Looking for the best places to eat near Waterloo Station without settling for a station chain? Waterloo and the South Bank have some excellent independent restaurants, gastropubs and bars within an easy walk of the trains.
From one of London’s best-known gastropubs to modern South-East Asian cooking and dinner overlooking the Thames, here are five places worth knowing.
1. The Anchor & Hope – one of Waterloo’s best gastropubs
The Anchor & Hope on The Cut has been serving serious food in a proper pub setting since 2003.
The menu changes regularly and focuses heavily on seasonal produce, with dishes such as slow-cooked meats, fish, soufflés and sharing dishes appearing alongside a strong selection of wine and beer.
The Good Food Guide continues to recommend it for its straightforward combination of good cooking, drinking and atmosphere.
Best for: Gastropub food, Sunday lunch and dinner before or after the theatre.
Address: 36 The Cut, London SE1 8LP
2. Sticky Mango – South-East Asian food near Waterloo
Sticky Mango Waterloo is tucked away on Coin Street between Waterloo and the South Bank.
Chef-patron Peter Lloyd’s food draws inspiration from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, with signature dishes including Malaysian chicken curry puffs, Singapore chilli lobster and Indonesian-style sea bass. The restaurant also offers tasting menus, vegan options and an extensive drinks and wine menu.
Sticky Mango says Waterloo Station is around a six-minute walk away.
Best for: Date nights, celebrations and something more adventurous.
Address: 33 Coin Street, London SE1 9NR
3. The Cut at the Young Vic – seasonal food, wine and cocktails
Located inside Young Vic, The Cut Bar & Restaurant is particularly handy if you want quality food and drinks without going far from Waterloo.
It serves seasonal dishes using British produce alongside carefully chosen wines, rotating craft beers, cocktails and Allpress coffee. Despite being inside the theatre, you do not need to be seeing a show to eat or drink here.
The Young Vic describes itself as about a five-minute walk from Waterloo Station.
Best for: Pre-theatre dinner, cocktails and meeting friends.
Address: 66 The Cut, London SE1 8LZ
4. Skylon – riverside dining with a view
For somewhere a little smarter, Skylon sits inside the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank.
The modern British restaurant has huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Thames, alongside a substantial central bar serving cocktails and wine.
Menus focus on seasonal British ingredients, and Skylon is also popular for pre-theatre dining, Sunday lunch and drinks with a view.
Best for: A special lunch, date night, cocktails or dinner overlooking the Thames.
Address: Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
5. Meson Don Felipe – tapas and Spanish wine on The Cut
Meson Don Felipe has been part of Waterloo since 1987 and describes itself as London’s original tapas bar.
The independent, family-run restaurant specialises in Spanish tapas alongside a sizeable selection of Spanish wines and sherries. There is also a heated outdoor terrace.
It is a particularly useful choice if you want informal food where everyone can order several dishes to share.
Best for: Tapas, Spanish wine and lively group dinners.
Address: 53 The Cut, London SE1 8LF
Waterloo has far more to offer than quick food inside the station. For quality food near Waterloo Station, try The Anchor & Hope for gastropub cooking, Sticky Mango for South-East Asian flavours, The Cut for relaxed seasonal dining, Skylon for a Thames view or Meson Don Felipe for tapas and wine.
All five also work well if you are searching for restaurants near the Old Vic, places to eat near the South Bank, pre-theatre restaurants near Waterloo or simply somewhere good for food and drinks before catching a train.