Seasonal
The 6 Best Food Festivals in London
From Michelin chefs in Regent's Park to whole hogs smoking over open fire at Tobacco Dock, this is the eating calendar worth planning a year around.
In short: our top picks are Taste of London, Meatopia and London Coffee Festival. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
London does not really have a food festival season; it has a food festival year. The big names earn their reputation for a reason, and the ticket price usually buys you dishes from restaurants you would otherwise wait months to book. My rule is simple: go to the evening sessions where the crowds thin and the chefs relax, drink the thing the producer is most excited about, and never fill up before you arrive. These six are the ones I tell people to actually buy tickets for.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Taste of London | The Regent's Park | ££ |
| Meatopia | Wapping | |
| London Coffee Festival | Brick Lane | |
| Foodies Festival | Brentford | |
| Pub in the Park | Chiswick | |
| Street Feast | Canada Water |
-
Editor’s choice
Taste of London
Why we pick itDozens of the capital's best restaurants set up open-air kitchens in the park, serving small plates so you can graze across the city in one afternoon.
summer restaurant festival
-
Meatopia
Why we pick itAround 85 chefs cook a single dish each over wood and charcoal, redeemed with Meatbucks, making it the UK's most serious open-fire meat event.
live-fire BBQ festival
-
London Coffee Festival
Why we pick itHundreds of artisan roasters, baristas and gourmet brands fill the Truman Brewery, with the Coffee Masters competition and Latte Art Live drawing the crowds.
coffee and food fair
-
Foodies Festival
Why we pick itThe travelling UK festival lands at Syon Park each spring with chef theatres, a cake-off, street food and live bands over a bank holiday weekend.
food and music festival
-
Pub in the Park
Why we pick itThe touring festival brings Michelin-starred pop-up pubs and live bands to Chiswick House & Gardens, pairing proper cooking with a big weekend on the green.
chef and music festival
-
Street Feast
Why we pick itThe original London street food operator runs late-night markets such as Hawker House, packing global traders, cocktail bars and DJs under one roof.
street food markets
Before you book
Most of these sell tiered sessions, so the cheaper afternoon slots go first and the evening ones are calmer; book three to four weeks out. Taste of London, Meatopia and the Coffee Festival all run at parks or docks well served by the Tube, but Foodies at Syon Park and Pub in the Park’s London leg are further out, so check the nearest station and allow travel time. Carry cash or a backup card, as a few independent traders still go card-only or cash-only without warning.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Taste of London is our editor's choice: Dozens of the capital's best restaurants set up open-air kitchens in the park, serving small plates so you can graze across the city in one afternoon. Taste of London, Meatopia and London Coffee Festival lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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