Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay at 22 Bishopsgate: Is It Worth the Hype?
Visiting Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, is it worth the hype? Let’s find out!
A few weeks before our trip to London, we finished watching Being Gordon Ramsay on Netflix.
If you haven’t seen it, a big part of the series follows Ramsay as he takes on one of the biggest projects of his career: opening multiple restaurants inside 22 Bishopsgate, one of the tallest buildings in London. As soon as we finished the series, Lucky Cat went straight onto our list.
The timing couldn’t have worked out much better.
Not long after finishing the show, we found ourselves in London with a reservation booked at Lucky Cat and a chance to see the project we’d just watched come together on screen.
As somebody who spent more than 15 years working professionally as a chef, I’m always interested in checking out restaurants that generate this much attention. But I also love experiences that become part of the trip itself, and Lucky Cat seemed to check both boxes.
What started as a dinner reservation quickly turned into one of the most memorable evenings of our time in London.
Between the views overlooking Tower Bridge, a few great cocktails, some standout dishes, and nearly three hours spent soaking it all in, this was much more than just another meal.
Here’s how the entire experience unfolded.
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What Is Lucky Cat at 22 Bishopsgate?
Lucky Cat is Gordon Ramsay’s Asian-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar located high above the London skyline inside 22 Bishopsgate, one of the tallest buildings in the city.
Inspired by Tokyo’s vibrant late-night dining scene, Lucky Cat focuses on small plates, sushi, robata-grilled dishes, creative cocktails, and a lively atmosphere. But what makes this location particularly special isn’t just the food—it’s where it’s located.
Sitting roughly 60 floors above London, Lucky Cat offers some of the most impressive restaurant views in the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows surround the dining room, creating a dining experience that feels just as much about the skyline as it does the menu.
What many visitors don’t realize is that Lucky Cat is only one part of Gordon Ramsay’s ambitious restaurant venture inside 22 Bishopsgate. The building is home to four unique Ramsay concepts, all operating within the same vertical destination.
👉 Lucky Cat
The headline attraction for many visitors, Lucky Cat combines Asian-inspired cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and panoramic views of London. It’s energetic, stylish, and designed to be as much of an experience as it is a restaurant.
👉 Bread Street Kitchen & Bar
Located on the floor below, Bread Street Kitchen & Bar offers a more casual dining experience featuring many of Gordon Ramsay’s signature dishes. It’s also the first restaurant guests encounter on their journey up the tower and serves as an introduction to the wider dining complex.
👉 Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High
For those looking for something even more exclusive, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High offers an intimate chef’s table experience with just a handful of seats. Guests can watch the chefs prepare each course while enjoying one of the most elevated fine dining experiences in London.
👉 Gordon Ramsay Academy
Rounding out the collection is the Gordon Ramsay Academy, the highest cookery school in Europe. The space hosts cooking classes, demonstrations, corporate events, and hands-on culinary experiences for guests looking to learn directly from Ramsay’s team.
After watching Being Gordon Ramsay, seeing all of these concepts brought together inside a single building made the experience even more interesting. What started as curiosity from the Netflix series quickly turned into one of the stops we were most excited about during our time in London.
Arriving at 22 Bishopsgate
If you’re planning on dining at Lucky Cat, I would highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time. We booked ours online for 5:30 PM and even requested a window table, although we weren’t sure if that request would actually happen.
The experience starts long before you ever see the restaurant.
Walking up to 22 Bishopsgate, the building itself is impressive. Massive glass windows stretch skyward, and as you approach the entrance, you’ll notice signage for the different Gordon Ramsay venues located throughout the tower.
After passing through the turnstile entrance, we were greeted by staff and directed toward the elevators. The whole experience felt surprisingly different from what I expected. Instead of feeling like we were heading to a restaurant, it almost felt like we were entering an upscale private club or rooftop lounge.
The journey to Lucky Cat is part of the experience.
First, we made our way up to the level where Bread Street Kitchen is located. Before even reaching our destination, we were already treated to incredible views overlooking London through the floor-to-ceiling windows. It was one of those moments where you stop for a second and realize this is going to be a special evening.
From there, another elevator took us higher to Lucky Cat.
As soon as the doors opened, the atmosphere changed.
The space felt energetic, polished, and upscale without being stuffy. High ceilings, beautifully dressed staff, a busy cocktail bar, and windows wrapping around the entire room immediately made it clear why this restaurant has become one of the most talked-about dining experiences in London.
First Impressions of Lucky Cat
We had a 5:30 PM reservation and requested a window table when booking. After checking in, the staff asked us to enjoy the bar for a few minutes while they prepared our table, which gave us the perfect opportunity to settle in with our first cocktail and take in the space.
