13 best restaurants for wedding receptions in London

We know we’re biased, but is there really a better place to hold your wedding reception than a restaurant? Anywhere centred around great food and drink is a winner in our books, and an especially fitting option if the most important part of your wedding is, well, the meal.

We’ve already extolled the virtues of throwing a wedding in a restaurant. For one, they’re often a great choice if you’re looking to hold a smaller wedding, with many boasting dedicated private dining spaces. They can also be a cheaper option because you only need to pay for one meal, and don’t necessarily need to hire the venue for the whole day.

Of course, the main reason for hosting a wedding in a restaurant is the food and drink. It gives couples the chance to pay special attention to the meal, whether that’s by choosing a restaurant they’ve been to before and loved, or working with a team of chefs to create the perfect tailored menu.

The real question is: which restaurant wedding venue in London is right for you? We understand that everyone’s requirements are different when it comes to their special day, which is why we’ve included a huge range of wedding reception venues in this list.

Are you planning a major or more intimate reception? Is bespoke menu creation a must-have? And do you want to decorate the space to your exact requirements?

There’s a lot to think about, and every restaurant does things a little differently, but we've rounded up multiple venue types to suit all styles and preferences. From cosy pubs to rustic wine bars to a restaurant located within the National Gallery (yes, really!), you’re bound to find somewhere in this list to suit you. Have a browse to find our top picks in London, then click ‘enquire now’ to find out more about capacities, menus and availability.

The Wharf, Teddington

What: Riverside restaurant The Wharf can be hired on an exclusive basis for your big day, with the capacity to host up to 230 guests across its bar, restaurant and terrace. Every wedding is treated with the personal touch it deserves here, thanks to a dedicated team who are on hand for every step of the planning process. They’ll also work with you to create the perfect menu, from drinks and canapes to a seasonal feast for your wedding breakfast. The best bit? Owing to the restaurant's proximity to the Thames, the bride and groom can arrive in style by boat for the ultimate entrance.
Where: 22 Manor Road, TW11 8BG
Enquire now: The Wharf

Le Cafe Du Marche, Barbican

What: Day to day, this independent French restaurant is a popular haunt for classic French cooking and live jazz music, but it also functions as a charming wedding venue for relaxed and convivial celebrations. Its private dining room, Le Grenier, is a popular choice for receptions, and can be hired along with the ground floor restaurant for larger celebrations if required. It's possible to decorate the venue however you please, and while traditional French fare is the order of the day, you can easily tailor the menus to suit your tastes and requirements.
Where: 22 Charterhouse Square, EC1M 6BX
Enquire now: Le Cafe Du Marche

Enoteca Turi, Chelsea

What: With over 30 years of experience under its belt, Enoteca Turi is a cosy central Chelsea wine bar and restaurant home to ever-changing seasonal menus and a notable Italian wine cellar. This is a fantastic wedding venue for food and wine lovers, with the option to enjoy a gastronomic reception in its intimate cellar for up to 28 people. Surrounded by wine bottle displays and sleek charcoal walls, the space is bursting with atmosphere already, although you’re more than welcome to decorate the space with flowers and candles if you like.
Where: 87 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8PH
Enquire now: Enoteca Turi

The Wolseley, City of London

What: Ideal for a more intimate celebratory dinner of up to 24 guests (or a slightly larger drinks reception of up to 50), The Wolseley is a glamorous retreat from the bustling Square Mile, inspired by the sophisticated decor of European brasseries. Dine on a set menu (with varied vegetarian options) of Modern British and European cuisine, or hire the semi-private mezzanine overlooking the restaurant for a more lavish event complete with a private bar. You'll also have your own dedicated events coordinator to help take the stress out of wedding planning.
Where: King William Street, EC4N 7HR
Enquire now: The Wolseley

Pedro's Wine Bar, Bermondsey

What: Celebrate the first few hours of being married beneath the railway arches of London Bridge. Surrounded by Victorian brickwork and striking architecture, this Portuguese wine bar and restaurant is perfect for rustic wedding receptions. Spanning two floors, Pedro's Wine Bar can accommodate up to 150 guests, with floor-to-ceiling glass frontage, impressive wine displays and flexible seating which can be cleared away to accommodate a dance floor. Need we go on?
Where: Unit 128 Druid Street, SE1 2HH
Enquire now: Pedro's Wine Bar

