Dining in the dark. A belly-dancer, or gemstone-clad circus performer dancing on a stage with fire. A sushi train but make it cheese. London is full of outrageous, wacky and truly gobsmacking dining options. In a city full of incredible restaurants, it takes a great effort to stand out. Some focus on fine dining, racking up impressive awards and Michelin stars, other focus on location – a rooftop or a river view, while others hone in on the truly bizarre and peculiar. Beau Monde take a look at a selection of London’s unique dining spots:

1. Pick & Cheese

Starting off light is this sushi-train style conveyor belt of cheeses, located in the Seven Dials Market in London’s West End. On Wednesdays for just over an hour, diners have the option to go bottomless, sampling as many plates of cheese and charcuterie as possible. The cheeses of Pick & Cheese are all produced around the United Kingdom, and the menu is rotational. This is the best place to sample some seriously good local cheese, in a casual setting with friends, paired with small producer wines. Take a plate before it passes by. This is definitely one of London’s unique dining spots!

2. Circus

As the name suggests, Circus is just that: a circus. It is the perfect place for multi-visit options, whether it be for dinner, after work drinks, weekend cocktails and late-night rendezvous with unparalleled entertainment you can’t take your eyes off. Dancers adorn glittery bodysuits, covered in silver gemstones and move with fire on the stage – its mesmerising. Others are contortionists, bending themselves into impressive positions, all while guests sling back tasty house cocktails. The cuisine is Pan-Asian, with a four-course tasting menu on offer for dinner guests. This is dinner AND a show.

3. The Clink, Brixton

It is not often you need a security clearance to attend a dinner reservation – but it’s not often that the dinner reservation is at a prison either. The Clink provides a unique dining experience with refined but humble dishes served up by inmates of HMP Brixton who are taking on a new challenge, obtaining their City & Guilds NVQs in Food & Beverage Service, Professional Cookery and Food Hygiene. The food is both delicious and fresh with generous portions that are certainly welcomed.

Not only is The Clink restaurant supportive of reformative life in the cooking and service industry, but it also provides an opportunity for other prisoners to create the fittings of the restaurant. The tables and upholstery are made by inmates of HMP Brixton, and poetry read on the evening is written by inmates too.

4. Dans Le Noir?

It would be in vain to mention such unique dining places in London without mentioning Dans Le Noir? – or dining in the dark. The premise of Dans Le Noir? is simple – by dining in the dark, guests are encouraged to tap out of other senses, re-assessing true observations of taste.  The menus at Dans Le Noir? are secret – colour coded based on dietary preference and in set menu standard.

Dining at Dans Le Noir? is a challenge, but it is worth it to come away from the experience with a reformed view on dining. Expert chef Frederick Dickieson creates dishes that are harmonious in synchronised flavour, providing a manifest on the tastebuds without the distraction of the world around us.

5. The London Cabaret Club

Set in the West End theatre district is the sophisticated London Cabaret Club, home to exquisite dining and impressive Gatsbyesque style cabaret shows. The London Cabaret Club is set in a historic 1920’s building, so is the perfect place to slip into a bygone era of feather boas, jazz and awe-inspiring performances from singers and dancers alike. There are rotational shows on offer at the club, whether they be inspired by Bond, by Gatsby or simply by London; each offer a spectacular twist to dining and drinking.

6. Gingerline Supper Clubs

There is no doubt about it – we’ve saved the best til last. The Gingerline Group produces out of this world themed supper clubs that take dining to the next level. Each supper club has a different theme and only exclusively for a period before a new supper club takes its place. In the past, some of the themes have been “The Grand Expedition” where diners are immersed into a world inspired by children’s books and taken on a journey through culinary delights, performances and interactions, and “The Chambers of Flavours” which was a series of multi-verse dining adventures including a ride-and-dine carousel, a game show and sing-along with a magical mermaid.

It all sounds bizarre – and it is – but it truly is an experience to remember and one with good food at that. Not to mention, each of the supper clubs are held in secret locations. It is ominous, it is exciting, and it is unforgettable.

For aficionados of the weird and wonderful, or for those willing to try new things as their 2021 motto, these restaurants are the cure. Step away from rigid dining and step into a world of adventure, thrill and uniqueness some of London’s unique dining spots.