London’s Best Foodie Pop-Ups for Summer

Lead image: Avenue Goes to the Hamptons

1 The Elephant at The Gardening Society, John Lewis John Lewis’ rooftop restaurant and terrace, The Gardening Society, has welcomed the fresh flavours of Devon to London with Michelin-starred Torquay restaurant, The Elephant. Running from 1 August until the end of September, The Elephant’s residency will offer casual fine dining and the exquisite flavours of the English coast such as Paignton crab with bantam egg, spelt toast, salsa verde and Tellicherry black pepper, a fabulous soy and ginger cured Fjord trout with cucumber, natural yoghurt and Cornish dulse powder, crispy New Zealand lamb shoulder with capers, stem broccoli, lovage, curd and roast garlic pepper, and the catch of the day with Cornish seaweed butter, samphire and pickled onions. Do try the amazing chicken crackling with sour cream, too. The Elephant offers a set two-course lunch (12pm-2pm) and pre-theatre (5pm-6.30pm) menu for £19, and three courses for £24.50.  300 Oxford Street W1C 1DX; johnlewis.com 

2 Little Moon Pop-Up Bar at Selfridges From 17 July to 10 September, Little Moon hosts a pop-up bar at Selfridges Food Hall where you will be able to try Little Moon’s three new flavours of mochi ice cream, including the UK’s first Black Espresso Shot (ice cream made with activated charcoal). As an artisan producer of mochi ice cream, you can be rest assured that Little Moon will be providing you with the most delicious ice cream flavours this summer season, so don’t miss out on this sweet event! Mochi pops (3 pieces) are available for £4.50, individual mochis cost £1.50 each and the retail packs for £6.400 Oxford Street W1A 1AB; littlemoons.co.uk 

3 Sub Cult Pop-Up Owners of ‘The Soul Roller’, a Maltby Street lunch favourite, Ben Chancellor and Gareth ‘Gaz’ Phillips have recently opened an 18-month long Sub Cult pop-up in City. Since opening its first sandwich street-food vendor three years ago, London workers and tourists alike have fallen in love with the Sub Cult’s made fresh to order delicious sandwiches, where they have been enjoying favourites like Skandi Sub or Sub Contractor. Sub Cult’s new shipping container will serve signature and weekly seasonal specials from 7am to 4pm daily Monday-Friday, with breakfast subs being served first then followed by its all day menu at 11am. Available to eat on-site in the sleek minimalist design, outside in its al fresco seating or for take-away.Container 5, 2 Finsbury Ave EC2M 2PF; sub-cult.co.uk

4 Ransome’s Dock Farmer’s Market There’s no better way to spend a Saturday morning than walking around a farmer’s market filled with fresh food and delicious smells. This summer, the Gladwin Brother’s (the brothers behind favoured restaurants, The Shed, Rabbit and Nutbourne) have teamed up with London Farmer’s Market to create a pop-up market, the Ransome’s Dock Farmers Market, in the Battersea area. Stop by the market every Saturday from 10am-2pm to try fresh produce from 25 different food stalls, each offering a wide variety of ingredients from different farmers, growers and food producers.Nutbourne Restaurant Yard, Parkgate Road, Battersea Park SW11 4NP; lfm.org.uk

5 The National Theatre’s River Stage Festival Running 28 July-28 August, the National Theatre’s River Stage Festival will transform the South Bank into a glorious alfresco foodie destination. The festival will host a range of delicious food and drink pop-ups, including Brisket and Bird’s street food and Apothecary’s home-crafted cocktails. Stop by each weekend for different events where you can enjoy DJs, theatre, outdoor cinema or plenty of live music acts. Check out the website for a full lineup of weekend activities and a full list of different vendors.Upper Ground, South Bank SE1 9PX; 020 7452 3000; nationaltheatre.org.uk 

