Best restaurants in Canary Wharf

Looking for Canary Wharf restaurants? These are the spots worth knowing, from irresistible Taiwanese dumpling at Din Tai Fung to modern Anglo-Indian delights at Kricket.

For more restaurant guides, check out our picks of the best restaurants in Soho, best restaurants in Clerkenwell and best restaurants in Covent Garden.

Best places to eat and drink in Canary Wharf

Mama Li, Great Tower Street

With two London locations already, Mama Li has now opened its third in Canary Wharf offering diners authentic Cantonese roast meats and other popular Hong Kong dishes. This new spot provides more of a cosy space that gives quaint diner vibes dressed in mint green and soft lighting.

Siu mei remains at the heart of the menu with the restaurant preparing its roasts the authentic Cantonese way. Choose from crispy pork, BBQ pork, roast duck and soy chicken, served with rice and optional extras. Or, if you can’t decide, you have the option to have one, two or three different meats. I tried the BBQ pork and roast duck, both giving succulent and delicate flavours with a generous portion of rice and cabbage. New for the Canary Wharf branch are noodle soup dishes, served in generous bowls, perfect for slurping – add a dash of chilli oil if you like a bit of extra spice.

For drinks there are several tea-based cocktails and mocktails that are new for this menu. The lychee garden mocktail is brilliantly refreshing alongside the food or, if you prefer something sweeter, we recommend the mango oasis.

If you have room, the steamed custard buns are wonderful pillows of sweetness to finish on, and you can always ask for leftovers to be boxed up to enjoy later. mamali.co.uk

Kung Fu Mama, Jubilee Place

Tucked away at the back of Jubilee Place is Kung Fu Mama’s new location, serving up quick but high-quality Taiwanese street food at an affordable price. Founded by Ottolenghi co-founder Noam Bar-Chang and Chris Hsu this is the pair’s second location.

Kung Fu Mama is known for its sundried noodles – and is the first establishment in the UK to serve them – with a distinctive firm and springy texture, they’re paired with classic Taiwanese flavours for comforting and hearty dishes. The 12 hours beef with szechuan pepper was a personal favourite and the sesame and ginger chicken was sweet and full of flavour. Don’t skip the baos either: designed to be enjoyed burger-style these generously large baos are loaded with either chicken (two flavour options) or soft-shell crab, with the buns fluffy and the filling spicy.

For dessert choose between a couple of night market classics in the form of pineapple pie, perfect if you just need a small sweet treat, or mango shaved ice cream that’s refreshing and fruity, and a great one for sharing. kungfumama.co.uk

Bōkan, Marsh Wall

If you’re looking for dinner with a view, then Bōkan should be high on your list. This award-winning restaurant on floors 37-39 of Novotel Canary Wharf offers incredible views of Thames winding through the city centre. Take in the city from the sleek bar, open-kitchen restaurant or rooftop terrace.

Pair your breathtaking view with an exquisite fine-dining experience. A two- or three-course menu and a seven-course tasting menu is on offer in the restaurant showcasing modern European dishes made with seasonal British ingredients.

I recommend trying dishes from both land and sea for the full spectrum of flavours. The beef tartare starter with Asian dressing and sesame cracker is the perfect balance of lightness and flavour to start your meal. For mains the Seafood Harmony, which includes king prawn and scallops, is a great choice if you’re a little indecisive and want to try a mixture of seafood. Served in a rich, peppery, brothy sauce, it is wonderfully moreish. Don’t worry if you’re not much of a dessert person, there’s a generous artisan cheeseboard served with a sharp quince marmalade. Or if you’re looking for something sweeter, the chocolate cake with hazelnut ice cream offers a lovely end to your meal.

Whether you’re having a sit-down meal or just want a few casual glasses with a view, the drinks menu has a wide selection of signature cocktails, wines and fizz perfect for all occasions. The mocktail options are also delicious, my favourite being the ForEVER-Kiwi – a wonderful blend of kiwi and banana. bokanlondon.co.uk

Nora, West Lane

Opened by brothers Ozgur and Sidar Akyuz, Nora is bringing Turkish dining to Canary Wharf. Drawing inspiration from the streets and kitchens of Istanbul, the restaurant serves up a menu of small and large plates all designed for sharing in a communal dining experience.

