The London Restaurant Festival 2024 serves up a month-long feast of culinary experiences, showcasing the capital’s diverse gastronomic scene.
The London Restaurant Festival (LRF), in partnership with American Express®, is set to return this autumn with a mouth-watering lineup of events showcasing the capital’s diverse culinary scene.
The festival, which runs from 27 September to 31 October 2024, guarantees a variety of culinary experiences that will captivate both food enthusiasts and casual diners.
A Feast for the Senses: Festival Highlights
The 16th London Restaurant Festival commences with a splash, boasting over fifty distinctive experiences throughout the city. Ranging from tasting menus hosted by chefs to masterclasses and tours of multiple restaurants, the festival salutes London’s culinary skill in both up-and-coming and legendary establishments.
The Food Fest, a one-night street food fiesta, is set to commence on Friday, 27th September at Arcade Tottenham Court Road. In collaboration with Wonderland Cocktails, this freshly minted concept by BrewDog encompasses a welcome cocktail, a meal from one of the nine fantastic food vendors at Arcade, a delight from Millie’s Cookies, and a live DJ performance, all for just £16.
Culinary Adventures: From Staycations to Restaurant-Hopping
The festival presents ‘The Gastronomic Staycation’ for a more decadent experience. This lavish package comprises an overnight stay at the 5-star Great Scotland Yard Hotel, a member of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. A weekend schedule filled with culinary heavyweights, such as a lunch with Michelin-starred chef Phil Howard and dinner with Indian cuisine icon, Vivek Singh, is included.
The well-liked ‘Restaurant-Hopping Tours’ are back, guiding guests on gastronomic adventures across renowned locations. These tours provide the chance to explore four distinctive restaurants in a single evening, savoring a dish and a drink at each venue. Stops include Bond Street and Oxford Street, Marylebone Village, and Portman Marylebone.
Marylebone Village: A Foodie’s Paradise
In the London Restaurant Festival this October, Marylebone Village is set to be the main attraction, providing a variety of gastronomic events featuring food from all over the globe. Located just a short distance from the lively Oxford Street and Bond Street, this quaint neighbourhood metamorphoses into a haven for food enthusiasts during the festival.
The acclaimed ‘Restaurant-Hopping Tour’ on Wednesday, 2 October is one of the highlights. This culinary journey allows participants to discover four different dishes in one evening.
The adventure starts at the village’s treasured cheese shop, La Fromagerie, where guests can indulge in raclette, melted over potatoes with a caper relish. The expedition proceeds with sampling dishes at the autonomous wine bar, The Italians and at Marylebone Lane’s 28-50, with a free beverage included at both locations.
In the ‘Top Ten Cuisines’ series, beloved chefs from Marylebone Village will organize special four-course dinners. Limor Chen, the founder of the Middle Eastern restaurant Delamina, will design a menu on Tuesday, 1 October, influenced by her home cooking and her upbringing in Tel Aviv.
On Tuesday, 22 October, later in the month, Chef Adriana Cavita of the traditional Mexican restaurant Cavita will present a menu that reflects the culinary traditions of her native Mexico, covering regions from Mexico City to Oaxaca and the Yucatan.
Food enthusiasts can enjoy a unique culinary experience in Marylebone Village through special events that showcase its diverse food culture. Tickets for these events, starting at £55 per person, will be on sale to the public from Tuesday, 10 September on the London Restaurant Festival website.
Special Offers: A Month of Foodie Fun
During October, numerous eateries in Marylebone Village will be presenting unique offers and special menus as a part of the London Restaurant Festival. These deals present a great chance for tourists to delve into the area’s vibrant food culture at appealing prices. Some notable features include:
- At 2 Veneti, you’ll receive a complimentary glass of either prosecco, house wine, beer, or a soft drink.
- For £64.95, enjoy a three-course autumn wine and dining pairing menu from 28-50. Advance reservations are required.
- Enjoy a 25% discount on food from the new à la carte menu at 28-50 by Night, and receive a complimentary glass of prosecco.
- 108 Brasserie: 15% discount on the total bill
- Aubaine: Get a complimentary glass of house wine when you order three courses from the ‘Cafe de Paris’ set menu.
- Receive a 10% discount on your Caldesi bill, excluding set menus, weekends, and other promotions.
- La Brasseria: Quote #Liftmeup with your reservation to receive a complimentary tiramisu.
- LAVO: Receive a free slice of their iconic 20-layer cake.
- Naroon: 25% discount on food (excluding drinks)
- Receive a complimentary cocktail with your dinner at OKA when you spend £35 or more per person on food.
- Every Sunday roast order at The Cavendish comes with a free pint of draught beer of your choice.
- At Tommi’s Burger Joint, you can get a burger, fries, and a soft drink for £10.90 on Tuesdays.
New Experiences: Spice, Mindfulness, and Indian Summer
The 2024 festival unveils a handful of fresh experiences. ‘The Spice Route’ commemorates Pan-Asian food with nights held at Lahpet Larder and Toba in St James’s Market, collaborating with Cobra Beer.