6 The Gun’s Gin Garden, Docklands Looking for a venue with amazing views, outdoor space and some fantastic food this summer? Then you’ll love the Gun in the Docklands. The nearest tube is Canary Wharf and it’s much easier to get an Uber than walk, but once you’re here you’ll love this historic pub which dates back to the early 18th century. Situated slap bang opposite the O2 Arena, its popular pop-up Gin Garden offers amazing river views and some of the best gin cocktails we’ve had all summer. If gin’s not your thing, you can also grab a beer or wine from the pub bar and join your mates outside. Even better is the revamped menu created by Head Chef Matt Colk (The Gun is a part of the impressive Fuller’s Kitchen group). We tried out some of his new dishes and can particularly recommend the heritage tomato consommé and homemade chicken ravioli. The Gun also boasts a private dining room, which according to legend, is where Lord Nelson would meet Lady Emma Hamilton for some Love Island inspired trysts. These days, it’s a bit less risqué but perfect for a birthday bash or a fun dinner with friends.27 Coldharbour, Docklands E14 9NS; thegundocklands.com

7 Celebrate Summer at Tate Britain All summer long, Tate Britain will be celebrating summer with its slew of fun-filled outdoor activities for people of all ages to enjoy. Test out your artistic abilities with the available art easels or challenge a friend to a friendly game of ping pong with bats featuring art by William Blake or David Bomberg. You can also bask in the sun while enjoying a Rex Whistler Restaurant picnic basket and a glass of Pimm’s. Make sure to stop by Tate Britain on Saturdays in July where you can sit back and enjoy a Jazz brunch on the terrace lawn.Millbank, Westminster SW1P 4RG; 020 7887 8888; tate.org.uk

8 Angler’s Summer Terrace Angler’s 7th floor rooftop terrace has undergone an authentic Italian makeover for summer with its Caffè Torino, run in partnership with Martini Riserva. Inspired by Turin’s iconic Caffè Torino, the bar serves a limited-edition Negroni menu to honour the king of aperitivo cocktails with a five-strong cocktail list (all priced at £11). Guests will also be able to enjoy chef Gary Foulkes’s new summer menu, which includes dishes such as Avocado gazpacho with tuna and shiso taco, Elderflower and gooseberry tart, and Veal tartare with buratta and BBQ’d peach. A retractable roof and heaters will keep you warm and dry whatever the weather. Open till 2 September.South Place Hotel, 3 South Place EC2M 2AF; 020 3215 1260; anglerrestaurant.com

9 D&D’s #BlossomCity Campaign As part of a campaign to cover London and its summer terraces in colourful flowers, D&D’s restaurants have all recently released fun summer menus to match their new colourful alfresco dining spaces. Stop by Le Pont de la Tour for their jazz-filled afternoons, cocktail masterclasses and try their St. Germain Jardin (a celebration of France’s artisanal elderflower liqueur); swing by Aster to check out their newly launched Flower Hour menu, offering a wide variety of flower-inspired cocktails (we highly recommend the Lingonberry Love); or stop by Old Bengal Bar to try their new menu of exclusive cocktails in partnership with premium vermouth brand, Belsazar. Whichever restaurant you choose to swing by, your Instagram feed will thank you.lepontdelatour.co.uk; aster-restaurant.com; oldbengalbar.co.uk

10 Avenue Goes to the Hamptons Be transported to the American east coast when you attend the Avenue restaurant’s summer pop-up, Avenue Goes to the Hamptons. From 12 July to the end of August, the St. James restaurant will be transformed into the famous seaside and popular summer getaway for wealthy New Yorkers where you can enjoy signature cocktails like Life’s a Peach and Frozen Watermelon Martini. Also, make sure you enjoy the selection of coastal US classics, including lobster rolls, dressed crab with avocado and freshly shucked Jersey oysters.7-9 St James’s Street SW1A 1EE; 020 7321 2111; avenue-restaurant.co.uk

11 Codorníu’s Thames-side Summer School Every other Thursday throughout August and September, you can sign up for a masterclass as part of Cordoníu’s Fizz School at the Anna de Cordoníu’s Terrace on the Thames in Rotherhithe. You can also sign up for their Paella Masterclasses where you will test your cooking skill sand create your own paella (offered every other Wednesday throughout August and September). Both of the classes are taught on the sun-drenched terrace of the Columbia Wharf building overlooking the river Thames. Classes start 16 August and run until 28 September and have starting times of 6pm. Fizz School Masterclass costs £29pp and the Paella Masterclasses costs £34pp.DoubleTree by Hilton London Docklands Riverside, 265 Rotherhithe Street, SE16 5HW; doubletree3.hilton.com

