Harden's says
Jay Patel, previously Barrafina's general manager, and Matt Beardmore, formerly senior sous chef at Trullo, have joined forces to open this Italian in Tower Bridge.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Simply stunning food at a reasonable price” – from a “limited menu offering an original interpretation of modern Italian cooking” – has won a growing reputation for this high performer near Tower Bridge from ex-Trullo chef Matt Beardmore and ex-Barrafina manager Jay Patel (“I would eat here every day if I could”). The duo opened a spinoff wine bar/restaurant called Luna close by in summer 2025 (see also).
Summary
This “little gem” near Tower Bridge in Shad Thames serves a “concise but well put-together menu” of Italian-inspired plates, accompanied by “good natural wines”. It was founded five years ago by Jay Patel, a former Barrafina manager, with thoughtful ex-Trullo chef Matt Beardmore running the kitchen.
Summary
“The tiny kitchen in this intimate restaurant” in Shad Thames, near Tower Bridge, “produces the most imaginative and delicious Italian food”. “It’s run by a talented chef who will go places”, Matt Beardmore, previously of Trullo, alongside founder Jay Patel, a former Barrafina manager.
Summary
“Top-top quality food” – from Matt Beardmore, formerly of Trullo – has established a glowing reputation for this small Italian on the South Bank near Tower Bridge. He opened it two years ago with ex-Barrafina manager Jay Patel, to immediate good reports – and “you can see why it has attracted all the hype”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Legare?
Cardamom Building, 31g Shad Thames, London, SE1 2YB
Restaurant details
Prices
| Wine per bottle | £22.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Service | 15.00% |
Cardamom Building, 31g Shad Thames, London, SE1 2YB
Opening hours
| Monday | 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑4 pm |
Best Italian restaurants nearby
Italian restaurant in London Bridge
Italian restaurant in St Katharine Docks
Italian restaurant in Southwark
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
Pizza restaurant in London
Italian restaurant in St Katharine Docks
Burmese restaurant in Southwark