Set Menus vs À la Carte: The Best Group Dining Choices for Girls in London

When you’re planning a girls’ night out in London, the biggest decision isn’t where to go - it’s how to order. Set menus or à la carte? It sounds simple, but this choice shapes the whole evening. One gives you structure, speed, and shared vibes. The other lets everyone go wild with their own cravings. Which one actually works better for a group of friends who want to laugh, drink, and not spend two hours debating what to eat?

Set Menus: The Group-Friendly Shortcut

Set menus - sometimes called tasting menus, fixed-price dinners, or prix fixe - are the quiet hero of group dining. You pick one option from three courses: starter, main, dessert. Sometimes drinks are included. Everyone orders the same thing. Sounds boring? It’s not.

At places like St. John a Michelin-starred restaurant in Smithfield known for its British seasonal cooking and set menu offerings or The Ledbury a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Notting Hill offering a refined set menu experience, the set menu isn’t just a cost-saver - it’s a curated journey. The chef decides what’s fresh, what pairs well, and how the meal flows. You don’t have to think. You just enjoy.

For a group of four or more, this cuts down chaos. No one’s stuck waiting 20 minutes while someone else argues over whether to get the duck or the scallops. Everyone gets their food at the same time. You can toast together. You can pass plates. You can say, “Try this,” and actually mean it.

Price-wise, set menus in London usually run between £45 and £85 per person, including wine pairings. That’s often cheaper than ordering à la carte with drinks. And at places like Hawksmoor a popular London steakhouse chain known for its set menu deals for groups, you get premium beef, sides, and a glass of red for less than you’d pay if you ordered each item separately.

À la Carte: Freedom - But at a Cost

À la carte means every person picks their own dish. Want Thai green curry? Go ahead. Need gluten-free pasta? No problem. Craving a cheese board and a cocktail? Done.

This is the dream for foodies. And it’s great if your group has wildly different tastes. One person’s vegan. Another’s obsessed with truffle fries. Someone else just wants a burger and a gin fizz. À la carte lets everyone be themselves.

But here’s the catch: it takes time. And money.

At Dishoom a popular Bombay-inspired Indian restaurant in London offering à la carte dining with extensive menu options, you’ll wait 45 minutes for the first dish to come out - because someone ordered the chicken tikka, someone else the lamb vindaloo, and someone else the paneer butter masala. Each dish cooks separately. The kitchen’s juggling. The table’s getting cold.

And the bill? Oof. A single main at Polpo a Venetian-style small plates restaurant in London known for its à la carte menu and casual vibe can be £22. Add starters, sides, wine, and dessert? You’re looking at £120+ per person. That’s not a night out - that’s a mini vacation.

Also, group dynamics get weird. Someone’s eating slowly. Someone’s rushing. Someone’s taking photos of their food for 10 minutes. You end up waiting for the last person to finish before you can even ask for the bill.

What Really Works for Girls’ Nights Out?

Let’s be real. A girls’ night out isn’t about fine dining. It’s about connection. It’s about laughter that makes your stomach hurt. It’s about sharing a glass of prosecco and saying, “I can’t believe we did this.”

Set menus win here because they create rhythm. You start with a shared bite. You sip wine together. You pass around the same dessert. You don’t have to explain why you ordered the mushroom risotto. Everyone’s on the same page.

And here’s the secret: most places in London that do set menus for groups also let you customize them. At Barrafina a Spanish tapas restaurant in London offering flexible set menus with vegetarian and vegan options, you can ask for a vegetarian starter, a seafood main, and a dairy-free dessert - all within the same fixed price. No extra charge. No fuss.

À la carte? It works if you’re celebrating a birthday and want everyone to go wild. But even then, you’re better off doing a hybrid. Order one set menu for the group, then add one or two à la carte dishes for the person who really wants the truffle pasta.

Where to Try Set Menus in London (2026)

Here are five spots where set menus are actually designed for groups of women - not just business dinners or couples:

• Duck & Waffle - Their 3-course set menu includes duck confit, miso-glazed cod, and chocolate tart. Perfect for rooftop views and late-night vibes.
• The Clove Club - A Michelin-starred spot in Shoreditch with a 5-course tasting menu that’s playful, seasonal, and never pretentious.
• Bao - Taiwanese steamed buns, spicy tofu, and matcha ice cream. Their set menu includes a cocktail. Great for groups who want fun, not formality.
• Lyle’s - A minimalist gem in Shoreditch. Their set menu changes weekly. Often includes wild herbs, fermented veggies, and a dessert that feels like a hug.
• The Palomar - Israeli-inspired, loud, lively. Their set menu comes with shared mezze, grilled meats, and a dessert platter. Perfect for big groups.

When to Skip the Set Menu

Not every group needs structure. If you’re celebrating a milestone - say, someone’s promotion or a birthday - and everyone wants to go all out, then go à la carte. But here’s how to do it right:

1. Book a private room or a long table so you’re not crammed into a noisy corner.
2. Ask the server to bring dishes in waves - starters together, mains together, desserts together.
3. Pre-order drinks. No one wants to wait 15 minutes for a gin and tonic while the rest of the table is halfway through their meal.
4. Split the bill evenly. No one wants to calculate who ate more scallops.

And if you’re on a budget? Skip the wine pairings. Order water. The food is still amazing.

The Bottom Line

Set menus aren’t about limitation. They’re about harmony. They let you focus on the people, not the menu. À la carte gives you freedom - but it costs time, money, and peace of mind.

For most girls’ nights out in London? Stick with the set menu. You’ll eat better. You’ll talk more. You’ll leave happier. And you won’t need to argue over who owes what.

If you’re planning your next girls’ night out in London, skip the stress. Choose the set menu. Let the food flow. Let the conversation rise. And leave the menu decisions to the chefs - they know what’s good.