Oxo Tower Restaurant

First impressions were not great, as I had to queue for a while before anyone greeted me and took my coat. However, that was really the only grumble in an otherwise excellent meal.

The food was to a very high standard. I had marinated tuna to start, and Herdwick mutton for my main course. Both were excellent. All well presented with appropriate sauces, accompaniments etc. The wine list was also excellent, and the helpful sommelier was happy to talk me through some of the many options.

Service was professional, courteous, and discreet. No grumbles there. And, of course, the view was fantastic.

It wasn't cheap, with our meal coming out at just a fraction under £100 per head. However, considering we had some quite nice wines with the meal, I think it was pretty good value. I've eaten at other restaurants in this price range that were not nearly as good.

Overall, highly recommended.
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Adam
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 21, 2009

My Canadian cousin & his wife treated us to a meal here. We wanted them to have a wonderful experience during a very short visit to London...The view was fantastic but sadly the food was a little mediocre. Looked good but just did not come up to scratch! I had asparagus where the stems were woody followed by Halibut which should be fabulous but somehow just was not. My partner had much the same experience with only the lemon and pine nut dessert coming out well. A further shock in this day and age was that there were THREE instances of pate de foie gras on the menu - does anyone actually eat this stuff any more?!! I have no worries about being a carnivore but systematically hurting animals (the poor geese) in order to make sure they have diseased livers & then calling the result a "delicacy" is off the map in terms of acceptability.
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Gryphgal - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Friday, May 08, 2009

I have just been back for the first time in 3 years. I used to come a lot. Sadly, the food was very average this time. Maybe standards have slipped. As usual, there's the pleasantly obsequious staff which couldn't do enough for you and were refreshingly pleasant. But then cam the bill. 2 bloody marys, 2 starters, 2 mains 1 £35 bottle of wine, 1 coffee and a £15 brandy. Wait for it... £200. Ouch! Still worth it for the view - one of the best in London.
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Richard Glendenning
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Very nice meal at a reasonable cost. Very relaxing atmosphere, great service overall very good and will be returning
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Joe Masini
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Nice view on the Tower, good food, atmosphere. But you know the price...pay for the view honey!
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King - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Thursday, February 26, 2009

We were joined by friends from France who wanted to experience the best of London on new year's eve. The four of us had an amazing night, the food was fantastic and we were served with gorgeous champagne and wines throughout the evening. The standards of service were excellent and the staff genuinely seemed to enjoy taking care of us all night.

This is the only place to see the fireworks - we are already planning to return again this year!
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Jack
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, January 27, 2009

What are you all talking about? Yes, the views are outstanding but I don't have a bad word to say about the staff, service or the food - all were equally amazing.

Admitedly I wasn't paying but I saw how much everything was and thought it was very reasonable. It was a friends birthday and they bought out a birthday plate and then they also offered to take our picture. Unknown to us they then went and printed a few copies and gave my friend, who's birthday it was, a little wallet sized picture frame for her to keep - she was so chuffed at such a nice gesture!

I have not been to a restaurant like this that has such attention to detail for a long time and would really recommend Oxo for any occasion.
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Wendy Bennett
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, December 18, 2008

8 of us had a lovely evening in the restaurant on Monday night. My monk fish was delicious. Views amazing and staff very friendly. We all enjoyed ourselves enormously. Thank you.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, December 17, 2008

One goes for the views and they are special. Unfortunately St Paul’s was only partly illuminated and maybe some of the City are economising on lighting power on Saturdays. But the windows and lighting are well designed to give that view. The wine list is a bit ridiculous. Who would spend over £1000 on a bottle of wine without ensuring it was properly prepared? Pretentious. At these prices you could ring and order anything you wanted. My starter with three langoustine, a small fillet of anchovy? and lettuce was very weak. My main was halibut but with too much fruit and not as sophisticated as I would have expected for such a restaurant. It was allegedly a new dish that week. My good friend was complimentary but I was paying. Not sure I will hurry back but a simple meal in the brasserie may be worth a try some time.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, December 03, 2008

The views are outstanding - which is unfortunately the best thing about this restaurant. It isn’t that this place is bad at all. It’s just mediocre.

Food was decent – but not great. The portions were far too small and concentrated purely on presentation as opposed to quality.

Wine List – great. As good as I have seen in most places – and the sommelier seemed to know their stuff.

Staff / Service – they were good – but far too many of them and too over-bearing. They seemed to be everywhere, which meant that you always had the feeling someone was looking over your shoulder. Hard to relax here. The table sitting next to us also mentioned this to us.

Prices – expensive for what you get. You pay for the view.
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Duncan - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, November 18, 2008