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.
Chick 'n Sours at The Big Chill
Where: King's Cross - 257–259 Pentonville Rd, London N1 9NL
When: From 17 September (50% off food from 17-21 September)
Chick 'n' Sours are back, taking over the food menu at The Big Chill, its first ongoing home since closing the restaurants. The Chick 'n' Sours favourites will be back, including Kung Pao Disco Wings, the K-Pop Fried Chicken Sandwich and one of our all-time personal favourites, their Szechuan Aubergine. A selection of their sours cocktails will be on the menu too, including an exclusive Big Chill Sour.
Kaunter at Giacco's
Where: Highbury - 176 Blackstock Rd, London N5 1HA 61
When: Until December 2025
Giacco's has kicked off a new residency programme and first to take part is returning chef Jemma Harrison (previously Western’s Laundry, Petersham Nurseries, Camille) with Kaunter. She's putting on a menu that's described as Eastern European influence meeting the charm of a New York Jewish Deli. Dishes on the regularly changing menu have included whipped cod’s roe topped with herb oil and dill as well as tagliolini with jammy courgettes and black pepper, and red bisque gnocchi with dressed crab.
Thrift Taco x Doña
Where: Stoke Newington - 92 Stoke Newington High St, London N16 7NY
When: 25 September - 1 November 2025
After starting life as a market stall earlier this year and popping up all over town since, Thrift Taco are taking over the kitchen at Doña for six weeks, promising bold Mexican cooking paired with mezcal cocktails. Dishes for the residency include fish & chips tostada, squash blossom & bean tacos, brisket suadero tacos, octopus recado tacos, and to finish their twist on a classic dessert: the churromisu.
Flock at Bruno
Where: Victoria Park - 211a Victoria Park Road, London E9 7JN
When: Ongoing
Returning to Bruno for a second residency are Flock, led by Florrie Kickham (Pophams) and Lucy Timm (Leroy). They'll be cooking up a menu that centres on rotisserie chicken and golden dripping potatoes. They'll also be bringing back their takeaway chicken baguettes and will have a courgette cassoulet on the menu.
Domenico Maresca at Hometipple
Where: Walthamstow - 34 Orford Road, London E17 9NJ
When: Ongoing
The latest chef to land at Walthamstow's Hometipple is Naples-born chef Domenico Maresca. On the menu here, he'll be serving up authentic Neapolitan-inspired dishes including pizzette, pork and ox cheek ragù, ricotta and walnut ravioli with puttanesca sauce as well as classic desserts like tiramisù and homemade cannoli.
Alessio's pizza at The Smuggler's Tavern
Where: Fitzrovia - 28 Warren St, London W1T 5ND
When: Ongoing
The latest pizza residency at this pub features Neapolitan pizzas with a crisp twist. Alongside classic pizzas, you'll find their truffle and mushrooms (also available as arancini) and a hot honey pizza.
The Pot Luck Club at the Waldorf Hilton
Where: Aldwych - The Waldorf Hilton, London WC2B 4DD
When: Until 30 November 2025
Cape Town's The Pot Luck Club is in the UK for the first time, giving Londoners the chance to experience British-born chef Luke Dale Roberts’ restaurant. The menu here features globally-inspired small plates, such as venison tataki, Penang pork belly and pot luck club fish slider. They'll also have a special bar snacks menu in The Wild Monkey bar.
Dante at Claridges
Where: Mayfair - Claridge's Restaurant, Brook St, London W1K 4HR
When: Extended until the end of 2025
New York restaurant and bar Dante has set up in Claridge's restaurant. The team are putting on their signatures like the Dante Garibaldi with "fluffy orange juice" and there will be special dishes like the Dante X Claridge’s Sliders, a shrimp cocktail and the Dante Burger with smoked bacon.
Battuta by Yannick Alleno
Where: Mayfair - Hamilton Pl, London W1J 7DR, United Kingdom
When: Until 30 September 2025
One of two Michelin-starred chefs transforming their terrace for the summer, Yannick Aleno is changing his to new offering, Battuta (named after a 14th-century explorer). Here, the menu is inspired by the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa. Dishes here include a sticky samosa filled with mango and black sesame and “Etlimek” flatbread topped with minced beef, lamb and a fresh herb yoghurt dressing.
