Between the iconic silhouette of Tower Bridge and the skyscrapers of the City of London lies a little pocket of paradise. On a sun soaked bank of the Thames, under the shade of a palm tree you can sip away your cocktail (served by a pink flamingo) and pretend you’re somewhere infinitely more exotic.

The Ceru Pop-Up at London Riviera is running from June till October and you’d be seriously missing out if you didn’t stop by at least once. While I came here for the food – flavours of the Levant (Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon & Israel) – I’d stay here for the drinks! The cocktails were a delicious mix of flavours: from pomegranate and pineapple to ginger beer and lime. When combined with the chill out music, comfy sun loungers and idyllic view – you couldn’t find a better watering hole in London this summer to go to with your friends. Luckily I had my ever so beautiful friend Lara to act as my date for the evening!

Though the drinks and the venue starred up my eyes, it would be a big mistake not to try some of beautifully crafted dishes which are as bright and colourful as the venue itself. Dip your slice of toasted pitta into deep purple beetroot pancar, sprinkled with vivid green pistachio nuts or try my favourite dish  – the slow roasted lamb shoulder shwarma. The charcoal blackened tender meat is lightly spiced and then dashed with fresh mint, ruby red pearls of pomegranate and a shiver inducing dash of lime. The best BBQ meat I’ve had in a long time and certainly the jewel in chef Tom Kime’s crown!

To finish off your meal, why not try the honeycomb ice cream served with roast nut brittle and burnt honey caramel.

London Riviera is a taste of the tropical in what can sometimes be a rather bland and grey city. If you’re impatiently waiting for your next holiday or suffering from exotic country withdrawal symptoms like me, this is the place for you!