15 outstanding London restaurants for special occasions

por Shekha Vyas

Última actualización: 21 de noviembre de 2023

Long praised for the must-visit museums and can’t-miss theatre that make it an international cultural centre, London is also rich in restaurants of all sorts, including spots to celebrate special occasions.

A chic sushi place in Kensington was made for wooing a special someone. For raucous reunions, there’s a crowd-friendly American grill in Covent Garden. In Westminster, a swanky Indian spot is a no-brainer for milestone birthdays and anniversaries.

London’s most outstanding restaurants for celebrating are highly sought-after destinations—so book your table at one of these 15 places now.

CORE by Clare Smyth

4.9

4.9 (3489)

más de £40

Británica

Notting Hill

Acerca del restaurante

With three MICHELIN stars, it’s no surprise that Core offers a truly special occasion-worthy experience. The cosy and colourful dining room is an ideal place to tuck into chef Clare Smyth’s tasting menu spotlighting British bounty. Consider the Core Seasons lineup, which features roast cod and Morecambe Bay prawns or wagyu beef served with Porthilly oysters. For an especially unforgettable feast, gather ten of your nearest and dearest and book the chef’s table. Here, you’ll have an uninterrupted view of the kitchen crew as they prepare your celebratory meal.

Reseña destacada

OpenTable Diner

Comieron en 25 jul 2019

Excelente restaurante, servicio, comida de lo mejor y una excelente chef y persona!!!

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4.4

4.4 (3543)

Hasta £25

Francesa

Piccadilly

Acerca del restaurante

The Art Deco interiors at this Piccadilly gem raise the bar on any occasion. Hidden under [ZL Cafe](https://www.brasseriezedel.com/zedel-cafe/), the elegant Parisian brasserie exudes 1930s opulence with pink marble columns and a dramatic gold ceiling. Kick off your special night with starters such as rabbit rillettes and escargot from a menu of French classics, conceived by chef Charles Hilton. For mains, try the moules marinières (mussels in white wine) and fries or the artichoke heart ragout and couscous. Toast with cocktails including the Hemingway daiquiri (rum, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and maraschino liqueur) or a glass, carafe, or bottle from an impressive French wine list. A house band provides the jazzy soundtrack for your extraordinary night.

Reseña destacada

OpenTable Diner

Comieron en 21 jul 2019

Mis tíos llegaron de espalda y quería llevarlos a un sitio especial como es zedel. Mi mujer y yo ya fuimos en alguna que otra ocasión pero siempre es algo ruidoso y el servicio algo lento pero por todo lo demás muy bien.

Maxwell's

4.5

4.5 (5615)

Hasta £25

Americana

Covent Garden

Acerca del restaurante

This laidback all-American grill is a special occasion stalwart, especially when it comes to hosting large groups. Maxwell’s has served its signature burgers, fajitas, and wings to families, theatre-goers, and sports fans since 1972. Tried-and-tested favourites include the Cheesebomb Burger, a beef patty sandwiched between crispy bacon, cheese, and a brioche bun, accompanied by a jug of hot melted cheddar. Wash down your decadent meal with a famous Freakshake which comes in playful versions such as rice crispy cake and Oreo cookie.

Reseña destacada

OpenTable Diner

Comieron en 28 ago 2022

Muy buen restaurante, ambiente muy bueno y comida muy buena también. Totalmente recomendable.

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4.8

4.8 (904)

De £26 a £40

Francesa

Bloomsbury

Acerca del restaurante

It’s easy to see why Londoners flock to this French favourite for all sorts of celebrations. They’re partly here for tableside theatre from an attention-grabbing duck press that makes Otto’s iconic canard à la presse possible. The hefty contraption extracts juices from the bird which is served three ways: liver atop morels and sweetbreads, slivers of duck breast in that infamous pressed sauce with pommes soufflées, and confit duck leg with foie gras and black truffle (due to avian flu, pigeon à la presse is on offer instead). Other examples of Gallic gastronomy can be found on the a la carte menu, such as lobster soufflé with Oscietra caviar and lobster bisque. The extensive wine list is also worth a punt, boasting a long list of continental hard-hitters.

Rossella

4.7

4.7 (1311)

Hasta £25

Italiana

Kentish Town

Acerca del restaurante

Rossella, a cosy, family-run Italian spot in Kentish Town, was made for marking intimate occasions. This slice of southern Italy is steered by Luca Meola who turns out a menu inspired by summers in Naples and his father’s love of cooking. Toast each other over festive but homey dishes such as Neapolitan beef and pork meatballs in a flavoursome tomato sauce and tagliatelle laced with sautéed aubergine, courgettes, and red onion, topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella.

