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.
The NiteryWhere: St Martins Lane London, 45 St. Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4HX
When: 13 February to 30 April 2020
What: The Nitery by Gizzi Erskine is inspired by early 20th-century Parisian niteries (which sound like they were the first restaurant pop-ups) and the more louche spots of the same name that were seen later across the pond in Atlantic City. It's a mix of French, American and English biodynamic food, wine and cocktails.
Tendril at Sun & 13 Cantons (coming soon)
Where: 21 Great Pulteney St, Soho, London W1F 9NG
When: 17 March - July 2020
What: Tendril comes from Rishim Sachdeva, previously at Chiltern Firehouse, Almeida and The Dairy and who is now going it alone. He's serving up a plant-based menu, based on British cuisine with a vegetarian/vegan twist.
Angie Mar at New Street Grill (coming soon)
Where: 16A New Street, London EC2M 4TR
When: 9–14 March 2020
What: If you’ve been thinking about going to one of New York’s must-visit restaurants, then sit tight because the chef is coming to you. At London’s New Street Grill near Liverpool Street, you can experience the cooking skills of Angie Mar, Owner and Executive Chef of New York City’s The Beatrice Inn.
Talad (coming soon)
Where: 533 Lots Road, Chelsea London SW10 0TZ
When: Mid-March for 6 months
What: New Thai spot Talad is what's being dubbed a 'perma pop-up' so the idea is that owner/chef Natalie Tangsakul has six months to prove herself to the good folk of Chelsea (and her landlord). If she succeeds, she'll get the place permanently.
Flat Earth Pizza at The Plough
Where: The Plough, 23-25 Homerton High St, Clapton, London E9 6JP
When: From January 2020 for at least six months
What: Rich Baker and Sarah Brading's Flat Earth is back with plant-based pizzas using sustainable ingredients. Last year they were first runner up in the 2019 Sustainable Lifestyle Awards best restaurant of the year - and now they're opening at The Plough in Homerton for a long-term residency.
SarapWhere: 14D Market Row, Brixton, London SW9 8LB
When: From January 2020 for six months
What: They've already had successful residencies across town and now Filipino restaurant Sarap in Brixton Village with its first standalone restaurant. A menu of large sharing plates is centred around their "Lechon Liempo" a take on the classic Cebu lechon dish.
Luciana Berry at Mortimer House
Where: 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH
When: 13 February - 7 March 2020
What: Ex-Masterchef Professional Luciana Berry (she reached the semi-final in 2014) is taking over the fifth floor for a month, she'll be serving a six-course tasting menu that's a contemporary take on Brazilian cuisine using traditional ingredients.
Alter at Counter CultureWhere: Clapham - 16 The Pavement, London, SW4 0HY
When: 7 January - 28 March 2020
What: At Counter Culture, the small restaurant next to The Dairy, it's the turn of Alter, for an all-vegan takeover. Alter is founded by Andy Hogben, who has previously worked at Dabbous, Som Saa and Kym’s and offers vegan food with street-food influences.
Palm GreensWhere: King's Cross - Unit S2, King's Cross Square, London N1C 4DE
When: 13 January 2020 for three months
What: Having roamed around the markets of East London since summer and with a residency at Netil House, this plant-based breakfast and lunch spot has now landed in King's Cross.
Seb Myers at P FrancoWhere: 107 Lower Clapton Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 0NP
When: Ongoing
What: It's time for another change at P Franco, the tiny Clapton wine bar that manages to keep well ahead of London trends with only a few induction hobs to its name. This time it's the turn of Seb Myers - who has worked in London at Viajante, Chiltern Firehouse and was one of the original people behind Snackbar. He says: "Style-wise I guess I’m taking inspiration from cave a manger places in a Paris and leaning into the colder weather with a little comfort food too"
Pacific at 10 Heddon StWhere: Mayfair - 10 Heddon St, London W1B 4BX
When: 13 November 2019 for four months.
What: Presland is getting ready to open his first London restaurant Pacific next year (with a location still to be found). He's been a big name in Australia and is known for being a top-class sushi chef. The London pop-up will be a contemporary Japanese affair, so quite a change from the previous residency.
Le Bun at the Smuggler's Tavern
Where: Fitzrovia - 28 Warren St, London W1T 5ND
When: Ongoing
What: Le Bun will have their usual menu of burgers with a little bit of French influence - but there are also two newcomers to the menu which do sound pretty great. First, there's Le Reuben, pictured above. That's house salt beef brisket, swiss cheese, bone marrow Russian dressing, sauerkraut, pickles all in their signature potato brioche. And in a "why hasn't anyone done this before" move, they're also adding a Cheeseburger scotch egg.
Fodder at Shrub and ShutterWhere: Shrub & Shutter, 336 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8QH
When: Until April 2020
What: Chef Michael Thompson (formerly of Grosvenor House, Pollen Street Social, Claridge’s Fera and Lyan Cub) is bringing in sustainability-focused Fodder to Shrub and Shutter. "It’ll be a sharing plate vibe, with bits, sticks and plates."
EmileWhere: 26 Curtain Rd, Hackney, London EC2A 3JX
When: Until 14 March 2020
What: This is run by Damian Clisby ex Restaurant Director of Petersham Nurseries, and Nick Gibson, landlord of the Drapers Arms. They're setting out their stall as "simple, seasonal cooking with exceptional wines to match".
Filthy Buns at the Three Compasses
Where: 99 Dalston Lane, London E8 1NH
When: Until Sept 2020
What: 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.
