Arcade Tottenham Court Road

Strolling past the bouncer and checking in at the door with concierge, Arcade is a venue that offers everything you could possibly want, with a plethora of vendors in one place. Here, there’s no more fighting for seats or standing in queues. This is a much more civilised experience.

Issues arise with the QR menu. How is any sane diner meant to choose between ten different food options? The choices range from sushi and Indonesian street food through to fried chicken and northern Indian plates. You see the dilemma. Or maybe you don’t. If you’re not adverse to a sort of world buffet style meal, it might be advisable to bring a big group and settle in for an evening of sharing plates.

Things come out hot and fast, a fact we were warned about from the bouncy, enthusiastic team who recommended ordering a couple of things at a time to eke out the experience. Pretty dips from Shatta & Toum were familiar favourites dressed up in a smart new suit. Think taramaslata scattered with a mosaic of herbs, veggies and spices or hummus crowned with sweet tomato and confit garlic. Hot buttery bread provided excellent scooping fodder and a round of expertly made cocktails helped the decision making become a lot less stressful. Relinquishing convention we followed our Middle Eastern dips with an Indonesian smashed duck leg with a zippy green sambal. Because... why not?

Each time we’ve visited, the atmosphere has been upbeat and fun without becoming frenzied, creating that perfect background buzz that immediately improves your mood.

Another thing that helps improve moods: Architectural Trifles. They’re most definitely style over substance – with the jelly having to set hard to get the required structural quality – but a mini blancmange style strawberry bomb landing on your plate to be wobbled and wondered at is worth its tenner price tag for the Instagram opportunity alone.

Bright and buzzy, the downstairs of Arcade is an expertly designed melange of counter dining, lounge seating and restaurant-style tables. Whichever hand you’re dealt, you’ll have your pick of up to ten different dining options plus drinks from the central, sculptural bar. Here expert mixologist present a varied list of very good drinks and serve up the usual wine, beer and softs alongside too.

With so many options when it comes to the food menu, guests are free to enjoy a roaming arrangement of global favourites. From sushi and Indonesian street food through to fried chicken and Nepalese food – you’d be hard pressed to find fault with the variation.

The group behind the space – JKS – are experts in backing crowd-pleasing concepts. Here you’ll have your pick of Bebek! Bebek! (an Indonesian duck specialist), Hero (Indian plates), Shatta & Toum (Middle Eastern), Manna (American fast food favourites), Sushi Kamon (you guessed it, Japanese), Tipan Tapan (Nepalese), Arcade Provisions (deli items and sandwiches) and Jelladrome (the one and only dessert option which deals in jelly and ice cream). Upstairs, on the mezzanine level, there’s Plaza Khao Gaeng – the only ‘proper’ restaurant which specialises in southern Thai food. At the back there’s a private dining space complete with a pool table, ping pong and Mitchers’s Old Fashioned machine.

The joy of having such far-reaching options is that whatever the size of your group, everyone should be able to try something different. Favourites include butter chicken pao buns from Hero; shwarma wraps from Shatta & Toum; momo dumplings from Tipan Tapan; and smashed burgers from Manna. If you’d prefer a slightly more exclusive experience, you’re also able to book the Omakase sitting at Sushi Kamon which guarantees you a seat at the counter itself, so that you can work the skilled team at work. Here you’ll be treated to a multi-course menu of the chefs’ choosing which takes you through the very best dishes of the day.