The London Restaurant Festival Is Back

7 months ago

From restaurant-hopping tours to pasta masterclasses, there's plenty to do (and eat) this June

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There’s always plenty going on in London’s food scene, but this month the city’s restaurants are kicking things up a notch with an array of special events and menus. That’s because the London Restaurant Festival is back for its 16th year – and there’s something for all tastes on the eclectic line-up, from Mexican to Indian to Thai and more. Here are the events not to miss.

A Guide To The London Restaurant Festival: 2024 Summer Edition

What Is The London Restaurant Festival?

The London Restaurant Festival is a city-wide celebration of the capital’s food scene. Founded 15 years ago, it runs twice a year, with a summer edition taking place each June followed by an autumn festival in October. Numerous restaurants get involved by hosting events – from tasting menus to masterclasses and pop-ups, designed to showcase both long-standing stalwarts and buzzy new openings.

June 2024 Festival Highlights

This year, there’s an emphasis on celebrating global cuisine across the city. Like last year, events are split into two categories: Trending, which spotlight what’s new and exciting in London’s food scene, and Classic, a celebration of London’s culinary tradition.

Highlights this year include:

Restaurant-Hopping Tours

Fancy experiencing a multitude of exciting eateries, all in one go? Join one of the restaurant-hopping tours, which will take you on a jaunt across four restaurants in one evening. There’s still space on the Connaught Village tour on 13 June, where you’ll enjoy Argentinian flame-grilled fare at Casa Malevo, Persian dishes at Pardis and more.

Ixchel

Top Ten Cuisines

A London Restaurant Festival favourite, Top Ten Cuisines returns for the 2024 summer edition. This sees a series of top chefs hosting four-course dinners at some of the capital’s buzziest restaurants,with this year’s line-up including:

Ixchel – the head chef Ximena Gayosso of Chelsea’s new Mexican restaurant will be showcasing her authentic sharing-style dishes. 11 June
Kolae – Andy Oliver will serve a menu of southern Thai fare at his Borough Market restaurant, which opened last year. 25 June
Akoko – a special lunch will be served at Michelin-starred West African restaurant Akoko in Borough Yards. 7 June
Pahli Hill – this is chance to try regional plates from esteemed Indian chef Avi Shashidara. 26 June
The Game Bird at The Stafford – leading chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen will be cooking a British menu alongside chef Jozef Rogulski. 25 June

Festival Menus

Over 180 special menus are being offered at restaurants throughout the month. Available to book from 1 – 30 June via OpenTable, this year’s Festival Menus range from fine dining tasting menus to more affordable set menus. Splash out on a seven-course feast at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane’s Michelin-starred restaurant Pavyllon, helmed by French superchef Yannick Alléno, or try the zero-waste dishes at Hackney restaurant Silo.

Silo

Other Events

Neighbourhood Nights will spotlight independent hotspots, such as Brixton’s The Laundry, Noci in Islington, Sorella in Clapham, and boat restaurant London Shell Co, perched on Union Canal.
Take part in masterclasses, such as a session on the art of dim sum with Hakkasan chef Andrew Yeo, or a pasta workshop hosted by Emilia’s Crafted Pasta on the St Katharine Docks’ pontoon.
If you’re an Amex Premium Cardmember, you have access to an exclusive programme of events, including Champagne Gourmet Odysseys, where you’ll be treated to fine dining and champagne across restaurants like Jackson Boxer’s Orasay and Notting Hill’s Gold.