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.
Running from 27 September to 31 October 2024, the festival promises an array of gastronomic experiences that will delight food enthusiasts and casual diners alike.
A Feast for the Senses: Festival Highlights
The 16th edition of the London Restaurant Festival kicks off with a bang, offering more than fifty unique experiences across the city. From chef-hosted tasting menus to masterclasses and restaurant-hopping tours, the festival celebrates London’s gastronomic talent at both emerging and iconic establishments.
Food Fest kicks off on Friday 27 September, a one-night-only street food extravaganza at Arcade Tottenham Court Road. Partnering with Wonderland Cocktails, a brand new concept by BrewDog, the event includes a welcome cocktail, a dish from one of Arcade’s nine amazing food vendors, a treat from Millie’s Cookies and a live DJ set all for £16.
Culinary Adventures: From Staycations to Restaurant-Hopping
For a more indulgent experience, the festival offers ‘The Gastronomic Staycation’. This luxurious package includes an overnight stay at the 5* Great Scotland Yard Hotel, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The weekend itinerary is packed with culinary big-hitters, lunch with Michelin-starred chef Phil Howard and dinner with Indian culinary legend Vivek Singh.
The popular ‘Restaurant-Hopping Tours’ make a welcome return, taking guests on culinary jaunts across popular destinations. These tours offer the opportunity to visit four unique restaurants in one evening, sampling a dish paired with a drink at each stop. Locations include Bond Street and Oxford Street, Marylebone Village, and Portman Marylebone.
Marylebone Village: A Foodie’s Paradise
This October, Marylebone Village takes centre stage in the London Restaurant Festival, offering a range of culinary events that showcase cuisines from around the world. Just a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street and Bond Street, this charming neighbourhood transforms into a food lover’s paradise during the festival.
One of the highlights is the acclaimed ‘Restaurant-Hopping Tour’ on Wednesday, 2 October. This epicurean adventure allows participants to explore four dishes over the course of one evening.
The journey begins at the village’s beloved cheesemonger, La Fromagerie, where guests can savour raclette melted over potatoes with caper relish. The tour continues with tasting dishes at the independent wine bar The Italians and Marylebone Lane’s 28-50, with a complimentary drink at each venue.
As part of the ‘Top Ten Cuisines’ series, some of Marylebone Village’s favourite chefs will host exclusive four-course dinners. On Tuesday, 1 October, Limor Chen, founder of Middle Eastern restaurant Delamina, will create a menu inspired by her home cooking and upbringing in Tel Aviv.
Later in the month, on Tuesday, 22 October, Chef Adriana Cavita from the heritage Mexican restaurant Cavita will share a menu that encompasses food traditions from her homeland, spanning from Mexico City to Oaxaca and the Yucatan.
These special events in Marylebone Village offer food enthusiasts a unique opportunity to experience the diverse culinary landscape of this charming neighbourhood. Tickets for these experiences start from £55 per person and will be available to the general public from Tuesday, 10 September through the London Restaurant Festival website.
Special Offers: A Month of Foodie Fun
Throughout October, many restaurants in Marylebone Village will be offering exclusive deals and special menus as part of the London Restaurant Festival. These offers provide an excellent opportunity for visitors to explore the area’s rich gastronomic scene at attractive prices. Some of the highlights include:
- 2 Veneti: A complimentary glass of prosecco, house wine, beer, or soft drink
- 28-50: Three-course autumn wine and dining pairing menu for £64.95 (advance reservations required)
- 28-50 by Night: 25% off food from a new à la carte menu, with a complimentary glass of prosecco
- 108 Brasserie: 15% discount on the total bill
- Aubaine: Free glass of house wine with three courses from the ‘Cafe de Paris’ set menu
- Caldesi: 10% discount on the bill (excluding set menu, weekends, and other offers)
- La Brasseria: One free tiramisu for each booking when quoting #Liftmeup
- LAVO: Complimentary slice of their signature 20-layer cake
- Naroon: 25% discount on food (excluding drinks)
- OKA: Complimentary cocktail with dinner when spending £35 or more per person on food
- The Cavendish: Free draught pint of choice with every Sunday roast order
- Tommi’s Burger Joint: On Tuesdays, a burger, fries, and soft drink for £10.90
New Experiences: Spice, Mindfulness, and Indian Summer
The 2024 festival introduces several brand-new experiences. ‘The Spice Route’ celebrates Pan-Asian cuisine with evenings hosted at Lahpet Larder and Toba in St James’s Market, in partnership with Cobra Beer.
