Vivat Bacchus London Bridge Restaurant — Restaurant in London

We were so excited when we spotted a South African culinary experience on Instagram. How had we not discovered it before considering it originally opened back in 2008. Vivat Bacchus, situated a two-minute walk from the Tooley Street exit of London Brige station did not disappoint. From spotting Klippies Brandewyn with or without uys, to Karoo lamb, ostrich steak and a biltong trolley on the menu, we were spoilt for choice. From the extensive and comprehensive South African wine list, featuring a few from around the world, my companions elected to try the Amarula expresso martini. I decided to try the Pimms, because I have not had any since moving to London three years ago. Well Nessa my friend it was more delicious than yours. A jug arrived in front of me filled with fresh crisp strawberries, sliced orange and limes, plus some fresh mint and the longest cucumber ribbons I had ever seen. I devoured it all apart from the mint and the limes! Total indulgence!! Loved every millilitre. After spending a lengthy period of time deciding what to eat, my companions both selected the 200g rump with sides of creamed spinach and potato salad. Always last to order, I asked the waiter for advice on should I have the boneless lamb ribs or the Surrey Hills beef burger. Responding that both are his favourites, he suggested that if I was hungry, then I should have the burger. It was superb!! Unfortunately I was cutting the very fresh bun that was doughy, and I managed to knock half of my chips onto the floor. (I did pick them up, and NO I did not consume them. I lay them on a serviette. Afterall this was a restaurant and not a branch of Steers 🤣) My hunger was completely satisfied. I guess I did also have a rather large portion of fruit salad from my Pimms. My companions really enjoyed the rump, however both felt it could have been warmer. That is why I dropped one wee star of my food rating. I know the resting process is vital to the enjoyment of a cut of meat, but it also turned out their eyes were bigger than their stomachs, as neither of them finished the spinach or potato salad. Desserts were on offer, challenging us to try the Peppermint Crisp Fridge Tart versus the Malva pudding. For me, my own spectacular peppermint crisp tart which was only served on the Christmas lunch table, I could not risk it 😅. Our tummies were all satisfied so we declined. We will be back for sure and will try something sweet. I am hoping they will keep my umbrella that I left behind. ☔️ Good on you if you have read my ramblings thus far... I am going to save the Cape Malay Mushroom Samosa delight for my next review. Service was amazing 👏 Very welcoming...

We visited this restaurant three months ago and were a bit disappointed by the overall experience. However, given the glowing reviews that preceeded us we wanted to give it another chance.

That second visit was tonight (19/07/2025).

The headline note is that the two visits were like night and day, totally different.

The food tonight was simply 1st class. My partner and I loved this evenings food, and I have to call out the Ostrich Fillet as being simply superb.

Accompanied by a fine, traditional Stellenbosch Pinotage the meal was a triumph.

Supported by a superb, buzzy atmosphere and excellent service I have to suggest that our previous visit must have been a bad night for them.

Thanks to Kyle, our waitress lady (sorry, didn't catch the name) and the rest of Kyle's team. This evening was brilliant and we will certainly return and recommend you to our friends.

Below is the review from April 2025:

Overall, a quite disappointing visit.

There were 4 of us in the group. All of us thought that the food was OK but unremarkable. One of my friends had the Crocodile Samosa which he deemed to be pretty bog standard. My partner had one of the salad starters which again she classified as unremarkable. I specifically wanted the Ostrich Steak but was informed it was not available. That was my reason for choosing this restaurant.

Perhaps the biggest downer was that we all wanted coffee to finish, but that was not available due to "running out of milk". What! To be fair, the restaurant did give us (on the house) a round of wine instead. However, running out of milk??

I have to say that while everything we had was OK (not nasty at all), there was nothing about the experience that would take us back there. Also, any South African influence was totally missing.

The young waiter was a nice guy, but he could not make up for the...

If you’re craving bold flavors and hearty portions, this South African steakhouse delivers an unforgettable dining experience. From the moment you step inside, the warm and rustic atmosphere sets the tone – relaxed, inviting, and true to its roots.

This is not my first time in Vivat Bacchus and the star of the menu for me today is the Pork belly. Cooked to perfection over open flames, each cut is tender, juicy, and infused with that distinctive smoky flavor South African cuisine is known for. The basting sauces and marinades add a rich depth, balancing spice and sweetness beautifully. For those who enjoy variety, they offer braai boards which includes a steak, ostrich and boerewers, with sides like mielie bread and green salads. Sauces available are chakalaka, bernaise, monkeygland and peppercorn – authentic touches that make the meal feel even more special.

They have this new thing called the Biltong trolley, which i am looking forward to try next time.

Service is attentive without being overbearing, with staff who are happy to recommend cuts of meat or explain the South African specialties. Shout out to Carl’s team (Kyle D, Ayusha and Erik) The wine list, featuring some excellent South African reds, pairs perfectly with the grilled meats and enhances the overall experience. They also gave a take home treat for our kids which i find a sweet gesture..

Overall, this steakhouse strikes the perfect balance between authenticity and quality. Whether you’re a steak enthusiast or simply curious to try South African flavors, it’s a spot worth returning to...