Looking for some quirky places to dine out with family or friends? If you’re a group of sports fans, why not dedicate some time to checking out the best restaurants and bars that the capital’s football stadiums have to offer?
Whether you’re happy to visit of an evening or as part of a matchday experience, the five following eateries offer unique dining options across London.
Frankie’s Sports Bar & Diner (Stamford Bridge, Chelsea)
Frankie’s [Sports Bar](https://frankiessportsbar.com/) & Diner is a brilliant fusion of chic, plush interiors with a laid-back vibe. There is a nice blend of intimacy and openness at Frankie’s. You can find tables tucked away in the corner for a more private dining experience. Alternatively, there are plenty of sizeable round tables, perfect for a guy’s trip into West London. There are 16 big screens dotted throughout this eatery, so there’s always a good view of the live action. The menu covers a selection of gourmet burgers, Italian dishes and signature ‘house’ dishes. All of which are made fresh to order.
The Flag (Craven Cottage, Fulham)
The Flag is the newest dining option at Fulham’s Craven Cottage. Formerly the ground’s press room, it has been impressively redecorated to enhance its Grade II listed features, creating a traditional-looking bar and dining environment pre-game or for special events any day of the week. Fulham FC is certainly a club on the up on and off the pitch, with its Riverside development still ongoing. On the field, the Cottagers are bidding to bounce back to the Premier League once again. In terms of the latest Championship betting Betway are offering odds as short as 1/6 on the West London side to win the second-tier title in 2021/22.
The Woolwich Restaurant (Emirates Stadium, Arsenal)
The Woolwich Restaurant is one of the most in-demand restaurants at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. The décor is a real celebration of Arsenal’s most successful managers, Herbert Chapman and Arsene Wenger. If you’re a Gunners fan, this is a restaurant steeped in memorabilia. In addition, there’s a delicious three-course meal to savour. The sample menu displayed online indicates an offering of 30-day aged Scottish rib-eye steak through to London oak-smoked salmon. Complimentary drinks are offered at halftime to all dining guests too. Elsewhere in the Emirates, the Highbury Restaurant is also worth a visit on Arsenal matchdays, particularly if you’re fanatical about food. The restaurant has done away with its former buffet-style offering to provide an informal street food market open to all Platinum Club members.
Galvin at Tottenham (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs)
If you prefer North London’s other major club, Tottenham Hotspur, you might want to don your finery and book a table at Galvin at Tottenham. The new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, constructed on the site of the old White Hart Lane, is a sight to behold. Chris Galvin is a Michelin-starred chef who happens to be a Spurs fan to boot. Galvin has opened his own fine-dining restaurant on site, with the menus here developed collaboratively with other celebrated chefs across London. You may be familiar with Galvin’s restaurants elsewhere in the capital, including La Chapelle in Spitalfields. Meanwhile, Galvin at Windows in Mayfair is the most celebrated of all. It was the first to achieve Michelin star status and affords breath-taking skyline views of central London along with contemporary French haute cuisine. In summary, Galvin’s dining concept is very much fine dining without fuss.
The Forge (London Stadium, West Ham United)
The Forge offers a relaxed dining experience, allowing matchday guests to enjoy a two-course a la carte meal. Once the table is cleared, as a visitor to The Forge you’ll receive match day tickets to the West Ham game with impressive views from the halfway line. There’s also a free halftime drink available, a complimentary match programme and padded seating to give you the most comfortable view of the action.
When you consider the money that’s pumped into the Premier League these days, it’s no surprise that football stadiums are home to fine dining eateries. These extra-special venues are perfect for a loved one’s birthday or simply to spoil one another on a Saturday afternoon or a cold midweek evening game.
