London’s culinary scene is alive with an array of unique dining experiences that cater to every taste and preference. From dinner cruises on the Thames River to immersive movie-themed meals, whether you’re visiting or you live here, check out these 8 exceptional dining experiences for an unforgettable night in London…
Bon Voyage & Bon Appétit! Enjoy A Thames River Dinner Cruise
Seeing the sights of London from a boat isn’t just for tourists. What better way to enjoy the capital in all of its glory than on an evening cruise while enjoying a meal along the river?
A dinner cruise on the Thames River is certainly a night to remember, and if you choose to hop aboard one in the summer months you’ll also be able to enjoy a beautiful sunset, right on the river before the city becomes illuminated at night. During the three-hour cruise you’ll be served a lavish four-course dinner as you marvel at the London Eye, the Tower of London, and many other landmarks, all from the Thames’s most vast of vantages.
When it comes to the grub, the menu focuses on modern British cuisine, Oh, and a live pianist provides the perfect soundtrack for a twinkly evening as you meander down the river. What’s not to love? But wait, there’s more; dinner is followed by a cabaret singer who performs songs from current and past West End shows, as well as a spot of dancing for those with the moves.
Since London sparkles the brightest in the summer, now is the ideal time to take advantage of a floating restaurant that sails along the Thames.
A Cruising Set Menu with London Shell Co.
Ahoy, foodies and anchors aweigh, mateys! Here’s another London dining experience where strong sea legs are required.
Picture this: cruising through the capital on a canal boat while savouring some top quality seafood. If that sounds good, then London Shell Co.’s The Prince Regent is your ticket to a scrumptious summer escapade. There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere of London’s canals on a balmy summer’s evening and taking in the sights and sounds from the unique vantage point of the canal is truly an unforgettable dining experience.
The London Shell Co is a family run affair led by brother and sister duo Harry and Leah Lobek, who both have a love for fish and boats. They have three restaurants in total, the cruising Prince Regent boat which we’re talking about today, the static Grand Duchess boat which is moored in Paddington, and finally a bricks and mortar restaurant on Swain Lain at the edge of Hampstead Heath, which also happens to be a fishmongers. That’s some serious pedigree right there…
When it comes to the menu, The London Shell Co. is all about quality British seafood and seasonal ingredients. Indeed, the guys here are seafood specialists, and it’s only the good stuff from the sea (not the canal, fortunately!) that you’ll get served. If dishes like line caught pollock with Norfolk asparagus swimming in a rich Grand Duchess sauce or smoked haddock risotto sounds right up your river, then you’ll be one happy boater on this voyage. The wine list is clean, concise and thoughtfully curated, too.
The cruise departs from Paddington Basin and takes you all the way to Camden Lock, past Little Venice and iconic London landmarks like London Zoo and Regents Park. Dinner cruises operate from Wednesday to Saturday while lunches onboard operate on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays.
Eat What You Watch with TasteFilm
Ever watched a film and wished you could taste what they’re eating on screen? We’ve all been there, but now you have the opportunity to do just that!
For film buffs and food enthusiasts alike, TasteFilm offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience where guests can enjoy a multi-course meal inspired by their favourite films. Basically, you eat what you watch; tasting the food eaten by the characters on the screen at exactly the same time.
Collaborating with well-rated restaurants and independent chefs, TasteFilm creates bespoke ‘moment-to-meal’ set menus and dining experiences to accompany screenings of cult-classic films. Yep, each dish is carefully crafted to represent a specific scene or theme, allowing diners to fully immerse themselves in the cinematic world while savouring the same dish.
The immersive experience blurs the line between spectator and participant, making it a memorable event for film-loving foodies. In screenings past, guests enjoyed a ‘McDowls’ – a fictional McDonald’s featured in Eddie Murphy’s iconic film, Coming to America. Similarly, Harry Potter fans were treated to a chicken drumstick meal as the Gryffindor’s feasted in the Great Hall, all washed down with some butterbeer.
This summer, viewers can expect to chow down on Cuban sandwiches from the the film Chef, enjoy an American diner experience just like Sandy and Danny did in Grease (hopefully without the milkshake upset), and try Mrs Doubtfire’s linguine with shrimp in a shallot cream sauce.
Get Your Mind Blown by The Gastrophysics Chef’s Table
Recently featured on this year’s Masterchef, fielding the question of whether we can taste shapes with a bouba & kiki inspired dish, The Gastrophysics Chef’s Table is an experience that takes molecular gastronomy to a whole new level.
