Weekends are for fun. Weekends are for friends. Weekends are for fitting in as many activities as you can possibly cram in over such a brief – but enjoyable – period of time. Our favourite way to spend our days off is, of course, by eating great food and drinking great drinks. Living in a city like London, you'll never be lacking for a range of ace and tasty events running over the weekend. But choosing which ones are worth your precious presence (and, moreover, worth the Google Calendar invite) is a bit more difficult.
After all, there's nothing worse than spending your Saturday and Sunday at an event with limp burgers and weak cocktails. To help you make the most of your time off work and away from your glass office, we've created this handy little weekend round-up of the best food and drink events going on across the city. Anything you think we missed out? Well, feel free to be in touch with the events that you think we should be covering next week!
Without further ado, here are the events that you should be pencilling into your calendar and putting on your radar this weekend:
London Wine Week
13-19; Various locations
Taking place across the city from 13-19 May, expect to find plenty of delicious events (including pop-up wine bars, al fresco parties, decadent dinners and tutor-led tasting sessions) happening each day of the week
Taking place across the city from 13-19 May, expect to find plenty of delicious events (including pop-up wine bars, al fresco parties, decadent dinners and tutor-led tasting sessions) happening each day of the week
Taking place across the city from 13-19 May, expect to find plenty of delicious events (including pop-up wine bars, al fresco parties, decadent dinners and tutor-led tasting sessions) happening each day of the week
Taking place across the city from 13-19 May, expect to find plenty of delicious events (including pop-up wine bars, al fresco parties, decadent dinners and tutor-led tasting sessions) happening each day of the week
Taking place across the city from 13-19 May, expect to find plenty of delicious events (including pop-up wine bars, al fresco parties, decadent dinners and tutor-led tasting sessions) happening each day of the week
Taking place across the city from 13-19 May, expect to find plenty of delicious events (including pop-up wine bars, al fresco parties, decadent dinners and tutor-led tasting sessions) happening each day of the week
Taking place across the city from 13-19 May, expect to find plenty of delicious events (including pop-up wine bars, al fresco parties, decadent dinners and tutor-led tasting sessions) happening each day of the week
London Wine Week is – as you'd likely already guessed from its name – a seven day summer festival that celebrates all things wine. Taking place across the city from 13-19 May, expect to find plenty of delicious events (including pop-up wine bars, al fresco parties, decadent dinners and tutor-led tasting sessions) happening each day of the week. As if that wasn't tempting enough, the very best of the city's wine bars will also be getting involved and creating bespoke tasting flights of wine (priced at just £6) for you to try. Festival passes are free so grab yours today and swig on some very fine vino.
SicilyFEST 2019
17-19 May; Brick Lane Food Hall, 152 Brick Lane, E1 6QL
The Boiler House in Brick Lane is being transformed into something of a Little Italy from 17-19 May as SicilyFEST cannoli rolls its way back into town. The fest consists of three whole days dedicated to celebrating Sicily and its deliciously good food and drink products. Arancini, cannoli, passionate traders and a host of other great Sicilian eats are what you can expect to find in spades. Can't afford a flight to the isle? This is your next best option.
Clissold Park Food & Drink Festival 2019
17-19 May; Clissold Park, N16 9HJ
This free-to-enter festival in Stoke Newington will see top a line-up of artists performing on-stage with an equally tantalising selection of food and drink around as well
We love festivals, we love food, we love drink, and while we've never really been regular visitors of Clissold Park, we're pretty sure we'd love it if we were. This free-to-enter Stoke Newington festival will see top a line-up of artists performing on-stage with an equally tantalising selection of food and drink around as well. International street foods vendors like Meat Street BBQ, Guptas, and Sabores will be joined by the likes of artisan grocery food purveyors such as The Great British Cheese Company for a weekend of prime feasting. A host of bars offering real ales, ciders, craft lagers, specialist spirits and plenty of fizz are on hand to cater for the thirsty, too.
FOOD: Bigger Than the Plate Exhibition at the V&A
Opens 18 May; Cromwell Road, Knightsbridge, SW7 2RL
They say you shouldn't eat with your eyes but we'll make an exception when it comes to the V&A. From gastronomic experiments to urban farming, this exhibition brings together the politics and pleasure of food to ask how the collective choices we make can lead to a more sustainable, just and delicious food future.
