat before heading to the cinema, theatre etc on the South Bank. Love the smoothies and the Morrocan mint tea. Wide choice on the menu, combining the best of a few different cuisines. Fusion at its best and least pretentious. I've had the stir-fry and the goats cheese and aubergine burger and both have been delish. There's a good value 2 course set menu (7 before 7.30 and 8 after) but it doesn't give you much choice, especially if you're vegetarian. Giraffe is a chain restaurant (as you can tell from the paraphenalia!) but it still has some heart. Service is quick, the location is great, and the menu is varied. No real animals are included.
This is a small chain with several branches (Ive also visited the ones in Chiswick, Islington, Muswell Hill) that manages to please most people. Its got a nice cosy vibe, all dark wooden booths and orange lighting. I particularly enjoy having brunch there good blueberry pancakes or smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, washed down with fresh juices and excellent coffee. However it also does brilliant inventive burgers (including ones made from lamb, halloumi and felafel) and other lunch and dinner options, and has a nice wine list. Its not very expensive maybe 6 or 7 pounds for a burger and has early evening specials which make it even cheaper.
In the popular branches (like this one in a lovely setting on the South Bank) you usually have to queue for a table but not usually for long. Theyre very welcoming to babies and small children so its useful for meeting friends who have kids in tow.
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