24 hours in...Canary Wharf

PLATEAU RESTAURANT

We’ve chosen Plateau Restaurant, a French restaurant based in Canary Wharf, as one of our first picks. With their delicious-looking menu, it’s the perfect place to share a romantic meal with a loved one, grab a quick lunch or even use to entertain clients.

Plateau is both affordable and luxury rolled into one, and really does have the wow factor that can make any occasion much more special.

The Head Chef at the Restaurant, Daniel McGarey, has trained from 2003 and previously worked at the two Michelin-starred restaurant Marcus Wareing at The Berkley.

A review by TravellingGaslady says;

“Outstanding!”  

“Decor, location, service, ambience, food, wine, cocktails - all simply fantastic. Went back a second time just for dessert and to watch the skaters in the rink below. A dining experience, with knowledgeable [sic] , efficient and friendly staff. All in all, wonderful!”

OBICÀ MOZZARELLA BAR

Obicà is a unique concept which gives Mozzarella its day in the sun.

Think fresh, light Italian dishes with a keen focus on the cheese itself.

With prices ranging from £16-£36 it is a quirky little bar that makes an ideal location for lunch, dinner or even a special place to stay and drink from the fantastic wine selection on offer.

The menu claims to showcase “Italy’s finest produce, hand-picked for its unrivalled taste and quality” so you know you’re in good hands when it comes to dealing with quality ingredients. 

A review from jpmnyc says;

“Not your everyday Lobby Bar!  

“Located in the lobby outside of the JPMorgan building and above the tube station, this bar far exceeds what you'd expect from the setting. I walked by this dozens of times, then finally stopped in for after-work drinks. 

The wine selection here is fantastic! A good selection and a decent variety allows whatever you're looking for. I had the Chianti, which was better than ones I've gotten an stand-alone wine bars.

Don't be put off by the setting either. You won't notice the open lobby setting, and the acoustics are actually quite good.”

BOISDALE OF CANARY WHARF

Boisdale is a live music bar that exudes luxury from the outset. Unrivalled by its fantastic approach to hosting live music as well as serving traditional Scottish Cuisine, Boisdale is an exciting venue that’s known for its lively atmosphere, fantastic food and excellent facilities.

The bar also has a Whisky bar, Cigar Terrace, Oyster Bar and Cigar Library overlooking the Thames, providing you with a beautiful view for your evening out.

The perfect place to entertain clients, Boisdale’s prices range from £5-£40 on their A la Carte menu, however they also have Whisky flights starting from £30 and going up to £285 depending on what you fancy!

A review from Matt S says;

“WOW!!”  

“Staff, second to none, there when you needed them but not in your face. Food, literally some of the best food I have tasted, cooked to perfection. Entertainment (The Black Hat Band ), let’s just say that I will be tracking them down again, great mix of songs, knew how to get the crowd involved, pitch perfect. “

PAUL

Paul is a bakery with a rich and illustrious past. Having been opened in 1889 by a family of agricultural workers, Paul has gone from strength to strength. In 2009 Paul celebrated their 120th anniversary and to mark the event they honoured their founder Charlemagne Mayot by creating a bread with her name. Paul is now open in over 25 countries including bakeries in Washington, Dubai, Tokyo, Singapore, Moscow and, of course, London.

CORNEY & BARROW

Corney & Barrow is a cool and sophisticated bar located in the Cabot Square which offers a relaxed vibe for the parties they throw in summer, and an interior that oozes class. Whether it’s glasses of wine or burgers you’re after, it’s a cool and trendy venue that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner for all people and prices.

C&B is somewhere you can feel confident that you’ll enjoy your visit and leave feeling refreshed and looked after. It’s open Monday-Friday, 7:30am-11pm, making it the perfect spot for that after-work drink too.

SMOLLENSKY'S

If it's stylish and hip you're after then look no further than Smollensky's bar in Canary Wharf. Known as the place for cocktails in Canary Wharf, they offer their ever-popular 2-4-1 cocktails between 6pm-8pm.

If you sign up on their website Smollensky’s will even give you a free bottle of Prosecco on your birthday. This, coupled with being able to book an area of the bar for free, makes it the perfect place for a birthday night out!

With prices ranging up to £50 it’s suitable for most budgets and has an American Grill if you’re feeling a little peckish. The bar overlooks the inner dock and is located in the Docklands / Canary Wharf / Isle of Dogs neighbourhood.

