Pretty in pink: Must-try pink restaurants in London

The colour pink has known its fare share of criticism. Once seen as ‘too girly’ and synonymous with Barbie, it's even been known to have been shunned as ‘anti-feminist’. This narrative meant pink restaurants in London were nearly impossible to find a decade or so ago. Fast forward to today and we think it's fair to say the colour is having a revival, thanks to the rise of Barbiecore. Cue a multitude of pretty-in-pink restaurants in London, where the hospitality industry never misses a beat to draw in the Instagramming, TikTok-making crowds. 

The #Barbiecore trend has over 420 million views on TikTok and emerged following sneak peeks of Greta Gerwig’s film 'Barbie'. Stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling were seen sporting fantastic 80s-inspired pink outfits in viral behind-the-scenes photos, and people have been quick to jump on the trend to start emulating Barbie in their own hot pink ensembles. In the run-up to the movie's premiere, pink has never been more popular.

We asked Instagrammer @LondonIsPink why pink restaurants are becoming so popular: 'With the rise of Instagram and millennial pink, London restaurants have grabbed onto the trend as a way to pull in more customers. And it definitely works! These pink places often have queues out the door, even on weekdays. The big question: Is it for the photo or the food? Hard to say! For me, it always has to be about both and the place I always find myself coming back to is Peggy Porschen.'

Hot pink is definitely a contender for the colour of the year, and it doesn't seem to be going away any time soon. More and more cafés and restaurants are emerging with pink décor, food and even bathrooms. We think we can definitely expect to see a move from the powder pink décor in many restaurants to the hot pink we’ve all seen everywhere this year.

If like us, you can’t get enough of the stuff, we’ve rounded up some of London’s cafés and restaurants which are sitting pretty in pink. 

Brasserie of Light, Marylebone

What: Brasserie of Light, in all its camp glory, took Londoners by surprise when it opened back in late 2018. So many department store restaurants end up looking and feeling a bit naff, but the stunning interiors here have won the restaurant plenty of fans, not least because of the diamond encrusted Pegasus statue which looms over diners and boasts a 30-foot wingspan. For your fix of pink interiors though, head to the ladies bathroom (the gents have to settle with a black and gold theme), where you’ll find an Instagram-flirting mix of mirrored surfaces, and pink marble – guaranteed to rake in the likes.
Where: Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB 
Book now: Brasserie of Light

Girlfriend, Clapham

What: Girlfriend Clapham is ‘Clapham’s classiest new cocktail bar’, promising the perfect setting for girls’ night out or a romantic date night. With powder pink walls and rose-gold décor, Girlfriend Clapham is certainly an Instagram-worthy setting, serving a range of fun signature cocktails and seriously good happy hour deals. 
Where: 40 Battersea Rise, SW11 1EE 
Book now: Girlfriend Clapham

Peachy Queen, Putney

What: Peachy Queen Putney is a cocktail bar inspired by ‘Victorian IT Girl’ Lillie Langtry, promising ‘scandalously good times’. Peachy Queen has seriously Instagrammable interiors, with pink décor and huge pink neon signs perfect for getting that Instagram snap next to. Serving pop music-inspired cocktails and hosting bottomless brunch every Saturday with 90s, 00s and musical themes, Peachy Queen is the perfect place for drinks with the gang.  
Where: 12 Putney High Street, SW15 1SL
Book now: Peachy Queen Putney

Blame Gloria, Covent Garden and Clapham Junction

What: Step into Blame Gloria’s basement bar to see 1960s-inspired décor, including pink floral wallpaper and matching seats, and pink neon lights adorning the bar. Blame Gloria is a grungy pink paradise – although you’d expect nothing less from Tonight Josephine’s sister venue. But the pink doesn’t stop with Blame Gloria’s interiors – try the pink gin cocktail ‘Love Potion No. 10’ or the Paloma-inspired ‘Pink Flamingo’ to get your pink fix. 
Where: 20 Bedford Street, WC2E, 9HP; 89-91 Battersea Rise, SW11 1HW
Book now: Blame Gloria

