Top 10 London Restaurants For Special Occasions

Fancy restaurants in London, *tick*! You’ve landed on the right blog post. In this post, I will discuss ten of the best restaurants in London to go to on your birthday, anniversary or any special occasion.

I’m fortunate that London is only a 25 minute train journey for me, however, because of COVID I’ve only been there a handful of times in the past two years. London has some fantastic options for eating out, so if you’re feeling a little spendy these places are for you.

1. The Florist

The Florist is a beautiful restaurant and bar located in Watford – where I’ve lived the majority of my life. The food and cocktails are incredible, and well the interiors are absolutely beautiful. I’m planning to take my best friend here for brunch when she flies over from Germany next month. I’ve also taken my mum here for her birthday, we went on a Sunday and had an epic roast and cocktails, blissful.

2. Bob Bob Ricard

Another beautiful restaurant to try is Bob Bob Ricard.

The restaurant is located near Regents Street and Carnaby Street way, situated on Upper James Street. It has the most gorgeous art deco inspired design work and the interiors are to die for! It’s very 1920’s, great gatsby styled, so if you like that era then you’ll love Bob Bob Ricard.

Inside is filled with gorgeous brass gold beams and beautiful velvet curtained tables.  I especially love the little details like the ‘Press for Champagne’ button. Also the room smelt like ‘baies’, from Diptique, my favourite candle scent.

3. Clos Maggorie

I actually dined here for my 30th birthday, it is SO stunning inside. And, well, the food is INCREDIBLE! I was spoilt with a three course vegetarian lunch (not sure if they do Vegan, but I was veggie at the time).

It’s the most beautiful french restaurant situated in Covent Garden. Inside is spectacular, there is an array of flowers hanging from the ceiling. So so stunning.

4. Sushi Samba

Joe and I dined here for our 10 year anniversary last year which I HIGHLY recommend.

SUSHISAMBA is located near to Liverpool Street Station in the Heron tower, where Duck and Waffle is also located. You go up in the lift to the top floor and once you walk out, is a beautiful decorated room with an orange tree with a monkey swinging outside the window, overlooking beautiful London.

We had green bean tempura with alioli to start (highly recommend), as well as maki. Joe had a veggie maki, I had salmon. Then for mains I had the lamb and Joe had a vegetarian mushroom dish. We had room for pudding so, I went for the chocolate banana pudding and Joe had the ‘welcome to the rainforest’.

5. Sketch

If you’re looking for a fabulous afternoon tea restaurant, then Sketch is the place to go. It’s absolutely beautiful inside, pink velvet chairs and space egg toilets.

Joe and I went for our 5th anniversary, gee, back in the day eh! But I highly recommend as it’s an unforgettable experience and the afternoon tea is next level.

6. Hakkasan

Joe and I jumped at the chance of going here for my 29th birthday – it was when book a table were doing London Restaurant Festival Month for the whole of October!

Any who, I squealed with excitement because guess what?! Hakkasan were doing a set menu for two for £40 each – this included a dim sum course, a main course, dessert and a cocktail. Who doesn’t want to experience a Michelin star restaurant and be wined and dined like a princess for only forty quid? I wish I could do it every day… #thedream

This Chinese restaurant is hands down one of the best in London, I cannot fault one bit.

7. The Mirror Room at Rosewood Hotels

Another great afternoon tea spot is at the Mirror Room at the Rosewood Hotel! We went for mine and Joe’s seven year anniversary and it was divine!

We indulged in the gorgeous Art Afternoon Tea – every detail, every taste, the interiors and even the service was perfection. I cannot fault it one bit – actually I can, but that’s down to my own fault. It was very filling and my only regret was not asking for more to take home.

It’s no surprise that it was voted as the Best Contemporary Afternoon Tea in the UK.

If you like art, you’ll obviously love the Art Afternoon Tea. It was 100% up my street.
Cakes were designed and inspired by the works of famous iconic artists such as Banksy, Yayoi Kusama, Damien Hirst, Alexander Calder and Mark Rothko.

Although, I think they do a different ‘Art’ afternoon tea now, that I must go back and try!

8. The Corinthia

If you want to go celeb spotting with a gorgeous afternoon tea spread, The Corinthia is your place to go! Joe and I randomly went here when they were doing the help to eat out scheme and loved it! We felt like royals! I would love to go back some day because the food and service was outstandingly good.

9. Fortnum & Mason

If you’re on the lookout for Vegan afternoon tea, I highly recommend trying Fortnum & Mason in Central London.

Food and service was very very good. In fact better than ‘good’, it was fantastic!

Great atmosphere for a special occasion. We randomly went on a Friday as I had a voucher and it was superb.

10. Duck & Waffle

And last but by no means least is Duck & Waffle! We went here for one of Joe’s birthday’s back in the day and blooming loved it! I only have a low quality picture of the special ‘duck, egg and waffle’ on my Instagram, so if you scroll way back you can see it! Or just have an explore on their Instagram page and you’ll see their beautiful dishes.

Have you tried any of these restaurants? Or what’s your fave restaurant for a special occasion? I’d love to know in the comments below. Especially if it’s vegan!