When it comes to the foodie scene in London, you'll have ample opportunities to try out loads of different cuisines that are from around the world. Hardly surprising given London's place on the world stage. Whether you want to have a fine dining experience or settle for a small cafe, hipster burger bar or something different entirely, you'll have a lot of choice to soothe your rambunctious hunger.
But why not try one of the cool places instead. "Cool places?", I hear you ask. Well, yes. There are many stylish, trendy and cool places to eat in London. They have a vibrant atmosphere, serve a range of weird or snazzy things, have a completely different way of doing things and aren't afraid to take your taste buds on a trip of pure imagination.
They can be found all over the city of London, and aren't just aimed at the young locals and tourists either. No matter how old you are, or what your overall tastes maybe when it comes to food and other such things, you will be more than catered for in even the coolest of places. No need to pretend to be young or slap on a pair of sunglasses with a trendy haircut, just bring yourself, your friends and family out for a revolutionary dining experience and menus that will confuse and delight you.
When you're ready to try something new to the fully equipped kitchens seen inside serviced apartments in London, and other forms of accommodation, then it's time to head on out into the city and go to some of the coolest places to eat.
Translated as "in the dark", this Clerkenwell restaurant is where you eat your meal in a pitch-black room and are guided by visually impaired waiters to your table. Now you can see why this is one of the cool places to eat in London. While the menu isn't very specific, you order based on themes instead. What does this mean? Simply that you won't know what you're eating until you've tasted it.To help out, it's best to know that the red menu has meat dishes and blue has fish dishes. As your sight is put on the back burner, your other senses will be enhanced. It can be a great spot for a date or a laugh. You may have seen something similar in the film About Time.
Address: 30-31 Clerkenwell Green, Farringdon, London EC1R 0DU
Don't worry, now the list turns, slightly back to normal and gives you light once again. However, here you will be eating different kinds of meat that range from python carpaccio, kangaroo skewers, and crocodile curry, along with a side salad of mealworms and crickets. If you have a weak stomach and not the strongest of constitutions then this is not recommended at all. But if you are an adventurous eater and want to move away from the usual meats that we ingest, then this can be a treat for sure. Naturally, vegans and vegetarians may not be happy here.
Address: 53 Cleveland St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 4JJ
If you like a bit of jazz to go with the grub then maybe this will be rated very highly by you. It is best to be aware that the jazz doesn't happen until later on in the evening but the food is what brings in all the raffle, including you. Believe it or not, you can eat shark and zebra here too if you want to try something different to go with the trumpet and saxophone zingers. Order a strong drink too and enjoy what the atmosphere here can do for tired spirits as you'll be energised, certainly, by the time you leave, ready to hit out to the next joint for the night's entertainment.
Address: 4 Bradbury St, Dalston, London N16 8JN
Funnily enough, this Soho sex shop is a Mexican restaurant in disguise. While you may find that hard to believe for now, the tacos will put your mind right on track when you have a taste. Indulge in the likes of titillating tacos, tostadas, and quesadillas. Other than that, you can bask in all the strange and revealing atmosphere. So, if you want to spice things up for the night and start early with the teasing and flirting then you may want to come here. This is a whole different type of cool, and it's best to prepare yourself.
Address: 9 Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 5JE
This school-theme restaurant is one of the many other cool places to eat in London. Now, I'm pretty sure that you didn't find school meals cool or tasty back in the day, but the feeling of nostalgia here is what fuels the clientele to come here and enjoy burgers, curries, and salads. While lunch boxes aren't a thing here, maybe they should be added as an extra to complete the experience, as well as having waiters dressed as frowning dinner ladies and mopey teachers. Either way, you're set for a blast when you come and eat here.
Address: 137-139, St John's Hill, London SW11 1TD
A cool place to eat in London that literally has no menu, this Bermondsey establishment invites you to reveal your food preferences, then the staff design a meal for you based on your choices and ideal foods. This way, as in the name of the restaurants, every dish tells a story. Given its popularity and astonishingly good reviews, this spot is one of the top spots to head to in London if you really want to be surprised and have your favourite foods on one plate (or close to that, anyway). In short, you and your friends will really enjoy this place even more.
Address: 199 Tooley St, London SE1 2JX
If chocolate is really your thing (and by that, your favourite thing in the whole world) then this restaurant is exactly what you need in your life. Believe it or not, chocolate is used in every dish that the place serves up, meaning you can experience your favourite treat in a variety of forms that will leave you astounded and speechless. You will wonder why you haven't done this before or dreamed up the idea yourself. Don't get disheartened about not coming up with the place first though, just sit back and indulge in dishes that will blast that sweet tooth of yours to a whole new dimension of taste and texture.