Lahpet, West End

What: Lahpet West End’s understated pink elegance is a thing of subtle beauty at its intimate restaurant near Shaftesbury Avenue. The open bar is adorned with ceramic pink tiles, lit up to imbue a warm salmon hue that evokes a more sophisticated, classy version of the Barbie aesthetic. This calm confidence continues in its menu, which features a selection of striking Burmese dishes, such as the coconut noodles with chicken or lentil chow chow, Instagrammable in their own right due the effortless plating and vibrant colours.
Where: 21 Slingsby Place, WC2E 9AB
Book Now: Lahpet West End

Poke House, Various locations

What: If you want your trendy Instagram fix then look no further than Poke House, which offers not just lively bubble-gum decor, but also colourful Hawaiian poke bowls and vibrant acai desserts. Enjoy the fun pink exterior, which extends inside and up the walls - including the ceiling. Jazzy blue tiles are also incorporated into the serving counter, which adds to the fresh and breezy beach vibe that has come to represent the brand. The youthful and animated energy of Poke House translates well to Barbie-inspired social media.
Where: 1 Circus Road, SW11 8BZ
Book Now: Poke House Battersea

JOIA Bar, Battersea

What: JOIA Bar’s art-deco inspired interiors are the perfect picture-taking spot, with sweeping views of Battersea Power Station and plush rose pink, eggshell blue, and dusty violet seating. This eclectic pastel theme is present in the drinks menu too, with cocktails such as the Saffira, featuring gin and butterfly pea flower tea mixed with lavender bitters. Rhubarb bitters and rose petal water also add to the colourful vibe that earns lots of likes on social media.
Where: 1 Electric Boulevard, SW11 8BJ
Book Now: JOIA Bar

Compton, Clerkenwell

What: This up-scale all-day eatery boasts bountiful greenery, marble countertops, and pale pink walls, decor that works together to create simple glamour. And the picturesque scenery doesn’t end with there. Food arrives on delicate plates that conjure up floral imagery and drinks are presented in minimalistic glasses, creating a table that is certainly social-media friendly. Indulge in some more pink, with the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for breakfast, or try the food-porn favourite burrata and heritage tomatoes, with crunchy focaccia panzanella, lightly drizzled with sherry vinegar.
Where: 47 St. John’s Square, EC1V 4JJ
Book Now: Compton

Tonight Josephine, Shoreditch and Waterloo

What: This all-pink play pit has been marketed as the ultimate girl’s night out. You’ve undoubtedly seen someone you know posing in front of the club’s ‘well behaved women don’t make history sign’ on your Instagram feed, and the rest of the interiors are just as kitsch. Silver banquettes, funky neon signs and powder pinks come as standard, while the cocktails all boast funny names such as Loch Negroni Monster or Flaming Zombie. If you really want to get the party started though, try out Josephine’s dizzying range of shots, shooters and bombs. 
Where: 39a Hoxton Square, N1 6NN; 111 Waterloo Road, SE1 8UL
Book now: Tonight Josephine Shoreditch, Tonight Josephine Waterloo

Frank's Café, Peckham

What: Frank’s Café is a rooftop bar with incredible views over London, but to get up there you have to climb perhaps the most famous stairs in London. Painted bright pink by Simon Whybray in 2016, these stairs are certainly no stranger to your Instagram feed. Frank’s Café has broadened its food offering, serving dinner from Thursday to Saturday alongside its existing weekend brunch offering. Be sure to check out Frank’s Café Peckham out before its closes for the end of summer.
Where: 7th-10th Floor Multi Storey Car Park, 95A Rye Lane, SE15 4ST
Book now: Frank's Café

Peggy Porschen, Belgravia and Chelsea

What: One of the first ‘Instagram famous’ cafés, Peggy Porschen draws in the crowds with its soft pink interiors, floral installations and array of cutesy sweet treats and cakes. Head here for shots of espresso or a hot chocolate topped with miniature marshmallows. You can also satisfy your sweet tooth via the likes of a banoffee sponge, orange and almond cake or one of Peggy’s signature macarons, with flavours including raspberry and rose, or elderflower. With the addition of the pink private dining room at the Chelsea café, Peggy Porschen is a must-visit for any lovers of all things pink. 
Where: 116 Ebury Street, SW1W 9QQ; 219 King's Road, SW3 5EJ
Book now: Peggy Porschen

