A few years ago, London’s restaurant scene learned that, sometimes, good menus weren’t enough to attract discerning diners. So, what did they do? They elevated (ahem) their experiences to the starry heights of London’s highest towers, from the 72-storey Shard to the landmark OXO Tower, creating eateries encouraging diners to book for the view but stay for the food. But how to sort the tourist traps from the truly delicious dishes? Here are London’s highest restaurants to book now, you know, for when streetside terraces simply won’t cut it. 

Joia, Battersea

Image: Rebecca Hope

Fancy dining among the chimneys of Battersea Power Station? You can at Joia, the debut London restaurant from two Michelin-starred Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa. Situated across the 15th floor of the art’otel – and also occupying a 14th-floor bar and rooftop terrace during the summer months – the menu at Joia showcases Sá Pessoa’s culinary heritage using the best of British and Iberian produce. Ranging from afternoon tea to Sunday lunch, as well as a delectable a la carte menu, expect a selection of snacks, petiscos and tapas, including sea bass ceviche, pan con tomate and hand-dived scallop with black alioli. Larger plates include arroz de marisco for two – bomba rice, red prawns, mussels, clams – and bacalhau à brás: salted cod with shoestring potatoes, parsley, black olive served with an raw egg yolk and mixed tableside, set against a dramatic backdrop of the London skyline.

15th Floor, 1 Electric Boulevard, SW11 8BJ, visit joiabattersea.co.uk

Aqua Shard, London Bridge

The tallest building in London, measuring a whopping 309.6 metres high, The Shard is in fact home to three different restaurants but it’s Aqua’s triple-height atrium that wins us over every time. Perfect for both an afternoon tea or an a la carte evening dinner, Aqua Shard sits on the 31st floor of the building and features wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows to wow guests with birds-eye views across the capital. Menu highlights include crispy octopus, venison loin in cranberry and cherry gel, and seaweed-crusted stone bass with butternut squash. 

Level 31, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY, visit aquashard.co.uk

Darwin Brasserie at the Sky Garden, Monument

One of the two restaurants and two bars found at Sky Garden – sitting atop the 160m-tall Walkie-Talkie building – Darwin Brasserie occupies a mezzanine floor set back from the skyscraper’s enormous exhibition windows overlooking the Thames below. Encased in its own glass box, the all-day kitchen serves breakfast classics, including truffle eggs royale and buttermilk pancakes, as well as three-course fare in the evening, such as chestnut pâté, ox cheek bourguignon and 21-day aged Scottish ribeye. 

1 Sky Garden Walk, EC3M 8AF, visit skygarden.london

Bōkan, Canary Wharf

Spanning the 37th to 39th floors of Novotel London in Canary Wharf, Bōkan’s three floors comprise a two AA Rosette-winning restaurant with menus inspired by rich European cuisines, a main bar boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and, for when the sun is shining, a rooftop terrace. Helmed by executive chef Robert Manea, expect dishes of sea bream carpaccio, organic chicken with foie gras and josper-grilled Alaskan butterfish, alongside one of the best vegan menus in the capital. 

Upstairs at the bar, discover an innovative cocktail menu that pays homage to the history of Canary Wharf, with tipples inspired by the West India Docks, East India Docks, the Millwall Dock and Gwilt’s Warehouse, alongside unique sharing vessels taking their cues from the Blackwell Levels. We’d recommend the Purple Storm, featuring Portofino gin, butterfly pea, lemon and egg white – delicious. 

40 Marsh Wall, E14 9TP, visit bokanlondon.co.uk

OXO Tower Restaurant, Southbank

With arguably the best views across the Thames towards St Paul’s, there’s little not to love about this all-day dining spot in one of the capital’s most famous landmarks, which is owned and run by Harvey Nichols. Executive chef Jeremy Bloor is in the kitchen cooking up fine dining European classics, including Scottish langoustine, monkfish with oxtail and parsnip, and beef Wellington with mushroom and chicken liver. For a more casual affair, head to the Brasserie for a variety of plant-based dishes, such as porcini ravioli and roasted cauliflower with white bean hummus.

Barge House Street, SE1 9PH, visit oxotowerrestaurant.com

Duck and Waffle, Liverpool Street

Elevating fast food to new heights, Duck and Waffle is situated on the 40th floor of the 230m-tall 110 Bishopsgate, one of London’s tallest buildings, offering customers the opportunity to dine while actually looking down on the Gherkin. The restaurant’s namesake dish of crispy confit duck leg topped with a fried duck egg and served on a waffle is a highlight, as well as brunch favourites including shakshuka, homemade baked beans and duck benedict. Those with a sweet tooth shouldn’t miss the Full Elvis waffles: peanut butter, jam, caramelised banana, Chantilly and all the trimmings. 

110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY, visit duckandwaffle.com

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