As party season approaches, Sophie Farrah uncovers the best local private dining rooms that are primed for celebration.
Intimate dining choices
https://coppaclub.co.uk www.jame
https://coppaclub.co.uk www.jamesbedford.com
Coppa Club
This stylish destination in Cobham has several unique igloos on its rooftop terrace. Festooned with twinkling lights and floral decor, each one seats up to six for a special meal under the stars. The Coppa Club also has venues in Guildford, Haslemere, Putney, Streatley-on-Thames and Sonning, all with private dining spaces. coppaclub.co.uk
The Dysart
Why not splash out on a Michelin-star menu at The Dysart in Petersham? Its beautiful Richmond Park Room seats up to 14 lucky guests and offers lovely leafy views through leaded windows, whilst head chef Ken Culhane’s precise, elegant cooking is unforgettably good. thedysartpetersham.co.uk
The Loch & the Tyne
Serving elevated pub food with a luxury approach, chef Adam Handling’s celebrated restaurant and pub sits within the lovely Old Windsor countryside. Book the wine bottle-lined private dining room for up to 12, and enjoy a bespoke menu of your favourite dishes or tuck into some of Handling’s specialities. lochandtyne.com
The Waterman’s Arms
Overlooking the river in Barnes, London’s hottest gastro pub has a cosy private space where up to 16 seated guests can feast on whole fish and succulent steak cooked over coals. A curtained doorway keeps it feeling private, but not entirely cut off from the buzz of this lovely, lively pub. watermansarms.co.uk
Party-sized choices
The Hind’s Head
Situated in the picturesque Berkshire village of Bray, Heston Blumenthal’s pub, exudes a sense of history. With deep red and wood-beamed walls, sparkling chandeliers and a long dining table hewn from a single trunk of oak, The Vicar’s Room, in all its opulent glory, is a majestic setting for up to 20 guests. hindsheadbray.com
The Rambling Pig
The Rambling Pig in Ewell which recently featured in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub Guide, offers a fiesta of Filipino flavours with a fusion twist. With a menu centred around sharing plates, this playful gastropub has two private dining rooms for up to 12 and 16 respectively, both of which come fully equipped with Karaoke. theramblingpig.uk
Brindisa Tapas
On Richmond’s riverside, Brindisa’s private dining space is filled with colourful tiles, leafy plants and shelves of Spanish produce, echoing the style of a traditional bodega. Seating up to 24, it’s a fun and vibrant spot to tuck into some top-notch tapas. brindisatapas.com
Sticks’n’Sushi
At the new(ish) Sticks’n’Sushi in Kingston, a sleek private dining space sectioned off from the main restaurant hosts up to 20 guests for a Nordic-Japanese feast. sticksnsushi.com/en
Big bash dining
Petersham Nurseries
Richmond’s iconic flower-filled utopia looks nothing short of magical at this time of year. For an Italian-inspired lunch for up to 40 people, book the Garden Greenhouse – a tranquil setting nestled within the Nurseries’ horticultural greenhouse and surrounded by stunning plants, flowers and antiques. petershamnurseries.com
Johnny Stephens
Scott’s Richmond
For a seafood and champagne feast in opulent surroundings, head for Scott’s Richmond. The beautiful first floor terrace with stunning river views has been fully ‘winterised’ with flickering fires and cosy blankets. It can be hired exclusively for 25 people (seated) or 40 standing. scotts-richmond.com
The Ivy Asia
If you’re looking for wow factor, book The Sumosan Room at Guildford’s Ivy Asia. Available for Asian-inspired lunches and dinners, this stunning space features pink fossil flooring, an illuminated onyx-topped bar and gold wall panelling, paired with opulent fabrics and furnishings. It can host up to 22 (seated), or up to 35 standing. theivyasia.com
Mignonette
This new modern French bistro on Kew Road is due to open its private dining room this month. Up to 40 guests can tuck into Mignonette’s high-quality but affordable French-inspired cuisine, tasty aperitifs and natural wines. mignonettebistro.com
