20 Shaftesbury Avenue,
Piccadilly,
London,
W1D 7EU
0872 148 1845
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.
The ViewLondon Review
Your little monkeys will blend in perfectly!
The Venue
This underground cavern, filled with vegetation, is filled with the sounds of the jungle. Hidden amongst the leaves are Maya and Nile, Cha Cha and Bamba - the famous animatronic animals of the Rainforest Cafe who periodically come to life to growl, shriek and shake the branches. A bar shaped like a snake winds its way across one end of the room and there are several private booths – perfect for birthday parties – dotted around the outside.
The Atmosphere
A combination of audio effects, waterfalls and over-stimulated children give the Rainforest Cafe a lively atmosphere. It also seems to be everybody’s birthday so you will find yourself being constantly coerced into singing between mouthfuls. If you don’t know the words to Happy Birthday by now, you certainly will after a visit to this place!
The Food
With a menu brimming with egg-free, gluten-free and dairy-free options, your child can be allergic to almost anything here! Kids will struggle to choose between dishes such as Rasta Pasta with Alfredo sauce, Plant Pizza topped with sweetcorn and pineapple and Bamba’s Bangers and Mash, whilst the adults feast on sea bass, catfish and steak. Desserts such as cheesecake brulee, chocolate chunk brownie and seasonal fruit salad will be turned away by your little ones who will have seen Sparkling Volcano ice-cream Sundaes the size of their heads arriving on the other tables. Wear sweatpants and don’t come here if you’re on a diet!
The Drink
There are a range of cocktails, wines, spirits and beers for those in need of a stiff drink, and smoothies, fresh fruit juices, cordials and sodas for teetotallers both large and small. If the prospect of exiting through the well-stocked souvenir shop with your sugar-fuelled girls and boys is causing too many palpitations, then it might be a good idea to round off the meal with one of the special alcoholic coffees.
The Last Word
Very well organised and brilliantly run. Your children will love it, you will survive it and everyone will go home with a smile on their face!