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Written by Mae Bristow - 12 March 2024


Our selection of the best private dining rooms in the City of London


It’s the City, the financial and historic heart of London, both ancient and modern at the same time. Among those grand centuries-old buildings and modern marvels of architecture, there are more than a couple of classy spots for top-tier private dining – where there are sleek, shiny offices there is always a high demand for exclusive dining and drinking.


Professional or personal, big blowout or an intimate affair, riverside or rooftop, and from the Barbican to the banks of the Thames, if you’re looking for private dining in the City it’s definitely for a special occasion. So we’ve selected some very special, we’d even like to say the best, City of London private dining rooms.


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food at vintry and mercer vintry kitchen city of london private dining
interior of vintry and mercer vintry kitchen city of london private dining

1. Refined elegance for a moderately-sized private function: Vintry Kitchen at Vintry & Mercer

Mansion House, London

Near Mansion House, on the ground floor of the boutique luxury hotel Vintry & Mercer, the Vintry Kitchen is a relaxed all-day café and wine bar. Available for private hire, the café can accommodate up to 100 people for standing receptions and 60 for seated meals.


Expect the refined elegance found throughout Vintry & Mercer, seasonal and sustainable dishes, an exceptional wine cellar, and all the little sides that pair so well with wine and cocktails.


Tiled floors, hanging plants from the ceiling, tealight candles on tables – it’s the ideal private hire if you need a run of the place but you don’t want something lofty and grand. Smart-casual with top-quality menus and wine straight from the barrel.



private dining room at searcys at the gherkin city of london private dining
private dining room at searcys at the gherkin city of london private dining

2. A private dining room in the City with a spectacular view: Searcys at the Gherkin

Aldgate, London

Few things in the London skyline are as iconic as The Gherkin. The 38th floor of everyone’s favourite pickled building contains private dining rooms aptly named after cloud types: Alto, Cirrus, Stratus, Cumulus, and Nimbus. These private dining rooms offer stunning views of the City with one entire glass wall from floor to ceiling.


Private hire is lavishly catered for with bespoke breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner menus that highlight Searcys’ passion for the highest quality British produce and seasonality. Booked as double rooms, ideal for 24 to 60 guests, depending on the layout, Searcys offers one of the most exclusive City of London private dining experiences.



haz finsbury square city of london private dining
haz finsbury square city of london private dining

3. Flavours from the Mediterranean Haz Finsbury Square

Moorgate, London

Located closest to Moorgate Underground but equally walkable from Liverpool Street Station as well, Haz Finsbury Square offers and spacious and industrial chic private dining room for a casual and relaxed City of London private dining experience. The private dining room can accommodate 44 seated guests and 65 for a cocktail and canapé reception.


Enjoy attractive plates of Mediterranean, Aegean, and Adriatic-inspired flavours sand ingredients and a plethora of cocktails and wines to wash it all down. In the hustle and bustle of the City, Haz offer ample space for friends and colleagues to get together and relax in surroundings that promote socialising and sharing great plates of food.



view from wagtail rooftop bar and restaurant city of london private dining
view from at wagtail rooftop bar and restaurant city of london private dining

4. Private dining overlooking the City of London and Tower Bridge: Wagtail Rooftop Bar & Restaurant

Monument, London

With a sought-after location directly across from Monument Station, Wagtail Rooftop Bar & Restaurant is our pick for versatile City private dining, able to accommodate everything from intimate dinners to large-scale parties, conferences, and weddings. The 10th-floor terrace offers beautiful spaces that can cater to up to 400 people.


Spread across two floors, there are two terraces including a fully heated and covered rooftop terrace bar and an exclusive private dining room for 10 in the majestic cupola. Wagtail’s menu showcases British produce, provenance, and seasonality, and the drinks menu has been curated in partnership with London’s best wine merchants and local distilleries. It’s all great here, the views are really just the icing on the cake.



pasta at vinoteca city city of london private dining
mezzanine at vinoteca city city of london private dining

5. Affordable, stylish, and whatever you want it to be: The Mezzanine at Vinoteca City

Mansion House, London

As Vinoteca says, the private dining experience here is whatever you want it to be. Stylish yet casual, the Mezzanine offers a moderately-sized private dining experience that can accommodate up to 42 people seated. It’s our pick for a City private dining room that’s not at the extreme end of the price spectrum.


