Latest reviews in Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom

Royal China - Fantastic food by lightlines

lightlines — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:24:21 +0000

Review by lightlines

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7719 0888

Website: http://www.royalchinagroup.co.uk

Had two wonderful experiences here, lunch and dinner. It can get very busy at lunch time due to the office-folk descending on the place. It can be very nice to sit outside on the riverbank, as that entire area looks great.

Lunch menu was very varied and interesting, staff were helpful while we attempted to choose dishes.

For dinner, I took a few of my friends for a birthday party. They put up with us for hours, and we made our way through each section of the menu at a steady pace. Food was fresh, delicious and the decor just added to the overall effect. Dinner was also a quieter affair (but that said, it was just after christmas) than lunch, but nevertheless I would always go here again.

Seamlessly, it caters to all audiences, I am very impressed. Had two wonderful experiences here, lunch and dinner. It can get very busy at lunch time due to the office-folk descending on the place. It can be very nice to sit outside on the riverbank, as that entire area looks great.

Lunch menu was very varied and interesting, staff were helpful while we attempted to choose dishes.

For dinner, I took a few of my friends for a birthday party. They put up with us for hours, and we made our way through each section of the menu at a steady pace. Food was fresh, delicious and the decor just added to the overall effect. Dinner was also a quieter affair (but that said, it was just after christmas) than lunch, but nevertheless I would always go here again.

Seamlessly, it caters to all audiences, I am very impressed.

Mez Bar & Restaurant - Turkish Cuisine in the Docklands by sue

sue — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:40:00 +0000

Review by sue

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 70050421

Website: http://www.mezrestaurant.com/

Tags: live music, turkish, lively

Mez Bar & Restaurant is a Turkish restaurant located in the Docklands area, about 10 minutes walk from Canary Warf. We ended up there one night when dining with friends who live in the area.

It is a large modern place, with two levels of seating. The night we were there we were entertained by a singer who seemed to have a liking for George Michael songs. Some nights they also have Belly Dancers. Service was smiley, though slow at times, and we had to ask three times for the bill.

To start we had - the Kalamar (Calamari rings), the Hellim (Chargrilled Hellim cheese), and the Karides (a type of prawn spring roll - well, that's what it looked like to me!)

For main course we had - the Incik (a type of lamb shank), the Mousakka, and some grilled, skewered meats. We didn't bother with dessert.

The food was all ok, but not really to my taste. Hopefully our friends enjoyed it more, as Mez is located very close to their place, and there are not many other dining options in this part of town.Mez Bar & Restaurant is a Turkish restaurant located in the Docklands area, about 10 minutes walk from Canary Warf. We ended up there one night when dining with friends who live in the area.

It is a large modern place, with two levels of seating. The night we were there we were entertained by a singer who seemed to have a liking for George Michael songs. Some nights they also have Belly Dancers. Service was smiley, though slow at times, and we had to ask three times for the bill.

To start we had - the Kalamar (Calamari rings), the Hellim (Chargrilled Hellim cheese), and the Karides (a type of prawn spring roll - well, that's what it looked like to me!)

For main course we had - the Incik (a type of lamb shank), the Mousakka, and some grilled, skewered meats. We didn't bother with dessert.

The food was all ok, but not really to my taste. Hopefully our friends enjoyed it more, as Mez is located very close to their place, and there are not many other dining options in this part of town.

Waitrose Food & Home - Whats not to love by mazphd

mazphd — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 08:36:57 +0000

Review by mazphd

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7719 0300

Website: http://www.waitrose.co.uk

Tags: delicatessen, healthy food, bakery

Short review: This is Waitrose, whats not to love. Short review: This is Waitrose, whats not to love.

Itsu - Sushi Wharf by mazphd

mazphd — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 08:31:53 +0000

Review by mazphd

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7512 5790

Website: http://www.itsu.co.uk

Tags: japanese, good value, lively

Itsu, whilst a chain is a chain that is well worth taking advantage of if you are hard pressed for time and need a (sushi) pick me up.

Right in the centre of the Wharf's mall (somewhere between Wagamama's, Waitrose and an array of shopping temptations) there is a designated seating area atop some high stools perfect for people (suit) watching as they scurry on past looking stressed and in need of a Miso soup.

This particular Itsu is probably one that is best suited for a quick pit stop rather than some R&R. The location whilst great for being in the centre of the hustle and bustle of the Wharf, is not conducive to a relaxing 'dining in' experience. What is super handy about this place is its small, yet perfectly formed and extremally efficient self- sushi-service that does not deteriate despite its compact size. Every time i have taken a pit stop here the staff have been not only super friendly, but happy too. Something you won't get at the 'golden arches' (*shudder*).

