England has a thriving foodie scene, some of which our culinary travel magazine has covered in the past. London, in particular, is reaching new heights, especially when it comes to doing things outside the box. Writer Emily Tratter shares this list of five unique London restaurants you need to check out. 

Photo courtesy Pixabay.com

5 Places to Go for a Unique Wining and Dining Experience in London

StreetXO
Located in the Mayfair area of London, StreetXO is set in an industrial-style basement with numerous art pieces (including an attention-grabbing neon fish) compromising the venue’s décor. The artistic nature of the venue is largely the work of Michelin-star chef David Munoz and despite it being the first restaurant he’s opened outside of Spain, CNN Travel has already listed it as one of the city’s best restaurants. Of course, with an ever-changing menu that offers everything from steamed club sandwiches to Pekinese dumplings and even prawn Suquet stew, this is one restaurant that promises an experience you’ll never forget.

Photo courtesy StreetXO.

Sexy Fish
Owned by businessman Richard Caring, this glamorous Asian-inspired fish and seafood restaurant can be found in the Berkeley Square House. It is essentially an incredibly luxurious brasserie boasting a collection of bespoke art including installations from Damien Hirst and works by renowned architect Frank Gehry. The menu doesn’t disappoint either, with the Asian-inspired menu bursting with an extensive selection of fish, a tempura section, seafood-filled soups and salads, and even Japanese Wagyu beef. To top it all off, Sexy Fish also comes equipped with a serious wine menu focusing on European icons, big name domains, and chateauxs, and if you have the money to spend – an impressive vintage depth to boot.

PowderKeg 
World’s Best Bars says this restaurant, located in the city’s Clapham district, mixes a cozy atmosphere with a vibrant energy that’s perfect for dates or just hanging out with your friends. PowderKeg even has a kitsch conservatory accompanied by equally kitsch details like hunting helmets, empty frames, and candlesticks that contribute to the venue’s atmosphere. Finally, their specially created cocktails are also making a name for themselves in London, with the peach garnished George’s Giant Peach becoming very popular among locals.

Photo courtesy Powder Keg Diplomacy.

On Four
This entry in our list is unique for the fact that is located inside the recently opened Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, that is home to one of the top soccer teams in the Premier League. Spurs’ stadium has a capacity of 61,000 making it the third largest soccer stadium in England. This means that the restaurant gets extremely busy during match days – so take that into consideration when booking a table. According to a guide on restaurants at the venue by Hot Dinners, On Four is actually a special area in the stadium dedicated to housing premium lounges and suites. This includes a host of restaurants run by Michelin-star chefs like Bryn Williams, Dipna Anand and even special contributions to the menu by the Roux family. Additionally, On Four even has The H-Club, an exclusive member’s club where you can dine with Tottenham legends and store liquor in a special temperature-controlled vault. Even if you’re not a soccer fan, On Four offers guests a very unique experience not found anywhere else in the capital.

Park Chinois 
Also located in Mayfair, this high-end Chinese restaurant is a nod to the glitz and glamour of 1930’s Shanghai with its extravagant interior. Open each night until 2am, Park Chinois entertains customers with cocktails and live jazz bands. Yet, it’s the duck that the restaurant is particularly known for, complemented by steamed pancakes, hoisin sauce, Thai cucumber, spring onions and a dash of caviar rounding off the dish.

Photo courtesy Chinois.

Indeed, the examples above show that when it comes to London, there is certainly no shortage of unique places to try. If you’re on the lookout for wining and dining experiences you’ll never forget, put this city at the top of your list.

— Story by Emily Tratter

Hungry for more? Find out what else is happening in London in this article about Afternoon Tea at the Royal Lancaster Hotel; where to eat outside of London; a unique restaurant in Canterbury; and where to find the best Pasties in Cornwall.

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