London is full of incredible places to eat, and has become known as a respected destination for culinary enthusiasts from all around the world. As such, the city can fill books with recommended restaurants, many of which are heavily awarded, and some of which are even run by celebrity chefs. It’s really an extraordinary food scene.
As is true of most places with excellent culinary culture though, there’s a lot to enjoy beneath and in between the headlines also. So to tap into some of what often goes unnoticed, here are our picks for some of the best “hidden” restaurants around London.
Kitchen Table
There is a restaurant called Bubbledogs in London that’s known for a casual atmosphere and delicious American fare. Mostly, it’s a hot dog joint, though it has a few twists and turns in its offerings, such as its own champagne menu. The big surprise at Bubbledogs though, for those who are unaware of it, is Kitchen Table, a sort of restaurant within a restaurant that happens to have earned two Michelin stars in 2019. It’s located through the back of Bubbledogs and consists of a single wraparound counter table that actually surrounds the kitchen where small European plates are prepared. The menu is fluid, but has an excellent reputation, and needless to say it’s cool to find a hidden spot like this.
FuLuShou
FuLuShou is significantly more out in the open, but may still qualify as “hidden” among some simply because it’s far from the main attraction within its venue – Leicester Square’s Empire Casino. The main attractions, naturally, are gaming options. In addition to rooms full of tabletop games, the Empire also has banks of slot machines similar to the ones that can be found online these days in the UK, as well as various group activities. There are even poker and gaming classes, cocktail “masterclasses,” and bars. Among all the games and attractions though, the Asian-inspired and seafood-heavy restaurant FuLuShou is one of the best things about the facility.
The Quince Tree at Clifton Nurseries
Clifton Nurseries is effectively a gardening center in London, and a very beautiful one that is wonderful to explore and enjoy on a nice day. The Quince Tree is a café located within the gardening center, and it’s known for light and delicious breakfasts, brunches, lunches, and afternoon teas. It’s a light, largely open air place, as charming as you might imagine and then some, and quite affordable as well. You won’t find too many places better for a daytime meal.
Gremio de Brixton
If you have hidden doorways, secret passages, and unexpected wonders in mind when thinking of “hidden restaurants,” look no further than Gremio de Brixton. This is basically the basement of St. Matthew’s Church in Brixton, accessible through a metal gate below street level. Once you’re inside however it’s as if you’ve discovered a secret club built into an abandoned underground lair. Low brick ceilings, red-gold lighting, and comfortable seating create an incredible menu, and the Spanish tapas menu is beloved by all who frequent the restaurant.
The Observatory Dining Room
Powder Keg Diplomacy is a popular bar in London and a good place to go for a drink whether or not you stay to eat. If you do stay though, you should aim to enjoy the back room, sometimes referred to as the Observatory Dining Room. It’s an extravagant, bizarre place, called one of London’s chicest garden rooms and full of interesting decorations and almost haphazard plants. It looks almost like the forgotten sunroom of some eccentric billionaire’s mansion in a fantasy novel. The Dining Room also happens to put forth some renowned dishes though, solidifying it as one of the city’s great hidden eateries.