The Refinery

Visited refinery for a post work drinks with my colleagues. It’s quite near where I work and looked more modern and hence different from other joins in around which are more ‘traditional’ if you could call that.
The ambiance is pretty nice, modern and lots of energy but in terms of the fare there is nothing really unique was my view.
The standard drinks, the food was not bad and not great too and the staff were friendly. I felt that the space was bit cramped for a large group, which we were. I also felt that the portion sizes were not very generous considering the price (around £20 for a sharing platter, check out the photo)
Overall pretty ok experience but if you are looking for someone different from other businesses in and around London Bridge /​Southwark then you are better off heading somewhere else.

Great little Italian restaurant! The staff are very friendly and the space in itself is very open and super clean. The food came out in less than 5 minutes and it was very tasty, although my granddaughter ate all my plate! I definately recommend the risotto.

On a gloomy day in London, The Refinery is simply a solid brunch spot. Not a game changer and not so much a scene that it’s going to redefine your weekend breakfast routine, but without a lot of options in this area on a sleepy Sunday, it satisfies.
The décor is like a midcentury meets minimalist mish mash. Not everything matches and it lends to an eclectic look. Food wise I went with the bangers and mash. It was a little pricier than the more pedestrian versions of this famous British dish, but it was also elevated enough to justify the jump in cost. Added a Bloody Mary and it was just the thing to start the day.
If you’re staying somewhere in the ‘hood (Citizen M hotel, for instance), you’ll find plenty to warrant a quick bite.

This experience was rather mediocre. I escaped the rain with a friend for some brunch, but their brunch menu was not on. Ordered a club sandwich, which was not great as the bread was hardly toasted. We also ordered coffees that took entirely too long to arrive considering how few people were in the restaurant. The worst part was the fire alarm went off, which happens but it delayed everyone’s food. They at least told us this, but for ordering a sandwich and a salmon salad our food still came late and was so unmemorable I doubt I will go again, especially as it overpriced. You are better off across the street at The Table!

Just had an early dinner at The Refinery. Haddock & Chips first rate. Roast Chicken Salad first rate. Summer Pudding first rate. Lemon Tart first rate. Service excellent and friendly. Décor an interesting mix of rustic and Eames. Highly recommended.

This place is great for a Saturday brunch! The fish and chips were delicious. We also had the the duck flatbread. Yum!

Came here for a work lunch with 5 colleagues and had a good time.
FOOD
Great, simple, tasty. and fresh.
Had the fish pie, side of tomato salad. Colleagues who had the burger said the patty was dry.
Others who had the salmon and the chicken said it was really good.
DRINKS
I had the flat white and it was not good. Way, way to milky for a FW. Some others had the juice of the say and said it was good.
SERVICE
Great service for lunchtime. Only saw 3 servers for the whole restaurant so they must do a good job although wasn’t too busy. Food came out in a good time.
ATMOSPHERE
Nice interiors. Boho chic. Like the long picnic tables and the bar area. Would like to try it out for drinks.
OVERALL
Great food for what you pay, good service, and hopefully good cocktails. I want to visit again — just won’t be my work-​break coffee joint.

Loved the vibe, awesome wait staff (you get several servers it seems) we especially loved Jessica who seated us. I had a flatbread with duck. And for dessert… Chocolate brownie with ice cream… Plate dusted with powdered sugar and three fresh raspberries and to top it iff hot fudge sauce in a little cup to pour in yourself. Come and open a branch in Juneau, AK!

I had always wanted to try this place and ended up going here last Sunday for my friend’s bday.
We had a nice long table (there were around 12 of us) and the restaurant was probably half full. On arrival we were handed menus with the specials and roasts on and half the group were massively excited to get the roast beef. On ordering, they were told that there was none left. This was a massive and disappointing oversight and we weren’t at all impressed especially as no alternative was offered. When the server returned we suggested substituting for a steak dish and this was agreed though it was a little stressful and shouldn’t have got to this!
Personally I had the scampi and fish basket which was nice but not plentiful with nice chips and tartare sauce. We had a delicious bottle of Malbec. If I could’ve fitted it in I would’ve gone for the alcoholic tiramisu pudding as it sounded amazing!
Now I’ve tried it not sure I’d return in a rush but it was nice enough with good food and drinks and at typical London prices.
Handy Southwark location between London Bridge and Waterloo.

I went here for dinner one night with a couple of friends as I live right next door. The food was good but the portions were rather small for the prices. However, it does have a cool vibe and gets very crowded, especially on weekend nights.

Great funky place to go and eat. Really good atmosphere. good bar with some good cocktails!
Food was nice too.
It looks like it gets really busy so I recommend booking. Staff are super friendly. Im going there again for a party of 30 and they have been really helpful by offeriing a pre-​order service and/​or set menus.

Perfect spot for after work drinks and a bite to eat. The Refinery has a good selection of snacks and do good cocktails too.
Good atmosphere for a big group of friends.

So I’ve been here a few times for different events and have always had a good time. Mainly with work, we’re always looking for places to go that are a bit away from our usual drinking spots, so the Refinery (a 5 minute cab ride away) is perfect.
I came here last night for a friend’s birthday drinks — table/​one of those bar stool sized benches was reserved in perfect stumbling distance to the bar! Good drinks (a bit overpriced) but service was nice and it’s never too busy.
I’ve also been here for a Sunday brunch. We were seated at a long table — the staff were really understanding about our constantly changing numbers. But we were put right next to the door which was cold when it kept being left open. I had the full English breakfast (nice touch serving it in a cast iron pan), all very tasty and filled me up. For about £8 that’s not too bad either. Also a chemex filter drip which was filled with really nice coffee! My friend (not the scientist like me) had real fun filtering the hot water through — just like high school science! The waitress could NOT figure out how to do this properly, awkward.
There were two other issues — a friend ordered crumpets that were stone cold in the middle. NOT GOOD. also we couldn’t get hold of the waitress to pay and leave… side not, why is it SO DIFFICULT in restaurants to pay and leave, especially if you’re in a hurry! I don’t get it, do they not want our money… hmm.

