London's most affordable private dining rooms: 12 great value options to try

Dining out in London is a fairly common occurrence – not to state the obvious - but when it comes to organising an event for a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, it makes sense to consider a private dining room. Whether you're organising a family get-together, intimate dinner with friends or a blowout birthday bash, no doubt you'll want to get away from the public eye, close the doors and turn up the music. London offers plenty of places to dine behind closed doors, no matter your preferred cuisine or budget.

We know what you’re wondering: does cheap mean, well, not very good? Absolutely not! Every single option in this guide offers high-quality food and drink, fantastic service and a welcoming atmosphere, with the added bonus that they just happen to be great value for money. Granted, private dining isn't exactly known for being affordable, especially in London, but there are ways around ending up with a hefty bill at the end of your meal.

Most of these private dining rooms operate on a minimum spend basis, with no hire fee, meaning you just have to hit a certain amount to qualify for the booking. Don’t worry, we’ve made sure all minimum spend requirements are within reason, which depending on the number of people you’re hosting, can work out surprisingly cheap per head.

Don’t believe us? We’ve rounded up some of the most affordable private dining rooms in London that make it possible to enjoy your own exclusive space without shedding a tear at the bill. What’s more, the majority offer a selection of set menus for private bookings, from three-course meals to sharing feasts, that help to keep costs down even further.

The best part? Hiring these rooms on a budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality. From London's best vegetarian spot to crowd-pleasing Portuguese fare, these are some of the most affordable private dining rooms in London that promise plenty of bang for your buck.

Crust Bros, Covent Garden

What: Banging the drum for thick-crusted, Neapolitan-style pizza, Crust Bros’ affordable pies are too good to miss. But the real joy lies in the restaurant's private function room downstairs, where you can take over the space with up to 60 guests and kick things off with pasta crisps, dips, and olives, followed by bruschetta, mozzarella, and grilled pepper skewers. Then just sit back while the team loads up your table with pizzas to share – classic Margherita, Big Poppa, Nonna’s Yard, Straight Outta Hell – all the key players are present and correct along with bottomless dips. Get all of that for £25 a head, or go for the ‘Ultimate Group Menu’ for £35 with welcome Prosecco on arrival.
How much: Minimum spend from £500, set menus from £25 per person
Where: 29 Bedford Street, SE1 8UL
Book now: Crust Bros Covent Garden

Mowgli Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia

What: Now with restaurants up and down the country, Mowgli has become one of the nation’s favourite Indian spots, renowned for its vibrant street food, accessible menus and twinkling interiors (these guys love a fairy light). When it comes to fun, relaxed and lively private events, you won’t go far wrong with Mowgli, and its flexible set menus are another part of the draw. Feast on the likes of yoghurt chaat bombs, fenugreek fries, fragrant curries with rice and roti as you celebrate a special occasion with friends and family. You can hire the private dining room for 30, or the whole first floor for 32 guests.
How much: Minimum spend from £500, set menus from £25 per person
Where: 5 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RE
Book now: Mowgli Charlotte Street

Megan’s at the Sorting Office, Islington

What: Megan's at the Sorting Office offers two well-priced private dining options for small to medium-sized celebrations. The Long Table has a minimum spend of £1,000 for up to 35 people – working out at less than £30 a head – while the Lounge requires the same spend and can hold up to 30 guests. We’d argue that’s pretty unbeatable. Tuck into Megan’s signature Mediterranean menus, from sharing feasts to a Turkish brunch, and add your choice of drinks package for the ultimate meal to remember.
How much: Minimum spend from £1,000, set menus from £29.50 per person
Where: 6 Esther Anne Place, N1 1WF
Book now: Megan’s Islington

Casa, London Bridge

What: Casa’s beautiful decor, buzzy atmosphere and please-all Portuguese menus are a surefire hit for any celebration. There are two private dining rooms at this London Bridge site: the Boa Vida room for up to 14, or the Boa Pinga for up to 45 – although it’s possible to hire the whole floor if you feel like going all out. Menus starts from £42 a head with dishes served for the whole table to share. Think salt cod fritters, fiery chorizo and Casa’s signature piri piri chicken all served with rice, chips and slaw. Minimum spend requirements vary depending on the time and day of your booking – simply get in touch with the team to find out more.
How much: Minimum spend on request, set menus from £42 per person
Where: 32 Southwark Street, SE1 1TU
Book now: Casa London Bridge

Salut!, Islington

What: Seating up to 35 on a private hire basis, with smaller groups of 15 non-exclusively, Salut! Offers fantastic value for money. You’ll find it on the Essex Road, just a short distance from Dalston, serving up casual fine dining fare in a comforting neighbourhood setting. Set private dining menus (which start at just £50 a head), offer effortlessly on-trend French and British bistro-style fare, peppered with global influences. Daytime private dining events benefit from ample natural light, whereas candlelit evenings offer warmth and cosiness.
How much: Minimum spend on request, set menus from £50 per person
Where: 412 Essex Road, N1 3PJ
Book now: Salut!