Best Baguette
19 May; HUCKSTER, 4 Kingdom Street, W2 6BD
French Morning London is organising a 'Best Baguette' competition at HUCKSTER on 19 May
French Morning London is organising a 'Best Baguette' competition at HUCKSTER on 19 May
French Morning London is organising a 'Best Baguette' competition at HUCKSTER on 19 May
French Morning London is organising a 'Best Baguette' competition at HUCKSTER on 19 May
French Morning London is organising a 'Best Baguette' competition at HUCKSTER on 19 May
Let's get bread-y to rumble: Following the success of the 'Best Baguette' competitions which have been hosted all across the United States, French Morning London is organising a 'Best Baguette' competition of its own. HUCKSTER will be the place to be to get down and dirty with some premium pain flutes as the finest bakeries in the area will compete in front of a panel of professional chefs to be crowned the Best Baguette in London. Pop along and you'll be able to sample all the finest baguettes made by the finalists with a selection of charcuterie, cheese, and two complimentary glasses of wine. Tickets cost £20 to this carbohydrate heaven.
Tulum Brunch at Ella Canta
18 May; One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, W1J 7QY
Launching on 18 May, in partnership with Mexican town's iconic beach club Coco Tulum, Ella Canta's spanking new Tulum Brunch Series will be taking place on the third Saturday of the month
Launching on 18 May, in partnership with Mexican town's iconic beach club Coco Tulum, Ella Canta's spanking new Tulum Brunch Series will be taking place on the third Saturday of the month
Launching on 18 May – in partnership with the iconic Mexican beach club Coco Tulum – Ella Canta's spanking new Tulum Brunch Series will be taking place on the third Saturday of the month throughout the summer. The menu offers three courses of Mexican fare including: ceviche tropical de piña y robalo (robalo, cilantro y albahca, seabass, lime, coriander, pineapple and basil); tacos de castaćan con su salsa verde esmeralda (southeast pork tacos, avocado sauce, green emerald sauce); and fantásticos churros Mexicanos con festín de caramelo y chocolate (Mexican churros with caramel and chocolate). Those going bottomless will also have their pick of three Tulum inspired cocktails for 90 minutes of tequila margarita consumption. The three-course brunch is priced at £49 per person with unlimited margaritas for 90 minutes or £39 per head with unlimited agua frescas.
'Branston Boss Sandwich' at Max's Sandwich Shop
19 May; 19 Crouch Hill, Stroud Green, N4 4AP
British cupboard staple (and your grandad's favourite sandwich filler) Branston Pickle has teamed up with the kingpin of sandwiches, Max Halley, to create a mouth-watering sandwich. Why? Because it's British Sandwich Week, silly. Aptly named the 'Branston Boss Sandwich' Halley's hefty sanger combines classic food combos and various forms of zingy Branston spreads. Available from 19-25 May, the sandwich will be on sale in Halley's Stroud Green shop for £9.50. Chomp.
Afternoon Tease at W London
19 May; 10 Wardour Street, W1D 6QF
Head down to W London this Sunday for a drag-inspired afternoon tea featuring the glamorous Globe Girls
Head down to W London this Sunday for a drag-inspired afternoon tea featuring the glamorous Globe Girls
Head down to W London this Sunday for a drag-inspired afternoon tea featuring the glamorous Globe Girls
Look, afternoon teas aren't exactly known for pushing the boat out. In fact, the most exciting thing about going to most staid and stuffy teas in the city is discovering the type of jam that comes with your scone. To experience an afternoon tea that's a hell of a lot more exciting than a mason jar of raspberry spread, we'd recommend heading down to W London this Sunday for a drag-inspired afternoon tea featuring the glamorous Globe Girls. This soon-to-be monthly series of Afternoon Tease shows will see the UK's longest running drag collective take to the stage to get your weekend party started early. Tickets for the Afternoon Tease series will be available for £55 per person and will include an afternoon tea with a glass of Prosecco and entry to the show.
Kricket at AngloThai
19 May; 15 The Pavement, SW4 0HY
Kricket's Will Bowlby will join forces with culinary power couple John Chantarasak and Desiree West for the next dinner in the pair's 'AngloThai with Friends' series at The Dairy in Clapham
Kricket's Will Bowlby will join forces with culinary power couple John Chantarasak and Desiree West for the next dinner in the pair's 'AngloThai with Friends' series at The Dairy in Clapham
On Sunday 19 May, Kricket's Will Bowlby will join forces with culinary power couple John Chantarasak and Desiree West for the next dinner in the pair's 'AngloThai with Friends' series at The Dairy in Clapham. Priced at £45, the five-course wine paired menu will see the three chefs marry the flavours of Thailand and India using the very best of British seasonal ingredients. Each dish will be paired with low-intervention wines from Nic Rizzi, founder of London based Modal Wine. Rizzi's focus will be on sourcing unique wines with the right mix of edge, character, balance, and drinkability. Expect good drink, good food, and a bloody good time.
