Duck & Waffle

Duck & Waffle

Duck & Waffle is a high‑profile restaurant and bar known for its 24/7 service model and signature dish combining roast duck and waffle with mustard maple syrup. Founded in 2012, it quickly became prominent within London's hospitality scene and attracted attention from international media, culinary critics, and investors. The restaurant occupies a landmark high‑rise location and has been associated with celebrity visits, industry awards, and occasional controversies.

History

The restaurant was opened in 2012 during a period of expansion in London's dining scene, amid projects by developers linked to Heron Tower, Canary Wharf Group, Shoreditch rejuvenation, and hospitality investors active in the 2010s. Founders drew on experience working with chefs from establishments such as Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal, Marcus Wareing, and operators connected to D&D London and Caprice Holdings. Early coverage appeared in outlets including The New York Times, The Guardian, Financial Times, and Time Out London, which helped establish a reputation alongside contemporaries like Hakkasan, Nobu, and Sketch. Expansion discussions and pop‑ups engaged partners from Restaurant Associates networks and global chefs who had worked at Alinea, Noma, and El Bulli.

Location and Venue

Situated on a prominent upper floor of a London skyscraper, the venue overlooks landmarks such as The Gherkin, Tower Bridge, The Shard, and St Paul's Cathedral. The space was fitted out by designers with portfolios including projects for Studio KO, Martin Brudnizki, and hospitality firms that have worked on venues for Anita Lo and Marcus Samuelsson. Access and service logistics involved coordination with building management, security teams from firms similar to CBRE Group and JLL, and local authorities including City of London Corporation. The rooftop and atrium layout drew comparisons to other high‑altitude restaurants like Aqua Shard and venues in Canary Wharf.

Cuisine and Menu

The menu centers on an elevated comfort dish pairing crispy roast duck with a waffle and mustard maple syrup, presented alongside plates influenced by contemporary British and European techniques familiar to chefs from St John (restaurant), The Ledbury, Core by Clare Smyth, and Gymkhana (restaurant). Seasonal produce sourcing referenced suppliers with histories supplying Borough Market traders and farms associated with networks like Soil Association and British Retail Consortium supply chains. Beverage programs have included cocktails by bartenders with experience at The Connaught, Dandelyan, and Bar Termini, and wine lists curated with importers similar to Hallgarten & Novum and distributors linked to Berry Bros. & Rudd. Special menus and collaborations featured guest chefs from restaurants such as The Fat Duck and El Celler de Can Roca in temporary events and pop‑ups.

Reception and Awards

Critical reception combined enthusiastic media features and mixed reviews in guides and newspapers; notable commentary appeared in Michelin Guide coverage debates, reviews by critics for The Telegraph, Evening Standard, and features on BBC programs. The restaurant was cited in lists alongside peers like Dishoom, Flat Iron, and Sketch for innovation in casual‑luxury dining. Industry recognitions and nominations came from organizations including the National Restaurant Awards, Catey Awards, and regional hospitality trade associations; coverage in international food media such as Eater and Bon Appétit amplified its profile.

Controversies and Incidents

The venue experienced incidents that attracted public scrutiny and reporting by outlets such as The Independent, Daily Mail, and Metro (British newspaper). Issues included disputes over access and safety with building operators similar to Canary Wharf Group, management changes that involved figures formerly associated with groups like Caprice Holdings and D&D London, and a high‑profile accident that prompted statements from insurers and firms comparable to AXA and Aviva. Employment and staffing disputes were reported in the context of wider hospitality sector debates involving unions and organizations such as Unite the Union and industry bodies like the British Hospitality Association.

Category:Restaurants in London