Chet Sharma at Artesian
Where: The Langham, 1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA
When: Ongoing
BiBi's Chet Sharma is now in charge of the food at one of London's best bars, Artesian. He's serving up a menu of elevated bar bites in the style of his Mayfair restaurant. You'll find dishes like N25 caviar with coconut Shakargandi blinis, Wookey Hole cheese papads, a Stilton Malai kofta croquette and more on the menu here.
Paddywok
Where: Deptford - The Artworks Creekside, 3 Creekside, London SE8 4SA
When: Ongoing
This residency is all about Spice Bags. For those of you who've not been lucky enough to try one before, the Irish spice bag is a mixture of chips, crispy chicken, peppers and onion coated in a mixture of Chinese spice and chilli. Heaven.
The Guinness Bar at The Ned
Where: City of London - 27 Poultry, City of London, London EC2R 8AJ
When: Until April 2026
The Guinness Bar has taken over the Long Bar on the lower ground floor of The Ned. They're describing it as an immersive experience so there'll be all kinds of Guinness paraphernalia and old Toucan posters. There will be pints of Guinness, of course, but you'll also find it in pies, Guinness cheddar croquettes and more.
Short Road Pizza at Three Colts Tavern
Where: Bethnal Green - 199 Cambridge Heath, London E2 0El
When: Ongoing
Chef Ugo has pizza in his blood - his nonno owned a pizza restaurant in Naples so he ought to know his way around a pizza oven. Here in Cambridge Heath, he and partner Kate are serving up an Italian-American menu - think Romana-style pizza with Chicago Thin Crust. There are snacks and small plates too including farinata (the Ligurian chickpea flatbread).
Rake at The Compton Arms
Where: Islington - 4 Compton Ave, London N1 2XD
When: Ongoing
The latest Compton Arms residency comes over from their sister pub, The Gun. Rake is run by three chefs who have a lot of key experience: Jay Claus (ex-Peckham Cellars and Quo Vadis), Syrus Pickhaver (ex-Zebra Riding Club and Acme Fire Cult) and Peter Ward (ex-The Shard and Acme Fire Cult) Their menu focuses on whole beast butchery and sustainable Cornish fish and they're keen on looking at classic British recipes through a modern lens.
Mamapen at Sun & 13 Cantons
Where: Soho - 21 Great Pulteney St, London W1F 9NG
When: Ongoing
Mamapen is billed as London's only Cambodian restaurant, led by chef Kaneda who left an advertising career to become a chef, and has worked at Aqua Kyoto, Flank and From the Ashes before this. His goal with Mamapen is to champion Khmer food in London with dishes including Khmer fried chicken bun, panko pork toast and sour pineapple curry. Chefs with pop-ups here have gone onto big things so this is definitely one to watch.
Jackson Boxer at The Corner Restaurant
Where: Selfridges, 400 Oxford St, London W1A 1AB
When: Ongoing
Jackson Boxer (Brunswick House and Orasay) has taken over the corner restaurant, which has in the past seen residencies from Adesse and NYC chef Grant Clark. Under Boxer, the restaurant will be serving an "exclusive experimental, seasonal menu".
Mondo Sando at the Grove House Tavern
Where: Camberwell - 26 Camberwell Grove, London SE5 8RE
When: Ongoing
Sandwich slingers Mondo Sando serves up a roster of sarnies that include the Mondo Frango (chargrilled peri-peri chicken thigh, pea salsa verde, peri mayo, potato matchsticks, shrettuce) alongside burgers and sides.
Filthy Buns at the Star of Kings
Where: King's Cross - 126 York Way, London N1 OAX
When: Ongoing
Filthy Buns, led by exec chef John Gladwell, is now settling down for a residency in the at a new pub following their start on the street food scene. Expect plenty of beer cheese.
Liu Xiaomian at the Jackalope
Where: Marylebone - The Jackalope, 43 Weymouth Mews, London W1G 7EG
When: Ongoing
This was originally a street food stall, 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 chef's specials and more.
8-30 September - Celebrating 20 years of his restaurant career, Sam Harrison is having a series of supperclubs throughout September at both Sam's Waterside and Sam's Riverside. He'll be teaming up with HG Walter, Wright Bros, Phoenix Farm and more for specially curated dinners.
15 September (Bermondsey) - José Pizarro is having a one-night-only dinner at Lolo, in collaboration with Spain’s iconic Ibérico Jamón producer, Cinco Jotas.
