What is Oblix at The Shard? How To Decide Between East and West

If you’re looking to dine at The Shard, you’re probably on the hunt for two things – fantastic food and breathtaking views of London. Just like all of The Shard’s restaurants and bars, Oblix shard offers both of these things and then some. Its level of top-notch food, flawless service and those spectacular skyline views make it a dining hotspot.

If you’ve heard of Oblix but don’t know much about it, we’ve laid it all down for you here. So when you do decide to dine at this sky-high, award-winning restaurant, you’ll know everything there is to know.

What is Oblix at The Shard?

Oblix is one of six restaurants and bars within The Shard, the tallest building in Western Europe. It was the first restaurant to open at The Shard in Spring 2013. With panoramic views of the skyline from East to West, you’ll experience two sides of the same story. Think upscale and elegant – a delightful marriage of posh, modern dining and diverse seasonal dishes. When you think Oblix at The Shard, you should think style and class, and of course, you think flavour!

What Floor is Oblix at The Shard on?

Now approaching its seventh birthday, Oblix is on the 32nd floor of The Shard. Although it’s not the highest restaurant of the 95-storey skyscraper (that title belongs to TĪNG), the floor-to-ceiling windows make it one of the best restaurants to admire London from the sky.

Who Owns Oblix at the Shard?

Oblix is another destination from celebrated chef-restaurateur duo Rainer Becker and Arjun Waney.

Rainer Becker is the German chef behind some of the world’s most stylish and acclaimed Japanese restaurants. Since making the change from a celebrated chef to an international restaurateur, Rainer has made it big on the global F&B scene, expanding to 11 venues internationally over the last 15 years.

Though you may not have heard of his name, publicity-shy Arjun Waney is a multi-millionaire restauranteur and financier. Included in his list of successful ventures are La Petite Maison and The Arts Club (of whom Gywneth Paltrow is an advisory member.) The Indian-born Waney was awarded an OBE for his contribution to the global restaurant industry and his extensive philanthropy.

Under their globally established Azumi Ltd, Becker and Waney are responsible for a bunch of other celebrated restaurants around the world, including the award-winning Zuma and Rocka.

Who is the Chef?

Formerly the head chef of Pied à Terre, Marcus Eaves won his first Michelin star at the early age of 27. He’s been the Executive Chef at The Shard’s Oblix since 2015 and continues to reinvent the wheel menu after menu. He’s all about versatility and discipline, an exceptional balance of bold and intelligent cooking. He delivers a level of luxury worthy of one of the city’s most expensive landmarks. If you had to describe Eaves in one word, impressive would undoubtedly fit the bill.

Which is better – Oblix East or Oblix West?

It’s the question everybody asks when it comes to Oblix at the Shard – East or West?

Unfortunately, we can’t give you the answer as to which side is better, because it depends on what you’re looking for. But we can tell you what to expect at each side, so you can pick the perfect spot for your occasion.

Oblix West is more formal and sophisticated and is regarded as more of an established fine-dining restaurant. It’s also said to be more intimate, making it the ideal choice for a special occasion or a romantic dinner. Oblix West overlooks St Paul’s and across to Westminster. For an idea of the view, have a look at the live webcam of the west view from The Shard.

On the other side, Oblix East could be described as having a more upbeat, livelier atmosphere, like a swanky bar serving top-notch food. The bar at Oblix East is where you can enjoy a drink without a sit-down meal if that’s what you’re looking for. As for the view, Oblix East oversees Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf. For an idea of what you could see, have a look at this live webcam of the east view from The Shard.

For the best of both worlds, you could always enjoy a pre-meal drink in Oblix East before moving through to your dinner reservation at Oblix West.

What to Expect at Oblix East

On the East, we have culinary cocktails and innovative seasonal fair delivered in a relaxed dining and bar area. The menu offers bar bites and high street food – fitting for a meal in the sky. While you peruse the cocktail list, it would be silly not to sample the warm, homemade artisan bread and butter. It’s enough to write home about, and it’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Treat it like a tapas bar and order a range of starters to share. Crispy squid chilli and lime, fried octopus and caramelized pork skewers have to be top of your list. Chef Eave focuses on a delicate balance of flavours, translating premium ingredients into simple, wholesome dishes worthy of their opulent price tag.

Wagyu is the name of the game and if you want to ruin burgers for the rest of your life – the beef burger topped with cheese and truffle mayonnaise will do the trick. Throw in some wild mushroom orzo pasta, and the bbq black cod with coriander salsa and your life could be complete.

While the lunch and dinner menu are close to perfection, brunch has to be our favourite. On Saturdays and Sundays, you can indulge in three delectable courses for £55. Designed to share, the starters and self-service desserts update daily. Mains include toasted sourdough with avocado, seafood linguini and grilled baby chicken with lemon. Of course, the eggs benedict is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. With bottomless champagne on offer – who could resist such a treat?

