receipt from The Happenstance had the words 'no ice n****' on it

A trendy London restaurant has been branded 'disgraceful' after a black woman spotted the words 'no ice n****' printed on her food bill after dining with a group of friends.

The racial slur was spotted on the itemized receipt by customers at The Happenstance, near St Paul's in central London, as they tried to settle their bill following a meal out on Easter Sunday.

The group of women apparently challenged staff over the offensive message but were reportedly told that 'we don't know how it got there'.

Drake and Morgan, the group which owns the restaurant, has now apologised for the incident and confirmed a member of staff has been suspended pending an investigation.

The 'no ice n****' racial slur was spotted on the itemized receipt (pictured) by customers at The Happenstance, near St Paul's in central London, as they tried to settle their bill following a meal out on Easter Sunday

The incident came to light when Jehan, from London, took to Twitter to share an image of the offensive receipt. He is said to be friends with the woman who was targeted by the racial slur.

He wrote: 'A friend just received this bill from the white staff at London's happenstancebar.

'Absolutely crazy. The management showed no interest or accountability either.

'She was the sole black girl amongst a group of white girls, in a white bar. The staff's response: "We don't know how that got there". Sure.'

The offensive receipt has drawn a large reaction on Twitter and has been shared more than 300 times.

Fatima Dee Coco wrote: 'What kind of sick, racist establishment is this?'

Meanwhile, AllyAl3978 said: 'Omg! That is absolutely disgraceful. Got a lot of influential London friends on FB mate.'

Drake and Morgan, the owner of The Happenstance restaurant, said an investigation is underway.

A spokesman said: 'We are appalled by the unacceptable behaviour of one of our waiting staff. He has been suspended from duty pending a full disciplinary.

'We have contacted two members of the group that were at The Happenstance yesterday afternoon and have apologised unequivocally.

The incident came to light when Jehan, from London, took to Twitter to share an image of the offensive receipt

The restaurant apologised for the incident on Twitter and said the staff member's behaviour is 'unacceptable'

The racial slur was spotted on the itemized receipt by customers at The Happenstance restaurant, near St Paul's in central London (pictured), as they tried to settle their bill following a meal out on Easter Sunday

'Drake and Morgan as a business do not discriminate on the grounds of race, age, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability or colour.

'The principles of non-discrimination and equality of opportunity also apply to the way in which staff treat customers as well as colleagues.

'We cannot apologise enough and are saddened that one person's irresponsible behaviour could risk damaging our reputation.'

The restaurant also wrote on Twitter: 'The waiter is now suspended pending full disciplinary. His behaviour is unacceptable. We apologise profusely.'