10 unique dining experiences to try in London

Kanpai Classic Soho’s attention to detail makes every dish special. Credit: Kanpai Classic Soho
Two oysters sit on a bed of ice in a plate at Kanpai Classic Soho

London is full of fun things to do, and some of the best experiences can be found at the city’s best restaurants. From outstanding tasting menus to cooking masterclasses, the best dining experiences in London are sure to create lasting memories.

Take a trip to Portugal and share a feast of sharing plates or get an izakaya experience in the heart of Soho. Angel is home to traditional Caribbean flavours with a vegan twist and Oxford Circus boasts an Italian restaurant that offers pizza-making masterclasses. Enjoy a quintessential afternoon tea at a glamorous hotel in Victoria or tuck into New Orleans-style cooking with a side of live music in Covent Garden. A spacious German restaurant is the perfect spot to celebrate Oktoberfest and Mayfair is home to a three-MICHELIN-starred French restaurant. Zero waste dining makes for an unforgettable night out in Hackney and Marble Arch is home to a Japanese restaurant serving a traditional kaiseki experience.

Some of these experiences are limited – secure your table at the restaurants serving the best dining experiences in London on OpenTable now.

Read on to discover 10 of the best dining experiences in London

For a trip to Portugal at one of the best dining experiences in London – check out Bar Douro in City and London Bridge

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Traditional Portuguese flavours come to London with Bar Douro. Credit: Bar Douro
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 The Portuguese Feast for 2 features some of Bar Douro’s most popular dishes. Credit: Bar Douro
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Start with a round of crispy croquetes de alheira filled with smoked Portuguese sausage. Credit: Bar Douro
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Grab a seat at the counter and watch the chefs work or sit by the window and look out at London. Credit: Bar Douro
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Bar Douro’s blue and white tiled interiors send you on a one-way trip to Portugal. Credit: Bar Douro

Take a trip to Portugal at Bar Douro in the City or London Bridge. Whether you visit Finsbury Avenue Square or head to the railway arch at Flat Iron Square, you’ll find a cosy dining space with blue and white azulejo tiles, painted with intricate patterns or scenes from myth and legend. Both restaurants also have spacious outdoor terraces to enjoy the fresh air. The kitchen works closely with its suppliers, both in the UK and in Portugal, bringing diners fresh, classically Portuguese flavours. During the London Restaurant Festival, Bar Douro is putting on a Portuguese Feast for 2 featuring some of the most popular dishes on the menu, perfect for sharing. Try crispy salt cod fritters, juicy garlic prawns and a pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tart) with cinnamon ice cream. The immersive experience extends to the 100% Portuguese wine list, which boasts the UK’s largest selection of Portuguese wine.

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For an izakaya dining experience – book at Shack-Fuyu in Soho

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From tasting menus to bottomless brunches, a meal at Shack-Fuyu is best shared with friends. Credit: Shack-Fuyu
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Shack-Fuyu brings the izakaya experience to the heart of London. Credit: Shack-Fuyu
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Try unique Japanese fusion dishes at Shack-Fuyu. Credit: Shack-Fuyu

Shack-Fuyu brings yoshoku, Japanese cooking inspired by Western influences, to the heart of London. Whether you’re dining solo at the counter, making new friends at the communal dining table or gathering with old ones in the cosy booths, you can soak up the community atmosphere and creative flavours. This relaxed vibe, plus classic dishes like beef tataki and edamame, make Shack-Fuyu feel like a true izakaya, Japan’s relaxed pubs perfect for late-night drinking and dining. Perfect for group dining, Shack-Fuyu has one of the best bottomless Sunday brunches in London. Share small plates of crispy fried squid and chashu pork buns and large plates of grilled salmon fillet and veggie katsu curry. Enjoy a yuzu kosho bloody mary or a strawberry bellini when you arrive, then choose between red wine, white wine, or prosecco while you eat. During the London Restaurant Festival, Shack-Fuyu is hosting a nine-course tasting menu showcasing signature dishes, including its cult-favourite kinako French toast. Add on a sake flight for the full-tasting experience.

