Everything you need to know about The Shard restaurant in London
Enjoy the incredible views from the tallest skyscraper in Western Europe while you enjoy a tasty meal or a cup of tea in one of the restaurants or bars in the building.
London skyscrapers | ©Dom J
If you are going to London I recommend you to buy tickets to The Shard, the tallest building in Western Europe**. But going up to the observation deck is not the only thing you can do in this building. **** If you want your visit to be as complete as possible, don't hesitate to have lunch or a snack in one of the culinary establishments in the building.**** A wide range of British and Asian cuisine, sweets and cakes, as well as a variety of cocktails and craft beers are some of the proposals of Tīng**, Gŏng**, ** Sky Lounge, ** Bar 31, ** Aqua Shard, Hutong** or ** Oblix**.
And with your stomach full and your batteries recharged, don't hesitate to read the post what to see and do in London to find out your next plan.
What can you eat at The Shard?
The Shard offers a wide range of dishes to suit all tastes. You can opt for a mix of Asian and British cuisine at Ting, Japanese food at Gŏng, a delicious snack at Sky Lounge, grilled meat at Oblix or a snack with a craft beer at Bar 31, among other options. You won't regret it, choose the option that best suits your preferences.
Food from Gŏng
At Gŏng you can enjoy delicious Japanese food such as maki, sashimi, tartar or Asian dishes in general (gyoza, tempura...). Of course they also offer afternoon tea from Thursday to Sunday which, as usual, includes a wide variety of teas along with sweet and savoury snacks.
In addition, its gastronomic proposal stands out for being inspired by values such as sustainability and simplicity and has an ideal cocktail pairing for each dish in order to make the most of all the flavours.
Food from Tīng
Tīng brings together the best of Asian and British cuisine, using the best local and seasonal produce and ingredients. You have a choice of dishes such as tuna tartar, beef tataki, scallops, duck..., or breakfasts that include both Asian and British options: waffles, fritters, pancakes or scrambled eggs, as well as more complete proposals such as their own version of the English or continental breakfast.
For afternoon tea, there is a wide range of savoury snacks, freshly baked scones, cakes and pies. In addition, Tīng Tīng offers a three-course or five-course set menu. Salads and sandwiches are also available.
All dishes can be combined with a variety of cocktails or a wide range of wines.
Sky Lounge Meal
Sky Lounge offers a wide variety of cocktails and champagnes as well as delicious snacks such as woks, sandwiches and salads. On Sundays, you can also enjoy a spectacular brunch that includes a cocktail, several starters, a main course and dessert and has a wide range of dishes such as miso soup, edamame, chicken katsu, soy aubergine, salmon nigiri, fried prawn and vegetable wok... There is something for everyone. To finish off, they also offer a range of desserts such as chocolate brownie, rice pudding or ice cream.
Food from Bar 31
Bar 31 is the ideal place if you want to hang out with a craft beer and try a snack. Specifically, the beers are delivered from Bermondsey and the snacks from Borough Market. They have a wide variety of pizzas and snacks, as well as dishes such as chicken escalope rolls, Austrian charcuterie, duck croquettes and Nuremberg sausages, among other options.
And it may come as a surprise to you, but you can bring your dog to Bar 31, who can also enjoy special gluten-free canine snacks. They have different varieties such as lamb with red pepper, veal with thyme or pumpkin with mushrooms. Don't hesitate to choose this place if you go with your canine companion.
Food from Hutong
At Hutong you can enjoy a culinary experience specially brought from Hong Kong. This restaurant is based on the cuisine of the imperial palaces of traditional Beijing. Delicious dishes of regional cuisine that will knock the senses out of every diner who tastes them.
Food from Oblix
Oblix offers sophisticated cuisine based on classic and traditional dishes with grilled meats, seafood, pasta, salads... A wide variety to suit all tastes. In addition, it has a tasting menu that includes a total of ten dishes and is a real delight.
Food from Aqua Shard
Aqua Shard offers the best of contemporary British cuisine and has a full lunch, tea, dinner and brunch service.
How much does it cost to eat at The Shard?
After checking the prices of The Shard, you will probably want to know how much it costs to eat in its restaurants. The different establishments in The Shard (Gŏng, Tīng, Sky Lounge, Oblix, Aqua Shard, Hutong or Bar 31) have high prices in general. After all, you are eating in the tallest building in Western Europe. Even so, there are some options that are cheaper than others, such as Bar 31, but in general and despite being expensive, they are a good value for money proposition.
Gŏng prices
At Gŏng, dishes are priced from £15 (17€) to £45 (53€) and cocktails from £20 (24€). Meanwhile, afternoon tea, which is on offer from 12 noon to 4pm, costs from £61.
Tīng Prices
Prices at Tīng are very varied. Breakfast costs from £10 (12€) to £42 (50€), afternoon tea from £62 (73€).
In addition, there is a three-course set menu from £45 (€53) or a five-course set menu from £82 (€97). And all dishes can be paired with a wide range of wines and cocktails from £9 (€10) to £18 (€21).
Sky Lounge prices
Dishes at Sky Lounge range in price from £28 (€33) and for their signature item, the Bruch, which is only served on Sundays, they have several options ranging from £64 (€78) to £135 (€160).
Bar 31 prices
Prices at Bar 31 are a little cheaper than the other options at The Shard, but obviously higher than other restaurants and pubs in the city. Half pints of beer cost between £5.50 (6.5€) and £6.50 (8€), cocktails cost from £11, aperitif spirits between £5 (6€) and £11 (13€), pizzas between £8 (9€) and £14 (16€), snacks between £3 (4€) and £10 (12€) and dishes between £15 (18€) and £19 (23€).
