London’s Top Ten Foodie Venues

 

 

I feel like today’s instalment in my top ten venues series should come with a warning: Don’t read if you’re hungry! Today I’m delighted to put the spotlight on some of London’s best restaurant and bar venues, for couples who are looking to put food at the forefront of their wedding celebration.

ROAST BOROUGH MARKET

There can be few places more apt to get your foodie groove on than Borough Market. Roast was named by Marie Claire as ‘one of the most exciting venues in the city,’ and it will certainly help make the dining experience a pivotal part of proceedings. Celebrating Britain’s farmers and producers, you can expect dishes to be anything other than ordinary. In terms of location, it’s a dream wedding venue. Positioned in the portico of the Floral Hall and above the bustling crowds of the market means you feel nestled near the hustle while still keeping events to yourself. Glance out of one of the tall arched windows at the view and you’ll notice the iconic dome of St Paul’s Cathedral is beautifully in eyeline.

THE LAMB TAVERN – LEADENHALL MARKET

Looking for that old classic: eat, drink and be merry? What you need is a foodie wedding venue where you can spill out onto the cobbled streets of London’s Leadenhall Market and dance to the beat of a live band. Cue, The Lamb Tavern. This is a classic Brit-style pub with class, and it’s something of a city treasure. Spread across three levels, The Lamb Tavern can accommodate any style and size of wedding. Maybe have your traditional ceremony and speeches upstairs to Champagne and fine food, and then let loose for an after party in basement bar Old Tom’s (you can even welcome guests with bitesize Scotch eggs if you’re after a true pub-style shindig).

GALVIN AT WINDOWS

Cocktails, Michelin stars, some of London’s finest views – if these are all on your checklist of must-have foodie wedding elements, the only venue for you is Galvin at Windows. This is the award-winning and instantly recognisable restaurant that has seen many a starry-eyed couple. today’s instalment Wedding Breakfast will be out of this world, and the service matches every other exquisite part of the package.

 

HAWKSMOOR

Hawksmoor is only a stone throw away from one of the most iconic buildings in the entire of London if not the country, Guildhall itself. The surrounding area is intimate and quiet to give you and your guests the privacy you want on your wedding day. “Guildhall is a versatile venue, with its own separate bar that is the perfect space for your drinks and canapés reception, prior to your wedding breakfast in the beautiful dining room.” So if you are looking for a space to add your own flare too then this venue could be for you.  Their interior is beautiful, warm and inviting to all that visit and their exquisite menu has earned them a spot on some of the top foodie sites around.

 

SMITHS OF SMITHFIELD

With is it’s stunning panoramic views of London SMITHS could easily have made it into my top 10 wedding venues with views. With its bespoke menus, full of fresh seasonal British food, SMITHS is a venue that excels in taking care of the details. Everything runs seamlessly, from the logistics of moving your guests through the day and ensuring that no-one’s glass is lacking in sommelier-chosen wine, to favours and elegant decor. It’s licensed for ceremonies too so you can host the whole day at SMITHS.

THE IVY GARDEN CHELSEA

Treat your senses to all the beauty and colour that comes from sending your foodie wedding back to nature. The Ivy Garden is a haven of heavenly foliage and florals. Gorgeous terraces, complete with fire pits and ivy-clad archways, mean you can enjoy the outside. While inside is all elegance, champagne and fine food in the Private Room. With menus designed and led by executive chef Sean Burbidge, your wedding breakfast will be the belle of the ball.    

THE ANTHOLOGIST

With not one but two cocktail lounges and a lover’s swing seat The Anthologist is somewhere you can create your own city fairytale wedding. If drinks are as important as award-winning food, then the extensive wine choice and adept mixologists can give you a wedding to rival a Gatsby party. Think exposed brick walls, dotted with well-chosen antique touches, a marble mixology table and enough of an industrial edge to make it the right side of stylish. Within walking distance from Bank Station and St Paul Cathedral, The Anthologist ticks many, many boxes.

BALTIC RESTAURANT

Taking the cuisines of central and eastern Europe as their inspiration, light, bright and contemporary Southwark restaurant Baltic boasts a menu of feisty flavours that’s at once hearty and refined. Think smoked salmon blinis with caviar and sour cream, braised duck leg with apple, orange and cranberry, rich cheese and potato pierogi and apple fritters with cinnamon ice cream. That’s just a taster of what’s on offer, and quite frankly I’m already starving! Couple this with high ceilings, clean lines, oak beams and amazing skylights and you start to get a flavour for what’s in store at thus foodie wedding venue. Baltic offers seriously stylish dining and drinks receptions for up to 150 guests, and did I mention the 70 different vodkas, served from the deep freeze in frozen glasses? Cheers!

BLUEBIRD CHELSEA

SPRING

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Nestled inside the wing of glorious London icon Somerset House, Spring restaurant is spearheaded by groundbreaking chef Skye Gyngell. The space within the Grade I listed building is light and airy, without feeling intimidatingly grand or overly opulent. It’s a lovely, welcoming space, with an impressive domed skylight giving the impression that you’re dining under the stars once night falls, and it’s just enough of a blank canvas to let your styling imagination run free. The menus are fresh, light and led by the seasons, championing British produce and really showing what it has to offer. Intimate foodie weddings of up to 36 guests can be seated in the garden, and the stunning salon is able to host dinners of up to 116.

Which of these foodie London wedding venues has whet your appetite? I’d love to hear about your favourite restaurants and the food that would make it on to your dream wedding menu. If you’re planning your own London foodie wedding and looking for distinctive, design led planning and styling to help you bring it to life, why not get in touch and say hello? I’d love to hear from you.