Lunch at Vinegar Yard
Every Saturday and Sunday; 80-82 St Thomas Street, SE1 3QU
Sample some of the fantastic grub at London's latest street food venue, Vinegar Yard
Sample some of the fantastic grub at London's latest street food venue, Vinegar Yard
Hayden Perrior
Sample some of the fantastic grub at London's latest street food venue, Vinegar Yard
Sample some of the fantastic grub at London's latest street food venue, Vinegar Yard
Sample some of the fantastic grub at London's latest street food venue, Vinegar Yard
Sample some of the fantastic grub at London's latest street food venue, Vinegar Yard
Sample some of the fantastic grub at London's latest street food venue, Vinegar Yard
Hayden Perrior
Sample some of the fantastic grub at London's latest street food venue, Vinegar Yard
Hayden Perrior
Sample some of the fantastic grub at London's latest street food venue, Vinegar Yard
Hayden Perrior
Sample some of the fantastic grub at London's latest street food venue, Vinegar Yard
Hayden Perrior
Sample some of the fantastic grub at London's latest street food venue, Vinegar Yard
Sample some of the fantastic grub at London's latest street food venue, Vinegar Yard
Sample some of the fantastic grub at London's latest street food venue, Vinegar Yard
Get yourself within the vicinity of The Shard's shadow this weekend to sample some excellent eats at London's latest street food venue, Vinegar Yard. Meal purveyors include: Baba G's, Up In My Grill, Nanny Bill's, Sugo and Turnips. The feelings you'll get from eating at any one of those include: joy, excitement, glee and delight. You can even get naanwiches, for God's sake. Naanwiches!
Petersham Nurseries Pasta Masterclass
Every Saturday; The Counter at La Goccia, WC2E 8JD
Using the freshest ingredients, this pasta workshop is an introduction to making top shelf tagliatelle.
Using the freshest ingredients, this pasta workshop is an introduction to making top shelf tagliatelle.
Using the freshest ingredients, this pasta workshop is an introduction to making top shelf tagliatelle.
Matt Austin
Using the freshest ingredients, this pasta workshop is an introduction to making top shelf tagliatelle.
Using the freshest ingredients, this pasta workshop is an introduction to making top shelf tagliatelle.
Using the freshest ingredients, this pasta workshop is an introduction to making top shelf tagliatelle. In this interactive class, you'll learn traditional dough recipes and a range of pasta shapes including: ravioli, garganelli and tagliatelle, and a number of simple Italian sauces to drench them in. Made using organic eggs from Petersham's sister business, Haye Farm, the rich yolks transform the colour of the pasta. At the end of the workshop, you will take home your freshly made haul as well as some pasta flour, Haye Farm eggs and a homemade tomato sauce to enjoy at home.
Breddos Tacos Bottomless Brunch
12-5pm every Sunday; 82 Goswell Road, EC1V 7DB
What's the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon? Why, eating as many tacos as humanly possible, of course. For £20 you can get access to all-you-can-eat tacos at either of Breddos Tacos' tantalising taco joints for an hour and a half of Mexican food-based gluttony. With the option to choose between masa fried chicken, baja fish, sweet potato, and black bean tacos – you're not going to struggle for variety, either. For an extra £15 on top you can also join your tacos with a bottomless selection of frozen margaritas and michelada beers. Go loco.
Unlimited pasta at Palatino
Every Saturday; 71 Central St, London EC1V 8AB
Head to Palatino on Saturday's between 12pm-5pm where, for £25, you can get your fill of unlimited plates of pasta. Yes, you read that right. Unlimited. Pasta. There's not really much else that needs to be said, really. Though the dreamy carb deal also includes a free Palatino Spritz. Book ahead now to ensure you don't get left out on the linguine feast.
Rum Punch Brunch at Rudie's
Every Saturday and Sunday; 50 Stoke Newington Road, N16 7XB
If you fancy sipping on some rum-infused cocktails with some real spicy food, then get on down to Rudie's in Dalston this weekend. Running from 12-4pm every Saturday and Sunday, the rum punch brunch offer allows you to get one of Rudie's delicious main dishes (including a hearty 'Full Jamaican' of ackee & saltfish, lamb sausages, baked butter beans, sautéed spinach, boiled green banana and bakes) as well as access to bottomless rum punch for an hour and a half. All of which will only set you back a mere £18. Jerk and rum is a hard combo to top at that price, so make the most of it this weekend.
Pie and a Pint at Rochelle ICA
Every Sunday; The Mall, SW1Y 5AH
Never will you ever feel forlorn on Sunday afternoons again, because, starting from 17 February, Margot Henderson and Melanie Arnold will be on hand with pints and pastry to save the day. All you have to do is get on down to the Rochelle Canteen ICA where the two chefs will be running a series of Sunday evening 'Pie and a Pint' dining menus. An excellent pie and a pint (or a glass of house wine) for £10? Monday morning doesn't seem too bad after all.
