Looking for a unique dining experience in the nation's capital? Look no further than one of London's supper clubs, which combine great food with fun themes, conviviality and homely vibes to great effect.
What actually is a supper club, we hear you ask? Well, it's a good question - where does a supper club become a restaurant, or stop being a pop-up? Supper clubs tend to be regularly occurring, event-based dinners, gathering together like-minded foodies for one or two nights of excellent grub. Usually the formalities are low, and the focus is really on good food and a good time. Many supper clubs are hosted by people in their own houses, so it feels as though you're visiting them for dinner along with a group of dinner guests.
Sometimes there are themes, or live music, or comedy. A supper club really can be anything, with many taking the form of pop-up concepts and even underground restaurants. Typically there is no choice when it comes to the menu, and the whole thing has a more relaxed, communal feeling when compared to a restaurant. If you enjoy chatting to new people while out and about then plump for one with long sharing tables that encourage family-style dining, or if you prefer to stick to your own team when eating out go for a smaller affair that has more intimately-sized tables.
As restaurants have become more expensive, supper clubs have started to fill the gap for those looking for a way to go out and enjoy an evening of good food with new people without leaving themselves too out of pocket.
The temporary nature of these spots make it a popular way for aspiring chefs or restaurant-owners to try out their offering before committing to the rent of a plum postcode, a sort of test-run before the main event. As such, you usually can get some pretty amazing food for a fraction of its normal price.
If sociable supper club dining sounds like your kind of vibe, go ahead and check out our selection of the best supper clubs in London. Or, discover even more supper club events to book right now.
The Occasional Dining Club, Various locations
What: What’s better than great food and BYOB? No, we can’t think of anything either. Combine that with an intimate low light setting and delicious welcome cocktails, and you’ve got an evening with The Occasional Dining Club. Started by three friends who met at Leith’s School of Food & Wine, with careers spanning from Michelin-starred kitchens to private chefs of the mega rich, they’ve drawn on their experience to bring the foodies of London a well executed, seasonal menu every two months. The themes change regularly, but the quality remains the same, and you’ll be hard pushed to find a supper club that’s better value than this one. Expect anything from slow cooked beef cheek with pickled shallots, to tiramisu donuts with a warm chocolate sauce - and whatever you do, make sure you stick around for the surprise shot at the end of the meal.
Where: Various locations
Book now: The Occasional Dining Club
Supperclub.tube, Walthamstow
What: For novelty factor you don’t get much more quirky than dining in an old tube carriage. This unique concept was dreamed up by Columbian head chef Beatriz Maldonado who brings the robust flavours of Latin America to this one-of-a-kind supperclub. Returning for another year, from Thursday to Saturday diners can enjoy a six-course feast with dishes such as blue corn dumplings with sweetcorn and butternut squash salsa, nikkei-style ceviche, all rounded off with a modern take on churros. Take a seat on the rather iconic TFL moquette seating, and delve into these carefully curated dishes, washed down with South American wines to pair.
Where: South Access Road, E17 8AX
Book: Supperclub.tube
Close Ties, Various locations
What: Less a supper club and more a wine rave with some food, Close Ties has quickly become one of the hottest food events in the city. If you love a boozy dinner that quickly devolves into raucous partying, we reckon you’ve found your new home. That said, the food is top class, curated by Trullo’s Jake Norman and Carousel’s Joshua Bratt.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Close Ties
Suppher, Various locations
What: Chef Anna Søgaard and sommelier Kim McBride kicked off Suppher in 2019 after working together at the excellent Erst in Manchester. As you might gather from the name, Suppher is all about creating a positive, inclusive space for women in hospitality, and the pair work with great female talent from all over the industry. Plus, all profits go straight to charities chosen by volunteers at each event.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Suppher
Alba Caffe, Shoreditch
What: We love fiercely independent and female-led Alba Caffe near Aldgate East, not least because it does serious focaccia sandwiches. Seasonal supper clubs are where head chef Jess Young gets to flex some creative muscles though, dishing up incredible seasonal British food along a long candlelit table. Tickets sell out real fast so keep an eye on the site for new dates.
Where: Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, E1 6AB
Book now: Alba Caffe
Eleven98, Hackney
What: Eleven98 chef Aidan Brooks (previously head chef of Vanilla Black) has turned his home into a supper club, dishing up creative food that exclusively uses local produce from in and around Walthamstow and Hackney. Although much of Aidan’s cooking trends towards vegetarian dishes, you can expect some sustainable meat and fish on the menu too, and you’ll be sharing a single table with a few other intrepid eaters.