For plant-based Caribbean flavours – book your table at Jam Delish in Angel

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Dig into a seasonal feast at Jam Delish. Credit: Jam Delish
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Jam Delish’s menu of Caribbean flavours made with vegan ingredients has made it one of the most popular restaurants in town. Credit: Jam Delish
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The relaxed, vibrant dining room at Jam Delish sets the scene for the showstopping flavours to come. Credit: Jam Delish

Jam Delish is a one-of-a-kind gastronomic experience in London. Inspired by their vegan upbringing and traditional Caribbean recipes passed down by their grandparents, siblings Jordan and Chyna have crafted a menu of modern Caribbean vegan cooking. The restaurant itself is decked out in velvet shades of green and blue with tropical indoor plants and a striking pink and green flower wall. This October, Jam Delish is offering its best experience yet with the London Restaurant Festival: Chef’s Autumn Set Menu. Curated by executive chef Nathan Collymore, try seasonal Caribbean flavours like a grilled portobello jerk pepper steak and a creamy coconut and pimento panna cotta. Available exclusively through OpenTable for one month, book now to ensure you grab your spot.

For a pizza-making masterclass – try Ponti’s Italian Kitchen in Oxford Circus

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Enjoy classic Italian flavours at Ponti’s Italian Kitchen. Credit: Ponti’s Italian Kitchen – Oxford Circus
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Share hearty Italian cooking at Ponti’s Italian Kitchen – Oxford Circus. Credit: Ponti’s Italian Kitchen – Oxford Circus
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The private dining room at Ponti’s Italian Kitchen – Oxford Circus features an antique oak table, a 60-inch tv and a buzzer to call the waitstaff.
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Ponti’s Italian Kitchen brings its own slice of peaceful rural Italy to the hustle and bustle of Oxford Circus. Credit: Ponti’s Italian Kitchen – Oxford Circus

Ponti’s Italian Kitchen is not just one of London’s best Italian restaurants, it’s also the perfect place to learn a new skill. Book the pizza class and get a masterclass on pizza making, under the guidance of a senior pizzaiolo. Class kicks off with an Aperol spritz before guiding you through each step of the process, with expert tips along the way. Once you’re done, it’s time to taste your creation plus some ice cream for dessert. With a certificate of completion and a Ponti’s Pizza Scuola apron in hand, you’ll be ready to wow friends and family at your next dinner party – all for £50. If you’re after a more classic dining experience, book a table in the lively dining room and enjoy classic Italian dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s also a vegan menu featuring pizzas topped with vegan mozzarella, vegetable antipasto and refreshing sorbets.

For one of the best dining experiences in  London for tea lovers – take Afternoon Tea at the Palace Lounge at the Rubens Hotel in Victoria

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Add champagne to your Afternoon Tea in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens Hotel for an extra special experience. Credit: Afternoon Tea in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens Hotel
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Enjoy delicate pastries and light sandwiches at Afternoon Tea in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens Hotel. Credit: Afternoon Tea in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens Hotel
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Afternoon Tea in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens Hotel is served in an opulent dining room. Credit: Afternoon Tea in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens Hotel
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From fluffy scones to carefully decorated cakes, Afternoon Tea in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens Hotel is always a special experience. Credit: Afternoon Tea in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens Hotel
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Tea in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens Hotel is the perfect way to spend an afternoon tea. Credit: Afternoon Tea in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens Hotel

Afternoon Tea at the Palace Lounge at the Rubens Hotel offers a quintessential afternoon tea experience. Grab a spot by the window and soak up views of Buckingham Palace’s Royal Mews as pots of tea and trays of pastries, sandwiches and scones are brought to your table. Think brightly coloured macarons and cakes shaped like peaches, each one as decadent and decorative as the last. Book the royal afternoon tea – highlighted during this year’s London Restaurant Festival – for the kitchen’s signature offerings. Add on champagne for a special occasion, or book the bottomless afternoon tea and get one and a half hours of free-flowing champagne along with your tea and pastries. The opulent surroundings and glamorous red and gold interior perfectly match the treats coming out of the kitchen.

