A familiar fixture of London’s riverside dining scene is entering a new chapter this spring, as chef Jimmy Garcia marks a decade on the South Bank with the launch of a fresh concept, Rotate by Jimmy. Opening on 23 April, the new venture coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Southbank Centre, creating a moment of shared celebration along the Thames.
Ten years on from the debut of his much-loved Jimmy’s BBQ Club, Garcia is shifting gears with a concept that places rotisserie cooking centre stage. Where open grills once defined the experience, Rotate introduces a slower, more theatrical approach. Whole chickens turn steadily over heat, their skins crisping to a deep golden hue while aromas of roasting meat and herbs drift across the riverside terrace.
It is a style of cooking that feels both nostalgic and quietly dramatic. The rotisserie, positioned at the heart of the space, invites diners and passers-by alike to pause and watch as each bird cooks evenly on its axis. In a city where open kitchens have become commonplace, this back-to-basics spectacle offers something refreshingly elemental.
The venue itself has been thoughtfully reimagined to suit the new concept. While it retains the relaxed charm that made Jimmy’s BBQ Club a staple of South Bank summers, the redesign ensures uninterrupted views across the river from every table. The result is a setting that balances comfort with occasion — equally suited to long, lazy lunches as it is to early evening suppers as the sun dips behind the skyline.
At the core of the menu is rotisserie chicken done with precision and restraint. Birds are roasted slowly, allowing the skin to crisp while the meat remains tender and juicy. Served by the quarter, half or whole, each portion is carved to order and seasoned to highlight the quality of the produce rather than overwhelm it.
Garcia’s long-standing commitment to British suppliers remains evident throughout. The menu leans heavily on seasonal ingredients and regional specialities, reinforcing a philosophy that has underpinned his work on the South Bank for the past decade. “Great food begins with exceptional ingredients,” Garcia says, describing a vision built on trust in producers and a focus on flavour-led simplicity.
Alongside the signature chicken, the offering expands into a selection of playful, shareable dishes. The Caesar Chicken Bap delivers a more casual take on a classic combination, while ‘The Wingman’ — a charred cauliflower dish finished with lemon and herbs — provides a robust vegan alternative that holds its own against the richer meat options.
A range of house-made dips encourages diners to customise their meal. Smoky barbecue and buffalo-style sauces sit alongside a herbaceous salsa verde, made using ingredients sourced from London Herb Company. There is also a rich blue cheese dip featuring Oxford Blue, as well as the ever-essential gravy — a nod to the comforting, familiar flavours at the heart of the concept.
Sides are treated with equal care, showcasing standout British produce. Chicken-dripping potatoes made with Pink Fir varieties offer a deeply savoury indulgence, while truffle fries finished with Old Winchester cheese add a sharp, nutty edge. Elsewhere, charred corn ribs with lime and chilli salt bring brightness, and a heritage tomato and basil salad highlights the quality of fruit grown by Nutbourne Nursery.
Even the finishing touches speak to the attention to detail. Freshly baked focaccia is served with butter from The London Honey Company, offering a subtle sweetness that rounds out the meal.
The new layout also introduces a covered, weather-proof cabana area, with bookable tables for small groups over the weekend. Designed to extend the riverside experience beyond the constraints of the British climate, it ensures that dining at Rotate remains an option whatever the forecast.
Drinks, too, play their part. A curated selection of wines and house cocktails complements the menu, reinforcing the venue’s appeal as a destination for relaxed, sociable dining by the water.
Since its launch in 2015, Jimmy’s BBQ Club has become synonymous with summer on the South Bank — a place defined by its easygoing atmosphere and focus on good food shared among friends. With Rotate, Garcia retains that spirit while introducing a more accessible, all-day format that reflects changing dining habits.
The timing feels particularly apt. As the Southbank Centre celebrates its 75th year as one of the capital’s most recognisable cultural institutions, Rotate adds a new dimension to its riverside offering. For Londoners and visitors alike, it presents another reason to linger by the Thames — drawn not just by the view, but by the slow, hypnotic turn of the rotisserie and the promise of something simple done exceptionally well.