Every year London's new restaurant openings reveal a raft of shiny new private dining rooms that are perfect for group get-togethers or company dos. Here's our pick of this year's party spaces.
The Devonshire
Mayfair - 17 Denman Street, London W1D 7HW
The team at London's hottest pub have expanded next door, which has allowed them to open four private dining spaces this year. All of them are accessed by a separate door on Denman Street, and while you're waiting to go up, there's a handy hatch into the pub which allows you to order a pint of London’s best Guinness. There are three rooms in total - Winehouse (20), Bowie (28) Lennon (30). The latter two can be opened up to become The Blue Room. Menus include hits from the pub along with specials like caviar buns and Crêpes Suzette cooked tableside.
Seats: 20-90
AngloThai
Marylebone - 22-24 Seymour Place, London W1H 7NL
Baan is the gorgeous private dining space at Michelin-starred AngloThai. It's apparently inspired by co-owners John and Desiree Chantarasak's own dining room, hence all the mid-century Thai Art Deco design, along with some gorgeous Murano chandeliers. If your friends or clients are vinyl nerds, then this place is not only fitted out with a high-end sound system but includes a record player and a curated in-house vinyl collection.
Seats: Up to 16
Carbone
Mayfair - 30 Grosvenor Square, London W1K 6AN
Carbone's new London home has been created in a way that lets them carve off an entire portion of the dining room for parties, but if you're after something a little more intimate, then you're after their main private dining room. With wooden panelling everywhere, it's certainly shouting opulence and with the attention Carbone puts on their service, you know you'll be looked after here. As for food, much of what's on offer is great for sharing, but make sure you order the spicy vodka rigatoni and the not-so-secret off-menu meatballs.
Seats: 14
Campanelle
City of London - 19-21 Billiter St, London EC3M 2RY
This new Italian restaurant in the City has taken over a grade II listed building that used to belong to The London Shipping Exchange. As a result, much of the building is classically good looking, but it's the private dining room that really impresses. Just off the second-floor dining room, it looks down on the covered courtyard below and the window out to the rest of the room gives it a light and bright feel. Food-wise, you're looking at classic Italian cooking here, with eh ticular campanelle carbonara being a must-order.
Read our Campanelle Test Drive
Seats: 24
Lillibet's
Mayfair - 17 Bruton Street, London W1J 6QB
The Hartnell Room at Lilibet's draws inspiration from Sir Norman Hartnell, the legendary couturier whose atelier was opposite this restaurant and who dressed the late Queen after whom Lilibet's is named. It's a beautiful room, lined with fabric and softly lit by impressive chandeliers. There's a choice of menus, and diners here can try the restaurant's signature princess cake in additional flavours to the traditional option available in the main dining room, including pistachio and lemon and Black Forest gateau versions.
Seats: 12-18
Pyra
Queen’s Park - 6A-8A, Lonsdale Rd, London NW6 6RD
Tucked down the bustling foodie thoroughfare of Queen's Park's Lonsdale Road, Pyra serves up a winning mix of Spanish and Greek food. Upstairs, they've got an incredibly Instagrammable events space called The Loft. Best of all, if you need someone who'll take on every element of organisation for you, their team can do everything from flowers and decor, so you don't even need to hire a party planner.
Seats: Up to 60
One Club Row
Shoreditch - 1 Club Row, London E1 6JX
One of the hottest restaurants to open in London all year long, One Club Row is as a result somewhat hard to get a booking at. But now they've also opened a new private events space on the floor above the restaurant. Called The Apartment (it used to be an actual living area), this impressive spacehas great views across Shoreditch. Up here, there's a private bar (perfect for their martinis) and space for up to 42 seated and 60 standing, so it's ideal for either a sit-down dinner or drinks party. The food all comes from Patrick Powell's kitchen downstairs, with signatures including their pork scnhitzel, steaks, moules frites, and more.
Seats: 42-60
Serra
Mayfair - 30 Grosvenor Sq, London W1K
Most private dining rooms are to be found on the lower ground floors of restaurants, but if you want somewhere sunny, particularly for a lunch booking then the brand new dining room at Serra should be on your shortlist. This new restaurant at the Chancery Rosewood looks out onto Upper Brook Street, but if you want to create a more intimate atmosphere then simply draw the tapestry curtains.
Seats: 12
Also see
Subscribe to hear the latest from Hot Dinners