Address: Borough Market, 2-4 Bedale St, London SE1 9AL
This 24-hour restaurant is renowned on the foodie scene for its confit duck leg served on a sweet waffle. Plus it sits on the 40th floor of 110 Bishopsgate, meaning that the restaurant is a cool and stylish spot to bring friends and family for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or midnight indulgences. No matter you love to eat usually, the varied and absolutely succulent menu has your taste buds in mind. Just come here after a long day in museums, galleries or the office with your friends, colleagues and family members and tuck into some good old duck or anything else that the great menu throws at you. No one will be left feeling empty.
Address: 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY
This utterly gorgeous and ultra-luxe setting may not sound like one of the cool places to eat in London, but you will be very wrong. There are many spots to eat in the restaurant that boast their own character to go with the scrumptious food...and futuristic bathrooms (yes, it's true). One of the most popular spots in the place is The Glade, which looks like a mythical woodland, complete with forest floor carpets to give it that Middle Earth or Brothers Grimm look that most avid fantasy readers will completely adore. So if you're one of them, you may want to bring your staff, wand or elvish ear to go alongside the menu. Bring friends along who love that kind of thing too as this isn't a place to enjoy alone. In fact, parties and other such celebratory occasions will be fine here.
Address: 9 Conduit St, Mayfair, London W1S 2XG
If you love wine and cheese then this humble and cool establishment is where you need to head to for your fix. Bring someone along, even a date if needs be, to savour the taste of the best snacky food that most middle-class Brits go for when they feel a bit peckish. Join the crowd and indulge at your leisure. Of course, if wine and smelly cheeses quite simply aren't your cup of tea, then this may not excite you one iota, so you're best heading somewhere that pleases your taste buds more.
Address: Clapham Common South Side, Clapham Town, London SW4 7AA
Even the name makes it sound like one of the cool places to eat in London. If you love fried chicken, but often struggle to choose between wings, drums, or breasts and want the whole thing, then you'll be in heaven here as they give you the entire chicken, brined and then fried for that bit of extra crispiness. Alongside all of that, you'll have dripping fries and pickled watermelon as well. Gather a few of your chicken loving friends together and head out here to satisfy the craving. Though it's best to leave the vegetarians and vegans outside.
Address: 390 Kingsland Rd, Dalston, London E8 4AA
Whatever you desire from the far-ranging Chinese cuisine, this restaurant will more than put together. All of your old-time favourites can be ordered if you ask and it can be a good treat when you bring a mate or two with you for the ride. Tuck in and be impressed by the service as well as the damn good food that will have you wondering why you didn't pick this place sooner.
Address: 51 Pimlico Rd, Belgravia, London SW1W 8NE
If you want to see what flamboyance in restaurant form looks like, then you need to head here for a whirlwind of colours, opulence, and reclaimed theatre props. Often billed as the place to attend after a show, this is a rare treat for theatre lovers that don't want the magic to end after the curtain goes down. It has live music and regular performances too to go with the divine and intriguing menu. So if theatre is your favourite past-time on London excursions then this is where you should end up for an evening of fun and entertainment.
Address: Sarastro Restaurant, 126 Drury Ln, Holborn, London WC2B 5SU
This British-Russian establishment in Soho is a real delight for those that want something different. However, one thing that stands out is its 'press for champagne' button that will have you and your friends and family getting plastered fairly quickly from all the bottles and glasses. In fact, that button is so popular that the place pours more champagne than any other in the UK. It's true. So, take full advantage of it while you can, you won't get it anywhere else.
Address: 1 Upper James St, Soho, London W1F 9DF
A restaurant with no meat, no gluten, no sugar, and no booze, this may not automatically appear on your foodie radar but everyone that eats here is converted throughout their experience. So, if you want to change your outlook on the eating green or want to give this a try to get on the diet, then why not go for it? Given how popular this restaurant is, clearly they know what they're doing. So don't be shy. Come down and visit one of the many cool places to eat in London, and leave full and inspired to take a new direction with your diet.
Address: 2 Neal's Yard, West End, London WC2H 9AT
Another cool and stylish place to eat at, this Italian establishment has pine cubicles to sit at that climb the walls of this restaurant, with the ever-dutiful waiters serving your food via a ladder to make it feel that you're dining in an upscale treehouse in some rich kids' garden. So enjoy all you usual Italian favourites in a spanking new way.