Provisioners at The Dixon Hotel, Tower Bridge 

What: Provisioners at The Dixon Hotel may not be the pinkest restaurant on this list, but with pink walls, booths and blinds part of its quirky décor, it could be the perfect understated pink dining location. The restaurant’s menu combines Italian cuisine with fresh British produce, serving breakfast and an all-day lunch and dinner menu.  
Where: 211 Tooley Street, SE1 2JX 
Book now: Provisioners 

The Wallace, Marylebone

What: You wouldn’t know it from the outside, but as well as housing many covetable treasures, the Wallace Collection also boasts a unique and rather stunning restaurant. The classical space features pink-toned walls, plenty of natural light coming in from the glass ceiling, and imposing trees which bring the outdoors in. The menu champions timeless French dishes made with British produce, with plates to try including the likes of filet of veal with beetroot gravlax and thyme sabayon, as well as root vegetable tartar with sea lettuce croquettes.
Where: Hertford House, Manchester Square, W1U 3BN
Book now: The Wallace

EL&N London, Various locations

What: Decked out with floral installations and powder pink furnishings, EL&N London’s stable of locations are among the most Instagrammed spots in the capital. It’s not just the pink interiors that are eye-catching though – check out the velvet latte made with red espresso, or the Black Magic latte, which is made with activated charcoal and sprinkled with glitter. Sweet treats, meanwhile, include a chocolate and raspberry brownie and a vegan pumpkin and coconut cake.
Where: 239 Brompton Road, SW3 2EP
Book now: EL&N Brompton Road

Dona, Stoke Newington

What: If music and mescal sound like your idea of a good night then you’re onto a winner with bar Doña. This fluffy, fiesta-loving venue in Dalston is said to be a ‘pink den of empowered femininity’ and serves up Mexican-inspired cocktails and live female-led performance - from DJs to singers. The space is decked out with fluffy feathers, low hanging fringed lighting and a beautiful sweeping gold bar - perfect for those all important Instagrams. 
Where: 92 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7NY 
Book now: Doña

Annabel's, Mayfair

What: Annabel’s is a private members’ club in Mayfair that boasts possibly the most beautiful loos in London. Decorated with hand-blown Venetian glass petals and crystal pink shell-shaped sinks with golden swan taps, the loos at Annabel’s are definitely worth checking out if you're lucky enough to visit.
Where: 46 Berkley Square, W1J 5AT

Feya, Knightsbridge

What: At Feya Knightsbridge, forest-inspired décor meets powder pink walls and furnishings, to create an Instagrammer’s dream café. Leafy trees spread out across the sides and pink flowers hang from the ceilings, creating the most aesthetically-pleasing setting to enjoy a coffee, brunch or lunch. The pink tortellini alfredo and the pink pearl latte are must-orders for any pink lover at Feya.
Where: 146 Brompton Road, SW3 1HX 
Book now: Feya Knightsbridge

Simmons, Soho

What: Simmons Soho is a quirky cocktail lounge serving a range of fun signature cocktails that can be enjoyed in the five-hour happy hour, every day except Saturday. Simmons also has seriously pink décor, with neon signs and pink lighting. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a few (two-for-one!) cocktails in a pink setting that is no stranger to social media.  
Where: 2 Bateman Street, W1D 4AE   
Book now: Simmons Soho

The Breakfast Club, Hoxton

What: The Breakfast Club Hoxton is part of the chain of all-day breakfast cafés/bars across London, serving English & American breakfast & brunch favourites from early morning to 5pm. Their 1980s-inspired décor features powder-pink booths, a perfect pink spot to enjoy brunch. 
Where: 2-4 Rufus Street, N1 6PE 
Book now: The Breakfast Club Hoxton

If you always make sure to get the perfect photo when you're eating out, have a look at more of the most Instagrammable restaurants in London. Or if you love a pretty afternoon tea, check out our list of afternoon tea venues in London to find your perfect spot.