London has no shortage of restaurants to dine in, but you came here because you’re looking for a special and unique kind of experience. Well we have just that – a list of the best and most unique restaurants to dine in London – whether you’re interested in feeling like you’ve traveled to another world, a place to draw on the walls, a show with your dinner or a ball pit to jump in like you’re a kid, we’ve rounded up 25 of the coolest experiences:
25 Ballie Ballerson
Ballie Ballerson is like the adult version of a kids pizza party, but with dranks. The Shoreditch venue even has the giant ball pits to play in. With over a million balls, nostalgia-inducing cocktails and the best mix of RnB, disco and house beats to party to, it’s sure to be a good ol’ fun time. There’s also bottomless brunch on the weekends.
Where | 97 – 113 Curtain Road, London
Website | Instagram
24 Inca London
Proudly being the first cabaret style restaurant in the Soho/Mayfair area, Inca London has an extravagant show with a Latin flare on and off stage, to give you a truly interactive experience. The South American restaurant celebrates the culture from the food to the drinks to the performances and, of course, the vibes.
Where |8 – 9 Argyll Street, Mayfair, London
Website | Instagram
23 Fenchurch
Dine in the sky 37 floors up. Located inside the famous Sky Garden is Fenchurch – a swanky seafood-focused restaurant with high-end dishes and drinks for an elevated experience (literally). Enjoy deliciously local dishes with exceptional service while overlooking the western skyline of London.
Where | Sky Garden, Walk, 1 Philpot Lane, London
Website | Instagram
22 The Ned
The Ned is a boujie private member’s club and hotel, but on the main level, there are restaurants open to the public. 7 different restaurants and 3 bars to be exact and all with a historical and pristine former bank (back when banks were pristine). It makes a food crawl or bar crawl real easy to stumble around. Each restaurant and bar is very distinct from one another, giving an option for everyone. The restaurants are: Cecconi’s (Italian + Feast), Millie’s Lounge (British), Ned’s Feast (British), Malibu Kitchen (healthy Californian), The Parlour (Jazz Bar), Lutyen’s Grill (Steakhouse), Kaia (Asian-Pacific), Nickel Bar (classic American) and Electric (50s American diner).
Where | 27 Poultry, City of London
Website | Instagram
21 Bob Bob Ricard
All aboard the Orient Express. While the decor and train-esque booths at British-French fusion restaurant, Bob Bob Ricard, is worth a visit, it’s the ‘press for champagne’ button that’s the best part. The amount of bubbles served at this restaurant blows everyone else out of the water and the value of wines are second to none. We’re thinking of installing one at home to see if someone will bring us champs too.
Where | 1 Upper James Street, Soho, London
Website | Instagram
20 Inamo
Inamo is like dining in the future. No waiters, you order everything from your table and your table is all virtual. Using your interactive projector table top, you can see the actual dishes before ordering, place your order and then watch the chef cam to see them making your order or play Battleships with your friends.
Where | Soho, Covent Garden + Camden
Website | Instagram
19 Chelsea Funhouse
Chelsea Funhouse is like a giant dinner party that turns into a house party. You start with dinner at duck + champagne for a relaxed dinner experience of – you guessed it – duck dishes and champagne (there are vegetarian options as well). Then you move to the top floor for some after-dinner pick-me-ups at Chelsea Black, the espresso martini bar and terrace that feels like a library. Once the booze hit and you’re feeling dancy, you move to the basement to the 1940’s cocktail bar, The Bletchley, where it always turns into a dance party.
Where | 459 King’s Road, Chelsea, London
Website | Instagram
18 The Clink
Not many people who’ve dined in a prison would say the food was ever good (so we hear), but this is a unique case. You can, in fact, have the experience of dining in an active prison at Her Majesty Prison Brixton. You will be cooked for and served by the inmates, but not in an exploitative manner, it’s actually training for them to gain qualifications in the food industry and to help with reducing recidivism. Just don’t expect any wine or cocktails, it’s a booze-free joint.
