Giraffe

£11 - £25 / International, Vegetarian options

Royal Festival Hall, London

Opening hours

9AM-11PM

Sunday 9AM-10:30PM
Monday 8AM-11PM
Tuesday 8AM-11PM
Wednesday 8AM-11PM
Thursday 8AM-11PM
Friday 8AM-11PM
Saturday 9AM-11PM

Unmatched Speed and Great Kids' Menu

Stepping into Giraffe Southbank, I was greeted by the lively ambiance that's characteristic of many family-centric restaurants. While it's clear that their target audience includes families with children, evidenced by activity sheets and a book borrowing system for the little ones—details which truly stood out to me—the uneven levels of service and culinary execution seemed to be holding the experience back. Swift service is undoubtedly one of their strengths, with meals often arriving with remarkable speed, an asset for parents with young, restless children in tow. Nevertheless, the frequent interruptions to clear plates as soon as they were empty made some diners feel slightly rushed and overlooked, creating an imbalance in the dining rhythm. Their service team, despite sometimes feeling stretched thin or scatterbrained, was consistently friendly and eager to help, embodying genuine warmth which made up for other shortfalls.

The menu, while offering a decent variety from global cuisines, perhaps errs on the side of limitation. While familiar dishes like chicken kebabs and burgers made their expected appearances, they often disappointed in terms of portion size or flavor balance, with reports of gowns of vegetables overshadowed salty notes. However, certain aspects, such as squid accompanied by homely bread, were well-received where sauces complemented rather than detracted from the meals. Desserts displayed promise too, albeit sometimes overwhelmingly sweet. Despite these missteps, the location does boast decent access to Thames-side attractions—a pre-or post-theater draw that many diners will find hard to ignore. Considering all elements collectively, Giraffe stands as a dependable option for families seeking a convenient and friendly dining spot in Southbank, though refinement in both food and logistical operations could elevate it far beyond being simply 'average'. — Nigel Gourmet