12 Orlebar Brown Pop-Up at the Royal Exchange With the summer heat in full swing, pop by Orlebar Brown’s Pop-Up to cool down with four OB-styled refreshing cocktails. Hosted at the Royal Exchange, each cocktail is modeled after Orlebar Brown’s most popular men’s swim short syles: the ‘Dane’ is a twist on the classic flavour of Limoncello, the ‘Springer’ gives a modern touch to Aperol Andorange foam, the ‘Setter’ mixes citrus and florals with CÎROC vodka, and the ‘Bulldog’ is a tried and true G&T with London No.1 Gin and rosemary tonic. Orlebar Brown is also offering a 10% discount at the Royal Exchange store to anyone with proof of purchase of a OB cocktail. The pop-up runs from 14 July-31 August, and each cocktail costs £10.3 Royal Court, Royal Exchange EC3V 3LN; 020 3086 8546; theroyalexchange.co.uk 

13 Lucky & Joy Residency in East London Be transported to China this summer at Ellen Parr (co-founder of The Art of Dining) and Pete Kelly’s Chinese pop-up event, Lucky & Joy, on Cambridge Heath Road. Follow their travels from the remote corners of China to vibrant Beijing as you enjoy dishes like Xinjiang cumin lamb ribs and Bang Bang chicken salad. Taking up residence right next door is The Art of Drinking’s pop-up bar, The New Leaf. This rotating cocktail bar offers drinks like Togarashi spiced yuzu sake slushee, Grilled peach margaritas and Lemongrass shochu cocktails. Both pop-ups will be decked out with Lucky & Joy’s signature pink lighting and kitsch flowers in order to contrast with East London’s exposed brickwork and industrial aesthetic. Opening on 1 August for two months. 298-299 Railway Arches, Cambridge Heath Road E2 9HA; @luckyandjoyldn

14 Roof Terrace Sessions at Ham Yard Hotel Ham Yard Hotel’s exclusive pop-up bar is hosting Summer Sessions until the end of August. Enjoy Summer Sundowners from 31 July to 8 August with a selection of gin and tonics, using botanicals and garnishes from the roof top garden, or go retro with a Campari or Aperol spritz. From Saturday 12 August to Friday 18 August it’s Garden to Glass with a cocktail menu inspired by the produce grown in the kitchen garden. Ingredients include borage, lavender, lemon verbena, jasmine, tomatoes and scotch bonnet chillies. Choose from a Roof Top Bloody Mary or Red Snapper to a White Strawberry Daiquiri, Apple and Fennel Cooler or Olive Martini. Then, from Saturday 19 August to Tuesday 29 August it’s Rosé on the Roof with rosé wines from around the world, from traditional light Provencal rosé to new and unconventional alternatives. Tickets tare £15 including a welcome drink and entry to Ham Yard’s Roof Terrace. Open weekdays 5.30pm-10pm, Sat 3pm-6pm and 7pm-10pm (two sessions) and Sun 3pm-8pm.One Ham Yard, Soho W1D 7DT; firmdalehotels.com. To book see designmynight.com or email summerevents@hamyardhotel.com

15 Rosewood London’s GQ Bar GQ Bar at Rosewood London offers a concise list of breakfast options for a fab alfresco start to the day. Choose from spelt pancakes with blueberry compote and mascarpone; smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on toasted brioche, and more. The all-day menu of bar bites includes an exclusive GQ Bar Burger with chargrilled wagyu, caramelised onions, watercress and peppercorn umami in a brioche bun, complete with garlic-salted fries. Favourites from Holborn Dining Room include Monkshill farm scotch egg, rabbit and bacon en croute, and grilled octopus with native breed chorizo and aioli. GQ Bar also serves up plenty of gin varieties, but the signature serve is the GQ Bar Manhattan (Bulleit Bourbon, Belsazar White Vermouth, orange soaked barrel aged Bourbon and vanilla bitters). Open 7am-11.30pm (Sunday 10.30pm) till September.252 High Holborn WC1V 7EN; holborndiningroom.com