London’s must-visit restaurants and bars

If you live for those ‘have you ever been to…?’ conversations, and love nothing more than letting rip with a good anecdote, this is the list for you: a collection of must-visit bars and restaurants in London and beyond. Whether you’re after fun food, daring decor, or trendy toilets, make sure you don’t miss Square Meal’s pick of the capital’s most quirky restaurants and bars.

Archipelago

It’s all about the freaky food at this exotic eatery. From zhug-marinated kangaroo to pan-fried locusts, with a side order of big game, expect a part-gastronomic, part-zoological expedition.

Bob Bob Ricard (pictured, left)

The designers had the Orient Express in mind when they set to work on Bob Bob Ricard, then garnished the dining room with a large helping of kitsch. Everything, from the plush interiors to the Champagne buttons on the tables, screams opulence. And do you know what? We love it.

The Clink

Housed in HMP High Down in Sutton, Surrey, The Clink restaurant is staffed entirely by prisoners on their way to gaining qualifications and work experience in preparation for the outside world. Security checks before the meal are a must – no one will be fooled by a file hidden in a cake…

Dans le Noir

The idea behind this pitch-black dining experience, set up by a charity for the blind, is to see how far your four other senses – particularly the tastebuds – compensate for loss of sight when it comes to food. Blind date, anyone?

Flash Sushi (pictured, right)

It’s not strictly a restaurant, but this pop-up event, which takes place at regular intervals in a secret Zone-1 location, is one of those eye-popping experiences straight out of the movies. Called nyotaimori (‘body sushi’), it consists of a tableful of people eating sushi from a naked female body. Nuff said.

Ice Bar (pictured, top left)

Don a silver thermal suit and chill for 40 minutes in this cool (well, sub-zero) hangout, where even the glasses are made of ice. However, you can’t just slip in here of an evening: booking is essential.

Inamo

A must for technology geeks, this restaurant dispenses with the traditional ‘can I take your order?’ in favour of digital menus beamed onto your table and a touch pad where you key in your selection.

Saki Bar and Food Emporium

It’s the – ahem – toilets here that are definitely worth a peek. These traditional Japanese-style loos have a water spout whose pressure can be adjusted at the touch of a button, plus an air drier. Keep ordering drinks until you get the urge…

Sketch

Sketch is a work of art in its entirety, but it also boasts another WC-must-see: individual egg-shaped pods that look fresh from the set of a sci-fi film. These loos feature different designs inside, and pipe music, and even birdsong, into the chamber. Call of nature, indeed… trust us, you’ll feel like part of an art installation.

ZTH

This much-hyped bar not only serves a darn good cocktail, it gives you plenty of eye candy while you drink it. From taxidermy to trinkets, the whole bar is packed with antiques and artefacts from the life of a fictional old lady, Aunt Wilhelmina. There’s also a kick-ass games room downstairs.