Dining experiences with a difference

Tuesday 26 July 2022
Group of people enjoying drinks at London in the Sky, suspended above the O2

From sky-high eating to sensory meals in the dark, Britain’s foodie scene is filled with unique culinary experiences. Get a taste for Alpine-inspired cuisine in the West Midlands, or discover a host of city-based eateries that bring themed events, fabulous brunches and international influences to the table.

Up, up and away

Taking alfresco dining to new levels, London in the Sky suspends visitors 100ft in the air as they dine at a table with a view. Says cheers with a themed cocktail, from a whisky blend named the ‘Dare Devil’ to a gin and ginger mix called ‘Shakey Feet’, as London’s iconic skyline provides the backdrop. Or for a truly unforgettable moment, discover the Sunset Dinner – a three-course meal enjoyed as the sun goes down.

Dive into darkness

Visitors can tap into their senses at London’s Dans Le Noir?, where they’re plunged into darkness on a unique culinary adventure. They will say goodbye to their phone and any instagrammable food shots as they step into a world of darkness and delectable food. Join the conga line to their table and let the partially sighted or blind waitstaff guide them around the restaurant. They will rethink their perceptions of taste by dipping into unknown dishes that are sure to spark a sensory discovery of flavour, texture and temperature. For an alcohol-infused immersive experience, try a blind wine tasting workshop to test their sommelier skills.

Find a visitor’s competitive side

At Chance & Counters, a roll of the dice may leave visitors revelling as the boardgames champion, or holding their head in defeat – but one thing’s for certain, they’ll be diving into tasty grub as they battle it out over the board. With more than 850 games to choose from, this Bristol-based cafe is a board gamers’ paradise. From vegan nosh and loaded fries to local beers and ciders, tuck into a feast as they play. Join alone, or bring friends to see who will reign supreme.

A brunch fit for a queen

If bottomless bubbles, fierce performances and endless entertainment sounds like a visitor’s thing, then look no further than Manchester’s Bougie Drag Brunch. Landing in the city’s The Bread Shed venue each month, expect four hours of dramatic dance-offs, strutting catwalks and glamourous looks, accompanied by a live DJ set and pizza or burger brunch menus. From London’s queens to Manchester’s very own acts, they’ll spend the afternoon in company with drag royalty – this is one brunch party not to be missed.

Latin American spirit

For a Latin American extravaganza, Liverpool’s Alma de Cuba brings the fiesta. From a Samba themed afternoon tea, to an evening of comedy gold, the jam-packed events calendar will leave visitors dancing from dusk until dawn. Adding a splash of grandeur to the party, its dramatic location in the former St Peters Catholic Church provides a unique environment to tuck into a menu packed with different cuisines. Expect bright lights, carnival-inspired celebrations and an eclectic fusion of Cuban, Hispanic and Latin American influences.

Learn the tricks of the trade

For a meal that’s cooked by local students, try Cardiff’s The Classroom. Mentored in the capable hands of chefs from previous Michelin Star and AA Rosette awarded restaurants, the city’s future culinary stars serve up an everchanging seasonal menu of high-quality dishes. Tuck into a feast of Welsh delicacies against the backdrop of Cardiff Bay, as visitors dine on the top floor of Cardiff and Vale College’s City Centre Campus. If the meal has left them inspired, the restaurant also runs one-off masterclasses for a deep dive into culinary skills led by one of the team’s expert chefs or visiting professionals.

An alpine adventure

Inspired by a trip to the slopes and some of Europe’s best-loved resorts, Birmingham’s Albert’s Schloss reimagines the mountainous alpine areas in the heart of the West Midlands. Visitors can feast their eyes on traditional schnitzel, pretzels and strudel as they immerse themselves in pure apres-ski vibes. With a week-long events calendar, every day brings the party – from cabaret performances to a Sunday service full of roast dinners and live entertainment. Or welcome in the weekend with a Friday night of live music from Albert’s Haus Band and bouncing DJ sets.

For more information contact:

VisitBritain Media Team

pressandpr@visitbritain.org

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