Food & Drink Pop-Ups Not To Miss In London

Though marred by a historically poor reputation, London’s food scene is today among the best in the world – comfortably competing with New York, Hong Kong and Paris (though they’d be loath to admit it). Our capital benefits from a constant crop of talented young chefs from all around the globe, incredibly diverse restaurant offerings, and a penchant for collaboration and innovation. It’s on this latter point that we find ourselves in no shortage of supper clubs, limited menus and exciting foodie events to get stuck into. But which ones are worth the bite? Here, we bring you a rolling round up of London’s best food and drink pop-ups. There’s plenty going on this season, including Burns night celebrations, savoury gelato tasting menus and dry January dinners.

London’s Coolest New Foodie Pop-Ups, Events & Limited Menus

Quo Vadis Burns Night supper

Quo Vadis & Friends: The Legends Series

Quo Vadis is marking a raucous centenary with a series of supper clubs featuring its favourite guests chefs from the past decade. Chef-properietor Jeremy Lee opens this dream rotation by inviting Lee and Kate Tiernan (from recently-closed but beloved FKA Black Axe Mangal) to host its Burns Night dinner. The supper’s listing promises ‘the unexpected, and haggis’, and this feels poised to bear truth; the fusion menu includes a classic haggis served with clapshot, but also suckling pig, mapo tofu and rice, and ends in a steamed yuzu and marmalade pudding. Later supper clubs will feature Margot, Fergus and Hector Henderson – basically the von Trapps of the hospitality world, the masterminds behind Rochelle Canteen – in February, while vegetarian chef Joe Woodhouse and partner Olia Hercules will take the helm in March. Guests are welcomed into the club after each event. 

When? Friday 23 January, Lee and Kate Tiernan’s Burns Night supper

Where? Quo Vadis, 26-29 Dean St, London W1D 3LL

BOOK: £90, including appetiser,  three course feasting menu and welcome drink. sevenrooms.com

Xi Home dumplings

Haggis Dumpling Workshops At Xi Home

Xi Home’s haggis dumpling workshop offers a fusion take on the classic Burns Night supper. You can expect a whisky cocktail on arrival, followed by a masterclass on the history of dumplings and how to make them – but in this instance with a rather unconventional filling.

When? Sunday 25 January

Where? Xi Home, 10 Blossom St, London E1 6PL

BOOK: £65.71, including dumplings, aprons, whisky cocktail (or mocktail), personalised take-home tips and certificate. eventbrite.co.uk

Elsa Wine Bar’s Regional Dinner Series

Historically disputed borders have lent an interesting culinary tradition to the Alsace region. Its food spans coq au vin as well as sauerkraut, and Alsatian kitchen Elsa in turn straddles the span of this in its menu. As part of a monthly supper club, which explores the dinner and drinks beloved by a specific French or German region, Elsa’s February supper club is dedicated to the German Black Forest. Head chef Holly Hayes will prepare a dinner reimagined with local British produce, while wine is picked by sommelier Paul Biwand – expect to leave heartened by new knowledge as well as your three-course meal. 

When? Monday 2 February

Where? Elsa Wine Bar, 10 Charlotte St., London W1T 2LT

BOOK: £50, excluding drinks. sevenrooms.com

The Taste of Mildreds menu

Mildreds’ In Good Company Supper Club

Godspeed if you’re observing both Dry January and Veganuary this year, but this is the event to mark down if so. Plant-based restaurant Mildreds is launching a conversation slash community event – slash dinner event – and its first partnership with Lucky Saint. Tickets include complimentary alcohol-free beer alongside the Taste of Mildreds menu (think mouthwatering curries, patatas bravas, piles of pilau and glorious dips and breads). 

When? Tuesday 27 January

Where? Mildreds Soho, 45 Lexington St, Carnaby, London W1F 9AN

BOOK: £26, including sharing menu and complimentary Lucky Saints beers. sevenrooms.com

Chef Ying from Somrom Space

Somrom Space Comes To Kolae

Thailand’s food scene is wildly varied depending on where you visit, and palm-fringed island Koh Samui is no exception. Its food is influenced by Malaysian and Chinese traditions as much as classic Thai cuisine, and there’s no better way to tour these tastes than under the guidance of Chef Kru Yin of Somrom Space, a local research-driven culinary school. For the first time – and one night only – she will be bringing her kitchen philosophy to London as she takes steer of Kolae. Her seven courses will make special use of British ingredients like Tamworth pork, too, so this is not one to miss. 

When? Tuesday 20 January

Where? Kolae, Borough Market, 6 Park St, London SE1 9AB

BOOK: £65, for food only (drinks not included). sevenrooms.com

Savoury Gelato Tasting Event

Risk brain freeze with a six course savoury gelato tasting menu from Chelsea’s Gelateria Badiani. The night promises adventurous flavours ‘never seen before in the UK’… Including salami gelato. Each of these chilly dishes will be served alongside a paired fine Italian wine, and the evening ends with a Sgroppino cocktail. 

When? Wednesday 21 January, Wednesday 18 February, Wednesday 18 March

Where? Gelateria Badiani Chelsea, 303 Fulham Road, London SW10 9QH

BOOK: £65.71, including six courses, fine wine pairing, and digestif cocktail. eventbrite.co.uk

Screening Of Six Inches Of Soil & Seasonal at The Duke Organic In Islington

The Duke Organic in Islington was Britain’s first certified organic pub and, in line with those values, it is hosting a three-part series of documentary screenings to bring hospitality into conversation with nature, alongside a special menu (plus snacks) to match the theme. In January, the pub will be sharing Six Inches Of Soil, followed by a short panel from the film’s producer Claire MacKenzie, Farmer Tom (Morphew, founder of Full Circle Farms Sussex) and the Duke’s head chef Peter Weeden. 

When? Wednesday 28th January 

Where? The Duke Organic, 30 St Peter’s St, London N1 8JT

BOOK: £20 including welcome drink and organic snacks (separate themed menu also available on the night). eventbrite.co.uk

Pentire Dry January Supper Club At Lolos Hosted By José Pizarro

Botanical spirit producer Pentire has teamed up with chef José Pizarro for a dry January dinner hosted at the latter’s flagship restaurant, Lolos. Non-alcoholic cocktails will be paired against tasty seasonal Spanish dishes (think veg-forward, and lots of manchego) while a drinks guide will talk you through the flavour pairings.

When? Tuesday 20th January

Where? Lolos, 102 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3UB

BOOK: £65 including set menu and non-alcoholic drinks pairing. eventbrite.co.uk