If you’re new to Turkish cuisine and looking for a leisurely start to your weekend, I’d highly recommend booking a spot for the weekend Serpme feasting breakfast, served between 11am-3pm. Inspired by Turkish serpme kahvalti, a traditional breakfast spread, the set menu is a showcase of the region’s cultural diversity with a breadth of dishes to try. Our favourites included aubergine and pepper kizartma, fried cauliflower, hummus with pulled lamb, and the tahini with pekmez which I couldn’t get enough of dipped with the warm breads.

For an extra £10 each you can add on a choice of two skewers – coffee rub chicken shish, beef fillet lokum shish, adana (lamb), bream fillet and prawns.

To finish, kunefe is served to share – a traditional dessert made with kadayif layered with cheese and soaked in a sugar-based syrup. Don’t worry if you have leftovers, the team will happily box this up for you to finish later. The breakfast is also served with unlimited Turkish tea.

The cocktail menu offers Turkish twists on some classics, like a black tea martini and a baklava old fashioned. nora.london

CRATE Brewery, Wood Wharf

Known for its experimental and expansive array of craft beers, as well as thin and crispy stone-baked pizzas, Crate is bringing its signature cool to Canary Wharf with its second site opening.

Think industrial chic created with upcycled materials and handcrafted furniture situated by the water’s edge with laid-back vibes. Crate is perfect for anyone who wants the traditional pizza and beer experience but elevated: eclectic pizzas with a global influence ranging from Middle Eastern lamb to Malaysian chicken laksa. My personal recommendation? The sweet potato, stilton and walnut pizza – tangy, sweet, with a little bit of crunch, a perfect hearty, comfort food go-to. Furthermore, sustainability is always at the forefront with all dough bases being mixed using Wildfarmed renegerative flour.

However, Crate’s crowning glory has to be its extensive range of craft beers, perfect for both aficionados and laymen alike. Once again, sustainability is key, the brewery’s own core range is brewed in partnership with Purity Brewing on a farm with one of the world’s most sustainable brewing kits. Punters can also expect new world Hazy Pales, a rotating line of guest beers, a range of limited-edition seasonal sours (triple fruited mango sour was a firm favourite for me), as well as its new gin, lemon and koji, and vodka, raspberry and yuzu soda cocktails. cratebrewery.com

Mallow, Park Drive

From the same team behind Mildreds, Mallow Canary Wharf offers a fully plant-based menu. Seasonal and sustainable ingredients are the threads that brings the menu together, which draws from a diversity of influences across the globe. Think earthy mushroom ravioli topped with fried basil, a coconutty Kashmiri gobi and fluffy basmati rice or fattoush salad packed with juicy tomatoes paired with a creamy garlic labneh.

To finish, indulgent desserts include passion fruit tart topped with the bitter crunch of sesame tuile. The extensive drinks menu includes cocktails made with Mallow’s own gin, such as the dry apricot negroni, as well as beers made in collaboration with UnBarred Brewery and Harbour Brewing Co. You won’t miss the booze with a non-alcoholic and utterly delightful lychee jasmine martini. mallowlondon.com

Note that Mallow is currently operating as a takeover by Mildreds on the Wharf, including a bold pre-theatre menu for those visiting the Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre.

Roe, Park Drive

From the team behind Fallow comes another restaurant with sustainability at the core. Set on the Canary Wharf waterfront in the beating heart of the financial world, Roe is buzzing despite its large size spread over multiple levels.

Start proceedings with the mushroom parfait – a mixture of smoked shiitake and oyster mushrooms on lightly griddled toast. It’s well balanced with a creamy nuttiness and delicate sweetness. If you choose to continue with the fungi theme, the deep-fried hen of the woods burger in a Roe-branded brioche bun is a crowd-pleasing option, while juicy skewers include spiced lamb shoulder with a smoked onion yogurt and honey to enjoy with pillowy flatbreads.

Desserts are hard to resist for those with a sweet tooth. The zero-waste caramelised banana parfait uses the entirety of the fruit, while lemon meringue pie is transformed into a creamy soft serve with crunchy pieces of Wildfarmed shortbread. Pair your dessert with a glass from Renegade Urban Winery or pick from the extensive wine list which includes English sparkling wine. Cocktails are classic, creative and refreshing. roerestaurant.co.uk

Din Tai Fung, Crossrail Place

Taiwanese dumpling phenomenon Din Tai Fung has more than 170 restaurants in 14 different countries. Its fourth UK location has set up shop in Canary Wharf’s Crossrail Place – making it the perfect place for hungry commuters.

