Grub’s Up! The Best Upcoming London Foodie Events, Menus And Pop-Ups
By
3 days ago
Sink your teeth into a buffet of chef residencies, supper clubs and more
London’s food and drink calendar is stacked – from Mahjong clubs and mid-autumn feasts to immersive cabaret dinners, DJ-led bar nights and one-off giveaways, there’s no shortage of things worth planning your week around. But which ones are actually worth the bite? Here’s our rolling round-up of the best London food events, pop-ups and limited-time menus right now.
The Best London Food Events And Pop-Ups Happening Right Now
Mahjong Mondays at the Canton Blue
Mahjong Mondays
London’s Mahjong scene has been steadily growing across the past few years – with a younger generation of player taking over the game, and, much like a wave of chess nights, setting up social clubs where you pair tiles with tipples. Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or new to Mahjong, check out a new weekly club at the Peninsula Hotel‘s Canton Blue tea lounge. Your ticket includes a bowl of hand-pulled noodles as well as an apricot gin and yellow baijiu martini. If you’re hooked and competitive, you can optionally book a tutor.
When? Mondays, ongoing
Where? Canton Blue, The Peninsula London, 1 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7HJ
BOOK: £30 via sevenrooms.com, book a tutor a week in advance from £100 for a group of four.
Chefs Ben Allen and Budgie Montoya are collaborating for a special one-night-only event at the Parakeet
The Parakeet x Café Kowloon
The Parakeet in Kentish Town is locally beloved for Chef Ben Allen’s cosy modern European menu. Chef Budgie Montoya has built up a cult following in Hackney for his take on Cantonese fare at the lively Café Kowloon. And, for one night only, they’ll combine forces at The Parakeet, bringing the best of both their menus together, for a one-off supper club. Expect Allen’s fire-led cooking and Montoya’s playful approach to fusion food over seven courses. Highlights include prawn toast with laverbread dip and cockles, and a Szechuan honey ice cream finale. If you missed out on the first and second waves of tickets, there’s still a chance to try – a Café Kowloon guest dish (dressed oyster with calamansi) will feature on The Parakeet’s menu until 6 October.
When? 6pm, 23 September
Where? The Parakeet, 256 Kentish Town Road, NW5 2EN
BOOK: £90pp via designmynight.com
Listening bars are having a moment – Room 86 will pair it this month with Suntory Whisky highballs and omakase plates
Room 86 Toki-O Nights
Dinners, drinks and DJs – high octane suppers are going nowhere. New Soho venue Room 86 (previously The Listening Room) is hosting a series of hi-fi music nights where you can expect to sip while someone spins the decks. On 23 September, catch Parisian DJ Alex Prat (@AlexfromTokyo) – who made his name in the 90s underground scene in Tokyo – who’ll dish out deep house, Detroit techno, Balearic and Japanese selections, while you pick at dishes from upstairs grill and omakase restaurant, MOI. Make sure to grab a Toki highball while you’re there – a new cocktail menu is created in collaboration with Suntory.
When? 23 September
Where? 86 Wardour St, London W1F 0TQ
BOOK: No need to book; the event is free
Free Matcha At Southbank
PerfectTed is launching a new flavour – Birthday Cake – and it will be doling out cupcakes and freshly whisked matcha at Southbank in a fifth birthday celebration. The drink is ceremonial grade and you can expect to be among the first in the country to try it.
When? 12-6pm, 24 September
Where? Observation Point, South Bank, London SE1 9PP
BOOK: No need to book; the event is free
The Hons BBQ x Rogue Sarnies sandwich party will collide two cult venues
Rogue Sarnies x Hon’s BBQ Sandwich Late
What’s not to love about the idea of a sandwich party? Two cult venues, Rogue Sarnies and Hon’s BBQ, are pooling their skills together to create exceptional subs for one weekend only. The former, a sandwich shop on Poyser Street, will host a late night party on Friday 25 September and provide glorious carbs to house fire-cooked fillings by Hon. Think ginger black vinegar-glazed pork belly and pickled daikon rolls with smashed new potatoes, as well as chilli salt corn ribs. Hon will hit the decks, too (presumably before getting started on the deckers). And then the menu repeats until sold-out on Saturday 26 September.
When? 25-26 September
Where? Rogue Sarnies, 263 Poyser St, London E2 9RF
BOOK: £20 tickets for Friday night (includes sandwich and beer) via order.storekit.com
Enjoy a very special performance that immerses you in the world of Cabaret as you dine. Photography by Daniel Carminati
The Kit Kat Club Takeover Of Balthazar Covent Garden
Step into an immersive Kit Kat Club at Balthazar Covent Garden. For six weeks, Friday night diners will enjoy a very special show, featuring cameos from Cabaret’s Prologue performers. The cocktail menu, created in collaboration with Brugal Rum, will take you further into the world of the show, with delicious tipples including The Willkommen (a sparkling rum smash) and The Finale (a spin on a rum and banana espresso martini) as well as a food menu that includes duck confit and steak frites with béarnaise sauce. Late night diners enjoy a free cocktail at the start of their dinners.
When? Every Friday night from 25 September
Where? Balthazar Covent Garden, 4-6 Russell St, London WC2B 5HZ
BOOK: £65pp (Fridays only, from 7.30pm) via balthazarlondon.com
