Summary

  • The UK is home to some of the best food in the world, and its themed restaurants are among the best in the world too.
  • The Fatted Calf in Westmeath, Ireland offers fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced food in a bright and inviting atmosphere.
  • Cahoots in London allows guests to step back in time to the 1940s with its underground tunnel theme and vintage train decor.

The UK has some of the best food in the world, featuring some truly astounding restaurants. There are so many incredible places to eat that it would be difficult to scratch the surface on a single visit. The UK is also great at themed restaurants (and they are among the best-themed restaurants in the world).

There are so many unique and quirky places to eat across the nation. This is partly due to some of the amazing pop culture that the UK helps to produce but also its incredible history and culture. Oftentimes, the buildings actually inspire the restaurant as well! So here are some themed restaurants in the UK that you have to eat at, to believe.

UPDATE: 2023/11/14 13:24 EST BY NOAH STAATS

There Are Even More Restaurants In The UK That Will Have Guests Amazed

This list has been refreshed with two new restaurants in the UK worth dining at. From the charming coast of Northern Ireland down to London, England, there are plenty of fun, exciting eateries to discover the next time you're in this stunning set of countries. Have a blast!

16 The Fatted Calf - Westmeath

Autumn on the grounds of Stormont Estate, Northern Ireland, UK
Shutterstock 
Autumn on the grounds of Stormont Estate, Northern Ireland, UK

One quintessentially Irish eatery to consider in the United Kingdom boasts a theme, great food, and a long-standing high reputation. The Fatted Calf restaurant in Westmeath, Ireland, offers guests "the best, fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients," per the official owner's statement. This is a husband and wife-owned establishment, giving tourists a taste of true authentic Ireland.

The bright interior design and the delicious fresh meat, fish, and greens give this restaurant a five-star rating from nearly everyone who dine inside. It's a bit unsuspecting from the exterior, but inside, the Fatted Calf is one of a kind. It's a bit smaller, giving guests an intimate dining experience while in the area. After all, there's only one Ireland.

  • Address: Unit 1, Athlone Town Centre Loughaniskin, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 P383, Ireland

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15 Aniar Restaurant & Boutique Cookery School - Galway

Caher Castle in County Galway, Ireland (also known as Caherkinmonwee Castle)
Kinvara, Co. Galway, Ireland, CC BY-SA 2.0
Caher Castle in County Galway, Ireland (also known as Caherkinmonwee Castle)

One interesting-themed restaurant in the United Kingdom worth mentioning comes out of Galway, Ireland, offering fresh farm-to-table meals and cooking lessons. Aniar Restaurant boasts a bright, one-of-a-kind interior atmosphere, with fresh produce and Irish pride being apparent. Moreover, this restaurant was awarded a Michelin Star in 2013 and has held it ever since, which not every eatery can say it's done. It's also worth mentioning there are fresh produce and wine tastings at Aniar in Galway every week, as well as opportunities to learn more about the farm-to-table industry.

Overall, this restaurant doesn't have to do a lot to grab your attention. It's one of the more quaint and interesting places in Ireland and the greater United Kingdom.

  • Address: 53 Dominick St Lower, Galway, H91 XH52, Ireland

Farm-to-fresh food is one of the cleaner, greener ways of eating, sweeping across Europe and North America. It's also an amazing way to support local farmers and businesses.

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14 Cahoots - London

The huge Westminster Palace
Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash
The huge Westminster Palace

Cahoots is digging deep into the history of London. Guests can really feel like they are stepping back in time to the 1940s. That's because not only does the restaurant feel like it's in one of the many underground tunnels in London, with a vintage train to match, but it's also themed appropriately.

It has decor that matches the time period, old pictures of record players, and even the uniforms the staff wear. On top of that, all the food feels like it's been pulled out of time. It's often served in a basket, and you can get everything from afternoon tea with cucumber sandwiches to other British classics.

  • Address: 13 Kingly Ct, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW, United Kingdom

13 The Library Bar - Norwich

The historical street of Elm Hill in Norwich

Photo by Chris Spalton on Unsplash
The historical street of Elm Hill in Norwich
 

The Library in Norwich has actually been the home of some celebrities and has even been featured on BBC programming before. As the name suggests, the restaurant is themed to feel like an old library with shelves featuring old books.

