Dine at These Eclectic and Historic London Restaurants

London is a cosmopolitan city that has been at the forefront of cultural trends for centuries. London has long been celebrated for its tea and crumpets, but there are plenty of other curious and innovative culinary delights waiting to be sampled in imaginative dining rooms that are worth experiencing.

Cafe in the Crypt

If sipping coffee and snacking on pastries surrounded by tombstones in an 18th-century crypt is your idea of a good time, a visit to Cafe in the Crypt is an absolute must. Cafe in the Crypt—which is located beneath St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church—also features an art gallery, music venue, and gift shop. The music venue regularly hosts jazz and classical performances. Every dollar that patrons spend at Cafe in the Crypt helps support historic St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church. If someone in your party is a bit squeamish about taking their afternoon tea in a crypt, gently remind them that the tombs of Cafe in the Crypt have been vacant since the 1800s.

Address
St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, Westminster
London
WC2N 4JJ

The Churchill Arms

Photo by depositphotos.com

Dating back to 1750, The Churchill Arms is a historic pub that was once frequented by Winston Churchill’s great-grandparents. The exterior of The Churchill Arms is covered in vibrant flowers, and the interior features Winston Churchill memorabilia galore. The Churchill Arms also serves Thai food, a rarity among English pubs. About 25 years ago, the owners of The Churchill Arms decided it was time to reinvent the pub, so they decided to hire a Thai chef. Visitors can order traditional Thai dishes such as Pad Thai, curry, and spring rolls—all of which pair exceptionally well with English beer. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, there are plenty of mildly spiced options on the food menu. Spice lovers always have the option to spice their food to the max.

Address
119 Kensington Church St,
London
W8 7LN

Victoria and Albert Museum Dining Rooms

When the “Refreshment Rooms” in the South Kensington Museum—which is now known as the Victoria and Albert Museum—were first constructed in 1856, critics said that the space was “hideously ugly.” In 1868, the South Kensington Museum responded and built a new trio of “Refreshment Rooms” designed to spark public interest in the arts. The ornate trio of cafes were named after the men who designed them: The Gamble Room, the Poynter Room, and the…