London’s most quirky bars and restaurants

Styled like the Oriental Express? Check. A button for champagne on your table? Check. Waiting staff in pink jackets? Got it. If you’re heading to Bob Bob Ricard, quirkiness is definitely something you should expect. Slap bang in the middle of Soho, this Russian/British restaurant serves up old-time class with a serious side of opulence. Start off with some oysters and try out treats like beef wellington or chicken, mushroom and champagne pie. And don’t forget to liberally ring the bubbles button!

Thai tapas? Sign us up please……True to the name, this teeny tiny Soho restaurant uses a kiln to cook the food over charcoal. Proud of its no-tech approach, no electricity is used to prepare the food, which is instead prepped in hand-hewn bowls. Like most quirky restaurants in London (who isn’t on the search for cool in the capital?), you may need to queue as this place only takes bookings for tables of four or over. However, if you’re lucky enough to grab a seat at the counter, you can watch the chefs prepare dishes like half lobster with curried egg and guinea fowl jungle curry.

When a restaurant is set in a Georgian mansion, you’re expecting it to be pretty cool. And obviously Brunswick House is or it wouldn’t have made it onto the list. This part-restaurant, part-salvage yard is sat in the middle of Vauxhall, and trust us it’s worth the visit. Focusing on British food (it’s in a Georgian mansion after all), the chef works with seasonal produce to bring flair to dishes like globe artichoke with smoked almond, and Swaledale lamb with courgettes and black olive. Incredibly, this place also sells reclaimed furniture, flooring, chandeliers and much more, meaning you can snap up some beautiful pieces at the same time as your tasty breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Nothing finishes off a good (quirky) meal better than a couple of cocktails to wash it all down. So once you’re done eating, we suggest heading to Trailer Happiness for some tasty Tiki drinks. Sitting on Portobello Road, it’s pretty easy to get to and serves up quirky cocktails into the small hours. On a date? Grab one of their two-person sharers and gaze lovingly into each other’s eyes over a Trailer Colada, or a smoky, fruity Dia De Los Muertos. Either curl up at a booth surrounded by bamboo and pictures of gorgeous girls, or get up for a jive on their dance floor.

Cafe Van Gogh is an unmissable little haven in Brixton for a multitude of reasons. Not only does this vegan spot whip up comforting seasonal dishes – including a vegan hot cross bun bread and butter pudding – but it’s also a non-profit social enterprise that supports people with learning disabilities. The wonder doesn’t even stop there… The space is filled with beautiful artworks, including a dreamy domed ceiling painted like Van Gogh’s The Starry Night. Summer days can be spent in the peaceful garden, which is filled with flora and is as pretty as a picture.

This old-school spot in Soho famously serves only half pints (how chic!), and frowns upon the use of mobile phones in its establishment. Its rich history has seen iconic cultural figures including Dylan Thomas and Francis Bacon prop up its bar, and upstairs you’ll find a scarlet and wood panel-clad restaurant where a handwritten menu of traditional French fare changes regularly. There are only seven tables here, however this means you have a brilliant excuse to spend some time downstairs and soak up the lively sights and sounds of Dean Street.

St Mary le Bow isn’t just a sanctuary of a church in the heart of the hectic city, but it also hides something rather special. Head down to the church crypt and you’ll find an atmospheric breakfast and lunch spot beneath an ancient, vaulted ceiling. You can cosy up in one of its snug nooks and enjoy tasty handmade dishes, fresh coffee and artisan wines. It’s a cool and calm space perfect for some relief from intense days in the capital, but if you like to soak up the sun when it’s out, then you can dine al fresco in the churchyard instead!

This majestic Mayfair restaurant fuses art and cuisine for the ultimate cultural dining experience. The airy, high-ceilinged Senate Room houses the main restaurant, which serves up delectable tapas bites such as Iberico ham, pan con tomate and a daily changing Spanish omelette. For arguably even more of an authentic tapas bar experience, you can grab a glass of wine in the cool and casual poster bar downstairs; it hosts Pintxos Fridays where you can enjoy a complimentary pintxo with every drink you buy! You know where to find us after work…

Think waterside dining is impossible in London? Think again – Darcie & May Green are two canal boats turned eateries adorned with vibrant designs by pop artist Sir Peter Blake. Inspired by the lively brunch culture in Australia, these all-day venues serve everything from smooth coffee to moreish cocktails, including various kinds of spritzes and margaritas, as well as a Sriracha Bloody Mary if you’re still suffering from the night before. You’ll find these beacons bobbing on Regent’s Canal, and the roof terrace is an especially coveted place to spend a sunny day with friends.

The story behind this quaint Richmond tearoom dates all the way back to the reign of King Henry VIII! It’s said that the king discovered Maids of Honour tarts when Anne Boleyn and her Maids of Honour were eating them from silver platters. True to form, he attempted to keep the recipe just for himself, however it eventually made its way to a bakery in Richmond, where they’re still made today. The cakes aren’t the tearoom’s only draw; stepping inside Newens feels like entering a warm and welcoming living room where you’ll certainly want to settle in and stay for a while.