Every restaurant has its own unique character but it’s fair to say that some have more character than others. If you’re looking for a dining experience unlike any other, you can take your pick from a variety of quirky and unusual restaurants in London. Whether you want dinner in a distinctive setting like a prison, service that’s one-of-a-kind, or surprising food, there are plenty of unusual meals to be had in the capital. Discover some of the city’s most unique eateries in our guide to quirky restaurants in London.

Quirky restaurants in London
Unusual and unique restaurants in London
Traditional Dutch barge
Floating restaurant Caravel sits on a traditional Dutch barge moored on Regent’s Canal. This cute and compact restaurant serves dishes with international inspirations – expect sesame prawn toast, duck croquettes, and risotto. Wine, beer, and a small choice of signature cocktails help you to relax and enjoy your time on board.
- 172 Shepherdess Walk, Shoreditch/Islington
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup




Dining in darkness
Considered one of the world's most unusual restaurants, at Dans Le Noir? you eat in total darkness. Pick a mystery menu made with meat, fish, or plant-based ingredients and let your blind server guide you to your table. Enjoy gourmet cuisine before heading to the bar to find out what you ate.
- 69-73 St John Street
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup



Escape from the city
For dining with unparalleled views of the London skyline, Aviary is worth a visit. This bustling rooftop is an escape from the city streets, where you can enjoy an aromatic botanical cocktail or tuck into seasonal British cooking. Expect oysters, Cornish turbot, and braised pork cheeks, plus sticky toffee pudding for dessert.
- Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square, Shoreditch
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup




British food and panoramic views
For a meal with an unusual view, check out Aqua Shard on the 31st floor of The Shard. Take in panoramic views of the city whilst enjoying award-winning contemporary British cooking. The menu includes venison carpaccio, grilled halibut, and leek and potato ravioli. A creative spin on afternoon tea is also served.
- The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, Southwark
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Restaurant from the future
At Inamo's two branches you can try Asian fusion food in a high-tech setting. You can use the state-of-the-art touch-screen tables to order an assortment of dishes from all over Asia, play games such as air hockey or pool, and more. You can also book unique private rooms equipped with giant gaming screens.
- 11-14 Hanover Place, Covent Garden 134-136 Wardour Street, Soho
- •




Luxe rainforest theme
Immerse yourself in the tropics at Amazónico, a luxe rainforest-themed restaurant. Surrounded by lush greenery, diners try fresh sushi and Nikkei cuisine, fusing Latin American and Japanese cooking traditions. Enjoy with a cocktail or wine and listen to live music in the restaurant or tropical DJ sets in the bar and lounge.
- 10 Berkeley Square, Mayfair
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Gourmet bus tour
Bustronome offers sophisticated dining along with a sightseeing tour of London. Seated on a glass-roofed double decker bus, you'll enjoy a tasting menu and uninterrupted city views during a two hour long trip. A special menu for children is available too. Private hire of Bustronome is also available for special occasions.
- Coach Bay 40B, Victoria Embankment
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup




Floating Chinese pagoda
For a Chinese meal with a difference, head to Feng Shang Princess. This floating pagoda restaurant is permanently moored on Regent’s Canal – enjoy your favourite dishes whilst taking in the peaceful views. There’s an extensive menu full of classic Chinese and Asian cuisine, as well as a fully-stocked bar on-board.
- Southern Star Cumberland Basin, Prince Albert Road, Camden Town
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Top quality prison food
Prison food may not have the best reputation but you can enjoy higher standards at The Clink. This unique restaurant is based in HMP Brixton, where prisoners cook and serve meals as they work towards catering qualifications. Prisoners also make some of the furniture. Lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea are all served.
- HMP Brixton, Jebb Avenue, Brixton Hill, Brixton
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup



Press the champagne button
There’s one thing in particular that sends diners looking for an unusual experience to Bob Bob Ricard – the infamous "Press for Champagne" button at every table. Press it and the bubbles will come! If you fancy some food to go with all that champagne, the menu includes caviar, oysters, soufflé, and steak.
- 1 Upper James St, Soho 122 Leadenhall St, The City/City of London
- •




