Lasdun Restaurant - South Bank

I really enjoyed this restaurant. The selection of dishes was original, and the flavors were wonderful, especially the squid and the fish. The bread was delicious. The service was excellent, and they paid special attention to allergies. The cocktails were also very good. The atmosphere was nice, and so was the music.

Summary: you're paying for the convenience of location not the quality of food or service. There was nothing particularly bad about either, but also nothing particularly good, which makes the experience feel overpriced. Don't feel discouraged if you're looking for somewhere solid to eat before a performance at Southbank. However I wouldn't recommend this place to vegans or coeliacs. I had emailed ahead of time whether the restaurant accommodates gluten free and vegan diets, which they confirmed. On the day we discovered this means that they offer the existing menu but with items removed, but at the same price. This was typical of the industry 10 years ago, but dining in central London has moved on. This means our food was good, but incomplete, a bit sad looking, and felt overpriced. For three courses (where main components had been removed) and a glass of wine, the bill came to £60 each. Personally, I would find somewhere close that could better accommodate our dietary requirements next time.

We visited for a mid week lunch and shared the crab (small portion but enjoyable) and the chicken and leek pie (good flavour but was overly runny with too much liquid). We didn’t feel it offered great value for money, as we spent nearly £50 each without any alcohol, so I wouldn't rush back.

Very good food here, and they are very efficient if you’re watching a play. Food was fresh and delicious, and the lamb and beans that I had were very lovely, as were all the desserts. However, the food is really pretty expensive for what it is, and I find the fact that you have to order things like potatoes and vegetables with the pie as an extra a bit cheeky. The tables are also quite close together and the music was atrocious, although it calmed down a little later in the meal! Service was also quite curt too, although perfectly polite, for example leaving before we had finished an order.

Nice place for dinner before or after a show at the National Theatre or BFI. They do a mean martini. I also loved the braised chicken with bacon, mash and mustard sauce.

Thank you so much to the lovely team, who looked after us very well when dining here last night. Everything from the welcome, to wine suggestions, to the parting gift of take-home tart really added to our experience, we felt very welcomed and catered for. The food was all excellent, with great new season asparagus, delicious sauces with the mains, very nicely cooked rib eye and trout. Flavours were all very well balanced, and wine options by the glass were also extensive and well-chosen. I had a very memorable meal in perfectly relaxed surroundings and cannot wait to return.

Elegant gem off the the busy Southbank, nestled within the gorgeous national theatre. The interior design is one of the main reasons you should visit, then obviously the food and the drinks. We had the pre-theatre menu and loved it. Great value, fantastic taste and generous portions. The service was excellent, relaxed and professional. Will definitely go back next time I’m in the area 🍸

As is often the case never trust a review in the national press. One that was effervescent with praise drew us here. The best bit was the service. I note that some reviews have complained about this but we found it attentive. That said we were eating after the pre-theatre dinner crowd and the place was all but empty. So good service but a dull atmosphere. Sadly the food did not match the price. It wasn't that it was poor but there was no wow factor. Both seafood dishes were unremarkable. The terrine good but presented as a slab on a plate; the ox-cheeks were better. Slow cooked and deep with flavour. The rhubarb crumble good but the tart too cloying and no more than might be found in a canteen. So unfortunately a place to visit once but not return.