Reseña destacada

HannahM

Comieron en 28 ene 2023

Delicious pasta.

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Plato popular

Homemade Tiramisu

The Cinnamon Club

4.6

4.6 (7361)

más de £40

Hindú

St. James

Acerca del restaurante

This renowned restaurant has led the charge in Indian fine dining since opening its doors in 2001. A stately dining room, decked with leather-bound books and blue banquettes, adds a dash of grandeur to any birthday or anniversary. Splash out on modern Indian dishes including chargrilled Obsiblue king prawns in an Alleppey-style curry sauce and Hyderabadi black-spiced lamb escalope from the tasting menu. Or share the Cinnamon Club 20th anniversary special: Old Delhi-style butter chicken, pilau rice, black lentils, garlic naan, and fenugreek butter. Saturdays are extra fun with a jazz brunch, featuring a three-course menu alongside a soundtrack of smooth beats.

Reseña destacada

OpenTable Diner

Comieron en 6 jul 2024

Gran lugar, extraordinario Mbiente y buena comida.

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Legendary Tasting Menu

Brawn

4.7

4.7 (1626)

De £26 a £40

Europea

Bethnal Green

Acerca del restaurante

With its contemporary and stylish interiors, Mediterranean restaurant Brawn is well-suited for special dates. The sleek space in a converted warehouse is all about lingering over shared plates. Dishes showcase seasonal produce and are heavy on pork and game. The menu changes constantly, but you might start with parmesan fritters and Nocellara olives before moving on to the pork, pistachio, and liver terrine. If you’ve brought heftier appetites, there are larger dishes such as spaghetti with squid ragu. Stretch out a celebratory evening with a sweet treat such as citrus granita with whipped cream. Brawn also boasts an impressive list of natural and organic wines, influenced by founder and head chef Ed Wilson’s experience at the now-shuttered wine bar, Terroirs.

Fatt Pundit

4.6

4.6 (1138)

Hasta £25

China

Soho

Acerca del restaurante

Fatt Pundit is the spot for an all-out group celebration thanks to inventive small plates and one especially Instagram-worthy dessert. The Indian Chinese restaurant has an energetic vibe enhanced by street signs and murals. Start the party with a fruit cooler cocktail served in versions including a guava sour and Alphonso mango with Szechuan syrup. The drinks are inspired by vendors in India who serve fresh fruit sprinkled with a variety of spices and salts. Tear into shareable dishes such as Tibetan momos, chilli paneer lettuce cups, and sticky sesame vegetables. Cap off your group feast with a sizzling brownie served with vanilla and chocolate honeycomb ice cream.

Reseña destacada

OpenTable Diner

Comieron en 6 oct 2023

Raj nos dio un buen atendimiento. Lugar con comida exquisita .

Bistro Union

4.7

4.7 (992)

De £26 a £40

Británica

Clapham

Acerca del restaurante

This date-worthy Clapham restaurant (the sibling venue to MICHELIN-starred [Trinity](https://www.opentable.com/trinity-london?utm_source=blog_restaurant_specific_pages&utm_medium=Feature&utm_campaign=london-special-occasions)) showcases a modern British and French menu under the helm of head chef Adam Byatt. The retro-themed dining room adds a playfulness to the serious flavours of the daily menu. Dishes including Comté gougeres, roast chicken à la suprême, and cured meats provide the right kind of fuel for a sophisticated and standout celebration.

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Experiencia

new year's eve at bistro union

Experiencia

sunday supper club - 29th december

Savoy Grill – Gordon Ramsay

4.6

4.6 (7870)

Hasta £25

Sin Especificar

Covent Garden

Acerca del restaurante

One of London’s most fabulous and famous restaurants has hosted epic evenings for Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill, and the late Queen Elizabeth II. It’s existed in the iconic Savoy Hotel for more than a century—and is now part of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s empire. The prestigious dining room offers a chance to celebrate in style. A menu focusing on British dishes with a French accent spotlights the talents of executive head chef Michael Turner and his brigade. Feast on succulent beef Wellington, duck à l’orange, and lobster thermidor with fries in a stunning space decked with crystal chandeliers and velvet seats. Elevate the experience by reserving the chef’s table where an eight-course menu includes drama from the live kitchen.