Tl;dr. Good cocktails, eclectic décor, friendly staff… *terrible* food.
–
So we ended up here yesterday due to it’s proximity to the Tate Modern.
On arrival the staff seemed really friendly and accommodating and it was good to get in from the rain. I noticed on the way in that all of the tables on the outside had little fleece blankets which I thought was a really thoughtful touch.
The place looks cute on the inside, a big open space cross between the whole ‘thrown together’ aesthetic and a bit warehouse-​y.
We both ordered a cocktail — I had the skinny superfood collins and my husband had the blueberry margarita. No complaints there.
Looking at the menu, the food is pretty much traditional pub food, but more expensive. We ordered the steak and chips (£15) and I had the market fish and the scampi (£10ish.) Unfortunately this is where they let themselves down.
With my scampi and fish although the batter was light, it was still very greasy and left me feeling a bit queasy and the chips were horrible. A bit chewy and just not, well. very nice tasting, cheap. The steak wasn’t tender and had a lot of fat on it, in fact almost a third of it was fat. A noticeable weight in our pocket to take home to the dog…
Unfortunately after our unappealing food, my opinion on the place changed a bit. My food was served on a chopping board, in a small imitation fry basket with a muslin cloth tied lemon. The steak also came on a board, with a small old fashioned style milk jug for the sauce and the chips came in a. plant pot. The ladies next to us, I’m not sure what they had, but one of their starters came in a rather sizeable picnic hamper!
I think that unfortunately it’s a case of style over substance. If they paid as much attention to the quality of their food as they did in the eccentric and eclectic way they served their food they’d go along way. Their attention to detail seems to bypass the actually quality. Anyway — what’s wrong with a plate?
We spent £50 and it just was not worth it. There’s a chance I’d go back for cocktails if we were in the area again, but I would never waste my money eating there.

I just had brunch at The Refinery yesterday by chance (were supposed to go elsewhere but the queue was pretty long). I must say, I’m glad I got to check this place out, as it wasn’t on my radar. The food is delicious and the ambiance is really fun. I especially love the décor, as it is lively and energetic. Additionally, although it does take reservations, there were quite a few tables available, which for a Sunday at noon is pretty hard to find. I would absolutely come back!

Only been in London 4 days and already we have been here twice (and I would love to go again and again). The menu is spectacular, the atmosphere is amazing, the service is impeccable and the food, well, the food is the best part.
We had sausages and mash, seafood risotto (a special), the Sunday roast and fish and chips. Prices may be a bit high, but for what you get its well worth it.
Can’t go wrong!

I went here on a work lunch and boy were my expectations exceeded.
I’d ordered the pork and mash, and despite being a simple dish, it was executed delightfully. Great sausages, with absolutely no gristle.
Then the Mac n Cheese. I forgot to snap a picture of the beauty, which is unlike me…
Anyway it was the best Mac n Cheese I’ve ever had in London. It was served in a small cast iron pan. And there were garnishes of leak and bacon in there too. The cheese melted perfectly on top. And this was only a side but, actually the side of some mains in other restaurants!
I may have had my issues with food at the Refinery in the past, but I think it’s certainly something they are actually addressing as the chicken burger I had a few months earlier was also of decent quality!
I wonder whether the fact I came with a big party the first time (20+ persons) why the food was under par…

Food is poor for them money; oyster is bland, lobster is dry, steak is almost unchewable. But chicken satay starter is good, and the cheese box dessert is creative. Service is fine as well

I really love the Drake and Morgan bars/​restaurants and this is no exception. I think they are the cutest and prettiest bars I’ve ever been to! With vintage decorations, plants, teapots, candles, cute china, cocktails in mason jars and beautiful props around it’s just a really lovely place to go with a lovely atmosphere.
It’s a little pricey but not excessively so. I’ve not eaten here but I’ve heard the food is great. The cocktails are outstanding and they have a decent wine list too.
There’s a nice area outside to sit in the summer too, just get there early as it does get busy.
If you’re not around London Bridge/​Southwark, check out The Folly near Monument or The Parlour in Canary Wharf. I think they might have another one too but I’m not sure off the top of my head.

Great food and service!
No problems with service what so ever. I’m glad I didn’t take the previous Unilocal reviews into account as we had a great evening at a location I would certainly come back to.
The flatbread starters are delicious and definitely worth the try.

Nette Athmo für ein Feiserabendbier

Sehr schöner Laden. Faire Preise und ein tolles Design.

Cooler Laden, entdeckt weil wir durch London gestriffen sind und irgendwie ein bischen ab vom Weg waren
Wir hatten Fish & Chips welche super zubereitet waren und klasse auf einem Holzbrett serviert wurden, Portionen waren gut.
Was wirklich klasse war, war der Eistee, dieser wurde erst für uns aufgebrüht, dann mit Eiswürfeln versehen und einen Schuss Zitrone und Limette rundeten die Sache ab, das ganze zu einem Preis den man für so einen Aufwand in London wahrscheinlich nicht erwartet hätte.
Die Weinkarte sah klasse aus, die Preise waren fair, keine Spur vom extrem teuren London, oder wir hatten mehr erwartet.