For one of the best dining experiences in London’s theatrical West End – visit Louie in Covent Garden

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French dishes get a New Orleans flavour at Louie. Credit: Louie
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Try seafood and small plates from the carefully curated menu at Louie. Credit: Louie
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ith eclectic decor and live music, Louie is always full of life. Credit: Louie
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Close to Covent Garden and Soho, Louie is the perfect spot for pre-theatre dining. Credit: Louie
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Dig into a seafood feast at Louie. Credit: Louie

A French menu with New Orleans influences makes Louie one of London’s most exciting dining experiences. Set in an eclectically decorated 19th-century townhouse near both Soho and Covent Garden’s entertainment districts, it’s the perfect spot to start a night out on the town. Plus, with live music acts throughout the week, you can get dinner and a show even before you head to the theatre. If you do have tickets to the West End, consider booking the two or three course pre-theatre menu. Begin with a complimentary glass of Chateau d’Esclans Rock Angel rosé before digging into a Louisiana-style Caesar salad or a New Orleans chicken. Just a few minutes from the Saint Martin’s, Cambridge and Apollo theatres, you’re sure to make the show on time.

For a yakiniku experience in the heart of London – don’t miss Kanpai Classic in Soho

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Kanpai Classic Soho’s Waguy feast is a one-of-a-kind experience in London. Credit: Kanpai Classic Soho
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Dig into pots of steaming rice at Kanpai Classic Soho. Credit: Kanpai Classic Soho
Two oysters sit on a bed of ice in a plate at Kanpai Classic Soho
Kanpai Classic Soho’s attention to detail makes every dish special. Credit: Kanpai Classic Soho
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Kanpai Classic Soho’s dramatic, mood-lit dining room is an immersive experience. Credit: Kanpai Classic Soho

A yakiniku restaurant in the heart of Soho, Kanpai Classic offers a ‘first experience of its kind in London’. The highest A5 Grade Japanese wagyu beef is carefully prepared by executive chef Masatada Ogata and cooked on the charcoal grill at your table. For the full experience book one of the omakase – chef’s choice menus. The 11-course omakase features both Japanese A5 and Australian purebred wagyu, allowing you to taste some of the best cuts of beef in the world. This October, the London Restaurant Festival will feature Kanpai Classics essence of autumn omakase, inspired by autumnal flavours to capture the season. The sleek, mood-lit dining room in shades of black and gold creates an immersive, luxurious experience. When paired with world-renowned beef and award-winning sake, a meal at Kanpai Classic is one to remember.

For one of best dining experiences in London for celebrating Oktoberfest – try German Gymnasium in King’s Cross 

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Indulge in classic German comfort foods at German Gymnasium. Credit: German Gymnasium
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Don’t miss German Gymnasium during Oktoberfest when the bartenders don traditional gear to serve foaming steins of beer. Credit: German Gymnasium
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 German Gymnasium’s elegant dining room is perfect for Oktoberfest celebrations. Credit: German Gymnasium

Housed inside a brick-walled Grade 2 listed building in the heart of Kings Cross German Gymnasium’s stately dining area is the perfect spot for a special occasion. With hearty German dishes served alongside cocktails and beer, this restaurant is always a good time. But, it’s no surprise that, for many, the best time to visit is during Oktoberfest. The staff don lederhosen and dirndl and host a live Oompah Band each Friday – join them in a rendition of the Oktoberfest classic “Ein Prosit” (I Salute You). Wear your own lederhosen or dirndl and you’ll get your first stein on the house. The Oktoberfest menu features soft sweet bavarian pretzels, generous servings of kasseler – roast brined pork loin with sauerkraut – German cheese noodles and much more. Order your beer by the pint or the Maßkrug (stein). With traditional German beers on tap, you can get the true Oktoberfest experience at German Gymnasium.

