Bars and Cafes in Southwark/ Waterloo (London)

Founder's Arms

This building may lack the quaint, traditional charm of some of the neighbouring pubs (built in the late 1960's when anything triangular and concrete implied aesthetic kudos), but once you are inside this doesn't matter. Perched on the edge of the river with wrap around windows, The Founder's Arms offers spine-tingling panoramic views of St. Paul's Cathedral. Londoners and tourists alike compete for the treasured riverside seats, especially at sunset, so head here in the late afternoon to bag yourself a prime viewing spot. The inexpensive drinks and the location, next to the Tate Modern and the Millennium Bridge make this a perfect stop-off point.

Tamesa Bar & Brasserie

Tamesa Bar & Brasserie offers a splendid view of the Thames River. Begin your gastronomic journey with the Hot and Sour Coconut, and Lemongrass Soup with Prawns. Try the Field Mushroom and Spring Onion Risotto, or the Rigatoni Napolitano. Make sure you leave some space for the tarts, puddings and ice-creams on offer. A 'Smaller Grown Ups' menu is also available for your children! A separate dining room capable of holding 25 guests is available for private functions.

Ministry of Sound

The world-famous Ministry of Sound is one of London's hippest nightspots. It suffered a bit of a slump in popularity in the late 1990s, but has returned with a vengeance and it recently re-launched Boy George as a DJ. The fame of this luxury venue is now so widespread and truly international that MoS even offers its own Internet service (Saturdays Rulin' nights are broadcast live on their website), numerous compilation CD remixes of Ministry club anthems, and a Ministry magazine. The venue itself is on the right side of average, the two dance floors are roomy compared to those in most clubs, and there are added bonuses of a Sony PlayStation room and an Absolut chill out bar. Wednesday nights is MoSNuS night, when student DJs take over the decks. Friday and Saturday host Smoove and Rulin respectively - both of which attract well-known DJs.

Pont de la Tour

This is a terribly slick venue where things should be perfect - and they nearly are at Conran's most expensive and most grown-up venue. At lunchtime there is a prix fixe option and dinner offers an extensive a la carte menu with mostly French/Modern European and atypically (for a Conran establishment) non-trendy options. The wine list is impressively extensive. The bar and grill is an excellent, cheaper option, offering caviar and oysters as well as the usual steaks.

The Beehive

The Beehive is a welcome addition to this neck of the woods as Walworth is not known for its quality eateries. From the outside, The Beehive's a run-of-the-mill pub, but venture inside, and you'll find yourself in surroundings rather more akin to a rustic bar/bistro. Service comes with a smile and the smartly-dressed waiting staff are friendly and efficient. The food is a mixture of fairly typical pub grub scampi and chips, a variety of burgers and the like but the vegetarian selection is definitely above average. With drinks at pub prices, it's good value all round.

Studio Six

Studio Six is easy to spot, with its bright blue exterior and large al fresco area. It has a light and simple interior which works well, and is known for being a haunt of the stage and TV crews from the riverside studios where Chris Evans used to film his TFI Friday show. The restaurant serves a selection of good, reasonably-priced modern European food, and stocks the standard selection of wines, beers, cocktails and spirits. The music is mainly jazz, soul and disco and the atmosphere is laid-back, informal and friendly.

Cubana

Cubana is one of London's better examples. A cool place to come for a drink or a bite to eat, there's Cuban bits and bobs, including a huge portrait of the bearded one himself and original Communist party electoral advertisements, all over the place. The rest of the décor is quite simple and pleasant, with a few battered wooden tables available, but you'll need to order some food to secure one. If you don't fancy a full-on meal, the super-tasty chargrilled sweet potatoes or black beans in tomato salsa come highly recommended and are only a few quid each. Drinks on offer include Cuban specialities such as mojitos (delicious crushed mint, rum and lemon cocktails) and Hatuey beer, as well as the usual suspects. The atmosphere is relaxed yet vibrant and the clientèle consists largely of friendly arty or professional types in their mid-twenties and thirties.

The Anchor Bankside

Within an easy stroll of The Globe Theatre and next to London Bridge, this pub has a great view out over the Thames and is attractively decorated throughout. Popular with theatre-goers, the British pub food here is highly recommended, although you may have to queue for your meal during the hour prior to a performance at The Globe Theatre. There are some real ales on offer in this cosy hostelry and, due to its prime riverside location, its also popular with visitors to the capital. Why not come and relax for a few hours in the beer garden, or play one of the numerous board games available at the bar.

Tate Modern Cafe 2

The Tate Modern Cafe is a welcomed addition to the South Bank and you don't have to wrestle with coach loads of Rothko enthusiasts to enjoy it. Entrance to the gallery is free, so anyone can dine here if they so wish. Dishes tend to be of the modern European variety, ranging from the retro (haddock, chips and mushy peas) to the sublime (leg of lamb steak with creamed polenta, plum tomatoes and black olives for under a tenner). Also on offer are plenty of lunch-time sandwiches, affordable wines, heavenly desserts and, for the health-conscious, salads and seafood.

Browns Restaurant & Bar

Browns restaurant, located on Butlers Wharf pulls in huge crowds on account of the proximity to places of interest, such as the Tower Bridge, the Design Museum and of course, the River Thames. Outdoor dining, a spectacular view of the Thames and contemporary British cuisine are the highlights of this restaurant. Dishes like the char-grilled pork chops and steak frites, and desserts, such as lemon tart and apple & blackberry crumble will have you visiting this eatery more often. The bar has everything on offer, from beer and champagne to coffee and tea. Sip on the drink of your choice and watch London city in motion. A special Christmas menu is on offer. Also available are two private rooms for party or conference purposes.

Archduke

Nestled beneath a Victorian railway arch, The Archduke is a brightly colored haven of exposed bricks, hanging foliage and spiraling stairs. The smooth live jazz and the ramble of overhead trains provide the perfect urban soundtrack for this South Bank hot spot that is becoming as well known for its gastronomic offerings as it is for its groovy ambiance and convenient location. Liz Philips famously started her business 20 years ago, after getting fed up with being crushed by herds of luvvies during show intervals at the Royal Festival Hall next door. Now, she caters for the over-spill as well as regular patrons. The modern British food is excellent and reasonably priced.

Hara The Circle Bar

You got to be a square if you hate coming to Hara The Circle Bar. This joint is loved by critics and the general public, thanks to its great atmosphere, service and food. Hara Chicken, Nali Gosht, Bengali Tilapia, Pudina Lobster and Khata Mitha Jhingha are some of the great choices for non-vegetarian customers. The vegetarians too have a wide range of dishes to choose from, including Raspberry Kofta, Baigun Mirchi Ka Salan and Miloni Subji Tarke Wali. There are separate take-away and bar menus too for your convenience. The bar tenders at the Circle Bar are among the best, which ensure that only the most delectable cocktails will be served to you. DJs will be provided in case you want to host an event here. For more information, hit the website.