London is home to some really cool gay-owned and gay-friendly restaurants that show how diverse and welcoming the city is. From chill cafes to fancy restos, you can find all kinds of cuisine made by people from the LGBTQ+ community. Local queer folks love them, but anyone is welcome! Whether you live in London or you're visiting, they're great options to grab a bite and experience the city's inclusive culture.
London Gay Cafés & Restaurants
Grab a bite at one of these gay-owned and gay-popular cafés and restaurants in London
London Gay Cafés & Restaurants
Paladar
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
4-5 London Road, London, United Kingdom
5
Audience Rating
Based on 1 votes
Paladar is a gay-owned, award-winning creative Latin American cuisine in the heart of the SE1 district between Waterloo and Elephant & Castle, London.
There is a cute and romantic courtyard garden to the rear; a unique all-Latin American wine list and the bar staff shake up super Latin cocktails. A great addition to the London culinary scene and well worth a visit!
There is a cute and romantic courtyard garden to the rear; a unique all-Latin American wine list and the bar staff shake up super Latin cocktails. A great addition to the London culinary scene and well worth a visit!
Nearest station: Elephant & Castle
Features:
Free WiFi
Internet Access
Music
Restaurant
Weekday: 12 noon-3pm; 5pm-10pm
Weekend: 12.30-10pm (Sat) 12.30-8pm (Sun)
Last updated on: 6 Feb 2024
Last updated on: 6-Feb-2024
The Chocolate Cocktail Club
72 St John St, London, United Kingdom
Show on mapBeing the first of its kind in the UK, The Chocolate Cocktail Club is a mixed venue that serves a selection of over 20 Chocolate Cocktails in the heart of London. Ranging from creamy to fruity, all cocktails come with a delicious twist of Chocolate.
Pick from a wide range of your all-time favourite treats including a Toblerone Cocktail, Shamazing Strawberry, Salted Caramel, After Eight o'clock, and many more. Don't worry if chocolate isn't your thing - The Chocolate Cocktail Club also offers a range of standard drinks and classic cocktails.
Feeling peckish? Why not try a slice of one of their beautiful cakes, a delicious dessert or just a light bite; all very chocolatey of course.
This establishment is owned by same-sex couple Holly and Rachel, who are complete chocoholics and always there to welcome guests with a big smile. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with a trendy interior and good music playing in the background.
Our tip: come with an empty stomach.
Features:
Bar
chocolate cocktails
chocolate treats
Weekday: Tue 1pm - 6pm, Wed 1pm - 9pm
Weekend: Thu - Sat 1pm - 10.30pm
Last updated on: 8 Aug 2023
Last updated on: 8-Aug-2023
Latest London Hotel Offers
Fabulous deals, amazing hotels
BALANS - Soho
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
60-62 Old Compton Street, London, United Kingdom
Show on map
3.9
Audience Rating
Based on 13 votes
The gayest, most popular restaurant on Soho's Old Compton Street. BALANS serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is open around the clock. Bigger on the inside than you might assume from the front entrance.
Good food, great cocktails, handsome waiters and reasonable prices. Free WiFi. This is the place to be seen. Reservations recommended for Friday or Saturday nights.
Features:
Bar
Restaurant
Caffè Nero - Soho
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
43 Frith Street, London, United Kingdom
Show on map
3
Audience Rating
Based on 6 votes
For years, Cafe Nero (corner of Old Compton Street and Frith Street) has been the hangout café of choice for many gay Londoners.
Perfectly located in the heart of Soho, its a place to meet up or a place to sit and just watch the world go past. The coffee's pretty good, too, and it's open almost 24 hours a day.
Perfectly located in the heart of Soho, its a place to meet up or a place to sit and just watch the world go past. The coffee's pretty good, too, and it's open almost 24 hours a day.
Features:
Cafe
Weekday: 6.30am - 9.30pm
Weekend: Sat 7.30am - 10pm Sun 7.30 - 9pm
Last updated on: 8 Aug 2023
Last updated on: 8-Aug-2023
BALANS Soho Café
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
34 Old Compton Street, London, United Kingdom
Show on map
3.7
Audience Rating
Based on 6 votes
Strategically located at the epicentre of gay Soho (directly opposite Caffe Nero), this 24-hour café bar has become one of the most popular gay hangouts on Old Compton Street.
During long summer days, the windows are opened, shades lowered and tables set out along the street. Many stop by BALANS for a cold beer or coffee, but the café does serve a range of popular dishes, from bacon sandwiches at breakfast, to burgers and fish & chips.
