Barbican Kitchen

The space is clean, and has a nice atmosphere. The water features and outside spaces are lovely. The hot vegan option was zero protien, but edible, and affordable for central London. So it would have been 3 stars, but it fell down big time on safety and service. Safety: I ordered an oat matcha, realised it might not be oat, when I'd nearly finished it. It wasn't marked on my cup, despite having the options, and I can't always immediately tell by taste. But the hint for me is nausea, so I went back to double check at the till. The person who served me said he didn't make it so didn't know, and the other 2 staff glibly said; "cannot confirm or deny," and "hope you're not allergic". Showing they obviously have no proper allergy protocol in place. This attitude can't even be blamed on a staff pressure, as the place was half empty at the time. So it's a good thing Barts is around the corner, with this level of indifference. Service: I was alone with multiple bags and they weren't very switched on about helping me get a tray, so I could carry my cutlery, food and drink on my own and get out the way.

We had a mixed experience here which ultimately left me disappointed and we probably wouldn't eat here again. The decor was great with lots of hanging plants providing a lovely splash of colour, and the views outside were lovely. It was clean and tidy, and free water was available. Despite being busy, the staff were working hard to keep things moving along. Sadly, the food was below par. The chicken schnitzel was very tough in places and soft in others, suggesting the cooking was rushed (a few of us were waiting for a fresh batch to come out of the kitchen). The broccoli had also been overdone and was very tough and lacking in flavour. The potatoes were nice and my partner said the salmon was decent, so it wasn't all bad. But given the prices, we were expecting better. If you're visiting the Barbican for a show, you might be better eating elsewhere.

Food is good, plenty of vegetarian options and the atmosphere is amazing, the outdoor area is perfect for a warm sunny day. Free wifi, great for working with a laptop

Carelessly cooked and served food, avoid if you don’t want your Barbican experience ruined. Check out the so called grilled eggplant - so under it’s hardly chewable with juice squirting out of it. Went back to request another hot choice, only got told I was allowed another eggplant which was equally inedible.

A canteen style option at the Barbican centre. This is situated on the ground floor. It has a number of options. Generally healthy and prepared food. Good quality and reasonable prices. Staff friendly and service very good. Plenty of seating and free condiments. Great views over the small lake outside. Highly recommend this for quick service 👌

Harris at the coffee counter was extremely friendly and helpful! Recommended us some lovely cakes. We <3 Harris

We chose a build-your-own bowl from the salad counter. However, you don’t even build your own bowl 🤥🤣 You pay £15 only for a below-enthusiastic employee to dish up for you. You’re limited to only 1 protein. So if you want mozerella balls and falafel, no can do. Not what I expected for the price and disappointing service. Not well explained before you pay. The man who fished up coughed on his hand and served/dishes food. Nice setting but give the kitchen a miss.

So very disappointed ! Awful! One would expect better from carrying the Barbican name, this supposed to be a great place to eat and instead it’s a mess. Very confusing set up and not great price. The only thing that saved from despair was a smoothie prepared by a nice employee.

Service. And getting the order correct. Taste of the food could improve as well. Management needs to remember that they are in a service industry.

Grabbed a quick bite in the form of a brown-bread tuna sandwich midway thru a concert. Was fresh and did the job. I feel that they can do away with the plastic packaging though, there are recycled paper alternatives.

If you need a quick dinner prior to a 7.15 show at the Barbican Arts Centre, this is where you should go. (The restaurants upstairs tend to be booked and slow.) It's a cafeteria, it's quick, it doesn't need reservation bookings, and the food is decent. There are 2 or 3 counters, including one for cold food, and one hot meal counter, which offers entrees with two sides. I had sea bass, which was actually in good shape for something from a hot table; and the broccoli in the sides was really delicious.

Popped in for a coffee and a snack and opted for the chocolate cookie. I wish I hadn't. The cookie was hard and tasted of very little. How can you make a chocolate cookie with no taste?! An extra star for that feat. The place itself is very nice and the coffee was good hence the other stars. My wife had the lemon drizzle cake which was equally as bad. Avoid the confectionary it seems!

Ok it is runned by Benugo, and you also have a Benugo cafe inside the center who shares some of the same stuff like to pastries for instance, but this place is called barbican kitchen so I figured I would let a review and make it public for everyone to see. This place is great though the food is Okay. The 4 stars come from the space : big casual self restaurant. Make your meal, pay, sit. No pressure. Makes it very easy when you come to a show. You get choices between cold and warm dishes. Lights are great, especially at night, AND you get to sit where you want AND this place opens up in summer. I can t wait to come back. You have an outside area near the water fountain, with a beautiful church sitting in front of you. It is really quiet and peaceful, right in the heart of London. The set up does I feel, compensate the quality/choice of the food though it is not bad food at all, and they serve booze if you want to hang out outisde It is really a nice set up. We had cold tuna steaks and salmon along with beans salad and feta tomatoes salad. All were good. Next time we ll head towards the warm section for grilled salmon, maybe pizza, meatballs, and maybe mac and cheese ;-). We ll see. Barbican is huge, and some kind of maze, with many many bars inside to drink from etc, but this place to grab a quick bite before sleeping at a play/show is very convenient.