20 Quirky Restaurants in London
Date post added: 1st April 2025
There are many copy and paste, same old same old, high street chain restaurants across London. And if you want something reassuringly familiar, you know where to head and what you’ll get there.
But one of the most dynamic things about London is the array of unusual, exciting and unexpected places. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to eat somewhere different, London doesn’t disappoint.
Pop-up street food vans still abound, but we’re not going there. This list of 20 of the quirkiest places to eat in London have one thing in common – delicious food. But other than that, they’re hugely varied, unusual restaurants. So if you want to revel in opulent surroundings, immerse yourself in live entertainment or eat somewhere downright weird, we’ve got the best restaurants for you to experience.
What are some must-visit quirky restaurants in London for a unique dining experience?
What do you fancy eating tonight? Thai, Turkish, tapas, tacos or traditional British? If you simply want delicious food from around the world, it’s all too easy to get that delivered to your door. But delicious food combined with a unique experience can be enough to get you off the sofa and heading out-out for a sensational evening.
Dine in opulent surroundings
Bob Bob Ricard, Soho and The City – any restaurant with a ‘press for champagne’ button in every booth meets our ‘opulent’ criteria. This British-Russian joint in Soho is legendary. Its dining room is pure Gatsby – and what’s not to embrace about that? The newer Bob Bob Ricard restaurant in The City, is next level opulent. From your table you can press the button for Jeroboams and Methuselahs from a Champagne cabin. Or you can book their private dining rooms with decor inspired by a royal yacht.
The Gallery, Sketch, Mayfair – this renowned Mayfair extravaganza oozes luxury with its glimmering copper and sunny yellow decor. Specially commissioned art by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare CBE adorns the walls. What a place to indulge in a seasonal afternoon tea accompanied by a live string trio. But the thing you absolutely mustn’t miss at Sketch is the WC. Where else will you find egg-shaped facilities beneath a technicolour ceiling?
Bacchanalia, Mayfair – fancy being fed grapes under a hand-painted sculpture of Medusa? Well you can at Bacchanalia. From the painted ceiling to the marble pillars and sculptures, the lavish decor is inspired by Greek and Roman mythology. The food is equally lavish – oysters, lobsters and exceptional fine dining.
Ave Mario, Central London – the group of eateries from Parisian restaurant group, Big Mamma, never fail to delight. Ave Mario, Italian restaurant in Covent Garden is the best kind of attack on the senses. Inspired by a perfect day in Florence, you’ll find red velvet booths, neon signage and monochrome geometric stripes to emulate the Duomo. Nothing is ordinary here, even the pasta carbonara is served in a 4kg pecorino wheel. Sister restaurants, Circolo Popolare in Fitzrovia and Trattoria Gloria in Shoreditch are also must-visit venues.
Global themed restaurants
Gura Gura, Covent Garden – known as one of the best themed restaurants in London, this Covent Garden marvel serves up exceptional pan-Asian delicacies. Expect traditional flavours from Japan, Thailand and China done differently. The sushi’s handmade on-site and is top notch. The cocktails are memorable (depending on how many you have). And the Instagrammers amongst you will get snap happy over the intricate interiors.
Kebab Queen, Covent Garden – don’t judge a book by its cover. This is no bog standard kebab shop. The kebab shop exterior’s a fake! Inside, you’ll find a fine dining restaurant complete with kebab tasting menu. To add to its quirkiness, dishes are served directly only a heated counter – no plates, slates, boards or even newspaper here. It’s quite the experience.
Huckster, Paddington – there’s a lot going on in this vast venue that spans multiple levels. Not just a restaurant, Huckster’s an immersive experience combining tasty street food with world-class mixology, street art and graffiti. Different spaces reflect the Manhattan subway, Chinatown or a karaoke lounge. It’s a great spot to eat, drink, dance and sing.
Dine in very unexpected settings
Clink, Brixton – this isn’t a gimmicky themed restaurant. The restaurant is actually inside HMP Brixton – a real life, working prison. Do you want porridge with that? Clink is a wonderful charitable endeavour where prisoners work towards qualifications that will help them on the outside. They cook and serve home-baked delights, along with European lunches and gourmet dinners. Clink is based in the governor’s house which dates back to 1819.
Attendant, Fitzrovia – if someone suggested lunch in the loo, you’d laugh or balk at the idea. But this disused toilet block in Fitzrovia is now a cool cafe. You even have urinals as single-seater booths. It’s somewhere totally different for breakfast or brunch, and the sourdough waffles come highly recommended. You’ll spend more than a penny here, but it is Fitzrovia.
