Dinner Cruises on the London Thames

Watching the banks of the Thames at sunset is a magical and romantic experience not to be missed. Take a look at the best dinner cruises

Isabel Catalán

Isabel Catalán

6 min read

Dinner Cruises on the London Thames

Bridge Over The River In The City | ©Pixabay

A dinner cruise on the Thames is a fantastic plan to enjoy a different evening in the London night. If you have not yet crossed the most famous river in the city, this activity is an excellent way to see its monuments from another perspective and also at night, which look beautiful illuminated.

If you are attracted to the idea, in this post I tell you the most fun dinner cruises on the Thames with which you can spend a very original night in the British capital and complete your list of things to see and do in London.

The most complete option

Thames River Dinner Cruise with Live Music

Experience a dreamy evening with this romantic gourmet dinner cruise.

If you are looking for a special plan, do not miss this cruise with dinner and live entertainment. A dream experience that you should not miss and with which you will enjoy wonderful views of the city.

In this dinner cruise on the Thames, approximately three hours long, you will enjoy a gourmet dinner that starts at the Thames River pier in Westminster. The tour departs at sunset, so you can enjoy the illumination of this wonderful city, and you will pass by emblematic places such as the Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, the London Eye or the Tower of London

Regarding the exquisite dinner, it has between three and five courses depending on the menu and will be paired with wine. And, the most fun, you can enjoy background music and live show.

Recommended if... you want to treat yourself with a special person.

Thames Dinner Cruises

Big Ben from the River Thames| ©Doug Kerr
Big Ben from the River Thames| ©Doug Kerr

Experience a cruise on the Thames is a plan that you can not miss. And if it is at night, even better, because you can enjoy a dreamlike view, while savoring an exquisite dinner to remember. For a moment you will believe you are in a period movie while you listen to the music that enlivens the night and taste a delicious contemporary European menu prepared with seasonal products in the ship's own kitchens.

In this gourmet dinner cruise you can taste classic dishes of British cuisine along with proposals from continental Europe. The result is delicious!

Enjoy a gourmet dinner during a Thames cruise

If you feel like enjoying a "gourmet" experience during a dinner cruise on the Thames, the Bateaux London dinner cruise is definitely the option you were looking for. Sailing down the river you will have the opportunity to contemplate the real magic of the Thames at sunset. From the boat's terrace there are unparalleled views of old and new London. From towering skyscrapers like The Shard to ancient fortresses like the Tower of London.

It is a fabulous plan to do in the city as a couple for a special date, for example, an anniversary or Valentine's Day, but not so recommended for families as children under 12 years are not allowed. In addition, to participate in the activity, casual-elegant etiquette is advised in the wardrobe of the passengers.

Take an almost private dinner cruise on the Thames River

This dinner cruise on the Thames is the ideal option if you want to experience a romantic evening with your partner in London at sunset or if you simply want to indulge yourself during the trip and you feel like contemplating the monuments of London illuminated in a relaxed way. There will be no more than 9 passengers per cruise so it is a very quiet experience and seems almost private.

During the cruise you will board the River Room, which has a beautiful lounge-dining room and a large outdoor terrace from where you will have magnificent panoramic views of the riverbank. Thanks to the layout of the lounge and the large windows you will enjoy the scenery from all angles so you will not have to worry about the location of the table, only about having a good time.

On this 3-hour round trip from central London, you'll see iconic landmarks such as the Tower of London, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral and many others along the way.

Dine and listen to live jazz on a Thames river cruise

One of the most memorable memories you will keep from your trip to London is enjoying a dinner cruise on the Thames aboard a luxurious boat while you contemplate the illuminated city and listen to the best live jazz music. Upon arrival at the pier, you will be assigned your seat on the cruise and once on board you will be taken to your table in the dining room, from where you will have a magnificent view.

You can start the evening with a drink while listening to background music and watching the lights of the buildings surrounding the Thames, such as the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben, the London Eye or the Tower of London, slowly illuminate at dusk.

This cruise lasts approximately 3 hours and the dinner is composed of several dishes with an abundance of meats and cheeses. As on other evening cruises, the dress code for passengers is smart casual.

Have a classic "afternoon tea" cruise on the Thames

Although at first it may seem like a bit of a "cool" plan, having the classic English afternoon tea during a boat cruise on the Thames is one of the most fun experiences you have to live in London. You'll board a boat to sail through the heart of the British capital on a 90-minute round trip from Tower Pier to Westminster.

Take a seat in the boat's cozy indoor lounge to enjoy the beautiful panoramic views on both sides of the river. Some of the most iconic London landmarks you will see are the London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, London Bridge, The Shard, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, among others.

Between pictures of the scenery you can try a delicious English-style snack consisting of traditional sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, cakes and endless teas and coffees. Who knows, you may become so fond of afternoon tea that you end up adopting this British tradition at home.

Book a Thames Dinner Cruise

Other Thames dinner cruises you might like

Thames Dinner Cruise| ©Graham Hobbs
Thames Dinner Cruise| ©Graham Hobbs

Dinner cruises on the Thames are a great plan to do as a couple or with friends during a trip to London.

However, if the schedule in which these night cruises take place does not fit with your travel plan or if you visit the city with your family and you are looking for a daytime cruise where children can also enjoy the experience, in that case I advise you to take a look at the post the best dinner cruises on the Thames, where you will find other options also very fun and with which you can make the most of your stay in the British capital.

Book a dinner cruise on the Thames

Tips for a Thames Dinner Cruise

Tower Bridge from the Cruise| ©Victor Ochieng
Tower Bridge from the Cruise| ©Victor Ochieng

If you are going to take a dinner cruise on the Thames, here are some tips you should take into account before starting your experience:

  • It is essential that you do not forget to take warm clothes, as the wind chill on board the boat is lower than when you walk around the city.
  • Bring a camera with tripod to capture all the beauty in your snapshots.
  • Dress code is casual, so check your closet and choose your clothes for this special occasion.
  • In the event that the reservation is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, don't worry! You will be offered a date change or a full refund of the amount paid.

Book a Thames Dinner Cruise

Why is a Thames dinner cruise worthwhile?

London Eye from the cruise| ©Gail Frederick
London Eye from the cruise| ©Gail Frederick

It's a wonderful experience you won't forget! It will allow you to enjoy another facet of the city, perhaps less known and from another perspective, so you will get a much more complete, fun and magical view of London.

It is not only the fact of seeing the main landmarks of the city while you sail along the River Thames, but the fact that the city from sunset changes and is dyed in a color that leaves no one indifferent to those who have the opportunity to see it in this light.

Book a dinner cruise on the Thames River

How are the dinner cruises on the Thames?

The Shard as seen from the cruise| ©bryan
The Shard as seen from the cruise| ©bryan

If you are wondering what a dinner on a Thames cruise is like, you should know that it is flexible, as you can choose the number of courses between 3 and 5. The menu will feature meat and cheese dishes, and will be paired with wine.

And most importantly, if you follow a special diet, have any intolerance or allergy, or are vegan you can indicate it in your reservation and you will have a menu according to your requests and preferences.

Book a Thames Dinner Cruise