Find your Restaurant for a Special Occasion in London

Special Occasion Restaurants Hire Guide

On ordinary days, you just want a table where you can enjoy your food and company. However, if you are choosing where to eat in London for a special occasion, you want to make an impression. After all, your guests did take time out to join the party, the least you could do is to make sure they have a great time. What better way than treating them to exceptional food and some amazing cocktails at an exclusive event?

Here are some tips when choosing the best restaurants in London for special occasions:

• The interior. This is one of the factors that distinguish excellent restaurants from just good ones. If you are looking for good restaurants for birthday dinners, the place should have a character to make the day memorable – and photogenic! The pictures, with the restaurant as the backdrop, should be share-worthy. We’re living in the age of social media, after all!
• The atmosphere. What is your priority? Do you want the royal treatment where your guests feel like kings and queens when they leave the place? Or maybe you’re after a more casual theme so everybody can hang loose? What about the management and the staff of the restaurant, how engaged are they in making sure you all feel at home? Neighbourhood restaurants have perfected the art of giving off that homey feel. But if it’s prestigious private restaurant rooms you want, prepare to pay for that privilege.
• The location. You may have made sure that everything is perfect. You have scoured for exclusive restaurants in London and decided on one; you invited all the guests on your list, and then you wait with bated breath for the day to come – and in the end, only a handful of people came because the location wasn’t very convenient for them. When it comes to a holiday dinner or a corporate lunch, location is everything. Don’t forget to talk to your attendees to make sure the address is suitable for them and they know how to get there.
• The price. Unless you are born with a silver spoon in your mouth or just won the lottery, the price would be crucial to your final pick. Fortunately, out of all the factors, this is the easiest to solve. There are many establishments, including romantic restaurants with a view, that can be hired for your special day without burning a hole in your pocket – and we know where to find them.
• The food and service. There’s really nothing much to be said here except perhaps to state the obvious: most people may love your company but free food is free food. If the food is bad, you get the blame (even if good-naturedly) and not the restaurant. It’s usually a good idea to try the restaurant’s menu beforehand, just to confirm if it’s the right place to celebrate your special occasion.

FAQs about Special Occasion Restaurants in London

How much does it cost to hire a restaurant for special occasions in London?

The figures vary. You can hire a private restaurant room for the entire day for £60 per person or have your birthday lunch for £24 per session. You can also rent a whole venue for £30,00 for the whole evening. Some other restaurants work with the minimum spend option, which means you need to spend a certain amount of money on food and drinks while you’re not paying a single penny for using the space. Quite a fair deal, isn’t it? The minimum spend rates vary depending on many factors, including the size of your event, the location of the venue and the general price range of the restaurant. Typically you can expect to pay from around £700 up to £2,000+. (All data from Tagvenue.)

What are some of the most sought-after locations for celebrating special occasions in London?

Rooftop venues are always a popular choice for engagements and birthday dinners. There’s something very intimate about hanging out on the roof deck or in the penthouse suite, where you can have an unobstructed view of central London. The Prince of Wales Feathers near Warren Street Station is one such place. Another is Hyatt Place London City East near Paddington Station, one of the classiest small London restaurants with a garden space ideal for a private dinner for 20 guests. Grand Connaught Rooms, just a short distance away from Holborn Station, is the perfect wedding restaurant. It offers various event spaces for private dining for 50 guests as well as a grand hall for 750 guests. It is sure to make you feel very special, with the tall arched ceilings, Corinthian columns, and marble walls serving as a backdrop. Of course, Michelin Star restaurants are also very popular. Think of the likes of Gordon Ramsey in Chelsea, among others.

How can I save money on hiring a restaurant for special occasions in London?

You can book some of the best restaurants in Central London even if you don’t have money to burn. Need an example? For film buffs, The Crown Tavern, which figured in the 2006 movie "Notes on a Scandal" is available for hire. Don’t assume immediately that being “best” means being prohibitively expensive. London has plenty of restaurants to suit any budget and occasion.

What are some of the best special occasion restaurants for 2-10 guests in London?

For those looking for an intimate and cosy moment to celebrate special occasions with your significant other or close friends and family, The Drift, close to Liverpool Street Station, is a fantastic choice. With a dynamic view of the aquarium and innovative menu, it's ideal for a private dinner for 2 or a small group of up to 11 guests. Another recommended option is The Hyde Restaurant & Bar near Paddington Station. Its serene garden space is great for private dining for 10 guests, guaranteeing that your gathering will be memorable.