So if youre in the City and in need of a fast and relatively healthy food stop Itsu is an excellent choice. I would recommend the Jasmin Tea, Edomal snaps, 'homemade' lemonade, oh and the sushi isn't bad either!
Itsu, whilst a chain is a chain that is well worth taking advantage of if you are hard pressed for time and need a (sushi) pick me up.

Right in the centre of the Wharf's mall (somewhere between Wagamama's, Waitrose and an array of shopping temptations) there is a designated seating area atop some high stools perfect for people (suit) watching as they scurry on past looking stressed and in need of a Miso soup.

This particular Itsu is probably one that is best suited for a quick pit stop rather than some R&R. The location whilst great for being in the centre of the hustle and bustle of the Wharf, is not conducive to a relaxing 'dining in' experience. What is super handy about this place is its small, yet perfectly formed and extremally efficient self- sushi-service that does not deteriate despite its compact size. Every time i have taken a pit stop here the staff have been not only super friendly, but happy too. Something you won't get at the 'golden arches' (*shudder*).

So if youre in the City and in need of a fast and relatively healthy food stop Itsu is an excellent choice. I would recommend the Jasmin Tea, Edomal snaps, 'homemade' lemonade, oh and the sushi isn't bad either!

The Grapes - Gorgeous, quaint little pub by mif

mif — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:43:46 +0000

Review by mif

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7987 4396

Tags: restaurant, traditional pub, sunday roast

This historic little pub is so quaint that it's worth dropping into if you're in the area and if there's room! Service is friendly, even the other diners who were there when we dropped by on a Sunday were friendly. They serve a delicious Sunday roast - it's either pork or lamb on alternate weekends. That Sunday it was pork's turn and it was so good we practically breathed it down with a few pints. There is a tiny veranda overlooking the Thames where it is incredibly relaxing to sit with a few mates and a few more pints on a sunny day. All the action is overseen by who I'm guessing is the resident mascot, Max, a German Shepherd inclined to mind his own business while happily doing the rounds in the place.This historic little pub is so quaint that it's worth dropping into if you're in the area and if there's room! Service is friendly, even the other diners who were there when we dropped by on a Sunday were friendly. They serve a delicious Sunday roast - it's either pork or lamb on alternate weekends. That Sunday it was pork's turn and it was so good we practically breathed it down with a few pints. There is a tiny veranda overlooking the Thames where it is incredibly relaxing to sit with a few mates and a few more pints on a sunny day. All the action is overseen by who I'm guessing is the resident mascot, Max, a German Shepherd inclined to mind his own business while happily doing the rounds in the place.

Melaka - Outstanding small restaurant by Rich_Stevenson

Rich_Stevenson — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 02:51:34 +0000

Review by Rich_Stevenson

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 75369256

Tags: romantic, good value, malaysian

It's very hard to find good Malaysian/Indonesian food even in London, but this place proves that it can be done. The restaurant is fairly small and definately laid back but the service is great and the food is outstanding.

Obviously lovers of this type of food are going to want to go for the rendangs and satay and other meat dishes, but to be honest the best thing about the restaurant is the seafood. Theres some outstanding stuff on the menu, loved the squid and the sea bass.

This is the sort of place where you don't have to dress up, its not pretentious. It's a food lovers hang out, and I'm now a regular. Would definately recomend it to anyone.It's very hard to find good Malaysian/Indonesian food even in London, but this place proves that it can be done. The restaurant is fairly small and definately laid back but the service is great and the food is outstanding.

Obviously lovers of this type of food are going to want to go for the rendangs and satay and other meat dishes, but to be honest the best thing about the restaurant is the seafood. Theres some outstanding stuff on the menu, loved the squid and the sea bass.

This is the sort of place where you don't have to dress up, its not pretentious. It's a food lovers hang out, and I'm now a regular. Would definately recomend it to anyone.

