Bonfire in City of London, Westminster

Overpriced for what it is. A burger used to be £8-9 including fries. Now it's well over £15, and £20+ with a can of soda. What a rip off.

We decided to get something to eat here before watching Kiss me Kate at the theatre . What a terrible place . The staff were nice and did their best but what a run down , shabby establishment this is . The tables had some kind of laminate that was half peeling off - you could pick bits off it . The windows and glass door next to our table were filthy and taped closed with a kind of masking tape - presumably a measure to keep out the wind and rain . The floors were dirty . The restaurant toilets were out of action and the single disabled toilet was occupied for 10 minutes by someone changing a child’s nappy - the door didn’t even lock - I had to go in search of other toilets in the Barbican centre - which were also dirty - paper bins not emptied etc . Hardly much point mentioning the food - standard burgers - edible I guess but the fries were soggy and cold . It’s just kind of depressing and embarrassing as a Brit to have this famous arts centre and its restaurants and facilities in such desperate need of a massive overhaul . The carpets are dirty and frayed and the so called «  Martini Bar «  really does flatter to deceive . The original architecture is Brutalist . The interiors are now also pretty brutal. The theatre production will have to be amazing to drag us back there again!! ( the show was good though - and the theatre itself is pretty good although it was a warm night and no air con ). My advice - eat elsewhere before you come for a show ! Try the Coq D’Argent

We were out for a colleague's leaving do and enjoyed lovely food and drinks. Cheaper than the restaurants around with a terrace overlooking the water feature at the Barbican centre. Good little location.

Hereford burger with cheese was juicy and tasty. The Cajun Fries sharing portion was more than large enough for two. The crispy buttermilk chicken Ceasar salad was a very generous size with two large pieces of chicken. The staff were polite and helpful

Great place to come pre theatre supper and drinks . You can get this type of food anywhere but the view and the convenience made it a special place .

While introducing the Barbican to out of town friends we popped in to sit on the balcony to have a small evening meal. Ambience, service and food was good. The only gripe was my personal disappointment with what was mistakenly called a Hawaiian burger; with almost no 'Hawaiian' (pineapple) in it to taste.

Food was decent, and location was pleasant. Portions are somewhat small. Service was poor. We had a 17:15 reservation and wanted to have a leisurely meal. When seated we were told that we would have to leave at 19 or 19:15, which we were fine with. However, by 18:00 staff were very anxious for us to leave and basically forced us to pay and leave by 18:15, even though we had planned to order another round of drinks. Very disappointing.

Waited an age for someone to seat us so we just walked to a table, funnily enough we were stopped mid way, "do you want a table"? Err, yes hence why we're walking to one. Menu is unimaginative especially if you're veggie, an 80's throwback bean burger which was small, swimming in oil & overcooked. Mozzarella sticks were so overcooked they were hard & again very oily, chips were OK but calling them Cajun because you shake some seasoning on them is quite far fetched. The meat burger was OK apparently. Wouldn't return as it's overpriced for what you get & service is hit n miss.

Steak sandwich was delicious and great service and atmosphere!

Steak sandwich, cheesy fries and garden salad were delicious. Beautiful view from terrace and coffee was good!

One of the meals was left off our order, which meant we couldn't all eat together, but this was dealt with well. We were so lucky with fabulous sunshine out on the terrace. Our meals were really tasty.

From the moment I rang up to check out wheelchair access, staff could not have been more friendly and welcoming. We met up with a dear friend for lunch and sat on a lovely table on the terrace in the sun, serenaded by the sound of falling water from the fountains below. We were not rushed to order as we were so busy gabbing. Our food arrived promptly, hot and full of flavour. Three of us ate and everyone was happy with their meal and the delightful ambiance. Definitely a keeper!

Charging 12.5% on a drink you order at the bar, and doing so sneakily without even giving an option on the card machine. Then pointed looks when you ask for it to be taken off. Not sure what I’ve done to deserve the wrath, maybe it was an off day for quite a few members of the team apart from the tall, friendly black manager (?). Food (burgers, salads) basic and forgettable. Prices high. Poor value all round.

We came for a snack before a concert in the concert hall at the Barbican and got a table although we had not booked in advance. The place was nearly full, and with the too loud music and poor acoustics making diners talk loudly to be heard. The burgers, when they came, were rather disappointing, dry and not very appetising. Staff were pleasant enough, but we felt the prices were too high for what we got.

