Restaurant review: Butler's Wharf Chop House, Butler's Wharf, London

Feast on meat at this stunning riverside restaurant

You can keep your Veganuary, we're going meaty all the way!  Carnivores rejoice - this meat-focused oasis in Butler's Wharf  is scrum diddly umptious.

I've long been a fan of the Butler's Wharf area near Tower Bridge with its wide assortment of riverside restaurant, cafes and boutique shops, perfect for popping into after a long stroll along the Thames. Given I hadn't been to the area since summer, I was excited to visit The Butler's Wharf Chop House, a relaxed riverside restaurant celebrating all things meaty and wonderful.

The location is hard to beat. Smack bang next to the River Thames looking directly across at Tower Bridge, you couldn't get any closer to the bridge unless you were dining on top of it.  

As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by a friendly member of staff who took our coats before  ushering us to our table. So far, so good.

The menu boasts a wide variety of meaty options (steak, lamb, chicken and fish), as one would expect. ​To kick things off, we started with the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Fillets with a bleu cheese dressing and the Merguez Scotch Egg served with a mustard and mayo dressing and and a pickled onion and watercress salad.

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Let's start with the chicken. Don’t be fooled by the unassuming description. Boring chicken tenders these are not. These flaming hot morsels of chicken goodness pack some serious heat. Smothered in buffalo sauce with a dash of chillies scattered across the top, it’s not for the faint hearted! Thankfully, the blue cheese dressing helps cool it down a notch. I love all things spicy, so I thought they were fab, but if you prefer things on the bland side, they're probably not for you!

Next up was the Scotch egg, which was AMAZING.
Gorgeous yellow orange yolk surrounded by sultanas and Merguez lamb sausage meat - made it deliciously surprising and unlike any other Scotch egg I'd ever have before.  The meat is much more tender than pork sausage and the sultanas and hint of cinnamon, were lovely. A light, crispy crumb coating on the outside provided just the right amount of crunch.  I'd make the trip again just for the Scotch egg on its own! 

"That's not a steak knife. THIS is a steak knife..."

At first impression, the restaurant was both relaxed and refined, thanks to whitewashed wood ceilings and light oak flooring, which create an open and airy atmosphere. Nautical embellishments in the front entry (a fish net with twinkling fairy lights and an a 1920s diving helmet) add a bit of New England-inspired flare.

​The first place you see upon entry is the bar area with its lovely curved bar, which beckons you to sit and unwind with a glass of wine while you wait for your table.  As we were a bit late for our reservation, we headed straight to our table to start perusing the menu.

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From my experience, you're in for a serious steak when you see a cow with butchery cuts on the wall, so I choose the beef fillet, which didn't disappoint. ​ With a lovely smoky flavour and a butter soft texture, what more can you ask for in a steak? Served with Béarnaise sauce, it was total perfection. 

​Accompaniments included truffle macaroni and cheese (delish), perfectly whipped mashed potatoes and creamed spinach (the only side we weren't overly excited about). My husband had the Brook Street Fram lamb shoulder shank served on a bed of butter beans and Yorkshire chorizo, the type of hearty dish that's perfect on a cold winter's day. 

During our meal we enjoyed a bottle of the Rabbit Island Pinot Noir from Nelson, New Zealand, which had great clarity and was beautifully smooth, making it ideal to partner with a variety of meats.  

Now, I'm a big lover of desserts, but I was almost defeated after our mains.   I nearly declined, but decided as we'd already given up on a virtuous January by indulging in meat and wine, what harm could a little dessert do?  In an effort to avoid total gluttony, we shared the dark chocolate mousse, which was beautifully presented with a sugar tuile and clementine segments. It was really rich and decadent, so a small bit was sufficient for satiating my sweet tooth. 

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The verdict
With views this cracking and sensational food to boot, its a great find for those who want a restaurant with a location that’s certain to impress.

​The details 
Butlers Wharf Chop House
36e Shad Thames
London
SE1 2YE

Phone: 020 7403 3403

[email protected]


Ashley Miln 
*During our visit, we were hosted by the team at Butler's Wharf Chophouse. All opinions and photography are my own.

Our experience overall 
Food and drink:                              ★★★★★
Ambiance:                                       ★★★★
Staff attentiveness/friendliness:  ★★★★★