Sarastro - (Near Westminster, South East)

4 /5 Alisa Hussain: TLDR: food is nothing special but immersive dining experience If you’re looking for food that’s anything more than average, Sarastro probably isn’t for you. However it is a standout restaurant because of its unique dining experience, there’s nothing like it in the area. It’s so extravagantly decorated, you’re transported to the past, into Turkey, completely forgetting you’re in the heart of bustling London, which is not easy to achieve. There are two floors of seating - request the balcony! There you have intimate tables with low, sofa-like seats that feel very immersive. The cuisine is Turkish and there are options for everyone - meat, fish, veggie, vegan. It’s halal and they cater well for allergies. As Turkish food goes it was average. I had the moussaka and it could have been more flavourful. It is overpriced considering potion size and flavour. They have live music some nights. Service is sufficiently attentive. Not destroyed by TikTok hype, it’s usually easy to get a table, so is a great choice for last minute pre-theatre meals, offering theatre set menus. À la carte, you’ll spend probably around £23-35 on a main.

5 /5 Neil F: Sarastro Walking into Sarastro on Drury Lane feels less like going out for dinner and more like accidentally wandering onto the set of an extravagant period drama that happens to serve outstanding food. The décor is gloriously over the top in the best possible way. Think velvet, gold, chandeliers, balconies and enough theatrical flair to make you briefly wonder if you should be projecting your voice. It is immersive, dramatic and completely bonkers in a way that works beautifully. The food more than lives up to the surroundings. Everything we ate was rich, fragrant and beautifully balanced. Proper comfort and finesse at the same time. Dishes arrive looking elegant and tasting even better, with flavours that make you pause mid sentence and just nod approvingly. Service is warm, attentive and confidently calm, which is impressive given how much is going on around you visually. You feel looked after without being hovered over, which is exactly what you want when you are busy deciding which dish you want to move into permanently. In short, Sarastro is not just a meal, it is an experience. Come hungry, come curious, and come ready to dine like you have accidentally become a very well fed extra in an operatic masterpiece.

5 /5 Andrew Birrell: Stepping into Sarastro is less like visiting a restaurant and more like being immediately cast as an extra in a brilliant, slightly bonkers West End musical. The décor is gloriously, unapologetically quirky—think velvet curtains, mismatched chandeliers, dramatic lighting, and props that look like they’ve been liberated from a prop master’s dream closet. Its a feast for the eyes, creating an instant, infectious sense of occasion that banishes any hint of a mundane evening. The true star of the show, however, is the live entertainment. Forget the background music; here, a phenomenal singer works the room, moving seamlessly between tables, chatting with patrons, and filling every corner with vibrant, pitch-perfect vocals. This isnt just noise; it’s an active, intimate performance that genuinely transforms the atmosphere from pleasant dining to a thrilling supper club experience. The singer effortlessly brings a smile to every face and ensures the energy never dips. Fortunately, the food is more than capable of holding its own against the dazzling spectacle. The cuisine is hearty, flavorful, and delivered in impressively generous portions. I opted for the set menu, which was reasonable value, offering a solid selection of well-prepared dishes that were satisfying. Everything was genuinely tasty and well cooked. Sarastro is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a dining experience that is both thoroughly entertaining and unique. It’s an evening where the atmosphere is as memorable as the meal.

5 /5 Christopher Villegas: If you enjoy eclectic, odd, unconventional places in London, this checks all the boxes. Starting from the street, you can already tell this place is going to be special. When you open the door, your first reaction should be WOW! It reminds me of being on stage and backstage all at once. If there is room in one of the box seat tables, ask for them as you get a fantastic vantage point of the entire restaurant. The food is delicious and does follow the Mediterranean inspired menu. Some of the items are large enough to enjoy on their own without having to do the preset course. The bathrooms have explicit and sexual visuals so if you’re bringing kids, be ready to do some explaining. There are usually live performances daily and typically in the evening hours. Plan accordingly. They also cater to large parties so depending on time/date, they might be completely booked. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful when it came to ordering items off the drink and food menu. There is a tribute area to Richard, who seemed to be the spirit of the restaurant. If you have some time, be sure to look at the tribute area near the entrance.