Area guide to London Bridge
London Bridge has it all. There’s great dining, places to drink to suit all moods – from a humble pint to dainty cocktails at the top of The Shard – and an abundance of things to do, swing a club at Sixes or try your hand slinging pucks at Electric Shuffle.
At the risk of sounding over the age of 40, London Bridge is also very well connected. It’s often the meeting place for me and pals, coming from all corners of London to meet where X – or LBG– marks the spot.
TfL links and activities loved by tourists aside, this guide covers the best eating, drinking, and things to do in London Bridge.
Where to eat in London Bridge
Trivet
Good things come in pairs, and that includes Trivet’s Michelin stars. Chef Jonny Lake and sommelier Isa Bal set out to bring a fresh approach to quality dining. The result is an open kitchen, expertly curated food and drink combos, all made with top-tier produce.
The menu is as interesting as delicious, with starters such as “One has to have morels”, which is stuffed morels, wild garlic, Parmigiano Reggiano, and crispy chicken oyster. Mains of pigeon and persimmon and grilled Cornish turbot, with sweets like butter tart and a “Turkish Breakfast” (yoghurt and sesame cake, sour cherry and black olive caramel ripple) to finish your meal.
Akara
Specialising in its namesake dish, Akara serves a blend of the crispy, fluffy attributes of Nigerian Akara Osu with the flavour-packed delights of Brazilian Acaraje, plus lots more on the menu.
A hot London Bridge spot, I’ll forever sing its praises. Enjoy bigger plates of Lagos Chicken (BBQ Poussin) with essential crispy skin, or the cabbage with abunu-abunu, a Ghanaian green sauce. The Brazilian carrot rice is a must for a bit on the side, too.
Legare
The pasta at Legare is second to none. I’ll tell anyone who listens about the focaccia here. It has roasted garlic running through it, with a big old bowl of Good Olive Oil for mopping up.
The Bib Gourmand restaurant is located on Shad Thames, a cobbled street away from London Bridge and near the historic Tower Bridge area of SE1. The menu here changes each week, but it always has an Italian focus, made with British ingredients.
My top tip for Legare, always order whichever ragù is on the menu. Whether it’s a warming and wintery fettuccelle with beef short-rib Genovese ragù, or a sprightly conchiglie with fennel sausage and spring greens ragù, they are always delicious.
Bad Boys Pizza Society
For bad boys, good boys, and everyone else. A slice of Bad Boys Pizza Society can be found in Vinegar Yard, right next to LBG station. Sizzling up in the pizza oven are 12-inchers inspired by both New York and Naples; they’re thin and crispy, but with a light and puffy crust. Just how nonna likes it.
The menu is pretty short and sweet, with classics of marg and pepperoni, but there’s also Going Ham, a regularly changing special – just ask – or you can chow down on a Notorious P.I.G. And the Bad Boys’ trio of dip options speak directly to my heart: garlic and herb (of course), hot honey (sweetness with a kick), and a spicy mayo (save it for your crusts).
Where to drink in London Bridge
Quill Wine Bar
This wine cavern and cellar is a not-so-secret, idyllic spot for a glass of vino. Its menu for drinks goes by the glass, in every colour and flavour profile you could wish for, up to by the bottle and cocktails inspired by frivolity. The Dirty Tonic will make you feel like an old-timey writer.
It also features a special hot dog as one of its main menu staples, a pairing you didn’t know you needed. But I will take a glass of Giornata Orangotango with a Quill Hot Dog, thanks.
London Bridge Rooftop
Nothing beats views of the City, and from London Bridge Rooftop you can take in the views with a drink in hand. It’s a place that does it all, from bottomless brunch and interactive darts to Spritz Sundays.
They even do a dedicated cocktail, the LBC, or London Bridge Colada, where a Piña Colada meets a Pornstar Martini. Intriguing? Always.
Wheatsheaf
There’s nothing like a local, and the Wheatsheaf pub has real cask ales, the best pints on draught, and glasses of fizz for after-work celebrations.
With a pub “garden” that spills out onto Borough Market, you’ll be right in the hustle and bustle, which is what London Bridge does best.
Things to do in London Bridge
Skateboarding at Hop Kingdom
Drop in for a skate at London Bridge skatepark, Hop Kingdom, the city’s smallest indoor park. With several ramps, a beginner’s night, and private lessons available, you can enjoy whatever your experience level. It only costs £6.50 to skate, and that includes a pint or soft drink.
Bermondsey Square Antiques Market
For those on the lookout for a bargain (and we don’t blame you, with the London rental market and homes decked out in IKEA white goods that are turning grey), the Bermondsey Square Antiques Market happens every Friday between 7 am and 2 pm.
French antiques traders are a regular feature of the market, with new traders bringing a recent touch, joining those who have traded for much of the market’s 75-year history. You can expect vintage collectables alongside more traditional antiques to make your house a home.
Fashion and Textiles Museum
Situated on Bermondsey Street, the Fashion and Textile Museum is the only UK museum dedicated to showcasing contemporary fashion and textile design.
Its current exhibition, Textiles: The Art of Mankind, celebrates the ancient and deep entanglement between textiles, people, and the world, with the second half of the year seeing Costume Couture take the exhibition stage.
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