Docklands Diner

I’ve had 2 outings now to the Dockland Diner, and still cannot believe this kind of place still exists

Food

On the first visit, a meal of pie and chips (£5) was the deal. The pie was cooked from frozen, chips were also from a packet, and the whole thing reheated. Not much taste, but plenty of flavour. But this sort of food is exactly what you expect from a place like this. The 2nd Christmas outing was also pleasant. The Christmas meal consisted of a series of Iceland style vol-au-vents, chicken fingers and sandwiches which I didn’t really touch. The prawn cocktail had a pleasing thousand island sauce and crisp lettuce, and was a nice start to the meal. The turkey with roast potatoes, pea, carrots, Brussels sprouts and stuffing tasted like processed meat, the gravy was very salty, carrots and Brussels sprouts overcooked, stuffing bitter, however, much like the pie, exactly what you would expect. The surprise, however, was the Christmas pudding, mince pie with brandy sauce which was not too heavy in the fruit or alcohol or spices, so I was very happy.

Rating - 5.5

Atmosphere

You can’t beat it. Imagine an old style diner, football memorabilia, and add to that tacky Christmas decorations from 10 years ago, and you get the drift. Nothing in terms of style has been added, which makes the place quite charming really. It certainly helps that the clientele is mainly male, from the blue collar worker to what looks like your stockbroker.

For Christmas, we got festive table cloth, Christmas crackers, oranges and chocolate, and best of all, snow outside the window!

Rating - 2.5

Service

Resembles the atmosphere really. They call you move, and you pay via an old fashioned cash machine.

Rating - 3

C-factor

Main meals are £5, drinks are 80p, the works Christmas meal was £15.50. Bang on for your money.

Rating - 1

Brownie Points - 12

Info

76 Cannon Drive
West India Dock
London
E14 4AS
Phone +44 (0) 20 7515 7160