Darwin Brasserie

Cocktail Bar | London | England | United Kingdom

Best cocktail bar in London

The "Darwin Brasserie" in London is much more than just a cocktail bar - it is a versatile restaurant known for its prime location and wide culinary offerings. Located in the Sky Garden, one of the highest publicly accessible points in the city, it offers a spectacular view over the River Thames and the London skyline. This breathtaking view, combined with a relaxed yet lively atmosphere, makes the Darwin Brasserie a special place that attracts both locals and tourists.

Restaurant with view over Thames

The Darwin Brasserie is designed as an all-day restaurant and places great emphasis on British cuisine with a modern twist. Inspired by the best traditions of Britain, it uses seasonal, fresh ingredients that are at the heart of the kitchen. The menu ranges from breakfast to brunch, lunch, and dinner, with regular adjustments to reflect the availability of high-quality, seasonal produce. Popular dishes include classic British specialties like succulent roast beef or perfectly cooked fish, as well as contemporary creations that cater to the guests' tastes. The quality of the food is often highlighted, with the presentation kept simple to focus on the taste and the view.

British cuisine in Sky Garden

As for the drinks, the Darwin Brasserie is particularly known for its creative cocktails, which are an important part of the experience. The bar offers a selection of innovative drinks, often prepared with fresh ingredients and a touch of sophistication. In addition to cocktails, there is an extensive drinks menu ranging from classic wines to a variety of beers, including British craft beers. The cocktail selection is described as a perfect complement to the restaurant's relaxed yet elegant atmosphere, which is further enhanced by the surrounding nature of the Sky Garden - with its lush plants and open design.

Culinary experience in London

The ambiance of the Darwin Brasserie is a crucial factor in its popularity. The decor is understated and modern, with a clear focus on functionality and comfort, allowing the spectacular view and the food to take center stage. The location in the Sky Garden, an architecturally impressive building often referred to as the "Walkie Talkie," gives the restaurant a unique position - literally and figuratively. It is a place suitable for various occasions: from quick breakfast meetings to business lunches and relaxed dinners with friends or family. Especially in the evening, when the city lights dominate the scene, the atmosphere is described as romantic and unforgettable.

Modern British specialties to enjoy

The Darwin Brasserie is also known for its service, which is often praised as friendly, attentive, and professional. The staff strives to provide guests with a pleasant experience, whether through recommendations for food and drinks or through efficient work, even when the restaurant is busy. However, there are occasional reports of longer waiting times, especially during peak hours, which is not uncommon in such a popular location. Nevertheless, the positive feedback outweighs the negative, mainly due to the overall package of location, food, and service.

Another feature that sets the Darwin Brasserie apart is its accessibility to various guests. Children are welcome as long as they are accompanied by adults, and amenities such as high chairs are available. Access is also ensured for people with limited mobility. Making reservations in advance is highly recommended, as demand is high - a reservation not only guarantees a seat but also facilitates access to the Sky Garden itself without having to book additional tickets.

Contact details

Web

Phone

Address
Level 36, Sky Garden Walk, 1
City of London
EC3M 8AF London

Map view

Opening hours

Sunday8:30 - 21:30
Monday8:30 - 22:00
Tuesday8:30 - 22:00
Wednesday8:30 - 22:00
Thursday8:30 - 22:00
Friday8:30 - 22:30
Saturday8:30 - 22:30

Reviews

6993 Reviews

Alex C
08.03.2025

The food was good, but overly priced. The hostesses were a little pretentious and the service was really slow. It felt like our group was an inconvenience. The bad service overshadowed the food and experience. The view was nice though.
Braxton Turner
08.03.2025

Overpriced food was fine in taste, pork chop was tough. Hostess were rude and servers were not attentive. Good view, but restaurant was loud and took over an hour and a half for what should have been a quick lunch.
Justin Lee
08.03.2025

Garden is beautiful and well maintained, best view restaurant in London for sure. Try to taste the fresh ingredients!
Kate Pedersen
07.03.2025

Food is very delicious. We order pork chop and steak. Both are great. It’s our anniversary so we also get the free little dessert very impressive.
FARIÑA
07.03.2025

Ashwin provided exceptional service—attentive, friendly, and professional. They anticipated our needs, offered great recommendations, and made the experience truly enjoyable. A fantastic waiter who goes above and beyond!
Stéphane Derône
07.03.2025

The food was average and grossly overpriced. We were charged £6 (2x£3) for filtered water we never asked for. The coffee was really bad (and also overpriced, unsurprisingly). Obviously a tourist trap. We won’t be returning.
Clint Watson
07.03.2025

I had the pleasure of dining at the Darwin Brasserie recently, and it was an exceptional experience! The restaurant itself is beautifully designed, with stunning views of the city. The service was impeccable - our server was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. Speaking of which, the food was outstanding. I opted for the seasonal menu, and each dish was expertly prepared and presented. One word of caution: be sure to plan your visit accordingly, as the line for security and elevators can be quite long. We arrived about 30 minutes before our reservation and still had to rush to make it on time. However, the minor wait was well worth it. Overall, I highly recommend the Darwin Brasserie for its outstanding cuisine, excellent service, and stunning views
김건우 (비행중)
07.03.2025