Galvin La Chapelle, Spitalfields

What: Situated on the edge of trendy Spitalfields Market, the high-ceilinged, brightly lit Michelin-starred bistro Galvin La Chapelle is perfect for a wedding reception with more than a touch of romance. Enjoy innovative modern French cuisine amidst the Grade II-listed interiors of this former school nestled in the heart of the City; you can either celebrate in the intimate mezzanine Gallery space suspended above the main restaurant, or hire the entire restaurant for up to 150 standing guests.
Where: 35 Spital Square, E1 6DY
Enquire now: Galvin La Chapelle

Ochre, Trafalgar Square

What: If you’ve always dreamed of a London wedding, you can’t get much more on the money than the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Ochre is a spectacular bar and restaurant with soaring ceilings, large windows and sophisticated neutral tones that’s able to host wedding receptions large and small. We'd recommend exclusive hire of the main dining room, bar and lounge area to make the most of this stunning venue, available for up to 150 guests. Plus, it’s licensed until 2:30am, so you can party into the early hours of the morning if you wish.
Where: National Gallery, WC2N 5DN
Enquire now: Ochre

Bellanger, Islington

What: Inspired by the grand cafes of Europe, this Islington haunt is bursting with character and style, from its original Victorian features to newer art deco furnishings. The dining room can accommodate receptions of up to 48 guests, either around two long tables or five round tables, with the option to personalise the space with flowers if liked. On the food front, choose from a selection of curated menus featuring dishes such as grilled Loch Duart salmon with crushed new potatoes and watercress veloute, or roast fillet of beef with seasonal greens.
Where: 9 Islington Green, N1 2XH
Enquire now: Bellanger

Cinnamon Kitchen, City of London

What: The iconic restaurant run by renowned chef Vivek Singh boasts not only top-tier modern Indian cuisine, but a licence to perform civil marriage ceremonies at its Liverpool Street branch. A relatively intimate (40 guests) seated ceremony can be hosted on the secluded terrace, which is perfect for all seasons, since it's fully protected from the elements. Afterwards, you have the option either of an intimate private dining room for 16 guests, or exclusive hire of the entire restaurant for 130, followed perhaps by a boogie until the early hours in on-site bar Anise.
Where: 9 Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YL
Enquire now: Cinnamon Kitchen

Clarette, Marylebone

What: Situated inside a Tudor townhouse, wine bar and restaurant Clarette is sure to provide a characterful backdrop to your wedding reception. Features include stained glass windows, original fireplaces and a historic black and white facade, while colourful art deco furnishings inject a contemporary edge. There’s a cosy private dining room with an impressive wine wall that up to 18 seated guests can enjoy, or if you're looking for a blowout reception, then exclusive hire includes use of the al fresco terrace, wine bar, dining room and private dining room.
Where: 44 Blandford Street, W1U 7HS
Enquire now: Clarette

The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea

What: Iconic Chelsea pub The Cadogan Arms underwent a lavish revamp before re-opening in 2021, an ambitious project that has cemented its ranking as one of the most beautiful pubs in London. Stained glass walls, ornate chandeliers and wood-panelled walls are just some of the distinctive features on offer here, while seasonal menus and a thoughtfully curated wine list comprise the food and drink offering. Enjoy elevated pub classics in cosy surrounds at this atmospheric spot.
Where: 298 King’s Road, SW3 5UG
Enquire now: The Cadogan Arms

1 Lombard Street, City of London

What: The Square Mile boasts around 50 churches (as well as registry offices and other places of worship), so if you're looking to seal the deal in the City of London, this grand venue situated right next to the Bank of England would be the perfect choice for the reception. The food is an even bigger draw here than the location - the brasserie headed up by James Holden serves delicious bespoke modern British meals, and can cater for anything from an intimate drinks reception to a celebratory sit-down meal with up to 120 guests.
Where: 1 Lombard Street, EC3V 9AA
Enquire now: 1 Lombard Street

Searcys, King's Cross

What: If you're looking for somewhere truly unique for your special day, why not consider getting married in one of London's most iconic railway stations? The St Pancras branch of brasserie and Champagne bar Searcys is fully licensed for weddings, and after a romantic ceremony on the Grand Terrace overlooking the station, the longest Champagne bar in Europe is all yours, for your guests to toast the happy couple. What's more, you're in the perfect spot to jump on the Eurostar for a honeymoon on the continent.
Where: Grand Terrace, St Pancras International Station, N1C 4QL
Enquire now: Searcys St Pancras

Keen to hire a wedding venue in London but want to expand your search? Take a look at our pick of the best hotel wedding venues in the capital, which offer food, service and accommodation to boot.