The Old Fire Station (Canary Warf)

The building that houses Millwall’s The Old Fire Station restaurant was built in 1903 to replace the much older, much smaller Isle of Dogs Fire Station. Converted for mixed residential-commercial use in 2008, this handsome old building down Westferry Road is now a spot where the only fire you’re likely to encounter is either in the kitchen (staff only, please), or some of this pan-Mediterranean London restaurant’s spicier dishes. Italian, Greek, and Turkish classics, with a smattering of English standbys, make up the bulk of the menu here.

The Old Fire Station’s exterior retains the Edwardian charm of the original building, with broad windows that can be opened out to Westferry Road for al fresco dining on warmer London days. Inside, the proprietors have kept things all aglow (but not at flashpoint), with quirky ceiling decoration and a palette of royal and brick red, cosy oranges and ochres. They’re perfectly complementary colours to the Mediterranean food that’s served here:

The Isle of Dogs is a curious location in London to explore. Like a leg of ham hanging from the gleaming hook of Canary Wharf, The Isle of Dogs’ former warren of disused docklands and slum housing has given way to some remarkably considered examples of urban redevelopment. Down near the southern tip, along Westferry Road, you can still find the district of Millwall’s red brick fire station. But times change, and this venerable old building now houses a Mediterranean bar and bistro called The Old Fire Station, featuring Greek, Italian, and Turkish dishes.