Top Unusual Dining Experiences in London

London is a foodie's dream, with restaurants serving cuisine from every country and price-bracket imaginable. But what about when you want more than 'just' a meal? We round up some of the city's most exciting and unique restaurant experiences...

 69-73 St John St, London EC1M 4NJ

Dans Le Noir is a very strange proposition. If your French is up to scratch then you'll understand why - your entire meal takes place in pitch blackness. You'll be taken to your table by a blind waiter and then served a series of mystery courses. Part of the fun is guessing what you're eating. Is it really true that when you restrict one sense the others become heightened? While you may suffer a few spillages, itâ's interesting to learn how different it is to socialise in the dark, and you'll emerge with renewed appreciation for your sight.

Dans Le Noir is open Mon - Sat, booking is essential.

Gingerline is a radical dining experience constantly on the move. Buy a ticket, and on the right date wait near to an East London line station (it does look a bit ginger on the map, now you mention it). You'll receive a text telling you where to go, with no idea what to expect. So far themes have included secret gardens, alien planets and a ritualistic sisterhood. What next? Book to find out.

 27-29 Endell St, London WC2H 9BA

Circus supplements its pan-Asian menu with a special treat between courses. After your plates are cleared away the table becomes a stage for performances by acrobats, firebreathers and cabaret acts. Rarely have dinner and a show been so intimately entwined.

 11-14 Hanover Pl, London WC2E 9JP

At Covent Garden's Inamo, the sushi will be as you expect - but the service won't. Instead of telling the waiter your order you select dishes from the screen projected onto your table. It's a space-age touch with limited applications but fun nonetheless. You can also use your tabletop screen to order a cab, check out the route home or spy on the kitchen using a handy webcam.

 199 Tooley St, London SE1 2JX

Restaurant Story isn't just a Michelin starred restaurant from rising star chef Tom Sellers. It also has a unique library, where each guest is asked to bring a book and leave it for future diners. The mouth-watering menu is even arranged into chapters, themes and forewords... but it's always sad to reach The End.

Multiple Locations

At The Piano Works, your dining experience hits all the right notes! Located in a Victorian warehouse, this part-restaurant, part-live jukebox will have you tuning in for more as you tuck into succulent steaks, ribs, and sliders. With a heady mix of non-stop live music and delectable dishes, The Piano Works offers the ultimate night out. Whether you're planning a mid-week melody or a weekend serenade, our singing waiters and house band are ready to play your requests, creating a symphony of flavors and sounds. And if you're still feeling sharp at 1am, our DJ keeps the rhythm rolling. From bottomless brunches to late-night jams, this is one dining experience you won’t want to miss!

 1 Upper James St, London W1F 9DF

Indulge in the epitome of glamour at Bob Bob Ricard, where dining transforms into a dazzling experience. Just off Regent Street, this iconic hotspot boasts a menu blending British and Russian flavors amidst opulent art-deco décor. But the real sparkle? Each booth comes complete with a "press for champagne" button, ensuring your glass is never half-empty. Renowned for pouring more champagne than any other restaurant in Britain, Bob Bob Ricard takes the phrase "dining in style" to luxurious new heights.

 HMP Brixton, Jebb Ave, Brixton Hill, London SW2 5XF

The Clink Restaurant, housed within the walls of HMP Brixton. Here, dining isn't just about savoring delicious dishes—it's also focused on helping change lives. The ingredients are sourced from prison farms across the country. But it's not just the food that's impressive; it's the chefs themselves, as they train for careers in hospitality post-release. Spearheaded by Alberto Crisci MBE, The Clink Charity has been transforming attitudes and achieving stellar results for fourteen years, boasting one of the lowest reoffending rates in the UK. So, by dining here, you're not just enjoying a meal—you're supporting a cause and helping to build a brighter future, one plate at a time.