A review from Edyta M says;

“This bar rocks”

Fast and friendly staff... So hard to find on the canary… Always enjoy myself there!

Happy hours 2-4-1 at the bar... Wow value for money!"

APOSTROPHE

The need for both quality food and excellent coffee was the origin of Apostrophe. This Shoreditch café was the first in London to offer free Wi-Fi, complimentary water with mint, and a selection of jams and marmalades. 

Music is very important to Apostrophe. For those guests who are looking for a social space or simply a place to relax, Apostrophe are masters at providing the right ambience for every experience. In 2010 they started working with musicians to help create bespoke playlists, which they have been fine-tuning and updating ever since. Together they have assembled playlists for each part of the day, made up of an eclectic mix of genres, including contemporary deep house, nu-jazz, Latin rhythms, lounge grooves and Afrobeat. Definitely worth including in our list of Canary Wharf restaurants. 

CRUSSH

Why not juice yourself healthy at Crussh? As well as deliciously nutritious, made-to-order fruit smoothies, Crussh also serve the tastiest sandwiches, ‘super-food’ salads, sushi and soups that you can find anywhere.

Crussh smoothies are made to order, so feel free to be creative and add or take anything out. Crussh will do so to make it just how you like it.

A review from Dee E says;

“Excellent juices and smoothies”

“I love Crussh and go at least once a week for lunch. The hot pots & salad pots are excellent, well balanced & have a decent amount of spice where required. I always feel like i have eaten well when I have Crussh & for health food it is very filling too! 100% recommend.”

SWEET COUTURE

Canary Wharf is also home to Sweet Couture, a small boutique bakery founded in 2009.  The bakery has an ever-growing list of high-profile clients including magazines, corporations, fashion labels and charities. They use traditional baking techniques to produce wonderful cakes that are beautifully decorated.

Sweet Couture works hard on their classic flavours which now include carrot cake, chocolate sponge and their best-selling red velvet cake. They are always developing new cakes and cupcakes to celebrate seasonal flavours and ingredients, such as their Cherry Bakewell or Lemon and Raspberry cupcakes, or their rich German Chocolate cupcake which is made with pecans, coconut and melted chocolate.

A review from Hertsboy13 says;

“I have eaten cupcakes in many places, including Grand Central Station New York, but the one I had from here, with an amazing cup of coffee (Black Americano), was fabulous.

The lady who served me was polite and the background music being played civilised to match the surroundings. If you are ever near this place, pop in, you are in for a treat.”

TAYLOR ST.

Started by Aussie siblings, Taylor St. is a response to the need for better coffee in London. With the hand-crafted woodwork benches and lack of fluorescent lighting, it would be easy to forget that you’re even in Canary Wharf. 

Taylor St. is named after the founders’ home street in Sydney and brings some of that classic Aussie ambience to Canary Wharf. They believe that the barista is the most important thing standing between you and a good coffee, and they are exhaustively and relentlessly trained to ensure they are ready and waiting to serve you!

A review from DanSalmassian says;

“The coffee, service and food served at Taylor St Baristas are exceptionally good. 

I have never had anything but an excellent coffee here and the food served all has fresh, homemade appeal to it from a proper piece of toast to really delicious cakes.

It is worth mentioning that they have the most generous loyalty program of any coffee shop. The fifth one is always free. Who can compete with this in London?”

CANTEEN

Also in Canary Wharf you’ll find the very inviting Canteen; open all day for coffee, breakfasts, elevenses, afternoon tea, light bites, hearty feasts and late drinks. 

All dishes are cooked to order and their menu changes seasonally to accommodate the best and freshest national produce.

As with the rest of their menu, Canteen’s bar is British led. Their cocktails reflect the flavours of classic home-grown ingredients, and they serve a handpicked selection of beers, ciders and perrys that represent the country’s brewing history.

Like all the best things in Italy, Zazà is a family affair. The family started crafting the fine art of Italian gelato in their vibrant hometown of Naples and has been improving its recipes over the years. 

Zazà Gelato shop offers the irresistible freshness and flavour of authentic Italian gelato together with espressos and Italian treats in a modern and stylish space.

A review from zendon says;

“Heaven in a cup!”

“If there is only one thing you do in Canary Wharf, consider picking up a few scoops of ice-cream from Zaza. True to its Italian roots, the variety of flavours and the taste will you leave wanting more for sure!"