Duck & Rice Battersea Power Station

There’s something especially satisfying about eating somewhere that knows exactly what it’s doing – and The Duck & Rice, newly landed in Battersea Power Station, is just that. It’s a proper decent spot: stylish but relaxed, confident without being showy, and the sort of place that feels as good for a casual bite as it does for a longer, shared dinner.

The setting alone helps. With the towering backdrop of the Power Station – that grand, industrial shell now buzzing with restaurants, bars and shops – it feels like a new corner of London has properly arrived. Inside, the space hums with warmth and a steady rhythm of cocktails being poured, dumplings landing on tables, and the kind of service that keeps everything moving without ever feeling rushed.

As you’d expect from the name, duck is the main attraction, and it’s not just good, it’s very good. The Cantonese Roast Duck is a showpiece: crisp skin, rich meat, and that sweet-savoury glaze that clings just enough. It’s served with jasmine rice and cucumber, a classic setup, and executed beautifully. No gimmicks, just the kind of comfort food you could happily eat weekly.

But the rest of the menu more than holds its own. We tried a good spread, a plate of octopus dumplings that were soft and juicy, some lightly battered soft-shell crab that had that perfect balance of crunch and spice, and a bold, punchy tartare with just the right amount of chilli kick. It’s the kind of cooking that feels well-travelled and broad in its influences without trying to be everything at once. There’s a real confidence in keeping the flavours clean and letting the ingredients shine.

And then, the cocktails. Generous pours, bright and playful combinations, the sort of drinks you take a sip of, and think, “Yes, we’ll have another.” The lychee martini in particular was a standout, not too sweet, plenty of body, and just enough sharpness to cut through the richness of the dishes. It’s easy to make a cocktail list look good on paper; it’s harder to make one that actually delivers in the glass. Here, they do both.

The whole experience has a rhythm to it. Dishes come out steadily, everything arrives hot, and you never feel like you’re waiting or being hurried. The staff strike that nice middle ground, informed, upbeat, and happy to offer a steer if you want one, but otherwise happy to let you get on with your evening.

What makes it all work is the setting. Battersea Power Station feels alive these days, a bit like Shoreditch felt five years ago. And within that, The Duck & Rice fits perfectly: a lively, flavoursome restaurant with a point of view and a menu to match. It’s the kind of place that gets under your skin, not because it’s trying to reinvent the wheel, but because it’s doing what it does really well.

Find out more > www.theduckandrice.com/battersea