The Chinese duck pizza (GBP9.15, HK$137) glazed with plum sauce and topped with shredded spring onions and coriander is spicy and the leafy salad (GBP2.95) is packed with lollo rosso. It's a great place for a casual lunch overlooking the Thames. The food is priced reasonably but the tables inside are packed together a bit too tightly. If the weather is fine you can always be seated outside.
Riviera, Gabriel's Wharf, SE1
This bistro-style place, opposite Gourmet Pizza, also has covered tables outside. The menu appears to target American tourists: burgers and pasta abound. Although the chef has tried to liven up the dishes by adding a few unusual ingredients, it's hard to work yourself up about what's basically pub food. The lamb gigot (GBP14.55), a tender slab of char-grilled meat dotted with black olives, and the sea bass (GBP15.95) are more interesting, but unless you're in a big group, there are far better places nearby.
Oxo Tower, Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, SE1 (harveynichols.com)
Take the lift for a view of St Paul's that you won't find anywhere else, but try not to become dizzy because you won't want to spoil your appetite. The starter of dressed crab (GBP14.50) tastes fresh from the sea, as do the sardines (GBP11). The wild sea bass (GBP28) is also outstanding.
Finish with the warm chestnut souffle (GBP7.25) served with a blob of smooth white chocolate ice cream. The place may not dazzle with the latest food trends, but there's confidence in the cooking.
Skylon, Royal Festival Hall, South Bank Centre, SE1 (skylonrestaurant.co.uk)
Skylon (above), sitting atop one of London's most popular venues, has tables overlooking Charing Cross Bridge, oval low-lights and orange table lamps. But the food is the real star here: a three-course, pre-theatre dinner is extremely good value at GBP42.50. The starter of quail pie is meaty and wrapped in delicious pastry and the sea bass topped with tiny mushrooms offers the right mixture of crunchy, tender textures.
Giraffe, South Bank Centre, SE1 (giraffe.net)
This eatery, right on the river, is always busy and seems to delight in breaking the rules of cookery with its curious style of fusion. The turkey enchiladas (GBP9.95) are improved by the addition of black beans, avocado salsa and sour cream. Although the savoury courses take in an atlas of influences, the red cherry and apple crumble (GBP4.95) is authentically British. The place is a bit noisy sometimes, but it's fun.
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