13 Of The Best Fun Restaurants London Has To Offer
This post is part of our archived content. While we’ve shifted focus, it still may be useful.
2020 was spent being mainly at home, so lots of us are now wanting to venture out and rediscover all that London has to offer.
And after months of eating at home, there’s something exciting about having someone else cook for you!
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 12 of the best restaurants to visit in London if you want both good food and good fun.
Fun restaurants for the extroverts
If you like it loud and rowdy, Flight Club Darts (in Shoreditch, Bloomsbury, Victoria and Islington) is for you.
You can play darts here seven nights a week you can shoot your shot in the Oche (rhymes with hockey, and it’s your own private playing area) to your heart’s content.
Food-wise, they cater to vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free diners and we’re fans of their burgers washed down with a Watermelon Crush cocktail.
90 minutes of Social Darts is £10 per person and entry is for 18s and over only.
During peak times, a minimum of six people is required.
Not into all the noise but love fine dining?
I highly recommend The Thames Dinner Cruise.
A dinner and a trip combined, the cruise prides itself on being one of the best water-eating experiences in the area.
We love their roasted supreme of chicken and dark chocolate truffles but they also cater to the vegetarian crowd.
With live jazz on Fridays, you’ll never get bored. It’s very inoffensive so perfect for a family night out.
Sure to get a few laughs and maybe a few ‘what happens on the boat, stays on the boat’ photos, the cruise is a great way to mix and mingle with people from all over and enjoy a night on the town.
Circus Bar and Restaurant in Covent Garden is a guaranteed night of fun.
Centred between Cross Keys and the Covent Garden Health Spa, Circus caters to chipper sports, with a remarkable dinner show to keep you entertained for hours.
Try out the ginger honey glazed tempeh and the vegan chocolate fondant.
Circus is also a great option if you’re venturing out solo because they have such an assortment of characters coming in and out of the place that you’ll never feel like you’re there alone.
If you are looking for a place where music, dance and cuisine come together visit Zuaya, situated just off High Street Kensington.
The menu at Zuaya is a selection of sharing-style dishes that draw influence from Brazil, Peru and Mexico.
The interiors are beautiful and the staff is well trained. Every Thursday, Zuaya hosts ‘Latino Rhythms’, a live show with professional dancers embarking on a Latin American journey through Argentinian tango, Cuban salsa and Brazilian samba.
At the end of the night, guests have the chance to get their dancing shoes on and
show off their best moves, dancing alongside the pros. So much fun!
Choose from six restaurants at The Ned in Soho.
The Ned is great for people watching as well as eating.
Not many places can boast being home to six restaurants!
If you’ve been stuck in the house and looking for a place to escape, The Ned is a hub for fun.
Join them on any day of the week for poke bowls at Kaia or American classics at The Nickel Bar.
Whatever food you feel like, The Ned will have something to tickle your fancy.
Fun restaurants for the introverts
I’ve found that introverts are one of the best groups of mates to have a night on the town with – they’d just rather do it without all the noise!
Should you have learned this one the hard way like I did, then I suggest snapping shut their book and giving the Backyard Comedy Club a try.
Honestly, one of the best fun restaurants in East London, Backyard Comedy Club is a hoot on any given night.
Located on Cambridge Heath Rd in Bethnal Green, the joint offers yummy fare such as sweet potato curry bites, and the Margherita pizza is utterly delicious.
If you’re looking for something a little boozier, I suggest trying their Funkin Nitro Cocktails menu for a tasty assortment of Martinis and Daiquiris.
While there, sit back and get ready to cry with laughter, especially if your introverted friend needs a break from being all intellectual.
In north London, you’ll find Music & Beans a real cheer.
They sell breakfast until 4 pm and boast a beautiful assortment of falafel pairings; one could not possibly sneak into this quaint little hub and not try them out.
Perfect for those who like the ‘interesting’ things in life, Music & Beans is an intimate and quiet haven that could potentially become your new thing – especially if you’re into music.
Yes, they have an onsite music shop! Buying a new guitar while stuffing yourself with breakfast foods? Yes, please!
I couldn’t mention fun without bringing up Brasserie Zedel in Picadilly.
Slide on your dancing shoes as live musicians play all night long.
Try out their French onion soup for starters and pig out on their Carlingford rock oysters while quietly enjoying the band.
Think about wearing something stretchable too, because after a few rounds of drinks, you’ll eat many portions of vanilla cheesecake and will probably need to unbutton your pants.
Wednesdays are one of the best days to go if you’re looking for a less crowded setting as the serious party crowds don’t get going until closer to the weekend.
Bao KTV Karaoke Room near Borough Market is a haven for dreamers and the eccentric types – literally.
Situated alongside Stoney Street, Bao is the type of place you go to when you’re looking to indulge your fantasy side.
If heading out with your friends, try out the karaoke room over the weekend, but be sure to bring at least six people.
They offer the courtesy of singing badly in privacy and bonus – it’s only £5 per hour per person!
You’ll be glad you made it here though because the classic Baos and Hi-Balls are just as enjoyable as pretending to be Britney Spears.
For Those Who Teeter Between The Two
Where would the world be without London’s middle ground?
I’m talking about the official ambiverts.
The whizz kids who enjoy a bit of sporty action but would quite prefer it not to be in an overly crowded area.
If you’re looking for the best fun restaurants London has for you, then be sure to grab a screenshot of this list.
People’s Park Tavern in Victoria Park is a must-visit.
I say definitely bring your crew along and take up space towards the back end of the outdoor venue; that way, others don’t get disturbed by all the cackling.
They serve fabulous BBQ and blue cheese buffalo wings are an excellent option to try as are one of the house specials.
Locals and travellers alike tout it as being indescribably good so we suggest giving them a go.
If you’re looking for more of a lighter treat, then try out the Superfood Salad with dried apricots.
People’s Park Tavern hosts various colourful shows and performances on the weekends, which will only add to the merriment.
Another hot spot to try is The Blues Kitchen.
Just off Camden High Street, Blues Kitchen is a hoppin’ hub full of creative types and RnB and soul music.
Any day of the week is a good day to head here, but the weekends are the best.
People from all around come to visit Blues Kitchen and it is truly a memorable experience.
While there, taste their buttermilk fried chicken filled with Cajun spice rub and maybe add a round of fried Oreo donuts as an excellent dessert option.
If you’re looking for an interesting yet conservative type of place, try The Grove Bar & Restaurant in Hammersmith.
It’s a respectable place frequented by posh types, but they aren’t so snooty that they won’t share in a laugh or good banter.
Visit here on a late evening to experience their Groovie Grove Comedy Show, which I think is the highlight.
Their Black Truffle Pasta is out of this world good.
Should you be stuck in east London after a long workday, trot over to Pivaz.
Planted in Clapton, Pivaz is the perfect after-work watering hole that is lively but professional.
Loosen your tie a bit and dive into their Kabuga lamb ribs, filled with enough spice and smokiness that it’ll make you want to lick the plate clean.
If your work pals are tagging along, let off some steam and play ‘Name That Tune’ as the restaurant has some of the best musical selections in the area.
A great way to cool off after a high-powered day.
Where are your favourite restaurants in London that combine good fun and good fun?