Extremely disappointed, had the Salvaki Chicken completely tasteless, bland and just barely warm, the sweet potato fries, a mixture of hot and cold fries, only good thing was the cocktail. Will not be visiting again.

Fun and friendly place to relax in before a movie

They didn’t have to what we ordered but had already charged us. Then said they would refund but didn’t. Then charged us twice for the meal we had to order after the first wasn’t available. We showed on our card app we had already paid but the rude front of house insisted until we ended up paying twice and we still haven’t got a refund!!! Disgusting.

We went here before a theatre performance downstairs at the Barbican. Staff were super friendly and the service was so quick and effortless without feeling rushed. We ate, drank and made our show with plenty of time - exactly what was needed, so thanks to all the team there. Food was comforting and delicious.

The service was good particularly as it was crowded. The atmosphere OK - but for the customer who was vaping. The place is comfortable but does veer towards the canteenish. We had one beef burger and two chicken burgers. OK but not going to set the world alight. Fries good and drink choice also good. Price pretty much what you would expect.

The burger arrived too quickly which made me think it had be waiting there squalid as a wet flannel. A complete and utter disaster

The place was empty, but the manager made a fuss and was pretty rude that our group was slightly larger than anticipated. Turned away customers who will take the business elsewhere next time. It was a group of friends having a quick drink after work not a large food order.

Nice plain restaurant in an amazing surrounding. The Ceasar salad and hamburgers were nice.

Quite a good burger place. Difficult to find in the maze

A very lovely restaurant serving good high quality burgers at a fair price, with friendly staff and a nice atmosphere. The food was in general very high quality- my only complaint would be that the burgers arrived fairly cold- only marginally above room temperature, however the flavours and textures were great. Also, tip your waiter in cash because I have heard that the 10% discretionary charge added to the bill is taken by the restaurant (which I’m not even sure is legal) and the waiters are payed a flat rate per order. Overall though, definitely a very nice restaurant and it seems to have improved a lot since many negative reviews were left 2-5 years ago.

Shockingly bad service. Staff spend most of their time sitting around chatting which I wouldn't mind too much but this place is table service only. If ingredients aren't available this should be communicated to customers when ordering, rather than delivering items with missing ingredients to the table! This resulted in sitting for an hour and in the end, having to send items back. Bonfire is an accurate name, as any semblance to good quality restaurant service has gone up in smoke.

Stopped by Bonfire today, eager for another pleasant dining experience as this restaurant has typically been welcoming, offering friendly service and good food. Surprisingly, even though it looked empty, we were turned away due to supposed short-staffing. What's baffling was seeing more staff present than on any of my previous visits. This time, it felt like no genuine care was given to us as patrons. I sincerely hope they revert to their usual standard and perhaps have staff who show more concern. It's truly disappointing to witness such a decline in service. 2/5 stars.

This is nice enough, but they are underhand with their service charge. For a start, service charge is added automatically, an amercanism which isn't pleasant, but I tend to accept. What makes it worse is that barbican members receive a 15% discount on their bill. The automatic service charge is calculated pre discount. This is very sneakily presented on the bill as well. In future I shall ask it to be removed and will leave a tip as I see fit.

Visited yesterday and it was a lot bigger than I imagined, with a nice terrace if the weather's good. My burger was decent but the accompanying fries were quite disappointing: soggy, limp and lifeless, expected much better from what is meant to be a burger joint first and foremost.

Had a great visit here and as a solo diner felt very well treated and not made to feel awkward. In fact staff were very welcoming and kind, first placing me in a booth and then moving me to a table on the terrace as soon as one became available. The food was good value and tasty. Lovely venue inside (rustic chic) and outside.

Came for dinner after cinema. The food was very good and we were served quickly. We enjoyed the background music. They stayed open until past 10pm despite google maps saying they close at 9pm. Would happily grab food here again.

We were in a hurry as we turned up for our show a bit late but the staff here were very efficient and got our food and drink made quickly. Thank you. Mojito we ordered, amazing, and the fries, very nice. Loved the scenery and atmosphere here. Recommend dining here if you are in Barbican.

Great atmosphere, food, drinks and prices.