Address: 22-26 Northcote Rd, London SW11 1NX
But why not try one of the cool places instead. "Cool places?", I hear you ask. Well, yes. There are many stylish, trendy and cool places to eat in London. They have a vibrant atmosphere, serve a range of weird or snazzy things, have a completely different way of doing things and aren't afraid to take your taste buds on a trip of pure imagination.
They can be found all over the city of London, and aren't just aimed at the young locals and tourists either. No matter how old you are, or what your overall tastes maybe when it comes to food and other such things, you will be more than catered for in even the coolest of places. No need to pretend to be young or slap on a pair of sunglasses with a trendy haircut, just bring yourself, your friends and family out for a revolutionary dining experience and menus that will confuse and delight you.
When you're ready to try something new to the fully equipped kitchens seen inside serviced apartments in London, and other forms of accommodation, then it's time to head on out into the city and go to some of the coolest places to eat.
1. Dans le Noir?
Translated as "in the dark", this Clerkenwell restaurant is where you eat your meal in a pitch-black room and are guided by visually impaired waiters to your table. Now you can see why this is one of the cool places to eat in London. While the menu isn't very specific, you order based on themes instead. What does this mean? Simply that you won't know what you're eating until you've tasted it.To help out, it's best to know that the red menu has meat dishes and blue has fish dishes. As your sight is put on the back burner, your other senses will be enhanced. It can be a great spot for a date or a laugh. You may have seen something similar in the film About Time.
Address: 30-31 Clerkenwell Green, Farringdon, London EC1R 0DU
2. Archipelago
Don't worry, now the list turns, slightly back to normal and gives you light once again. However, here you will be eating different kinds of meat that range from python carpaccio, kangaroo skewers, and crocodile curry, along with a side salad of mealworms and crickets. If you have a weak stomach and not the strongest of constitutions then this is not recommended at all. But if you are an adventurous eater and want to move away from the usual meats that we ingest, then this can be a treat for sure. Naturally, vegans and vegetarians may not be happy here.
Address: 53 Cleveland St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 4JJ
3. Dalston Jazz Bar
If you like a bit of jazz to go with the grub then maybe this will be rated very highly by you. It is best to be aware that the jazz doesn't happen until later on in the evening but the food is what brings in all the raffle, including you. Believe it or not, you can eat shark and zebra here too if you want to try something different to go with the trumpet and saxophone zingers. Order a strong drink too and enjoy what the atmosphere here can do for tired spirits as you'll be energised, certainly, by the time you leave, ready to hit out to the next joint for the night's entertainment.
Address: 4 Bradbury St, Dalston, London N16 8JN
4. Bodega Negra
Funnily enough, this Soho sex shop is a Mexican restaurant in disguise. While you may find that hard to believe for now, the tacos will put your mind right on track when you have a taste. Indulge in the likes of titillating tacos, tostadas, and quesadillas. Other than that, you can bask in all the strange and revealing atmosphere. So, if you want to spice things up for the night and start early with the teasing and flirting then you may want to come here. This is a whole different type of cool, and it's best to prepare yourself.
Address: 9 Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 5JE
5. The Schoolhouse
This school-theme restaurant is one of the many other cool places to eat in London. Now, I'm pretty sure that you didn't find school meals cool or tasty back in the day, but the feeling of nostalgia here is what fuels the clientele to come here and enjoy burgers, curries, and salads. While lunch boxes aren't a thing here, maybe they should be added as an extra to complete the experience, as well as having waiters dressed as frowning dinner ladies and mopey teachers. Either way, you're set for a blast when you come and eat here.
Address: 137-139, St John's Hill, London SW11 1TD
6. Restaurant Story
A cool place to eat in London that literally has no menu, this Bermondsey establishment invites you to reveal your food preferences, then the staff design a meal for you based on your choices and ideal foods. This way, as in the name of the restaurants, every dish tells a story. Given its popularity and astonishingly good reviews, this spot is one of the top spots to head to in London if you really want to be surprised and have your favourite foods on one plate (or close to that, anyway). In short, you and your friends will really enjoy this place even more.
Address: 199 Tooley St, London SE1 2JX
7. Rabot 1745
If chocolate is really your thing (and by that, your favourite thing in the whole world) then this restaurant is exactly what you need in your life. Believe it or not, chocolate is used in every dish that the place serves up, meaning you can experience your favourite treat in a variety of forms that will leave you astounded and speechless. You will wonder why you haven't done this before or dreamed up the idea yourself. Don't get disheartened about not coming up with the place first though, just sit back and indulge in dishes that will blast that sweet tooth of yours to a whole new dimension of taste and texture.
