Floating out at sea like a message in a bottle the understated and hidden Rooftop Cafe confidently bobs along in London Bridge beside the Giant massive ship that is HMS The Shard. Akin to a siren calling to her sailors, the Rooftop Cafe once embedded into one’s culinary memories will always reappear when visiting the Borough/London Bridge area.
Fighting against the surreal strong wind tunnel that carries you to the entrance of the Rooftop Cafe, the dwindling ascent to this hidden gem is more than worth the journey. Hosting art and food hybrid concept evenings is a strength alongside offerings of delicious brunch lunch and dinners from a menu that never disappoints and an atmosphere that is always so attentively relaxing the diner finds himself snuggling there for hours at end.
Danish-born artist Maria Zahle is displaying her work within the restaurant at the moment and the chefs were commissioned to incorporate and infuse the colours, mood and inspiration into a four-course meal including cocktails.
Rooftop cafe interior
Dark zig-zagging lines adorn both the interiors and our plates as the first course is acted out through the use of painterly squid ink, onuga and black soba noodles. A three-part gin-based cocktail is infused to build the colours used within the artists pieces and work to assist the starter perfectly. Charred rare rump steak and smoked black beans do not disappoint but the star attraction for Glass is in the crimson and fuschia aesthetic of the dessert comprising of a rose mallow, rhubarb semifreddo and a buttercream sponge. So delicious, fellow diners and Glass was left wanting more.
Rooftop Cafe
When it comes down to modern and relaxed dining, who wouldn’t want to sample beautiful food, great service and al fresco dining with scenic London views? But here lies the catch with the Rooftop Cafe. If you don’t know it’s there then you will be a mere ship passing it in the night. But if you do, you will, without fail, always continue to return.
Rooftop Cafe
by Calvin Baillie
The Rooftop Cafe is at the The Exchange 28 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG
Tel 44203 102 3770 or email: hi@theexchange.so