Great place to grab drinks and some food! Such a good view and atmosphere.

Wonderful location and decent service, food is disappointing. Had the veg salad and was uninspired and lacking in flavour

We had a couple of cocktails here after a visit to the Conservatory. Great views of the water and surrounding buildings, very comfortable outdoor seating. Service was very good, and fast. Unfortunately kitchen was closed when we visited so we will need to return.

Dirty table, bad service, cold chips.

Bonfire, located in Barbican Center is a burger joint specialising in quick filling burgers and chips. I visited with a colleague for a quick lunch and it was good! I went for the Bonfire burger with chips, but they serve food for all appetites, including vegetarian burgers and salads. Loved the mix of tastes coming through the burger. Highly recommended for a sit-down meal considering it's difficult to find seating in most restaurants during lunchtime in the city.

Bonfire, located in Barbican Center is a burger joint specialising in quick filling burgers and chips. I visited with a colleague for a quick lunch and it was good! I went for the Bonfire burger with chips, but they serve food for all appetites, including vegetarian burgers and salads. Loved the mix of tastes coming through the burger. Highly recommended for a sit-down meal considering it's difficult to find seating in most restaurants during lunchtime in the city.

Excellent food. Amazing staff. We had a gorgeous spot outside in the sunshine on the balcony ☺️☀️

Great cheese burgers and fries. One of the better burgers I’ve had in London. Great views of the fountains from the terrace.

Didn’t even get to eat! Stood at the entrance next to the board that said ‘please wait here to be seated’ and were totally ignored. My husband and I were pretty sure we were noticed and stood there long enough. The restaurant was quarter full and most people were outside as the weather was good. Such a shame. Went elsewhere having decided that if that was the couldn’t care attitude then maybe it’s reflected in the food.

Veggie pot. I presumed it was a main course. At almost £10 it was rather meagre. Even some bread or croutons to accompany would have been appreciated. The ice cream was very good.

Nice food. Good for a preshow meal

Ordered a cheese charcuterie board over at the barbican members lounge which was fulfilled by bonfire. It promised a "choice of cheeses". There were only 2 cheese. Some choice.

Sticky table, burger bun was dry and stale, the party was cold but I was very hungry so ate the food I ordered. Please save yourself and don't eat here

Perfectly good burger spot, cheeseburger was juicy and flavoursome and the chicken burger was nicely spiced. Good sized portions for the price, large fries is more than enough for 2 people. Service was friendly, helpful and accomodating when we required the bill quickly due to us having to leave quickly to make the theatre showing

Franchement, c’est plutôt sympa avant d’aller voir “Totoro”…. Pas trop cher et pas mal le burger 👍🏻🤷🏻‍♂️

Service wasn't fantastic - witnessed manager shouting at staff as it was very busy - food wasn't anything special for the price bar was overpriced too ....outdoor area wasn't open either.

Good selection of decent burgers. Popcorn chicken starter is really tasty. Service was really friendly, if a little slow.

I was dubious given the breadth of some previous reviews (good and bad) but we found the food great, staff incredibly helpful, and the venue itself a lovely place to sit down and grab lunch before a show. The burgers were HUGE (very happy small boys) and tasty to boot. Some items were on the pricey side but not unexpected for central London. Would come again.

Had the spicy beanie (vegan) burger and Cajun fries. Good portion sizes and very tasty. A touch on the expensive side, though it is central London. 4 stars if prices are better, 5 stars when animal suffering is completely removed from the menu.

Location location location. Having the opportunity to eat a good value and very tasty burger on the terrace, overlooking the lake, is a London experience not to be missed.

A good option if you're going to the cinema or theatre at the Barbican. The fiery chicken burger was delicious, just the right combination of hot sauce and blue cheese, and very filling. The service was prompt and courteous.

Terrific pre-show meal. Food was terrific - I don't take pictures of my food, but the chicken burger especially was photo-worthy, and delicious. Service was fast and friendly, view out to the Barbican courtyard is really pretty as sun going down. Prices decent. Had been there once before and it was good, but this time was great.

Nice location, sitting outside on the terrace, good burger and great service.

Worst service I've ever received. The manager Jonet was extremely impolite and disrespectful, plus we had to wait far too long for service before being rushed out at the end. Certainly not returning would not recommend to anyone.

