The Dickens Inn

The Tower of London holds almost a thousand years of power in one place: it began as a Norman fortress, served as a royal palace and prison, and now houses the Crown Jewels, ravens and Yeoman Warders. After walking its courtyards and walls, where to eat depends on the mood. The Dickens Inn is not inside the Tower; it stands at St Katharine Docks, a riverside walk away beside Tower Bridge. The timber warehouse was moved about 70 metres and opened as a pub in 1976, so its historic appearance now sits alongside a modern restaurant and events business.

The venue spreads across several floors: The Tavern serves British pub classics, while Poplars is an upstairs restaurant with balconies overlooking the dock and bridge. The official menu features fish and chips, meat dishes and seasonal options; the pub also serves breakfast Thursday to Sunday in separately listed hours. The appeal lies in the combination of straightforward food, boats and a striking building, rather than a specialised take on local cuisine. Decide whether you want an informal pint or a restaurant table before booking.

Recent visitor comments divide clearly: many enjoy the architecture, dockside setting, balconies and chance to eat beside the water; others describe slow attention, tables taking time to clear or food that is less memorable than the building. The rating checked is 4.2/5 from 9,617 reviews for this Dickens Inn at St Katharine Docks. Location is the main draw, but reviews suggest tempering expectations about service at busy times and choosing an outdoor table only when the weather cooperates.

The official address, Marble Quay, St Katharine’s Way, is a few minutes from Tower Hill and Wapping stations; the phone number is +44 20 7488 2208. Hours vary by day, and breakfast has its own service window, so the website lets visitors check availability and book in either The Tavern or Poplars. It is a walk-and-view choice with several levels and outdoor spaces. The Hung, Drawn & Quartered, north of the Tower on Great Tower Street, is more direct if you simply want a pub seat before continuing through the City.