Hot New London Restaurant Destination: Broadgate Circle

Here at Privatediningrooms.co.uk we’re all talking about the hottest place in the City this summer. Broadgate Circle is the square mile’s newest culinary destination. The regeneration of this area has done nothing less than bring this spot back to life when it reopened just four months ago. For so many years it was a no man’s land walk through for city-folk but now, oh how things have changed!

It’s just shy of a culinary mecca with something for everyone, without being too overly branded. Yes there are brands, but they are the really top end ones that fall in between independent and big group – and all set in a stunning amphitheatre style.

Here’s our run down of them and our top tips!

Ground level is the main restaurant hub and houses an eclectic mix – ranging from the delicious French-inspired not-so shabby chic Aubaine, with Mediterranean classics, super-food salads, set lunch menus and even semi private space indoors for parties of up to 25 or outside for up to 50 guests. Watch out for their lunchtime specials – 2 courses for £13.50 or a main for just £9.50 and a kir royal, bellini or Rossini just £6.

Crab Tavern next door is equally inviting but with a more upmarket American crab shack feel. The wooden décor lending itself to modern informality that befits city dining and post-work drinks. Crab is definitely the star but there are also plenty of other dishes to keep all tastes happy. There’s even the Crab Tank downstairs – a private room with multi-screens, its own bar and views into the open kitchen. It’s also possible to cordon off a semi private area of the upstairs bar for up to 30 incorporating a mix of indoor and al fresco options, or enjoy the exclusive captain’s table for up to 8 guests at the back of the restaurant.

The Circle’s main pub/bar offer is the artisan micro-brewer The Botanist – a large pub site that really sets the bar (no pun intended) for pubs of the future. A funky mix of copper piping, dark wood and warm orangey lighting, it’s already rammed with city folk grabbing a refreshing pint after work or enjoying a private party in the downstairs Soda Room bar which can hold up to 200. For anyone visiting on a weekend – try their bottomless brunch – 2 courses £20/ 3 courses £25 and add £15 for 2 hours of unlimited prosecco, white, red wine or house bloody mary’s…

Smaller operators within the circle include the renowned Jose Pizarro whose Pica Pica, charcuterie and small dishes featuring Iberico ham, Montenebro, empanadas, grilled octopus and much more are utterly irresistible.

Comptoir Libanais fills the Lebanese culinary spot with its trademark shop-like café filled with vibrant colours and enticing dishes, while Franco Manca ticks the artisan Italian pizzeria box and Shoryu the Japanese – their seasonally changing ramen are becoming popular lunchtime must-haves, as is the Yakitori Beer Set – 3 chicken skewers with a pint or half pint for just £11/£12.50.  Also worth noting is the Happy Sake Hour of half price cocktails Monday to Friday 3-5pm.

The middle floor is given over to a variety of small vibrant café/sandwich/salad shops and street food vans. The food is artisan and creative ranging from Edible Soul, Beany Green and Street Kitchen as well as the Yauatcha Patisserie shop which is almost impossible to walk past without succumbing to temptation.

The top tier is taken up by the main Yauatcha restaurant and bar– a vast 7000+ sq ft and 270 degrees of dim sum, wok, restaurant and bar space – all with views onto the Circle below and with wall-to-wall French doors that open up in the summer months to make it a truly special space. The two terraces at either end can be hired for exclusive parties and closed off from the main restaurant for parties of up to 160 each end.

Surely all of these amazing array of restaurants and bars are set to make Broadgate Circle the next culinary hot spot on London’s ever evolving gastro-map.