How to Plan Dinner and an Escape Room in London Same Night

Plan your night like a local

You want to eat a great meal, then jump into a high-stakes escape room-all in the same night. It’s not just possible in London, it’s a classic local night out. But doing it right means timing, location, and knowing which spots actually work together. No one wants to rush through their risotto because the escape room starts in 20 minutes.

The key is picking a dinner spot within walking distance or a short taxi ride from your escape room. London’s best escape rooms are clustered in a few neighborhoods: Shoreditch, Soho, Camden, and near the South Bank. Pick one area and build your night around it.

Choose your escape room first

Escape rooms fill up fast, especially on weekends. Don’t leave this until the last minute. Book your slot for 8:30 PM or 9 PM. That gives you enough time to eat without rushing. Avoid rooms that start before 8 PM unless you’re planning a very early dinner.

Top-rated escape rooms in London that work well for dinner-and-escape nights:

• Exit London (Soho) - tight puzzles, immersive themes, 75-minute games
• The Escape Game London (Camden) - big rooms, Hollywood-style sets, great for groups
• Locked In London (Shoreditch) - dark, atmospheric, perfect for thrill-seekers
• Real Escape (South Bank) - family-friendly but still challenging, good for mixed groups

Check the room’s difficulty level. If your group includes people who’ve never done one before, skip the 95% difficulty rooms. Look for ones labeled "medium" or "recommended for beginners." Most places list this on their website.

Find a dinner spot that doesn’t make you late

You need food that arrives fast, tastes good, and doesn’t drag on for two hours. Avoid fancy tasting menus. Stick to places with quick service, solid food, and no long waits.

Here are the best dinner spots near top escape rooms:

• Near Soho (Exit London): Padella - handmade pasta, no reservations needed for small groups, 30-minute wait max. Try the tagliatelle al ragù.
• Near Camden (The Escape Game): Camden Market Food Hall - grab a Korean fried chicken bowl or a loaded burger from one of the stalls. Eat standing up, no tables needed.
• Near Shoreditch (Locked In London): Dishoom - Indian comfort food, quick service if you sit at the bar. Order the black daal and naan.
• Near South Bank (Real Escape): Flat Iron Steak - great steaks, 45-minute dinner max. Book a table for 7 PM to be done by 8 PM.

Pro tip: Call the restaurant 30 minutes before you arrive and ask if they can seat you quickly. Say you’re heading to an escape room and need to be out by 8 PM. Most will move you up.

Timing is everything

Here’s the perfect timeline for a smooth night:

1. 7:00 PM - Arrive at restaurant
2. 7:05 PM - Order drinks and appetizers
3. 7:15 PM - Main course arrives
4. 7:45 PM - Dessert or coffee (skip if you’re pressed for time)
5. 8:00 PM - Leave restaurant
6. 8:15 PM - Arrive at escape room (15-minute buffer for traffic or walking)
7. 8:30 PM - Game starts

If you’re walking, use Google Maps to check the route. Most escape rooms are within 10-15 minutes of the recommended restaurants. If you’re taking a taxi, book one via Uber or Bolt before you leave the restaurant. Don’t wait until you’re outside.

What to wear

Wear something comfortable but not sloppy. You’ll be walking, maybe running through a dark room, solving puzzles, and climbing over props. Avoid high heels, tight dresses, or bulky coats. Jeans, a nice top, and sneakers are the gold standard.

Also, leave your phone in your bag. Most escape rooms don’t allow phones inside. Some even scan bags at the door. If you’re worried about missing a message, tell your group you’ll check after the game.

Group size matters

Escape rooms work best with 4-6 people. Too few, and you’ll struggle. Too many, and you’ll get in each other’s way. If you’re a group of 8, split into two teams and book two rooms back-to-back. That way, you can still meet up for dinner together.

For couples or small groups, pick a room designed for 2-4 people. Exit London’s "The Vault" is perfect for two. It’s intense, intimate, and doesn’t feel crowded.

What if you’re running late?

Life happens. Your pasta takes 40 minutes. The taxi got stuck in traffic. Don’t panic.

Most escape rooms will let you start up to 10 minutes late. Call ahead if you’re going to be more than 10 minutes behind. They’ll usually hold your spot. But if you’re 20+ minutes late, they might reschedule you-or charge you for a no-show.

Always have the escape room’s phone number saved. Save it in your phone before you leave home. Write it on a napkin if you’re worried about battery.

After the escape room

Some people want to keep the night going. Others just want to collapse. Both are fine.

If you’re buzzing from the adrenaline, head to a nearby bar:

• The Blind Pig (Soho) - craft cocktails, live jazz on weekends
• The Lock Tavern (Camden) - cheap pints, no frills, local vibe
• The Bar at The Standard (South Bank) - stylish, great views of the Thames

If you’re wiped out, just call it a night. You’ve done the full London night out: great food, heart-pounding puzzle, and zero regrets.

What not to do

• Don’t try to do a 3-course fine dining meal right before an escape room. You’ll be too full to think clearly.
• Don’t pick an escape room that’s 30 minutes away from dinner. You’ll spend more time in a cab than playing.
• Don’t book a 7 PM escape room and plan a 7:30 PM dinner. You’ll be eating in the dark while your team solves the puzzle.
• Don’t bring your whole group if it’s over 8 people. Split up. Two smaller groups have more fun.

Final tip: Do it on a weekday

Weekends are packed. Tuesday and Wednesday nights are quiet. You’ll get better service at restaurants, easier bookings at escape rooms, and cheaper taxi fares. It’s the secret trick locals use.