The View from The Shard & Italian Lunch: Is It Worth It?

Okay, so you’re perhaps thinking about visiting The Shard, right? And then you also notice that there’s this option of a fast-track entry coupled with a lunch at Signor Sassi. It looks quite appealing, I suppose, a way to skip those crazy queues and eat at what appears, seemingly, to be a decent Italian spot. That’s what I thought too. I decided to check it out to tell you how it goes. So, here’s what you may want to think about.

Fast Track Entry: Beating the Crowds?

One of the biggest selling points here is this ‘fast track’ element. Look, if you’ve ever been to any main attraction in London, it’s almost certain that you’ve faced queues that feel like they could be a solid part of some elaborate endurance test. So, the thought of bypassing them is, very understandably, something people are excited about. Does this really work at The Shard? Mostly, yes, it really does. Your line might, arguably, be shorter, yet security checks are the same for everybody, so you aren’t completely jumping the line entirely.

The real bonus is actually the time saved booking a specific slot in advance. You, sort of, waltz up at your time, skip the ticket-buying queue and head, basically, almost straight to security. Still, on a particularly hectic day, just a little queue might still snake around, yet it’s typically quicker than waiting, perhaps, like what I imagine would be the experience if you didn’t get the “fast track” ticket.

Lunch at Signor Sassi: A Taste of Italy?

Signor Sassi has somewhat of a reputation. This place, supposedly, serves the celebrities a lot. It presents an experience of proper fine dining. The package includes a set menu, more or less, tailored, that, you know, offers a few dishes. This menu aims for variety to keep things interesting for anyone. Anyway, the food? It’s pretty good. Actually, you might find dishes that taste as you may hope them to, although it might not be like one of the very best meals you’ve had.

The atmosphere at Signor Sassi tends to be buzzy. The restaurant itself can be slightly snug, I mean seating wise. It feels full. It’s lively, almost like your typical hectic, high-end restaurant. The staff usually are, by the way, attentive. It’s almost certain that they know their stuff. You won’t be left looking for anyone. The overall feel is premium, seemingly, which fits well with The Shard experience.

The View Itself: Is It Worth the Hype?

Now, what’s important, really: the view. Listen, I might say London from above is wonderful, maybe you will enjoy. Spotting landmarks such as the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London is also kind of fun, by the way. So, go to The Shard on a very clear day. You might just want to check the weather forecast ahead of time to confirm it! That is the best thing to do, frankly.

There actually are different levels at the viewing platform. So, you might as well just go all the way up to the highest level for the very best panoramic experience, or so you should. The open-air platform actually gives a different feel to the enclosed levels lower down; just something for you to think about when visiting.

Value for Money: Weighing the Costs

Right, let’s talk, seemingly, about money. I mean, the ticket package for The View and Signor Sassi isn’t what you would probably consider cheap. So, here’s a breakdown. You have to think of it almost as a purchase. This buys you an elevated viewing experience coupled with some form of a higher end lunch. Is it actually better value to get tickets to The Shard and just pay, literally, separately, at another restaurant? It probably depends. I can certainly tell you that some places that do a great Italian aren’t very pricey!

So, think about whether you are mostly aiming to make the day simple. Basically, by packaging it all into one go, or if you would not mind sourcing deals to save. Think of it as convenience versus cost, or something similar. That may just help when it comes to weighing this option up!

So, should you go ahead and treat yourself? Okay, in my eyes it’s something to experience if you are looking, basically, for a fuss-free way of blending tourism and restaurant dining at a premium level. If you want to save every pound, look at other options. It would be something to remember. However, there can be cheaper and slightly similar experiences. So, have fun with whatever you pick!

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