The 15 Best Restaurants in St. Katharine Docks – Ranked!

Tucked away amidst the grandeur of London, St. Katharine Docks is a hidden gastronomic gem, offering a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. This enchanting marina, once a bustling dockyard, has transformed into a culinary haven, housing some of the best restaurants in the capital. It’s not just the mouth-watering meals that draw visitors in, but the ambiance of dining by the water, surrounded by historic architecture and gleaming yachts.

Every restaurant in St Katharine Docks boasts its own unique flair, from exquisite global cuisines to traditional British favorites. If you’re seeking an unforgettable dining experience, make a stop at St. Katharine Docks. It’s a delicious blend of history, beauty, and culinary excellence, ensuring a delightful meal with every visit. So, why not anchor up for a bite next time you’re in London? Here are the best restaurants in St. Katharine Docks to help you choose where to nosh.

The Best Restaurants in St. Katharine Docks – Ranked! 

There are a lot of lists of the “best” restaurants in St. Katharine Docks out there, and most of them have some sort of black box way of deciding what to include and in what order. I prefer to be transparent in how I rank the things I recommend on this site, so below you’ll find a table with scores for each restaurant; here’s how I came up with those numbers:

• I selected only those restaurants which are located within the generally agreed bounds of the St. Katherine Docks area (15 in all)
• I ranked all of the restaurants by rating and number of reviews on Google reviews
• I then combined those scores with the proportion of reviews each restaurant received to come up with a score (out of 5) for each restaurant
• I ranked the restaurants by score, and broke ties by the number of reviews (at the time of reviewing the data)

Also, I included only restaurants with a rating of 4.0 or higher, to ensure I was only including those coffee shops and cafes which are truly good. Given all that, here are the best coffee shops and cafes in Farringdon:

Below, you’ll find more about each of these top St. Katherine Docks restaurants, plus shorter descriptions of the other 10 that I reviewed for this post.

1. Côte St Katharine Docks

Photos courtesy of Côte St. Katharine Docks

With good food, friendly staff and a lovely view of the marina, Côte St Katharine Docks is an easy walk from the Tower of London and one of the best restaurants in St. Katharine Docks to dine outside on a warm day. (There are also tables next to large windows, which have a good view of the docks, for days on which the weather is colder.)

To get the most value for your money, order the Prix Fixe menu or set lunch. This chain also serves French classics such as Coq au Vin and Steak Frites (Steak and fries.) Do keep in mind that Côte’s a popular place to dine, so specials such as the Cassoulet de Toulouse may sell out quite early.

2. Emilia’s Crafted Pasta

Photos courtesy of Emilia’s Crafted Pasta

From a bistro in France to a trattoria in Modena: Emilia’s Crafted Pasta is a smaller eatery with a more intimate and cozy feel, but it offers equally stunning views of the St Katharine Docks. Great attention is paid to everything from the food to the decor. The terracotta floor tiles, for example, are handmade and come all the way from rural Emilia-Romagna. 

In addition, the food is cooked exactly the way your Italian Nonna would do it: with heart. The béchamel bolognese, one of the best dishes on the menu, is slow-cooked for four hours!

No wonder Emilia’s was nominated as one of “London’s Best Italian Restaurants” in 2019 (Time Out) and one of “The best pasta restaurants in London” (Evening Standard, 2020), among other awards. 

3. Bravas Tapas

Photos courtesy of Bravas Tapas

If you prefer dining at an independent restaurant, try Bravas Tapas. Serving Modern Basque small plates and Spanish wines, this authentic Spanish place is popular with both locals and tourists.

The Salmon Rulada roll, grilled octopus, and beef short rib are highly recommended. (Another popular dish is the pork belly, although some may find it a bit salty. As it’s tapas, portions are obviously on the smaller side, so don’t expect a large slab of fish if you order the Sea Bass.) Unfortunatey, the level of service can also vary widely, depending on when you visit!

4. Honest Burgers

Photos courtesy of Honest Burgers

If you’re looking for something more informal, try Honest Burgers. 

