The London Restaurant Festival Is Back

London is up there with the world’s top cities for foodies. Its restaurant scene is unrivalled, with a constant stream of buzzy new openings sitting alongside long-standing stalwarts. Whatever type of cuisine you’re after, you’ll find it in swathes – from Mexican to Japanese, Italian to French. Twice a year, this is celebrated at the London Restaurant Festival, which is back for its 2023 autumn edition. Here’s everything you need to know.

London Restaurant Festival Autumn Edition: A Guide

What Is The London Restaurant Festival?

Established 15 years ago, the bi-annual event is a city-wide celebration of London’s food and drink scene. The festival sees dinners, masterclasses and restaurant tours popping up all over the capital, with over 50 events taking place this year.

When Is The London Restaurant Festival?

Following another successful summer edition this June, the festival is back from 30 September 2023, running throughout the month of October.

The Highlights

Food Fest at Market Halls

Kicking off the festival is a special evening at Market Halls Oxford Street, one of the capital’s most exciting street food hotspots. Diners can eat their way around an array of street food vendors, from Budgie Montoya’s new Filipino concept Apoy to Sexy Buns and 20ft Fried Chicken, all to the sound of Balearic-inspired DJ sets. 30 September from 6 – 11.30pm, £15

The Jones Family Kitchen

Restaurant-Hopping Tours

Can’t make your mind up on where to go for dinner? Instead, embark on a tour of some of the capital’s best foodie spots. The Islington tour, for instance, takes guests on a trip around the neighbourhood’s tapas restaurants, including La Farola, Delaterra, Gallipoli and Llerena (4 October). Alternatively, explore the best of Belgravia: the tour on 24 October includes steak restaurant The Jones Family Kitchen, family-run pub The Wilton Arms and Latin American-inspired Morena. The final tour on 31 October will focus on the up-and-coming King’s Cross area, with visits to restaurants like Hicce and Camino. 

Binge

The worlds of food and TV meet at Binge, a series of events merging food with great shows – running in partnership with Orchard Pig ciders. Watch dark satire The Menu while enjoying a selection of plates from Electric Cinema (23 October), or try Indian restaurant Kricket’s Taste of Kricket menu while watching a TV show being filmed at the BBC Studio Works (date TBC).

Neighbourhood Nights

To tie in with the festival, special menus are popping up at restaurants across the city. From plant-based feasts at veggie pioneer Mildred’s to a three-course sharing dinner at Notting Hill’s new Indian restaurant Empire Empire, there’s something for everyone. Sure to be a highlight is an evening at Kensal Rise restaurant Harvest, where Jesse Dunford and his team will cook up a two-course meal which showcases British coastal fish alongside plant-led dishes.

Masterclasses

Fancy trying your hand at some cocktail making or wine tasting? A selection of workshops and masterclasses are taking place across the capital. Highlights will include a margarita making class at agaveria Hacha in Dalston, a Gusbourne sparkling wine tasting at The Londoner’s rooftop bar, and a cheese and wine night at L’oscar London. Also not one to be missed is a glamorous evening at the recently refurbished Bar Antoine at Four Seasons Hotel London, where you can try three cocktails paired with canapés.

How To Get Tickets

Pre-sale tickets are available from 7 September and general sale from 12 September. londonrestaurantfestival.com