This unique culinary adventure combines an 8-course experimental tasting menu with a multisensory journey, using elements such as audio, lighting, table projections, aromas and textures to stimulate all of your senses for a truly immersive dining experience.
The idea behind this concept is to explore the science and psychology behind how we perceive flavour. The talented chef Jozef Youssef and his Kitchen Theory team are the masterminds behind this culinary adventure, creating an intriguing and scientifically driven menu that explores the interactions between taste and our senses.
If you’re looking for a dining experience that’s equal parts delicious and mind-bending, look no further than the Gastrophysics Chef’s Table. Just remember that it’s not just about the food; it’s about the journey through the mysterious world of gastrophysics which may have you questioning if you’re at a dinner party or a psychology experiment. Bon appétit, or should we say, bon brain-tit?
Dine In The Dark London at Dans le Noir
Come summer, when the sun sets late in the evening, there’s not much chance of dining in the dark unless you put off dinner until after 9pm. So why not challenge your senses and embark on a sensory journey by eating completely in the dark at Dans le Noir?
This unique dining experience takes place in complete darkness, allowing guests to focus solely on the flavours, textures and aromas of their meal. The idea is that eliminating visual cues means heightening our other senses, which can supposedly help to enhance our gastronomic pleasure.
Established in September 1999 by blind clergyman Jorge Spielmann, the concept offers a unique sensory and human experience that challenges the conventional dining atmosphere. Moreover, it aims to convey the experience of blindness to sighted customers, allowing them to appreciate their meal through those heightened senses.
This dining experience encourages conversation and connection among diners, who share tables with strangers in the darkness, all served by visually impaired waiters. To maintain the element of surprise, the restaurant offers four colour-coded menus: red (meat), blue (fish), green (vegetarian), and white (chef’s special), with the specific dishes remaining a mystery.
Dining in the Dark London provides an unforgettable sensory adventure that not only challenges our perceptions of food but also fosters empathy and understanding towards the visually impaired community.
Solve A Mystery on The Murder Express Part Deux: The Jewel Of The Empire
All aboard! This dining carriage is hurtling down the tracks… to a murder! Now extended due to popular demand until November, ‘The Murder Express Part Deux: The Jewel Of The Empire’ is an immersive theatre experience set on board a train, with all the action happening around you as you eat and drink.
To set the scene, the year is 1937 and Britain’s most famous archaeologist, Dr Errol Earhart, has unearthed the world’s most valuable diamond, the Jewel of the Empire. The precious jewel is being transported to the Von Cleethorpes estate via Pedley Street station’s Murdér Express. However, it’s not long before the diamond goes missing and dead bodies begin to pile up.
Can you help unearth the killer and recover the Jewel of the Empire, all whilst enjoying a four-course menu designed by Masterchef The Professionals finalist, Louisa Ellis.
If you like theatrics, this award winning immersive dining experience will be right up your track. However, if you like to eat in peace, then this experience will likely drive you off the rails as you’ll be interrupted by the performers as you eat. The choice is yours…
Dinner & A Show at Circus Covent Garden
Located in the heart of Covent Garden, Circus takes ‘dinner and a show’ to a whole new level. The concept is simple; eat while enjoying mesmerising performances by aerialists, acrobats, and other talented circus performers.
The best table to book is ‘The Stage Table’ which is where all the entertainment takes place. This table is the focal point the show and performers prance about directly on the spot you eat from, although not at the same time.
Whilst the Pan-Asian food here may be, honestly, a little overpriced, it’s the experience you’re paying for, not the food. Located in the bustling Covent Garden, Circus is surrounded by clubs and bars making it the perfect destination for a night out in London.
Party Like It’s 1923 at The Candlelight Club London
How does an award-winning, immersive 1920s-themed speakeasy party, with live jazz, cabaret, and giggle water in a secret venue filled with candles sound? If you like to dress up in vintage clothes, listen to swinging jazz and sip on old-school cocktails, then we’re guessing the answer is pretty great.
The Candlelight Club in London is a unique dining experience that transports guests back to the roaring 1920s. The club’s secret location is revealed to guests just two days before the event, adding to the allure and mystique of the evening. Many come here just for drinks and dancing, but you can reserve a table to enjoy a meal, too.
When it comes to food, choose from a three-course dinner menu which changes every event or a sharing platter for the table. Sharing platters range from simple charcuterie and cheeseboards to half roast chickens with fries and gravy – the latter of which is a sensible option for to help soak up those sidecars. Cheers!
