32 cool things to do in London this weekend (October 26-27)

Theatre Peckham’s Young, Gifted & Black season is back – and in alignment with this year’s Black History Month theme, ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, they have a series of untold stories for us to look forward to.

It kicks off this week with Hard to Let, a legacy film produced by Theatre Peckham in the early ’90s. But a whole host of different shows will play later in the month, from spoken word, Black Panthers Edition to Cleopatra’s Antony.

Until 2 November, check website for listings. Theatre Peckham, 221 Havil St. Tickets here. 

Best places to eat

11. Go for a Michelin-starred West African lunch at Chishuru

By Lola Christina Alao

Chishuru goes big with the first dish on their lunch set menu – Sinasir, a fermented rice cake. It’s a deconstructed version of the well-loved jollof rice, topped with deliciously sweet cherry tomatoes, clementine & chilli dressing, and bronze fennel fronds. I quickly take a second bite in shock, as if the plate of food would run away from me. It’s hard to believe the famous dish (that has become a bit of a West African celebrity) could be topped, but I think Chishuru just might have done it. 

The next standout? Yassa, moreishly tender charcoal-grilled guinea fowl breast, accompanied by a beautiful lemon sauce. Each dish on the menu has a different texture, which makes for a consistently exciting journey. Pair yours with the Suya & Smoke cocktail, which blends pleasant bitterness from blood orange syrup with smoky Mezcal, finished with a nutty suya spice rim. 

The decor is elegant and pastel themed. Abstract ornaments dress the shelves and the lighting is soft. It feels noticeably homely – guests are told to ‘come as they are’, as there’s no dress code here. Chishuru is clearly not afraid to make clear what kind of restaurant it is (its own website states that despite its accolade, it’s not fine dining). This made what was my first Michelin-starred meal feel special yet inviting, a feeling sometimes missing from high-end restaurants in Fitzrovia and the surrounding areas.

Adejoké Bakare is the chef behind the restaurant, and is the first Black woman in Britain to receive a Michelin star. A huge (and well-deserved) achievement and hopefully an example of many more to come.  

Lunch set menu, £45pp. 3 Great Titchfield St, Fitzrovia. Book here.

12. Transport yourself to Barcelona at The Campaner

By Jeremy Ullmann

The Campaner’s dining hall is deceptively huge, with giant paradise plants that stretch well above human height, while enormous Basque cheesecakes sit patiently on the glass counter. It’s an impressive space that feels ill-suited to Catalan food – which is known to be wholesome but not exactly chic. The Campaner certainly is wholesome, with an astonishingly well-priced £35 lunch menu, but what caught me by surprise was just how tasty they have made even the simplest of traditional dishes. Grilled asparagus is made rich and luxurious by nutty, tomato-based romesco sauce, while the papada iberico (translucent slices of pork cut from the fatty part of a pig’s neck) adds a smokey dimension to an already fantastic dish. A generously-sized plate of Iberian pork rice with bravas sauce is the showstopper, finished off with a char-grilled top that is as impressive to look at as it is tasty. Chelsea rarely does food this good at this price. I’m not even convinced it tastes this good in Barcelona.

Fixed lunch menu from £35. Chelsea Barracks, 1 Garrison Sq. Book here.

13. Feast on decadent Turkish food at Leydi

By Lola Christina Alao

This all-day Turkish restaurant in Hyde London City hotel might be modern, but you won’t find teeny tiny plates here. Instead, expect beautiful dishes with complex flavours that will leave you happy and satisfied. Even the humble crisp gets a glow up, generously coated in sumac and baharat spices with an accompanying yoghurt dip. The dolma (vine leaves stuffed with tomato rice) are packed with flavour while the seasonal tomato salad is deliciously fresh. And the kunefe dessert, a syrupy cheese pastry which my friend tells me is a breakfast favourite in her dad’s home country of Lebanon, is sweet and decadent in the best way. For delicious Turkish food and an equally lovely atmosphere, it’s worth paying Leydi a visit.

Meze from £6. Hyde London, 15 Old Bailey, Holborn. Book here.

14. Sample the maeun saeu at Miga

By Martina Andretta

When was the last time you ordered a dish at a restaurant… Twice? And not because you and your date wanted the same starter – but because you just had to have more. That’s exactly what happened during my visit to Miga, in Hackney, when I tried their succulent japchae (glass noodles), and seriously considered a third serving.

This family-run Korean restaurant is understated and earnest (you’ll love it if open kitchens are your thing), and lets the food and service do the talking. The mood is welcoming and casual (‘You were here last month before your trip to Korea, weren’t you? How was it?’). I wholeheartedly recommend the maeun saeu (king prawns with gochujang sauce), but remember to bring your own booze if you’re going all out. If it’s not at the top of your list of new places to try, it should be. And good luck getting a spot.

£35-50pp. 1 Mare St, Hackney. Book here.

