A guide to Top Dining Experiences in London
A guide to Top Dining Experiences in London
As one of the culinary capitals of the world, it goes without saying that London is home to all sorts of fantastic foodie experiences.
Sink your teeth into some of the capital's quirkiest, craziest and most lavish places to eat with the help of our handy guide.
Immersive Dining
Try something outlandish and fun at one of London's unique immersive dining restaurants. Indulge in a bit of late-night debauchery and fun, watch incredible acrobatic and dancing displays or head back in time to the Roaring Twenties at a Gatsby-style party.
THE CANDLELIGHT CLUB
Grab your mink scarf and finest flapper dress for a night of rollicking fun at this award-winning, Gatsby-style speakeasy. Enjoy a candlelit dinner, vintage cocktails and a mix of cabaret and live Jazz bands as you're transported back in time to the Roaring Twenties.
BUNGA BUNGA
This raucous Italian restaurant draws inspiration from the scandalous and salacious antics of Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's own hedonistic Hugh Hefner and former Prime Minister. Bold, brash and brassy - just like the man himself - sit back and enjoy the show at this mad-cap venue, serving up metre-long pizzas, late-night karaoke and live entertainment well into the early hours. Berlusconi would be proud.
Dans le Noir?
The poster boy of London’s quirky, alternative dining scene, this restaurant’s unique, zero-lighting dining adventure has forever changed both the way we experience and share our food. You'll be dining in pitch darkness, hosted and served by an attentive staff of visually impaired people.
CIRCUS
This pan-Asian restaurant in Covent Garden doesn’t need much of an introduction – the name says it all! Circus provides excellent food alongside fascinating circus-themed cabaret acts, from trapeze artists and hoop dancers to contortionists. It also has a fantastic range of unique cocktails that suit any palate.
Quirky Eateries
When the world of classic cuisine, confusing wine menus and freshly pressed tablecloths starts to seem a bit dreary, pay a visit to one of London's quirkier venues for a dining experience you will never forget.
UNDERGROUND SUPPER CLUB
The London Underground is synonymous with London, an icon of the city and the lifeblood of the sprawling metropolis that is the British capital. Enjoy a delicious six-course tasting menu hosted in a repurposed old tube train for an experience you certainly won't forget.
LA BODEGA NEGRA
Accessed via a sex shop, a hooded mannequin wearing a PVC suit greets you as you descend the stairs into this racy, dungeon-cum-quirky Mexican restaurant. Expect to find all the usual hearty Mexican fare on the menu; tostadas, tacos, quesadillas, pork belly and more, all garnished with typical spices and chilli.
ATTENDANT
Located in heart of Fitzrovia, Attendant occupies one of London's most interesting locations for a spot of brunch. This former Victorian men's bathroom, originally built in 1890 and closed in 1960, has been reopened and lovingly restored to become one of the capital's quirkiest venues to grab a bite to eat.
ARCHIPELAGO
If the quirky interior décor that includes dwarf palm trees, giant peacock feathers and golden Buddhas isn't enough to convince you of its quirky credentials, then you clearly haven't seen the menu. Smoked python carpaccio, crocodile wrapped in vine leaves, pan-fried chermoula crickets and jerked alpaca are all staples of a rather eclectic but delicious menu.
Dinner with a View
What better way to enjoy your meal than with incredible views of one of the world's most beautiful cities? Enjoy fantastic views of the London cityscape at these sky-high restaurants.
FENCHURCH RESTAURANT
Situated at the top of the famous 'Walkie Talkie Building' in Central London amidst the tranquil surroundings of the capital's highest public garden, the tables at Fenchurch Restaurant are some of the hottest in town. Attracting discerning diners from every corner of the city, the contemporary British menu on offer at this double-rosette restaurant is the only thing that can distract you from some of the best views found anywhere in London.
GLASS ROOM
Cruise down the River Thames on London's own 'floating Negroni bar' as you soak in the incredible views while dining on a deliciously contemporary menu. Along the way, you'll pass iconic sights and historical landmarks such as 'Big Ben', the London Eye and the Tower of London, to name just a few.
AQUA SHARD
Located on the 31st floor of The Shard, Western Europe's tallest skyscraper, this low-lit, the trendy restaurant affords diners an incredible 360-degree view of the city and houses a spectacular three-storey glass atrium bar.
DECADENT DINING
Dining isn't always about what's on your plate - sometimes it's about champagne, chandeliers, glitz and glamour and feeling like a VIP for a few hours. Make sure you head out to these swanky London venues with an empty stomach - and a wallet full of cash.
AFTERNOON TEA AT THE RITZ
Nothing says glamour and glitz quite like afternoon tea at The Ritz, one of London's most luxurious 5-star hotels. Enjoy the best afternoon tea in the capital, where you can choose from a selection of 18 loose-leaf teas and indulge in a selection of finely cut sandwiches and freshly baked scones slathered in clotted cream and fruit preserves.
BOB BOB RICARD
Each of the tables in this glamorous Soho restaurant has a "press for champagne" button to keep the bubbles flowing while you dine on a dizzying array of British-Russian dishes in glamorous art-deco surroundings. Just be careful not to slip and accidentally press the booze button too many times.
DINNER BY HESTON BLUMENTHAL
This two Michelin-star restaurant is consistently voted one of the best restaurants in the world, with good reason. The brainchild of its namesake celebrity chef, Heston Blumenthal, the decadent menu taps into historical English recipes with striking results. You'll find a cacophony of medieval recipes on the menu that have been revived with a modern twist; salamagundy, frumety and taffety tart, to name just a few.
SKETCH GALLERY
For Michelin-starred haute cuisine served in some of London's most eclectic, Instagrammable surroundings, this fabulous restaurant in the swanky Mayfair is hard to beat. Each room at sketch is more outrageously decorated than the last, from the velvet-clad dandy-esque fuschia gallery to the fabulously floral mythical forest theme found in the glade, the décor alone is worth the hefty menu prices.
If you'd rather try Michelin Chef-made dishes, don't miss our guide to the best affordable Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK. For afternoon tea, discover our selection of mouth-watering experiences - whether it's a river cruise or a five-star hotel, there's an afternoon tea for everyone to enjoy.