Where to Eat When You Just Want to Laugh, Drink, and Forget the Week

It’s Friday night. Your group of friends has been talking about it all week: girls’ night. No kids, no work emails, no guilt. Just good food, great wine, and someone finally telling that story about the ex who thought ‘Netflix and chill’ meant actual Netflix.

But where do you go? Not just any restaurant. Not the place with the 45-minute wait and the overpriced cocktails that taste like sugar water. You need a spot where the vibe is light, the service doesn’t make you feel like you’re interrupting their dinner, and the food actually tastes like something you’d want to eat after a 10-hour workday.

London’s got hundreds of options. But only a handful nail the girls’ night trifecta: great food, killer drinks, and zero pretension. Here’s where to go in 2025 - no fluff, no gimmicks, just real places real women are booking right now.

1. The Palomar - Where the Food Makes You Want to Post It

Forget the usual Italian spots. The Palomar, tucked under the railway arches in Soho, is the kind of place that turns a casual dinner into a full-blown celebration. Think open kitchen, smoky grills, and plates that come out fast, loud, and full of flavor. The labneh with za’atar and honey is a must. So is the lamb kebab - charred, juicy, and served with flatbread that’s still warm.

The lighting? Soft. The noise level? Perfect for shouting over your friend’s latest dating disaster. The wine list? Solid. You won’t find a single bottle over £60, and the staff will happily recommend a crisp Israeli white that cuts through the spice.

Pro tip: Book a table for 6 or more and ask for the back room. It’s quieter, warmer, and feels like your own private party. No one’s going to judge if you start dancing when the live oud player starts.

2. BAO Soho - For When You Just Want to Eat Everything

BAO isn’t just a restaurant - it’s a carb-fueled love letter to Taiwanese street food. And it’s the go-to for groups who want to share, snack, and say ‘one more’ way too many times.

The steamed bao buns come in three sizes: pork belly, crispy chicken, and mushroom with fermented black bean. Get all three. Add the crispy wontons and the spicy cucumber salad. The drinks? Think ginger lychee spritzes and matcha cocktails that don’t taste like toothpaste.

It’s casual. It’s loud. It’s fast. And the staff don’t flinch when you order six buns and then change your mind halfway through. The Soho location is the busiest, but that’s exactly why it’s perfect - you’re surrounded by other groups doing the same thing. No awkward silence. Just happy, slightly sticky, satisfied women.

3. Dishoom - The Cozy Bombay Vibes You Didn’t Know You Needed

Dishoom isn’t fancy. But it’s magical. The original Shoreditch spot looks like a 1960s Bombay café crossed with a London pub. Think checkerboard floors, brass rails, and walls covered in Bollywood posters.

The black daal is legendary. The naan comes fresh out of the tandoor with a pat of butter melting on top. The chicken bombay burger is messy, spicy, and perfect for sharing. And yes, they serve Irani chai - sweet, milky, and strong enough to wake up your entire group after three rounds of cocktails.

It’s always busy. But here’s the trick: go after 8:30pm. The lunch rush is over, the dinner crowd is still waiting, and the energy shifts. You’ll get a table without waiting. And if you’re lucky, the staff might slip you a free chocolate peda at the end.

4. The Ivy Asia - Glamour Without the Gimmick

If your girls’ night leans more toward ‘glamorous dinner’ than ‘casual snack attack,’ The Ivy Asia is your spot. It’s in Covent Garden, with a sleek, neon-lit interior that feels like a 1930s Shanghai nightclub crossed with a Michelin-starred kitchen.

The food? Asian fusion done right. The crispy duck pancakes are delicate. The spicy prawn dumplings pack heat. The matcha martini is the kind of drink you’ll want to order again - and again.

It’s not cheap. But it’s not outrageous either. A three-course meal with drinks for four? Around £120-£150. And the service? Polite, attentive, and never pushy. They’ll bring you extra napkins. They’ll refill your water without asking. And they won’t rush you when you’re still laughing about that time you tried to do a TikTok dance in a pub.

