Avocado ice cream, London’s hottest summer hangouts and the return of Jimmy Garcia’s BBQ Club; here’s what not to miss this weekend in London
Words Helen Brown
What’s on this weekend in London
Be:Fit Festival
Wellness warriors have cause to celebrate this weekend as Be:Fit Festival returns with a stellar line-up made up from the very best of the fitness industry. This year’s three-day event welcomes women from all over the UK to celebrate their bodies and take part in a huge variety of fitness classes and empowering talks from industry stars. From kitchen demos to HIIT and conditioning, it promises an action-packed wellness weekend that is not-to-be-missed.
COVENT GARDEN WELLNESS WEEKEND
This weekend will see Covent Garden transformed into a wellness hub with early morning yoga classes from Lululemon and Psycle London, aura readings, pop-up gardens to relax and recharge, unmissable offers and more. Post-class, yogis can head over to new Australian-meets-South American coffee house, Abuelo, to enjoy their selection of organic, farm-to-table breakfast or to Avobar, London’s first avocado cafe to enjoy a free smoothie and an exclusive 15% discount on food.
For more information, visit coventgarden.london
FULHAM BEACH CLUB
Over 100,000 visitors have swarmed through the doors of Neverland London since it opened last year and now the south west summer hangout returns with a brand new look and feel. Fulham Beach Club opens this weekend with the aim of transporting Londoners to a holiday haven. From alfresco dining and bottomless brunch, to beach yoga, cocktail masterclasses, sand sculpting and more, the urban getaway promises a summer of unmissable shenanigans.
NEW FLORAL FLAVOURS FROM GELUPO
With a heatwave on the horizon, Gelupo is introducing a collection of floral-inspired flavours available now until the end of May. The artisan gelateria is using their favourite florals to put a spin on classic flavours. Highlights from the collection include Ricotta & Lavender Stracciatella Gelato and Chocolate, Tomato & Basil Sorbet. If that’s not enough, Gelupo has also created a creamy avocado sorbet for any millennials looking to switch up their brunch sitch.
FIELD DAY PRE-PARTY AT STREET FEAST
It’s not long until Field Day debuts its new home in Brockwell Park for two days of London’s finest music, food and frivolity. To kick off things off, the festival has teamed up with street food pioneers, Street Feast for a bank holiday blowout like no other. Head along to Dinerama in Shoreditch or Model Market in Lewisham this weekend for DJs and craft beer alongside the capital’s very best street food traders including Club Mexicana, Babek Brothers, The Cheese Truck and Sodo Pizza Café.
Field Day at Dinerama, Shoreditch and Model Market, Lewisham takes place on Sunday 6th May from 12pm till late. Tickets start at £7 and include an ice cold Camden Hells or Pale on entry. Field Day takes place on 1st – 2nd June at Brockwell Park, tickets start at £44.50 from fielddayfestivals.com/tickets
THE BBQ CLUB
After a sell-out first season on London’s Southbank, The BBQ Club is back, bigger and better than ever. The split-level, riverside summer eatery features a walk-up BBQ Bar showcasing mouth-watering dishes straight from the grill and the BBQ Club rooftop restaurant, which is now twice the size – much to the delight of those that struggled to get tickets last year. Pop-up king Jimmy Garcia will be dishing up a mouth-watering tasting menu featuring lamb kebabs with flatbread, langoustines, Miso-glazed baby aubergine and charred squid, alongside delicious wines, Pimms cocktails and gins.
PERGOLA PADDINGTON CENTRAL
The rumours are true… Pergola Paddington is back with a bang for season two. After a whopping 179,000 people ventured through the doors last year, this edition welcomes another slick line-up of restaurants, two huge open bars, seven comfy day beds and a top deck terrace to soak up the sun. With the bank holiday set to be a scorcher, this hidden alfresco haven is the place to be this weekend in London.
WE LOVE CHEESE
The We Love Cheese food festival is taking a trip across the river to Deptford Market Yard this bank holiday weekend to spoil cheese-loving Londoners with a selection from the country’s best suppliers. The second date for all fromage fans will see Raclette Brothers and Mac to the Future joined by South London’s grilled cheese connoisseurs Meltsmiths, Original Fry Up Material and What the Fattoush. Permanent residents of the yard will also be serving up their own cheesy specials for the day and Shane Holland, Chairman of Slow Food in the UK hosts the Deptford Bites Live talks and tasting tent.
MARE STREET MARKET
The sun has promised to put his hat on for the bank holiday weekend and we’ll be making the most of it with a day and night of al fresco dining at Hackney hangout, Mare Street Market. The open kitchen and gorgeous outdoor terrace are the perfect spots for sundowners throughout the summer months with menus sure to tantalise all taste buds. Top picks include the Tuna Poké and Rotisserie Roast Chicken with shoestring fries, all to be washed down with cocktails, craft beers and wines from the market’s in-house drinks experts.