The food itself is very interesting, with a twist to many well-known classics. It's on the higher end of the price range, but the class of the food matches the environment that guests are eating in. It's a well-known location in the area and is worth a trip if you visit the fine city.

  • Address: 4A Guildhall Hill, Norwich NR2 1JH, United Kingdom
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12 Shaka Zulu - London

University Of Greenwich in London, England, UK
Photo by Fas Khan on Unsplash
University Of Greenwich in London, England, UK

Shaka Zulu in London is one of the capital's many over-the-top themed restaurants. Competing with the likes of the Rainforest Café, Shaka Zulu has stepped it up a notch. Not only does the restaurant have an African theme, but the food, decor, entertainment, and cocktails all match this.

The range of drinks available is truly spectacular, and the sheer scale of the building is something to behold. There are multiple areas, each offering something different, and you can actually watch fire dancers and performers while you're eating your meal. The dishes are taking on African-inspired cuisine with British influences.

  • Address: The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Rd, London NW1 8AB, United Kingdom

11 Old Station - Spean Bridge

Autumn colors and fall foliage reflecting on a lake in the Scottish Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom
Shutterstock
Autumn colors and fall foliage reflecting on a lake in the Scottish Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom

The Old Station is also exactly what it says. It really is an old train station that's been turned into a themed restaurant. The design of the station looks more like something out of Harry Potter than an actual restaurant, which is why the interior is so surprising.

This Scottish restaurant is very well decorated inside, bringing a touch of class to the proceedings. The design echoes that of a classic first-class carriage on a train but with a few modern twists and choices that make it more fitting as a restaurant. Both European and British classics inspire the food with, of course, a focus on Scottish produce.

  • Address: shire, Station Rd, Spean Bridge, Inverness PH34 4EF, United Kingdom

10 Dans Le Noir - London

The Savoy, London
Photo by CVB, edited and cropped by CartCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Savoy, London

Dans Le Noir is incredibly unique, not just in the UK but in the whole world. There are plenty of restaurants that are set up based on the staff. This one, in particular, is designed to allow those who are blind to work there. All the staff, therefore, have sight impairments.

This has actually been turned into a full experience, however. The building is pitch dark, so visitors also can't see anything. That means not only is everyone on the same level, but your senses focus on the tastes and the smells. It's a truly special moment to be able to visit this place.

  • Address: 69-73 St John St, London EC1M 4NJ, United Kingdom
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9 Fullerton Arms - Ballintoy

Fair Head, Ballycastle, Causeway Coastal Way
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash
Fair Head, Ballycastle, Causeway Coastal Way, Northern Ireland

The Fullerton Arms is located in Northern Ireland, which is famous for being the filming location of the hit HBO show Game of Thrones. The Fullerton Arms has, therefore, played on this and the local area's rich history.

It is an extremely well-received pub that serves some really brilliant food. It all feels authentic to the area and could be found in any of the scenes of the show. It's all locally sourced, with an emphasis on the fish, and there's an Iron Throne you can sit in after you've finished your meal.

  • Address: 22 Main St, Ballintoy, Ballycastle BT54 6LX, United Kingdom

8 The Treehouse Restaurant - Alnwick

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, England
Photo by Swati Kedia on Unsplash
Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, England

As you'd expect, this Alnwick experience is, in fact, in a tree house. The building is environmentally friendly and brings guests back into nature. This location has a unique feel, perhaps reminding those eating there of times they went camping.

The incredible building is actually multi-story as well, and there's something magical about the interior. It's full of fairy lights and old branches, and all the food has an authentic feeling. It's fresh, vibrant, and incredibly tasty. This is possibly the best date location on this list.

  • Address: The Alnwick Garden, Denwick Lane, Alnwick NE66 1FJ, United Kingdom

7 Gloucester Studio - Gloucester

Acer and maple trees in a blaze of autumn colour, photographed at Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire, UK.
Shutterstock 
Acer and maple trees in a blaze of autumn colour, photographed at Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire, UK.

This studio may be a little bit pricey, but there's a reason for that. The owner and chef is a former Master Chef contestant. Each dish is also tailored to what you want. There's something else quite unique about this restaurant, however.

