Quirky restaurants in London

Sketch is quite an obvious one for this list, we think, what with its ultra-Instagrammable interiors. The bubblegum-pink ladyfinger velvet booths, dusty pink walls clad with black-framed David Shrigley sketches and its high ceilings make The Gallery an awe-inspiring place to dine. Another quirky element is its afternoon tea, which not only tastes extraordinary, but is served by men in boiler suits. Cameras at the ready, peeps!

Cheekily nicknamed ‘The K-Hole’, this drag queen karaoke venue sits downstairs from Voodoo Ray’s, which churns out gigantic pizzas that are sure to soak up the Dutch courage you’ll have needed to consume for your big performance. Unlike your traditional karaoke venues, singers have to perform in front of the whole crowd rather than be sectioned off into private booths or dedicated rooms. The cocktails are fab, the LGBTQ vibes are fantastic and overall, it’s just a whole lotta fun.  

Ever wondered what it’s like to eat when you’re blind? At Dans le Noir, you can do just that as you’ll be eating in complete darkness for the duration of your meal. Aided by blind waiters with walkie-talkies, you stumble into the pitch-black dining room to devour your surprise meal – you aren't allowed to see a menu – can you guess what it its? Not only is it a sensory experience, in that it heightens the senses you take for granted (sight, taste, touch and hearing), but it’s also a social experiment where conversation becomes the focus and where phones don’t play a part.

Have your Chinese hotpots come out via conveyor belt on colourful plates at this modern Chinatown restaurant. Make sure you try the fish balls stuffed with pork – they’re chewy and hearty. The Mala broth was another showstopper, fizzling with Szechuan peppercorns and plump prawns. For veggies, go for the stuffed tofu. The Asian canteen feel is a further atmospheric plus.

This original tiki-themed hula hideaway is still going strong after 50 years of operation, spreading Polynesian good vibes to the people of Mayfair. The retro feel, vibrant fabrics and beachside interiors make for an ultra-cool setting for some Asian-American fusion of barbeque, South Pacific seafood and curries. Delicious and reasonably priced rum cocktails and samba disco tunes complete the experience.

When stepping inside this restaurant and bar in Fulham, which imitates a flat share, you instantly feel like you’re at a classic London house party. The concept is taken to the max and it works. Booking is done via WhatsApp (can you get a group chat going?) and to be let in, you’ve got to ring the doorbell. Little touches such as a utility room complete with a dog bed and bras hanging to dry on a clothes line complete the look and allow you to get fully immersed. It doesn’t end there. A Prosecco vending machine and neon signs spelling ‘let’s get fizzical’ provide ample Instagram fodder and the food is decent and spans the globe, inspired by the travels of ‘the flatmates’ (AKA staff).  

When the name of this place is taken from former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi’s notorious and frisky gatherings, you know the party vibes will be high. Think lads on tour with a touch of Euro trash thrown in for good measure. It’s bags of fun and the food on offer is – naturally – pizza. A great selection of it include the Julius Cheeser (its take on a quarto fromaggio) and the Po-pa-polla with chicken, bacon and barbecue sauce. Wash it all down with heaps of Prosecco, Peroni and Aperol Spritzes.    

The fact that La Bodega Negra is hidden behind the façade of a sex shop is perhaps quirky enough, but it doesn’t end there. The party vibes are as high as the lights are low and the seductive atmosphere is elevated by supreme tacos, piquant ceviches and lashings of mescal and tequila. Go for the soft-shell crab taco that comes complete with a slathering of smoky chipotle crema.

Gadget men and tech-lovers rejoice! The interactive touch pads at Inamo are there for more than just ordering your food with – they can even be used to book you a cab home after. This futuristic, neon-lit restaurant has a novel entertainment concept that goes down really well with diners, and the Oriental food is also on point. Expect pan-Asian dishes such as Malaysian beef rending or Japanese tofu salads, Peking duck or scallop tartare. The up-beat pop soundtrack completes the experience.

Imagine if you had a house party in the Africa section at The British Museum and you can get an inkling of what it’s like stepping into this enormous South African-themed restaurant and bar in Camden. Navigate your way through giant Zulu warrior statues to the sound of drumbeats and admire the beautiful wall-to-wall tribal carvings, ethnic prints and indigenous artwork. Cocktails are the main attraction, but semi-wacko South African delicacies such as kudu, ostrich, springbok and zebra are all on offer, too.  

