Piccadilly can be infuriating at the best of times. What with blase tourists blocking your path at every turn and tacky gift shops everywhere you look, knowing a good tip for a bolthole away from the madding crowds is worth its weight in gold. Often these places can be found in the most unlikely places and 5th View, located on the top floor of the Waterstone’s book shop, is one of the best places to seek refuge in the area.

The Venue
Views from London bars and restaurants can disguise a myriad of flaws and it’s a fact that a good vista doesn’t always mean that the food and drink is on the money. Thankfully, 5th View doesn’t just rely on its panoramic views across the rooftops of Piccadilly towards the South Bank. Yes, you can see the top of the London Eye, Westminster Abbey and even a line of vision that takes you down to Battersea Power Station, but they’ve also stepped up their game with the introduction of a seafood and Champagne bar, giving a space previously more associated with coffee, cake and cocktails, a whole new lease of life.

Literature lovers will be in their element: there are four floors of tomes to work your way through before you arrive up the stairwell at the food and drink level. Those not in the mood for literary distractions can zoom straight up via the lift and step out into the middle of the room. To your left there’s the ice-packed seafood bar, with less formal seating, whilst, to the right, the room opens out with the aforementioned views to the south through large expanses of glass windows. One thing that does seem a little chaotic at present is that there’s no visible reservation desk so excitable patrons rush to sit at the best vacant seats and then become crestfallen when they realise they can’t because they’re reserved.

The Atmosphere
It’s not just clued-up Londoners who sip cocktails and dine at 5th View, savvy cosmopolitan visitors are in on the gig, too. This gives the room an international feel, without it ever feeling like you’re in a tourist scrum. Book worms are also more than happy to attend on their tod and have dinner whilst reading one of Stieg Larsson’s best-sellers.

Staff, it has to be said, are a credit to their profession. Chatty, amiable and helpful – you really can’t ask more from them, even when they’re a little stretched they do their best to keep you happy.

The Food
The seafood bar prepares everything from oysters to extravagant lobster-laden platters, and if you order from here, you can expect the fish to be super-fresh. A fairly uncommon option from their list is the whole kipper (£7), but don’t discount this on the fact that it’s not as fashionable as other seafood as it’s a lovely, meltingly soft, smoked fish served on the bone. It is a little finickity to prise away from its carcass and you may even end up chomping down on some of the smaller bones but it’s still very, very tasty. A less complicated dish to eat is the fish cakes (around £8), which are packed full of mashed potato and salmon.

There isn't a huge range of mains but two dishes are highly recommended by waiting staff: the fish and chips (£14.00) and the 5th View burger (£11.50). Haddock is used for the light and delicate deep-fried fish and it arrives with thick chunky chips served in a pinched greaseproof wrapper. The fish is particularly good and is just as enjoyable as some of the best versions of the British dish you can find, something which more than justifies its inflated price tag. The burger is presented with the same chunky chips and a salsa-style dip on the side. A big, puffy, sesame-seed flecked bun covers the patty and, again, it is of a more agreeable quality in terms of ingredients, taste and flavour.

Cake is still a big deal at the 5th View and there’s a delicious carrot cake coated in a lemon drizzle icing that’s groan-inducing. It comes without any extras but you may be offered cream just to really go to town.

The Drink
Bottles of wine and beer, glasses of Champagne and expertly-prepared cocktails are all visibly enjoyed at 5th View. Herbal teas, coffees and soft drinks are also in demand. The house red wine, a Malbec-Shiraz blend from Mendoza in Argentina, is a belter and costs around a very reasonable £15.

The Last Word
The change of focus to more of a food-led offering has definitely made 5th View a destination for dining. Whether you’re on a date, taking your mum for a treat, cosying up with your latest read or simply trying to escape the hordes pounding the pavement down below, 5th View is ideal for a variety of occasions.

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