The favourite part of our experience at this establishment was the head waiter. He is so rude and so in love with himself it’s rather humorous. He walks around thinking he’s the Queen, and plonks your food and utensils on your table like he’s a judge demanding order in his court. We couldn’t help but laugh. Talk about delusions of grandeur. Buddy, you work in a mediocre café. Wake up, learn some manners, and get over yourself. The other “waiters” walk around like hypnotised zombies, avoiding eye contact to dodge any request you may have. As for the food (if they actually have what you want to order) - very much below average. So if you like rudeness, being ignored and eating bad food, or you just want to have a laugh at how vain people can be, give Bonfire a go!

Un restaurant qui remplit parfaitement son office, par exemple avant ou après un spectacle au Barbican. Les plats, simples, sont copieux et parfaitement préparés. L'accueil est plus que sympathique. Les tarifs sont normaux. Et la concomitance de ces trois vertus n'est pas si fréquente à Londres :-) Nous y sommes retournés pendant l’été, et avons profité de la vaste terrasse ombragée, cette fois après une (superbe) expo.

Lovely burger restaurant overlooking the lake in Barbican

Delicious food! What we ordered: Cheese Fries Pulled Pork Burger Blue Avo Burger Bonfire Burger Halomia Ceaser

Booked a pre-theatre lunch before heading off to see Anything Goes. We were made very welcome from the off with brilliant service throughout. Food was excellent with generous portion sizes and, given the location, decent prices. The burger patties were moist and tasty and my Blue Avo combo was great. Ditto the standard burger served in a lettuce cup (without the bun). Veggie options appeared good (we didn’t try any) and my wife looked enviously at the sweet potato fries on the next table (we had regular fries - which were very good). All in all a great experience - sitting out on the terrace in the sunshine added to it - and one we would happily repeat. Thank you.

We booked Bonfire because we were seeing a show at the Barbican but then almost cancelled because of recent negative reviews. So glad we didn’t! We all had burgers (2beef 1chicken) which were perfectly cooked, a generous size and loaded with all kinds of fantastic cheeses, sauces, slaw etc (if you prefer your slaw on the side, make sure you ask!) The sides were also big with great flavours and even the bbq sauce was a talking point. With pints of ice cold beer, real cans of soda-not watered down stuff, a fantastic location, friendly helpful staff, quick service and a bill that came in under £70 including the service charge, we would highly recommend and will definitely visit again.

Located on the 2nd floor of the Barbican Centre, this restaurant serves delicious and juicy burgers. The fries are also great. The staff is very friendly and attentive and the Barbican atmosphere is perfect with a very beautiful view of the state and a terrace. Just love this brutalist burger place :)

Ok burger, great terrace on the Barbican basin, cold enough beer, service a little on the slow side.

Located on the 2nd floor at the Barbican centre this burger restaurant appears to be going through a facial revamp. With an extensive balcony area looking out over inner London, the menu is vibrant and is full of choice. Staff were friendly and tables were clean and tidy. We ordered a cheese burger and chicken burger with gravy fries. Food arrived quickly which is what you need if your here to watch a show as ordering is time pendent. The burgers were hot, juicy and full of taste.the chicken burger was cooked well and still succulent with a crispy coating. Fries are supplied either person or you can order fries to share which is what we did. If anything, the fries portion could be a little bigger but this just a minor thing. Staff were attentive and keen to please. Prices were very reasonable for central London with the meal and drinks all in coming in under £50. Overall a nice place to visit, especially on a warm day where you sit outside. Worth noting if visiting the Barbican for a show or event

We only went for drinks, and really enjoyed a glass or two of wine on this shaded terrace, which is much pleasanter than that of the big cafe below it. The food looked like standard burger bar fare, very nicely presented but perhaps too calorific to tempt me to eat here.

My partner and I had dinner here before a theatre show at the Barbican. The food was very tasty and filling (service was helpful and efficient too), though I found the sides a little better than the burgers themselves - I'll happily recommend the onion rings and cajun fries. I had the blue avo burger, which was a good mix of flavours and generous with the toppings, but the beef patty was ironically the weakest part. It was cooked to a medium well done consistency, while I prefer my burgers closer to medium rare. It was prepared well and still tasty, but it would have been nice to have the option for a different doneness level. I should also note the cocktail jug I found far too expensive. While there was a good amount of drinks in there, it made up close to half of our bill in the end which I found especially annoying since the jug was packed with ice and subsequently quite watered down. Overall though, I would still recommend Bonfire. The menu has a good range of burgers and sides with tasty ingredients and generous portions. Though I did find it slightly overpriced for what it is.

