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Nestled comfortably in London's glamorous Kensington neighbourhood, sits Sir Richard Branson’s spectacular Roof Gardens - a collection of themed gardens spread across the 6th floor of a Grade II listed building. Divided into the Tudor, Spanish and English Woodland areas, the gardens offer an effortlessly tranquil zone to escape the hectic London we all know and love.

On the 7th floor, the Roof Gardens houses its very own restaurant that has recently undergone a major refurbishment, opening its doors once again to the public just in time for Christmas. Upon arriving at the Roof Gardens, the doormen swiftly escort you to the lift that whisks you up to the heavens above for a truly memorable dining experience.

The care and attention to detail that has gone into the restaurant’s design transformation is evident from the moment you step out of the lift. The bar and lounge area’s iconic fish tanks have been relocated to the bathrooms, replaced by an intimate-style walnut framed bar creating the perfect setting for pre-dinner drinks. The warm, cosy design is extended throughout the restaurant with black and white flock wallpaper and intense greens reflecting the natural surroundings of the location. Compliments must be paid to Yvonne Golds and Alistair McCaw of Real Studios for their interior design work and vision.

When it comes to the quality and variety of the food on the menu, Babylon definitely caters for all. With starters ranging from poached free range duck egg to pumpkin and wild mushroom risotto, and mains including a sumptuous array of salmon, turkey and goats curd amongst others, you are definitely spoilt for choice. The hardest part is choosing what you’re in the mood for! If criticism has to be made, it would be that perhaps the portions could have been slightly bigger but this in no way lessened the overall experience.

What stands Babylon apart from other London restaurants is the superb view on offer. From the terrace, you can see the City, St Paul’s, Canary Wharf and Centre Point. On a clear day, especially at sunset, the views are quite simply out of this world – to be honest the text on this page cannot begin to convey the quality of the panorama, it is something that you will have to witness for yourself. Even the restaurant manager himself, Hector Skinner, told LGM: “In all the five years I have been working here, the view never fails to astound me.”

Overall, Babylon have most certainly got it right. From beginning to end, the dining experience is fantastic and attention to detail from the waiters and kitchen staff is consistent throughout.

Written by David Smart

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