The 112-seater restaurant is attentively staffed, with servers briskly delivering bamboo baskets of handmade steamed dumplings to tables. Din Tai Fung’s calling card is xiao long bao, steamed soup dumplings where a delicate dough encases a meaty filling and a pocketful of hot, savoury broth. We ordered the classic made with minced pork – satisfyingly slurpy – alongside succulent, bouncy prawn and pork shao mai. The surprise hit of our visit, however, were the delicately made prawn and pork wontons bathed in a poky chilli sauce. dintaifung-uk.com

Brother Marcus, Reuters Plaza

In the heart of Canary Wharf, Brother Marcus has unveiled its biggest opening yet – a vibrant all-day restaurant with a sun-soaked south-facing terrace seating up to 80. Exclusive to this location is the souvla and skewers menu, where dishes are flame-grilled over an open fire. Highlights include Greek smoked feta sausage with Louvi beans, grated plum tomatoes and herb salad, or lamb saddle souvla served with skordalia, spinach, ouzo and anchovy jus.

Brunch is a must, with classics like eggs benedict alongside bolder plates such as kefir-fried chicken with crispy potato rösti and perfectly poached eggs. For a sweet-savoury hit the halloumi with watermelon and mint is a refreshing side worth ordering. Pair it all with the brunch cocktails deal – two for £20 – and sip on a balanced honey and grapefruit bellini while soaking up the Docklands buzz. brothermarcus.co.uk

Kricket, Frobisher Passage

The hot seats at Kricket are along the vivid red counter which stretches the length of the modern Anglo-Indian restaurant group newbie. Bhel puri, that colourful Mumbai street food, is sweet, tart and crunchy; Keralan fried chicken with pickled mooli is a Kricket classic; pickled cucumber is a good foil to a glossy poussin ghee roast; and grilled squash with paneer and puffed rice is served in a rich sauce to be scooped up with chilli cheese naan. Aromatic cocktails include no-booze versions like Kashmiri Adrift, a refreshing blend of lime and agave spiked with chilli salt and served over ice, while adjacent late-night Soma bar serves the harder stuff. kricket.co.uk

Marceline, Water Street

London’s love affair with France continues with chef Rob Aikens’ brasserie at the increasingly foodie destination of Wood Wharf. From breakfast to dinner, expect well-executed classics like warm cheese soufflé, French onion soup; rotisserie chicken with a rich, glossy jus and the standout, sweet-meets-savoury dish, sugar-pit bacon chop with charcuterie sauce. All desserts are Instagram-worthy, from a shiny crème caramel to cookie crust and banana profiteroles. Cocktails feature a classic French martini no 5 to a punchy absinthe sour. marceline.london

Hawksmoor, Wood Wharf

Hawksmoor Wood Wharf combines its signature British steakhouse flair with a unique waterside location. Situated on a floating pavilion, this restaurant offers stunning views of the City alongside its renowned menu of perfectly cooked steaks, fresh seafood, and hearty sides. The outdoor terrace is ideal for sipping on classic cocktails while enjoying the serene waterfront atmosphere. Hawksmoor’s dedication to quality and sustainability ensures a memorable dining experience. thehawksmoor.com/locations/wood-wharf/

Thecha, Lansbury Heritage Hotel

Tucked inside Poplar’s Lansbury Heritage Hotel, Thecha delivers a knockout tour of Maharashtra with some of the boldest Indian flavours in the capital.

The soft pink-grey interior whispers boutique hotel brunch but what lands on the table is straight from the streets of Mumbai. Thecha takes its name from a green chilli chutney – here paired with blisteringly grilled paneer. Sabudana vada (crisp sago and peanut fritters) and kothimbir vadi (crisp coriander and gram fritters) set the tone: regional snacks with punch.

Chilli-laden Chicken 65 – so called because of the year it was created – is a must. Try it in the biryani for a complete meal, while the dabi dal fry (slow-cooked creamy lentils) soothes with buttery warmth. From the mains, Kolhapuri mutton rasa (tender chunks in curry broth) and prawn gassi (coastal coconut prawn curry) are full-throttle flavour bombs. But the star? The butter chicken chops. Cooked in the tandoor and drenched in velvety makhani sauce, it’s worth a visit for this alone.

To drink, choose cooling solkadhi, made with kokum and coconut milk – refreshing with a hint of saltiness. Make sure you have room for mango shrikhand, a creamy sweet yogurt dessert that’s a perfect balance to the heat of this dining experience. instagram.com/its_thecha

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