Whether you’ve been binging Emily in Paris or watching the French capital’s summer of sport (it’s both for me, in case people are wondering), you can’t deny all things France is a hot trend recently. Here in London, there’s been a flurry of restaurants popping up, but one new opening that stood out? Marceline Canary Wharf, seemingly hovering over the waterside.
The Marceline Canary Wharf menu partnered with that view? We just couldn't say no.
DesignMyNight Review Of Marceline Canary Wharf
First impressions were as good as they get. We loved the illusion of a floating restaurant that you could only access via a bridge, surrounded by towering skyscrapers and quaint garden squares right in the heart of London’s financial district. Once inside, you’re immediately met by a cosy yet chic space that’s inspired by Paris’ elegant bistros. Think gold droplet lighting and enormous works of art, paired with tones of red, coral and peach, alongside a playful cowhide print carpet that leads you upstairs. The retro French film posters were a fun nod to the theme too. Floor-to-ceiling windows and gigantic curved mirrors flooded the area with light, and once the sun sets, the venue takes on a gorgeous romantic glow. My favourite design, however, was the huge statement centrepiece; a cream canopy that fanned out like a flower.
As we sat down in our comfy booth, chirping about how busy it was on a Monday night, we were greeted by the wonderful sommelier who walked us through Marceline's vino offering. Following his recommendation, I settled on Les Riceys Brut Tradition (£17); a 100% pinot noir Champagne sourced from an independent father and son producer, reflecting the restaurant’s ethos of championing artisan products. It was a rose-hued citrusy sip that had a delightful silky texture. My date was alcohol-free for the night, so opted for the ever-reliable Lucky Saint (£5.50).
Pull up a pew and soak up the atmosphere,
you won't regret it.
I already knew what both of us would be ordering for starters (or hors d’oeuvres, thank you Duolingo) as Marceline London’s Instagram account influenced me big time. The warm cheese soufflé (£14) did not let us down, and it proved to be my favourite plate of the night. Just imagine a giant doughnut-sized, puffed-out sphere that was light as a cloud, covered in truffle shavings and drenched in a rich creamy sauce. We definitely appreciated being given a spoon to mop it all up too. Double cheese? Yes, please, so my date ordered the ravioli dauphiné (£14). This al-dente pasta dish, a rectangular, whole-sheet masterpiece presented on a cute branded plate, ticked all boxes, from the indulgent buttery sauce to its tasty comté filling.
Next up on the Marceline London menu was our mains, and in a weird twist of fate we ordered exactly the same as the table next to us (great minds). The sugar-pit bacon chop (£28) intrigued my date from the off and let’s just say it delivered, from the mammoth juicy slab of meat served on the bone to the thick, sticky, caper-dotted charcuterie sauce. Top tip, you’ll need sides with this dish, and we’d recommend the green beans (£5) that had the right amount of bite and the perfectly salted fries (£5). Continuing on my theme of apparently only wanting circular-shaped meals, the wild mushroom vol-au-vent (£14) was lovely. Swirls of ‘shrooms and cheese were paired with earthy spinach alongside a flavour-packed velouté. If we had one minor issue, it would be that the pastry was quite dense at the bottom, but everywhere else was flaky and moreish.
If you've checked out the Marceline London photos, then you'll know the restaurant is a stunner.
To close the evening? We just about had room for one dessert and the mouthwatering mille-feuille (£12) was calling our name. It truly was summer on a plate (a welcome contrast from the cloudy weather) combining chunks of mango, a sharp passionfruit sauce and delicious fruity sorbet. The snap-worthy pastry had a brilliant geometric pattern that elevated the whole dish. Ooh la la, indeed.
Marceline: Overall
Hats off to Marceline Canary Wharf. Having opened in August
2024, this newcomer is clearly making a mark on the hospitality
scene and it’s definitely worth sacrificing your daily calorie
limit for a visit here. The restaurant is best described as très
chic but with a cheeky personality, and i'd certainly advise adding
it to your London itinerary.
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💰 Price: £114.50 (excluding service). 📍 Address: 5 Water St, London, E14 5GX. 👌 Perfect for: Swanky after-work dinners. ⭐ Need to know: There's a balcony overlooking the restaurant that doubles up as a private hire space. |
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