30th birthday- somewhere nice in London

[StaircaseAtTheUniversity]

Hi all

Me and my best friend share a birthday and this year it's the big 3-0. We want to go out and do "something nice" but don't know what. We aren't total bumpkins and have been to many nice places in the past, but generally are more Pizza Express sort of ladies these days and so need some inspiration.

we would like:

• Somewhere easily accessible via the tube. We are near Stratford and can get anywhere in London pretty easily.
• Somehwere where we are required to dress up a bit but not to the level of opera glasses. Our husbands would probably prefer not to wear ties.
• Somewhere where the food is genuinely good.
• Somewhere with cocktails or champagne of both.

We aren't adverse to something a bit quirky or weird. We like all cuisines and all themes!

Hit me with your suggestions!

Kensington roof gardens
The shard
Oxo tower

Barbecoa is nice, smart but not formal, the desserts are incredible and the views are lovely. link

How about The Nightjar at Old Street? Not sure about their food but great cocktails in a 20s style underground bar.

Or Duck and Waffle - on the 40th floor so great views.

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea. Love the food and atmosphere.

Thanks all- keep the suggestions coming!

Waldorf Astoria for cocktails in Godfreys Bar and Afternoon Tea in the Ball Room - we went last weekend, cocktails gorgeous, food beautiful and plentiful even though it was just afternoon tea (lots of sarnies for hubby) people were dressed quite casual even some people in jeans so very nice experience ... it is 2 mins walk from Covent Garden aswell as we went there after and pottered around really lovely area

you can get the central line straight to liverpool st station, 8 mins.

You will then be in walking distance to Spitalfields market, ;loads of restaurants and bars, loads of lovely old buildings
www.spitalfields.co.uk/food-and-drink/
www.londontown.com/LondonInformation/Attraction/Severs_House/e6e5/imagesPage/22068/

Walk further up and you will hit Shoreditch, more great bars, shops etc.This is one of my fave places for food/rooftop drinks
www.theboundary.co.uk/photo-gallery/rooftop/rooftop-5/

More restaurants www.movebubble.com/blog/2014/09/13-best-places-to-eat-in-shoreditch/

before you go home pop to brick lane for a Bagel, the atmosphere is amazing, lots of dodgy people so keep your eyes peeled.

I fancy here www.streetfeastlondon.com/where/dinerama

Here is great, nearer to Dalston. rotorino.com/

this is great for Indian food www.dishoom.com/

Bethnal Green Town Hall Hotel. Amazing restaurant and cocktail bar.

here is amazing sushisamba.com/location/london/gallery

Rivington - Greenwich or the Blueprint Cafe - near London bridge are both lovely, great food but not pretentious, both have websites

What about afternoon tea (the Shard has a great Chinese themed option apparently) or Btowns is lovely. That way you can dress up, have a cocktail or two and still have the evening free for eg late night walk or theatre land or even the open air theatre in Regenrs Park (v special)

fabulous www.bistrotheque.com/#

Asia De Cuba in Covent Garden and La Bodega Negra in SoHo are both smart but not too formal, fun places for a 30th! Both quirky, and the entrance to La Bodega Negra ticks the weird box!