London Oxo Tower Bar, Brasserie and Restaurant on the Southbank

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Not everybody knows what lies at the top of the Oxo Tower - it can be your secret. Step into a lift and wait patiently as it creeps up eight floors of the iconic art deco tower that sits on the banks of the River Thames. As you emerge from the lift blinking into the light, you will be confronted by a panoramic view of the cityscape unrivalled by paintings or photographs. Floor to ceiling glass windows allow you to see miles along the banks of the River Thames and buildings including Big Ben, the London Eye and Saint Paul's Cathedral. 250 square feet of outdoor terrace allows you to get even closer to the views, as you feel the breeze from the river race through your hair. The views do not stretch all the way around the building but show you some of the best bits - the stretch of the Thames that sits in front of the tower. The venue is formed of three sections: a bar, restaurant and brasserie. The style throughout is reminiscent of a 1950s cruise liner - there are art deco style seats and a long and elegant bar that stretches the length of the bar and brasserie.

Oxo Tower - the restaurant terrace at night

The 'OXO' design on the side of the art deco building that lights up bright red at night and is an unmistakable part of the London cityscape has a story behind it. At the time that the tower was built, advertising was banned along the river Thames. The architect Albert Moore designed the building with a 'coincidental' vertical row of windows in a circle-cross-circle shape to get around the issue.

At the Oxo Tower you can sightsee whilst you eat! From the restaurant you will be able to see up and down the River Thames and the buildings that sit on its front row. Also, where the front row buildings are not too tall to obscure what lies behind them, you will be able to see further into the City of London and what lies North of the river,

Oxo Tower bar area

Oxo Tower Bar: The Oxo Tower Bar was designed by the famous Shaun Clarkson ID. It offers views over the Thames and serves a list of wines, cocktails and bar snacks. There is no need to book when you go to the bar (unless you are in a group of eight and then you should call ahead on the number provided below).

Oxo Tower Brasserie

Oxo Brasserie: The Oxo Brasserie offers an open-plan kitchen that sends out global fusion cuisine in a contemporary setting. Each night, live music is played in the laid-back restaurant. It is an option for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. It is best to book in advance (see below for how to do this). If you are on a budget it is a good idea to come to the brasserie at lunch. There is a special set price lunch menu (see the website for details - the link is below).

The brasserie offers an afternoon tea called 'Not Afternoon Tea'. The idea is that it is a more contemporary alternative to the traditional British afternoon tea. You will get a plate of four different desserts and a cocktail to accompany them (see website link below for how to book the tea and precisely what is on offer).

Oxo Tower Restaurant

Oxo Tower Restaurant: The restaurant is one of the formal of the three Oxo Tower settings. It offers both inside and al fresco dining overlooking the River Thames. The restaurant serves modern British cuisine that is cooked to a high standard. It is essential to book (see below for booking advice).

If you don't fancy eating and drinking at the oxo tower, you can still come up here for a look. There is a small viewing deck that sits between the terraces of the bar and restaurant. So feel free to take a trip up in the lift and check out the views. There is no charge for doing this.

Cuisine: Eclectic/ International

Oxo Tower Wharf
Barge House Street
South Bank
London
SE1 9PH

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7803 3888

Email: [email protected]
Website: Official Oxo Tower Website

Opening times:

Oxo Tower Bar Opening Times:

Oxo Tower Brasserie Opening Times:

Lunch:
Monday - Sunday: 12:00 Noon - 16:45

Live music:

Oxo Tower Restaurant Opening Times:

Lunch:

Afternoon tea:

Dinner:

Tube: Waterloo (Black Line / Northern Line and Brown Line / Bakerloo Line and Grey Line / Jubilee Line and Pink Line / City Line)

How to book:

Telephone bookings: You can book over the phone using the number above.

Online bookings: You can book a table at Oxo Tower at the Southbank by using the online booking service:

For the restaurant booking page

For the brasserie booking page

Email bookings: You can book via email at Oxo Tower in Waterloo.
E-mail: [email protected]

Walk-in bookings: Oxo Tower tends to be a destination restaurant and bar. Its location and high-quality cuisine make it a popular choice. If you are in the area and fancy giving it a try, one of your best bets for food is the Brasserie. However, in general, you will struggle to get a booking if you have not booked in advance (it is best to book a couple of weeks in advance at the weekend). If you would like to get a chance to see the views and nibble on some bar snacks, you can head to the bar, as you do not need to book to get a seat there.