‘Be More Mindful’, an initiative for those intrigued by mindful consumption, delves into the expanding movement of alcohol alternatives. This exploration is made possible through distinctive experiences sponsored by World of Hyatt, such as an afternoon at Daylesford and a cycling adventure with Human Forest.
‘An Indian Summer’ is a tribute to the exceptional quality of Indian restaurants on Regent Street and St James’s. This series features a meal at Veeraswamy, the oldest Indian restaurant in London, and offers a chance to explore the newest launch from hospitality connoisseurs JKS, Ambassador Clubhouse on Heddon Street.
Festival Menus: A Taste for Every Palate and Pocket
During October, OpenTable, a platform for restaurant booking and discovery, will showcase its ‘Festival Menus’. More than 100 restaurants in the capital will provide exclusive menus designed particularly for the London Restaurant Festival. These menus accommodate various budget scales and events, ranging from quick snacks during meetings to lavish MICHELIN Star dinners.
“OpenTable’s Vice President of International Growth, Laure Bornet, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, “We are once again partnering with the London Restaurant Festival to introduce ‘Festival Menus’ this October. These special menus allow diners in London to explore a wide range of the city’s top restaurants, categorized by price point and occasion. Whether it’s for a romantic date night or a quick mid-week lunch, our ‘Festival Menus’ provide unique dining experiences for all.”
Exclusive Events for American Express Cardmembers
American Express Premium Cardmembers can anticipate a series of exclusive events that highlight the epitome of fine dining in London.
The ‘By Royal Appointment’ series highlights restaurants that have received royal endorsements, providing evenings worthy of royalty with menus and cocktails inspired by their renowned guests. Notable participants include the renowned Bellamy’s, The Goring’s Michelin-starred Dining Room, and the recently reopened Julie’s.
‘Great culinary family dynasties are celebrated in ‘It Takes Two’. The program features highlights such as an exclusive lunch hosted by Michel Roux Jr. and his daughter Emily Roux, and an evening at the two Michelin-starred Kitchen Table, managed by the husband and wife team, James Knappett and Sandia Chang.
For spirit enthusiasts, The Whisky Exchange presents ‘Spirit Masters’, a new series showcasing rare and exclusive whiskies. Events include an evening of Irish whiskey with legendary Irish chef Richard Corrigan and Dawn Davies MW at Corrigan’s in Mayfair and an experience of Old & Rare spirits at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair’s newly opened ABar Lounge.
Celebrating London’s Culinary Innovation
The festival keeps showcasing the city’s constantly changing food landscape through ‘London’s Latest’ and ‘Hottest New Openings’. These segments provide festival-goers with the opportunity to experience some of the city’s most eagerly awaited and newly opened eateries, such as Kioku by Endo at The OWO and Jackson Boxer at HENRI.
The beloved ‘Gourmet Odysseys’ are making a comeback, presenting three gastronomic journeys through top-tier restaurants in Marylebone. Participants have the opportunity to savour a six-course tasting menu paired with Gusbourne, spread across three restaurants in a single experience. They’ll be visiting renowned places like KOL, Jikoni, Fischer’s, and Carlotta.
For those intrigued by Nordic cuisine, ‘Nordic Nights’ showcases two evenings centred around incredible Scandinavian open-fire cooking techniques. These events will be held at Studio Frantzén in Harrods and Ekstedt at The Yard, hosted by Michelin-starred chef Niklas Ekstedt.
A Testament to London’s Culinary Excellence
Chris Wright, the Managing Partner at LRF, discusses the ongoing success of the London Restaurant Festival. He says, “Our goal every year is to introduce something innovative and exciting to the festival lineup. Our programme continually adapts to the ever-changing London food scene. We take great pride in consistently honoring a vast range of cuisines and restaurants, including both recent additions and established favorites.”
The London Restaurant Festival bears witness to the city’s status as a worldwide hub for cuisine. It unites a myriad of different cuisines, cooking techniques, and dining experiences. The festival not only honors long-standing culinary traditions, but also highlights burgeoning trends and talents.
Now in its 16th year, the London Restaurant Festival continues to evolve and innovate, reflecting the dynamic landscape of London’s dining scene. Serving everything from street food to haute cuisine, and from classic British dishes to international delights, the festival caters to every taste and preference.
The festival offers a unique experience for food enthusiasts to delve into London’s culinary delights under the guidance of some of the field’s most esteemed personalities. On the other hand, it presents a platform for the participant restaurants and chefs to exhibit their innovative abilities and expertise to a discerning crowd of food lovers.
The London Restaurant Festival plays a pivotal role in uniting diners, chefs, and restaurants in a celebration of culinary excellence, thereby further solidifying London’s standing as one of the world’s leading food cities.
No matter if you’re a seasoned gastronome or new to the food scene, the London Restaurant Festival 2024 is set to be a must-attend event on the city’s foodie calendar.