This burger chain has been around for over 10 years, so it’s not surprising they have outlets all the way from the UK to Singapore! They serve top-quality beef and the best potatoes. In addition, they’re vegan and gluten-free friendly. (They offer gluten-free buns and their vegan burgers with plant-based patties are one of their most delicious dishes!)

However, what makes the St Katharine Docks outlet special is the Nduja burger, which can only be found there. Honest beef and Nduja are smothered with taleggio cheese, hot honey, and crispy shallots to make a mouth-watering meal!

5. The Melusine

Photos courtesy of The Melusine via Instagram

The Melusine is one of the best restaurants in St. Katharine Docks that focuses on sustainable seafood. Started in 2019, it’s one of the newer kids on the block but has already built up quite a following. 

The fish are locally sourced (from the British Isles), arriving at the restaurant less than 24 hours after they’re caught. Such is their attention to their ingredients that they know all the skippers by name, even down to the names of the dogs on the fishing boats! The octopus and scallops are both very good, as are the desserts.

With its collection of approximately 35 gins, it’s also a great place for gin lovers!

Other Great Restaurants in St. Katharine Docks

Photos courtesy of Ping Pong

If you’re still wondering where to eat in St. Katharine Docks, try one of the eateries listed below!

1. The Dickens Inn – This historic inn is a quaint, rebuilt, and reconstructed 18th-century pub, complete with thatched roof and timber frames. Opened by the grandson of Charles Dickens, Cedric Charles Dickens, the inn was so-named because “My Great Grandfather would have loved this inn.” The Dickens Inn started life as a warehouse, before being converted into a tea factory or lower brewery and eventually a local tavern. Today, you can still dine on the balcony and enjoy the view of the surrounding area, although, alas, no longer under candlelight thanks to local fire regulations.
2. Slug & Lettuce – Slug & Lettuce is a fun and vibrant cocktail bar that welcomes children, but only up to 6 pm. Note that it tends to open its doors late, at 12 pm most days, except Saturday, on which it opens at 10 am. (They are well-known for their bottomless brunch!)
3. Ping Pong – Ping Pong St Katharine Docks is the restaurant to go to if you love Chinese food and promotions. (Do note that it’s modern Chinese fare, so don’t expect anything too authentic. For example, they serve gyoza and katsu, which are Japanese dishes, not Chinese!) In the area between 3-6 pm on Monday to Friday? Stop by for their half-price dim sum and cocktails. Saturday? Try their bottomless brunch with a live DJ set. And on Sundays, they have all-you-can-eat Dim Sum, to which you can add a bottle of bubbles for just £10 more!
4. White Mulberries – White Mulberries is a small cafe decorated with black and white doodles. The coffee gets mixed reviews but the banana bread is great!
5. Natural Kitchen – Natural Kitchen has a deli, restaurant, and bar on its premises serving healthy food and drinks. Food and service can be a bit hit-and-miss, especially if you sit outside.
6. Pret A Mange – More of a cafe than restaurant, you’ll find a Pret at almost every corner of London. It’s a good place for a coffee and a sandwich, especially if you want to grab something to-go (or “takeaway,” as the Brits say).
7. St Katharine Docks Cafe – Like most of the places on this list, St Katharine Docks Cafe has a lovely view. It’s a nice independent cafe with good food. The breakfasts, in particular, are delicious. Unfortunately, service here isn’t always the best!
8. Traders Wine Bar – Traders Wine Bar is a great stop to relax over some wine, cheese, and charcuterie. It’s worth noting that they do require wine to be purchased as part of visiting, so this is a spot for you oenophiles (wine lovers).
9. Beach Bar – Part of the Tower Hotel, the Beach Bar is a small al fresco bar with a small selection of cocktails and one of the best views of Tower Bridge.
10. Townhouse 360 London – Townhouse 360 London offers 360 views of the marina, which you can enjoy from a heated cocktail terrace. The food served is tapas-style and fusion, with influences ranging from British to Mediterranean. 

Have more questions about where to eat in St. Katharine Docks? Let me know in the comments below!