For those interested in mindful consumption, ‘Be More Mindful’ explores the growing alcoholic alternative movement through unique experiences sponsored by World of Hyatt, including an afternoon at Daylesford and cycling with Human Forest.
‘An Indian Summer’ pays homage to the incredible calibre of Indian restaurants in both Regent Street and St James’s. This series includes a dinner at Veeraswamy, London’s oldest Indian restaurant, and an opportunity to experience the latest opening from hospitality experts JKS, Ambassador Clubhouse on Heddon Street.
Festival Menus: A Taste for Every Palate and Pocket
Throughout October, restaurant booking and discovery platform OpenTable will present its ‘Festival Menus’. Over 100 restaurants across the capital will offer exclusive menus created specifically for the London Restaurant Festival. These menus cater to various price ranges and occasions, from quick bites between meetings to luxurious MICHELIN Star dinners.
Laure Bornet, Vice President of International Growth at OpenTable, expressed excitement about the partnership: “We’ve teamed up with London Restaurant Festival again to bring diners ‘Festival Menus’ this October. Londoners can explore the breadth of some of the city’s best restaurants by price point and occasion. Whether it’s a date night or a quick mid-week lunch, our ‘Festival Menus’ offers special dining experiences for everyone.”
Exclusive Events for American Express Cardmembers
American Express Premium Cardmembers can look forward to an array of exclusive events that celebrate the pinnacle of fine dining in London.
The ‘By Royal Appointment’ series showcases restaurants with a regal seal of approval, offering evenings fit for royalty with menus and cocktails inspired by their iconic visitors. Participating establishments include the famous Bellamy’s, The Goring’s Michelin-starred Dining Room, and the newly reopened Julie’s.
‘It Takes Two’ celebrates great family dynasties in the culinary world. Highlights include an exclusive lunch hosted by Michel Roux Jr. and his daughter Emily Roux, as well as an evening at the two Michelin-starred Kitchen Table, run by husband and wife duo 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 continues to highlight the city’s ever-evolving food scene with ‘London’s Latest’ and ‘Hottest New Openings’. These series give attendees access to some of the capital’s most anticipated and recently launched restaurants, including Kioku by Endo at The OWO and Jackson Boxer at HENRI.
The popular ‘Gourmet Odysseys’ return, offering three culinary adventures across top restaurants in Marylebone. Participants can enjoy a Gusbourne-paired six-course tasting menu across three restaurants in one experience, visiting establishments such as 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, Managing Partner of LRF, reflects on the festival’s continued success: “Every year we aim to bring something new and exciting to the London Restaurant Festival lineup; our programme evolves alongside the dynamic London food scene and we’re proud to consistently celebrate a huge array of cuisines and restaurants, both newer openings and long-standing favourites.”
The London Restaurant Festival stands as a testament to the capital’s position as a global culinary destination. By bringing together a diverse range of cuisines, cooking styles, and dining experiences, the festival not only celebrates established culinary traditions but also shines a spotlight on emerging trends and talents.
As the festival enters its 16th year, it continues to adapt and innovate, mirroring the ever-changing landscape of London’s restaurant scene. From street food to fine dining, from traditional British fare to international cuisines, the London Restaurant Festival offers something for every palate and preference.
For food lovers, the festival provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore London’s gastronomic offerings, guided by some of the industry’s most respected figures. For the restaurants and chefs involved, it’s a chance to showcase their creativity and skill to a discerning audience of food enthusiasts.
As London continues to cement its reputation as one of the world’s great food cities, the London Restaurant Festival plays a crucial role in bringing together diners, chefs, and restaurants in a celebration of culinary excellence.
Whether you’re a long-time foodie or a curious newcomer to the world of gastronomy, the 2024 edition of the London Restaurant Festival promises to be an unmissable event in the capital’s culinary calendar.
