Gabriel's Wharf
An eclectic mix of independent boutiques, street food and restaurants.
An eclectic mix of independent boutiques, street food and restaurants.
Gabriel's Wharf is open all day, every day.
For individual business hours, check with each venue individually.
A truly unique and relaxed shopping experience awaits at Gabriel's Wharf, South Bank's home of all things independent.
This arty enclave has been supporting small independent brands for more than two decades, presenting small quirky labels with a unique opportunity to showcase their wares right in the centre of London.
There are two entrances to Gabriel's Wharf - you can either enter the low-rise courtyard complex via the riverside Queen's Walk (just in front of Ernie's Beach), or there is also an entrance on Upper Ground on the next block over where you'll also find the lovely Bernie Spain Gardens.
Browse the gift shops, galleries and quirky fashion boutiques before settling in for lunch and drinks at one of the restaurants and casual food stalls.Where to eat, drink and shop - here's our guide to everything you need to know about Gabriel's Wharf.
The warmth and welcome of the Caribbean come to South Bank at this authentic Trinidadian restaurant and bar located in the centre of the Gabriel’s Wharf courtyard. In the summer months tables and chairs spread out into a sandy courtyard beach area that’s a choice spot to sit and enjoy authentic jerk chicken, Trinidadian doubles and classic rum punch.
Choose from two terraces that front right onto the river at this casual spot specialising in burgers. On the menu are beef or buttermilk chicken burgers with all the toppings plus the Vegan Viking Burger that comes with vegan cheese and ‘nduja. In the summer the Paradiso terrace expands out even further with a casual beer garden space inside the Gabriel’s Wharf courtyard.
Perched right on the Queens Walk at the entrance to Gabriel’s Wharf and just steps away from Ernie’s Beach, this small pizzeria’s terrace has some of the finest views of St Paul’s Cathedral just across the water. As the name suggests, pizza is the top order here, while there are also pasta dishes and salads on the menu too.
Lisette Davis’s Gabu Chocolate is a handmade luxury chocolate brand dedicated to making the finest ethically-sourced Fair Trade chocolates. The beans come from Grenada, Dominican Republic and Madagascar and Lisette maintains close relationships with individual cocoa estates to ensure that all her chocolates have no slavery in the chain. In addition to mouthwatering individual chocolates and bars, Gabu serves some of the best hot (or iced!) chocolate to be found in central London.
An ideal spot for a filling Mexican fix on the go, this London-born street food chain specialises in Mexican burritos, quesadillas, nachos, tacos and fajitas. Everything is made fresh according to their own secret recipes and of course the freshly made guacamole is a signature. Grab a seat on one of the picnic tables or get your food to go and relax in the Bernie Spain Gardens next door.
Tucked away in the back of the Gabriel's Wharf yard is Fed By Plants, Charles Diallo’s all-vegan café and takeaway spot. The menu is wide-ranging featuring everything from homemade vegan cheesecake to nachos, meatless burgers, gluten free bean and lentil fritters and one of the best takes on ‘tofish’ and chips around.
Could this be south London’s best toastie? We certainly think so! This friendly little kiosk specialises in cheese toasties made with an irresistible blend of the best British cheddars and the finest sourdough bread. There’s no cutting corners when it comes to stacking everything high with gooey melted cheese. Choose from a classic melt, Ploughmans, cheese and onion, mac and cheese melt or the pizza melt that also comes with chorizo and a homemade tomato sauce.
South London’s coolest retro sports gear shop Hartex is the brainchild of 20-something local entrepreneur Harry Sims. The small shop sells a regularly changing and finely curated selection of retro sports gear, particularly vintage football strips, as well as hats, scarves and other interesting bits of vintage sporting memorabilia. Harry also prints his own T-shirts referencing London culture including the TfL-inspired Hartex logo. Open on weekends only.
For the quirkiest handbags around there’s this delightful brand. They abide by a guiding design principle that's to make people ask, ‘Where did you get that bag!?’. The unique designs take their inspiration from “everyday beauty” - featuring everything from animals and birds to shop fronts and literary classics. Several new collections are released every year meaning an endlessly collectable range is always on offer.
Colourful eco-conscious clothing is on sale at this indie eco-fashion label. A collaboration with artisan tailors in Rajasthan India, the brand makes use of salvaged vintage sari silks and organic block-print that's made using natural vegetable dyes. Genki's designs emphasiss comfort, quality and versatility with a great range of kimonos, jumpsuits, tops, dresses and loungewear.
Joanne is a knitwear designer who showcases her colourful creations at this Gabriel’s Wharf boutique including hats, scarves, cardigans, ponchos and capes. Everything is handmade by Joanne on her knitting machine using the highest quality British cottons, linen, merino, mohair, cashmere, and pure wool. In addition to the wide range of ready-to-wear pieces available in the shop, Joanne also offers a bespoke knitwear service.
Specialising in hats, Heads Rule Hearts sells a wide array of handmade hats in a range of colours and patterns including an eye-catching collection of classic bucket hats for both summer and winter. Flatcaps bakerboy hats, berets, wooly hats and unusual fascinators also feature on the shelves and there's a great choice of adorable children's accessories.
This charming shop promotes a diverse range of ready-to-wear apparel, accessories and homeware with a distinctly African edge created by an all-women collective of designers and makers. Celebrating individuality and creativity, everything on sale is handmade by designers and makers based in the UK, US and Africa. Their African print accessories and homewares are particularly eye-catching as are the colourful West African basketry and beaded jewellery.
Representing more than 30 local artists, Skylark Galleries has been based in Gabriel’s Wharf since 1993. The gallery has a particularly strong range of prints and works on paper on sale as well as small decorative works, paintings and photography. The works on sale change constantly and prices start from as little as £50.
Packed to the rafters with original artworks on paper, this co-operative gallery represents 40 local independent artists. The gallery prides itself on the diversity and quality of its handmade prints with a wide variety of styles on sale including etching, linocut, woodcut, wood engraving, lithography, screen-printing, and mono-printing.
This welcoming gallery-shop sells the ceramic and lettering arts work of artist Liz Mathews and writer Frances Bingham. On sale are year-round seasonal collections of new work fresh from the kiln, including hand-thrown and decorated pots, plates, bowls and jugs, framed paperworks, Thames-themed wall art and beautiful printed books published by The Pottery Press micro-press.