Feeling envious of your mates jetting off on holiday? Don’t be! There’s so much going on in London this August, from new openings to foodie pop-ups at top restaurants. Whether you fancy Canadian comfort food or some punchy pan-Asian flavours, here’s where you should be dining out this month.
Avenue has transformed their bar into a summery Hamptons-themed oasis, complete with pink flamingos and frozen watermelon Martinis. Inspired by the East Coast seaside resort, they’re serving freshly shucked oysters, lobster rolls, dressed crab, and jumbo shrimp popcorn with Bloody Mary sauce. If watermelon Martinis aren’t your thing, enjoy a glass of Whispering Angel rosé or ‘Life’s a Peach’ – a dangerously drinkable blend of Tanqueray 10 gin, hibiscus syrup, peach puree and Brotherhood sparkling Chardonnay.
Swap the bustle of Oxford Street for laid-back summer vibes at The Gardening Society pop-up on the roof of John Lewis. You can take a yoga class, grab a drink at the Gardener’s Arms micro-pub, or book a summer house for you and your mates to hang out in. Throughout August, the team from Michelin-starred Torquay restaurant, The Elephant, will be serving a menu showcasing local and sustainable ingredients. Expect dishes like prawns with black garlic aioli and soy and ginger cured trout with cucumber, yoghurt and Cornish dulse powder.
Scott Hallsworth was head chef of Nobu London for six years before leaving to create the Kurobuta izakayas in Chelsea and Marble Arch. Having recently sold Kurobuta, he’s back with a bang at his latest venture – Freak Scene – which is popping up for three months in Farringdon. The menu takes diners on a culinary tour of Asia, taking inspiration from Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea. Highlights include spicy short rib rendang, chilli crab with avocado wonton ‘bombs’, and miso-grilled black cod tacos.
From 7-9th August, Little Social’s chef-patron Cary Docherty will once again be celebrating the Canadian dishes of his childhood – with a luxurious twist. The pop-up menu will use Canada’s finest ingredients in dishes like poutine topped with maple-glazed Morteau sausage, cedar planked salmon, and riffs on sweet treats like Beaver Tails and Nanaimo bars. On the drinks front, there will be a Maple Leaf Old Fashioned, a refreshing Ice Wine Spritz, and Canada’s signature cocktail, the Caesar – a twist on a Bloody Mary made with clamato juice (tomato juice and clam broth). Whether you’re a homesick Canadian or a London local hungry for something different, book your table today.
After successful stints at The Duke’s Head in Highgate and Unwined in Tooting, Cucina Rustica are taking over the kitchen at The King & Co in Clapham from August 7th to September 3rd. Founder Giorgio will be cooking dishes inspired by his childhood which was spent in his family’s restaurants in Sicily. Locals can pop in for a drink and snack on arancini, Sicilian meatballs, and bruschetta topped with things like fresh tomatoes or ‘nduja and mascarpone. There will also be ‘grande’ dishes on offer, such as pumpkin tortellini and Sicilian seafood salad.
Hungry for more? Check out London Pop-ups – a useful guide to pop-up restaurants, street food takeovers, and more.
