Moroccan Sky Riad at Searcys The Gherkin

Style Points: 5/5
Price: £££
Overall: 4/5

Top floor of The Gherkin

Rising 180 metres above the city, Searcys is the UK's highest Private Members’ Club.

However for a short period of time Searcys is opening their doors to the general public and allowing us common folk to experience their summer pop-up. Located on the top floor of The Gherkin and providing impressive 360 degree views of the capital, Searcys has created a stunning Moroccan Sky Riad.

This luxurious pop-up is inspired by the Le Fondouk and Le Comptoir Darna restaurants in Marrakech, recreating an enchanting space of the souks and bazaars as well as reflecting the chic, tranquil and serene style of the riads and retreats in Marrakesh. What's more, this idyllic hideaway is elevated and sat between the sky scrappers of London!

View of London's skyline

Would I Want Seconds?

The Moroccan Sky Riad can only be booked through a series of packages. There is a cocktail package (£29) which include one cocktail and two dishes, the deluxe cocktail package (£39) which has two cocktails and three dishes or the champagne package (£40) with two Champagnes and five dishes per person.

We opted for the deluxe cocktail package and were greeted with a pre-selected cocktail, the Bgheet Neshreb made with orange marmalade, Martini rosato, black cardamom and prosecco. We also ordered Gunpower Mojito as our second drink.

We were  served three dishes as part of this package which were homemade falafel with tahini, fried calamari with harissa mayonnaise and charred lemon and Baba Ghanoush with crisp pitta. These three dishes were to share between three of us, which I found surprising as the price could have covered three dishes each. I also wondered if we would be served the same amount of food if there were only two of us, and what if there were more?

As a result we did have to order extra dishes to ensure that we were sufficiently filled. As there isn’t much of an a la carte menu we decide to go for dessert instead and ordered spiced oranges and saffron ice cream with traditional Moroccan tea. This dessert was divine due to the rich flavours making it my favourite dish from the meal.

Bgheet Neshreb

Rum Mojito

Calamari

Falafel

Falafel with the setting sun

Could I Afford Seconds?

Although we had to order more food to sustain us, the prices here do not lend to over ordering. Additional side dishes cost approximately £8 and £16 for main the course dishes which include chicken tagine with couscous and a sardine open sandwich.

All cocktails are £11 and tea pots are approximately £4.50 per pot.

Overall? 4/5

As the sun set over my home city I fell truly in love with London again. I would go as far as to say that the views from Searcys are better than those from the Shard or the Sky Garden, especially because The Gherkin is nestled in amongst the city's landmarks, rather than above or distant from them.

This views also made me slightly envious of those to a lucky enough to frequent this venue on a regular basis and I wondered what other delights in my city I was missing out on because of my lack of far reaching networks.

However, I am grateful for the one off chance to visit the top of The Gherkin, regardless of my half empty stomach as I left!

Website: searcysthegherkin.co.uk
Address: The Gherkin 30 St Mary Axe, London, EC3A 8EP
Closest Tube Station: Liverpool Street