No longer satisfied with the hum of idle chat at dinner, diners are looking for a side dish of something more exciting when eating out in London. London is famous for its West End shows, and with the ever-growing popularity of cabaret restaurants, diners can now combine sumptuous cuisine with spectacular live performance.

For a touch of glamour and an electrifying ambience at dinner, guests can head to The Brickhouse in trendy East London, or Crazy Bear in the upmarket west for two of the most famous cabaret restaurants in London.

The Brickhouse, Shoreditch

Hidden away in The Old Truman Brewery, The Brickhouse is in keeping with the vibrancy of its street of residence, the world famous Brick Lane. A discreet entrance leads into a world of wonder, filled with suspended acrobats, glamorous bluesy singers and hypnotising fire eaters. Three floors of tables look down onto the buzz of the stage, where guests can sample fine dining treats whilst looking onto the magic of the circus.

Serving a selection that never compromises on finesse or flavour, The Brickhouse could easily stand as a sterling fine dining haunt without its infamous entertainment programme. Sumptuous tasting menus offer a creative journey of exciting flavours, whilst the a la carte menu presents classic European flavours, complete with recommendations from the well-researched wine list. Refined favourites include fresh basil gnocchi with creamy gorgonzola, or succulent chicken fillet with caramelised Brazilian figs and grilled lemon.

For a hint of East-end cool, the floor clears after dark and guest DJs spin records late into the evening.

Crazy Bear, Fitzrovia

An enticing underground hideaway in fashionable Fitzrovia, Crazy Bear blends luxurious dining and flashy entertainment. Plush cushioned leather booths and a glistening curved bar are offset by exposed brickwork and soft cow-hide furnishings. In this timelessly-styled setting, fabulous flapper-style girls evoke the classic burlesque feel of a bygone era, with the elegant stroke of feathers and faint jangle of intricate beaded costumes.

A sophisticated menu at Crazy Bear incorporates exciting Pan-Asian influences, with tempting signature dishes including the traditional Eastern flavours of dim sum, fresh sea bream lathered with hot and sour sauce, or sizzling pan-fried baby squid.

Crazy Bear has enjoyed glittering reviews in some of London’s most respected publications as well as international newspapers, and was named Best Restaurant in the London Lifestyle Awards in 2010.