A mezzanine private dining room has the best of both worlds: privacy from the main restaurant without feeling completely shut away from the action. If you’re on the lookout for a mezzanine private dining room in London, we've got you covered with our pick of the best, in ascending order and with capacities ranging from 16 to 50.
Words: Eamonn Crowe and Mark de Wesselow
Galvin La Chapelle, City
Michelin-starred and set in an old Victorian school chapel, this airy Galvin brothers restaurant is understandably popular. The semi-private nature of the mezzanine Gallery dining room means guests won’t miss out on the soaring 30m ceiling or the reverential ambience below.
Where: St Botolphs Hall, 35 Spital Square, E1 6DY
Capacity: 16
Sager + Wilde, Shoreditch
Set beneath the arch and overlooking the restaurant, the Mezzanine private dining room at Sager + Wilde can accommodate 12-25 people for dinner, which starts at £29 a head for a group sharing set menu.
Where: 250 Paradise Row, E2 9LE
Capacity: 25
Caravaggio, City
Although there’s no dedicated private room at Caravaggio, there are two sides to the mezzanine floor which take 20 and 50 respectively for sit-down meals, where atmosphere is as important as the kitchen offerings. This floor looks directly on to the main dining room, offering guests a private area within the restaurant itself.
Where: 107-112 Leadenhall Street, EC3A 4DP
Capacity: 50
Ping Pong, Covent Garden
If you’re looking to host a casual get-together, the semi-private mezzanine level dining room at Ping Pong’s Covent Garden site seats up to 30 diners and overlooks the main restaurant.
Where: 23-24 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7NA
Capacity: 30
The Cinnamon Club, Westminster
Overlooking the main dining room, the Gallery room offers guests a private area within the restaurant itself. Set above the main dining room, this eyrie benefits fully from the ambience and ‘buzz’ of the main restaurant below.
Where: The Old Westminster Library, 30-32 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU
Capacity: 32
Tramshed, City
Tramshed is without a doubt the most visually striking of Mark Hix’s restaurants. The 36-seater mezzanine offers great views of the restaurant, and of course, of Damien Hirst’s famous Cock ‘n’ Bull preserved in formaldehyde.
Where: 32 Rivington Street, EC2A 3LX
Capacity: 36
Miusan, Camden
Set above the main dining room, the lofty, glass-ceilinged mezzanine comes with its own secluded lounge area featuring dark, velvet seating. This space can be hired out in its entirety for private parties or events and comes complete with its own bar.
Where: 16 Inverness Street, NW1 7HJ
Capacity: 40
Tredwells, Covent Garden
Suited to larger parties, Tredwells doesn’t have a dedicated private dining room, but instead offers exclusive hire of its mezzanine or lower-ground level.
Where: 4A Upper St Martin’s Lane, WC2H 9NY
Capacity: 40
Silk & Grain, City
The plush interiors at Silk & Grain make for a great setting for medium-size parties, with circular clusters of tables ensuring that there’s room for everyone.
Where: 33 Cornhill, EC3V 3ND
Capacity: 45
Union Street Café, South Bank
The upstairs mezzanine at Union Street Cafe can accommodate up to 46 seated guests, overlooking the main restaurant area from above. Meanwhile, The Gallery accommodates up to 25 guests seated across separate tables.
Where: 47-51 Great Suffolk Street, SE1 0BS
Capacity: 46
For further, London-wide inspiration, click through to our private dining rooms page