Half-price food at a brand-new Dishoom, London's first train station food hall, and a new restaurant that dishes out gelato like it's going out of style. And that's not even the half of it. There's lots to eat and drink in London this week. Enjoy!
Eat Momo Teams Up With Josh Katz
On Friday, Trishna and Dipa Chamling of Eat Momo are welcoming Josh Katz, the chef behind Berber & Q, Shawarma Bar and Carmel, to their residency at The Coach and Horses in Leyton. If there's one thing for sure in this world, it's that Eat Momo know how to make a good dumpling, and Katz will be bringing a Middle Eastern twist to their handmade Nepalese dumplings with a pulled lamb shawarma momo featuring cumin and rose harissa. On the side, there's smacked cucumber with tahini dressing, sesame seed dukkah and chilli oil. A collaboration of dreams, if you ask us.
16 October | Leyton
Checkmate at Simpson's in the Strand
Before it became one of London's most famous restaurants, Simpson's in the Strand was a chess club and coffee house. This Sunday, it's returning to its roots with an evening dedicated to the game, although this isn't your average friendly match. British Chess Grandmaster Stuart Conquest will take on 12 players simultaneously, before the three best performers go head-to-head with fellow Grandmaster Luke McShane, who'll play all three games blindfolded. Because apparently chess isn't difficult enough...
The evening concludes with Jazz Chess, a new variation created especially for the occasion, hosted by international concert pianist Jason Kouchak. Player tickets cost £75, while spectators can enjoy the action for £25, with a cocktail included in both. A sporting event where sitting down with a drink is actively encouraged? Sounds like one we can partake in.
18 October | Simpson's in the Strand
The Clink Reopens for One Afternoon Post-Refurbishments
The Clink at HMP Brixton is reopening after a refurbishment with a special collaboration. Adam Bateman, Head Chef at Pan Pacific London, will join students training in The Clink's kitchen to prepare a seasonal three-course lunch, while front-of-house students take care of the service. Tickets cost £65, with all proceeds going towards supporting the students' training and reintegration.
15 October | Brixton | £65
Yield Gets its Third Location
As if North Londoners needed another excuse for a glass of natural wine. Yield, the much-loved wine bar and shop with locations in Newington Green and Highbury Corner, is preparing to open its third site on Essex Road. The new opening will offer a smaller, carefully curated selection of natural wines, cheeses, charcuterie and nibbles, available to enjoy in-house or take away.
14th October | Essex Road
Conviviale Brings Wine and Poutine to Canonbury
In fact, it’s a great week for Islington locals with a fondness for the grape. Conviviale is opening in the space formerly occupied by Vins, a Canonbury favourite that closed after eight years. The new wine bar will pour a broad selection of European classics alongside bottles from further afield, while the food menu features cheese and charcuterie boards, Thai-style steamed mussels and pork chops with mustard, maple syrup, fennel and cabbage. In a nod to owner Cat Barry's Canadian roots, there'll also be homemade poutine, complete with hand-cut chips, gravy and cheese curds. With wine bars popping up all over London, it's nice to see one bringing something a little different to the table. Conviviale is currently soft launching ahead of its official opening on Wednesday.
14th October | Canonbury
London's First Train Station Food Hall Opens at Victoria
This Friday sees the opening of London's first food hall inside a train station which to be honest, we're surprised hasn't happened sooner. Market Place Food Hall Victoria will bring 10 global food traders, a bar and large communal seating areas to Victoria Station, with screens showing major sporting events. Whether you're grabbing something before a train or settling in for a few hours, it's certainly a more appealing prospect than another meal deal.
16 October | Victoria Station
Juno Brings Italian Extravagance and Bottomless Gelato to Olympia
Bottomless gelato, live music and Nonna's lasagne. Juno, a new all-day Italian restaurant opening in Olympia this Friday, isn't exactly going for understated. Describing itself as a "house of celebration", Juno promises big portions and an even bigger atmosphere, with four-piece bands on Saturdays and a menu covering everything from hand-stretched pizzas to aubergine parmigiana. Even the olives get special treatment, instead of the rustic Perello tin, you'll find them served on ice with black olive tapenade and Sardinian pane carasau. It all sounds rather extravagant, but if there's one thing we're willing to be excessive about, it's gelato. Did we mention its bottomless?
16 October | Olympia
Dinner 19 Floors Above Canary Wharf
Nothing impresses quite like dinner with a view. The restaurant and bar on the 19th floor of Locke London Canary Wharf offers exactly that, alongside Mediterranean flavours, cocktails and late-night DJs. Chef Chris Dargavel is behind the seasonal menu, with a focus on grilled meats, seafood and vegetable-led dishes. The drinks list is equally considered, featuring speciality spirits, cocktails and wines from small artisanal producers. With panoramic views across the capital, we'd recommend getting there before sunset. At least while there's still some daylight left to catch.
15th October | Canary Wharf
Dishoom Borough Opens With 50% Off Food
It's been 15 years in the making, but Dishoom is finally opening in Borough. The new café takes over two floors of the Grade II-listed Hop Exchange, with interiors inspired by Bombay's bustling markets and a covered verandah for those not quite ready to give up outdoor dining. Alongside the usual favourites, there'll be a Borough-exclusive Keralan Pepper Chicken, slow-roasted and served with a coconut and curry-leaf sauce, flaky Malabar paratha and crisp onion salad. There's also a new cocktail combining Johnnie Walker Black Label, Thums Up cola, cinnamon, cream and nutmeg. If you needed any more convincing, there's 50% off food during the soft launch from 12 to 20 October.
12–20 October | Borough
Bunso Brings Bakery by Day, Pizzeria by Night to Kentish Town
Omar Shah, the man behind Belly, is back with a second restaurant. By day, Bunso is a neighbourhood bakery. Come evening, the same space transforms into a lively pizzeria and small-plates restaurant, with an open kitchen and counter seating putting the cooking on full display. The menu is beautifully eccentric with Filipino influences running throughout. Think anchovies in smoked oil, meatballs topped with stracciatella, oxtail pappardelle and mushroom adobo pizza. Naturally, there's hot honey involved too, it is a London pizza restaurant, after all. For dessert, there's durian gelato, which should divide opinion nicely. Even if you're not planning to visit just yet, take a look at Bunso's website. It's a good one.
13th October | Kentish Town