Dans le Noir?, Islington – who needs lights anyway? Yep, Dans le Noir does what it says on the tin. It serves up dinner in the pitch black darkness. You have guides to accompany you, and you can expect the unexpected. This unique location has regularly been ranked one of the 10 most original restaurants in the world. Try a truly blind date or an unusual dinner with friends right on the edge of the City.
La Bodega Negra, Soho – pop on some latex and head to sexy Soho. What looks like another Soho sex shop, is actually a front for a secret Mexican restaurant. La Bodega Negra serves up tasty tacos, tantalising tequila concoctions and a vibrant atmosphere.
Dining with entertainment
Proud Cabaret, City of London – when you’re invited to dinner in the City’s financial district, you’re more likely to expect pinstripe suits than nipple tassels. But Proud Cabaret likes to do things differently. Along with a three course meal, you can take in incredible performances of burlesque and beyond.
The Murdér Express – this immersive, theatrical experience transports you back to East London in the 1920s. Step aboard the Murdér Express for an evening of comedy entertainment coupled with delicious culinary delights from award-winning Michelin star chef Niall Keeting. It’s an outstanding concept – a whodunnit game and fine dining in one.
Lost Souls Pizza, Camden – Did you know Camden is home to the world’s first vampire-themed pizzeria? Unbelievable as it sounds, Lost Souls Pizza is bloody good! Their pizzas are black as the night that vampires frequent. Added charcoal transforms their light pizza bases into something extraordinary. With names like ‘Coffin Dodger’ and ‘Fangs for the Memories’, this vampire-themed restaurant is fun, dark and deeply delicious.
Inamo, Covent Garden – screen addicts rejoice. Inamo embraces technology and beams their interactive menu onto the table. Ordering from a touchscreen is brilliant fun, an interactive experience that kids and geeks adore. It’s also a restaurant for food lovers with beautiful Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean cuisine. Their afternoon tea is unlike any you’ve had before.
Sarastro, Covent Garden – set in the heart of theatreland on Drury Lane, this showstopping restaurant is a favourite amongst performers and theatre-goers alike. The theatrical and exuberant decor stop you in your tracks as you gawp at the myriad theatre props around the restaurant. There are numerous theatrical boxes, each of which is furnished in a different style. There’s so much to take in as you dine on delicious Turkish/ Mediterranean cuisine whilst enjoying live music performances.
Dine on transport
Supperclub.tube, Walthamstow – step on board an old style 1967 Victoria Line carriage in Walthamstow. But you won’t get typical East London fare like pie, mash and eels or fish and chips. You’ll enjoy an incredible Latin American food journey from Mexico to Patagonia. With a curated playlist and exceptional attention to detail, Supper Club serves up an evening to remember.
Bustronome, Victoria Embankment – only in London could you set foot on a fine dining restaurant on board a glass-roofed double-decker bus. And it moves! Bustronome is a special dining experience where you’ll travel across London drinking in panoramic views from the top deck. What a way to combine two amazing London activities – sightseeing and sophisticated fine dining.
Barge East, Hackney Wick – hop on board a 120 year old Dutch barge for exquisite waterside dining. Barge East is an award-winning restaurant offering seasonal British set menus. Much of their food is plant-based and grown in their canalside garden. It’s rustic, authentic and so very tasty.
Come dine with us!
If, like us, you love food and you love London, then combine the two with a gastronomic London walk. We’ll enlighten you on the delicious history of food in London. Choose from:
Epicurean, Foodies, Gourmet London
Foodie’s London – Biscuits and Banquets
Empire in a Cup – the History of Tea
The East India Company – Guided by a Distinguished Diplomat
Pippa Jackson
Pippa is a word nerd and content aficionado with a background of working in TV on both sides of the globe. She loves to discover and share the diverse and wonderful stories of her much-loved London. When she’s not writing blogs and articles, you’ll find her walking beside the Thames or even paddleboarding on it (in the finest of conditions only!) or enjoying a coffee in the sunshine with a good book.
David Tucker
David – the Seigneur of this favoured realm – broods over words, breeds enthusiasms and is “unmanageable.”* He’s a balterer, literary historian, university lecturer, journalist, logophile and lifelong thanatophobe. For good measure, he’s the doyen of London guides.