Giraffe

International Restaurant in Lambeth
Giraffe image
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No longer at this address

Our records show that Giraffe is closed.


5 / 10 from 9 reviews
Address
Royal Festival Hall
South Bank
Lambeth
London
SE1 8XX
Map
Cuisine
International
Region
Lambeth
Nearest Station
Waterloo
0.17 miles

The giraffe concept is simple. It's about freshly cooked, global food, great people and music guaranteed to make you feel good!

The menu - inspired by the best flavours from around the world - includes must-have brunches, stacked high burgers, fresh salads and grills together with hand roasted coffee, healthy smoothies and a selection of cocktails, beers and global wines.

Open from breakfast right through to dinner, diners can get great value throughout the day at giraffe by taking advantage of one of the many fantastic offers, have 'Good Morning Brekkie' for just £5 (Mon-Fri until noon); or the 'bar buddies' offer - 50% off selected drinks available Sunday to Wednesdays from 5pm! (Thursday and Friday 5pm-7pm)! Grab a coffee to go or fuel up with a delicious pastry after shopping any time of the day.

Giraffe Picture Gallery

Giraffe Picture

All In London Review

The perfect place to take your family.

Review Image
It may well be a chain whose outlets cover London but Giraffe is as good a place as any when you’re on the lookout for a booking to accommodate a diverse group. And when we say diverse group, we mainly mean family.

Located on the Southbank itself, below the Royal Festival Hall, this particular branch of the chain is blessed with views across the river and an interior so ‘quirky’ it actually has what look like framed children’s paintings dangling from its walls. Colourful and informal it’s the kind of place you’re parents might describe as ‘funky’ and there’s nothing wrong with that because it just so happens to be pretty funky.

Large enough to accommodate big group walk-ins, the Southbank Giraffe is as convenient as its menu is long. From cheesy quesadillas to burgers, beef burritos to piri-piri chicken, there’s something for everybody. Given the range, the quality is good – although we might grumble at the £1.65 for a few jalapenos chucked onto our burger. On our visit the service was worthy of positive praise and the whole meal operation was as slick as you want it to be when you’re in mixed company (family).

Competing on the Southbank with a slew of other above average chains – Ping Pong, Las Iguanas etc. – Giraffe can always be trusted to please the majority.

Reviewed by T.A.O anonymously
Published on Nov 17, 2015


User Reviews

Susie
from Surrey

Jul 8, 2014

I've been here a few times and have always thought it pretty good. The food is fresh, served efficiently and the service friendly. We specifically went here last time as it was one of the few places that were suitable for a diabetic friend; the staff were very accommodating of her requests and needs.
Steph
from London

Jan 2, 2013

Giraffe Southbank serves great food in a great location. Never had any problems with service, re. the other review on here, there are no placemats and none of the staff hover over you. Very difficult to find a restaurant where the staff are welcoming, genuinely care and the food is excellent aswell - Giraffe have accomplished this.

Name: Steph
Location: London
Kate
from London

May 8, 2012

The tables are covered in unnecessary placemats and plates that had to be rearranged constantly. Food was fine but service was bizarre; wait staff hovered uncomfortably and darted in the second we finished eating to take the plate. Overall, disconcerting and I would not go there again.

Name: Kate
Location: London
nessienoo

Jan 29, 2012

I'd never been to a Giraffe restaurant before and thought the menu looked interesting and the decor and ambience was attractive. However, after my meal the other night I'm not in any hurry to return. As for the Zumba Beach salad, if this is what they eat on Zumba Beach I'm not in any hurry to go there either!

The service was friendly, if a bit slow, the view is lovely, the salad was big and my rabbit would probably have liked some of it. However, it was also very bland with totally tasteless pumpkin, very little avocado or beetroot or seeds, in fact anything that would have made it interesting. The raw broccoli was freezing cold and tasted like it had been soaking all day in ice. The dressing was citrus but without any zing and the whole dish lacked any contrast in texture or taste. It is really disappointing to go out to eat in a supposedly good restaurant in a superb location and be served a salad that was not a patch on a take away from M&S, let alone something I could easily throw together. It also felt really mean for the healthy, veggie option to skimp on the pumpkin and avo - how much does it cost to marinate the pumpkin and cook it properly, add more than a teaspoon of seeds and more than 3 small pieces of avo?

Having said that, my companions enjoyed their dishes more than I did mine.

LEC
from NW4

Feb 11, 2011

Went there today and was quite impressed with the welcome and the service to begin with. The first course was nice (prawns and endamame), but the second course was disappointing (chilli beef enchilada and BBQ ribs). The enchilada was served in a bowl/dish and was difficult to eat and the ribs were pale, sauceless and just plain 'muh'.

After we had finished our main course, we were then totally ignored for at least 15 minutes ... I had to stand up and put my coat on before our waitress stopped her conversation at the bar and brought our bill over (which automatically included a 12.5% tip natch :().

First and last time at Giraffe for me!!!

Name: LEC
Location: NW4
Anonymous

Jan 2, 2010

I also had one bad experience at Giraffe in Marylebone, found it dirty and expensive and would definitely not recommend it.
Anonymous

Oct 28, 2009

When plates were brought over they were dirty (still had bits of food on them), then when glasses were brought over to our table they were dirty too. The food in general was of a poor standard. We ordered nachos and the cheese was so burnt on they were brick solid and inedible. Our Garlic bread was also burnt.

All in all, the worst lunch I have ever had. When I informed them that it was the worst lunch ever their reply was 'oh'. No apology, no nothing.

If I did not have to leave to go to the airport I would have refused to pay for my lunch because it was of such poor standard and the service was also shocking.
Anonymous

Sep 23, 2008

I visited Giraffe for the first time in August and I was very impressed with the atmosphere created by the lovely food and music. The staff were very friendly and helpful. I am so impressed that I would like to open a similar one in Cape Town, South Africa.