14 cool and fun restaurants in London

Annabelle Schweineberg

As Assist. Marketing & Communications Manager Annabelle knows the concept of Le Petit Chef like no other. If you have any questions, she is the right person to contact.

The capital of England, is the largest metropolis in the country. London is well known for rainy days, arts, fashion, entertainment and home to 8.8 million people. Every year millions of tourists travel to London, to see sights like the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace or Tate Modern. But Brits and other visitors come to London for another reason: To eat and drink! Starting out with the Full English Breakfast, Fish & Chips for lunch and don’t forget about the Afternoon Tea. But there is way more – we guide you through 14 cool and fun food places in London.

Tip #1: Pick & Cheese

Talking about running sushi, we have seen that before. But have you ever seen running cheese? In London’s “Pick & Cheese”, world’s first cheese conveyor belt restaurant, on each plate the cheese is paired with a condiment or snack. This cool restaurant in London offers an ever changing selection of cheeses on the 40 meter long conveyor belt.

Some charcuterie runs along as well and also “off-belt dishes” are available. Of course they include cheese, like grilled cheese sandwiches and baked cheese. Almost like running sushi, you pay by plate and color. But, funky fact: The restaurant offers Bottomless Plates. Every Wednesday, 1 hour 15 minutes sitting time and eat as much as you can.

5 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Le Petit Chef

Continue reading to find out how Le Petit Chef will turn your next evening into an extraordinary experience you’ll be talking about for years to come.

Tip #2: Bob Bob Ricard

Soho is known for nightlife, shopping and dining options. It’s also known for Bob Bob Ricard. Leonid Shutov, known as Bob and Richard Howarth, opened the restaurant in late 2008. Bob invested twice as much and this is how the restaurant got the name. It’s famous for its glamorous dining room and the “Press for Champagne” button at every table. Pouring more champagne than any other restaurant in Britain.

Fancy eats from Caviar to Oysters, Seafood and Steak, show up on the menu as well as “comfort food” like French Fries, and Mashed potatoes. Dessert lovers get their money’s worth, when they enjoy Chocolate Caviar, Sticky Toffee Pudding or Flaming Crème Brûlée in an Orient Express styled ambience.

Tip #3: Dans le noir

Not a shadow of a glimmer, not the beam of a light! This is “Dans le noir”. Opened in 2006, the restaurant serves all its food in the dark. At a bright bar and seating area the Dans le noir team takes your order and a waiter is leading you to the dark restaurant. No light source allowed. The staff, who serve the gourmet and seasonal cuisine, is blind or partially sighted. 80% of the fruits and vegetables on the menu are organic.

The experience is not only in the dark, it’s also a gourmet surprise. You tell the restaurant ahead of time what you can’t eat and they adapt the surprise menu. After the experience in the dark the team shows photos of the dishes and drinks consumed. Quite an Aha! moment.

Tip #4: Bunga Bunga Covent Garden

Are you looking for a quiet and romantic Italian restaurant in London? Bunga Bunga is not for you! Bunga Bunga is where the fun happens. A big, colorful variety show, which is going on right in front of your eyes, whilst enjoying an Italian feast. DJ, house band, jugglers, hula hoop performers – only to mention a few of the “distractions”.

Bunga Bunga is well known for its silliness, as a place where the party never stops, the funky interior design with a speedboat table and meter long sourdough pizzas, served to share.

Tip #5: Inamo

Inamo is a restaurant for people who love technology. It’s also a restaurant for lovers of Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean Cuisine. Ever told your kids not to play games when having dinner? Not at Inamo. It’s the place where you play retro games, discover the neighborhood or spy on the chefs in the kitchen – everything on interactive projections on the table surface.

The fun restaurant has two branches in London. Soho and Covent Garden. The one in Soho features an additional games room with over 150 games. An arcade game table with over 2000 retro games and consoles for all guests to play with. Inamo is famous for their Dragon Roll. You can find a variety of sushi and other sharing dishes, pan Asian desserts and a Tasting Menu at Inamo.

5 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Le Petit Chef

Continue reading to find out how Le Petit Chef will turn your next evening into an extraordinary experience you’ll be talking about for years to come.

Tip #6: The Clink restaurant

The Clink restaurant concept is part of the Clink Charity prisoner rehabilitation initiatives. The Brixton location is one of three prison restaurants across the UK and trains prisoners to be future chefs, waiters and baristas. Every year each restaurant releases 50 trained, former prisoners into employment. The project, by Alberto Crisci, received more than 60 awards. His first Clink restaurant opened in 2009 in Surrey.

European lunches and gourmet dinners are served in the governor’s house, dating back to 1819. Most of the interior is made by people in the prison. The restaurant has its own bakery, with freshly baked treats like cinnamon buns, whole loaf cakes, a variety of cookies, tarts and desserts.

Tip #7: Supperclub.tube

For three nights a week an old, retired 1967 Victoria line tube carriage transforms into a hip gourmet restaurant. Six course tasting menus, served by chef Beatriz Maldonado Carreño find their ways on the tables of the old carriage. Surrounded by jazz music, in dimmed light, guests can enjoy an unique evening with South American cuisine.