Barge East, Stratford

What: Not only do you benefit from the novelty of dining on a barge with your mates, there are a wealth of unique and cosy private spaces at this quirky venue to choose from, many of which don’t require a minimum spend at all! There are two dedicated private dining rooms on board, the Canopy for 16-26 guests, and the Captain's Garden for four to eight. The latter has no minimum spend requirement, and the former starts from just £800. Once everyone's selected a menu and a drink each, you'll find that's easily done! Set three-course menus and drinks packages are available, and if you fancy some extra entertainment, be it live music or an art workshop, the team can help organise that for you too.
How much: Minimum spend from £800, set menus from £45 per person
Where: White Post Lane, E9 5EN
Book now: Barge East

Arepa & Co, Bethnal Green

What: Arepa & Co is a lively Venezuelan joint with restaurants across London, from Bethnal Green to Haggerston, Brixton and Elephant and Castle. We love these guys because they’re uber flexible on price – simply let the team know what sort of budget you’re working with and they’ll sort out a package to fit. Better still, they offer an eight-dish tasting menu for just £35 a head featuring a selection of Arepa & Co’s signature dishes. The 20-person mezzanine is great for soaking up the buzz of the main restaurant, but in your own private space, or there’s a lovely outdoor terrace for summer celebrations. Minimum spends start from £300, and you can even hire out the whole restaurant for as little as £650! Not bad.
How much: Minimum spend from £300, set menus from £35 per person
Where: 254 Paradise Row, E2 9LE
Book now: Arepa & Co

Gallio, Fitzrovia

What: For an affordable private room in the heart of London, look to Gallio. This warm Mediterranean restaurant is great for all kinds of celebratory events, and crucially, it doesn't charge any hire fees - just a reasonable minimum spend depending on the day of the week. Group menus start from £30 a head for 10 people or more, and you can add a welcome drink for £5 per person. Keep your eyes peeled for dishes like baked halloumi with honey and zaatar, beef stifado, and crema catalana. 
How much: Minimum spend on request, set menus from £30 per person
Where: 7 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RF
Book now: Gallio

Bridge Baker, Fulham

What: Looking to keep things casual without compromising on quality? Bridge Baker’s Fulham location is as inviting as it is affordable, with a cosy, neighbourhood vibe that’s sure to go down a treat. The 22-capacity dining room is available to hire exclusively, or you can just hire part of the main restaurant. Menus here are very reasonably priced with the cheapest options including a pizza of your guest's choosing and a glass of wine. You can even add tiramisu or a charcuterie platter and dough balls to share if you're looking to make the evening a two or three course feast, or jazz things up with a pizza and tiramisu masterclass that is sure to be a unique private dinner for all.
How much: No hire fee, set menus from £23 per person
Where: 811 Fulham Road, SW6 5HG
Book now: Bridge Baker  

Shoryu Ramen, Soho

What: Specialising in Japanese street food, Shoryu Ramen has several sites around the capital, offering a sleek and minimalist backdrop for those looking to keep their private dining on the more affordable side. Its central Soho venue boasts a relaxed private room for up to 16 guests, and you can choose to have one large table, or three smaller ones. The room is all yours for 2.5 hours, and if you need more time, just let the team know and they'll work their magic. It's just £75 to secure the room, with a minimum spend of £300. Menus start from £24 and offer an extensive selection of ramen, including the signature Shoryu Ganso Tonkotsu, as well as curries, donburi, poke bowls, Shoryu buns, Yakitori from the grill, and a whole host of side dishes. Pair with sake, cocktails or mocktails for the complete dining experience.
How much: Hire fee £75 plus a minimum spend of £300, set menus from £24 per person
Where: 3 Denman Street, W1D 7HA
Book now: Shoryu Ramen Soho

Cinnamon Bazaar, Covent Garden

What: Cinnamon Bazaar offers a private dining room with a difference. You and your guests will be seated in the Khari Baoli private room right above the main restaurant, boasting vibrant decor reminiscent of India’s famous bazaars. Party menus are on offer, stuffed full of Vivek Singh's masterful Indian cooking including the likes of samosa chaat, and chicken leg curries with house black dal and bread for the table. Finish your feast off with a carrot and ginger toffee pudding. 
How much: Minimum spend on request, set menus from £38 per person
Where: 28 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7JS
Book now: Cinnamon Bazaar 

Pizarro, Bermondsey

What: Jose Pizarro's eponymous Bermondsey restaurant is beloved in London for delicious, accessible tapas plates that are perfect for sharing at your next private dinner. Menus here are, unsurprisingly, all about tapas, with fixed prices per person that will get you a selection of hot and cold dishes and even includes desserts. Options here span the likes of croquetas of the day, padron peppers, mussels in a spicy sauce and Spanish black pudding. Cocktails and wines come at an additional cost but it shouldn’t set you back too much with house wines that won't leave you worrying about the bill.
How much: No minimum spend, set menus from £55 per person
Where: 194 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3TQ
Book now: Pizarro 

While many of these venues keep the cost breakdown nice and simple, if you’re still struggling to decipher your hire charge from your minimum spend, check out our complete guide to how much it costs to hire a private dining room.