Located in the heart of the City, between Mansion House and Cannon Street stations, Vinoteca offers several seasonal events menus with a hire of the Mezzanine. It’s a laid-back and contemporary setting for a private meal, wine tasting, or bespoke event. Simple but done well.



oysters at captains the oyster shed city of london private dining
captains table private dining at the oyster shed city of london

6. All aboard for exclusive private dining: The Captain’s Table at The Oyster Shed

Cannon Street, London

Located riverside on the bank of the Thames, nearest Cannon Street Station, and with a spectacular view of Tower Bridge, the Captain's Table is an exclusive private dining room at the award-winning Oyster Shed riverside pub, bar, and restaurant.


The Oyster Shed is bright and spacious but keeps the Captain’s Table separate for exclusive hire. The private dining room can accommodate up to 35 in a modern space with slight nautical touches in the decor. If you need a space to accommodate more, the Rockefeller Lounge on the top floor can accommodate up to 100 seated and 200 standing.


Champagne, oysters, and a standout seafood menu – this is definitely one for the lovers of seafood and riverside bars. Still, the Oyster Shed also offers stunning classic dishes of the meat and vegetarian variety, meaning your event can cater to all.



dish at the garden room at the ivy city garden city of london private dining
the garden room at the ivy city garden city of london private dining

7. Botanical private dining in the heart of the City: The Garden Room at The Ivy City Garden

Liverpool Street, London

The Ivy correctly decided that what the City needed – with all its glass and steel skyscrapers – was more greenery, and with a perfect view of the historic Bishopsgate Gardens and St Botolph Church, the Ivy City Garden came to be.


The Garden Room is The Ivy’s exclusive and rather dramatic private dining room with walls adorned with blue woven fabric panelling and decorative antique mirrors inset into pale blue painted panels. There are accents of Largstar-shaped brass, and antique mirror ceiling lights – very Instagrammable if that’s an important factor for you.


​​This lush botanical private room can accommodate 24 guests on one long table, or 32 guests over four round tables of 8, and is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as for drink and canapé receptions for up to 50 guests. Its picturesque quality, top-tier menus, and botanical ambiance all make for a standout City of London private dining experience.



people at FARE private dining room in London
terrace at FARE private dining room in London

8. A refined yet relaxed private dining experience: Fare

Barbican, London

One of our favourite private dining venues is located moments from Barbican tube station and a stone's throw away from Shoreditch. Fare is cool and casual with the perfect amount of refinement and potted plants to make us feel right at home.


We love Fare for its hospitality and multiple offerings such as its versatile spaces to suit a plethora of occasions, its crafted cocktails, curated wine selection, and its top-class menus. We'd like to give a notable mention to its (always desirable) al fresco dining on the terrace at ground level – if there's anything that heightens the flavours of Fare's menus, it's the open-air dining.


The lower ground floor is home to the Bar (it can accommodate 30), the exclusive and intimate Wine Room, and the main dining room. You'll find a relaxed ambiance within a contemporary industrial-chic space with warm accents from the lighting and neutral colour palette. Book one of these spaces or hire the full venue with a capacity of 220 people.


Fare is our central destination for intimate dinners, weddings, corporate meals, lively celebrations, and so much more.



Find the very best of City of London's private dining rooms

Do you have a dream private dining experience? The right private dining room can make or break your culinary adventure. City of London is packed with fantastic dining rooms, all with their own particular aesthetic and cuisine. Browse the very best of them now and you could be eating alfresco with your friends or tasting a cutting edge menu in your very own chic private space. Hiring a private dining room has never been easier – take a look through our collection or simply tell us what you want and we'll get the venue to contact you.

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Your guide to hiring private dining venue in City of London

Planning a special event or celebration in the heart of London's financial district? Look no further than the City of London for a range of exquisite private dining venues. Whether you're hosting a corporate dinner, a milestone celebration or an intimate gathering, hiring a private dining venue in the City of London offers sophistication, privacy and culinary excellence. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about finding and hiring the perfect private dining venue, including pricing considerations and seating options.

1. Research private dining venues in the City of London:

Start your search for the perfect private dining venue in the City of London with thorough research. Use HeadBox to explore the options available. Consider factors such as location, ambience, cuisine, capacity and reviews to narrow down your choices.

