Notting Hill Carnival 2025: What To Eat And Drink Nearby

Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, West London will come alive for Notting Hill Carnival, an annual celebration of Caribbean culture. The UK’s biggest street party, it’s known for its colourful parades, floats and costumes, as well as the eclectic music offering, which sees sound systems blaring everything from reggae to soca and jungle. But food and drink is also a big part of the event. The streets of Notting Hill will welcome over 300 pop-up vendors serving Caribbean-inspired food and drinks – think Jamaican jerk chicken, goat curries and rotis. And while many restaurants located within W10 and W11 shut up shop for the weekend, places slightly further get involved with special parties and dishes. So if you’re keen to tune into Carnival fever outside of the main hub, or fancy continuing the party afterwards, here’s where to eat, drink and party in London.

Restaurants & Pubs Throwing Carnival Parties

Ukai

Portobello Road hotspot Ukai serves robata-style Japanese fare, inspired by Mediterranean and South American techniques. Over Notting Hill Carnival weekend, the eatery is getting involved with the fun by throwing jungle-themed day parties on both 24 and 25 August. There will be rum cocktails aplenty, including a fruity Akuma made with Bacardi, Goslings, orange, pineapple and apricot, alongside signature dishes ranging from sushi rolls to lobster tail bites with yuzu. Four London-based DJs will be keeping things lively throughout with a mix of afro house and R&B tunes.

240 Portobello Rd, London W11 1LL, tickets cost £10 and are available to buy at Ukai, ukai.co.uk

The Ladbroke Arms

One of Notting Hill’s most charming pubs, The Ladbroke Arms is loved for its garden and impressive food offering. It’s usually a pretty relaxed spot, but no doubt the crowds will be flocking there this weekend, with a pop-up barbecue offering special dishes and cocktails throughout Carnival.

54 Ladbroke Rd, London W11 3NW, ladbrokearms.com

Paradise by way of Kensal Green

Notting Hill Carnival famously finishes at 7pm due to the residential noise curfew, but you can continue the fun going by heading to nearby bar and restaurant Paradise by way of Kensal Green, which is throwing an afterparty. On Sunday night, both floors of the venue will be open for dancing, with classic 90s and 00s hip-hop and R&B tracks playing through the night.

19 Kilburn Ln, London W10 4AE, tickets from £5.50, ra.co

Hoodwood

Looking for somewhere to eat pre- or post-Carnival? Head a little away from the crowds to Hoodwood in Kentish Town, the Caribbean takeaway spot from the team behind Guanabana. It’s serving up a Carnival Celebration Box designed for two people, which includes a jerk chicken bowl, juicy wings, mac ‘n’ cheese, patty pies, coleslaw and drinks.

85 Kentish Town Rd, London NW1 8NY, 18 – 25 August 2025, £35 per box, hoodwood.co.uk

The Elgin

Located on Ladbroke Grove, neighbourhood pub The Elgin is right in the heart of the Carnival action. Stop by on Sunday to grab a pint and soak up the vibes, while getting a great view of the parade. It will be open bright and early from 10am until 7pm in the evening, with entry costing £3.

96 Ladbroke Grove, London W11 1PY, theelginnottinghill.co.uk

Reggae Brunch

Pop-up event group Reggae Brunch brings Caribbean food, cocktails and party vibes to venues across the UK, so of course it’s throwing some Carnival-themed events. On 23 August, there’s a warm up party at Vauxhall Food & Beer Garden, complete with jerk dishes, bottomless rum punch and music. Then, on 24 August, a boat party is taking place on a two-level vessel perched on the River Thames at Tower Millennium Pier.

Tickets from £15, reggaebrunch.designmynight.com

Pergola Brixton

Over in South London, Pergola Brixton is celebrating Notting Hill Carnival all weekend long. Its lively roof terrace will host a roster of DJs – with the option to enjoy bottomless brunch featuring cocktails like Strawberry Rum Punch and a classic Paloma. Alongside this, guests can enjoy food from Brixton Market’s Mexican-inspired eatery Jalisco: think corn tortillas loaded with chipotle chicken and pulled pork, or nachos with Mexican beans and guacamole.

Brixton Village, Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8PS, pergolabrixton.co.uk