Restaurant recommendations for child's 18th London

[OhDearWhyAmIFatterly]

Lookimg for recommendations in Londonor south east london.
We want to go to a restaurant for our child's 18th birthday In 2 weeks. Week night, so no worries about weekend booking.
It needs to feel 'fancy' but not fancy prices!
There will be 8 of us, and the ones we have looked at is going to be about £800!!!!
Any ideas????

The "child" is 18 - don't they get to choose?

And £800 for 8 people sounds about right for a half-decent restaurant.

What's your budget? Birthday persons' favourite cuisine?

My child is nearly 18 and likes pizza, so I take her to Pasta Browns in Covent Garden. Not a fancy place but buzzy and my daughter always comes out happy.

Another place is the Coppa Club which is a short walk from Tower Hill. The food is just ok but the it's the view you pay for.

Brunswick House near the Oval. Babur in SE23.

They have said what they want, 'something fancy'
We cannot afford nearly a grand so I was asking for suggestions of places that will seem fancy to an 18 year old.
And they like all food

Was trying not to spend 800... but i know it will be expensive

I really like The Ivy in Covent Garden

Going at lunch rather than night will help reduce cost.

My ds is turning 18 and has been invited to a fancy outing- he is going to Nobu

I think that you need to clarify what your son considers fancy but my son would be easily impressed by any restaurant that isn’t available in our local (out of London shopping centre) so the Ivy, Dishoom etc

Are all 8 guests adults ? £100 per head sounds reasonable especially if everyone is likely to order starters, alcohol and dessert.

How about one of the Hawksmoor branches? Fancy-ish but not Michelin star type fancy.

Possibly Wagamama or something in Chinatown - mine like Bun House for bao buns & ribs etc

Not fancy as in high end, but different, and relatively inexpensive. It can add up though.

https://www.brasseriezedel.com/brasserie-zedel/

One of the Cote branches?

How sophisticated is your DS, does he know a lot about dining out or will it seem fancy if it’s a step up from Nando’s?

The Ivy near Leicester Square tube has a private room you can book. Worth asking if you can get a deal. Food fab.
Remember, alchohol will be v expensive wherever you go.
There's always Jo Allens in Cov Garden. Trendy (or used to be). Also some very interesting places around King's Cross in Coal Drop Yard -German Gymnasium Dishoom...

What about a set menu at the Oxo tower? £40-45pp and feels nice, good views. Menu feels fancy for a 18 year old I'd imagine.

oxotowerrestaurant.com/whats-on/summer-dining-set-menu-2/

The Masala Zone at the Criterion in Piccadilly wd work. Food is well priced, anyone who doesn't like spicy can have chicken korma and you can buy the 18yr old a fancy 🍸 to mark the occasion. L

Nico's for sure. There are a few branches, and their shtick is Michelin style food at affordable prices.

Six by Nico - it's about £70per person.

Or go somewhere more fancy but for lunch menu which is often cheaper

Brilliant ideas thanks so much!

Dishoom for curry?

The child is OP's child so yes they may refer to them as their child if they want, what's your problem?
The parent is paying so it should be their decision ultimately, I didn't choose the red fry aren't for mine but I had nice food and good company so it really did not matter in the slightest.

Meant to say I didn't choose the restaurant* lol

AquaShard- in the shard. Fantastic views and if you do their sunset meal- its £60 each and much cheaper than the regular a la carte menu. If you could go lunch instead, its even cheaper.

https://aquashard.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AS-Sunset-Menu-240529.pdf

Just wanted to pop back and say a big thanks to everyone for the recommendations. We ended up at Six by Nico and it was fab!

Aww so pleased you liked it!