Where | HMP Brixton, Jebb Avenue, Brixton Hill, London
Website | Instagram
17 Huckster
Huckster has brought all the 80s Manhattan vibes to London and we’re here for it. The multi-level 5,000-square-foot club-bar incorporates New York street food, street art and iconic NYC areas in Lower Manhattan like Subway East, High Line and Chinatown. You can also sing your heart out in the karaoke rooms and dance the day away at one of their famous brunch parties. You can also expect cocktails just like in New York – good and boozy.
Where | 4 Kingdom Street, Paddington, London
Website | Instagram
16 Evans and Peel Detective Agency
Evans and Peel is a prohibition-era speakeasy, tucked behind an American Detective Agency, in which you have to play along to get past the detectives. It catches you off guard for sure, but it’s really fun and interesting. Once inside, it feels like a 1920s bar with a lone piano, some wanted posters and cocktails named after gangsters. Makes date night a lot more interesting.
Where | 310c Earls Court Road, London
Website | Instagram
15 Bustronome
Maximize your visit to London with a double decker tour and dinner at the same time. The Bustronome is a high-end double-decker bus with a glass roof that’s been converted into a fine-dining restaurant so you get to eat while you’re enjoying panoramic views of London. The tour will take you past some of the most famous spots in town.
Where | Coach Bay 40B, Victoria Embankment, London
Website | Instagram
14 Archipelago
This is definitely one of the most adventurous places on the list – in terms of their menu. Archipelago is a sensory experience for those looking for an extremely unique menu, as they serve exotic meats. Yes that’s right. From chermoula crickets, spicy crocodile and smoked python carpaccio to crispy zebra jerky, crocodile curry and kangaroo skewers.
Where | 53 Cleveland Street, London
Website | Instagram
13 Circolo Popolare
One of Big Mamma’s crazy Italian restaurants, Circolo Popular is Sicilian Instagram Heaven. With over 20,000 bottles decorating the walls and flowers hanging from the ceiling, Londoners and visitors have been flocking to get resos at this restaurant since it opened. As with every Big Mamma place, you know the food is going to be on point and the menu will keep you entertained with antipasti like Kale Me Maybe and pizza like the Emrata Burrata.
Where | 40-41 Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia, London
Website | Instagram
12 sketch
Make sure you have extra phone battery for your visit to sketch because you won’t stop taking photos. The many restaurants-within-a-restaurant hot spot is a must for a fancy night out. From the golden Gallery; the opulent three Michelin Star Lecture and Library Room and the funky, yet casual Parlour to the mythical forest Glade Room and the East Bar pod room, every inch of the space is like an art gallery. Don’t forget to visit the washroom where you’ll find egg-shaped pods.
Where | 9 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London
Website | Instagram
11 Jacuzzi
Any White Lotus fans need to check out London’s newest restaurant, Jacuzzi. Big Mamma’s Sicilian-inspired mezzanine with a retractable roof feels like you’re in a boujie 4-storey hotel in Italy. Decked out in extravagant crystal chandeliers, a gigantic lemon tree and fiery red booths, the restaurant has been designed with pure luxury in mind, including the truffle spaghetti in the pecorino wheel – a must-try.
Where | 94 Kensington High Street, London
Website | Instagram
10 BOXPARK
BOXPARK is a shipping container park in London’s most creative district, Shoreditch. This unique social hub is food, drinks, shops, activities, entertainment and fun all in one enclosed space made out of literal shipping containers. The convenience of being able to order directly to the table from any kiosks and the flexibility that everyone can order from separate places, gives more time for socializing with friends. Check the schedule as there’s always something going on during the week and on weekends.