5. Mere - For When You Want Something Quiet, But Still Special

Not every girls’ night needs to be loud. Sometimes you just want to sit, sip, and talk. That’s where Mere, tucked away in Marylebone, comes in.

It’s small. Only 30 seats. The lighting is dim. The music? Jazz. The menu? French with a British twist. The duck confit is tender enough to cut with a spoon. The truffle mac and cheese is rich, but not heavy. And the crème brûlée? Perfectly caramelized - not burnt, not underdone.

It’s the kind of place where you’ll actually hear your friend’s story. No shouting. No distractions. Just good wine, great food, and a vibe that says, ‘This is the night we’re not rushing.’

Book ahead. And if you can, ask for the corner table by the window. It’s the quietest spot - and the most romantic, even if you’re just there with your besties.

6. Bistrotheque - The Hidden Gem That Feels Like a Secret

Most tourists don’t know about Bistrotheque. Most locals don’t talk about it. But the women who’ve been there? They keep coming back.

It’s in Shoreditch, in an old warehouse with exposed brick and wooden tables. The menu changes weekly, but you can always count on the beef bourguignon and the duck liver parfait. The wine list? Hand-picked by the owner - all small producers, all under £50 a bottle.

It’s not loud. It’s not flashy. But it’s real. The staff remember your name. They remember your wine preference. And they’ll bring you a complimentary chocolate truffle at the end if you’ve had a few glasses of red.

This is the place for the group that doesn’t need Instagram backdrops. You’re here for the food. The company. The quiet joy of being together.

What Makes a Restaurant Perfect for Girls’ Night?

Not all restaurants are built for this. Here’s what works:

• Shared plates - You want to taste everything. No one should be stuck with one dish while everyone else shares.
• Good wine by the glass - No one wants to commit to a whole bottle. Look for places with at least 8 wines available by the glass.
• No long waits - If you’re booking for 8pm, you shouldn’t be waiting until 9:15.
• Staff who don’t judge - If you order dessert after saying you’re not hungry? That’s fine. They shouldn’t act like you’ve broken a rule.
• Atmosphere that fits - Too quiet? Boring. Too loud? You can’t hear yourself think. The sweet spot is lively but not chaotic.

And one more thing: avoid places with $20 cocktails that taste like syrup. If you’re spending £50+ per person, make sure the food and vibe justify it.

When to Book - And How to Get the Best Table

Girls’ night isn’t a last-minute thing. Book at least 3-5 days ahead, especially for spots like The Palomar or Dishoom. Use OpenTable or the restaurant’s website - not third-party apps. They often have better availability.

When you book, say: ‘We’re a group of 6 for girls’ night - can we get a table near the back or by the window?’ Most places will accommodate. And if they say no? Ask if they can put you on a waitlist for a later time. Sometimes the best tables open up after 9pm.

Pro tip: If you’re celebrating something - a birthday, a promotion, a breakup - tell them. They might surprise you with a free dessert or a bottle of sparkling water with a little candle.

What to Skip

Not every trendy spot is worth it. Avoid:

• Places with 2-hour minimums
• Restaurants where the menu is all photos and no descriptions
• ‘Experience’ dining where you’re served 15 tiny plates and charged £200
• Places that don’t take reservations - you’ll be standing outside for an hour
• Any place that calls itself ‘authentic’ but has a ‘Korean-Mexican fusion’ menu

Trust your gut. If it feels like a gimmick, it probably is.

Final Thought: It’s Not About the Restaurant. It’s About the People.

At the end of the night, no one’s going to remember if the duck was perfectly seared or if the wine was from a vineyard in Burgundy.

They’ll remember how you laughed until you cried. How someone told a story they’d never shared before. How you all left with sticky fingers, full bellies, and that warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from knowing you’re surrounded by people who get you.

So pick the place that feels right. Not the one with the most likes. The one where you can be yourself. And if you can’t decide? Go to BAO. You can’t go wrong with bao buns and best friends.