Restaurant News is sponsored by The Kitchen Porters Club
Chef Jimmy Garcia is celebrating 10 years of cooking on London’s South Bank with the launch of an exciting new rotisserie concept, Rotate by Jimmy, opening Thursday 23 April. The launch coincides with the Southbank Centre’s own 75th anniversary, making it a moment of double celebration on the Thames.
A decade after first firing up the grills on the riverside with the much-loved Jimmy’s BBQ Club, Garcia is taking a bold new direction with a concept centred around the comforting theatre of rotisserie cooking. At Rotate, whole chickens turn slowly, roasting to a deep golden colour while filling the riverside terrace with the unmistakable aroma of crispy skin and rich, savoury juices. The rotisserie takes centre stage, allowing passers-by and diners alike to watch the cooking unfold.
The venue itself has also been thoughtfully redesigned for this new chapter, ensuring every table enjoys uninterrupted views across the River Thames. With the open rotisserie at its heart, the space maintains the relaxed riverside charm that Jimmy’s BBQ Club has become known for.
Rotate by Jimmy celebrates the simple pleasure of great rotisserie cooking, exceptional British produce and bold, house-made flavours. At the centre of the menu is perfectly roasted rotisserie chicken, carved to order and served by the quarter, half or whole bird, with crisp golden skin and juicy meat seasoned to highlight the quality of the ingredients.
Alongside the signature chicken are dishes such as the Caesar Chicken Bap and ‘The Wingman’ – charred cauliflower with lemon and herbs, offering a flavour-packed vegan option.
The menu is designed for sharing, with guests able to customise their feast with a range of vibrant dips including house smoky BBQ, buffalo-style sauce, salsa verde made with herbs from the London Herb Company, and a rich blue cheese dip made with Oxford Blue, alongside proper gravy.
Sides celebrate standout seasonal British produce. Guests can choose from chicken-dripping potatoes made with British Pink Fir potatoes, truffle fries finished with Old Winchester cheese, classic skin-on fries, charred corn ribs with lime and chilli salt, crisp coleslaw, and a heritage tomato and basil salad made using Nutbourne Nursery tomatoes. Freshly baked focaccia with The London Honey Company butter complete the spread.
Jimmy Garcia, founder of Jimmy’s Pop Up, said:
“Great food begins with exceptional ingredients. At Rotate, we champion the brilliant British produce we know and trust — serving rotisserie chicken, bold flavours and generous plates made for sharing and bringing people together.”
The brand-new layout means every table now enjoys a fantastic riverside view, making it the perfect setting for long lunches, sunset dinners and relaxed drinks with friends. The covered, weather-proof cabana offers bookable tables for up to six guests on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, allowing diners to enjoy the riverside atmosphere whatever the weather.
Jimmy’s riverside venue offers a wide drinks selection, including house cocktails and wines, perfect for summer drinking by the Thames.
Since opening in 2015, Jimmy’s BBQ Club has become a Southbank Centre favourite, known for its relaxed riverside atmosphere, extensive drinks offering and commitment to championing exceptional British suppliers. Now, as Garcia celebrates a decade on the South Bank, the launch of Rotate by Jimmy marks an exciting new chapter with a more accessible, all-day concept centred on simple food done brilliantly well.
With the Southbank Centre celebrating 75 years as one of London’s most iconic cultural destinations, the new opening offers yet another reason for Londoners and visitors alike to gather by the river.
Restaurant News is sponsored by The Kitchen Porters Club
