Thames Lunch Cruise: Midday Dining on the River

A thames lunch cruise serves a hot 2-course meal with tea and coffee during a 105-minute sightseeing cruise from Tower Pier, passing the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, and The Shard. Here’s my honest take before you book: at EUR 62.85, it costs more than a standalone sightseeing ticket, but it replaces a restaurant stop entirely, since lunch and sightseeing happen at the same table.

I’ll go through exactly what’s served, where you board, who I think this suits best, and how it stacks up against the afternoon tea and dinner cruises on the same river.

What’s Served on the Thames Lunch Cruise?

A 2-course hot meal, typically a roasted main like herb-crusted chicken with seasonal vegetables, followed by a dessert such as lemon meringue tart, served with tea or coffee. An onboard bar sells soft and alcoholic drinks for anyone who wants something extra, and audio commentary covers the landmarks as the boat passes them.

I’d say this is the right call specifically when you want an actual hot plate of food rather than a lighter sandwiches-and-cakes spread. It’s the one midday dining option on this river built around a proper cooked meal.

How Long Does the Lunch Cruise Last, and What Do You See?

105 minutes, departing from Tower Pier and sailing past the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, and The Shard before turning back, with dessert timed to land during the return leg. Panoramic windows give every table a view, so there’s no bad seat for the sightseeing part of the trip.

I’d book this length specifically if you want more river time than the shorter afternoon tea cruise without committing to the full 3-hour evening dinner cruise.

Where Do You Board the Thames Lunch Cruise?

Tower Pier, next to the Tower of London and in view of Tower Bridge. Tower Hill is the nearest Underground station, a short walk from the pier. Since seating is allocated by table, I’d arrive in good time before departure rather than cutting it close.

Is the Thames Lunch Cruise Worth It?

Yes, if a sit-down hot meal rather than a snack is what you actually want while you sightsee. The 105 minutes on the water comes bundled into the same price as the meal, so you’re not paying separately for a restaurant and a boat ticket.

My honest read: I wouldn’t book this purely for the sightseeing value, since a standard cruise covers more ground for considerably less money. I’d book it specifically because the meal is the point, with the river as a genuine bonus on top.

How Does Lunch Compare to Afternoon Tea?

Lunch is the hot, heartier option; afternoon tea is lighter and leans toward sandwiches, scones, and cakes. My afternoon tea cruise guide covers that lighter alternative if a full hot meal isn’t what you’re after.

I’d pick lunch over afternoon tea whenever a proper cooked meal matters more to you than a sweet-leaning spread, and afternoon tea when the occasion itself matters more than the food.

How Does Lunch Compare to the Dinner Cruise?

Lunch is shorter, cheaper, and happens in the middle of the day rather than the evening. My full dinner cruise guide covers the pricier, longer evening version with live music if that’s closer to what you’re planning.

I’d book lunch over dinner if budget matters more than an evening occasion, since it covers a similarly structured meal for noticeably less money and a shorter time commitment.

Who Should Book the Thames Lunch Cruise?

Anyone who wants to combine a midday meal with sightseeing rather than squeezing lunch in around a separate boat trip, including business lunches, family outings, and visitors who prefer a hot meal over tea and cakes.

I’d book this specifically for a midday slot in your itinerary where you’d otherwise be hunting for a restaurant anyway. It solves two problems in one booking rather than one.

What’s Not Included on the Lunch Cruise?

Alcoholic drinks and hotel pickup are not included in the ticket price, though the onboard bar sells extra drinks if you want them. I’d budget a little extra if a glass of wine with lunch matters to you, since that’s an on-board purchase rather than part of the fare.

Does the Lunch Cruise Fit Easily Into a Day Trip Itinerary?

Yes, reasonably well, since 105 minutes leaves enough time afterward to visit the Tower of London or walk across Tower Bridge the same day. My guide to the river’s main boarding points covers which other cruises and sights sit near Tower Pier if you want to build a fuller afternoon around this stop.

I’d slot the lunch cruise into the early afternoon specifically, since it leaves you enough daylight afterward for a second activity nearby rather than ending your sightseeing day.

Can You Cancel if Your Plans Change?

Yes, free cancellation applies up to 3 days before departure. I’d keep that window in mind rather than booking right before your trip if your plans still have any real chance of shifting.

How Does Seating Work on the Lunch Cruise?

Seating is allocated by table in the dining saloon, and you’ll find your assigned spot once you board rather than choosing freely. Panoramic windows run along the saloon, so every table gets a genuine view of the route regardless of where you end up sitting.

I’d arrive with a few extra minutes to spare specifically because of this, since allocated seating means there’s no advantage to rushing or jostling for a particular spot once you’re aboard.

Does the Lunch Cruise Run Regardless of the Weather?

Yes, and that’s one of the real advantages of booking a dining cruise over a standard sightseeing-only ticket. Lunch is served in an enclosed saloon with panoramic windows, so a grey or showery day barely changes the experience, unlike an open-deck cruise where the weather genuinely shapes your trip.

I’d book this with confidence on a mixed forecast, since you’re not relying on clear skies and open-deck time the way you would on a cheaper standard sightseeing ticket.

Is the Lunch Cruise Good for a Business Lunch?

Yes, genuinely a solid option for it. The fixed 2-course menu, the reasonable 105-minute length, and the sit-down table service make it a workable alternative to a restaurant booking if you want a change of scenery for a client meeting or a team lunch.

I’d book this over a standard restaurant specifically when you want the meeting to feel like an occasion rather than just another lunch, though I’d skip it if your group needs to talk business privately, since tables share the open saloon with other diners rather than offering a closed room.

Is There a Group or Family Discount?

Not a standard one listed on this ticket. Pricing runs per person, so a larger party pays the per-adult rate across the board rather than unlocking an automatic bulk discount. I’d budget on that straightforward per-head basis rather than expecting a group rate to show up at checkout.

For families specifically, I’d check whether a child portion of the set menu is available at booking, since that’s a more realistic saving than hoping for a group discount that this product doesn’t appear to offer.

How Does This Fit Into a Day Near Tower Bridge?

Well, since Tower Pier sits right next to the Tower of London and within sight of Tower Bridge itself. I’d pair a morning at the Tower of London with this lunch cruise straight afterward, which keeps you in the same small area of the city rather than crossing town between activities.

I’d book an early afternoon slot specifically for this pairing, since it leaves a reasonable stretch of the afternoon free for a walk across Tower Bridge or along the South Bank once the cruise ends.

My Honest Recommendation

Book the Thames lunch cruise if a hot midday meal with a river view suits your day better than a lighter tea sitting or a pricier evening event. If you’d rather have sandwiches and cakes instead, my afternoon tea cruise guide is the better match, and for an evening occasion with live music, see the full dinner cruise guide. If you’re celebrating something specific, my special occasions guide compares all three by which actually suits a celebration best. You can see this week’s London boat tour tickets once you’ve picked your sitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s served on the Thames lunch cruise? A 2-course hot meal, typically a roasted main with seasonal vegetables and a dessert, served with tea or coffee.

How much does the Thames lunch cruise cost? It starts at EUR 62.85 per adult, checked on 2026-10-18.

How long does the Thames lunch cruise last? 105 minutes, departing from and returning to Tower Pier.

Are alcoholic drinks included? No, alcoholic drinks are available to purchase on board but aren’t included in the ticket price.

Can I cancel if my plans change? Yes, free cancellation applies up to 3 days before departure.