Our list of the best unusual restaurants in London are perfect for those times when eating out is starting to feel more like a chore than a treat. Shake yourself out of a restaurant rut and discover places which will have your friends praising your insider knowledge of London. The best unusual restaurants in London don't try too hard but their point of difference is always exceptional.
As well as these recommended unusual restaurants in London, don't forget to check out our round-up of the best
unusual bars in London too.
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37 Sackville Street, London, W1S 3EH
(020) 7494 2525
A Japanese steakhouse and sushi restaurant complete with your own chef. Sit back and be entertained as skilled chefs prepare your meal in front of you.
More Unusual Restaurants
When it comes to original dining, Archipelago is hard to beat - from crocodile and kangaroo to chicken and fish (as well as many vegetarian choices), there is something to suit every taste.
53 Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 4JJ
(020) 7383 3346
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St Martins Lane London, 45 St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2N 4HX
(020) 7300 5588
The St Martin's Lane Hotel's famous Asia De Cuba restaurant offers sumptuous surroundings and delectable food.
Bel Canto is located within the stylish Corus Hotel Hyde Park. They offer a range of French dishes served by classically trained singers who will entertain you with popular operatic arias during your meal.
Corus Hotel Hyde Park, 1-7 Lancaster Gate, Bayswater, London, W2 3PN
(020) 7262 1678
Grab a pizza and practice your ping pong at Bounce London, where food, booze and table tennis combine.
121 Holborn, Holborn, London, EC1N 2TD
(020) 3657 6525
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Trocadero, 13 Coventry Street, Leicester Square, London, W1D 7AB
(020) 3763 5288
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co lands in London from across the pond. Accommodating 400 customers, over two floors, the restaurant is inspired by Forest Gump and has movie memorabilia throughout.
The menu at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co has an impressive choice of dishes with signature options including coconut shrimp; lobster linguine; and Dixie style baby back ribs.
After the huge success of the Parisian restaurant where diners are invited to dine in pitch black darkness, Dans le Noir London has opened in the fashionable area of Farringdon.
30-31 Clerkenwell Green, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 0DU
(020) 7253 1100
Evans and Peel Detective Agency is a Prohibition styled bar and restaurant. The 80 cover venue offers an American 1920s food menu overseen by Michael Harrison. While on the drinks list there are high end spirits, Champagnes and signature cocktails.
310c Earls Court Road, London, SW5 9BA
(020) 7373 3573
Overlooking The Stables in the heart of Camden, Gilgamesh offers a truly unique restaurant and events space. With its gilt friezes, ornate armchairs and an imposing lapis-stone bar, Gilgamesh holds up to 1,200 guests. The pan-Asian menu has been created by the talented head chef Ian Pengelley.
The Stables, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, London, NW1 8AH
(020) 3805 0999
This very popular spot by Embankment is ridiculous dark, thanks to most of it being underground. Great cheese, great wine and a great atmosphere.
47 Villiers Street, Embankment, London, WC2N 6NE
(020) 7930 1408
The Greedy Cow is a bustling restaurant on Grove Road. They serve a range of globally inspired dishes together with an extensive wine list.
2 Grove Road, Bow, London, E3 5AX
(020) 8983 3304
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150 Old Park Lane, Mayfair, London, W1K 1QZ
(020) 7514 1700
The Hard Rock Cafe has been standing on Old Park Lane in London since 1971 and, to this day still offers authentic American cuisine and rock 'n' roll memorabilia. They offer a variety of burgers, sizzling fajitas, mouth watering cocktails and a truly electric atmosphere.
inamo Soho is a state of the art restaurant using modern technology to create a unique dining experience.
Projectors are used for menus so that customers can order their own food and drinks, adjust their light settings and themes at their individual tables, find out where to go for another drink in the local area or even book a taxi home.
134-136 Wardour Street, Soho, London, W1F 8ZP
(020) 7851 7051
The huge number of trinkets, statues, artworks and authentic Ethiopian furniture make this great spot one of the most unusual restaurants in London. It's also a great place to try very good Ethiopian food.
137 Fortess Road, Kentish Town, London, NW5 2HR
(020) 7284 0600
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Ivory House, St Katharines Dock, East Smithfield, London, E1W 1BP
(020) 7480 5353
Booking in advance is essential
You can have a right royal time at the Medieval Banquet London. Enjoy traditional medieval fare with King Henny VIII whilst knights battle right in front of your very eyes.
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678-680 Fulham Road, Fulham, London, SW6 5SA
(020) 7736 5293
Octoberfest Pub is a popular pub that recreates an authentic Oktoberfest experience outside of Germany every day. Everything is imported directly from one of Munich's breweries, Paulaner, including the beer and pork knuckles. All the latest sports are shown as well as hosting poker nights, pool, live Oktoberfest bands and DJs.
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57-60 Haymarket, Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4QX
(020) 7287 1000
The iconic Planet Hollywood in Haymarket offers a vibrant atmosphere and a menu of classic American favourites including burgers, wings and speciality cocktails.
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20-24 Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly, London, W1D 7EU
(020) 7434 3111
Based centrally in the heart of the West End, Rainforest Cafe is a distinctive jungle themed venue offering fun nights out amongst alligators and tropical fish. The Rainforest Cafe also features themed rooms with impressive animatronics, so expect to find a range of realistic jungle inhabitants peering through the undergrowth.
The cafe boasts an allergy friendly menu and can cater for different dietary needs for both adults and children.
Housed withing one of the most fascinating venues in London, the Gallery at Sketch features stunning design from Turner Prize winner Martin Creed. The whole place is certainly unusual - but in a good way.
9 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 2XG
(020) 7659 4500
Distinctive Swiss cooking at this absolute gem of a restaurant on Wardour Street. Anyone for fondue?
161 Wardour Street, London, W1F 8WJ
(020) 7734 3324
On arrival at this innovative Italian restaurant, you receive a bank-like chip card which is used to order your meal at your own pace - equally convenient for those in a hurry or for diners who like to relax without interruption!
19-21 Great Portland Street, Marylebone, London, W1W 8QB
(020) 7268 0080
Velo is a relaxed eatery offering healthy Vietnamese food. Velo is a unique venue that has innovative touch screen ordering and contact-less payment options with their Velo card.
104 Tooley Street, London Bridge, London, SE1 2TH
(020) 7407 9310