Ubon By Nobu - Great expectation and a bit of delusion by fabiodebe

fabiodebe — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 22:08:25 +0000

Review by fabiodebe

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7719 7800

Website: http://www.noburestaurants.com/

Tags: japanese, expensive, sushi

I was excited to go to Ubon in Canary Wharf.
The famous river view is quite impressive, even if you are only at the 4th floor so you don't see anything of Canary Wharf that - personally - is quite amazing at night.
The place is not as chic as I thought and not as much as the bill would suggest.
The food was good, not delicious but good. Except for the spicy tuna roll that tasted like... nothing at all! Shrimp tempura is definitely good though.
The bill... Â£115 for 2 persons is not that fair. Considering that we had tempura for 2, 6 pieces of sushi, some sashimi, dessert and 2 glasses of wine I find that the place is definitely overpriced. And they don't even bother to serve you water in a glass bottle...
I was excited to go to Ubon in Canary Wharf.
The famous river view is quite impressive, even if you are only at the 4th floor so you don't see anything of Canary Wharf that - personally - is quite amazing at night.
The place is not as chic as I thought and not as much as the bill would suggest.
The food was good, not delicious but good. Except for the spicy tuna roll that tasted like... nothing at all! Shrimp tempura is definitely good though.
The bill... Â£115 for 2 persons is not that fair. Considering that we had tempura for 2, 6 pieces of sushi, some sashimi, dessert and 2 glasses of wine I find that the place is definitely overpriced. And they don't even bother to serve you water in a glass bottle...

Chili's Grill & Bar - Good burgers and good location, but... by fabiodebe

fabiodebe — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 19:20:11 +0000

Review by fabiodebe

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7363 5678

Website: http://www.chilis.com

Tags: american, vegetarian dishes, cheap eat

I've been several times at Chili's in Canary Wharf. More for the location (just above the shopping centre) than for the food. Burgers and fries were ok most of the times but even a lot disappointing other times!
They do a pretty good Chicken Caesar Salad and also their chicken dishes aren't bad.
And that's all for a fair price... I've always spent 25-ish Â£ for 2 persons.
What annoys me most (and that's the reason why it's a while that I don't go) is that your table is ALWAYS pretty dirty and sticky! The other thing is that the place is rarely crowded and waiters are probably more that necessary, but anyway they are pretty slow in taking your order and serve you the food.
I've been several times at Chili's in Canary Wharf. More for the location (just above the shopping centre) than for the food. Burgers and fries were ok most of the times but even a lot disappointing other times!
They do a pretty good Chicken Caesar Salad and also their chicken dishes aren't bad.
And that's all for a fair price... I've always spent 25-ish Â£ for 2 persons.
What annoys me most (and that's the reason why it's a while that I don't go) is that your table is ALWAYS pretty dirty and sticky! The other thing is that the place is rarely crowded and waiters are probably more that necessary, but anyway they are pretty slow in taking your order and serve you the food.

Wagamama - Value for money! by fabiodebe

fabiodebe — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 22:44:37 +0000

Review by fabiodebe

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7516 9009

Website: http://www.wagamama.com

Tags: japanese, good value, air conditioning

If you think that japanese food is only sushi (as I did...) give Wagamama a go! As soon as you get familiar with the menu you'll definitely enjoy it! I went 6-7 times in Canary Wharf and was never disappointed by what I picked! I don't know about other Wagamamas in London but Canary Wharf restaurant is nice and they are super quick in finding you a table (even in the busy lunch time) and most of all in serving you the food.
Only one thing annoys me a bit... you get all the food almost at the same time, so if you get a starter you can't eat it before the main course hit the table! Probably that's why they call them side dishes even if they are a lot more like starters...
Anyway, my favourite picks are - for starters/side dishes - ebi katsu (deep-fried black tiger prawns in panko breadcrumbs served with a spicy red chilli and garlic sauce and garnished with a wedge of lime) and negima yakitori (skewers of grilled chicken and spring onion coated in yakitori sauce), while best main courses are chicken katsu curry (chicken fillet deep-fried in panko breadcrumbs, served with a light curry sauce and japanese-style rice garnished with a combination of mixed leaves and red pickles) and all the teppan (noodles cooked on a hot, flat griddle). If you don't have an important meeting after lunch and you are a daring person then try kare noodle (noodles in a fantastic coconut based soup). Why daring?? Because it's so easy to spot your shirt with the soup!
The bill... if you don't eat as a pig the thumb rule says roughly £12 each... including the tip to the friendly and nice waiters!

