To celebrate the London Restaurant Festival this month, we explore the most unusual places to eat in London from Michelin-starred establishments to a restaurant based in a prison.
Book a spot at one of these fun restaurants in London. Known for its diverse dining scene, there’s no shortage of quirky restaurants to choose from in the capital.
1. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA.
Settle down for a quirky culinary experience at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, a two Michelin-star establishment that’s consistently voted one of the best restaurants in the world.
The celebrity chef taps into Britain’s rich culinary history with unusual results, such as the signature Meat Fruit starter, where chicken parfait is served in the guise of a clementine.
2. Trader Vic’s
22 Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1K 1BE.
Descend into a tropical getaway in Mayfair as you escape into a world of South Sea dining, at Trader Vic’s. Start with traditional finger food, pick up a salad or a soup, and for main opt for a Trader Vic favourite such as Beef & Reef or Scottish lobster.
3. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
13 Coventry St, London W1D 7AB.
Based on hit film Forrest Gump, this Southern American eatery is themed on its main characters and its Alabama location. It’s all about the shrimp at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Lots of crustacean creations; but there’s plenty for all the family to enjoy, from grilled steaks and salads to jambalaya.
4. Rainforest Café
20 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7EU.
Take your children to the Rainforest Café, one of the most fun restaurants in London. Kids go wild experiencing the sounds of waterfalls, lightning and rain, as they spot animals and real tropical fish. Close to the West End’s many theatres, shops and attractions, this family restaurant offers a two-course kids menu and activity packs.
5. Bob Bob Ricard
1 Upper James St, Soho, London W1F 9DF.
Soak up the glamorous atmosphere at this Soho dining hotspot. The menu features an array of British/Russian dishes to enjoy in private booths, surrounded by glitzy art-deco décor. Each table has a “press for champagne” button, meaning you can really dine in style during your trip to London.
6. Archipelago
53 Cleveland St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 4JJ.
Golden Buddhas, dwarf palm trees and giant peacock feathers give Archipelago’s interior a quirky feel, but it’s the menu “staples” such as crocodile, kangaroo, and wildebeest that really makes this one of the most unusual places to eat in London. The restaurant certainly reaches out to intrepid diners with options such as python carpaccio, and cricket and worm salad.
7. Beach Blanket Babylon
45 Ledbury Rd, London W11 2AA.
Dining at Beach Blanket Babylon is like stepping between a Georgian English manor house and a French chateau. If the vintage furnishings, imposing statues and all-round extraordinary décor don’t inspire awe at this celebrity hotspot, the seasonal, modern European food will.
8. Bel Canto
67 Bayswater Rd, London W2 3LG.
Mix arias with appetisers at Bel Canto. This opera themed restaurant near Hyde Park serves up French fine dining with a difference: it’s delivered by waiters singing opera classics. So, sit back, relax and enjoy the music don’t worry, you’ll not have to sing for your supper.
9. Brunswick House (pictured above)
30 Wandsworth Rd, London SW8 2LG.
The worlds of contemporary and traditional Britain come together at this top London restaurant. Brunswick House Cafe’s succinct menu is inspired by local produce, and the furniture and interior design is all up for sale.
10. Circus
27-29 Endell St, London WC2H 9BA.
Sup on pan-Asian cuisine in the futurist dining room at Circus, created by British designer Tom Dixon. Glamorous eating and drinking is not all that occurs though, as dinner is punctuated by various surprise cabaret and circus acts who parade across the tables.
11. Inamo
134-136 Wardour St, Soho, London W1F 8ZP.
This Asian fusion restaurant in Covent Garden (with sister eateries in Soho and Camden) boasts a pioneering interactive ordering system projected onto the table, making it one of the coolest restaurants in London. At Inamo, you can place orders via a 3D menu, choose from a selection of virtual tablecloths, find out about the local neighbourhood and even order a taxi home, all from the comfort of your seat.
12. Sketch
9 Conduit St, Mayfair, London W1S 2XG.
Sketch turns eating and drinking into a whole new experience, boasting several venues within that are among the best restaurants in London. The hardest part is choosing between the two Michelin-starred Lecture Room; the woodland-themed lunch venue, Glade; the brasserie-style Gallery; and The Parlour, an eccentric patisserie, restaurant and bar.
13. Mari Vanna
116 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7PJ.
If you’ve ever pondered what it would be like to wine (or vodka) and dine at Grandma’s house in old Russia, then Mari Vanna London will answer all your desires. A remarkably authentic slice of Soviet era cuisine and comradery.
14. Sarastro
126 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5SU.
A London restaurant that is anything but quiet, Sarastro is “the show after the show” thanks to the musical entertainment played out live among the smiling diners. The drama continues on your plate with Turkish and Mediterranean flavours to entertain your taste buds.
15. Shaka Zulu
Stables Market, Chalk Farm Rd, Camden Town, London NW1 8AB.
Get a taste of South Africa at Shaka Zulu, a lively restaurant, bar and nightclub in Camden. The South African flare for exotic grilled meats, unusual cocktails, ostentatious décor, and infectious toe-tapping music fills this Camden Market two-storey venue with constant thrills.
16. The Piano Works
113-117 Farringdon Rd, London EC1R 3BX.
Tuck into steaks, ribs and sliders as you listen to live music requested by you and the rest of the audience in a Victorian warehouse, at The Piano Works. Part live jukebox, part restaurant, this music-lovers’ favourite will have you singing long into the night.
17. Bounce
241 Old Street, London, EC1V 9EY. 121 Holborn, London, EC1N 2TD.
Take time out from working your way through the wide-ranging pizza menu for a game or two of ping pong at Bounce, in Farringdon and Old Street. This table tennis themed restaurant and bar is the perfect place for groups – with ping pong table reservations available for bookings of more than six people.
18. Dans le Noir?
30-31 Clerkenwell Green, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 0DU.
At Dans le Noir? restaurant in Clerkenwell, your dining experience takes place in complete darkness. Served by blind waiters, the meal challenges your sense of taste and smell and the surprise menu encourages you to educate your palate.
19. The Clink Restaurant
HMP Brixton, Jebb Ave, London SW2 5XF.
Eat within the walls of a prison at The Clink Restaurant based at HMP Brixton. Many of the ingredients are sourced from prison farms around the country, while everything is cooked and served by the prisoners themselves as they train for careers in hospitality after their release. Not only does this unique dining experience help with rehabilitation, the food is excellent and of good value too.
20. HIPCHIPS
56-58 Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 4UF.
Explore a world of flavour combinations at HIPCHIPS, dedicated to the humble crisp. You’ll be served a variety of crisps straight from the kitchen on a conveyor belt – just grab sweet or savoury crisps and start to dip into one of the many weird and wonderful dips, from katsu curry and Peruvian ceviche to chocolate salted caramel or cheesecake for dessert.
(Article source: Visit London)
