January is always a pretty bleak month. It’s cold, it’s dark, we no longer have Christmas to look forward to and it’s easy to lack motivation. When you live in London though, it’s a different story. There’s always something around the corner waiting to be discovered, from experiences and pop-up kitchens to winter light shows.
To get you in the spirit, we’ve rounded up the best things to do in London this week and beyond.
Carousel x Little Jarana
Bringing a slice of the Mediterranean to a dreary January in London is Carousel’s next foodie pop-up.
Translating as ‘little party’, Little Jarana is a laidback bistro that pops up every summer in the Mallorcan coastal village of Deiá. Led by Abraham, renowned for his culinary travels and time at Michelin-starred ‘Terra’ in Sant Feliu de Guíxola, Catalonia, this Carousel pop-up will be bringing flavours inspired by his travels.
Expect dishes such as mackerel, citrus egg; bonito, almond and cauliflower; razor clams with lardo and chipotle; chicken, seeds and radicchio; and pears, amontillado and cream.
When: 17.01.2023 – 21.01.2023
Where: Carousel, 19-23 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 1RL
Website: www.carousel-london.com
Chinese New Year Dim Sum Masterclass at Yauatcha City
Lunar New Year is around the corner and Yauatcha City is going all out to celebrate. The popular Cantonese dim sum teahouse in Broadgate Circle will be celebrating the Year of the Rabbit with an exclusive menu, dessert, cocktail, macarons and pineapple pastries, all inspired by traditional Chinese favourites.
Want to give dim sum making a go for yourself? The restaurant will be kicking of its 2023 classes with an exclusive Chinese New Year dim sum masterclass. Guided by their talented team, you’ll have the chance to learn how to make steamed, fried and baked dim sum, delving into the tricky world of folding techniques.
Look forward to making six different types of dim sum, alongside a lunch of crispy duck salad, their limited edition floral scallop cheung fun and of course your dim sum creations. Plus a sweet sesame bunny petit gateau for pud.
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Sothebys x Charlie Mackesy
If watching the BBC’s The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse adaptation over Christmas has left a Charlie Mackesy hole in your heart, fear not as he’s only gone and partnered up with Sotheby’s for a special selling exhibition and pop-up café.
Mackesy has teamed up with the fine arts company to auction off some of his original works from his award-winning book. As you can expect, the majority of these works have already sold but you can still get your Mackesy fix at their pop-up café located on New Bond Street.
Running until 13th January, Sotheby’s Story Café has been transformed with an immersive hand-drawn mural that brings his heartwarming tales to life. Head down for a cup of tea and a slice of cake, soaking up the enchanting illustrations. Mole would most certainly approve.
Somerset House Ice Rink
We may have already waved goodbye to Christmas but Somerset House’s ice rink is still in full swing until the 15th of January.
Perfect for budding ice skaters or for just making a fool out of yourself, the ice rink is arguably the best in London and is complete with a giant 40ft Christmas tree. You’ll find food and drink offerings waiting for you at the finish line too from the king of pop-ups, Jimmy Garcia, helping to warm you up with comforting favourites.
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Retan x Renegade Winery
January can often be a quieter month for foodie pop-ups but proving this theory wrong is Walthamstow’s Renegade Winery who have teamed up with nomadic supper club Retan for a special season of French cuisine.
Founded by Joshua Dallaway and Cameron Dewar, Retan has been taking over the kitchens of everyone’s favourite neighbourhood restaurants, from Peckham Cellars, Legare to Crispin. And now this winter the pair will be bringing their signature style to Walthamstow.
Influenced by French techniques, expect a French-leaning seasonal menu packed with small snack plates, a la carte dishes and set menus. All paired with carefully selected wine chosen by the Renegade Winery team.
When: Running until 03.2023
Where: Renegade Urban Winery, 7 Lockwood Avenue, Walthamstow, E17 5RB
Website: www.resy.com
Curling club at King’s Cross
Think you have what it takes to make it to the Winter Olympics 2026 curling team? Now’s your chance to get in some practice…
This winter King’s Cross has introduced a curling arena giving Londoners the chance to challenge their friends to a bit of friendly competition. With six lanes to choose from, grab yourself a team of six or book in for a date night and see if you have what it takes to win a round. Running until the end of February, get your winter sport fix before it’s gone.
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Canary Wharf Light Show
Thought all of the light shows were finished for the season? Think again. This month sees Canary Wharf’s annual Winter Light Show return for its seventh season.
Running from 18th – 28th January, Canary Wharf will be transformed into an illuminated haven, home to 20+ installations. Showcasing work from the world’s greatest light artists, head down this January to see everything from a family of giant mammoths at Riverside to a fibre-optic tunnel in Wood Wharf.
Carousel x Justin Ahn
Annandale is a thriving Korean community located in Washington, D.C., populated by some of the best Korean restaurants in the world. At the top of the helm is self-taught Southern Californian chef, Justin Ahn.
Making his way across the pond this January, Ahn will bring an exciting menu inspired by global cuisines and his Korean roots. Dishes include Korean tartare of Asiatic pears, sesame oil, mustard grains, quail egg yolk and puffed tendon; wild mushroom arborio risotto with dashi and pecorino romano; and pork cheek ssam with radish kimchi, walnut ssamjang, roasted onions and pickled napa cabbage.
When: 24.01.2023 – 28.01.2023
Where: Carousel, 19-23 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 1RL
Website: www.carousel-london.com
The Bishop at The Berkeley
The Berkeley isn’t one to hold back when it comes to pop-ups but this winter might just be the cosiest yet. Introducing The Bishop, the prestigious hotel’s first-ever pub pop-up.
The hotel has taken a more pared-back approach to their usual pristine pop-ups but still with endless amounts of charm. The space has been divided into two, one side is a bar complete with old-school beer taps, church pews and bar stools, and the other is a cosy dining room.
The menu is bursting with public house classics, from mammoth Angus beef burgers with fried egg and fries to sumptuous pies and slow braised salt marsh lamb shank with mash.
Back open from 11th January
When: Until the end of February
Where: THE BERKELEY, WILTON PLACE, KNIGHTSBRIDGE, SW1X 7RL
Website: www.the-berkeley.co.uk
Looking for more things to do this week? Check out our What’s On section.
