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The best food and restaurant pop-ups and events in London right now

Jump to: Residences and pop-ups  |  Events

Pop-ups and residencies in London are getting more interesting by the week. Now you'll see some excellent food popping up everywhere from disused restaurant spaces to residencies in pubs across town. We're rounding up some of the best below.

 

Events  

Vivek Singh’s ‘Fantastic Five Supper Club’ Returns To Cinnamon Kitchen CityVivek Singh’s ‘Fantastic Five Supper Club’ Returns To Cinnamon Kitchen City

When: 21-22 February 2025

Executive Chef Vivek Singh’s ‘Fantastic Five Supper Club’ returns to Cinnamon Kitchen City with the 2020 finalists from BBC One’s MasterChef: The Professionals – Santosh Shah, Philli Armitage-Mattin, Bart Van der Lee and Alex Webb.

Hosted on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 February, each chef will cook a course from a special five-course menu in their signature style, with diners becoming the judges and picking their winning dish for the night.

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martini hour at covent garden hotelEnjoy the new martini hour at Covent Garden Hotel

When: 5-6pm every weekday

What better way to mark the end of the work day than heading to Brasserie Max at the Covent Garden Hotel for their brand new Martini Hour? Running from 5-6pm every weekday, the bar is serving up £14 martinis with a side of complimentary seasonal fries.

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6 January to 31 March - The Montague on the Gardens is having a pop-up Alpine-inspired Winter Lodge where you can book for a two-hour fondue session. It's £50 for two people.

6 February - Irish food writer Ali Dunworth, author of A Compendium of Irish Pints, is hosting a Beer & Brigid's Day event at Fortnum & Mason with Melissa Cole. Tickets are £45 for the food and beer pairing evening celebrating the history of women in brewing.

6 February - For the first dinner in Pavyllon London’s Counter-Culture Series for 2025 Chef Yannick Alléno is collaborating with Bibi's Chet Sharma for a six-course tasting menu blending French gastronomy with Indian cuisine. Tickets are £190 which includes a leaving gift.

6 February - Cookbook author and music artist Denai Moore, founder of Dee’s Table, is teaming up with Rishim Sachdeva of Tendril for a dinner that blends Denai’s British-Jamaican heritage with Rishim’s plant-based cooking. Tickets are £55.

6 February - Roketsu is hosting a special winemaker night with Mr Kasugai, from the leading Japanese winery Château Mercian. He'll be presenting all seven of their wines currently available in the UK including Japan’s native grape variety Koshu and a high-altitude Syrah. Tickets are £250 for a six course menu with wine pairing and an aperitif.

7-15 February - Tom Geoffrey's Cambodian-inspired Barang is popping up at Black Lacquer cocktail bar underneath the Hyde London City, with dishes like braised duck wings, soy and kampot pepper on the menu.

8 February (and 14 March, 11 April) - Book ahead for the excellent Doran Wines supper club which is £69 pp for four courses (& petit fours) all with their great wine pairing. We highly recommend this one, so if you want to book, email tom@doranfamilyvintners.co.uk.

11 & 12 February - SOMA in Canary Whark (by the Kricket team) is hosting an omakase dinner with Shaulan Steenson (Endo at the Rotunda) for two nights. There are 12 seats, 12 courses all with a SOMA cocktail pairing. Tickets are £150.

12 February - Zak Frost From Wiltshire Truffles is coming to Dear Jackie in Soho to celebrate winter truffle season with an exclusive four-course seasonal menu, featuring dishes like braised veal cheek, white parmesan risotto and black winter truffle, not to mention a dessert of gelato with even more winter truffle. Tickets are £140.

19 Feb - Learn how to make Polish pierogis at E5 Bakehouse. The three-hour, hands-on class is taught by bakery chef Ania. Students will learn how to make the dumplings and their fillings before cooking them to enjoy for dinner. There will be plenty of pierogies to take home and share with friends and family. It's £75 for the class, dinner and an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink.

20 February - Ex Trullo, Sager + Wild and Bar Bruno chef Diarmuid Goodwin is popping up on the rooftop at Boundary in Shoreditch with a menu that includes fried potato farls, smoked ham hock butter and caviar as well as crispy lamb rib with barley, broad bean, wild garlic and St Tola cheese (£60).

23 February - Viajante 87 in Notting Hill is bringing over two of Beunos Aires' best bars, Tes res Monos (7 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024) and Niño Gordo (18 in North America's 50 Best), for a four course menu paired with a selection of Patron Tequila cocktails. Tickets are £80.

27 February - Gaucho Piccadilly is having the first of a spirit-focused dinners called Pour Decisions. They're teaming up with Patron tequila for the launch with a series of dishes paired with tequila cocktails. Tickets are £80 for an evening which ends with a shot of Patrón XO Cafe.

