Penelope Alice checks out London’s new haunt: The Coal Shed

I’m not going to lie, the idea of cooking straight on a fire is a little daunting, but the chefs and the staff at The Coal Shed, London, couldn’t be more comfortable.

The restaurant prides itself on serving nothing but the finest meat and seafood that has all been cooked over the fire, hence the name The Coal Shed. And despite its recent opening (it opened its doors around six months ago) the restaurant certainly has made its mark.

Located at One Tower Bridge on the banks of the River Thames, The Coal Shed offers fine dining in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. But don’t let that put you off if you’re looking for somewhere to host a formal dinner. Upstairs is a private dining room that can host up to around 16 people and also comes with no minimum spend.

I got the chance to visit this new venue and taste some of its best dishes in the form of canapés last night with a group of PAs. We tucked into fire roasted cauliflower, smoked goat shoulder, Cornish monkfish scampi and Black Angus beef carpaccio, with some strawberry macaroons for dessert.

Everything was absolutely scrumptious – I can’t wait to return to dive into the surfboard and taste some shellfish.

This latest restaurant is the sibling to Brighton’s The Coal shed, which is also related to The Salt Room, an all fish eatery that has previously been named the best fish restaurant in 2017. So you can be sure to expect big things from this London haunt.

Inside, dark wood, dimmed lighting and beautiful artwork dominate the décor, meanwhile upstairs a wall of wine bottles takes centre stage. There are also chalk boards to display any specials on offer, so make sure you check them out if you decide to dine here.

We were hosted on the mezzanine throughout the evening and I thought it would be absolutely perfect for a drinks reception, before a dinner in the private dining room opposite.

Plus, with such a wide varying menu offering, there really is something here for everyone to enjoy inside The Coal Shed.