Last Updated on February 2, 2022 by Tia
Quirky Restaurants London is a food guide unlike no other. After all, London is undoubtedly the food capital of the world. Diverse, multicultural, and dynamic – London draws you in and steals your heart. This vibrant city also celebrates and elevates cuisine from all over the world and it does it all with flair, style, and elegance.
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I called London my home for 11 years and I never run out of new tastes to try, food markets to explore and restaurants to eat in. This Quirky Restaurants London guide is only a small taste of the incredible food in London, but it sure packs a punch! Cross a few of these restaurants off your list on your next trip to London, and you’ll thank me later! Special thanks to my darling George Marcou – a dear friend and an avid foodie for the idea contribution!
Table of Contents
Quirky Restaurants London – Chotto Matte – Soho
A fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine that provides a true culinary experience. The quirkiness comes in the form of the live cooking theatrics in the center of the restaurant. The quality and authenticness of the ingredients are impressive and the taste payoff is totally worth the experience. The star of Chocco Matte is most definitely fish, although vegan and meat dishes are very much available and plentiful! The experience is pretty unique – the waiters will help you create your bespoke order and will then organize the order of the dishes to be served.
Your order will arrive according to Chocco Matte’s philosophy: Eating colder, light-flavored dishes first, graduating to hotter, fuller flavors and ending the meal with sushi. Yum!
Location: 11-13 Frith Street, London W1D 4RB
Smokestak – Shoreditch
Hello, carnivore heaven!! If you are looking for some serious meat dishes, this quirky restaurant is the one for you! Smokestak is an incredibly stylish rustic barbecue joint with a bar and terrace. The menu is exploding with delicious dishes (and gluten-free options) like the fennel sausage, incredible bone marrow, and the signature boneless BBQ rib! Smokestak obviously specializes in smoky, slow-cooked meats, and the result is evident, in fantastic dishes like the beef brisket.
Bonus points for the great beer and cocktails and the polite staff! The restaurant is often packed, so making a reservation is adviced!
Location: 35 Sclater St, Shoreditch, London E1 6LB, United Kingdom
Quirky Restaurants London – Senor Ceviche, Carnaby Street
A quirky London restaurant that is all about fresh and healthy food with a Peruvian twist. From street food snacks and super fresh ceviches to fiery Peruvian barbecue and healthy super salads, you will adore Senor Ceviche. Furthermore, the Pachamanca Pork Ribs, fresh zingy ceviches, and tangy tiraditos are the perfect balance of healthy and indulgent, the way eating should be.
Location: Kingly Court, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW
Kiln – Soho
Thai food fit for kings! This incredibly quirky restaurant takes its name from its cooking method. The chefs cook in small clay kilns full of charcoal with a wok on top. If you are seated at the bar, you’ll get a first-class seat of the chefs at work!
The food is…outstanding! Incredible hake, monkfish, and red mullet, and the star of Kiln, glass noodles with pork belly and brown crab meat. Simply out of this world! Kiln is a marvelous, vibrant place and by Soho standards, it’s also reasonably priced. The taste payout is well worth the price tag, for Thai and Asian food lovers alike!
Location: 58 Brewer St, London W1F 9TL. Tip: They only take bookings for tables of four or more. So if you’re a two or a three you should get there early.
Quirky Restaurants London – Balthazar, Covent Garden
Breakfast? Lunch? Brunch? Afternoon tea? Well there you have it, welcome to Balthazar London! In the heart of Covent Garden, Balthazar is open all day, seven days a week, and offering great French bistro food, good wine, and outstanding service it is all about. Baked Whiskey lovers; you will be glad to find a selection of bottles from more than 15 states alongside classic cocktails that can be enjoyed pre-dinner or even late into the evening.
The quirkiness? Well, the all-new New York tea special of course! This American inspired tea is worthy of numerous Instagram snaps! Savories featuring classic New York ingredients such as a pastrami bun with egg, pickle, and mustard make you feel like you are back in New York! The signature baked cheesecake and the crowd-pleasing Cookies and Cream Tart close the deal in this beautiful spin on an afternoon tea.
Location: 4-6 Russell St, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5HZ, United Kingdom
BAO – Soho
Bao celebrates and elevates Taiwanese Food to a whole new level. Located in the heart of Soho, this quirky London restaurant draws inspiration from the Streetfood markets and Xiao Chi Houses in Taiwan. Here, you will find a selection of BAOs and unique takes on Xiao Chi.
How is it quirky you ask? Well, there’s a pig blood cake for the adventurous and a vast selection of dreamy non-alcoholic drinks, using foams, gradients, and Asian ingredients. The restaurant takes its name from its specialty;’ Bao Buns – delicious steamed buns of soft bread stuffed with pork belly, prawn or other ingredients and vegetables. Yum!
Location: 53 Lexington St, Soho, London W1F 9AS, United Kingdom
Fishers Fish and Chips – Chelsey
A taste of the world-famous fish and chips must be ticked off every visit! Fish and chips is a London classic and can be found practically everywhere. This doesn’t mean it will taste the same everywhere though. The fish and chips at the Fishers in Chelsey are to die for – succulent fish, crispy fries, mushy pies and creamy homemade tartare. Add a pint of beer, and there you have it; heaven! I lived in Chelsey for my last 6 years in London, and the Fishers became a regular spot for me. Highly recommended!
Location: Fishers, 19 Fulham High Street, SW6 3JH.
Jolly Butchers – Stoke Newington
Are you even in London, if you aren’t spending your Sunday in a pub devouring an English roast? The almighty Sunday roast is without a doubt the epitome of English cuisine and one of my favorite meals ever! Even now, leaving back in Cyprus, I cook a Sunday Roast every single week. Again, every pub worth its money serves a Sunday Roast. But after 11 years of living in London, I’ve had my share of stale, unseasoned, overcooked roasts to tell you, they don’t all taste as they should.
What is a roast dinner you ask?
The Sunday roast is a traditional British main meal that is typically served on Sunday, consisting of roasted meat, roast potato, and accompaniments such as Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, seasonal vegetables, and gravy sauce.
The Jolly Butchers offer one of the best roast dinners in London – period. Particularly famous for their generous servings of good quantity of meat, larger than life Yorkshires puddings, seasonal vegetables, and a gravy sauce to die for. The vegetarian nut roast is pretty special, as well as the leak and cheese wellington veggie roast- my veggie and vegan friends often rave about it! The meat menu offers choices of beef or pork (no chicken or turkey options here), and they are all available in kids’ portions too. Just gorgeous. If you choose ONE thing to eat in London, make sure it is an English Roast!
Location: 204 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7HU
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I hope you have enjoyed this quirky restaurant London guide as much as I did eating and writing it!
Do you love food guides? I’ve got more!
- Love Greece? Then Check out, the best food in Mykonos!
- Fan of Asia? Then my guide of the best restaurants in Phuket is a must.
- Vegetarian or Vegan? My Vegan Jordan Food Guide is pretty great 🙂
- In love with fried potatoes? Best Fry Places around the world–
And as for my beautiful London..I’ll be back shortly <3
Have you experienced Christmas Holidays in London yet? If not, then make this Christmas extra special in London, or choose from one of the best Winter Wonderland destinations around the world
Love, Tia
