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. 

Shanghai Me, Mayfair

Having opened on the 28th floor of Hilton Park Lane earlier this summer, Shanghai Me is officially the highest restaurant in Mayfair, boasting views across Hyde Park and the rest of the city. Following success in Dubai and Doha, the London opening marks the next chapter for Shanghai Me, whose menus celebrate the golden era of Chinese dining. Inside the rooftop restaurant, interiors act as a tribute to 1930s Shanghai, blending Art Deco glamour with contemporary style, while the menu blends Chinese and Japanese culinary traditions and is led by lauded chefs Izu Ani and Yukitaka Kitade. Expect dishes of yellowtail carpaccio with black truffle, Cantonese-style roast duck with foie gras and caviar, and spicy bluefin tuna oshizushi.

22 Park Lane, W1K 1BE, visit shanghaime-london.com

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, and clams – and bacalhau à brás: salted cod with shoestring potatoes, parsley, black olive served with a raw egg yolk and mixed tableside.

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. Opt for the skyline dinner menu to have a front-row window seat to one of the city's best views while dining on plates of Irish beef carpaccio, venison fillet brushed with juniper and coffee, and baked Alaska.

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

Darwin Brasserie at the Sky Garden, Monument

One of 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 confit duck salad, roast chicken supreme 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 tuna tartare with pineapple puree, seafood risotto and dry-aged sirloin with miso-glazed aubergine, alongside one of the best vegan menus in the capital. 

Upstairs at the rooftop bar on Floor 39, 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 with carrot and ginger, game terrine with chutney and sourdough and beef Wellington or Chateaubriand with thousand-layer chips. For a more casual affair, head to the brasserie for a variety of plant-based dishes, such as pumpkin and ricotta ravioli and roasted cauliflower with hazelnut dukkah.

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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