Recommendations for Insta-worthy London bars/restaurants for DD’s 18th birthday

[PrettyCherryBlossom]

DD is celebrating her 18th birthday in early July and she’s asked to go to London to celebrate. It will be me, DH, DD and DS (21) and we’ll be there from Friday lunchtime until Sunday late afternoon.

We have tickets for a show on the Saturday evening and she has lots of ideas for the daytimes. We don’t get to London very often so I’m looking for ideas for nice bars and restaurants (or an experience) to celebrate her actual birthday on the Friday.

Something instagram worthy (typical teen!) - she’s a girly girl who likes cocktails. Budget is £100pp for food (drinks on top and happy to pay more for something extra special).

thank you!!

I think there's a Costa if you can stretch to a £52 lunch. Not sure about dinner prices.

I know you said cocktails but I would have a visit to Gordon’s on the embankment if you like wine, it’s sort of underground built into the hill, really old (my mum used to drink there in the 60’s) and atmospheric. I think you can book a table these days, and they used to have goods food options like cheese boards and antipasti which work on Instagram, been too busy to get in the last few times I’ve tried (I’m too disorganised to book and never used to need to)

The Ned Brunch on Sunday

Try the Nest Bar. Great views, drinks and nibbles https://www.treehousehotels.com/london/eat-drink/nest?utm_source=google-gbp&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp

Bob Bob Ricard is fun and very photographable - including a button you press for champagne. Staff are lovely too.

I haven't been to Zedel for dinner since the management changed, but it's a very impressive space. Your money will stretch to more courses than Bob Bob, but it's massive, so less intimate.

In July, I'd go for a rooftop bar. The Broadwick Hotel in Soho has a very nice one. Or the bar in the Shangri La hotel in The Shard - we've walked in there before but I think you can also book.

Are you seeing a show in the West End? You might want to go for a late dinner where you might see some celebs eg Sheekey's. I believe Chiltern Firehouse is re-opening soon so you might get a table there.

Visiting teens always seem to like afternoon tea at Sketch.

I wouldn’t go to Gordon’s ( although spent many a happy hour there many moons ago)..
Sushi Samba in Covent Garden- expensive but good food? Within your budget. OXO Tower? ( although haven’t been for a while).

Sketch is very insta worthy. Might be a bit out of the price range though

My daughter is the same age and we live in London. The place they all seem to love at the moment is Ave Mario in Covent Garden. Or there are a few others in the same restaurant group.
It’s not that high end of you wanted a proper treat but the very fussy teens seem to think it is worth going to

i would have a look on instagram @ gnochgnoch - she lives in london and goes to loads of nice looking places ! there might be some nice options there, just a suggestion :) xx

hope you all have the best time !!! x

Either branch of Sushi Samba would fit the bill.

There's always the Sky Garden (need to book). Just south of the river there's Amazing Grace in SOuthwark or Tonight Josephine at Waterloo. THe booking office bar in the hotel at St Pancras is pretty special too. Also Samba room at the Heron tower near Liverpool Street

Agree save Mario is a fave with my teens as well. Only thing is that we were once seated on the lower floor and that wasn’t quite as good.

Jacuzzi or Circolo Popolare in the same group were popular too.

Sucre is fab with my early 20’s son

Sushi Samba or old school OXO Tower

Yeah bigmamma is popular....

Sketch is also a good shout.
The OG ivy is very nice and isnt actually THAT expensive

Tattu has a very IG friendly setting, and the dragon cocktail is very fancy with dry ice and effect. The food was actually wonderful as well

The Ivy Asia is very instagrammable and if you choose the St Paul’s one there are rooftop bars nearby at Madison or Sabine

🤣😭

Pizza Express?

I agree.

sushi samba and sexy fish too

For cocktails I highly recommend Cahoots Postal Office in Borough near London Bridge. They have others too, but I’ve only been to this one, it’s a fabulous overall experience!

Sketch is great and v instagrammable but also v expensive.

Gordons is lovely but probably a bit more aimed at older age groups. But it's really atmospheric and does great and inexpensive snacks to have with your glass of wine (eg bread and olive oil and balsamic for £2.50, which I think is extraordinarily reasonable compared to restaurant prices).

My DD who is 19 (we live in London) is really keen on Bancone. It's pasta, there are several branches and it's not at all expensive for the quality of the food. You can get a main course for around £15 and it does cocktails. You should book plenty of time in advance - it's always booked up!

Inamo is a bit of fun (games, interactive tables, also has cocktails): https://www.inamo-restaurant.com/our-venues/inamo-soho/

Also, just thought, the Mad Hatters afternoon tea at the Sanderson is really good.

Another vote for sketch, Brunswick house near Vauxhall, as others have said the Big Mamma group restaurants, Dishoom, Bahn Bao Brothers, Sael (particularly the blind pig speakeasy upstairs for cocktails) and Opium in China town does cocktails and dim sum.