15-20 September - Kitty Fisher's is celebrating its 10th birthday with a week of partying including bringing back some of their favourite dishes of the last decade.
17 September (St James) - Ramael Scully of Scully St James is teaming up with forager Flavour Fred for Wild Flavours: A Foraged & Fermented Dinner – a one-off dinner celebrating sustainability. The four-course tasting menu is £75 which includes a homemade infusion on arrival.
17 September (Covent Garden) - For one night only, Angela Hartnett and Nick Grimshaw are bringing their podcast Dish from Waitrose to the stage at the Royal Opera House for a live show. Tickets start at £25.
18 September (Barnes) - Jack Stein is teaming up with acclaimed Irish chef (and new MasterChef host) Anna Haugh, for the last chapter of his 2025 Seafood Odyssey Series. It'll be a five-course feast inspired by the mythical tales of Ireland and the bountiful flavours of the Cornish coast.
18 September - Mindful wine brand 6Percent are teaming up with Padel Box in Bermondsey for an evening of sport and socialising. Tickets are £28 for two hours of padel accompanied with two glasses of wine. Book on the Playtomic app.
19 September - Award-winning Irish bar Paladar from Cork is taking over the bar at Boundary Shoreditch for one night with a cocktail menu using Two Shores Rum.
19 September - For one night only, Singburi are bringing together with other top London Thai spots for an evening of amazing food and drinks. Joining the fun on their terrace are Smoking Goat, som saa, and Kin + Deum. It's a first come, first served affair; with profits from the food sold donated to Magic Breakfast. From 6pm.
19-21 September - Chef Tom Booton (ex-Dorchester Grill) is teaming up with the OXO Tower Restaurant for a three-day pop-up. Expect a very British menu in a landmark London setting including tableside beef tartare and a Baked Waterloo cheese with truffle honey.
21 September (Brick Lane) - The Brick Lane Curry Festival is back after nine years away. There will be street stalls at each of the participating restaurants, including specialty dishes and pop-up cooking demonstrations as well as festival-themed street art and live graffiti presentations. It's free to attend.
25 September (The City) - Fenchurch, Kerth Gumbs’ restaurant at the Walkie Talkie is hosting a Bordeaux Wine Dinner. There are just 14 spaces for the dinner with courses paired by exceptional and rare vintages from Edmond de Rothschild Wines. Tickets are £185 which includes a glass of Barons de Rothschild Blanc de Blancs on arrival, canapés and the dinner with each course paired with Bordeaux wines
25 September (Chelsea) - Ex-Dorchester chef Tom Booton is teaming up with Phil Howard for a one-night-only dinner at Elystan Street. The menu includes Tom’s beef tartare with oxtail, radish and confit yolk and barbecued lamb with chorizo, courgette, feta and pine nuts. The dinner is £125 for six courses.
28 September - Fortune Fried Chicken are taking over Sol's in Bayswater for a day to send off the summer. They'll be serving up their Thai style chicken burgers, wings and tenders with Jura fizz pairings by the Sol's team.
29 September (Mayfair) - Chef Chet Sharma's latest BiBi & Friends sees him welcoming chefs Cal Byerley and Ian Waller from Pine in Newcastle. The autumnal menu has classics from each restaurant including Scallop Nimbu Pani from BiBi and Tomato, Fennel Pollen & Strawberry from Pine. Tickets are £195.
29 September (The City) - Selin Kiazim's restaurant Leydi is hosting a one-night-only Kebab Flight Night, featuring five kebabs (and one dessert). Popping up for the night are Nick Bramham (Quality Wines), Elliot Hashtroudi (Camille), Ben Marks (Perilla/ Morchella), Cynthia Shanmugalingam & Sofia Tertzkakian (Rambutan) and Ravneet Gill (Gina). Tickets are £95 and that includes all the kebabs.
29 September (Mayfair) - Merlin Labron-Johnson from Osip in Somerset is the latest chef to be announced as part of Claridge's Kitchen Supper Series in partnership with The Good Food Guide. Tickets are £250 for dinner.
7 October (Fitzrovia) - For one night only, Martin Morales (Ceviche and Andina) is back in the kitchen for the first time in six years. He's teaming up with chef Quique Dacosta at Arros QD where they will "reimagine five centuries of flavour and cultural exchange between Spain and Peru" over five courses with entertainment too. Tickets start at £190.
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