가격대가 좀 있고 예약을 해야한다. 가격대가 조금 있는거 치고는 조용한 분위기는 아니며 야경 맛집이다. 리조또와 스테이크를 먹었는데 맛은 그저 그랬다. 햄버거를 제일 많이 먹는듯 싶었음
Ayman Matar
06.03.2025

Terrible overpriced food. I got an overcooked burger with very dry buns, couldn't finish the meal.
Shadi Matar
06.03.2025

The strategy of the restaurant is full of traps, very strange and unfair. Not recommended, please read policy before booking.
Luna Matar
06.03.2025

Overpriced awful food
Sand L
06.03.2025

Prix exorbitants! La vue est belle certes mais on la paye très cher 30€ un burger entre 15et 20€ le verre de vin (les premiers prix). Les plantes sont fausses 🥺 Le personnel était aimable ☺️
W D
06.03.2025

"The place was nice and the food was good. Unfortunately the venue has a policy that refuses to charge your phone ;even if you bring your own wire. In times where we do absolutely everything with our phones( including paying) that looks odds and really not hospitality oriented."
Alessia Pisani
05.03.2025

Bellissima vista e ottima colazione! Personale super disponibile! Super consigliato
Kseniia Lider
05.03.2025

Delicious food (especially mains and desserts), great service and a nice view for a decent price. Add a good company and you have a recipe for a wonderful dinner experience. Would like to try brunch there as well.
Christelle M
05.03.2025

Le lieu est très beau, en particulier si on choisit une table au bord des vitres. La nourriture était bonne, et le personnel très agréable, en particulier Richard qui s'est occupé de notre table
Maria Ntivi
04.03.2025

Πολύ μέτριο φαγητό γι'αυτό που πληρώνεις. Χρέωση 1,5 λίρα το άτομο για νερό βρύσης, και 16.5 λίρες για 2 pancakes μερέντα που ήταν ελάχιστη και απλωμένη πάνω στο πιάτο....
Alex Haddou
04.03.2025

Worst Experience Ever! Avoid This Place! I had an absolutely terrible experience at Darwin Brasserie. I was there with my family and, unfortunately, didn’t have my card on me—I only had cash. Instead of handling the situation professionally, the general manager, Giovanni, immediately resorted to threats and intimidation. He spoke to me in an arrogant and condescending manner, saying he would call security and even the police over a simple payment issue. This kind of behavior is completely unacceptable, especially towards a paying customer. In the end, my wife used her card to settle the bill, but the damage was done. No one deserves to be treated this way, and I strongly advise against dining here. The manager’s attitude ruined our experience, and I will never return. Avoid this place—your money is better spent elsewhere!
Tanika Mirrel
04.03.2025

Wonderful Christmas atmosphere. Service from all team members was warm and welcoming. Our main waitress was Eleana she was also very pleasant and ensured our experience was something special
Siri M. Kalla
03.03.2025

I was taken here for a first date—10/10 for the initiative! It’s definitely a great date spot. The food was good, but not amazing. However, the location more than makes up for it.
Margaux Châtel
03.03.2025

Une arnaque qui aurait presque pu gâcher notre voyage à Londres. Déjà, une vue absolument pas panoramique. Nous sommes à 15m des fenêtres, on a vu sur une gare et non pas sur des bâtiments « intéressants »., le jardin était fermé. Ensuite, peu de choix sur la carte, tout est hors de prix, les produits ne sont pas frais (notamment les haricots blancs), la crème d’avocat était immonde… Il n’y a pas eu 5€ de mis dans l’assiette pourtant on vient nous en facturer 20. Et enfin le serveur beaucoup trop familier, qui ne nous explique pas la moindre chose et qui est très pressant pour que nous commandions. La cerise sur le gâteau c’était l’addition : on nous a fait payer 3€ pour l’eau du robinet et 13,5% de taxes sur l’ensemble. Donc sachez que vous ne vivrez aucune expérience en venant dans ce « restaurant », ni à travers la vue, ni à travers les plats. C’est 100% du paraître et là dessus il faut dire qu’ils sont très bons. Le serveur nous a demandé de laisser un avis, j’espère qu’il est satisfait.
Irene Van De Wege
01.03.2025

We hebben heerlijk gegeten op een mooie locatie. Sfeer was top! Kregen nog een heerlijke verassing omdat we 25 jaar getrouwd waren. Supervriendelijke bediening. Aanrader!!
Elaine Wong
01.03.2025

Great customer service and attention to detail, the truffle fries were the best I’ve ever had thanks for a lovely lunch !
Greta pomoni
01.03.2025

Locale consigliato! Abbiamo fatto colazione presso Darwin Brasserie e siamo rimasti piacevolmente sorpresi. Vasta scelta di piatti, anche vegetariani. I pancake ed il porridge erano ottimi e le porzioni decisamente abbondanti. Ottimo il servizio. I prezzi sono comunque alti.

 

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