15. Learn about Burmese food at Lahpet Larder

By Sophie Laughton

The area around Bermondsey Street was once called the ‘larder of London’, which makes sense for historical reasons (there were a lot of food warehouses here) and for modern ones (it’s home to a solid half mile of top-notch restaurants). One of the newest arrivals is Lahpet Larder, the third opening of Burmese chain, and it fits right in. Although still finding its feet, it’s cosy and unfussy, with shelves at the front selling authentic house-made and Myanmar imports for you to enjoy at home.

Steaming bowls of braised aubergine and intense, warming King Prawn Curry are brought to your table as they’re ready, but wait for a side of fresh, tangy ginger or lahpet (tea leaf) salad before you tuck in – you’ll need it to liven up all the sweet, sticky spice. It’s worth a visit as a solid intro to Burmese food – and for the frankly addictive bowl of milk tea foam that comes with the sugar-dusted paratha dessert. They should sell that at the door, seriously.

Large plates from £10. 39-45 Bermondsey St. Book here.

16. Tuck in at celeb-owned Trejo’s Tacos

By Courtney Pochin

Can you picture Danny Trejo? You know, everyone’s favourite movie mercenary… No? Well, don’t worry, you’ll never forget his face after a visit to Trejo’s Tacos in Notting Hill, because a giant mural of the actor is plastered along the wall (and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the star in real life).

His restaurant, which also has a site in LA, has a tasty menu, some interesting decor choices, and very friendly staff. Start with chips and cheesy bean dip, then follow up with classic carnitas or (the most popular) beer battered cod tacos. Don’t forget to order the churros for dessert (the Mexican chocolate dipping sauce is worth all the calories).

For an authentic drinks pairing, opt for a glass of the house horchata, a sweet rice beverage made with almond milk. This won’t be the cheapest meal of your life, but it’ll be good fun and you might even see someone famous.

£6-7 per taco. 299-301, Portobello Rd, Notting Hill. Book here.

17. David Bowie fan? Hit up The Thin White Duke

By Juliet Walsh

Sprinkling a little (Ziggy) Stardust over Soho is The Thin White Duke, a David Bowie-themed bar known for its creative cocktails and tasty dim sum. If you’re looking for something sweet and floral, ‘China Girl’ is the one to give you that ‘Soul Love’. The Shanghai Pan Fried Chicken Dumpling and prawn toast were the standouts, I was really impressed by how much filling was packed in the Pan Fried Dumplings which were bursting with flavour and had the perfect amount of crisp.

The prawn toast is refined, flavorful version — not your typical chippy offering, but an elevated dish with perfectly balanced seasonings. And if that doesn’t all sound cool enough, it also houses a hidden gem — a speakeasy recording studio! With its blend of great food and world-class studios, The Thin White Duke’s homage to music history, is keeping the heart of London’s rock scene beating.

Dim sum from £3.50. 22b Great Windmill Street, Soho. Book here.

18. Reminisce about the summer at seasonal bistro July

By Jeremy Ullmann

Situated on Fitzrovia’s gastronomic strip of world-class restaurants that is Charlotte Street, July is a modestly small, quaint French restaurant which is inspired by flavours of the culture-blending Alsace region in eastern France on the border to Germany. Don’t expect any gimmicks or images of women in traditional Kutt costumes, all the Alsatian markers are in the flavours, the service and the wine.

Simplicity is key here: deviled eggs covered by a smooth tarragon mayo is a delicate starter that balances out the sharp sauerkraut – a staple of Alsatian cuisine – while the green bean salad with basil and peaches is balanced by a light vinaigrette. If there is any critique here, it’s that no matter how confident July is about where it’s from, it isn’t overly clear what it thinks it is, as it could just as easily be a wine bar with excellent food.

Because of this, it might slip out of mind when giving someone a list of London recommendations, but it deserves visiting and trying the exciting chef Holly Hayes’s food – there’s a name to watch out for.

Large plates from £22. 10 Charlotte St, Fitzrovia. Book here.

19. Leo’s

By Jeremy Ullmann

Behind a quirky 1960s caff entrance, Leo’s dining room echoes a traditional Italian bistro: pristine white table cloths, decorative wine bottles lining the walls, hanging pots and pans. Except it’s a bit more modern — it’s lit with enormous skylights, and you can watch the chefs preparing head chef Giuseppe ‘Peppe’ Belvedere’s distinctive Sardinian menu.

Remember — this is island food, so don’t expect a pizza or a bolognese here. Instead, try the bottarga (a surprisingly subtle powdered fish roe) and lemon pasta, it’s superb. The duck heart, fig and walnut salad is another excellent dish, full with wild contrasting flavours tied together with mosto cotto — a sweet and tangy vinegar.

With expert cooking and a lovely atmosphere, Leo’s is the kind of Italian restaurant that should attract more attention. That it’s inspired by Sardinia and not the mainland — or that it’s not a cheap dinner out — might be why, but for now it’s a delightful secret and worth every second of the trek to Clapton.

Mains from £19. 59 Chatsworth Rd, Clapton. Book here.

20. Get your five a day in style at Holy Carrot