For one of the best fine dining experiences in London – book a table at Hélène Darroze at The Connaught in Mayfair

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Creative plating elevates the experience at Hélène Darroze at The Connaught. Credit: Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
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Three MICHELIN stars, seasonal flavours and off-the-beaten-path wines make a meal at Hélène Darroze at The Connaught extra special.
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Natural light fills the room at Hélène Darroze at The Connaught. Credit: Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
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The unique Le Vol-au-Vent by Hélène Darroze experience is not to be missed. Credit: Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
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A seat at the chef’s table is an unforgettable experience at Hélène Darroze at The Connaught. Credit: Hélène Darroze at The Connaught

Elegant and bright, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught is one of London’s most beautiful restaurants. Awarded three MICHELIN stars, the inventive menu of French dishes made with seasonal British ingredients has delighted diners over and over again. The Pierre Yovanovitch-designed interiors use warm, muted colours and curved lines that embrace diners with open arms. At lunch, book the Le Vol-au-Vent by Hélène Darroze three-course menu. Serving traditional vol-au-vent with gastronomic flair, diners will receive a welcome glass of Kir Royale on arrival. The restaurant’s seasonal approach means the exact flavours are always changing but expect unique dishes like a “vol-au-vent” with lobster, veal sweetbread and parsnip mousseline and a fig dessert with a Solliès fig compote and a fig leaf sorbet. Daily servings are limited, so be sure to book yours on OpenTable so you don’t miss out.

For a for a zero-waste dining experience – book your table at Silo London in Hackney

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Silo’s sleek, industrial dining room with an open kitchen creates a fun atmosphere. Credit: Silo
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ilo’s zero-waste philosophy always makes for a unique experience. Credit: Silo
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Silo’s in-house fermentatrium lets them use up almost every bit of every ingredient from vegetable trip to cheese rinds. Credit: Silo
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Gather with friends and family for an unbeatable zero-waste dining experience at Silo. Credit: Silo

The world’s first zero waste restaurant, Silo London is one of London’s most unique dining experiences. Grab a seat in the spacious, industrial dining room featuring an open kitchen and views over the River Lea. Almost every ingredient is used fully and many are made in-house including house-milled flour and house-churned butter. Anything that can’t be used in dishes as it is goes to the fermentatrium which produces garums that are used to bring a unique umami flavour to Silo’s best dishes. The tiny amount of waste left over after that is condensed into a single block that, 18 months after opening was just 4×4 inches. Silo has partnered with winemaker Maison Ruinart to put on the Savoir (Re)Faire Supper Series. This monthly dining experience explores the impact of climate change on drinking and dining. Enjoy a unique five-course tasting menu paired with Ruinart’s Blanc Singulier champagne inspired by the constraints and adaptations caused by an ever-changing climate.

For a traditional kaiseki dining experience – head to Roketsu in Marble Arch

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You don’t need to go all the way to Japan to try a traditional Kaiseki meal at Roketsu. Credit: Roketsu
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Roketsu’s main counter is made from a seven-meter-long slab of hinoki wood that’s over 300 years old. Credit: Roketsu
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Whether you order a la carte or try the two-course Kaiseki experience, the flavours at Roketsu are not to be missed. Credit: Roketsu
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Roketsu’s sleek private dining room is suited to everything from special celebrations to business dinners. Credit: Roketsu
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Head down to the basement floor and relax in Roketsu’s wine and sake lounge. Credit: Roketsu
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Grab a seat at the counter and let Roketsu take you on a journey. Credit: Roketsu

Try a traditional kaiseki dining experience at Roketsu. Designed for all the senses, Roketsu immerses you in a traditional Japanese-style dining space using materials from Japan. Grab a seat at the main counter or head downstairs to the wine and sake lounge. Trained at Kikunoi, a three MICHELIN-starred restaurant in Kyoto, chef-owner Daisuke Hayashi crafts a new traditional kaiseki and light kaiseki course each season. The full kaiseki course is a nine-course meal featuring sashimi, soup, grilled fish, rice and a hearty dish chosen to complement the sake. The light kaiseki course is a seven-course experience without the soup or the grilled fish. Both also include small appetisers to start and a seasonal dessert. Available at the main counter, you can also book Roketsu’s private dining room, which seats up to six guests.

Whether you’re planning a special occasion or you just want to try something new, there are always great dining experiences to check out in London. From unique cuisines that you won’t find anywhere else to cooking classes and live performances, many of London’s best restaurants go one step further to create lasting memories. From elegant afternoon teas to showstopping suppers, the best dining experiences in London are always worth a try.

Don’t miss out – book your spot at the best dining experiences in London on OpenTable today

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