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Best exclusive hire restaurants in London

Looking for a venue for your next big event? Don’t discount London’s broad collection of fantastic restaurants.

Updated on 27 November 2024

We often gravitate towards traditional venues when it comes to event planning, but year by year, we actually see restaurants becoming more and more event focused. Diversifying revenue streams is the name of the game, and increasingly, it makes sense for restaurants to make the most of their facilities by also offering exclusive hire.

There are lots of good reasons to think about exclusive hire of a restaurant for your next event. For starters, many of London’s most impressive buildings and spaces house restaurants, and as shown by our often updated list of London’s most Instagrammable restaurants, there are some truly beautiful restaurants in the capital today. Exclusive hire of a restaurant doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re tied into a private dinner either - lots of restaurants have the flexibility to host large receptions and parties too.

That said, food is obviously a big part of the draw. If you’re planning a big event and you know that the food will be crucial, hosting your event in a restaurant gives you peace of mind that the food will be up to scratch. Again, you’re not necessarily tied into group menus for a sit down meal. Most restaurants are flexible enough to alter the layout of the interior to suit different event styles, and you can often organise bespoke menus, whether that involves wave after wave of canapes, easy-going bowl food, or a big multi-course banquet.

We’ve picked out a selection of our favourite exclusive hire restaurant venues, from glamorous high rise spots with impressive skyline views, to charming little neighbourhood restaurants that are ideal for more intimate occasions. Keep scrolling to take a look, and remember, you can get more information and booking details by clicking on the restaurant page.

Arcade Battersea

Arcade Battersea

1st Floor, Boiler House, Battersea Power Station, Battersea, London, SW11 8DD

The beauty of exclusive hire of Arcade Battersea (or indeed, Arcade Tottenham Court Road) is that you have all the food and facilities of this fantastic food hall at your fingertips. When it comes to the catering you can build a bespoke menu from any of vendors that are part of Arcade, and the hall has lots of interesting spaces too, including a pool room and a private bar.

Max Standing 700
Max Banquet 500
Duck & Waffle

Duck & Waffle

110 Bishopsgate, City of London , London, EC2N 4AY

Duck & Waffle has hosted some of the capital’s most exclusive private events over the years, including movie premieres, after parties and product launches. Exclusive hire of the whole venue gives you all the time in the world to drink in those 40th floor views of London, with standing space for up to 250 guests.

Max Standing 250
Max Banquet 120
Kapara

Kapara

James Court, Soho, London, W1D 4AL

This glitzy Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant will transport you far away from the city to debaucherous summer nights beside the Mediterranean, via decadent mezze feasts, sultry mood lighting, and flirty waiting staff. It's available for exclusive private hire that includes access to both indoor and outdoor spaces. 

Max Standing 250
Dumplings Legend

Dumplings Legend

15-16 Gerrard Street, Soho, London, W1D 6JE

A larger-than-life Chinatown institution that claims to produce 8,000 dumplings a day, Dumplings Legend is spread across three floors and offers several plush private rooms for a wild night out. Best of all, private hire here includes not only oodles of dumplings but also karaoke equipment - enjoy singing your heart out with up to 30 of your closest friends!

The Ninth

The Ninth

22 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 2NB

Michelin-starred The Ninth boasts a vast warehouse-chic interior in the heart of Fitzrovia, and can be booked for exclusive hire on Sundays, both for lunch and dinner. Enjoy a constantly evolving French-inspired menu from head chef Jun Tanaka, formerly of mainstays like Le Gavroche and The Restaurant Marco Pierre White.

Max Banquet 70
SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden

SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden

35 The Market Building,, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8RF

SUSHISAMBA City might grab most of the Instagram love (it’s also available for exclusive hire, by the way) but we love SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden’s jungle-like interiors and beautiful tiled floors. Housed inside Covent Garden’s famous Grade II-listed Market Building, it couldn’t be easier to find, and the menu doesn’t disappoint either.

Max Standing 500
Max Banquet 140
Louie London

Louie London

13-15 West Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9NE

If you hire this New Orleans-inspired Victorian townhouse all to yourself, you're certainly in for a treat. Spread across four floors, Louie makes sure that its guests experience something new with each storey they ascend to - you'll have your pick of a semi-outdoor terrace, four bar areas, film screening room, and two restaurants serving Southern American and Creole-influenced cuisine.

Max Standing 350
Max Banquet 200
No. 29 Power Station West

No. 29 Power Station West

29 Circus West, Battersea Power Station, Battersea, London, SW11 8NN

You’ll find this bright, modern venue inside the renovated Battersea Power Station, where it serves measure Modern European cooking with fantastic views of the Thames from the outdoor terrace. Exclusive hire of the whole restaurant packs in a whopping 450 guests, so this is ideal for big parties.

Max Standing 450
Max Banquet 120
Sette Restaurant and Nolita Social

Sette Restaurant and Nolita Social

4 Knightsbridge Green, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7QA

Sette is the London-based sister restaurant to acclaimed New York restaurant Scarpetta, housed inside the glitzy Bvlgari Hotel London in Knightsbridge. That makes it ideal for those planning something glamorous, and exclusive hire also gets you access to Nolita Social next door - the restaurant’s dedicated bar and lounge.