What Food to Expect at Oblix West

Oblix West takes it up a notch, offering a more refined dining experience. The West is known for its wood-fired oven, charcoal grill and of course, that rotisserie. The open kitchen breathes sophistication and a sense of showmanship from the kitchen crew. The West side offers a variety of menus from a la carte dining to elevator lunches, afternoon tea, Sunday roast and holiday dining.

The a la carte menu features the iconic Oblix seafood platter, a delicious selection of premium raw and chilled seafood prepared daily. You can also indulge in one of the Chef’s signature tasting menus, offering a collection of 10 dishes served family-style at your table. Wagyu features again, this time a juicy tenderloin served with béarnaise, chimichurri or red wine sauce – yum!

You may be wondering what an elevator lunch is. It’s a set menu of a starter, main and side for £40 per person. Dishes come out as and when they’re ready. By sharing, you get a taste of everything. Starters feature dishes like burrata and soft shell crab while the mains include sirloin, grilled sea bass and spiced lamb rump. With a choice of chips, mashed potatoes, green beans and tenderstem broccoli, the simple sides complement each mouthful.

Now for something sweet! Treat yourself to chocolate and orange slices, toffee and banana créme brulee tart or New York-style cheesecake with pineapple and passionfruit sorbet. The delicate balance of sweet, sour and savoury will have you salivating from the get-go.

Oblix West’s Sunday Roast

Now for a real gem and perhaps one of the most cherished attributes of Oblix West; the Sunday roast menu. Think crispy suckling pig, free-range baby chicken and bone-in rib-eye for two. All dishes are served with the one and only Yorkshire pudding. Oh and if this wasn’t enough – roasted beef fat potatoes.

If this doesn’t quite tickle your fancy, there’s also an a la carte menu. Featuring starter dishes like truffle flatbread with pancetta and ricotta, cornish crab and seared beef with parsley pesto. For mains, you can take your pick from the grill. It’s a carnivore’s delight with Wagyu beef tomahawk, whole lobster and free-range pork chop to name a few.

Afternoon Tea at Oblix

The Shard is highly sought-out for its afternoon tea, and for good reason. Where better to indulge in the great British institution than in the clouds? As well as Aqua Shard and TĪNG, Oblix West serves up an afternoon tea fit for the Queen herself.

You can expect all the traditional savoury and sweet tea eats, but with a contemporary twist. Duck egg and truffle mayonnaise sandwiches, hazelnut paris brest, and scrumptious cranberry scones are on the menu. To accompany your tower of treats, Oblix offers nine different blends of tea, or if you’re so inclined, some Billecart-Salmon Champagne. All of this against the backdrop of the iconic London skyline. What’s not to love?

Is there a dress code for Oblix?

As you’d expect from such an established place, the dress code is smart, casual. This means no running shoes, flip flops, beachwear or baseball caps are allowed. Smart, clean trainers are fine. Jeans are permitted so long as they are not torn or scruffy.

We suggest gearing up in something pretty swanky, like a pretty dress or casual suit with your favourite formal shoes. After all, it’s not every day you get to dine in the sky.

Is there an age restriction?

Both Oblix West and Oblix East allow children.

Children of all ages are welcome to dine in Oblix West at any time. The only restriction is that children under the age of 16 are not allowed in Oblix East after 6pm.

Are there facilities for the disabled at Oblix at The Shard?

Both Oblix and the entrance area that leads to the restaurants located within The Shard are fully equipped for disabled access. The restaurant has smooth floors and a wide corridor. Oblix also has disabled toilet facilities.

Is Oblix Halal?

No. Unfortunately, Oblix is not Halal. There are vegetarian options on both East and West menus, but none of the meat is certified Halal. But we do have a list of great Halal restaurants in London.

How do I get into the Oblix at The Shard?

Once you’re inside The Shard building, head for the signs for the Shangri-la hotel. The entrance is the next door where you will go through some security checks. From there you take a lift to the 32nd-floor, which opens onto the restaurant.

Does Oblix have a Michelin Star?

Whilst Oblix is a great place to dine, it currently does not have a Michelin Star.

Which is best Oblix or Aqua Shard?

This is a personal decision and highly dependent on what you are looking for.

Comparing Atmosphere: The vibe and atmosphere at Oblix is more traditional and warm – so great for a meal with friends, clients or family gatherings. The vibe at Aqua Shard is more chic, cocktail lounge-y (evenings anyway) – so likely better for a date or informal drinks.

Comparing Cuisine / Food: Additionally, If you are looking for a modern take on British cuisine (including  Sunday Roast), then definitely Oblix because that is what Oblix is know for.  But if you are looking for a themed Afternoon Tea, then Aqua Shard currently has a Peter Pan Themed afternoon tea that is great for kids and families.

Comparing Customer Service: Oblix currently has a higher score on online platforms for customer service, but only marginal difference.

Comparing Availability: Both venues seem to be similar in terms of availability. December festive season are typically more full, same with weekend time slots, so do book early.