A celebration of all-things Mexico starts the week off on the right foot, and it only gets better from there. Tuesday is Cinco de Mayo, and we know just the places to celebrate. Aside from that, Friday and Saturday see quite a few new openings across town, including one from a very well known name...
Here's what to eat and drink in London this week.
Theo James, Ed Templeton & Naz Hassan Open Second Restaurant
Last June, LUPA in Highbury was set to be the opening of the summer, driven by actor Theo James, restaurateur Ed Templeton and chef Naz Hassan. Almost a year later, the restaurant continues to bustle with those as eager for a taste of the bucatini all'amatriciana as they are for a sneak peak of The Gentlemen's star himself. Now, the team are opening their second location on the 8th of May in Hackney. Ornella is another Italian, but this one is influenced by Milan, where Chef Naz grew up. Expect risotto alla Milanese, tagliatelle al burro e Parmigiano, and a waitlist.
Tigermilk Comes to Spitalfields
This Friday, Tigermilk is opening the doors to its largest site yet: a 280-seat Latin American hacienda-style restaurant in the heart of Spitalfields. Set across multiple rooms, it has a courtyard entrance, an orangery, and a dramatic six-metre-high central bar (backed by over 2,000 bottles). On the menu, you can expect the usual bold, shareable dishes- cochinita pibil tacos, ceviches, and indulgent desserts like maracuyá tiramisu - alongside an extensive cocktail list and over 250 tequilas and mezcals.
A Restaurant that Employs Those Affected by Homelessness Opens in Primrose Hill
130 Primrose is a restaurant established to recruit people with experience of homelessness, and will open its doors this Friday. It will offer employees paid work, accredited training and clear progression within hospitality under the guidance of Chef and Broadcaster Monica Galetti and Head Chef Eric Zhang. The space sits 50 covers on Regent’s Park Road and opens from 9am to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed, brasserie-style setting. The à la carte menu will draw on Mediterranean influences, and later will bring in nods to Monica’s native Samoa. What's more, there's talks of a speakeasy-style cocktail bar that's set to open on the lower ground floor later next month- we'll keep you updated on dates.
Cinco de Mayo at Ixchel
Of course, this Tuesday is no regular day of the week. It's Cinco de Mayo, and one of our favourite Mexican restaurants is pulling out all of the stops to celebrate. Ixchel on King's Road will be filled with the vibrant music of Mexico being performed by a Latin music trio throughout the day, and at the centre of the evening is the Cinco Trio, an agave tasting flight in the colours of the Mexican flag: a miniature spicy peach margarita, mezcal-spiked horchata and a cucumber jalapeño margarita. To eat, Chef Ximena Gayosso Gonzalez is preparing a special short rib mole served with tortillas fresh from the comal, alongside the restaurant's signature dishes, think hibiscus and coconut tiradito with stone bass and aguachile with tiger prawns and charred avocado.
Enchiladas Festival at Mestizo
If you don't want your celebration of Mexican cuisine to be confined to the 5th of May, Mestizo are hosting an Enchilada Festival from now until Wednesday, as a celebration of one of Mexico’s most iconic dishes. Long before enchiladas became a staple, tortillas dipped in chile were already part of daily life in pre-Hispanic Mexico, and as cultures met and flavours evolved, this dish transformed. The Enchiladas Festival celebrates this journey- a collection of regional styles that showcase the richness of Mexico’s culinary identity. Expect bold, smoky sauces and fresh, vibrant flavours- 10 different Enchiladas are available exclusively during the festival!
Uncle Roger to Show How its Done with New London Restaurant
The time has come for Uncle Roger to take matters into his own hands. If you've never heard of him, he's a comedian and YouTuber widely known for providing thoroughly entertaining yet equally scathing reviews of Western attempts at Asian food. This Saturday, Uncle Roger, whose real name is Nigel Ng, opens the doors to his first UK restaurant in London with restaurateur Keng Yew and chef Daren Liew. It's called Kawan, and while the menu is yet to be revealed, we've heard it's set to blend Asian techniques with British ingredients, with there even being a take on fish & chips and a puff chicken Wellington.
Bar Etna Finally Opens its Doors in Newington Green
We can finally reveal that the new East Coast-style pizza bar from Four Legs founder Ed McIlroy and Pizzeria Beddia founder Joe Beddia, will officially open on Thursday 7th May, bringing signature slices, soft serve, spritzes and late-night energy to the heart of Newington Green. Marking Joe’s first and only restaurant outside the United States, and Four Legs’ first international partnership, Bar Etna will blend the spirit of New York and Philadelphia pizza culture with the ease of an Italian neighbourhood bar. The duo have been teasing the opening for quite some time now, so we're just happy to spread the good news.
The Yellow Bittern Opens for Evenings
The Yellow Bittern is one of those places that is rooted so deeply in the past, even the "hidden gem" hunters on TikTok haven't got their hands on it yet. Cash only, zero social media presence, phone-call bookings- its sheer lack of modern-day features needed for a thriving restaurant, including an evening menu, has piqued the interest of locals and those truly in the know. It opened late October 2024, and this Friday they will open for their first ever evening. If you're after the coddle, you'll still need to make an earlier booking (by phone, of course). However, if you want to try the wines, breads and cheeses after sun-set, now's your chance.