Unique seating arrangements
Opened in 1972, The Jam is a unique Italian restaurant that's full of fun. There's a one-of-a-kind seating arrangement comprised of multi-level booths. If you're sitting up high the only way to get there is up a ladder! The Jam is well-known for pizza but other small and large plates are also served.
- 289A King's Road, Chelsea
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Lively Italian eatery
Bunga Bunga in Covent Garden is London’s immersive Italian experience inspired by Silvio Berlusconi. Visit the family-friendly pizzeria for a more sedate experience or let loose downstairs with a lively sharing feast and entertainment. Expect pizza by the metre, dough-tossing chefs, and a cabaret show to get the party started.
- 167 Drury Ln, Covent Garden
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Not suitable for vampires
Garlic & Shots does what it says on the tin - at this Swedish import there are 101 shots available from the bar and food that's packed with garlic. You can request extra garlic but never less. This low-lit, gothic venue offers pasta, steak, and tacos, plus a wide range of shots and cocktails.
- 14 Frith Street, Soho
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup



360 degree city views
The Gherkin is a London landmark and also an unusual place for a meal. Visit Searcy’s at The Gherkin and you can try a British and European menu that celebrates top quality British ingredients. You’re guaranteed 360 degree views whilst you eat. This is also a sought-after location for events, including weddings.
- 30 St Mary Axe, The City/City of London
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup



Kebabs like never before
Kebab Queen sounds like somewhere you go at the end of the night but it's anything but. This secretive venue hides a theatrical chef's table experience, reimagining your typical drunken kebab. Food is prepared and served right atop the counter, which is cleaned between each of the courses on the tasting menu.
- 4 Mercer Walk, Covent Garden
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Bespoke tasting menus
A meal at Hunan is for the adventurous! This laid-back Chinese restaurant has no menu – tell your server your likes and dislikes, and your preferred spice level, then let the chefs do the rest. You’ll get a bespoke 12-18 course tasting menu. Dishes that sometimes pop up include dumplings, fried chicken, and clams.
- 51 Pimlico Road, Chelsea/Belgravia
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup



