Ever heard the saying “you can tell a lot about a restaurant by its restrooms”? Well, my mom swears by it! She believes a clean toilet is a sign of a clean kitchen, and that the food will be just as good. But in London, it turns out there’s a whole other level to the restroom experience!
Beyond the Basics: Finding Inspiration in the Loo
When I moved to London, I was blown away by the design of some of the city’s public restrooms. Instead of just looking for cleanliness, these restrooms are works of art! I’ve found myself eagerly searching for the toilet, hoping to find a splash of inspiration. Who knew that using the facilities could be so exciting?
A Lavatory Love Letter: London’s Top 5 Fancy Toilets
Some restrooms are just too fabulous to miss! I’ve compiled a list of the Top 5 Most Extravagant Restaurant Toilets in London, making sure to include some hotel restaurants too. I even dug into the design process behind them. After all, we’re all design lovers, right? Let’s get this flush of inspiration flowing!
The Gym-Inspired Glamour: Dishoom, King’s Cross
The iconic Dishoom restaurant, located in the heart of King’s Cross, lives up to its reputation with its stunning interiors. But the real surprise is the restroom. Conran & Partners, the restaurant’s design team, collaborated with Muzeo, a group of art consultants and graphic designers, to create something truly unique.
The team drew inspiration from the building’s past: it was once a gymnasium in the late 1800s. This history is reflected in the bespoke black & white wallpaper that covers every inch of the walls and ceiling. The design is a beautiful tribute to the gym’s original purpose, transforming the restroom into a dreamlike atmosphere.
Surrealist Luxury: The Mandrake Hotel
The Mandrake Hotel, located in London’s West End, is a stylish haven with a bold and eclectic design. The hotel’s owner, Rami Fustok, drew heavily on his early days immersed in London’s street culture scene, especially graffiti art.
While there’s plenty to admire in the Michelin-starred restaurant and the slick bar, the hotel’s restrooms have become the ultimate Instagram-worthy experience. The brass, marble, and black & white contrast create a surrealist atmosphere that embodies the hotel’s hedonistic luxury.
Sci-Fi Chic: Sketch, Mayfair
When it comes to exceptional restroom design, Sketch’s toilets are legendary. Designed by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrence in 2002, these white egg pods each contain an individual toilet cubicle, complete with its own music. The sinks are located outside the pods, adding to the sci-fi atmosphere.
The upscale restaurant and the toilets provide a striking contrast. The toilets themselves are a unique experience, attracting visitors from all over the world.
Ocean Liner Elegance: Mondrian London, Sea Containers
The Mondrian London, the first hotel of its kind outside the United States, is housed in the Sea Containers building on the banks of the Thames. The building’s unique riverside location served as inspiration for the hotel’s design.
Designer Tom Dixon drew inspiration from the golden age of transatlantic ship travel and ocean liner cabins, incorporating metallic and brass accents throughout the hotel. The same materials are used in the breathtaking restrooms, featuring marble, wood, black tiles, and handcrafted copper and brass mirrors.
Millennial Pink Paradise: Ours, Covent Garden
Located in a building originally designed by Norman Foster for the Katharine Hamnett flagship store, Ours is a popular brasserie among London’s It girls. And the restrooms are just as cool.
The restrooms feature Millennial pink tiles, brass sinks, large round mirrors, and palm leaf wallpaper, creating a girly Beverly Hills vibe. These restrooms are a must-visit for any design enthusiast.
From gymnasiums to ocean liners, London’s restaurant restrooms have become a world of their own, showcasing the city’s creativity and design prowess. So next time you’re in London, be sure to take a detour to the loo and see what artistic treasures await!