If you think that japanese food is only sushi (as I did...) give Wagamama a go! As soon as you get familiar with the menu you'll definitely enjoy it! I went 6-7 times in Canary Wharf and was never disappointed by what I picked! I don't know about other Wagamamas in London but Canary Wharf restaurant is nice and they are super quick in finding you a table (even in the busy lunch time) and most of all in serving you the food.
Only one thing annoys me a bit... you get all the food almost at the same time, so if you get a starter you can't eat it before the main course hit the table! Probably that's why they call them side dishes even if they are a lot more like starters...
Anyway, my favourite picks are - for starters/side dishes - ebi katsu (deep-fried black tiger prawns in panko breadcrumbs served with a spicy red chilli and garlic sauce and garnished with a wedge of lime) and negima yakitori (skewers of grilled chicken and spring onion coated in yakitori sauce), while best main courses are chicken katsu curry (chicken fillet deep-fried in panko breadcrumbs, served with a light curry sauce and japanese-style rice garnished with a combination of mixed leaves and red pickles) and all the teppan (noodles cooked on a hot, flat griddle). If you don't have an important meeting after lunch and you are a daring person then try kare noodle (noodles in a fantastic coconut based soup). Why daring?? Because it's so easy to spot your shirt with the soup!
The bill... if you don't eat as a pig the thumb rule says roughly £12 each... including the tip to the friendly and nice waiters!

The Lord Stanley - Great local boozer by amandakate

amandakate — Sun, 06 May 2007 13:34:55 +0000

Review by amandakate

Rating: 4.00

Tags: independent pub, excellent pub food, beer garden

Great pub off the beaten track in Camden. Friendly staff, friendly punters, fab food with a menu that changes every couple of days and a chilled atmosphere. I challenge you to go there and not get chatting to someone. As a friend of mine put it, it's got a really positive vibe.

There's also a free access wireless network if you like that kind of thing - handy for settling arguments by looking up stuff on t'internet, downside is you sometimes get groups of people all sitting round a table with a laptop each which is slightly odd.

Good selection of wines but be warned - you pay through the nose for them.Great pub off the beaten track in Camden. Friendly staff, friendly punters, fab food with a menu that changes every couple of days and a chilled atmosphere. I challenge you to go there and not get chatting to someone. As a friend of mine put it, it's got a really positive vibe.

There's also a free access wireless network if you like that kind of thing - handy for settling arguments by looking up stuff on t'internet, downside is you sometimes get groups of people all sitting round a table with a laptop each which is slightly odd.

Good selection of wines but be warned - you pay through the nose for them.

The Beluga Cafe - Mixed grill made on the table by cubicgarden

cubicgarden — Sun, 06 May 2007 02:48:24 +0000

Review by cubicgarden

Rating: 4.00

Tags: posh, trendy, quiet

Great place little pricey but you can't beat the mixed grill which comes out on a heated stone as a big surprise.Great place little pricey but you can't beat the mixed grill which comes out on a heated stone as a big surprise.

The Narrow - by eugenet

eugenet — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 20:03:11 +0000

Review by eugenet

Rating: 3.00

Tags: good food, pub

Good food overall but don't bother if you are vegetarian.Good food overall but don't bother if you are vegetarian.

Birley Salt Beef - 'New York' style Sandwiches by sue

sue — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 17:54:27 +0000

Review by sue

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7719 0061

Website: http://www.birleysandwiches.co.uk

Tags: lively, takeaway, quick bite

Canary Wharf is like another world compared to the rest of central London with its modern high-rise office blocks. There are lots of shops, bars and restaurants as well to keep the office workers happy. Sometimes I go there to meet my husband for lunch and we usually dine at Birley Salt Beef.

This is a small café located within one of shopping arcades that join Canary Wharf tube station to the Dockland Light Rail (DLR) station. They serve fabulous 'New York Deli' style sandwiches packed full of your choice of meat. There are a small number of tables were you can eat, or you can get your sambo to go.

You can choose the type of bread you want, then meat - salt beef or lamb or roast beef or sausage, and then condiments, such as mustard or sauce. Add a pickle as well for the real deal. I normally have the Roast Scotch Beef on Wholemeal with mustard - but hold the pickle for me, I am not a fan ; )
Canary Wharf is like another world compared to the rest of central London with its modern high-rise office blocks. There are lots of shops, bars and restaurants as well to keep the office workers happy. Sometimes I go there to meet my husband for lunch and we usually dine at Birley Salt Beef.

This is a small café located within one of shopping arcades that join Canary Wharf tube station to the Dockland Light Rail (DLR) station. They serve fabulous 'New York Deli' style sandwiches packed full of your choice of meat. There are a small number of tables were you can eat, or you can get your sambo to go.

You can choose the type of bread you want, then meat - salt beef or lamb or roast beef or sausage, and then condiments, such as mustard or sauce. Add a pickle as well for the real deal. I normally have the Roast Scotch Beef on Wholemeal with mustard - but hold the pickle for me, I am not a fan ; )

Cafe Brera - by PJWilkinson

PJWilkinson — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:06:06 +0000

Review by PJWilkinson

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7512 9191

Tags: italian, lively, friendly

good quality coffee and food - definitely worth popping ingood quality coffee and food - definitely worth popping in