It only seats eight people, and most food is cooked before you. The reason for this is that the studio is located in the garden of the chef. In a little shed. Essentially, you're getting a private meal from one of the top chefs in the country, all in a little garden. It's a truly astonishing experience.

  • Address: 183 Linden Rd, Gloucester GL1 5DU, United Kingdom
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6 Archipelago - London

Claridge's Hotel in London
BredakCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
 
Claridge's Hotel in London

Archipelago isn't just a normal restaurant. Stepping through its doors means that you're entering a completely different part of the world. From top to bottom, the whole place feels like you're no longer in the UK but are now taking on some exotic adventure.

The food reflects this worldly philosophy, with cuisine from all over the planet filling the menu. The overwhelming influence seems to be of Asia specifically, but there are touches from other locations. It's the place you need to eat at many times to get the full experience.

  • Address: 53 Cleveland St, London W1T 4JJ, United Kingdom

5 Potted Pig - Cardiff

Cardiff University Main Building, Cardiff, Wales, UK
ShootthatsheepCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cardiff University Main Building, Cardiff, Wales, UK

The Potted Pig almost has a double theme. The cuisine is based on the amazing Welsh produce available in the area. In particular, based on the name, you can probably tell that it has many pork and pig-related dishes you can try, including the potted pig.

The interior of the restaurant is somewhat surprising. The building was an old bank, meaning the layout of the restaurant was mostly the same. Even the prison-like bars used to protect the cash are still present, with the place almost feeling like an underground bunker.

  • Address: 27 High St, Cardiff CF10 1PU, United Kingdom

4 Circus Restaurant - London

Fitzrovia, London
Photo by Andrea Maschio on Unsplash
Fitzrovia, London

One of the most entertaining venues in London is the Circus. This is where guests are greeted with glamorous eating and drinking, and dinner is combined with surprise cabaret and circus acts that parade around the restaurants.

Circus Restaurant is located at 27-29 Endell Street in London’s vibrant Covent Garden. Next time enjoying one's meal in London, watch talented aerialists, contortionists, fire-breathers, and hula-hoopers perform their arts. It really is the perfect destination for those looking for a night out together.

  • Address: 27-29 Endell St, London WC2H 9BA, United Kingdom

3 Jungle Cave - London

Raven at the Tower of London
Shutterstock
Raven at the Tower of London

The Jungle Cave is one of the most fun, family-friendly restaurants in London. This is where the kids may go wild as they experience the sounds of waterfalls, lightning, and rain. Jungle Cave is a family restaurant near Piccadilly Circus with kids' menus.

As the name suggests, Jungle Cave is an exotic jungle-themed restaurant that recreates some of the atmospheres of the Amazon rainforest. Enjoy one's meal surrounded by exotic rainforest animals like elephants, jaguars, crocodiles, gorillas, mechanical butterflies, and orangutans. The closest underground station is Piccadilly Circus.

  • Address: 20-24 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7EU, United Kingdom

2 West End Musical Brunch

Natural History Museum, London
Photo by Bruno Martins on Unsplash
Natural History Museum, London

Travelers looking for a musical and entertaining brunch will love West End Musical Brunch. Here, travelers will enjoy a 2-course brunch experience with bottomless drinks thrown in, too. All this and travelers will enjoy being sung to while being served.

The Servers at West End Musical Brunch serenade guests with some of the most famous musical hits out there. Travelers looking for an entertaining way to mix up brunch will love West End Musical Brunch.

  • Location: Secret locations in Central London.

1 Casacosta Speakeasy Restaurant - Chelsea

The Rosewood, London
Robert CuttsCC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Rosewood, London

Casacosta Speakeasy Restaurant was in the prohibition era when the speakeasy bar was born. This speakeasy is an excellent choice for travelers looking for an incredible themed restaurant. Travelers must engage in the usual Speakeasy secrecy when discovering their entrance.

Travelers who want a classy night out while enjoying a classic old-school atmosphere will have an excellent time at Casacosta Speakeasy Restaurant. Regardless of whether travelers are looking for good drinks or food, they will find it here.

  • Address: Fairfax House 461-465 North End Road, London SW6 1NZ England