The Arrival

I decided to visit the Ivy Asia Restaurant near St Paul’s in London. It’s located at 20 New Change, City of London, London EC4M 9AG. There aren’t many signs pointing to it, but you’ll know you’re in the right spot when you see a queue outside. I’d booked a table two weeks in advance since it’s a pretty popular spot. I didn’t check the menu beforehand as I prefer the surprise element when I walk into a place.

When I entered the lobby, I had to admit it felt more like stepping into a nightclub than a restaurant. The decor was absolutely stunning—lots of stylish touches and a really cool vibe. You queue up, hand your coat over, and then a host leads you upstairs to the restaurant.

The Sit Down

It’s an experience just getting to your table—mirrored walls, dim lights, and that dramatic atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re in for something special. I remember thinking, “Ah, this is what I’m paying for.”

I was seated at a table with a lovely view of St Paul’s Cathedral. There were so many photo opportunities, and trust me, it was tempting to take loads—but I kept it low-key, not wanting to disturb the other diners by snapping away.

There’s also a separate bar area, which was just as busy and buzzing with energy.

The Food

Once I was seated and comfortable, I took a look at the menu and went straight to the vegetarian options. I’m sure the meat and fish dishes were great too, but since I don’t eat either, I didn’t really pay them much attention. If you’re curious, you can check out the full menu on their website beforehand.

For my starter, I went with the King Oyster & Shiitake Gyoza – £10.95, and also added Crispy Wontons – £5.95(because why not?). For the main, I chose the Keralan Chickpea & Shishito Pepper Curry – £19.50. The other veggie option was the Wok Fried Salt & Pepper Tofu, which sounded good, but I had to go with what I was craving in the moment.

I would have liked to see more vegetarian options, but I can’t really complain. It can be tricky for restaurants to offer loads of veggie dishes if they’re not top-sellers—but I was genuinely happy with what I ordered. The waiters here are super attentive, and honestly, there are so many staff on hand I don’t think you ever need to try and flag someone down—they’re already one step ahead of you!

The gyozas were really tasty—packed with flavour and actually a pretty generous portion too. A good start. The curry was nice, but I felt like it could’ve had a bit more depth. It didn’t quite have that wow factor, if that makes sense. Still enjoyable though, just not mind-blowing.

Once I’d finished, I fancied something sweet. Just a heads-up—ask your waiter for the separate dessert menu, as it’s not included with the mains. I had a browse and there were plenty of tempting options. I was still a little peckish, so I went for the Warm Passionfruit & Coconut Doughnuts – £9.25 and the Sake Barrel (Vanilla Crème Brûlée) – £9.25.

Both arrived fairly quickly, and I have to say—the Sake Barrel is the one you want for Instagram.

The doughnuts were actually a bit too much for me—having two or three would’ve been more than enough. They’re definitely the kind of dessert that’s perfect for sharing. But all in all, both desserts were solid. In my opinion, the best dish I had was definitely the gyozas. Would happily come back just for those.

The Departure

It was getting dark outside, which made the view of St Paul’s even more stunning. I’d definitely recommend booking a table just before sunset so you get to enjoy both day and night views. When the waiter came over, I asked to settle the bill — just a heads up, they do add a service charge automatically. I think you can ask for it to be removed, but that’s not really something I tend to do.

Before heading out, I popped to the bathroom. I always feel like fancy restaurants have great toilets, and this one didn’t disappoint. It was dimly lit, very on-theme, and yes — there’s a spooky-looking statue staring at you in the urinal. Definitely worth checking out before you leave!

All in all, I really enjoyed the Ivy Asia experience. It’s definitely one of those places where the atmosphere, decor, and views all come together to make it more than just dinner. Would I go back? Yeah, for sure — especially for the gyozas and that view of St Paul’s.

Thank you for reading! I’m still learning when it comes to taking photos and writing about my experiences, but I hope sharing my thoughts and tips helps even a little. Hopefully, it’ll only get better from here 🙂