HideawayWhere: Chelsea Barracks, Garrison Square, London SW1W 8BG
When: Ongoing
What: Ollie Dabbous is back at Chelsea Barracks (a fancy new housing development) with another pop-up. This time it's a cafe called Hideaway. This time the pop-up is "inspired by the outdoor world" so expect a rustic look to the cafe and plenty of foliage.
Anju at The GunWhere: Homerton - The Gun, 235 Well Street, London E9 6RG
When: Ongoing
What: Anju - which already has a residency at Blend in Green Lanes - sounds like the perfect match, given that its name means 'food eaten with alcohol'. As you might have guessed, that means Korean Fried Chicken, Bibimbap and Korean BBQ dishes, among others.
Liu Xiaomian at the JackalopeWhere: Marylebone - The Jackalope, 43 Weymouth Mews, London W1G 7EG
When: Ongoing
What: This was originally a street food stall was 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.
Four Legs at the Compton ArmsWhere: Islington - Compton Arms, 4 Compton Avenue, London N1 2XD
When: Ongoing
What: Four Legs are Jamie Allan (ex-Hill & Szrok) and Ed McIlroy (ex-Bao). Their menus at The Compton Arms change regularly, depending on what's in season - and what's good right now. And their burger is touted as being one of the very best in London.
3 March - Palatino is putting on a four-course black truffle dinner at £45 a person including black truffle tagliatelle.
3 March - The Wagyumafia are back in London for a one-off event at the Fortnum’s Bar & Restaurant at The Royal Exchange. Tickets are £70 and it does include the Wagyu Katsu Sando – a toasted milk bread sandwich filled with thick, deep-fried kobe beef chateaubriand (which normally goes for £140). Tickets here.
4 March - Berenjak in Soho is hosting Musar Night – an evening dedicated to the wines of Lebanon’s most acclaimed family-run winery, Château Musar, paired with a Persian feast. Tickets are £70 per person and available to book here.
4 March - Hide Above plays host to one of South Africa’s most celebrated wineries, Hamilton Russell for a special dinner. Their Pinot Noirs will be served with the first courses of a delicious tasting menu created for the occasion, with the Chardonnays to follow alongside main courses and cheese. The wine paired dinner is £165 per person.
6-7 March - PITTABUN is joining forces with multi-award-winning cocktail bar, The Clumsies, for a popup of cocktails and pittabuns inspired by street eats in Greece. Tickets are £20 for cocktail and a bun.
7 March - The Martin Miller’s Blooming Terrace at Angler in Moorgate is having a Cocktail Masterclass for International Women’s Day taking through the history of their gin and making the perfect cocktail. Tickets are £20.
9 March - Top Cuvee are popping up at Dalston's Three Sheets for an intimate dinner, showcasing some of their favourite dishes since opening in 2019.
9-15 March - New Swiss Cottage restaurant Saffron Circle is celebrating Holi with a special tasting menu. For £29.95 enjoy lamb chops or chicken tikka, a Thali feast of Saffron Circle signatures and end with Rasmalai and mango ice cream.
10 March - Ben Spalding is back for a one-off supperclub in Woolwich at Stir, a social enterprise cafe, it'll be the only public dinner he runs in 2020. There will be an intimate talk from Ben on his journey & battle with mental health over the last 12 years and a four-course menu + "nibbles" (with a vegetarian menu available too). It's £49 and you can get tickets here.
12-13 March - Lovers of coffee and hummus should sit up: we have news of a supper club that's specifically focused on everyone’s favourite chickpea dip with ANAN. Find out more.
12-15 March - Nine Lives are taking over Abigail's Bar in Vinegar Yard (near London Bridge) with a limited-edition cocktail menu using surplus ingredients. The cocktails are named after three fictional characters from Mike Leigh's iconic film.
26 March - The Unruly Pig (29 in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub awards) will be joining The Gatehouse in Highgate for a special dinner. Guests dining will be treated to a menu with the very best from both restaurants alongside specially paired Estrella Damm beers. Tickets are £75.
18 March - Mark Hix’s Tales From The Kitchen Library series welcomes Richard Bertinet. Richard’s work on baking has brought many awards including BBC Food Champion of the Year. Enjoy a meal cooked by Mark and Richard in Mark’s Kitchen Library in Shoreditch. Tickets are £155.
25 March - Temper Covent Garden and City will be celebrating the arrival of spring by hosting a special evening to showcase the best of British lamb.
29 March - Celebrate the clocks going forward with a daylight saving cruise on London Shell Co's The Prince Regent. The £30 ticket includes a welcome cocktail night of seasonal seafood and Loire Valley focused wines.
29 March - Bayou Bar in Tooting's Broadway Market is having a Mardi Gras Crawfish Boil. The three-course meal includes NOLA inspired drinks and live music and tickets are £27.50.
30 March - kicking off the first TŌU x Guest Chef Series is a partnership with Ikoyi's Jeremy Chan. They'll be teaming up for a one-off katsu sando & pickle set.
21-26 April - The Marylebone Food Festival is back, kicking off with a headline dinner hosted by Jay Rayner (and his band) with chefs from Jikoni, Lurra, Ooty, Caldesi in Marylebone, Orrery, La Fromagerie and A.O.K Kitchen.
22 April - Alain Ducasse and Jason Atherton are co-hosting an exclusive dinner at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester for the charity, Hospitality Action. Guests will enjoy a five-course menu devised by the chefs with wine pairing for £290. Email anais.malet@AlainDucasse-Dorchester.com to book.
25 April - The National Whisky Festival of Scotland is coming to London taking place at the Round Chapel. There'll be three sessions with unique whisky tastings, pop-up food, drink and craft stalls, and live music.
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