Medieval feasting is the inspiration at this basement hall with a menu that mirrors high-rolling surf ‘n’ turf; think gigantic, prehistoric-looking king crabs, oysters, tempura prawns and aged Nebraskan beef – all washed down with vintage drinks. Be prepared to pay a high price for it, though. Enjoy it on long wooden tables dotted with flickering candelabras for the right atmosphere.  

Are you an opera fan? You’ve come to the right place then. At this concept restaurant, staff will be belting out high notes of popular arias throughout the evening. Literally breaking out into song at any given moment, your waitress could be placing your starter in front of you one second and cracking glass with her high-pitched voice in the next. The menu is European and comes accompanied by a well-balanced wine list that is sorted into voice categories such as sopranos (light whites) and basses (boisterous reds).   

Gingham tablecloths, walls studded with noughties toys, dumplings shaped like Pac-Man and cheeseburger spring rolls should all be enough to convince you that this place reaches peak quirkiness. But the food is actually really good, although you’re paying double what you would in Chinatown.  Both your Instagram feed and your belly will be satisfied here.

Speakeasy’s are big right now and this one is particularly fun. More of a bar than a restaurant, it still serves up tasty steak sliders and burgers with chimichurri chips. So give the doorman a wink and dive into a world of 1930’s kitsch where striking interiors, fun artwork and well-turned cocktails will keep you occupied for hours. Watch out for regular events such as murder mysteries and themes parties.

Be prepared to be one of many punters with their phone cameras pointing to the ceiling at this Victorian, Jules Vernes-themed gin bar – the second opening from the Mr Fogg’s empire. Aforementioned ceiling is stacked with knick-knacks and souvenirs from around the world. Talented and experienced bar staff can help you have an amazing gin journey and discover your favourite tipple while you enjoy tasty nibbles of the likes of rosemary nuts, chorizo bites and chilli-roasted corn.   

This Moulin Rouge-style venue in Covent Garden is perhaps mostly known for its nightclub scene, but dinner is also on the table with a French-tilted menu. The Grade II-listed building has a two-tier ballroom where impressive chandeliers take centre stage alongside a sweeping staircase. Cabaret, acrobatics, fire eaters and aerial acts form the hedonistic entertainment, which is tasteful and professional.

This is a restaurant where the quirky element is introduced through the food. Python carpaccio anyone? How about crocodile wrapped in vine leaves with honey-poached plums and pickled samphire to follow? And you simply couldn't resist the love-bug salad, right? Enter Indiana Jones mode and really go for it. Feeling scared? There are safer bets such as duck and jerk seafood to choose from.

The low ceilings, the creaking coming from the hull and the constant moving of the tide on the river will reassure you you’re on a boat when dining here, and to great effect – just beware when you stand up after a few glasses of wine. The art deco decked-out yacht, which is moored near Temple, dates back to 1927 and still contains several of its original features. You might think that seafood is the prominent food here, but it’s actually the use of vegetables.   

More a destination for a good night out than a catch-up meal with friends, the West End off-shoot of the Farringdon original still sees punters requesting songs from a pianist and live band, who performs to a roaring crowd. There are serious party vibes here with themed nights, a daily cocktail and Champagne hour, as well as a Saturday brunch. The a la carte is simple, but satisfying.  

The whole of Sketch is a quirky-seeker’s dream, so you can take your pick of the rooms that intrigue you the most. What has The Parlour got going for it? Perhaps the endless clientele of fashionistas and eccentrics, which smoothly match the interiors? Or maybe it’s the incredibly tasty drinks from a constantly evolving list that does the trick? Either way, the postmodernist drawing room forms an epic backdrop for quirky occasions.

This moving restaurant (it’s a canal boat taking you on a round-trip from Paddington to Camden on Regent’s Canal) serves some fantastic seafood on the way. We’re talking Carlingford oysters and butter-poached hake and mussels, as well as cockle and cuttlefish salad. For lunch, the boat is moored, but you can enjoy a set meal. Atmospheric and a little different, this is definitively one for your quirky list.