Max Standing 150
Max Banquet 100
art’otel London Battersea Power Station

art’otel London Battersea Power Station

1 Electric Boulevard, Battersea, London, SW11 8BJ

There are numerous options inside the glitzy art’otel at Battersea Power Station, but special mention has to go to Henrique Sa Pessoa’s glorious Portuguese restaurant JOIA, which inhabits the top two floors. Choose between the stunning art deco JOIA Bar, which boasts huge panoramic windows and impressive views of the renovated power station, and JOIA restaurant itself.

Max Meeting 22
Max Theatre 100
Max Standing 250
Max Banquet 87
Nova Restaurant

Nova Restaurant

Kendal Avenue, Acton, London, W3 0PA

West London steak and sushi restaurant Nova offers a glamorous private dining experience complete with varied entertainment. You and your family, friends, or colleagues can enjoy a specially curated menu, involving Nova's signature premium meat and fish dishes and their wittily named cocktails (think 'novagronis' and 'novastar martinis').

Max Meeting 132
Max Standing 150
Max Banquet 132
OXO Tower

OXO Tower

OXO Tower Wharf, South Bank, London, SE1 9PH

One of London’s most iconic restaurants, the OXO Tower is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on your guests, especially if you hire the whole shebang. The events team here are incredibly experienced and helpful too, so no event or request is too much. Exclusive hire of the whole Tower (including the restaurant, bar and brasserie) gives you room for up to 750 guests, making OXO Tower perfect for everything from big parties to product launches, awards dinners and more.

Olea Social

Olea Social

10 Upper St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9FB

A Mediterranean oasis in the heart of the West End, Olea Social offers breezy sharing platters inspired by Turkey, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Morocco, amidst green tiling and leafy decor. Private dining is available on request for partial or complete hire of the space.

Max Standing 150
Max Banquet 122
1 Lombard Street

1 Lombard Street

1 Lombard Street, City of London, London, EC3V 9AA

1 Lombard Street is a bit of a City institution, thanks largely to excellent European cooking and a hefty drinks list. The Grade-II listed former banking hall looks the part too, and houses up to 450 guests when hired in its entirety.

Max Meeting 150
Max Theatre 100
Max Standing 400
Max Banquet 200
Coya Mayfair

Coya Mayfair

118 Piccadilly, Mayfair , London, W1J 7NW

Exclusive hire of this exquisitely detailed Peruvian restaurant covers both floors - the stunning ground floor restaurant and the upstairs Member’s Club, which is decked out in gold and marble, and boasts a covered al fresco patio. Coya Mayfair’s location is a big bonus too - you’ll find it right opposite Green Park, just a minute’s walk from Hyde Park Corner.

Max Standing 320
Max Banquet 170
Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh

4a Upper St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9NY

Much like the ancient poem from which it takes its name, pan-Asian cocktail bar Gilgamesh is vast, epic, and always offers something new to discover. Available for private hire for up to 250 standing guests, Gilgamesh fittingly boasts maximalist interiors inspired by the sumptuous excess of ancient Mesopotamia, as well as indulgent set menus ideal for larger group dinners.

Max Meeting 250
Max Theatre 250
Max Standing 250
Max Banquet 150
STK London

STK London

ME London Hotel, Aldwych, London, WC2R 1HA

London's most glamorous steakhouse is an ideal choice if you're looking to really splash out on an exclusive night with friends. In the heart of the West End, STK offers a menu of prized cuts (think Australian wagyu or New York strip), as well as varied non-steak dishes and quirky cocktails, all in a lacquered, sophisticated environment.

Max Meeting 24
Max Standing 30
Max Banquet 135
The Alchemist Bevis Marks

The Alchemist Bevis Marks

6 Bevis Marks, Aldgate, London, EC3A 7BA

The Alchemist Bevis Marks sits right in the centre of London, putting a creative and theatrical spin on your next event. Available for exclusive hire, take a seat in the striking, copper-accented restaurant and delve into a selection of whimsical cocktails and globally-inspired plates, for a memorable evening.

Max Standing 150
Max Banquet 95
Sketch

Sketch

9 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 2XG

One of London’s most iconic addresses, each of Sketch’s restaurants is available for exclusive private hire. Larger events are best in The Parlour, with its famously Instagrammable wallpaper and neon accents. There’s also the three Michelin-starred Lecture Room & Library, and of course, and The Glade - a smaller lounge designed to emulate an enchanted forest.

Max Standing 100
Max Banquet 40
Bocconcino Soho

Bocconcino Soho

Soho , London, W1F 7JY

Glamorous Bocconcino Soho makes a statement as soon as you enter - the gleaming terrazzo flooring, marble bar and moody lighting makes this perfect for special events where you want a venue to impress your guests. The stylish Italian menu has something for everyone too.

Max Meeting 80
Max Standing 30
Max Banquet 80

We have all sorts of tried-and-tested private dining recommendations too - check out our guide to outdoor private dining in London, or this list of the best Michelin-starred private dining rooms in London

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