Aqua Shard is located inside one of the most prestigious buildings on the south side of the river. The Shard is home to not only a hotel, residential properties, office space. It is also home to several restaurants including Aqua Shard. You’ll find the restaurant located on the 31st floor, serving up innovative British cuisine.
The restaurant offers incredible panoramic views of the London city skyline. With each table specifically designed to absorb the view. On a clear day, I think it would be absolutely incredible. We arrived for dinner on a dreary, dark October night so views were limited. Entering the restaurant, in my opinion, I felt that it was exceptionally dark. This did detract from the ambience somewhat.
Aqua Shard London Review | What is Good On The Menu?
The Menu at Aqua Shard
The menu is concise with around 5 starter options, 3 fish options, 3 meat options and a single vegetarian option. I opted for the Burrata (£14.50) which was served with candied olives which were actually incredible.
This was followed by the Seabass (£32) served with deep-fried mussels and sundried tomato over a jus. The fish was a really chunky fillet and everything paired well together, to create a really flavoursome dish.
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Fusion food
One of the other diners in our party had opted for the Chicken Ravioli with mushroom and truffle (£21). When it arrived it didn’t look much. However, she did comment that the singular ravioli was jam-packed with meat and flavour and the sauce was really complimentary to the dish.
My mum opted for Heritage Beetroot Salad (£17) to start. Followed by the Fillet of Herefordshire Beef (£42) served with salted spinach and potato gratin with a caramelised shallot.
Attention was paid to creating a fusion of flavour in the Beetroot Salad. She, alongside the two others opting for this dish, did comment on how the beef was exquisite.
We did also order a couple of sides to share for the table these included; English sprouting broccoli with Calamansi vinaigrette (£6.75), carrots served in creamed feta (£6.50) and Tiptoe Farm mashed potatoes served with gravy (£6.75).
Desserts are a definite
The desserts, in particular, the British finest artisanal cheese selection (£13.50)(served with fruit chutney and sourdough and was enough for two to share) were the resounding favourite course of the table. Other desserts included David’s Mess (£9), a take on an Eton Mess with guava sorbet inside a meringue ball, fresh raspberry and vanilla Chantilly and the Chocolate Sphere, a dark chocolate sphere, chocolate mousse, thyme Pana cotta, Griottine cherries and cherry sorbet (£9.50)
The meal was really enjoyable, however, I’ve eaten far superior food in a more relaxing, less pretentious environment and although I’m glad I’ve been to see what the fuss was about, I don’t think it’s somewhere I’d return to. If you’re looking for somewhere with a view that serves up great food and has a welcoming atmosphere I highly recommend a visit to the OXO Tower Brasserie.
Book a table at Aqua here.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Aqua Shard presents a unique dining experience high above London’s bustling streets, offering a combination of stunning views and a taste of innovative British cuisine. While the ambiance on a dark, dreary night might not capture the full potential of the restaurant’s panoramic offerings, the strategic placement of tables ensures that on a clear day, the experience could be nothing short of breathtaking.
The menu, though concise, provides a diverse selection of dishes that promise to cater to various palates, from the creamy Burrata to the robust flavours of Herefordshire Beef. Despite the somewhat formal and potentially intimidating atmosphere, the quality of the food speaks for itself, with each dish crafted to offer a blend of classic and contemporary tastes. However, it’s worth noting that the same culinary excellence might be enjoyed in more relaxed and less pretentious settings around the city. For those seeking both a visual feast and culinary delight, Aqua Shard ticks the boxes for a special occasion.
Have you been to Aqua at The Shard? I’d love to know your thoughts, or if you have any recommendations for fine dining in London drop them below.
