Lunch Inn the Park, St James Park, London
London’s parks might not have the best reputation for culinary delights but St. James’ Park is fortunate to have Inn the Park, a lakeside British contemporary cafe and restaurant situated in the heart of St James Park.
I was invited to lunch there recently and was pleasantly surprised by the building and atmosphere in the restaurant. It is comprised of a terrace, indoor dining and a ‘Grab & G0’ self service bar, featuring fresh sandwiches, hamburgers, sausage rolls and homemade ice cream. The restaurant is open all day until 9pm in the summertime and serves breakfast, lunch, cream tea and dinner.
Our very friendly waiter was fast and efficient but didn’t make us feel as though our meal was a rushed affair. We started off with the wine list, a nice blend of Old and New World wines. 
I chose a Gavi to have with my Fish & Chips which was perfect. The prices are also reasonable, ranging from £20 – £40 for a bottle. The bar at the restaurant also has…” one of the broadest London craft lists, featuring 13 different varieties of craft spirits and a selection of craft ales, and showcases a range of both large and small producers. Guests can choose to enjoy these neat, with a splash of tonic, or experience them as the core of one of the cocktails. These include classics such as the signature ‘Inn the Park Summer Cup’; the ‘St James’s Negroni’, featuring a mix of East London Gin, Sacred Vermouth and Amaro London; and ‘The Britz spritz’, incorporating Kamm & Son, elderflower, a splash of Nyetimber and soda top. Guests can also enjoy a taste of Summer with Inn the Park’s series of monthly Rosé flights in June, July and August, featuring diverse wines from France, Spain and Italy.”
The produce is all very fresh and seasonal, I loved the green peas and asparagus side that I ordered to go with my Fish & Chips (£14).
My lunch companion opted for the Roasted Hake with braised chorizo and lentils (£17.50) which she proclaimed to be excellent.
For starters we had had a tasty Charred Octopus and Jersey potato dish(£8.00) along with Buttermilk Fried Chicken (£5.50), both of which we polished off fairly quickly.
There is a short and sweet dessert list as well as a British cheese board (£9.00) for afters.
A lovely spot for a meal or light snack and as a Londoner good to know that I don’t have to bring a soggy sandwich from Pret the next time I want to spend a sunny afternoon in the park.
I was invited as a guest of Inn the Park.