If you’re around London Bridge and feeling hungry, Smashing Plates is a nice option. The cuisine nods to the land of Greece, and so does the décor.

What’s on the menu at Smashing Plates?

You have a choice between gyros (cut from the vertical rotisserie) and souvlakis (skewers). The souvlakis are made with chicken and the gyros from either chicken or pork. There are 3 vegetarian options, two of which are plant-based: halloumi, falafels and flavoured soy chunks. I’m assuming “plant-based”, which is how it’s labelled on the menu, means vegan? Though if that’s important to you, I’d definitely double-check.

You can choose a wrap or a plate, with or without fries, and add a selection of sides: fries, halloumi fries, falafels, or go for the lighter option of Greek salad or crunchy slaw.

And they have desserts, too: a suitably Mediterranean baklava, a classic chocolate brownie and what they call pitanuts – like a doughnut, but made with pita bread, an interesting idea for sure.

The décor is nicely industrial chic, as befits a location underneath a train station, with neon lights and walls of raw concrete and raw bricks (and white tiles in the open kitchen). The terrazzo table tops (real terrazzo, too) add a bit of warmth. The wire chairs are more comfortable than they look.

Thoughts on the Plant-based Gyros Loaded Greek Salad

Haha, plant-based gyros loaded Greek salad, try saying that 6 times fast! Anyway, it was nice. The “meat” (ie soya chunks) was well flavoured and nicely chewy, the slaw was pleasantly crunchy, and the salad had some juicy black olives and capers in it that went a long way to make it tasty. Big portion, too.

I had some sort of sour apple and cherry (or was it apple and sour cherries?) fizzy drink to wash it down, very refreshing, though I have my doubts about the claim on the can that it counted for 1 of my 5-a-day.

Plus, service was very fast and friendly.

All in all, a nice place for a quick refuelling stop.

Where to go from there?

From London Bridge, you can jump on a train and be in Croydon in under 15 minutes. There’s plenty to explore in Croydon! Or go north to Farringdon, only 2 stops away, and discover the museum devoted to the history of the Order of St John, which is fascinating.

Or take the Northern line to Elephant & Castle and stock up on herbal remedies in Baldwin’s and thrift some treasures in Shop from Crisis. Or you could keep going until Morden and visit Morden Hall Park, one of the most wonderful parks in South London. Don’t want to go that far? Get off at Oval. A few minutes walk will take you to Bonnington Square Pleasure Garden, a hidden gem if ever there was one. Stock up on Italian delicacies at Italo Deli while you’re there.

If you prefer books, hop on the Jubilee Line to Green Park, for Maison Assouline and Waterstones on Piccadilly. Or keep going, to Baker Street, and make your way to Alfie’s Antique market for some first class antique and vintage shopping.

Smashing Plates: practical Information

Address: Unit 55, London Bridge Station, 59 St Thomas St, SE1 3QX

Smashing Plates on Google Maps

Website: https://smashingplates.uk/

How to get there: the nearest tube/ train stop is London Bridge (BR, Northern Line, Jubilee Line). Either exit at the front of the station, and then turn left and go down the escalator, or go down to the station lower level (lifts are available) and use the St Thomas Street exit. With London Bridge at your back, turn left, and walk a couple of minutes until you reach Smashing Plates to your right.

Eat in? Yes | Outside seating? Yes | Take away? Yes

Toilets? Yes

Good to know: you place your order at a kiosk. The option to pay cash is available, but then you need to order through one of the staff.

Also good to know: there’s a carafe of water on a sideboard in the left-hand corner; this is presumably free (I saw it too late…).