2. Define your event requirements:

Before contacting potential private dining venues, clearly define your event requirements. Determine the type of event you're hosting, the number of guests, the preferred date and time, budget constraints, and any special amenities or services you require. A clear understanding of your needs will help you find the perfect venue.

3. Contact private dining venues for availability and pricing:

Contact shortlisted private dining venues in the City of London to enquire about availability and pricing for your preferred date and time. Provide detailed information about your event requirements, including the number of guests and any specific decor requirements. Request a quote for venue hire and enquire about any additional services or amenities offered for events.

4. Understand pricing structures:

Private dining venue hire in the City of London can vary depending on factors such as venue size, location, facilities, day of the week, time of day and duration of hire. Some venues may offer special packages or premium pricing for events. Review pricing structures carefully to ensure they are within your budget.

5. Explore seating options:

Consider the seating arrangement that best suits your event objectives and guest preferences. Private dining venues in the City of London typically offer a variety of seating arrangements, including banquet-style tables, round tables, U-shaped configurations and theatre-style seating. Choose a layout that encourages conversation and enhances the dining experience for your guests.

6. Evaluate amenities and facilities:

Evaluate the amenities and facilities offered by each private dining venue to ensure they meet your event needs. Look for features such as audiovisual equipment, wireless internet access, private restrooms, cloakroom services and dedicated event staff. Confirm that the venue can accommodate any special requests or arrangements required for your event.

7. Check for additional services:

Ask about any additional services or support the private dining venue can offer to enhance your event experience. Some venues in the City of London may offer on-site catering, bespoke menus, sommelier services, event planning assistance and audio visual hire. Discuss your specific requirements with the venue management to determine what services are available.

8. Confirm logistics and set-up details:

Once you've selected a private dining venue for your event, finalise the logistical details with the venue's management team. Coordinate set-up and break-down times, access for vendors or entertainers, and any special decor or branding requirements. Ensure the venue can accommodate any special requests or configurations required for your event.

9. Review contracts and policies:

Before signing a rental agreement with the private dining venue, carefully review the contract terms and policies to ensure you understand and agree to all terms and conditions. Pay close attention to details such as the rental fee, deposit requirements, cancellation policy, liability waiver and any additional fees or charges. Clarify any uncertainties or concerns with the venue management before proceeding with the booking.

10. Plan a memorable event:

On the day of your event, arrive at your chosen private dining venue in the City of London prepared and ready to host a memorable event. Coordinate with venue staff, suppliers and guests to ensure everything runs smoothly. Enjoy the exquisite cuisine, impeccable service and intimate surroundings for an unforgettable dining experience.

Hiring a private dining venue in the City of London provides the perfect blend of elegance, sophistication and culinary excellence for your special event. By following the steps outlined in this guide and working closely with the venue's management team, you can create an unforgettable dining experience that will delight your guests and exceed your expectations. Here's to a successful event at a fabulous private dining venue in the City of London!

Frequently asked questions

It's advisable to book a private dining venue as early as possible, especially for popular dates or during peak event seasons. Ideally, you should aim to book several weeks or even months in advance to secure your preferred date and ensure availability.

Many private dining venues in the City of London offer customisable menu options, allowing you to tailor the dining experience to suit your preferences and dietary requirements. You can work with the venue's culinary team to create a bespoke menu with seasonal dishes, signature cocktails and wine pairings that complement your event theme or palate.

Yes, many private dining venues in the City of London can cater for special dietary requirements or preferences, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or allergen-free options. It's important to make any dietary requirements known to the venue management in advance so that they can make appropriate arrangements with the culinary team.

Some private dining venues in the City of London may have a minimum spend requirement for event bookings, which typically applies to the purchase of food and drink. The minimum spend may vary depending on factors such as the date, time, size of the event and specific venue policies. Be sure to ask about any minimum spend requirements when booking the venue.

Cancellation policies for private dining venue bookings may vary depending on the venue's policies and the terms and conditions outlined in the rental agreement. It's important to check the cancellation policy carefully before confirming your booking to understand any penalties or fees associated with cancelling or rescheduling your event. Communicate any changes to your event plans with the venue management as soon as possible to avoid any misunderstandings.

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