Discover London's Most Hidden Restaurant

London is no stranger to hidden ‘speakeasy’ cocktail bars that require passwords, or insider info – such as a blank concrete wall actually being the entrance to a darkly glamorous drinking hole. But the concept of a hidden restaurant is still something of a novelty.

Hidden in an inconspicuous backstreet in Barbican, by Smithfield Market, Little Quiet is the latest project from the Disappearing Dining Club. This time they almost have: there’s no sign, name or label, the windows are blacked out, and it has a romantic dim aesthetic inside. There isn’t even any noise coming from it, adding to its invisibility and leaving some confused booked-in diners looking around in vain.

A few years ago in London, there was such a big burst of pop-ups – where teams or chefs temporarily took over kitchens, bars, or venues – that we even witnessed various ‘pop-downs’. In these, those already running a top kitchen took over a much more low key venue, such as a room under a café, with the intention of trying out new ideas, or simply to create a buzz by doing something new.

‘When we started we could feed 100 people in a Shoreditch warehouse for £1,500 rent – now it’s more like £5,000. It’s completely unviable.’

But this hasn’t put the team – head chef Bolin and founder Stuart Langley – off:

‘We still love the challenge of working in difficult locations or spots. Our first gig was in an ex-takeaway: we had a single table restaurant with eight people round it.’

Little Quiet is a bit bigger than this, but only a bit, with 16 covers taking up the entire ground floor, and a kitchen and storeroom downstairs with the toilets.

On offer is a carefully curated list of wines, beer, and cocktails, and a set menu of two, three, or six courses, depending on how much time you have and how adventurous you are. The most detailed dish descriptions are a mere list of key ingredients, with the very first thing you try described only as ‘something from the kitchen’, pleasantly keeping the hidden vibe going throughout.

Little Quiet, 24–26 Newbury Street, EC1A 7HU, +44 203 793 0202

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.