BFI Riverfront

Delicious Delights at Riverside Dining

Ever ventured in for a Friday night bite along London's scenic South Bank? That’s where you’ll find this vibrant riverside charm—a place that’s got more personality than the spirited socialist MP who throws his hands up at casual Fridays. There's an aura of contagious uplift lingering in the air, kindled by genuinely friendly staff who escort you to your table with a promise of flavorful adventure on their vibrant menu. Tucked under Waterloo Bridge, this gem bridges the culinary gap between pre-theatre stops and winding strolls along the Thames. It’s primed with an exquisite array of bites ranging from lush vegan gnocchi that could out-sing an impassioned opera cameo, to other small delights like succulent monkfish—you’d mistake it for splendor’s answer to tapas with the luscious dips provided.

Now, have your small plates ever sung you a tender serenade? These might—but fair warning—deluxe doesn’t come cheap and condiments aren't hand-signaled unless beckoned for. Prices may jingle a little richer, but it’s reflective of what calls itself a theatre of flavours whereby sights can be just as satisfying as those small yet satisfying morsels on order. Fruity cocktails or sparkling gin mirage often bed these dishes with more sentimentality than a rom-com finale fizz. Witness dramatic cod prepared so meticulously Merlin himself must have swung the seasoning wand. Yes, quirky enough to blend intricate ingredients into a song epicureans would applaud. Just beware of the obligatory tip written so slinkily, ensuring theatre doesn’t tax the playbills too shyly. But, really— venture for the buzz, the team led by names like Afsara smiles sunnier than forecasted weather reports—that’s worth its weight in gourmet gold. — Milo Tastemaker