The first thing that stood out was the atmosphere.
Lucky Cat feels upscale the moment you walk in, but not in an intimidating way. The ceilings are incredibly high, floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around the restaurant, and the energy throughout the room feels lively without being overwhelming. The staff were polished and professional, yet approachable at the same time.
One thing that surprised me was how relaxed the dress code seemed to be. We had dressed up for the evening, expecting most guests to be doing the same, but there was actually a wide mix of styles throughout the restaurant. Some people were celebrating special occasions, while others looked like they had simply come straight from a day exploring London. Somehow it all worked.
🍽️ The View Is Half the Experience
After a short wait, we were escorted to our table, and honestly, we couldn’t have asked for a better seat.
We were seated directly overlooking Tower Bridge with clear views stretching across London toward The Shard. Add in a rare afternoon of partly sunny skies, and the timing couldn’t have been better.
As great as the food is, the reality is that the view plays a huge role in the overall experience. You’re not just paying for what’s on the plate. You’re dining nearly 60 floors above London in one of the city’s most unique dining rooms.
Every time a new cocktail arrived or another course hit the table, I found myself looking back out the window. It’s one of those views that never really gets old.
🍽️ The Food & Drinks
As someone who spent more than 15 years working in professional kitchens, I tend to look at restaurants a little differently than the average diner.
We started with the marinated cucumbers, which were refreshing and well executed, although not necessarily something I’d go out of my way to order again.
The biggest surprise of the night was Gordon’s GFC Chicken. Crispy, flavorful, perfectly cooked, and packed with flavor, this ended up being my favorite dish of the evening. If you’re only ordering a few things, this is the one dish I wouldn’t skip. Easy 10/10.
The smoked mackerel was another standout, both for presentation and flavor. Arriving beneath a smoke-filled cloche, the reveal alone was impressive. Once the lid was lifted, the aroma immediately hit the table before the dish was finished with a syrup poured tableside. The fish itself was incredibly light, delicate, and far less fishy than many people would expect from mackerel.
We also ordered the Wagyu gyoza, which were crispy, rich, and very enjoyable, although not quite as memorable as some of the other dishes. To finish the savory portion of the meal, we shared a salmon dish that was cooked beautifully with crisp skin and a moist interior.
The cocktails were a bit of a mixed bag for us. My girlfriend decided to splurge on the Vetustini, one of the signature offerings from the Rare Cocktails menu. Made with mezcal, sakura vermouth, and Japanese shiso bitters, it certainly sounded impressive and carried a $43 price tag to match. While it was an interesting drink and beautifully crafted, we both agreed it didn’t quite live up to the premium price.
I had much better luck with my cocktail. I can’t remember exactly which one I ordered, but it leaned sweeter with a thick foam layered across the top and ended up being both of our favorite of the two. After a few sips, my girlfriend admitted she probably should have ordered mine instead.
We finished everything off with a selection of truffles. Nicely executed, enjoyable, and a good way to end the meal, even if they weren’t the highlight of the night.
Final Thoughts: Is Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay Worth It?
For us, the answer is yes.
That said, it’s important to understand what you’re actually paying for.
As someone who spent more than 15 years working professionally as a chef, I know there will always be people who compare a meal like this purely on food value alone. If your goal is simply to find the best food-to-dollar ratio in London, there are plenty of excellent restaurants where you can spend significantly less money.
Lucky Cat isn’t really trying to compete in that category.
You’re paying for the entire experience: the location inside 22 Bishopsgate, the views overlooking Tower Bridge and the London skyline, the atmosphere, the service, the cocktails, and the fact that you’re dining in one of the most unique restaurant spaces in the city.
The food was very good, with a few standout dishes that I’d happily order again, especially Gordon’s GFC Chicken and the smoked mackerel. The cocktails were mostly excellent, the staff were attentive without being overbearing, and the overall atmosphere struck a great balance between upscale and approachable.
By the end of the evening, we had spent about two and a half hours at Lucky Cat and even stayed afterward for a few more cocktails because neither of us was in a hurry to leave. Between the views, the energy of the room, and the overall experience, it ended up being one of the most memorable dinners of our London trip.
I think Lucky Cat is best suited for Gordon Ramsay fans, couples, food lovers, special occasions, and first-time visitors looking for a memorable night out in London. If you’re a fan of Being Gordon Ramsay, there’s also something genuinely cool about experiencing a project you’ve watched come together on screen.
Overall, I’d happily return.
Final Rating: 8.5/10
- Food: 8.5/10
- Service: 9/10
- Atmosphere: 10/10
- Views: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Would I spend $400 for two people every week? Probably not.
Would I do it again on a future trip to London?
Absolutely.