Where: 503 Hackney Road, E2 9ED
Book now: Eleven98
Mam Sham, Various locations
What: Why would you bother going to comedy alone, when you can go to comedy and one of London's best supper clubs all rolled into one? Mam Sham collaborate with top London cooks to theme menus inspired by three comedy acts who will perform while you eat. Previous chef partnerships have included Black Axe Mangal and MasterChef winners Three Girls Cook. The duo deliver memorable performances, food and networking opportunities throughout their unique event concept, and now their star is rising even further with massive brand collaborations like Nike and Nando's.
Where: Various locations
Book: Mam Sham
The Bridge Club, Clapton
What: The Bridge Club chef Jack Ponting has worked all over the north of England, and has also been Caravan's head baker for some time, helping to lead the group to London superstardom. His cooking at The Bridge Club is slick, celebrating classic British cooking across a hearty three course menu with snacks and petite fours. You’ll find this one happening every month or two over at The Jolly Gardeners in Vauxhall.
Where: The Jolly Gardeners, 49-51 Black Prince Road, SE11 6AB
Book now: The Bridge Club
Kitchen Theory, Barnet
What: Chez Jozef Youssef and the Kitchen Theory team put together an immersive chef's table-style supper club with a 10-course tasting menu. This really is an experience like no other as it plays on multiple sense with audio, lighting, projections, aromas and textures all considered part of the dining experience. Previous dishes on the menu have included ox cheek doughnuts, squid ink risotto and a seaweed spaghetti that you can share at a long table with 11 other guests. With supper clubs once a month, the team are well-practiced at bringing one of the best supper clubs in London to the (chef's) table.
Where: Unit 9A, Falkland Road, EN5 4LG
Book: Kitchen Theory
Disappearing Dining Club, Various locations
What: You never quite know what you’re going to get with the Disappearing Dining Club, a concept that sees the team pop up at all kinds of different venues across London. These days the team tends to host events at The Dartmouth Arms in North London, but they're also liable to appear in an East London warehouse or a chic City townhouse. The cooking is always solid, seasonal and delicious, and often accompanied by live DJs and music. The team can also arrange a supper club at your house or for a private party with dishes like braised lamb shoulder in a thyme jus and homemade sticky Guinness cake making up the exciting sample menu for this London supper club.
Where: Various locations
Book: Disappearing Dining Club
Uyen Luu, Hackney
What: Chef and food stylist Uyen runs this popular supper club from her East London studio. Cooking alongside a team (who are often her family members) Uyen somehow manages to send out course upon course of beautiful Vietnamese dishes from her tiny kitchen, for you to share at long tables with friends, old and new. Ingredients are thoughtfully and responsibly sourced, with emphasis on provenance, and you can expect Vietnamese comfort food galore, with dishes like summer rolls or pho with chicken. For a beautiful, communal dinner this is definitely up their as one of the best supper clubs in London.
Where: Unit 32, Regent Studios, 8 Andrews Road, E8 4QN
Book: Uyen Luu
Mexican Food Memories, East Finchley
What: This dinky supper club only seats ten and is run by Mexican food fanatic Karla, who recreates the dishes her parents made for her when she was growing up. She regularly runs dinner supper clubs where she serves up her delicious home cooking made from high-quality, ethical ingredients (Karla sources organic and free range meat where possible). At a usual dinner, you will experience the communal Mexican dining style with a welcome drink and snack, a small starter, a little energy booster and then a main, all finished off with something sweet and a mezcalito to say adios! You'll have to venture out to East Finchley, but it's worth the trek for some of the best Mexican food in London.
Where: 100 Ossulton Way, N2 0LD
Book: Mexican Food Memories
Shanghai Supper Club, Various locations
What: One of the best supper clubs in London for Asian flavours, Shanghai Supper Club delves into specific, homemade Shanghai comfort dishes, like drunken chicken, pork belly with eggs, Shengjian bao and small wontons in chicken broth. There are no corners cut here either - noodles are all handmade and hand cut, as are wontons, bao buns and everything else. If you love getting stuck into hyper-regional Chinese cuisine, this one is for you.
Where: Various locations
Book: Shanghai Supper Club
Soul Supper, Various locations
What: The team behind Soul Supper takes you on an immersive experience back to the swinging sixties with an evening of food, drinks and Motown-style entertainment. Take a trip to Detroit to experience the soul culture of the 60s that became the heartbeat of American music. With a welcome drink of prosecco, a two course meal and the show, it's sure to be a great evening. On the menu, you'll find Motown BBQ chicken, steamed rice, a mixed pepper sauce and coleslaw as well as the Soul Supper signature cupcake to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Where: Various locations
Book: Soul Supper
Keep an eye on this page as we update it often with brand new supper clubs we've come across. If cheap thrills are your thing, check out our guide to London's best cheap eats.