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.
Rake at The Compton Arms
Where: Islington - 4 Compton Ave, London N1 2XD
When: From 9 January 2025
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.
Philippe Sonou at Naughty Piglets
Where: Brixton - 28 Brixton Water Ln, London SW2 1PE
When: 6 January 2024 for four weeks
After a successful pop-up at Naughty Piglets last year, MasterChef The Professional finalist Philppe Sounou is back at Naughty Piglets for a second stint. Expect a West African focus with previous dishes including barbecued spiced chicken, jollof rice, fried plantain and more.
Alby's Pizza at The Gipsy Queen
Where: Kentish Town - 166 Malden Road, London, NW5 4BS.
When: Ongoing
The latest residency at The Gypsy Queen , Alby's, is all about new York-style pizzas. Expect huge pizzas with options including margeritas, the Alby's Hot and more. You'll also find them inside Someday at Finsbury Park.
Natty Can Cook at The Greyhound
Where: Peckham - 109 Peckham High Street, London, SE15 5SE
When: Ongoing
Nathaniel Mortley has taken over the kitchen at The Greyhound for a menu of "elevated Caribbean food". The chef built his Natty Can Cook business after spending time at HMP Brixton and working in The Clink. For the residency, he's bringing together his Jamaican family recipes with French culinary techniques, for dishes like soft shell crab with scotch bonnet & tomato veloute and plantain cake with white chocolate ganache, chocolate soil and lime chantilly.
Mamapen at Sun & 13 Cantons
Where: Soho - 21 Great Pulteney St, London W1F 9NG
When: Ongoing, until June 2025
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.
Carter's at The Crooked Well
Where: Camberwell - 16 Grove Ln, London SE5 8SY
When: Ongoing
Carter's is a new residency set up by Ballymalloe-trained Franc Carter who's brought a menu of Modern British food to the pub. The menu adapts throughout the week, featuring dishes like Wookey Hole panisse wirh asparagus, aioli, salsa verde and parmesan alongside pork schnitzel, gnocchi with oyster mushrooms and ginger cake for dessert. Plus they do some absolutely great-looking pies.
Daccappo 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 Roman twist and you can order square pizzas by the slice her too. Look out for non-pizza specials like their fried cacio e pepe balls as well as their "slice and stuff" pizza style sandwiches.
Fowl
Where: St James - Norris St, St. James's Market, SW1Y 4RJ
When: Ongoing
Opposite their restaurant, Fallow have launched a long-term pop-up called Fowl. Described as a "chicken shop like no other" there's chicken in pretty much everything, from the butter to the salads, pies and more. They'll also be collaborating with top chefs for limited-edition dishes.
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".
William Fisher and Jin Park at The Hawke
Where: Hackney - 235 Victoria Park Rd, London E9 7HD, United Kingdom
When: Ongoing
Formerly at the Compton Arms with Belly, chefs William Fisher and Jin Park are now in charge of the menu at The Hawke in Victoria Park. Expect a menu led by seasonal ingredients and recent dishes have included cod with fuet, nahm Jim and sorrel as well as crispy lamb with carrot, mint, cucumber and chickweed.
Angelo Sato at Artesian
Where: The Langham, 1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA
When: Ongoing
Humble Chicken's Angelo Sato is in charge of the menu at Artesian and it's one that Sato says "is inspired by my Japanese heritage, incorporating the likes of shiso, miso, katsu curry and nori."
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.
Tigre Tacos
Where: Holborn - Gunmakers, 13 Eyre St Hill, London EC1R 5ET
When: Ongoing
Up until now, Tigre Tacos have been popping up with their food truck at the alfresco Nine Lives Alley. This is their permanent residency at Gunmakers in Clerkenwell. There'll be baja fish and camarones tacos among the dishes on the Mexican menu.
Filthy Buns at the Three Compasses
Where: Dalston - 99 Dalston Lane, London E8 1NH
When: Ongoing
Filthy Buns, led by exec chef John Gladwell, will be settling down for a residency in the 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 chefs specials and more.
6 January to 31 March - The Montague on the Gardens is having a pop-up Alpine-inspired Winter Lodge where you can book for a two-hour fondue session. It's £50 for two people.
15 Jan and 19 Feb - Learn how to make Polish pierogis at E5 Bakehouse. The three-hour, hands-on class is taught by bakery chef Ania. Students will learn how to make the dumplings and their fillings before cooking them to enjoy for dinner. There will be plenty of pierogies to take home and share with friends and family. It's £75 for the class, dinner and an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink.
16 Jan - Cornus is teaming up with premium tea specialists Lalani & Co, to host a special tasting event in its PDR. For £150, guests can enjoy a five-course menu from Executive Chef Gary Foulkes, paired with Lalani & Co teas - expertly selected and brewed by its founder Jameel. Email info@cornusrestaurant.co.uk to book.
22 Jan - Niklas Ekstedt is taking over Samyukta Nair’s Mayfair restaurant, KOYN, for a one-night-only collaboration with Executive Chef Rhys Cattermoul. The duo's six course menu which be a fusion of Japanese and Nordic techniques. Tickets are £98 for the 6-course menu and a welcome drink.
23 Jan - As part of his ongoing Elystan Street collaboration series t series, Phil Howard is welcoming vegan chef Alexis Gauthier to his restaurant for a six-course collaborative dinner. Dishes include a black truffle demi-lune with Jerusalem artichoke and dashi cream. Tickets are £95.
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