Poor food, friendly staff and over priced.. DO NOT order the beetroot burger. Having eaten them at various places around the country this was by far the worst.. dry, undercooked and inedible. Beef burgers were ok at best… it’s only saving grace was that the sweet potato fries were delicious hence 2*… then they had the cheek to charge service charge when the food was so shocking… do not recommend wasting your money here.

Friendly staff, small but good menu. Food really lovely! Cheap and very cheerful. Perfect for pre-theatre or post exhibition lunch.

Burger was OK, service was OK, the desert was awful... Very convenient if you're off to a show at the Barbican but otherwise head elsewhere.

Is it possible to give 0 stars? Almost empty and yet I’m afraid to say the service was terrible. The waiters are simply not interested in your order. Our beer order was wrong and the waiter was very defensive when we pointed this out - they did not offer to replace what they brought us. Prices here are astoundingly high. £5.95 for a 330ml bottle of beer is already expensive but when it is more expensive than a pint, it’s laughable. £6.50 for a ‘sharing’ plate of cheesy chips - perhaps the smallest plate I’ve been served. The sad thing is the food is quite nice (although everything we had was under seasoned). But really I couldn’t possibly recommend this as the experience is so poor. What a shame!

Really good restaurant, remarkable burger this place is really good especially if you are going to the theatre.

Chicken burger was depressing - rubbery meat, limp breadcrumbs and watery mayo. We ordered a cocktail jug that was mostly ice. Service was fine but wouldn’t go back.

The burger selection is great and the service is fab! Thanks team - so good to see this place has remained open post Covid! Also, my mate (northern) had a craving for a pot of gravy for his chips which was a pre - Covid offering and the staff were able to accommodate even though it was off menu! Made my mate’s day!

Disappointing visit. The terrace was lovely to eat on but the rest of the visit was poor. Onion rings arrived cold. The Works fries arrived a congealed cool mess (and no idea who thought raw onion was better than cooked onion in a dish that...

Brilliant! Rainbow salad and a large glass of wine in 40 mins, friendly staff and they came and asked if we were going to the show / wanted our bill quickly. Thoroughly recommended.

Tasty, casual fare. The Virgin mojito cocktail was a hit!

Lovely welcome, staff v helpful (even if the politeness felt a bit of a performance! The Maitre D though was sufficiently haughty which made u for that! He was v polite) But the meal I had there will rank as one of the WORST meals I have ever had. I mean that. Everything about it felt manufactured, as if it had been summoned up in the laboratory of someone in Hounslow charged with inventing things that were supposed to taste like the label but were made from chemical combination rather than any of the actual ingredients. The "Garlic mayonnaise" I would wager had never seen sight of a farm or a chicken let alone an egg. The "Lemon dressing" tasted so sharp it tingled, the "beetroot burger" was a tasteless mush. The garden salad was the best thing on my plate, mainly because at least it managed to be inoffensive and just dull. Why is it not possible to have plain, simple ingredients, no squeezey packets, processed dressings ...... ???? It was truly disgusting. Only made up for the pleasure of being on the terrace with a glass of rose, which is the only reason I chose it in the first place. Never again.... Fortunately the show "Anything Goes" almost totally banished the memory by being everything that Bonfire is not: fresh, talented, delicious and v satisfying.

Not commenting on the service- as our server was lovely. However the food is vile. What I had here was absolutely the worst vegan burger I have ever had in my life. Both dry and moist at the same time, more like a patè than a burger. The sweet & sour sauce (way too much by the way) absolutely clashed with everything that it was supposed to hold together. Beetroot bun + beetroot burger and a sweet & sour sauce? Me and my friend (who ordered the same)couldn't eat it -we left the restaurant hungry for the first time in our lives ! I am convinced the chef never tasted this vile combination. Judging by the reviews- I am not the only one with this experience, however they're still serving this ! The head chef need to sort themselves out.

