The brilliant new pop-up restaurants in London to know about this summer
Summer in the city means just one thing: the arrival of the coolest pop-up restaurants in London. As the weather heats up, the capital’s bars and restaurants get creative, launching immersive terraces and collaborating with exciting chefs to create truly special culinary experiences. From J. Sheekey’s flower-filled terrace to the Lyaness Riviera on the Thames, these are the new restaurant pop-ups to have on your radar. Be quick, they won’t be here for long…
J. Sheekey’s Floral Symphony terrace
Until 31 August
For the summer, beloved seafood restaurant J. Sheekey is collaborating with Nyetimber on a special pop-up, which will see their terrace transformed into a flower-filled oasis. Entitled ‘Floral Symphony’, this will surely be one of the prettiest pop-up restaurants in London as the popular al fresco spot is adorned in bright coral and orange blooms to complement the iconic red façade.Â
Book a table to sample the ‘Oyster and Nyetimber’ pairing menu, where a tower of Jersey oysters is served alongside a glass of Nyetimber Classic Cuvée. Our top tip? Go on a Sunday, where your lunch will also be accompanied by live jazz music.Â
28-32 St Martin’s Court, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4AL
j-sheekey.co.uk
Veuve Clicquot Champagne Terrace at Great Scotland Yard Hotel
Throughout July and August
London’s rooftop bar scene just got a fizzing new addition courtesy of this Veuve Clicquot pop-up. Taking over the top floor of the Great Scotland Yard hotel and adorning it with the Champagne house’s signature yellow accents, guests can pursue a special menu serving Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut and Veuve Clicquot Rosé by the glass or bottle, as well as a selection of effervescent cocktails.
Alongside drinks a range of summer-ready small plates includes Oscietra caviar served with blinis, crème fraiche and chives, Iberico ham, Suffolk salami and chorizo boards, and a selection of homemade ice cream.
3-5 Great Scotland Yard, Westminster, London SW1A 2HNÂ
hyattrestaurants.com
Poon’s Wontoneria at No.23 Charlotte Street
Until October
Following hot on the heels of Poon’s hugely popular supper club at Carousel in Fitzrovia for Chinese New Year, Amy Poon has brought her much-loved Wontoneria to the restaurant’s incubator space next door, No. 23. Originally slated to run until June, it’s been extended for a further three months due to the high demand for this pop-up restaurant.
The moodily lit space offers tasty lunches and a newly-launched dinner menu, featuring hand-made pork, chicken, prawn and vegetable wontons alongside spicy sesame rice noodles, pig ear terrine and wok fried pork sausage. Accompanied by a selection of excellent wines and potent cocktails, it’s a winning combination.Â
23 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1RW
wontoneria.com
Tiella at the Compton Arms
Ongoing
Historic Islington pub the Compton Arms – which local fans were thrilled to discover had survived a licence review last year – is becoming known for its exceptional foodie residencies, and their latest offering, Tiella, is no exception.
Helmed by former Sager + Wilde and Trullo chef Dara Klein, the emphasis here is on traditional, rustic Italian food. Expect dishes like sage and anchovy fritti, scamorza and chilli crostini and braised hogget shoulder and polenta. Whatever you do, don’t leave without trying the eponymous Puglian dish tiella, made with layers of rice, vegetables, mussels, cacio cavallo and pecorino.
4 Compton Avenue, Islington, London N1 2XDÂ
comptonarms.co.uk
Jimmy’s BBQ Club
Until 17 September
Jimmy Garcia’s Southbank BBQ pop-up restaurant has become a staple of London’s summer culinary calendar over recent years, and it’s back with a bang this season. Serving up a six-course feast cooked over fire, highlights include asparagus with house labneh, chicken supreme with coal-fired leeks and beer braised bone marrow and beef cheek doughnut with flat iron yakitori.
This year there’s also an extra interactive element thrown in for good measure, with at least one part of each course being cooked at the Big Green Egg you’ll find on each table.Â
The Queen’s Walk, Southbank, London SE1 8XXÂ
jimmyspopup.com
Baohaus at Neighbourhood
Until the end of August
After earning cult status for his trailblazing Taiwanese steamed buns in New York and Los Angeles, Eddie Huang is bringing his cult offering to the UK for the first time, with a pop-up restaurant at Neighbourhood in Islington.
Alongside his fluffy bao he’ll be serving up a range of signature dishes, including flavour-packed rice bowls, zingy salads and spicy wings. Standout buns include Chairman Bao, made with braised pork belly, and the Birdhaus Bao, where the fried chicken has been brined for 24 hours.Â
77 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 0NU
neighbourhoodn1.co.uk
Anya Hindmarch’s Ice Cream Project
Until 27 August
Following on from the success of her wonderfully wacky ice cream pop-up last year, Anya Hindmarch is back serving up frozen sweet treats in a range of unusual flavours.
Located in an ice cream parlour in her Pont Street village and displayed in sleek silver freezers, the rows and rows of ice cream pots pay homage to the designer’s favourite British foodie brands, from Maldon Sea Salt and Heinz tomato ketchup to Branston Pickle, all reimagined in chilled desserts. Not your cup of tea? Opt for the slightly more palatable McVities Digestives, Ambrosia Rice Pudding and Coco Pops flavours.
11 Pont Street, Belgravia, London SW1X 9EH
anyahindmarch.comÂ
Lyaness Riviera
Until 3 September
Fans of Ryan Chetiyawardana’s award-winning Lyaness will be thrilled to hear that the team have launched a brand-new pop-up restaurant for the warmer months: Lyaness Riviera. Situated on the riverside terrace overlooking the Thames, the outdoor space will be serving a selection of new cocktails.
Available to-go or to sip in the sun, they’re inspired by the bar’s iconic backdrop on the Southbank and its proximity to some of London’s top cultural institutions. Highlights include the Frozen Riviera Margarita, made with tequila, bell pepper curacao, lime and agave, and the Hedgerow Fizz, a blend of London dry gin, almond poshca, fermented berries, cherry sherry and orchard soda.Â
20 Upper Ground, Southbank, London SE1 9PD
lyaness.com
