We all know that London is fab for food. But for a meal with a different kind of spin, why not head to one of these quirky restaurants?
Samuel Hopkins - Staff Writer•
In an ever-growing London food landscape, there’s a desperate need to stand out from the crowd. It’s something these quirky restaurants have done pretty niftily; whether it’s an unusual menu, some wacky decor, a kooky theme, or even waiters singing opera, they’ve all found their own comfortable little niche. So, without further ado, here’s our rundown of the best quirky restaurants in London:
1. Dans le Noir ?, Clerkenwell
You’ll have heard of this one before. Dans le Noir?, which literally means ‘in the dark’, is the famedClerkenwellrestaurant where you eat your meal in a pitch-black room, guided throughout by visually-impaired waiters. Menus don’t delve into specific dishes, relying on themes instead – the red menu promises meat dishes, whilst blue will get you fish – so you’ll also have no idea what you’re eating until it’s in your mouth.
With sight gone, your other senses are sharpened, aiming to enhance your appreciation of the meal. Plus no-one can see if you spill something on your clothes (or stab yourself in the face with a fork)! A worthy addition to this roundup of the best quirky restaurants in London then…
📍You’ll find Dans Le Noir at 69-73 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Farringdon.
2. Pick & Cheese, Seven Dials
We’ve got three words for you: ‘cheese conveyor belt’. Do you really need any more convincing (or explanation) than that? Fine – as well as a stonking selection of cheeses, this dairy-obsessed venue also offers a bottomless cheese and charcuterie option. You can cram your mouth with as much cheese, cured meats, and sides as you can stand for over an hour, for less than £30 a person!
📍You’ll find Pick & Cheese at Seven Dials Market, Short’s Gardens, WC2H 9AT.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
3. Karen’s Diner, Angel
You’ve probably seen the TikToks or Instagram reels about this place, so it’s high time you check it out for yourself! Let the hilarity consume you at Karen’s Diner, an interactive and absurdly fun dining experience where you’re waited by rude waiters, forced to play a variety of silly games, and are brought firmly back to earth by the savage verbal cracks from an army of Karens (all with love of course, well… we think). As for the food, expect all-American classics like drool-worthy burgers, chicken wings, and beyond.
📍You’ll find Karen’s Diner at 9 White Lion Street, Islington, London, N1 9PD
🚇 Nearest station is Angel.
4. Jacuzzi, High Street Kensington
Anyone with their eyes fixed on the London Italian restaurant scene (or just frequent readers of our website) will have heard of Big Mamma. The restaurant group has brought five wonderfully outrageous venues to our capital. But, why is this one on a ‘quirky restaurants in London’ roundup we hear you ask dear reader? Well – venture up three flights and you’ll find a Sicilian mezzanine with a retractable roof opening out to the hustle and bustle of High Street Kensington. Plus, while we aren’t normally shouting about the bogs when visiting a new restaurant, these ones are pretty out there. After all, there are glitter disco balls in them. Toilet rave? Why the hell not.
📍You’ll find Jacuzzi at 94 Kensington High Street, London, W8 4SJ.
🚇Nearest station is High Street Kensington.
5. La Bodega Negra, Soho
If you come expecting a peep show, you’re going to leave disappointed. But if you come for tacos, you’ll be pretty well satisfied since this Soho sex shop is actually a Mexican restaurant in disguise. Titilating tacos, tostadas, and quesadillas are the sexiest things on offer, but we certainly aren’t complaining.
📍You’ll find La Bodega Negraat 16 Moor Street, London, W1D 5AP.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham CourtRoad.
6. Bustronome, Embankment
A restaurant on board a glass-roofed double-decker bus you say? Sign us up! Bustronome is a one-of-a-kind dining experience which will take you all across London and give you the chance to see some of the best panoramic views in town.
Starting and ending on the Victoria Embankment, you’ll see sights such as the V&A Museum, Tower Bridge and Westminster Abbey while tucking into a six–course meal. Now what could be better than that?!
📍You’ll find Bustronome at Coach Bay, 40B Victoria Embankment, London, WC2N 6PB.
🚇 Nearest station is Embankment.
7. Gremio De Brixton, Brixton
This authentic tapas restaurant-come-bar is based in the vault of a church in Brixton! Add in the fact that it is mostly lit by flickering candles and has plenty of nooks and crannies for you to hide away in, and you can see why the word ‘atmospheric’ gets flung around with regard to this one. On Fridays and Saturdays, it transforms into one of South London’s premier nightlife venues, with reggaeton being spun until the wee hours by DJs. Heck, there’s even flamenco here too – time to bust out them dance moves.