Hutong prices
There is a wide range of prices at Hutong. For example, starters cost from £11 (13€), main courses from £30 (35€) and desserts from £8 (9.5€).
Oblix prices
Prices at Oblix are also high. Meats and burgers are priced from £35 (€41.5), starters and salads from £17 (€20), pasta from £30 (€35.5) and their star option, the chef's tasting menu, is around £105 (€124).
Aqua Shard prices
Aqua Shard is no slouch either. Main courses are priced at around £40 (47.50€), starters from £15 (17.50€) and desserts from £10 (11.50€) across the board.
Traveller's tip
If you want your experience at The Shard to be as complete as possible, don't hesitate to eat at one of the restaurants in the building: Gŏng, Tīng, Sky Lounge or Bar 31.
What time can you eat at The Shard?
The great thing about The Shard's four dining options is that it covers almost every time slot of the day and every day of the week. For example: Ting is the early bird restaurant and opens at 6:30 am, Gŏng is open every day of the week, Sky Lounge's opening hours are limited to Friday to Sunday and Bar 31 is a more evening/night-time venue. Below are the detailed opening hours for each and every one of its establishments.
Opening hours of Gŏng
The advantage of Gŏng is that it is open every day of the week. Specifically, from Monday to Wednesday, from 16:00 to 23:00, and from Thursday to Sunday, from 12:00 to 23:30. and from Thursday to Sunday, from 12 noon to 11. 30pm. Please note, however, that some of the menus are only available at certain times of the day. For example, tea is available from 12 noon to 4pm.
Opening hours for Tīng
Tīng is undoubtedly the early bird restaurant at The Shard and is open every day of the week from 6:30am to 10:30pm. Specifically, breakfast is served from 7am to 10:30am, except on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays when the opening hours are extended to 11am. Lunch is served between 12pm and 2:30pm, afternoon tea from 12pm to 4pm and dinner from 5pm to 10:30pm.
Sky Lounge opening hours
Sky Lounge opening hours are limited to weekends. On Fridays and Saturdays it is open from 2pm to 10pm. For brunch service, the first session takes place at 12 noon and the last session at 5 pm.
Opening hours for Bar 31
Bar 31 is open from Wednesday to Sunday to have a drink or enjoy a tasty dinner in a unique and special atmosphere. Specifically, Wednesday and Thursday opening hours are from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at night, Fridays and Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Hutong Opening Hours
Another wild card in terms of opening hours is Hutong, which is open every day of the week from 12 noon to 10.30pm.
Oblix Opening Hours
Oblix is open from Wednesday to Friday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and extends its opening hours from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends.
Aqua Shard Opening Hours
Aqua Shard also has a very full timetable. Tea takes place every day of the week from 12:15 to 16:15, dinner from Monday to Sunday from 18:00 to 22:30, lunch from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 14:30 and pre-lunch service is available on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 15:00.
What atmosphere will you have while eating at The Shard?
The atmosphere of the different restaurants at The Shard varies greatly depending on the establishment, but in general each and every one of them is quite genuine and unique, with first-class service and attention.
In addition, in some of the restaurants such as Oblix or Sky Lounge you can enjoy live music and in Bar 31 it is common that, depending on the season of the year, the restaurant is decorated for the occasion. Here are the main features that characterise them:
- Gŏng is an elegant place that you enter from the Shangri-La Hotel, located in The Shard. In fact, the restaurant asks for a specific dress code. Something casual but elegant and admission is reserved for people wearing shorts and sportswear. In addition, you must be 18 years old from 5.30pm to enter.
- Tīng is a classy and elegant place that offers diners a relaxed, warm, genuine and informal atmosphere.
- Sky Lounge offers an ideal environment to relax while enjoying the wonderful views. An elegant and stylish place. In addition, one of its main peculiarities is that while you enjoy a nice meal you can listen to live music on Fridays, from 18:30 h. to 21:30 h., and on Saturdays and Sundays, from 13:30 h. to 16:30 h.
- Bar 31 is the ideal place to meet up with friends and even to go with your dog, as the establishment not only allows access to it but also has a wide range of treats especially for them.
- Hutong is characterised for being a lively restaurant where they usually play chill out music.
- Oblix is a place with a refined and distinguished atmosphere, where you can enjoy live music and DJs.
- Aqua Shard is a modern, cosy and elegant place that leaves no one indifferent.
What views will you have while dining at The Shard?
If the views from The Shard are truly amazing, those from its restaurants are not far behind. Just think, they're all located in the tallest skyscraper in Western Europe and you'll be able to see for miles. Undoubtedly, the most spectacular views are to be found at Gŏng, the highest restaurant located on the 52nd floor. It's a great place to enjoy views of north, east and west London while enjoying an aperitif at sunset - a great time to visit.
Meanwhile, Tīng is located on the 35th floor of the building, Sky Lounge on the 34th floor, Hutong on the 33rd floor, Oblix on the 32nd floor and Aqua Shard on the 31st floor.
Finally, Bar 31 is located at the foot of The Shard's escalators and from this bar you can see The Shard skyscraper in great detail. So if you are passionate about architecture, don't hesitate to have a beer or a snack at one of its outdoor tables and lose yourself in this icon of modern architecture.
Finally, if none of these options convince you, I leave you with this post on places to eat near The Shard that will serve as a guide to explore the restaurants in the area (although, yes, with more humble views).