During long summer days, the windows are opened, shades lowered and tables set out along the street. Many stop by BALANS for a cold beer or coffee, but the café does serve a range of popular dishes, from bacon sandwiches at breakfast, to burgers and fish & chips.
Features:
Bar
Cafe
Restaurant
Weekday: 8am - 12.30am
Weekend: 8am - 12.30am
Last updated on: 8 Aug 2023
Last updated on: 8-Aug-2023
BALANS - Kensington
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
187 Kensington High Street, London, United Kingdom
Show on map
4
Audience Rating
Based on 4 votes
West London branch of this well-known gay-orientated restaurant chain.
Whilst the atmosphere is not as quite as 'gay' as its Compton Street location, BALANS remains a popular place for gay friends to meet and 'do lunch'.
Good food, reasonable prices and, last time we visited, some pretty cute waiters.
Whilst the atmosphere is not as quite as 'gay' as its Compton Street location, BALANS remains a popular place for gay friends to meet and 'do lunch'.
Good food, reasonable prices and, last time we visited, some pretty cute waiters.
Features:
Restaurant
BISTROTHEQUE
Bethnal Green, E2 9RD, Tower Hamlets, London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom, London, United Kingdom
Show on map
BISTROTHEQUE is a light and airy warehouse dining space that sets the perfect scene for brunches, dinners and cocktails. The downstairs dining room offers live entertainment for diners, including cabaret starring the best local drag stars.
Weekday: Mon-Wed: Closed; Thurs-Fri: 6 PM to 11:30 PM
Weekend: Saturday: 11 AM to 11:30 PM; Sunday: 11 AM to 5:30 PM
Last updated on: 25 Aug 2023
Last updated on: 25-Aug-2023
Ottolenghi
Warwick Street, Westminster, London, W1B 5LU, United Kingdom, London, United Kingdom
Show on map
Started by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi, both gay men, the Ottolenghi restaurants and delis across London are some of the best-loved food spots in the city.
While each branch has a unique flair, the Ottolenghi menu boasts of bold flavours. The menu also changes through the seasons, but the signature dishes remain.
In London, they have the branches Rovi, Nopi and Spitalfields plus smaller delis.
BLADE - Soho - (CLOSED)
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
26 Frith Street, London, United Kingdom
Show on map&image=https://static.travelgay.com/media/65972/London.png){kind=link}
3.6
Audience Rating
Based on 20 votes
100% Gourmet Regal Arabica coffee or haircut, or both? Fresh juice and tea shots also available at BLADE. The seats are equipped with iPad with internet access.
This gay-popular bar, café & salon is located next door to KU Soho bar.
Features:
Cafe
Weekday: 12pm - 9pm
Weekend: Sat 11am - 8pm, Sun 12pm - 7pm
Last updated on: 25 Aug 2023
Last updated on: 25-Aug-2023
Fink's Salt & Sweet
70 Mountgrove Road, Hackney, London, N5 2LT, United Kingdom, London, United Kingdom
Show on map
Fink's Salt & Sweet is a takeaway cafe and deli that makes everything from scratch. Whether you want a salad or sandwich, they'll make it for you here.
They also serve coffee and offer an array of pastries and sweet treats created by head pastry chef Adrian Ramirez. Oh, and over half of the staff belong in the LGBTQ+ community!
Weekday: Mon-Fri: 9 AM to 4 PM
Weekend: Saturday: 9 AM to 4 PM; Sunday: 10 PM to 4 PM
Last updated on: 25 Aug 2023
Last updated on: 25-Aug-2023
TOAD Bakery
44 Peckham Road, Southwark, London, SE5 8PX, United Kingdom, London, United Kingdom
Show on map
TOAD Bakery is a queer-owned business that, according to BBC Good Food, is "famed for its divine pastries."
This Peckham Road bakery offers a seasonal menu, but you can be sure their mouthwatering croissants and cinnamon buns are always available. The shop also aims for inclusivity, sourcing only the best ingredients from queer suppliers and producers.
Weekday: Mondays Closed; Tue-Fri: 8 AM to 3:30 PM
Weekend: Saturdays: 8 AM to 3:30 PM; Sundays Closed
Last updated on: 25 Aug 2023
Last updated on: 25-Aug-2023
Have we got something wrong?
Are we missing a new venue or has a business closed? Or has something changed and we have not yet updated our pages? Please use this form to let us know. We really appreciate your feedback.