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Vapiano

Restaurants, Italian Bankside
3 out of 5 stars
(13user reviews)

Time Out says

This restaurant is part of a chain. We haven't reviewed this branch, however you can read a review of another branch.

Posted:

Details
Static map showing venue location
Address: 90B Southwark Street
London
SE1 0FD
Transport: Tube: Southwark tube
Contact:
www.vapiano.com Call Venue 020 7593 2010
Do you own this business?

Users say (13)

3 out of 5 stars

Average User Rating

2.8 / 5

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star:3
  • 4 star:2
  • 3 star:3
  • 2 star:0
  • 1 star:5
LiveReviews|13
1 person listening
tastemaker

Just went for dessert and drinks. It wasn't the best but good enough to satisfy my craving and it was wheelchair friendly.

tastemaker

I used to go quite often to Vapiano when I was living in the area and the quality used to be very good. I went last week and I was gutted. The quality drop between now and a year ago is huge. I can't judge pizza because he didn't try it, but the pasta was awful. It just tasted as garlic and it was a huge ball of glued vermicelli (how can they even call them spaghetti?).


The menu as well had some horrifying dishes, like pineapple on pizza, Alfredo sauce? These are not Italian dishes guys, if you really want authentic Italian food don't go. 

tastemaker

Freshly made, quick, and cheap and cheerful, Vapiano isn’t a bad lunch option in Bankside and keeps it nice and simple.


What we had: 

  • Chicken Alfredo: Chicken breast, mushrooms, onions, cream, egg, Grana Padano D.O.P.
  • Gamberetti e Spinaci: King prawns, basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, onions, spinach, cream.

The set up here is a good concept - you get a Vapiano card and swipe it when you order, they cook your desired pizza or pasta in front of you, and then you pay after you’ve eaten by giving them back the card. The Chicken Alfredo was average and probably needed a bit more seasoning; while the prawn pasta dish I had was better and the cream based sauce not too heavy, there was also a good number of large prawns in it and it was well seasoned. My only complaint is that the pasta in general was overcooked for my liking; but otherwise it’s a great place for lunch for under a tenner and you get to pick fresh basil off the plants to sprinkle on your pizza or pasta.


Tip: they do table service for drinks and will swipe your Vapiano card at your table.


Good For: quick meals, cheap and cheerful, large groups.

tastemaker

My favourite Vapiano branch in London: big, bright, never too busy. Ok this might be a lie as the place gets a bit busy during lunch time.

I used to work in the area and I loved the smell coming from Vapiano every time I was passing by. Vapiano serves some of the best pasta you can find in London. Fresh, quick, authentic, delicious. The menu offers a range of pasta dishes together with pizzas, salads and desserts. It works on a self service basis. You have to order and collect your food from one of their cooking stations. What I love about this place is that I can see my pasta being cooked in front of me. If you love authentic Italian recipes and pasta cooked al dente then vapiano is the place to be.

tastemaker

This is probably my favourite branch of Vapiano. It's big and you can always find a seat (not as busy as the oxford circus one). The queues here don't tend to be too bad here either. I love watching the chefs make my meal and I usually opt for pasta here because it's fun to watch it being made. I like the spelt fusilli pasta and I usually go for pesto. I don't think the flavours here are anything to shout about but it is decent Italian food and its more for the experience of watching your meal being made. Meals here are usually around £8-15. 

Tastemaker

This has to be my favourite outlet of Vapiano due to it's amazing location by the river! perfect for a walk (on a nice day) by the river before or after. I also find this outlet less crowded than the ever popular one in oxford street. Prices are reasonable and the staff are so approachable and friendly and never fail to chat with you while they are whipping up the fresh pasta of your choice. Also, the cooking in front of you serves as a theatrical experience before your meal and serves to whet your appetite. Warning: DO NOT LOSE YOUR CHARGE CARD. The staff do try to make sure you don't by keeping a look out for you.

Tastemaker

Two years ago a friend suggested I try Vapianos, but I never made it. Today it was a perfect day. I had the Carbanara and we ordered a pizza to share. One of us had the ravioli and one the pasta with crayfish. Everything was so fresh! I was able to ask if I could have crispy bacon which made it perfect. Everyone else liked their meal, the pizza was nice. I thought the food was very reasonably priced, but the drinks were expensive. I'd go again!

Tastemaker

You can never go wrong with Vapiano's, you always know what you're getting - a pizza or a pasta dish, and maybe some salad or side meats. With three branches in London, and loads more around the world, it's a resturant formula that never fails to succeed. Added to the low prices, fresh food, and quickly cooking chefs, it's a great place for dates, meeting up with friends, or a quick lunch. For the October 2015 special, there was a thai green curry with pork & beef mince which shouldn't have worked as a pasta, but it sure did taste good! I chose to have the option with tagliatelle, and it was akin to eating thai green curry with noodles, but with cheese grated on the top! As a sharer, we had a thai red curry with butternut squash in a risotto, this was like eating thai style congee with butternut and was a delicious comforting dish.


Rubbish. Not great for a group of you unless you turn up when place is empty as difficult to sit altogether. Order yourself is a great concept if you don't mind eating your pizza after your friends have eaten their pasta. Unless you drink straight out of the bottle drinking glasses are the size of my daughters toy tea set - great fun if you are having water - I was up and down to the bar like a yo yo! And the pizza guy still put spicy sausage in my pizza when I said NO spicy sausage! I would have sent it ack but then I and my friends would have had to wait even longer! Crap restaurant will be avoiding in the future


Dreadful. HUGE queues for both food and paying at the end. The pasta uniquely achieved the state of being well overcooked in parts and undercooked in others. The tomato sauce was sweet and tasted very artificial. SERIOUSLY, for about 1/3 of the price and about a quarter of the time taken to prepare, go to Sainsbury's and buy some fresh pasta and tomato sauce. You'll end up with a MUCH tastier and satisfying result. Bread was ok though...


Good cocktails and average to good pizza. I love that it is quick! and you order with your own credit card which you get in the entrance... so you dont have to make a mess with the bill if you are several eating together... i would recommend it.


What a convoluted mess! You need a credit card to buy anything, but have to do a circuit of the counters if you want more than one style of dish. Each staff member has one job & one job only- don't ask the pizza man about pasta as he will refuse to talk to you. Don't eat in a group as all the pasta eaters will be finished before the pizza eaters even get theirs. I had the ravioli which was tasty (bar the uncooked garlic slices) but small- and at full price is a whopping £7.95! It's just a case of style over substance: you do all the work, the staff don't seem to be happy and you leave feeling just as hungry as when you went in. Dull, soulless and full of over-promise- one to avoid.


What a dismal place! Dirty tables, no loo roll or soap in the ladies, staff that just didn't care and food that was inedible. Tried to like it as it had been recommended but it failed on every score.

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