📍You’ll find
🚇Nearest station
8. Duck and Waffle, Bishopsgate
A 24-hour restaurant best known for confit duck leg served on a sweet waffle doused in a sticky sauce might have made this list of the best quirky restaurants in London anyway. But when that eatery happens to sit on the 40th floor of 110 Bishopsgate, it just had to get the nod. Duck and Waffle is a great all-rounder, perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or midnight feasts soaking up the views.
📍You’ll findthe Duck and Waffle at 110 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AY.
🚇 Nearest station is Liverpool Street.
9. sketch, Mayfair
Utterly gorgeous, this place enters the quirky restaurants pantheon for stylish meals served in ultra-luxe settings. Our favourite spot is The Glade, done up to look like a mythical woodland, complete with forest floor carpets. Don’t forget to check out their futuristic loos, though. And If you’re after a truly unforgettable meal, then make your way over to The Lecture Room and Library, the restaurant that won sketch its three Michelin stars.
📍You’ll find sketch at 9 Conduit Street, London, W1S 2XG.
🚇 Nearest station is OxfordCircus.
10. WC, Clapham and Bloomsbury
Wine and cheese are just lovely wherever they’re served – even if it’s a former public toilet. Sitting right next to Clapham Common station, this little gem is anything but bog–standard, making it a fun and unusual date spot for cheese and vino. They’ve also got another branch in Bloomsbury’s Conduit Street – oh darling!
📍You’ll find WC at Clapham Common South Side, London, SW4 7AA and atthe *ahem* Former Public Convenience, Guilford Place, London, WC1N 1EA.
🚇 Nearest stations are Clapham Commonand Russell Square.
11. Mr. Fogg’s, Various locations
Boasting stunning, immersive interiors that’s full of unique quirks, Mr Fogg’s has become a go-to spot for many loyal locals thanks to their irresistible charm and several locations across the capital. These adventure-inspired bars are perfect for some crafty co*cktails and a bite to eat. We recommend heading to their Fitzrovia location on the weekends for their unmissable Botanical Brunch. From creating your own bellinis to staple breakfast classics, it’s one of the many boozy brunches not to be missed in London Town. Get your tickets, here.
📍Mr. Fogg’s boasts a handful of locations across London. Visit their website, here.
12. Chick’N’Sours, Haggerston and Seven Dials
If you’re a chicken fan, then this one’s for you. Love fried chicken, but struggle to choose between wings, drums, or breasts? That’s not a problem at Chick N Sours, where they’ll serve you a whole chicken, brined and then fried for extra crispiness. Add beef dripping fries and pickled watermelon or ‘bang bang cucumbers’, and it’s a Sunday Roast Fry we can get very much on board with. Note that you’ll need to book a ‘fry’ 48 hours in advance.
📍You’ll find Chick ‘N’ Sours at 390 Kingsland Road, London, E8 4AA and at 1A Earlham Street, London, WC2H 9LL.
🚇Nearest stations are Haggerston and Covent Garden.
13. Hunan, Sloane Square
Hunan may be an excellent Chinese restaurant, but they aren’t big on free will. Here, you tell them what you will and won’t eat, and they’ll decide what you’re having that night. Luckily, they’re rather good at choosing for you. The ever-changing, top-secret menu is put together each day by the distinguished Mr Peng and his expert team of chefs, who will dish up fifteen to eighteen plates, until you can no longer do up the button on your trousers! Winner, winner.
📍You’ll find Hunan at 51 Pimlico Road, London, SW1W 8NE.
🚇 Nearest station is Sloane Square.
14. Sarastro, Covent Garden
Flamboyance in restaurant form. Theatreland’s representative amongst London’s themed restaurants is a whirlwind of colours, opulence, and reclaimed props. Sarastro bills itself as ‘the show after the show’, with live music performances a regular occurrence. Named after a character from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, it’s chock-a-block full of repurposed opera boxes, old theatre props, and costumes from productions long since forgotten. Even the bannisters are recycled, having been purloined from the Royal Opera House many moons ago. Probably not one for shrinking violets then!
