South Bank London

Hello summer!

From summer festivals and riverside pop-up bars to mouthwatering street food and the most magical sunsets – take a stroll by the river, soak up the atmosphere and make it a summer to remember in South Bank.

Summer terraces & rooftops

Southbank Centre

Riverside Terrace Cafe

Bright and breezy canteen-style cafe at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall.

diners in the oxo tower restaurant view through windows

OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar & Brasserie

This iconic dining destination serves up sophistication and stunning views.

Jimmy's BBQ Club

This popular riverside barbecue pop-up serves casual street food and fab live-fire tasting menus.

12th Knot

Rooftop bar with top-notch cocktails and panoramic views looking out over the river.

The Garden Museum

Garden Café

Enjoy daily changing seasonal menus at the Garden Museum's award-winning restaurant.

Forza Wine at National Theatre

Find tasty small plates, great wines and fab views at this 'Italian-ish' boutique wine bar.

Limin' South Bank

Colourful Caribbean beach-bar and restaurant serving spicy Trinidadian flavours.

Wahaca

Fresh, vibrant & sustainable street food inspired by the magical markets of Mexico.

Southbank Centre Food Market

This lively street food market is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays behind the Royal Festival Hall.

Between the Bridges

Huge courtyard garden with street food, big screen sports, craft beer, DJs and fab live entertainment.

Strada

Riverside restaurant at the Southbank Centre offering a traditional Italian experience with a modern twist.

KERB at The Understudy

Enjoy a taste of London’s diverse street food flavours at the National Theatre.

Giraffe

Popular family-friendly chain serving global cuisine right by the river.

Las Iguanas

Vibrant Latin American bar and restaurant with a fantastic terrace.

Locale

Brilliantly located classic Italian restaurant opening onto a quiet piazza.

National Theatre

Forza Taps

Forza Wine's fun summer pop-up bar takes over the Weston Terrace at National Theatre.

The Green Room

Spacious restaurant with a great garden terrace and a tasty menu of handmade pizzas.

National Theatre

A Taste of KERB on the South Bank

KERB's summer pop-up at National Theatre is back with a brilliant al fresco bar and a delicious choice of street food.

La Gamba

A breezy Spanish tapas and wine restaurant that looks onto the Queen’s Walk at Southbank Centre.

BFI Riverfront Bar & Kitchen

The BFI's bustling bar and kitchen is always a hive of activity and a super place to hangout before or after a film.

Azzuro Italian Kitchen & Bar

All-day Italian restaurant and bar serving pizza and pasta favourites.

Gourmet Pizza Company

Serving award-winning pizzas with amazing views of the river for over 25 years.

Gabriel's Wharf

Paradiso Burger & Cocktail Bar

Riverside burger restaurant at Gabriel’s Wharf set over two floors.

Summer of sport

Where to watch the Euros

It's a bumper summer for sports fans with the Euros and the Olympics kicking off. Here's our guide to where to watch all the action in South Bank.

Discover More about Where to watch the Euros

What's On

Southbank Centre

Jeppe Hein's Appearing Rooms fountain

05 Jun 2024 - 08 Sept 2024

Cool down this summer at Southbank Centre's interactive fountains.

Family

National Theatre

River Stage 2024

05 Jul 2024 - 28 Jul 2024

Celebrate summer with four weekends of free performances on the NT’s summer stage.

Festival

Southbank Centre

You Belong Here

29 Jun 2024 - 08 Sept 2024

This year's summer programme at Southbank Centre explores notions of belonging, togetherness and community.

Festival

Hayward Gallery

Tavares Strachan: There Is Light Somewhere

18 Jun 2024 - 01 Sept 2024

This vividly realised mid-career retrospective includes monumental new sculptural commissions.

Exhibitions

National Theatre

The Hot Wing King

11 Jul 2024 - 14 Sept 2024

Katori Hall’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy makes its London debut in a fiery new production

Theatre & Shows

BFI IMAX

BFI IMAX 25th Anniversary celebration

09 Jun 2024 - 10 Jul 2024

The BFI IMAX celebrates its 25th anniversary with a massive season of all-time IMAX favourites, many of them screening in 70mm!

Film

The Garden Museum

Gardening Bohemia: Bloomsbury Women Outdoors

15 May 2024 - 29 Sept 2024

This new exhibition reveals the stories and inspirations of the influential women of the Bloomsbury group.

Exhibitions

BFI Southbank

Stop Motion: Celebrating handmade animation on the big screen

01 Aug 2024 - 29 Sept 2024

A mammoth two-month season dedicated to the boundary-pushing art of stop-motion animation.

Film

Witness for the Prosecution

01 Jan 2023 - 30 Mar 2025

Experience Agatha Christie's gripping story of justice, passion and betrayal in a unique courtroom setting

Theatre & Shows

BFI Southbank

Tigritudes: A pan-African film cycle

01 Jun 2024 - 31 Jul 2024

The BFI presents an eclectic two-month season devoted to pan-African cinema from 1956 to 2024.

Film

Top of the pops

South Bank top summer pop-ups

South Bank is famous for its summer pop-ups. Here's a look at who's popping up this summer and where.

Discover More about South Bank top summer pop-ups

Parks, gardens & beaches

A view of the London Eye from Jubilee Gardens on a sunny day

Jubilee Gardens

A glorious green haven at the foot of the London Eye.

Ernie's Beach

Get down on the water at this publically accessible tidal beach.

Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden

Southbank Centre's summer roof garden is a hidden oasis in the heart of the city.

Lambeth Palace Garden Open Days

05 Jul - 06 Sept 2024

On the first Friday of every month Lambeth Palace Gardens open their gates to raise money for local charities.

Family

Archbishop's Park

Escape the crowds in this leafy park behind Lambeth Palcace.

Bernie Spain Gardens

A riverside oasis of green between Oxo Tower and Gabriel's Wharf.

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