A distinctive Borough Market seafood restaurant with notably fresh fish and strong tasting-menu experiences, but uneven service, noise, portions, and isolated serious hygiene reports mean it is best approached with realistic expectations.
Applebee's delivers solid food quality anchored by standout seafood like oysters, Dover sole, and scallops, yet inconsistent execution in seasoning and doneness prevents a stronger grade. Service remains attentive and knowledgeable, while the Borough Market location and open-kitchen setting create genuine appeal, though variable performance across visits tempers confidence in reliability.
Applebee’s occupies a coveted patch beside Borough Market, where the room borrows the market’s bustle and adds an open-kitchen view. Many diners describe a warm welcome, fresh seafood, and a lively atmosphere; one counter diner summed up the appeal as watching the chefs work while the market swirled outside. It is inviting rather than hushed, and several guests warn that the energy can become genuinely noisy. The cooking is seafood-led and contemporary: oysters, tartare, scallops, seafood gnocchi, dressed fish, and tasting menus sit alongside the reliable fish and chips. Freshness, Dover sole, oysters, prawn toast, and rich shellfish sauces are recurring strengths, while a minority of visits report blandness, overcooking, or inconsistent seasoning. The £45 tasting menu can be a smart way to sample the kitchen, but à la carte dining is not cheap once sides and drinks are added. Families can make it work, especially with fish and chips, bread, potatoes, chips, salads, and familiar desserts; one parent specifically reported an impressive-looking fish-and-chips portion for a child. However, there is no dedicated children’s menu in the supplied menu, the room can be loud, and the broader offering is aimed at seafood-curious diners rather than picky eaters. Confirm allergies and reserve ahead, particularly at weekends.
Area vibe: Cultural, tourist-heavy riverside zone with theatres, galleries, and bars.
Safety: Generally safe and well-lit with steady evening footfall but can be busy and occasionally rowdy late at night.
What's nearby: Near Borough Market, London Bridge, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, and multiple Tube/rail links.
The menu’s safest bets range from prawn toast and oysters to shellfish gnocchi, Dover sole, and a £45 tasting menu.
This is open-kitchen market dining with a warm, energetic feel, though conversation can get difficult when the room is loud.
Go for the market buzz and seafood, but plan for noise, extra charges for sides, and potentially uneven service at busy times.