Indulge in a slap-up meal at London Shell Co, the London restaurant that’ll really float your boat.
London Shell Co offers a meal that will truly transport you… from Paddington to Camden and back again! Climb aboard the Prince Regent, the bright blue barge dishing up lunch and dinner to up to 40 guests at a time.
[Photo: London Shell Co]If you love messing about on boats, but you’ve never fancied the sad-looking tourist Thames cruises as a dinner option, then this place might just be perfect for you. Yes, London Shell Co offers diners a gimmick – it’s not everyday you take your tea on a boat, after all – but it certainly can’t be said that it sacrifices food quality or service for the simple novelty of location.
[Photo: @londonshellco]Enjoy a five-course feast as you drift past London Zoo, Regent’s Park, and through the Maida Hill Tunnel, or you can opt for one of the stationary seatings that take place at their mooring in Sheldon Square during lunchtimes Tuesday – Friday. The canal cruise/meal lasts for 2.5 hours, enough time to make a leisurely, round trip from Paddington (and enjoy some truly excellent nosh).
[Photo: @londonshellco]Their speciality is great British seafood, so, while this place isn’t going to be a favourite amongst London vegans, lovers of the fruit de mer will certainly be impressed. They keep things simple at London Shell Co. Diners are offered a five-course, £45 set menu to love or leave at both lunch and dinner times. You can have a gander at one of their sample menus, here, although we’d definitely wager that you’re going to love it, if their 5* TripAdvisor reviews are anything to go by.
[Photo: @londonshellco]There’s even an option to add a supplementary £55 wine pairing, with all your courses paired with a glass of vino, that’s chosen and enthusiastically served by chap-in-charge, Harry. Well, wine not?
[Photo: London Shell Co]At this point we should also note just how lovely this little barge is, inside as well as out. Just look at their charming interior. It’s a downright miracle that the dedicated chefs working onboard manage to serve up such high-quality grub from inside the cramped galley kitchen, day-in, day-out.
[Photo: @londonshellco]We should mention though, that canal isn’t exactly lit up like the South Bank during the evenings, so (on autumn and winter night sailings) you should expect to see rather less of the world passing by. The darkness does make the low, long Maida Hill tunnel even spookier, though. Alternatively, if you’d rather fully enjoy the greenery of Regents Park in the daylight, you can join them for a lunchtime sail on Saturdays and Sundays. There’s no premium for picking a lunch or dinner spot either, so you’re free to make the choice based entirely on personal preference. Hooray for not being forced to eat at lunchtime in a bid to save £15!
[The slightly scary Maida Hill Tunnel in the daytime. Photo:@londonshellco]Departs from: The Prince Regent, Sheldon Square, W2 6PY. Nearest station is Paddington. See it on Google Maps. Opening hours: Saturdays and Sundays 12.30-4pm, Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12-2.30pm and then 6.30-11pm, Thursdays and Fridays 12-2.30pm. Price: £45 for a five-course set lunch or dinner. Wine starts at £24 a bottle, a pint costs £4.50 and cocktails range from £8.50 to £10.50. More information:head to their website.