Four restaurants in one
Sketch is known for its distinctive decor, combining four restaurants and a bar in one venue. Visit the neon Parlour, the enchanted forest in The Glade, the Art Deco style Gallery, or the plush surroundings of The Lecture Room & Library. Whichever you choose, you can enjoy a meal in surroundings just made for Instagram.
- 9 Conduit St, Mayfair 9 Conduit St, Mayfair 9 Conduit St, Mayfair 9 Conduit St, Mayfair
- •
Hackney's boat restaurant
Barge East offers casual dining and a modern rustic setting aboard a 120 year old Dutch barge. This award-winning restaurant dishes up seasonal British set menus, including plant-based options. Barge East's canal-side garden is one of the city's largest outdoor dining spaces, where you can enjoy drinks and street food.
- River Lee, Sweetwater Mooring, 98 White Post Lane, Tower Hamlets
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Unique cheese conveyor belt
At Pick & Cheese you'll discover the world's first cheese conveyor belt. The belt here carries small British cheese plates, each with their own special accompaniment. Pick the plates you like the look of as they cruise past you and top it off with a choice from the carefully-selected wine list.
- Seven Dials Market, Short's Gardens, Covent Garden
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Make your mark here
Relaxed Bermondsey venue The Doodle Bar serves generous burgers and fries but you're also free to have a doodle on the walls. A huge range of drinks are on offer at this bar and restaurant as well. The Doodle Bar hosts a wide variety of creative events and workshops too.
- 60 Druid Street, Southwark/Bermondsey
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Sophisticated street food
Enter what appears to be a Soho sex shop – make sure it’s the right one – and you’ll find La Bodega Negra, one of London’s classic Mexican places. It’s over 18s only, and a place for sophisticated street food like truffle and black mole quesadillas. Cocktails and Mexican spirits are on the menu too.
- 9 Old Compton Street, Soho
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Festival vibes
Eat in a Bedouin tent under a faux-night sky at Fitzrovia's The Tent (At the End of Universe). This intimate and bohemian restaurant gives off major festival vibes. The food is contemporary Middle Eastern cooking including loads of plates to share, plus live music performances are on regularly to enhance a meal.
- 17 Little Portland St, Fitzrovia
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Anime central
Fans of anime, manga, cosplay and Japanese culture in general, rejoice! After closing its original location in Holborn, Uzumaki opened a new venue on Great Russell Street in 2022. This genki café serves anime-inspired takes on Japanese classics such as ramen, sushi and bubble tea, and invites guests to bring their favourite series to life with the help of cosplay.
- 107 Great Russell St, Fitzrovia/Bloomsbury
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Arguably the hottest place in town
Naked Soho is London's first erotic-themed restaurant, celebrating the body and sexuality in seriously NSFW surroundings, from the art decorating the walls to the punny menu and the naughty plate arrangements. A ceramic dong sticking out of your pasta – or the wall, your cocktail or anywhere else, really – is par for the course here. The uncensored fun and comforting international fare on offer are aimed primarily at parties or groups of friends looking to have a good time.
- 10 Moor St, Soho
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Bringing ancient times to life
Be transported to ancient times at Bacchanalia in Mayfair. This immersive restaurant recreates a decadent Greco-Roman feast with sophisticated Mediterranean dishes and elaborate interiors that retell ancient myths with antique decor and original artwork by Damien Hirst. Many dishes are finished at your table to make the experience even more theatrical.
- 1-3 Mount Street, Mayfair
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Better than a sandwich on your commute
Savour a gourmet meal aboard a vintage Victoria line train with Supperclub.tube. This exclusive dining experience offers a six course fine dining menu filled with Latin American flavours, enjoyed in the unique surroundings of a refurbished train carriage from 1967. The space is surprising and there's a social atmosphere too. Booking in advance is essential.
- 10 S Access Rd, Walthamstow/Waltham Forest
- Website
- Read more on Thatsup
Flamboyant dining
Billing itself as the show after the show, Sarastro is a rich and vibrant place for Turkish cuisine. Heavily influenced by the theatre, this venue boasts OTT decor with Art Deco touches and gold details, plus diverse genres of live music to entertain you. Mezze and other Mediterranean-influenced dishes are served here.
- 126 Drury Ln, Covent Garden
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Get creative
Garum is a place for fine Italian food, as well as a bit of fun. This place is known for great hospitality and for offering crayons to diners so you can draw on the walls. This collective artwork gives the space a quirky feel. The menu focuses on authentic Roman dishes, including pasta and plenty of small plates for sharing. Cocktails and fine wines are served too.
- 68 Queensway
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Alice's wondrous garden
The Rosarium, located within the immersive Alice-in-Wonderland-themed Labyrinth beneath Waterloo Station, offers a unique take on the quintessential English garden through various suitably decorated spaces. Drawing inspiration not only from Lewis Carroll's works but also from across the British Isles, the menu features a range of sophisticate dishes. Guests can also enjoy afternoon tea and cocktails during their visit.
- Waterloo Station, South Bank/Southwark
- Website •
- Read more on Thatsup
Get on the bus
Probably the quirkiest kebab shop around, Last Stop Kebab in Edmonton is housed in a converted double decker bus. Affordable food is available here to take away or eat-in whilst sitting on the bus. The straightforward menu includes kebabs, burgers, wraps, and Mediterranean sides, including a variety of vegetarian-friendly dishes.
- 150 Bridport Rd, Enfield
- Read more on Thatsup
Ramen and robots
You won't find any chefs at Saba, apart from the robot chef making the fried chicken. Opened in 2024, this is the UK's first Korean DIY ramen bar. The walls are lined with packets of ramen - more than 50 types are available. Choose the one you want as well as an extra toppings then let the machines prepare your food for a fun and satisfying meal.
- 29 Kensington High St, Kensington
- Read more on Thatsup
Taking bugs mainstream
Yum Bug is a pioneering brand focusing on insect-based ingredients, especially edible crickets, touted as the future of food. Adventurous diners can choose from a menu offering an array of bug-infused dishes, such as cricket mince & pomegranate flatbreads, cricket kofte, or even whole roasted crickets as a snack. Yum Bug Restaurant was driven by the overwhelming popularity of the brand's pop-up events and features a stripped-down, industrial setting.
- 110 Fonthill Rd
- Website
- Read more on Thatsup
- London
- Guides
- Restaurant
- Quirky restaurants in London