📍You’ll find Sarastro at 126 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5SU.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
15. Bob Bob Ricard, Soho and City
A British-Russian joint in Soho, Bob Bob Ricard has one very important ace up its sleeve. Every table is equipped with a ‘press for champagne’ button, perfect for those with an unquenchable thirst for bubbles. It certainly explains why they pour more champers than any other UK restaurant… Sign us up!
📍You’ll find Bob Bob Ricard at 1 Upper James Street, W1F 9DF & Level 3, 122 Leadenhall Street
City of London, EC3V 4AB.
🚇 Nearest stations are Piccadilly Circus & Aldgate.
16. Park Row, Leicester Square
Now we all know how popular Marvel and DC have become over the past decade or so, so what better place could there be to wine and dine than a theatrical, comic-booked themed restaurant? Based right in the heart of Soho, Park Row is the first restaurant of its kind in the world, and has been created in partnership with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment and DC itself. It’s split into two main sections – the Iceberg Lounge and the Monarch Theatre, both of which offer different menus and experiences. Sounds like you’ll just need to try both!
📍You’ll find Park Row at 77 Brewer Street, London, W1F 9ZN.
🚇Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
17. Bunga Bunga, Covent Garden
Silvio Berlusconi may not have done great things for Italy, but he did pretty good things for Bunga Bunga. The wacky Berlusconi-themed spot is part-restaurant, part-variety show, part-karaoke room and all kinds of goofy fun. The team here clearly believe there are three keys to a good party: lots of food, outrageous entertainment, and generally getting as silly as you can. We couldn’t agree more…
📍You’ll find Bunga Bunga at 167 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PG.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
18. Circus, Covent Garden
Dinner and a show is the order of the day at Circus, another worthy contender on this roundup of London’s best quirky restaurants. The menu is Pan-Asian, the entertainment is circus (unsurprisingly) with a hint of cabaret, all of which takes place on a stage in the middle of the restaurant. Sounds pretty darn quirky to us.
📍You’ll find Circus at 27-29 Endell Street, London, WC2H 9BA.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
19. Inamo, Soho & Covent Garden
More Pan-Asian cuisine, but this time all the entertainment takes place on your tabletop. Inamo’s USP is their interactive menu, which is beamed onto your table, letting you order meals without the pesky human interaction that comes from dealing with a real waiter. You can also browse a map of the restaurant, see a live cam of the kitchen, play retro games, and even graffiti your table.Politer than playing with your food then!
📍You’ll find Inamo at 134-136 Wardour Street, London, W1F 8ZS & 11-14 Hanover Place, London, WC2E 9JP.
🚇 Nearest stations are Covent Garden & Tottenham Court Road.
20. The Clink Restaurant, Brixton
Talk about an arresting meal. This restaurant is housed inside Her Majesty’s Prison Brixton, which means everyone serving you is actually a permanent resident. Far from being an exploitative new dining concept, The Clink is a charitable endeavour, aiming to reduce recidivism by helping inmates gain qualifications in the food industry. Definitely worth your time, although you won’t be served any alcohol since it’s banned on the premises – there are mocktails though!
📍You’ll find The Clink Restaurant at HMP Brixton, Jebb Avenue, Brixton Hill, London, SW2 5XF.
🚇 Nearest station is Brixton.
21. London Shell Co., multiple sites
First buses – now boats! This floating fishy feastjust had to make the list of the best quirky restaurants in London. For starters, it floats on Regent’s Canal, leisurely transporting diners from Paddington to Camden and back during the five-course feast. There’s nothing quite like taking to the waters whilst enjoying the fruits of the sea and a glass of bubbly.
📍Find your nearest London Shell Co. at their website.
22. The Doodle Bar, London Bridge
Our final entry on this roundup of the best quirky restaurants in London is The Doodle Bar – a place where you’re encouraged to actively ‘doodle’ all across the walls. They’ve got craft beers, co*cktails and their legendary ‘Doodle burgers’, and is set in an industrial-style archway just off Druid Street. Keep your eye on their website too, as they have multiple events throughout the year including their famous ‘doodle jam’.
📍You’ll find The Doodle Bar at 60 Druid Street, London, SE1 2EZ.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best quirky restaurants in London. Where will you be heading first?
Looking for more unique nights out after reading this quirky restaurants in London roundup? Why not try our guide to London’s quirkiest bars!
Tags:british food, french food, fusion food, mexican food, other asian food, quirky, restaurants