The 15-year Colombian chef you can not only find behind closed doors in the kitchen, she also explains the courses to her guests. Seasonal meals feature local products, but also techniques and ingredients from South America. The tube has a maximal seating capacity of 35 and distanced sharing tables and private booths for two or three.

Tip #8: Jazz Cafe Camden

The Jazz Cafe in Camden is famous. The venue opened 1990 and has hosted some of the most respected Jazz and Soul icons. But not only is it a place where you can watch the stars, it’s also a place for food(ies). The unique restaurant upstairs overlooks the stage, the whole venue holds 450 people.

The 69 seater restaurant features gourmet food like 34 day dry aged sirloin steak, but doesn’t forget about vegetarians and vegans. Roasted eggplant, a vegan cheeseburger or Salt and Pepper tofu are on the menu as well. Cocktails, draft beers and ciders will make a good start for a full night of music and dancing.

Tip #9: Voodoo Ray’s

It’s New York-style pizza. As simple as it is. As delicious as it can be. Crispy crust made from Caputo flour, creamy Buffalo and Fior di latte mozzarella, imported San Marzano tomatoes for the Napolis sauce. Voodoo Ray’s is London’s answer to NY-style pizza, serving massive 22 inch pies, whole or by the slice. 9 flavors are featured, specials run every month on the menu as well.

Two London locations in Dalston and Peckham bake up slices so big, you better fold them when eating. The restaurant caters excellent to vegetarians and vegans, with vegan nut-mozzarella and plant-based locally produced bacon.

Tip #10: Kebab Queen

When you hear the name “Kebab Queen”, you might think of a late night snack bar. Kebab Queen in the heart of Covent Garden is pretty much the opposite of that. The spot is a fine dining venue, hosted by Turkish chef Pamir Zeydan and features an eight course tasting menu with influences of Kurdish and Mediterranean cuisine.

This cool place to eat in London only seats 10 people at a time and offers a very intimate dining experience. All the courses are served without plates and sometimes even without cutlery. Eating with your hands is strongly encouraged.

Tip #11: Sarastro

Another Covent Garden restaurant, famous for its stunning decor and Mediterranean cuisine is Sarastro. Opened in 1996 and named after the character in Mozart’s Magic Flute, the restaurant hosts its own special musical events. Founder Richard Niazi, who passed away in 2008, handed Sarastro down to his daughter Sibel and her uncle Murad.

They continued serving Mediterranean cuisine, focusing on fresh ingredients in a dining room filled with chandeliers, plush seating and a balcony overlooking the big room for a private experience. Opera singers and Burlesque dancers make an appearance at dinner time and make the foodie an overall experience.

Tip #12: Heddon Street Kitchen

In the heart of Piccadilly, just off Regent Street, is Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant Heddon Street Kitchen. The all day bar and restaurant over three floors, caters to breakfast, brunch and lunch needs. A special kids menu lets kids eat free, all day, every weekday. Bangers and Mash, Meatball pasta or Mac & Cheese for Kids, who come along with their parents to the restaurant.

Famous for its Beef Wellington experience, which requires two guests per Wellington. The menu features a variety of starters, the Wellington with creamy mash and red wine jus as a main and a signature sharing platter for dessert. Experience and exceptional wine pairings optional.

Tip #13: The Top Hat

What’s your favorite board game? Lots of people would answer this question with – Monopoly! If you are one of them, it’s time to head over to “The Top Hat”. Located on Tottenham Court Road, this unique restaurant and cocktail bar in London brings the classic board game to life.

You get to play a huge, immersive game of monopoly. The red booths in the bar are inspired by the color of the game’s hotels, some of the seating options have been upholstered with fabrics from the Piccadilly and Northern Underground lines, because the four train stations on the board game are part of those two lines.

The menu is a tribute to the classic Monopoly Game and comes with themed names like “The Cash Cow”, “Raise The Steaks” or “Mr. Monopoly’s Millionaire Cheesecake”. The food is themed with Monopoly touches and so are the signature cocktails, “Marlborough Street” and “Coventry Street”. There is a Sunday Roast Menu, a Cocktail Masterclass and a Bottomless Brunch every Saturday.

Tip #14: Govinda’s

It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan or omnivore. Govinda is worth a visit no matter what! It’s the oldest vegetarian and vegan restaurant in London. Since 1979 they have served a traditional Indian menu, based on vegetables, grains and legumes. Everything is offered to Lord Krishna, and, as their webpage says – karma free. Next door is the Hare Krishna temple. The restaurant is founded by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Although they are famous for their inexpensive Thali platters, the a la carte menu caters to guests with other options as well. No meat or fish of course. Lasagna, Pies, Veggie Burgers and luscious desserts. The restaurant also works with Food For Life London, London’s food distribution program to serve vegetarian meals to the homeless.

Our selection of restaurants is based, among other things, on the editorial team’s individual preferences and on reviews on the internet. Please contact the respective provider directly for information on reservations and prices. The pictures come from the restaurants listed. All Information is provided without guarantee!