We went to the 'Bonfire' as a walk in as had tried to book earlierbut was full however they always have spaces for walkins. The gallery view over the water/fountains/waterfall was beautiful. Our waiter was Terry whose customer service was simply amazing. We both had...

Really friendly staff, lovely setting on the terrace. The food was great - like proper comfort fare. Highly recommend the sweet potato fries!

I hate to write such a bad review but YUCK! Easily one of the most disgusting burgers I've eaten in London. I had a chicken burger and my friend had a beetroot burger. We agreed both were flavourless mush with godawful textures. The bun on my chicken burger was sopping wet with condensation and the chicken coating had been reduced to a mealy slime. Even without these texture problems, the burgers would have been bad. They had no flavour whatsoever. I gave two stars because the man serving us was at least friendly. I really hope Bonfire can sort themselves out. Going to the Barbican is meant to be a great night out—Bonfire made sure I left with a bad taste in my mouth.

Update your opening times please.

Tasty good, generous portions - will come back

We had a quick meal before going to the Barbican theatre - food was served quickly and pleasantly, and special requests were noted. We had a nice table near the window - it was a bit chilly to sit outside so we enjoyed the view...

Nice burgers and friendly staff, service a little slow and it wasn’t that busy. Worth a visit especially if your visiting the Barbican for a show

Food, staff and service is amazing. I had the jalapeño burger and it was one of the best I've had. My grandaughter left her precious toy there and they went above and beyond to track it down after we left and are keeping it safe till we return for it.

Had a fantastic time at bonfire located within the barbican centre. The staff were very welcoming on arrival especially our server Sarah. On top of the food being so amazing we had a table on the roof terrace that has a lovely view of the...

Popped in to bonfire for a bite to eat, the food was amazing and the staff was so friendly Terry waited to my every need, definitely will be returning and will also be telling my friends about this amazing service.

Amazing place if you are a burger lover, good management and stuff that delivers the best, reasonable prices and good atmosphere. Highly recommended!

Quiet afternoon, handful of people about having coffees, yet our food order was forgotten about (had to remind the bar staff that we'd ordered), and then the food (after another long wait) was served cold, with pitiful portions of chips. The meals seemed overpriced so expected a bit of quality, but was extremely disappointed in what we were served. however, location is fantastic, and a decent drinks selection; just don't go for a meal!

Came here after a tour of the center. Very happy with the quality of the meal and service. Cool place to dine in as well. Definitely coming back for more.

Great choice if you want a decent burger and fries. There is also a salad selection and vegetarian/ vegan burgers if meat is not your preference.I had the cheeseburger with an extra patty and the Works. Very tasty! The Oreo milkshake is also a must...

What a strange place! There were lots of waiting staff and, what appeared to be, three managers but the service was (being kind here) erratic to say the least. We were left waiting to be seated for a while and when our table was ready we were informed of this by the manager waving at us from the other end of the restaurant. Management of the service was chaotic with staff seeming to be working every table with the result that we were ignored by passing waiting staff rushing around the restaurant. The manager was particularly unfriendly and unprofessional, especially to his staff whom he had no hesitation in admonishing in front of the customers. One waitress was very nice (the one star is for you) but the rest were pretty dire. How can you deliver decent customer service when you can't look at your customer when taking an order or serving the food? The food - it's a burger joint - but they still managed to get it wrong. The burger itself was good but the bun was so filled with glup (salsa I suppose) that it spoiled the burger! Such a shame as it's a great location for the Barbican but it seriously has to replace its management, motivate and train the staff and rework the burger filings.

A pleasant location, spot on service, and must be one of the top cheeseburgers in the city.

I visited with a friend of mine and our children. We were waiting so long to be served, we had to flag one of the waiters to take our order. 3 out of 4 dishes arrived without any cutlery, when we asked for a fork,...

I ate here for the first time what a fantastic experience, the food was amazing and the service from a young guy Terry was brilliant, would definitely go there again

Burgers before Concert. Attentive service and food quality good .. only negative no Hot Sauce ! Good Value considering location.

Poor service - terrible food and expensive for what you get. Avoid if you can - saw quite a few other places 2 mins walk from the Barbican..

A miserable evening experience overall. Food was ok and it’s a convenient location but service really poor. Table never wiped despite being told it would be made nice for us. Had to chase absolutely everything after that: menus, to order, non appearing drinks etc. Staff...