Duck n Waffle: 24-Hour Rooftop Dining and Unbeatable City Views

At 3 a.m. on a Saturday, when most of London is asleep, someone’s still eating at Duck n Waffle. The lights are on. The kitchen is humming. And from the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, the city glows below like a living circuit board. This isn’t just a restaurant. It’s the only place in the UK where you can order duck confit and waffles at 4 a.m. and still get a view that makes you forget what time it is.

What Makes Duck n Waffle Different?

Duck n Waffle doesn’t close. Not ever. It’s open 24 hours, 365 days a year. No holidays. No shutdowns. Not even on Christmas Day. That’s rare in a city where most restaurants shut by midnight and bars close by 2 a.m. The kitchen runs on a rhythm that matches the city’s heartbeat-late-night workers, early-morning travelers, insomniacs, and people who just want to eat something real after a long night.

The menu isn’t fancy for fancy’s sake. It’s bold, simple, and built for real hunger. The duck confit with maple-glazed waffles isn’t a gimmick. It’s a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and crunchy. The beef brisket sandwich? Juicy, slow-cooked, and served on a brioche bun that doesn’t fall apart. The truffle fries? Crispy on the outside, soft inside, and dusted with just enough black truffle to make you pause mid-bite.

And then there’s the view. From the glass-walled dining room, you see the Tower Bridge, the Shard, the Thames winding through the dark. At sunrise, the city turns gold. At midnight, it’s all neon and silence. You don’t need to be on a date or celebrating something special to sit here. You just need to be awake.

The Rooftop Experience That Doesn’t Feel Like a Tourist Trap

Many rooftop bars in London charge £25 for a gin and tonic and a view that’s half-blocked by a potted plant. Duck n Waffle doesn’t play that game. The space is open, airy, and designed for comfort, not Instagram. The tables are spaced well. The lighting is warm, not harsh. The music? Low enough to hear your friend talk, loud enough to feel the pulse of the city.

There’s no dress code. No velvet ropes. No bouncers checking your shoes. People show up in suits, in hoodies, in jeans and boots. A woman in a business suit might be next to a guy in a rugby jersey. A couple celebrating their anniversary sits beside two friends who just got off a red-eye flight from New York. Everyone’s here for the same reason: good food, great views, and the freedom to eat whenever you want.

The bar is just as busy as the dining room. The cocktail list is short but sharp. The Duck n Waffle Negroni-with smoked gin, Campari, and a splash of orange blossom-is a standout. The wine list leans toward bold reds and crisp whites, perfect for pairing with the rich flavors on the menu. And yes, they serve coffee at 3 a.m. Real, strong, and brewed fresh.

Who Comes Here, and Why?

You’ll find all kinds of people here. Taxi drivers grabbing a bite before their shift ends. Nurses finishing a 12-hour shift. Tourists who missed their last train. Business travelers with jet lag. Artists, writers, and coders who work through the night. Even a few couples who met here after both showed up alone at 1 a.m. and ended up talking until sunrise.

It’s not just a place to eat. It’s a place to be. The kind of place where time feels different. Where the city doesn’t sleep, and neither do you. There’s something freeing about ordering a meal when the world is quiet. No rush. No waiting. Just you, your food, and the skyline.

One regular told me he comes every Friday night after his shift at the hospital. He says it’s the only time he feels like himself. "I don’t have to explain why I’m here. I don’t have to be anything but hungry," he said. That’s the magic of Duck n Waffle. It doesn’t ask questions. It just serves you.

How to Get a Table (And When to Go)

Even though it’s open 24 hours, it’s not always easy to walk in. Weekends fill up fast. The best time to go? Between 10 p.m. and midnight, or after 2 a.m. That’s when the crowds thin out but the energy stays high. If you’re coming for breakfast at 6 a.m., you’ll likely get a window seat without waiting.

Reservations are recommended, especially if you want a table by the window. You can book online through their website. Walk-ins are welcome, but you might wait 20 to 40 minutes during peak hours. The bar area is usually less crowded, so if you don’t mind sitting there, you’ll get seated faster.

Pro tip: If you’re coming after a night out, don’t wait until 3 a.m. to decide. The line gets long. And if you’re planning to go on a Friday or Saturday, book at least a week ahead.

What to Order (And What to Skip)

The menu changes slightly with the seasons, but the classics stay the same. Here’s what works:

• Must-try: Duck confit with maple waffles, truffle fries, beef brisket sandwich, and the roasted bone marrow with toast.
• Great for sharing: The charcuterie board with pickled vegetables and sourdough.
• Best drink: Duck n Waffle Negroni or the Earl Grey tea martini.
• Save room for: The chocolate and salted caramel tart. It’s small, but it’s the perfect end to any meal.

What to skip? The salads. They’re fine, but they’re not the reason you’re here. This isn’t a place for light eating. It’s for bold, comforting, satisfying food. Go for the richness. Go for the texture. Go for the flavor that sticks with you.

Is It Worth the Price?

Duck n Waffle isn’t cheap. Main dishes range from £22 to £38. Cocktails are £16 to £18. But you’re not just paying for food. You’re paying for the experience. The view. The fact that it’s open when nothing else is. The service is attentive without being overbearing. The plates arrive hot. The wine is poured with care.

Compare it to a late-night kebab shop. One gives you a quick fix. The other gives you a memory. If you’re in London and you’re awake past midnight, this is the only place that feels like it was made for you.

Why This Place Still Matters in 2026

London has changed. New restaurants open every week. Rooftop bars pop up like mushrooms after rain. But Duck n Waffle hasn’t needed to change. It doesn’t chase trends. It doesn’t do influencer collabs or limited-edition cocktails. It just keeps doing what it does best: serving real food, with real views, at any hour.

In a world where everything is curated, filtered, and timed for social media, Duck n Waffle is refreshingly real. It doesn’t care if you post a photo. It just wants you to eat, feel full, and look out at the city-no matter what time it is.

There’s something deeply human about that.

What to Do After You Eat

After your meal, don’t rush out. Take a moment. Walk to the edge of the glass wall. Look down at the cars moving like ants. Watch the lights of the Tower Bridge blink on one by one. If you came at night, you’ll see the first streaks of dawn creeping over the horizon. If you came in the morning, you’ll hear the city waking up.

This isn’t just a meal. It’s a pause. A moment outside of time. And in a city that never stops, that’s rare.