Where | 2 – 10 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, London
Website | Instagram
9 The Jam Restaurant
AKA the treehouse or bunk bed dining, The Jam is one of the more quirky spots, architecturally speaking. There are regular booths and then there’s the upper seating that you have to climb a ladder to get up to a private compartment – making it the perfect first date night spot (or sneaky date spot, we don’t judge). The menu serves Italian, vegetarian and gluten-free so there’s a little something for everyone.
Where | 289A King’s Road, Chelsea, London
Website
8 Darcie & May Green
How about brunch on a barge on a canal? Darcie & May Green are a pair of 2-storey floating barges in Paddington Central, serving up Aussie brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks. Get the girls together and get dolled up so you can get pics inside the pop artist Sir Peter Blake, while you sip and snack on fancy smashed avo toast, an award-winning banana bread sandwich and bacon rolls and cocktails (of course).
Where | Sheldon Square, Paddington Central
Website | Instagram
7 La Bodega Negra
La Bodega Negra is one of the hottest tequila and mezcal bars in Soho. The underground, cave-like, candle-lit space with loud music is a well know hot spot and what’s even hotter – it’s a speakeasy behind a sex shop front. In case your date thinks you’re being too forward.
Where | 9 Old Compton Street, London
Website | Instagram
6 Bunga Bunga
Just step through the secret door and follow the stairs down to one of London’s wildest parties. Bunga Bunga is famous for their captivating performances of circus acts, sing alongs, games from a host of crazy Bunga characters and our fav – the BOTTOMs-less Buff Brunch (hello!). This Covent Garden nightspot hosts an action-packed, fully immersive dining experience that will have you dancing, singing and giggling until your stomach hurts. It’s the perfect place for a celebration.
Where | 167 Drury Lane, Covent Garden, London
Website | Instagram
5 The Doodle Bar
Looking for the perfect casual first date? The Doodle Bar is it. A burger and beer kind of place, but then you can show off your creativity and break the ice by doodling on the walls (just like your parents wouldn’t allow). There are also beer pong, live music and cocktails flowing to keep the night going.
Where | 60 Druid Street, London
Website | Instagram
4 Circus London
It’s not London unless your dinner comes with a show. A modern and swanky Pan-Asian dining experience that seats you front row and centre to jaw-dropping, cirque-style performances and serves you premium cocktails while you watch.
Where | 27 – 29 Endell Street, Covent Garden, London
Website | Instagram
3 London Cabaret Club
The London Cabaret Club offers a sophisticated entertainment experience combining fine dining with world-class performances and impeccable service. Set around distinctly British themes, the shows celebrate the rich heritage of British culture, past and present, with stars from London’s West-End. If that’s not impressive enough, the cabaret club is located within a 1920s Art Deco building.
Where | Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, Holborn, London
Website | Instagram
2 Amazonico
Amazonico is a nod to the Amazon and you’ll definitely feel it as soon as you walk in. The front area is a vibey spot with the bar and lounge and DJs spinning electropical beats, but then you walk into the main restaurant and it’s like walking into a lush rainforest. The experience is full sensory with live music that will make you want to dance, refreshing scents and delicious dishes of tropical and Latin American cuisines and some of the best sushi in all of London.
Where | 10 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London
Website | Instagram
1 Mandrake Hotel
If Tulum was a hotel in London, The Mandrake would be it. The ‘surreal and mystical world of wonder’ tucked away, boutique hotel in Fitzrovia takes artistically spiritual to another level with incredible art, beautiful decor, specially designed scents and 2 extremely large Tasmanian Fern trees to keep the element of nature blended in. The hotel is host to YOPO Restaurant and 3 more bar/lounge areas; Jurema, Waeska Bar and The Courtyard. Jurema is the fan favourite – an open-air bar, surrounded by a hanging garden of suspended jasmine and passionflower that overlooks The Courtyard and serves up ethnobotanical cocktails and Mexican inspired dishes from YOPO.
Where | 20 – 21 Newman Street, Fitzrovia, London
Website | Instagram
