From Asian bakeries to vibrant-coloured doors, there's a few new openings to keep your eye on this week, alongside a celebration of mangoes and the return of summer in the square!
Here's what to eat and drink in London this week: 6th July.
Rise & Fold brings Asian-inspired baking to Bloomsbury
Did you know that there's more than one Chinatown in London? In fact, the vibrant stretch of hot pot cafés and salt bread bakeries in Bloomsbury gives Soho a run for its money. A new addition to the area is Rise & Fold, a bakery offering Asian flavours with European technique. Everything is made in-house, from the matcha cashew praline cookie and yuzu wasabi prawn roll to the kimchi and chilli oils. They just opened on Saturday, and are already said to be the home of London's best salt bread. Is it true? There's only one way to find out.
The Little Neon Door opens in Shoreditch
Much like having a Pret subscription in 2023, going to at least one Little Door has become something of a London rite of passage. If you haven't ticked it off yet, now's your chance. The Little Neon Door arrives in Shoreditch, following the group's signature house-party concept, with themed spaces including the Sitting Room, Kitchen and Living Room, plus karaoke in the Shower Room and a fancy-dress Dressing Room.
Expect cocktails alongside standard party food such as pizzas, burgers, and tacos, all wrapped up in a venue inspired by Shoreditch's loft-living and creative culture. It's the biggest Little Door yet, and if you fancy checking it out- there's no time like the present. Especially with 50% off your bill starting today, 6th July.
Celeste Restaurant opens in Notting Hill
This one slipped under our radar... Celeste Restaurant, the first restaurant open to the public by Estelle Community, opened last month, and it looks nothing short of fabulous. Housed in the former Beach Blanket Babylon on Ledbury Road, it's serving Italian American dishes with a Californian influence, with an all-day menu that features handmade pastas, pizzette and seasonal plates, alongside a wine list of more than 1,000 bottles. Designed as a relaxed neighbourhood destination, Celeste is open from breakfast through to dinner with an al fresco front terrace for sun-soaked mornings.
Rocola launches with rotating guest chefs
Rocola, a new restaurant and rotating kitchen is coming to Mare Street in Hackney from the team behind Crudo and Tiny Wine. Nico Reynolds, kicks off its changing programme of guest chefs with an opening menu inspired by his Jamaican and Irish heritage, alongside influences from time spent in Buenos Aires. Key dishes include prawn causa, summer squash tiradito, aji de gallina tostadas and a masterpiece which combines a Jamaican kick, an Irish heartiness, and a crisp Latin American bite: a jerk lamb shepherd's pie coxinha. Alongside each residency, Rocola will serve a concise permanent menu inspired by Southern Europe and Latin America, while Tiny Wine curates a list focused on small-scale producers.
Malik Acid's Mango Listening Bar returns
Mango Listening Bar is back for its second year, celebrating the end of South Asian mango season with a weekend dedicated to food, drinks and music. Created by Malik Acid in partnership with Lost Explorer, the two-day event combines mango-inspired dishes, cocktails and tastings with vinyl-only DJ sets and collaborators playing music inspired by the fruit. Half of all food and drink profits will be donated to the Amos Trust, supporting its human rights work. The best part? It's completely free to attend.
Korea Grandma brings Seoul to Shoreditch
Virgin Atlantic Holidays presents Heart + Seoul, a one-weekend-only Korean supper club hosted by beloved Korean cultural icon Park Mak-Rye, better known as @Korea_Grandma. Taking place on 10 and 11 July, the communal dining experience showcases family recipes inspired by Seoul's restaurants, markets and home kitchens. Guests can expect traditional banchan, generous sharing dishes and Korean drinks, with all proceeds going to Save the Children. Tickets are £30, and at every sitting, one lucky guest will win return flights to Seoul.
A one-night celebration of Portugal's prized Maronesa beef
Bar Douro London Bridge is hosting the UK's first supper club dedicated to Maronesa, one of Portugal's most celebrated native cattle breeds. The evening welcomes João and André from Carnes Irmãos Unidos, whose family farms and butchers have championed the breed for generations. For this event, they'll export Maronesa beef to the UK for the very first time. Guests will enjoy a five-course sharing menu showcasing a variety of cuts before finishing with a prime Maronesa steak, offering a rare opportunity to experience one of Portugal's finest regional ingredients without leaving London. The five-course menu is priced at £95 per person.
Alexandra Dudley takes over The Palomar
Food writer and author Alexandra Dudley joins The Palomar kitchen on 6 July for a one-night-only guest chef dinner celebrating recipes from her new cookbook, Cooking Made Simple. Expect colourful Mediterranean-inspired dishes centred around seasonal produce, including basil devilled eggs with crab, stuffed grilled squid with tomato and feta, charred lettuce with ajo blanco, and spiced aubergine with dates and yoghurt, alongside a special Summer Fling aperitif.
Summer in the Square returns to Marylebone
Last but not least, Marylebone's much-loved Summer in the Square is back from 7–12 July, transforming the usually private Portman Square Garden into a free festival of food, culture and Wimbledon screenings.
Alongside live tennis on the big screen, expect guest chefs including Café Murano, Donostia and The Montagu Kitchen, KERB street food, cocktail masterclasses, wellness sessions and creative workshops. It's a rare chance to enjoy one of central London's hidden green spaces while sampling some of Marylebone's best food and drink.
