The festive season is underway, and if you find a moment between the office parties and the Christmas shopping, there's a lot of opportunities for eating and drinking in London this week. Between coffee shop Christmas markets and our very own Guinness Brewery, not to mention the opening of the city's largest food hall, London has promised us a very merry season ahead.
Here's what to eat and drink in London this week.
Borough Market's Annual Cheese Night Returns
On Wednesday, Borough Market's annual festive favourite returns, an Evening of Cheese. From 6-9pm, sample exceptional cheeses across the UK and Europe, discover exclusive festive creations, and get expert advice on curating the ultimate Christmas cheeseboard. There will also be bars, live music, and cheese-based entertainment. A rarity in London, this event is completely free to attend!
Monocle's Christmas Market
Perhaps you know Monocle from its publication, maybe you're more familiar with its aesthetic coffee shops. Either way, there's a new reason to have Monocle on your radar. This weekend, the London flagship in Marylebone will transform into a lively winter market, fully equipped with reindeer, raclette, mulled wine and coffee from its café. Some of our favourite brands will be joining too, such as Jumi Cheese, Pophams, and Trulli Ulivi. It's on both Saturday and Sunday, from 10am 'til 6pm.
Rambutan's Buriani Feast in Support of Sri Lanka
On Sunday 14th December, the highly-rated Sri Lankan joint, Rambutan, are hosting a feast in partnership with Mr Lyan Studio and Ceylon Arrack to help support those in Sri Lanka affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The menu starts at £35 per person and includes "steaming mounds" of island-style buriani with your choice of black spiced chicken, spiced oyster mushrooms or chargrilled king prawns, with curries, fresh sambols and more. There will also be a takeover of the bar with a new set of cocktails for the day, including a Samba Rice Sour, Mandarin Spritzes and a Milo Hardshake, all featuring Ceylon Arrack, a Sri Lankan craft spirit distilled from the flower of the coconut palm.
La Posada Mexicana Comes to London!
On the 13th, London will get a glimpse of the vibrant Mexican Christmas tradition as La Posada Mexicana arrives at Hyde Park Crescent. From 12-4pm and 5-9pm, wafts of sizzling corn tortillas and the strum of a Guitarrón will mark the spot as St John's Church lights up with lively Mexican music and delicious food. Tickets start at £11 and the celebration will feature all your favourite Mexican brands, with the likes of Tajin, La Chingada, Mexican Mama, Carne street food, Jarritos and Pancito all making an appearance.
Bite Twice Freight Brixton Takeover
Instagram duo 'Bite Twice' (@bitetwicefoodreviews) are hosting the first of their two weekend takeover at Freight Brixton this weekend. With a nod to the festive season, the event is called Dine Hard, and is being sold as a 'retro Christmas food festival'. The street food traders will be carefully selected by Bite Twice and announced later on this week, with classic Christmas movies on the big screen, festive cocktails at the bar, and 80's and 90's music playing from the speakers. Tickets for an early entry before 4pm are completely free!
The Opening of London's Guinness Brewery!
This Thursday, the doors to London's long-awaited Guinness Brewery will finally open to the public. It's in Covent Garden's Old Brewer's Yard, and will be a similar set-up to Ireland's Storehouse. Once you've worked up an appetite after a day of sampling, pouring, and touring the brewery, there are two restaurants by esteemed chef Pip Lacey, formerly Hicce and the Michelin-starred Murano, to dine in, as well as a more casual courtyard affair with pints and pies by chef Calum Franklin.
London's Largest Food Hall Opens its Doors
The Market Place Food Hall Leicester Square will be the largest food hall in Central London, and is opening this Thursday. It is home to 16 global food vendors, with Thai House for authentic street food like a classic Pad Thai or creamy Panang Curry, The Duck Shed serving tender, slow-cooked duck, shredded to perfection, and the award-winning sushi joint, Inamo Sukoshi. It will also have three bars, private hire spaces, and London’s fastest-growing comedy club, Belly Laughs. Described as "a vibrant, all-inclusive destination in the heart of the West End", this might just be the new spot to get your pre-theatre fix.
