An eclectic synergy of city chic and country comfort, Imbibe’s interior is a slick homage to modern decor, whilst the outdoor garden provides a secret leafy haven.

The Venue
From Southwark tube, take a short stroll down Blackfriars Road and you can easily spy the entrance perched on the corner. A mix of seating fills the main restaurant, which is kitted out with a funky, modern décor, complete with black walls and some impressively plush white leather sofas. Emerging from the rear of this room, you arrive into an oasis of a beer garden. A flower-filled garden space with candle-filled lanterns, this is one of Imbibe’s biggest selling points and it’s a space that makes you feel totally sheltered from the outside world.

The Atmosphere
Imbibe strikes a good balance between pleasing their regulars and entertaining some high-profile clients and corporate dos. The staff are very welcoming, knowledgeable of the menu and happy to recommend items. The clientele are a mix of mates, dates, and professionals, eating, drinking and chilling out. They host a weekday quiz night and at weekends they have a late license until 2am, so you can dance the night away.

The Food
Attention has been taken to include some seasonal and sustainable produce but the key for head chef, Samuel Drakard, hailing from Gordon Ramsey schooling, is great flavours. The goat’s cheese salad (£6) is a true testament to simple food, done well. The creamy goat’s cheese is complemented by the sweet sun-blushed tomatoes and the slightly tart fig. At the other end of the spectrum, the frito de mar (£8) is a basket of lightly battered seafaring goodies. The mussels alone make this dish worth ordering, as they are huge and seriously juicy. You also get squid and tiger prawns with this dish, all accompanied by tartar sauce.

Mains are reasonably priced, and incorporate fresh ingredients, as well as ample herbs and spices, to tantalise your senses. Even a simple burger, £8 and cooked to spec, is jazzed up with a zingy relish, dubbed Leroy’s big bad relish, then served atop a rustic wooden board. The white crab linguine (£9) doesn’t disappoint either as it’s packed with delectable chunks of crab meat coated in a delicate chilli and lime sauce.

The dessert menu doesn't have the same panache as the mains, but it still offers some great home-cooked classics. A creamy vanilla crème brulee is £5, and an apple and blackberry crumble served up with clotted cream is just £3.50.

The Drink
With a name like Imbibe you expect to be impressed by the beverage selection and the drinks menu willingly obliges in the form of quirky recommendations including the cocktail of the week and guest ales. A refreshing tipple is the Gin Garden (£5.95), which muddles fresh cucumber, Hendrick’s Gin, elderflower and apple juice. The guest ale, Bonkers Conkers (£3.20), is a seasonal ale with spicy flavours and a biscuit malt, making it great for autumn. There is a decent wine list, with a highlight being the Cape Crown Chenin Blanc. With tropical aromas and hints of lemon, it’s a perfect complement to seafood.

The Last Word
Whether you visit for an afternoon tipple in the beer garden, or a cocktail prelude to a night out, Imbibe is a venue with a lot to offer. With great food and a chilled ambience, this venue ticks all the boxes.

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