West India Quay
Ships laden with tea and rum once came to West India Quay.
Nearest tube: West India Quay
Today, the hurly burly of a working docks has been replaced by the contented chatter of diners and drinkers sampling the popular bars, restaurants and pubs which line the quays.
1802 Bar
Address: 1 West India Quay, Hertsmere Road
E14 4AL
T: 0870 444 3886
1802 is a refreshing addition to West India Quay, sympathetic to the turbulent origins of these 200-year old rum & tea warehouses. Innovative and stylish restaurant by day, cocktail lounge by night, 1802 is the place to be seen on the Wharf. Opened and managed by renowned caterers, Searcy's 1802 is part of an impressive portfolio that includes sister establishment at the Royal Opera House, the Barbican Centre and the National Portrait Gallery.
Bar 38
Address: Unit C, West India Quay
E14 4AX
T: 020 7515 8361
Confusingly, there are three Bar 38s in London. This one, next to Via Fossa, has what one approving source has described as a modern neon ambience. West India Quay has a plethora of places to choose, but amongst your travels it would be good to drop in here to try out the variety of food and drink on offer.
Beluga Seafood Bar
Address: Port East Warehouse, West India Quay
E14 4AE
T: 020 7537 4665
As the name implies, caviar is indeed available, but so are a large variety of other dishes at modest prices. For example, New Yorkers should note that smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels are just £3.75. Every lunchtime there is a £4.95 deal which includes the dish of the day plus a glass of house wine or lager or soft drink. Sitting outdoors in summer, revelling in the dockside view, watching the busy Canary Wharf world go by, it is hard to imagine that only twelve years ago virtually the entire British press considered the regeneration of Docklands doomed to failure. You can cheer their mistake with the house champagne, especially as the second bottle comes at half price.
Browns
Address: West India Quay
E14 4JJ
T: 020 7987 9777
The owners of this chain are so proud of their no-apostrophe spelling that they have trademarked it. This historic warehouse conversion, with its terrace overlooking the dock, is handy for West India Quay DLR station and the new Marriott Hotel. Bright, lively atmosphere. The menu will satisfy most tastes at acceptable prices, and there are daily fresh fish specials. House wines are £11.75 the bottle.
La Tasca (West India Quay)
Address: Hertsmere Rd, West India Quay
E14 4AE
T: 020 7531 9990
This Spanish tapas bar and restaurant is popular with parties. If eight or more of you go (booking required), you can save yourself the trouble of ordering by choosing either the £15 or £17.50 a head tapas menu, both of which offer a comprehensive tour of these delicious Spanish dishes. Otherwise, about £12 a head will offer a good selection. In the evening there are also paellas for two or more people. House wines are £9.95.
Leven is Strijd
Address: Hertsmere Road, West India Quay
E14 4AE
T: 020 7987 4002
The Leven barge, built in 1928, is a highly popular venue for private parties. It has been a leading light of the Docklands catering scene since the early days of regeneration. Many an important decision has been made while tucking into the modern British food round the maple dining table here. Everything is by arrangement and superbly cooked by the owner - from buffets to five course dinners. An average price would be about £35 a head.
Scu-zi
Address: West India Quay, Hertsmere Road
E14 4AF
T: 020 7001 0991
The name seems to derive from the Italian for 'excuse me', but there is nothing to excuse in this cheerful restaurant, with live music in the evening from Tuesday to Saturday. The menu concentrates on New World innovative pizzas and pastas. What is a New World innovative pizza, you ask? Well, how about Cee Bee Cee: cranberry sauce, brie and chicken pizza, about £7. The Antipasto Platters for sharing are particularly appealing when sitting outside on the terrace overlooking West India Dock and Canary Wharf.
The Curve Restaurant & Bar
Address: 22 Hertsmere Road, West India Quay
E14 4ED
T: 020 7093 1000
Customers need experience no problems finding The Curve. Simply look for a curved glass tower on West India Quay - which is the Marriott Hotel. Seating inside behind full height glass walls or on the waterfront. Lunch and dinner 7 days a week. An extensive international menu strong on seafood, steaks, salads, pasta and soups. Something for everyone here! The desserts are a dream and the drinks list includes amazing cocktails.
The Ledger Building
Address: 4 Hertsmere Road, West India Quay
E14 4AL
T: 020 7536 7770
So named because it was once the counting house of the West India Docks, this J.D. Wetherspoon's pub is at the western end. The main bar is another contender for the largest bar in Britain title and is suitably lively. There are separate quiet rooms for family use. The menu covers most options, with a Curry Club on Thursdays and roasts on Sundays. The beer selection includes leading English names plus a very wide selection of imported beers.
Via Fossa (West India Quay)
Address: Hertsmere Road, West India Quay
E14 4QT
T: 020 7515 8549
A major contender in the function stakes, Via Fossa also offers a popular restaurant and bar. The latter offers freshly made paninis and wraps as well as more elaborate main dishes, with nothing priced above £6.50. The restaurant is more ambitious, but even there it is quite possible to eat well and pay no more than £12-£15 a head. Nor can anyone really complain at wines by the glass starting at just under £3. The setting, in one of the few surviving original dock buildings, is attractive.
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