Address: Borough Market, 2-4 Bedale St, London SE1 9AL
8. Duck and Waffle
This 24-hour restaurant is renowned on the foodie scene for its confit duck leg served on a sweet waffle. Plus it sits on the 40th floor of 110 Bishopsgate, meaning that the restaurant is a cool and stylish spot to bring friends and family for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or midnight indulgences. No matter you love to eat usually, the varied and absolutely succulent menu has your taste buds in mind. Just come here after a long day in museums, galleries or the office with your friends, colleagues and family members and tuck into some good old duck or anything else that the great menu throws at you. No one will be left feeling empty.
Address: 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY
9. Sketch
This utterly gorgeous and ultra-luxe setting may not sound like one of the cool places to eat in London, but you will be very wrong. There are many spots to eat in the restaurant that boast their own character to go with the scrumptious food...and futuristic bathrooms (yes, it's true). One of the most popular spots in the place is The Glade, which looks like a mythical woodland, complete with forest floor carpets to give it that Middle Earth or Brothers Grimm look that most avid fantasy readers will completely adore. So if you're one of them, you may want to bring your staff, wand or elvish ear to go alongside the menu. Bring friends along who love that kind of thing too as this isn't a place to enjoy alone. In fact, parties and other such celebratory occasions will be fine here.
Address: 9 Conduit St, Mayfair, London W1S 2XG
10. WC
If you love wine and cheese then this humble and cool establishment is where you need to head to for your fix. Bring someone along, even a date if needs be, to savour the taste of the best snacky food that most middle-class Brits go for when they feel a bit peckish. Join the crowd and indulge at your leisure. Of course, if wine and smelly cheeses quite simply aren't your cup of tea, then this may not excite you one iota, so you're best heading somewhere that pleases your taste buds more.
Address: Clapham Common South Side, Clapham Town, London SW4 7AA
11. Chick N Sours
Even the name makes it sound like one of the cool places to eat in London. If you love fried chicken, but often struggle to choose between wings, drums, or breasts and want the whole thing, then you'll be in heaven here as they give you the entire chicken, brined and then fried for that bit of extra crispiness. Alongside all of that, you'll have dripping fries and pickled watermelon as well. Gather a few of your chicken loving friends together and head out here to satisfy the craving. Though it's best to leave the vegetarians and vegans outside.
Address: 390 Kingsland Rd, Dalston, London E8 4AA
12. Hunan
Whatever you desire from the far-ranging Chinese cuisine, this restaurant will more than put together. All of your old-time favourites can be ordered if you ask and it can be a good treat when you bring a mate or two with you for the ride. Tuck in and be impressed by the service as well as the damn good food that will have you wondering why you didn't pick this place sooner.
Address: 51 Pimlico Rd, Belgravia, London SW1W 8NE
13. Sarastro
If you want to see what flamboyance in restaurant form looks like, then you need to head here for a whirlwind of colours, opulence, and reclaimed theatre props. Often billed as the place to attend after a show, this is a rare treat for theatre lovers that don't want the magic to end after the curtain goes down. It has live music and regular performances too to go with the divine and intriguing menu. So if theatre is your favourite past-time on London excursions then this is where you should end up for an evening of fun and entertainment.
Address: Sarastro Restaurant, 126 Drury Ln, Holborn, London WC2B 5SU
14. Bob Bob Ricard
This British-Russian establishment in Soho is a real delight for those that want something different. However, one thing that stands out is its 'press for champagne' button that will have you and your friends and family getting plastered fairly quickly from all the bottles and glasses. In fact, that button is so popular that the place pours more champagne than any other in the UK. It's true. So, take full advantage of it while you can, you won't get it anywhere else.
Address: 1 Upper James St, Soho, London W1F 9DF
15. Redemption
A restaurant with no meat, no gluten, no sugar, and no booze, this may not automatically appear on your foodie radar but everyone that eats here is converted throughout their experience. So, if you want to change your outlook on the eating green or want to give this a try to get on the diet, then why not go for it? Given how popular this restaurant is, clearly they know what they're doing. So don't be shy. Come down and visit one of the many cool places to eat in London, and leave full and inspired to take a new direction with your diet.
Address: 2 Neal's Yard, West End, London WC2H 9AT
16. Buona Sera
Another cool and stylish place to eat at, this Italian establishment has pine cubicles to sit at that climb the walls of this restaurant, with the ever-dutiful waiters serving your food via a ladder to make it feel that you're dining in an upscale treehouse in some rich kids' garden. So enjoy all you usual Italian favourites in a spanking new way.
Address: 22-26 Northcote Rd, London SW11 1NX