Giraffe
Main info
£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
How to get there
Royal Festival Hall, London
London City Airport — 7.38 mi