18 March - The 2025 guest chef season starts at Bar Douro where the first chef is André Cruz from the Michelin-starred Feitoria Restaurant. He'll be cooking a five-course dinner which reflects his Beira roots and global influences and dishes like fish cured in beeswax. Tickets are £80.

27 March - Chef's Table UK '25 at the QEII Centre is hosting a special dinner for Hospitality Action. Hosted by Sabrina Ghayour, various tables will be up for grabs with chefs in charge including Atul Kochhar, Tom Kerridge, Tom Booton, Bryn Williams, Ollie Dabbous, Brett Graham, Sally Abe, Mark Birchall and more. Get tickets here.

 

Residencies and pop-ups

Marta Sandini at Bruno

Where: Victoria Park - 211a Victoria Park Rd, London E9 7JN

When: 16 January - 2 March 2025

The former head chef at Naughty Piglets, Italian-born Marta arrived in London via China and Australia. That globe-trotting background informs the menus of her pop-ups. Here at Bruno, treats in-store include polentacos with hazelnut dressing and what's becoming a signature dish, her prawn and sesame choux.

 

Il Pellicano at Claridge’s

Where: Mayfair - Brook St, London W1K 4HR

When: 17-22 February 2025

For one week only, the kitchen team at the legendary Hotel Il Pellicano in Tuscany are decamping to Mayfair where they're taking up residence in Claridge's Restaurant. Expect to find many of the hotel's signature dishes on the menu from risotto with shrimp and ginger to their amazing tiramisu. They're also bringing over barman Federico Morosi to serve up some of his famous cocktails.

 

Short Road Pizza at The Three Colts TavernShort Road Pizza at Three Colts Tavern

Where: Bethnal Green - 199 Cambridge Heath, London E2 0El

When: Ongoing

Chef Ugo has pizza in his blood - his nonno owned a pizza restaurant in Naples so he ought to know his way around a pizza oven. Here in Cambridge Heath, he and partner Kate are serving up an Italian-American menu - think Romana-style pizza with Chicago Thin Crust. There are snacks and small plates too including farinata (the Ligurian chickpea flatbread).

 

Rake at The Compton ArmsRake at The Compton Arms

Where: Islington - 4 Compton Ave, London N1 2XD

When: From 9 January 2025

The latest Compton Arms residency comes over from their sister pub, The Gun. Rake is run by three chefs who have a lot of key experience: Jay Claus (ex-Peckham Cellars and Quo Vadis), Syrus Pickhaver (ex-Zebra Riding Club and Acme Fire Cult) and Peter Ward (ex-The Shard and Acme Fire Cult) Their menu focuses on whole beast butchery and sustainable Cornish fish and they're keen on looking at classic British recipes through a modern lens.

 

TBCPhilippe Sonou at Naughty Piglets

Where: Brixton - 28 Brixton Water Ln, London SW2 1PE

When: 6 January 2024 for four weeks

After a successful pop-up at Naughty Piglets last year, MasterChef The Professional finalist Philppe Sounou is back at Naughty Piglets for a second stint. Expect a West African focus with previous dishes including barbecued spiced chicken, jollof rice, fried plantain and more. 

 

Chap Bistro at The HaggerstonChap Bistro at The Haggerston

Where: Haggerston - 438 Kingsland Road, London, United Kingdom E8 4AA

When: Ongoing

Having previously headed up the kitchen at Black Axe Mangal (where, incidentally, he trained up Will Poulter for The Bear), chef Angus Kitchin is now out on his own with this French-inspired residency in East London. A tight menu might feature roast meats and lentils or Saucisse de Morteau & Celeriac Remoulade. He starts 2025 focusing on moules and steak frites.

 

Smash n Grabz at The French MarketSmash n Grabz at The French Market

Where: Finsbury Park - 16 Blackstock Road, London N4 2DW

When: Until at least March 2025

Estate agent turned burger fiend Anthony started serving up burgers to the denizens of Tufnell Park before starting a series of popups in the area. Following the current London trend, the menu here is all about the smash burger. On match days look out for the Saka burger which features two patties, plantain, cheese and Lesley's sauce.

 

Alby's Pizza at The Gipsy QueenAlby's Pizza at The Gipsy Queen

Where: Kentish Town - 166 Malden Road, London, NW5 4BS.

When: Ongoing

The latest residency at The Gypsy Queen , Alby's, is all about new York-style pizzas. Expect huge pizzas with options including margeritas, the Alby's Hot and more. You'll also find them inside Someday at Finsbury Park. 

 

Natty Can Cook at The GreyhoundNatty Can Cook at The Greyhound

Where: Peckham - 109 Peckham High Street, London, SE15 5SE

When: Ongoing

Nathaniel Mortley has taken over the kitchen at The Greyhound for a menu of "elevated Caribbean food". The chef built his Natty Can Cook business after spending time at HMP Brixton and working in The Clink. For the residency, he's bringing together his Jamaican family recipes with French culinary techniques, for dishes like soft shell crab with scotch bonnet & tomato veloute and plantain cake with white chocolate ganache, chocolate soil and lime chantilly.

