Naked dining: London is about to get its first 'clothing-optional' restaurant

James Tennent

Planning image of a seating area at the proposed 'clothing-optional' restaurant.

The Bunyadi

If you're of the opinion that the only thing getting in the way of you fully enjoying a restaurant experience was having to keep all your clothes on, then finally, you're in luck. This summer, London is preparing to open a new pop-up eatery where clothes are optional.
The Bunyadi is set to open for three months from June 2016, with tickets available to would-be diners on a first-come first-serve basis. However, the nudity is non-compulsory, with two distinctive sections being planned - a "pure" section - or a naked, to be precise - and a clothed section. Patrons will be provided with gowns, changing rooms and lockers.
The idea behind the Bunyadi is to provide a restaurant free from all the trappings of the modern world - "no chemicals, no artificial colours, no electricity, no gas, no phone and even no clothes if [patrons] wish to." Food will be cooked on a wood-flame grill and served on handmade clay crockery along with edible cutlery.

Impressions and planned layout for the proposed pop-up restaurant.

The Bunyadi

The Bunyadi - supposedly a Hindi term meaning 'fundamental', 'base' or 'natural' - is the new brainchild from Lollipop, the company behind Shoreditch's recently christened Breaking Bad themed cocktail bar, ABQ London. "The idea is to experience true liberation," said Seb Lyall, Lollipop's founder.
"We have worked very hard to design a space where everything patrons interact with is bare and naked. The use of natural bamboo partitions and candlelight has enabled to us to make the restaurant discreet, whilst adhering to the ethos behind it. No doubt, this has been the most challenging project for us yet, which makes us very excited about it"
In terms of the cuisine on offer, the team are keeping the menu a closely guarded secret, apart from the proposition of both vegan and non-vegan tasting menus, all cooked on wood-fire. The upcoming dining experience is already seeming popular, with a current waiting list of over 3,800 people.
No photography is to be allowed.