Coffee, coffee and more coffee, plus creativity and crafts in abundance and a host of happenings for the capital’s foodies; here what’s on this weekend in London
Words Helen Brown
What not to miss this weekend in London
LONDON COFFEE FESTIVAL
Celebrate the city’s bustling and vibrant coffee scene as the London Coffee Festival returns for a stellar edition of cocktails, music and art all themed around the much-adored beverage. This year’s offering features over 250 artisan coffee and gourmet food stalls, tastings and demonstrations from world-class baristas, interactive workshops, live performances, DJs and much, much more. Be sure to check out Oatly who have a Boxpark pop-up open all week and will be celebrating with plenty of giveaways and free coffees. Sweet treat heavyweight Baileys will also be there to provide festival-goers with the ultimate sugar hit. They’ve teamed up with Doughnut Time to create a delectably delicious Baileys Iced Coffee dessert drink, topped with a bespoke Baileys and coffee infused doughnut.
BOOZY BOMBOLONI
All-day drinking and dining hotspots, Martello Hall in Hackney and Canova Hall in Brixton have launched a unique Boozy Bomboloni dessert series which invites diners to indulge in a range of specially created dipping sauces over the next three months, with more to come for the summer. Head down this weekend to try their irresistibly light and fluffy doughnuts accompanied with a gloriously decadent Salted Caramel Rum sauce, available throughout the month. May sees a Negroni & Popping Candy frosting dip, while June welcomes a unique Gin & Lavender Custard sauce, just in time for World Gin Day on Saturday 9th. Priced at £5, they’re available all day at Canova Hall and from midday at Martello Hall.
martellohall.com | canovahall.com
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS AT MERCATO METROPOLITANO
Mercato Metropolitano, the community food market with an Italian soul, has presented its spring programme of workshops and events. On offer this weekend is not one, but two brilliant workshops available to the food-obsessed, the creative and the curious. In the Miniature Landscape Workshop by Rootlabs you will learn how to combine plants, wood and stone to make an eye-catching display for the home. Partakers in the Bold and Colourful – Watercolour Workshop will get a playful introduction to watercolours with an emphasis on experimentation, using classic techniques alongside unusual painting tools.
ROY’S PEOPLE ART FAIR
Unlike any other art platform in London, Roy’s People Art Fair is created by artists for artists. It offers visitors a unique opportunity to interact with and buy artwork direct from the creators. Here, you will discover original and affordable artwork from a wide variety of artists who have been carefully selected based on quality and talent. With live painting, creative workshops and free goody bags worth over £100, there is certainly something to suit all.
LIVE AT TELEVISION CENTRE FOOD FESTIVAL
This weekend sees London’s culinary superheroes set up shop in White City’s Television Centre for a three-day food extravaganza in the former BBC home. Bluebird Café, Homeslice, Kricket, Patty & Bun, Butterscotch, Bad Sports and more will jostle for position in the iconic forecourt to provide a veritable feast of flavour. There will be interactive workshops, unique pop-ups, music and a special live performance of BBC theme tunes from the BBC Concert Orchestra. What’s more, it’s all free! A must for this weekend’s itinerary.
THE PRINCE
One street, three bars and London’s largest pub garden; The Prince is this summer’s long-awaited hotspot and it’s finally opened its doors, just in time for the weekend. The place had has an overhaul for the sunnier months and boasts a new food line-up of Patty & Bun, Coqfighters, Begging Bowl, Foley’s Bao & Yakitori Grill. Get to it.
EYEKO X DYSON BEAUTY WORKSHOPS
Beauty junkies will want to create some space in the diary for the new and exclusive pampering sessions from Eyeko and Dyson available at Selfridges this weekend. Guests to the Oxford Street shopping mecca will get pampered to their heart’s content as Eyeko and Dyson join forces to offer customer makeovers at each of their counters. Anyone who purchases the new Eye Boost Serum from Eyeko will receive a free customised hairstyling session from Dyson, and those who purchase a Dyson product will receive an Eyeko makeover and a free gift. If that’s not enough, there’ll also be drinks on offer and exciting competitions to win big.
TWO TRIBES KX
Two Tribes is the latest addition to London’s brewing scene and will be throwing its doors open this weekend for a launch party to lure the masses. Guests to the new brewery and taproom this Saturday can expect DJ’s, cocktails on tap, beer pong, brewery tours, tastings with the brewers and, of course, lots of beer.
