If there’s anything we Londoners love, it’s a multi-purpose day out. A West End show followed by a late-night trip to Chinatown, cocktail-crawling before trying out the Capital’s latest must-visit restaurant, or, one of our personal favourites, teaming a gallery visit with an early dinner. Lauren Kate Hughes enjoyed an arty evening at Art Yard Bar & Kitchen in Blackfriars, taking in their art-inspired interiors and sampling the delicious menu.
Art Yard Bar & Kitchen is tucked away in Blackfriars’ Bankside Hotel, offering a tranquil atmosphere and relaxed setting amidst the chaos of central London. While many hotels can suffer a reputation for housing restaurants that can be on the bland side, once the food arrives, you’ll likely conclude that Art Yard feels like discovering one of London’s best-kept secrets.
The food itself is sensational, presented in a similarly artistic fashion and arranged creatively on specially designed crockery. Dishes are vibrant and colourful, just like the surroundings. Like many of its London neighbours, the focus is on fresh produce that reflects what is in season, and the menu feels authentic, making the most of simple ingredients with tasteful presentation that elevates it beyond the usual hotel restaurant offering.
The hotel is just a stone’s throw from the Tate Modern, and the art theme runs throughout the interiors, from contemporary pieces framed on the walls to creative upholstery, bold geometric tiles, and a nearby Artist in Residence studio. The lighting is warm and inviting, with contemporary fixtures hanging from the ceiling, and the ambience is soft, with low-level music that allows easy chatter.
Being in such proximity to one of London’s best art galleries is a plus for Art Yard Bar & Kitchen, making it ideally placed for an art-inspired trip to London. Plus, the Tate Modern is free for visitors (except for special exhibitions), so it’s an affordable way to spend an afternoon in London’s cultural heartland.
First impressions
Art Yard feels effortlessly stylish and relaxed; the kind of place you could enjoy a dinner and cocktail with friends, but equally a working lunch, or dine alone. The restaurant is quiet on a Saturday afternoon but still feels lively enough, with a few couples enjoying dinner and a solo diner making their way through the menu. The informal setting means dining alone here wouldn’t feel too intimidating, and the staff are friendly and welcoming.
The bar area is a focal point, and I imagine it would be lively during a weekend brunch or later in the evening, but the dining room has a serene atmosphere. It feels like a gallery-meets-restaurant, paying homage to the South Bank’s creative scene with original artwork and a space that celebrates creativity.
The food and drinks
The menu at Art Yard is simple yet delicious. We tried the harissa-glazed carrots as a sharing plate, served with whipped oat cream and crispy chickpeas. The vegan and vegetarian offerings at Art Yard Bar & Kitchen are strong, with a range that goes beyond the obvious. The carrots were perfectly cooked, with a hint of spice; the stronger flavour of the harissa balanced perfectly with the oat cream. Any worries that this dish might be a little too simple were quickly dispelled — it’s one I’d order again next time.
As a main course, the pumpkin and ricotta ravioli was another simple dish that really allowed its ingredients to shine. Fresh ravioli are stuffed with pureed pumpkin and creamy ricotta and served with a Calabrian chilli sauce, crispy kale, and sage pangrattato, which provides some texture and a delicious flavour contrast.
On the drinks menu, there’s a good selection of cocktails, with the menu themed around ‘The Art of Bankside’, blending classic recipes with an artistic twist. Try the Hidden Spark, a grapefruit-flavoured fizz with vodka, citrus, and a little spice, or Botanical Garden, a fresh blend of herbs with gin and citrus notes.
The colourful Pop Art Sour really leans into the theme, a blend of Grey Goose Vodka, Italicus, and Moscatel wine, with bubble gum and citrus flavours. I couldn’t resist a spicy margarita, which wasn’t on the menu, but the bar staff kindly rustled up for me. Art Yard has some great alcohol-free creations that still feel well-crafted for anyone off the booze.
Art Yard Bar & Kitchen provides a cosy sanctuary to duck into near London’s South Bank, with some of the city’s biggest attractions on its doorstep. From exhibitions at Tate Modern to the National Theatre and BFI, it makes a great base for a quintessential London day out — and we guarantee you’ll be impressed with the delicious dishes and cocktails on offer.
Art Yard Bar & Kitchen is located at 2 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 9JU, England, inside the Bankside Hotel on the south side of Blackfriars Bridge. Find out more on the Art Yard Bar & Kitchen website.