 

Mamapen at Sun & 13 CantonsMamapen at Sun & 13 Cantons

Where: Soho - 21 Great Pulteney St, London W1F 9NG

When: Ongoing, until June 2025

Mamapen is billed as London's only Cambodian restaurant, led by chef Kaneda who left an advertising career to become a chef, and has worked at Aqua Kyoto, Flank and From the Ashes before this. His goal with Mamapen is to champion Khmer food in London with dishes including Khmer fried chicken bun, panko pork toast and sour pineapple curry. Chefs with pop-ups here have gone onto big things so this is definitely one to watch.  

 

Carter's at The Crooked WellCarter's at The Crooked Well

Where: Camberwell - 16 Grove Ln, London SE5 8SY

When: Ongoing

Carter's is a new residency set up by Ballymalloe-trained Franc Carter who's brought a menu of Modern British food to the pub. The menu adapts throughout the week, featuring dishes like Wookey Hole panisse wirh asparagus, aioli, salsa verde and parmesan alongside pork schnitzel, gnocchi with oyster mushrooms and ginger cake for dessert. Plus they do some absolutely great-looking pies. 

 

Daccappo pizza at The Smuggler's TavernDaccappo pizza at The Smuggler's Tavern

Where:  Fitzrovia - 28 Warren St, London W1T 5ND

When: Ongoing

The latest pizza residency at this pub features Neapolitan pizzas with a Roman twist and you can order square pizzas by the slice her too. Look out for non-pizza specials like their fried cacio e pepe balls as well as their "slice and stuff" pizza style sandwiches. 

 

Fowl

Where: St James - Norris St, St. James's Market, SW1Y 4RJ

When: Ongoing

Opposite their restaurant, Fallow have launched a long-term pop-up called Fowl. Described as a "chicken shop like no other" there's chicken in pretty much everything, from the butter to the salads, pies and more. They'll also be collaborating with top chefs for limited-edition dishes. 

 

Jackson Boxer at The Corner Restaurant

Where: Selfridges, 400 Oxford St, London W1A 1AB

When: Ongoing

Jackson Boxer (Brunswick House and Orasay) has taken over the corner restaurant, which has in the past seen residencies from Adesse and NYC chef Grant Clark. Under Boxer, the restaurant will be serving an "exclusive experimental, seasonal menu". 

 

William Fisher and Jin Park at The Hawke

Where: Hackney - 235 Victoria Park Rd, London E9 7HD, United Kingdom

When: Ongoing

Formerly at the Compton Arms with Belly, chefs William Fisher and Jin Park are now in charge of the menu at The Hawke in Victoria Park. Expect a menu led by seasonal ingredients and recent dishes have included cod with fuet, nahm Jim and sorrel as well as crispy lamb with carrot, mint, cucumber and chickweed.

 

Angelo Sato at ArtesianAngelo Sato at Artesian

Where: The Langham, 1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA

When: Ongoing

Humble Chicken's Angelo Sato is in charge of the menu at Artesian and it's one that Sato says "is inspired by my Japanese heritage, incorporating the likes of shiso, miso, katsu curry and nori."

 

Mondo Sando at The White HorseMondo Sando at the Grove House Tavern

Where: Camberwell - 26 Camberwell Grove, London SE5 8RE

When: Ongoing

Sandwich slingers Mondo Sando serves up a roster of sarnies that include the Mondo Frango (chargrilled peri-peri chicken thigh, pea salsa verde, peri mayo, potato matchsticks, shrettuce) alongside burgers and sides. 

 

Tigre Tacos  Tigre Tacos

Where: Holborn - Gunmakers, 13 Eyre St Hill, London EC1R 5ET

When: Ongoing

Up until now, Tigre Tacos have been popping up with their food truck at the alfresco Nine Lives Alley. This is their permanent residency at Gunmakers in Clerkenwell. There'll be baja fish and camarones tacos among the dishes on the Mexican menu.

 

Filthy Buns at the Three CompassesFilthy Buns at the Three Compasses

Where: Dalston - 99 Dalston Lane, London E8 1NH

When: Ongoing

Filthy Buns, led by exec chef John Gladwell, will be settling down for a residency in the pub following their start on the street food scene. Expect plenty of beer cheese. 

 

LiuxiaomianLiu Xiaomian at the Jackalope

Where: Marylebone - The Jackalope, 43 Weymouth Mews, London W1G 7EG

When: Ongoing 

This was originally a street food stall, started by Charlene Liu and her flatmate Liu Qian, serving up a Sichuan menu based on Chongqing food. Expect a variety of Chongqing noodles, daily chefs specials and more. 

 

 

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