Reseña destacada

Erik

Comieron en 20 sep 2024

El risotto espectacular así como el Wellington, una gran experiencia

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Side Hustle at The NoMad

4.9

4.9 (383)

De £26 a £40

Mexicana

Covent Garden

Acerca del restaurante

This lively Mexico-inspired spot is in a former police station, but you’d never know its sombre past life thanks to its jewel-toned glow-up, complete with leather booths and a marble-topped bar. The vibes here are unabashedly festive, fueled by eye-catching agave-forward cocktails (conceived by bar director Liana Oster) and shareable dips. Bring a group to do justice to larger plates such as the ribeye with Padrón peppers or order the number of tacos—fillings include wild mushrooms, Baja-style prawns, or pork carnitas—your crew requires.

Reseña destacada

SamR

Comieron en 29 sep 2021

Great tacos

Sachi Restaurant at Pantechnicon

4.6

4.6 (128)

más de £40

Japonesa

Belgravia

Acerca del restaurante

With its ambient lighting and intimate seats, Sachi at Pantechnicon is the ideal place to woo someone special. Snag a seat at the sushi counter to watch fresh seafood prepared before your eyes. Steelhead trout with hazelnut miso and beef short rib with black garlic and fermented mushrooms are just two examples of the chefs’ renowned Japanese techniques. If you’re stumped by the drinks menu, a sake sommelier can help you navigate.

Reseña destacada

TeresaRCVIP

Comieron en 19 jul 2023

La comida fue muy rica, el yellow fish delicioso, la atención de nuestro mesero excelente

Harwood Arms

4.8

4.8 (3626)

más de £40

Café / gastrobar

Fulham

Acerca del restaurante

London’s only MICHELIN-starred gastropub is overseen by Australian-born Brett Graham (chef and owner of the two MICHELIN-starred [Ledbury](https://www.opentable.com/the-ledbury?utm_source=blog_restaurant_specific_pages&utm_medium=Feature&utm_campaign=london-special-occasions)) and head chef Jake Leach. The ever-changing menu at this date-night gem focuses on game, showcasing British meats such as Berkshire fallow deer and wild venison. Enjoy them accompanied with seasonal veggies from the pub’s roof garden while taking in the rustic decor. Harwood Arms is a wildly popular restaurant in Chelsea so be sure to make a reservation for your special day.

Reseña destacada

María de la Luz

Comieron en 14 nov 2024

El mejor restaurante al que hemos ido, ambiente tranquilo y la comida estuvo estupenda 100% recomendado

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych

4.4

4.4 (1322)

más de £40

Té vespertino

Aldwych

Acerca del restaurante

This Theatreland hotel sprinkles magic on any milestone moment by channelling a Roald Dahl classic. On its Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea menu, choose from photogenic savouries such as the salmon and dill quiche and beetroot macaron. Expect sugary treats including sweet scones, “snozzberry” jam, and a box stacked with crafted cakes, candies, mallows, and creams. To wash it all down, there’s chocolate or lemon sherbet tea, fizzy lifting Champagne, and whimsical water-pistol cocktails. With a dedicated children’s menu serving cakes, hot chocolates, and mocktails, One Aldwych is just the ticket for revellers of all ages.

Reseña destacada

OpenTable Diner

Comieron en 13 may 2023

Fuimos a tomar el té con motivo del cumpleaños de mi hija. La experiencia fue perfecta. Todo muy cuidado y con todo detalle rememorando la historia de Roald Dahl. Cada bocado tenía un trocito de historia en el. Disfrutamos todos mucho

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4.5

4.5 (175)

De £26 a £40

Pescados y Mariscos

Soho

Acerca del restaurante

The Seafood Bar is the only international outpost from the De Visscher family, Dutch fishmongers turned restaurateurs. A reservation at this Georgian townhouse ups the ante on any festive occasion with unique perks: discuss the day’s catch with the chefs at the downstairs seafood counter before enjoying it in the upstairs dining room. Come for award-winning fare such as Nordic Blu salmon, regularly touted as the world’s best and most sustainable, or a fillet of sole sizzled on the huge plancha grill. If it’s an especially noteworthy night, splurge for the pièce de résistance: a colossal seafood platter piled high with clams, oysters, and crevettes.

Reseña destacada

JorgeCVIP

Comieron en 3 jun 2023

Ferran se encargo de atendernos, muy profesional y atento. Las ostras, mejillones, camarones muy ricos.

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Experiencia

Christmas @TheSeafoodBar

Experiencia

£1.50 Oyster Happy Hour and £8.00 Chapel down