Culture

The Ten Best Private Dining Rooms To Book

The Stack World rounds up the best restaurants to impress your guests when planning an intimate dinner

By Hannah Connolly

24 January 2023
W

hether it’s a special occasion, a business meeting or as a way to grow your community, sometimes the hustle and bustle of a busy restaurant is best swapped out for the intimacy of a private dining room.

There are countless spots to host your guests – from the super-luxe like Brunswick House to the more low key spots like Barrafina – so much so that the options can be a little overwhelming, that’s why we have put together a list of our favourite spots.

Quo Vardis | Soho W1D

A restaurant and private members club right in the heart of Soho, Quo Vardis has three stunning private dining rooms on hand. The once home of Karl Marx, this timeless spot is a favorite amongst London's art and fashion scenes.

Situated on the second floor of the building you can book a slot for breakfast, lunch and dinner with bespoke menus available on request. The Marx Room is the largest with a capacity of up to 100 guests, whilst The Blue Room maintains the chic grandeur but can be booked for as little as 14 people, and to truly capture the intimate townhouse elegance The Library is the smallest room at just nine seated guests and is actually our favorite of the three to book.

Brunswick House | Vauxall SW8

In between the towering glass skyscrapers of Vauxuall sits a grade II listed gem – Brunswick House. This timeless spot is guaranteed to impress any guest and is a great place to find creative inspiration or curate salon style conversations.

The options for dining or hosting cover everything from private cocktails in The Lounge all the way to hiring the entire building – so there are lots of options for any budget.

For those looking to keep it low(er) key, The Parlour Room is beautifully designed and has a maximum capacity of 14, and is lit by original chandeliers and features classic Georgian wall molding. Whilst The Study overlooks an unexpected green oasis in the heart of metropolis and has an open hearth, which makes it the perfect year round spot.

Bistrotheque | Hackney E2 Located in Bethnal Green, Bistrotheque is a cool-girl choice for private dining, embracing the spirit of the neighborhood, the restaurant and event spaces inhabits an old industrial building and boasts crittall windows and exposed brick walls.

For private hire there are a few options: the first is The Cockatoo, painted in a chic shade of pink with matching tablecloths and upholstery, this is a space you won't forget – oh and there's a grand piano and disco ball, depending on your mood, of course. The more modest Loading Bay seats 24, and is an indoor/outdoor space, perfect for those early spring get togethers when the days start getting warmer.

Barrafina | Soho & Holborn Barrafina is a long-time favourite amongst London foodies and for good reason – the legacy of this excellent tapas spot continues as more branches open up around town, though our favourite is the one in Covent Garden.

The best thing about Barrafina for private dining is that none of the essence of tapas/family style dining is lost — each room has its own open kitchen and private chef so you still get in on the magic of seeing your food being prepared but in the privacy of your own space. Whilst, over at Coal Drops Yard, take in views of Regents Canal in a dining space that seats up to ten.

Spring| Westminster WC2R

Somerset House’s Spring, a long-time favourite amongst the arts world and The Stack World, helmed by Michelin Star Chef Skye Gyngell, is an elegant and refined choice for an airy private dining experience. The Salon, or the "garden dining room", seats up to 36 guests total in an enclosed interior atrium which is particularly beautiful on sunny summer evenings.

Hide | Picadilly W1J

One for your nearest and dearest, Hide is the ultimate cosy spot. The Hide and Seek Rooms on the first floor of the restaurant offer private spaces for up to ten guests, or can be opened up to create a room for 20, with food served directly from the renowned main kitchen. Think low lighting, leather booths and mirrored surfaces, this is a chic and intimate choice.

Other options include the Grecian-style Shadow Room, which plays with lighting and evokes the feelings of ancient suppers, whilst the Broken Room plays with imperfections with natural and organic wood and textile finishings.

Hakkasan | Mayfair W1J

Not only is Hakkasan one of the best Chinese restaurants in London, and with a Michelin Star to-boot, it is also one of the best spots in town to book an impressive intimate dining experience. Menus for private diners covers everything from dim sum platters to the renowned Pipa Duck - book a spot in the private space and expect red lacquered walls and low lighting, or meet half way in their semi-private rooms which offer a much more relaxed experience than the main dining room.

Busaba | Multiple Locations

As one of our favourite always on point restaurants, Busaba offers private dining at most of their locations, which makes it a great option to find a locale that works best for all of your invitees. Keep an eye out on minimum spends as the prices vary but start at as little as £250.

Berenjak | Soho W1D

This restaurant is another of our lower-key favourites but the food is showstopping - inspired by large family gatherings and sharing dishes from the foothills of the Alborz mountains which sorround the city of Tehran – this is the perfect place to share deep chats and build bonds. The private dining rooms are stunning, one overlooks Borough Market, or at the Soho outpost enjoy the climbing foliage and calming hues of the mock terrace space.

The Short Stack

Planning a dinner? The Stack World rounds up the best spots to impress your guests.

By Hannah Connolly

More from Culture