If you still have energy after arrival, begin at The Shard in London Bridge / Southwark for classic first glimpse of London after dark. The viewing galleries usually run into the evening, and a ticket is often around £28–£38 if booked ahead. Go up first if you want the big-city orientation: the Thames, Tower Bridge, the City lights, and the sweep toward Canary Wharf all make the neighborhood feel instantly legible. From here, it’s only a short, easy walk down toward the river and the market streets below.
If Borough Market is still open when you arrive, do a quick wander through the edges rather than trying to “do” it properly tonight. Evening hours vary by stall, and many vendors wind down early, but the atmosphere around Borough High Street and the market arches is still worth seeing. For dinner, head back to Hutong inside The Shard for the full dramatic finish: book ahead, dress smart-casual, and expect roughly £60–£90 per person. The food leans Northern Chinese, with plenty of strong, spicy dishes that suit a long travel day, and the views make it feel like a proper arrival-night splurge rather than just a meal.
After dinner, keep the pace gentle and walk over to Southwark Cathedral, which is usually open until early evening but is still worth pausing by even if you only catch the exterior at night. It’s one of those places that gives Southwark its older, calmer character just a few minutes from the glass-and-steel showpiece above. If you want to stretch the evening a little more, this whole area is very walkable, with easy Tube and National Rail connections from London Bridge station back to most central hotels—ideal for an unhurried first night.