The Ivy Tower Bridge — Restaurant in London

I can’t recommend this restaurant enough. They went above & beyond to make our breakfast enjoyable & memorable. There’s a back story to why this breakfast meant so much to myself & my 2 young daughters that I am not comfortable sharing on here but if you’re looking for somewhere not only special & renown but somewhere that can make you feel comfortable even with an illness that maybe keeping you from doing the things others can do without thought, this is your place. Pros of this restaurant: Number 1, have to mention our waiter Vladimir, he was incredible & was very assertive, made a big effort engaging with my daughters & constantly happy & awaiting to attend to anyone’s needs. There was also a lovely lady with dark hair but sadly I didn’t know how name, she really tried to compensate for something that didn’t go to plan shall we say. However, the staff make you feel welcomed, warm, comfortable & at ease. Very assertive & truly want you to enjoy your dining experience. Not there just to get you in & out, expecting a massive tip for just existing, they actually truly take the time to make sure all your needs are met, with a smile & seem very happy you’re there. Number 2, the atmosphere was perfect, the restaurant was mixed of all different groups of people, meaning family’s, friends, couples, all different ages, different nationalities etc & everyone had a smile on their face enjoying their day. Number 3, the food was lush. We all had a different, juice (it was breakfast, I know it’s 5oclock somewhere & could’ve had a cheeky glass of wine but I was also with my 2 daughters so juice & coffee it was) different breakfast & dessert, & everything tasted the best we’ve had. I do know some say it’s expensive for what you get as portions are small but you’re also paying for how you’re treated, you’re not in a fast food restaurant on a highway if you know what I mean. The presentation of the food you can see was done with care & also, prepared with any dietary requirements exactly as required. I honestly could go on about my day, but the rest would be more to why it was so special to me & my family which wouldn’t help you as a potential diner. The only negative I can say, was that it was breakfast with the Easter bunny & sadly the Easter bunny missed our table, so my daughters actually didn’t get the experience we initially went for. My eldest who is 10 wasn’t fazed as she loved the experience, however my 6 year old, who is not fussed about food or restaurants etc was very disappointed. I did have lots of tears & sulking but the staff tried their best to accommodate her & cheer her up. Sadly the Easter bunny had to get to another Ivy & already left. But they did try their best to get him back or even just the costume to put on their selves. It truly was a mistake & a genuine mishap shall we say. This being said, it did not effect our day & seeing my children see me eat in a restaurant with them too, like we used to do, made them happy & brought some normality back into our lives without them being home, to be my carers & that is why I have left this lengthy review! Please if you haven’t been to this restaurant, then you must go, if you’ve been & had a not so good experience definitely give them another shot, everyone can have a bad day & lastly if you’ve also had the experience I’ve had, how excited are you to go...

I’ve been dishing out so many one-star reviews lately I thought I should balance the universe — and this seemed a good place to start.

I went for a business lunch with a friend (his turn to pay — lovely chap, but tighter than the lid on a pickle jar). I’d noticed The Ivy’s two-course heritage menu at £20.95, which felt like a safe middle ground. Roughly the same price you’d pay at Café Rouge for a baguette and a starter — except here you get linen napkins, charm, and food that doesn’t taste of resignation. The difference is like switching from dial-up to fibre.

From the moment I walked in, it just felt right: polished brass, soft lighting, calm chatter, and that quiet hum that tells you people know what they’re doing. The decor has a 1920s London glamour about it — a touch of Gatsby, a hint of Mayfair, and enough self-awareness to stop it feeling pretentious. Even the menu made me laugh — it reads as if Downton Abbey’s Carson had a side hustle in menu writing. A bit pompous, a bit twee, but actually… rather perfect.

Service was immaculate. My friend was forty minutes late (punctuality is apparently optional in his world), yet I never felt rushed. The staff handled it like seasoned diplomats — attentive, unflappable, never intrusive.

The food was superb. I had the Robata Grilled Chicken Skewers followed by the Chimichurri Chicken Escalope, both beautifully cooked and full of flavour. My friend had the Twice-Baked Cheese Soufflé and Cod Goujons, which even he, the world’s most discerning critic of portion size, declared faultless. The portions are refined, not stingy — you leave content, not comatose.

The only slip was a missing spoon with the coffee, but it arrived with such grace I almost apologised for needing one.

All told, this is how lunch should feel — civilised, stylish, and faintly theatrical without taking itself too seriously. For the same money as a sad baguette elsewhere, you get to pretend, for an hour or two, that the world still runs on good manners and...

When it comes to the Ivies, I usually lean towards Ivy Asia, but my friend finally convinced me to try the Ivy by Tower Bridge — and I’m so glad I did. The outdoor seating is absolutely beautiful, with greenery that makes you forget you’re right next to the busy South Bank. It feels like a little pocket of calm.

Our server was really warm and friendly, which set the tone for what turned out to be a really lovely meal. We decided to share a spread of starters, and honestly, that’s where the magic was. The scallops stole the show — served on shells with a presentation that was as gorgeous as it was delicious. The watermelon and feta salad was another highlight. It’s one of my favourite combinations, especially on a warm day, light but so satisfying. The tomato soup was good — nothing spectacular, but it balanced the meal nicely.

The squid, though, wasn’t for me. It was a bit too rubbery and just didn’t have the same finesse as the other dishes. The crab dip, on the other hand, was phenomenal. The flavours were rich, and the presentation was stunning — the kind of dish I’d happily take friends back just to try.

Our server recommended the sourdough bread, and thank goodness they did. It was massive, fluffy, and perfect for mopping up everything — from the soup to the crab dip to the watermelon salad dressing. Even with two of us sharing, we barely finished it.

As for drinks, the Tower Colada won hands down. Creamy, fruity, and light — it genuinely tasted like melted ice cream in the best possible way.

Overall, I had a wonderful experience. Yes, it’s on the pricier side, but you’re paying for consistency and quality. If (or rather, when) I go back, I’ll skip the squid, but I’d definitely order the scallops, the crab dip, and the sourdough again without hesitation. Ivy Asia might still be my favourite, but Ivy Tower Bridge definitely earned a place on my “go again” list.

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