With the weekend fast approaching and August drawing to a close, there is no better time to squeeze every last drop out of the summer. Whether you are looking to immerse yourself in London’s festival scene, sample a cult foodie collaboration, or escape the city altogether, we have rounded up the very best ways to spend your days off.

What to eat

Try the zesty new collab

Two of London’s most recognisable brands have joined forces, and the result is as good as it sounds. Atis has teamed up with Lime, the e-bike provider that has become part of the fabric of London life, on a limited-edition bowl running across all Atis locations from 17th to 29th August.

The bowl packs in double blackened chicken, crispy roast new potatoes, edamame, smoky charred broccoli and crunchy green slaw, all finished with toasted smoked almonds and a fiery chipotle lime dressing. Even better, for the first three days of the collab, 50 bowls bought in store each day will come with 10 minutes of free Lime credit, making it the most efficient lunch break in London right now.

Where: venues across London
Website: www.atis.com

Try London’s most indulgent iced chocolate

If you think you’ve had a good iced chocolate before, the Adam Handling Chocolate Shop in Covent Garden is about to change your mind. Rather than a one-size-fits-all recipe, guests are invited to build their own bespoke Iced Chocolate Milk by choosing from twelve exceptional single-origin chocolates sourced from renowned growing regions including Honduras and the Philippines, each blended fresh with ice and milk to order.

If you can’t decide, the Chocolate Soft Serve made with 70% DR Congo and 42% Ecuador chocolate with extra melted chocolate drizzled on top is an extremely solid backup plan.

Where: 17 Maiden Ln, London WC2E 7NL
Website: www.adamhandlingchocolate.com

Experience Michelin dining without the price tag here

If you haven’t yet made it to Galvin La Chapelle in Spitalfields, this summer’s menu is the nudge you need. Set within a breathtaking former Victorian school chapel, the Michelin-starred restaurant is offering a five-course Taste of Summer menu for just £49 per person, making it one of the most exceptional value fine dining experiences in London right now.

Running until 15th September across lunch and dinner, this is one of the best tables to book in the city at the moment.

Where: 35 Spital Square, London E1 6DY
Website: www.galvinrestaurants.com

Try Brooklyn’s cult pizza without leaving London

Williamsburg favourite, Best Pizza, has crossed the Atlantic to take over Double Standard at The Standard in Kings Cross until September 13th, and this weekend is the perfect time to pay a visit.

Pizza lovers can tuck into founder Frank Pinello’s authentic Brooklyn-style pies, ranging from classic Margheritas to signature square Grandma slices and an exclusive Soppressata Coppola creation. Pair your pizza with pickled aubergine, an ice cold Two Tribes beer, and tiramisu to wrap up the ultimate weekend dinner. Head to 10 Argyle Street to catch this limited-time residency before it leaves the capital.

Where: 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG
Website: www.thestandard.com

Indulge in golden hour at Cafe Ciel

Raffles London at The OWO has launched a delightful new Golden Hour menu at Cafe Ciel, running throughout August. Nestled on the restaurant’s tucked-away terrace, guests can unwind with four seasonal bites including refreshing gazpacho and a grilled peach salad.

This late summer offering pairs delicious dishes with signature cocktails, champagne, or fine wine for £35 per person starting from 12pm daily.

Where: The OWO, 7 Horse Guards Ave, London SW1A 2EU
Website: www.cafeciel.com

Transport yourself to Sicily at this long lunch club

If a long, lazy Sicilian lunch sounds like exactly what your Saturday needs, Rondo at The Hoxton Holborn has you covered this August. Across three Saturdays throughout the month, the restaurant is hosting a Long Lunch Club takeover in partnership with Monkey Shoulder, bringing the spirit of iconic Sicilian guesthouse CASA LAWA to central London. The menu is a southern Italian-inspired seasonal feast created collaboratively by CASA LAWA founder Lukas Lewandowski and Rondo’s Tristan Downes, served in a space styled to evoke the colourful, creative atmosphere of the Sicilian retreat, with bespoke Monkey Shoulder cocktails to match.

Where: Rondo, The Hoxton Holborn, 199-206 High Holborn, WC1V 7BD
Website: www.thehoxton.com

Discover the city’s most underrated lunch destination

If you’ve never made it to Bloomberg Arcade, tucked between Bank and St Paul’s, this weekend is the perfect excuse to finally go.

Nine independent restaurants sit beneath Bloomberg’s European headquarters, spilling out onto a beautifully designed pedestrian arcade that somehow feels completely calm in the middle of the Square Mile. The lineup features Bleecker Burger, Homeslice, Lina Stores, Brigadiers, BAO City, and Koya, which happens to serve some of the best udon in London. Read our full guide to every restaurant in the Arcade and find out exactly where to go depending on your mood.

Where: 1-22 Bloomberg Arcade, London EC4N 8AR
Website: www.bloombergarcade.com

What to do

Bring your dog to lunch at Los Mochis

If you have a dog and a love of good food, Los Mochis in Notting Hill has just become your most important August booking. The Japanese Mexican restaurant is running Dog Month throughout August in aid of Silver Fox Dog Rescue, complete with a specially created three-course Doggy Menu that includes homemade Pumpkin Dog Biscuits, Chicken Liver Tacos, Chef Leo’s dog-friendly Dogviar served in Los Mochis-branded tins and a signature Pupcake for dessert.

Where: 2-4 Farmer St, London W8 7SN
Website: www.losmochis.com

Claim a free bagel and skincare treat here

Foodies and skincare lovers will want to clear their diaries for this delicious collaboration taking over Soho from Friday through to Sunday.

Customers who purchase the limited edition blueberry bagel with blueberry cream cheese will snag a complimentary full-size pack of Purifide Fast Fix Power Patches while stocks last. The first 50 people through the door on Friday at 11am and Saturday at 9am can score both the exclusive bagel and the power patches entirely free by presenting the secret codeword found on Purifide’s Instagram page.

Where: 8 D’Arblay St, London W1F 8DP
Website: www.itsbagels.com

Head to Victoria Park for All Points East

East London is gearing up for the return of All Points East as the massive music takeover lands in Victoria Park from Friday 21st to Sunday 30th August. Spanning two feature-packed weekends, music fans can look forward to powerhouse headline sets from Jorja Smith, Tems, Lorde, Deftones, Tyler The Creator, and Twenty One Pilots.

In addition to the star-studded evening shows, visitors can also enjoy free community events, street food traders, and outdoor screenings during the midweek In The NBHD program. It promises to be the ultimate late summer destination for festival lovers staying in the capital.

Where: Victoria Park
Website: www.allpointseast.com

Journey to The Cosmos At The Science Museum

South Kensington has welcomed a stellar new interactive exhibition as Smithsonian Starstruck opens at the Science Museum. Developed alongside the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, this walkable virtual reality journey uses real scientific data to transport visitors far beyond Earth.

Space enthusiasts can glide past thousands of distant galaxies, witness the life cycle of stars, and stand face to face with a supermassive black hole. Running for a forty-minute duration, this cosmic adventure makes for an unforgettable weekend outing for adults and kids aged ten and up.

Where: Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
Book here

Catch DJ Harvey’s return to Ministry of Sound

Dance music lovers will want to head to Elephant and Castle this Saturday for a rare chance to see globally revered selector DJ Harvey in his only UK appearance of the year. Marking the 35th anniversary of Ministry of Sound, the influential artist is reviving Rulin, the seminal early 90s party series that helped define the London house music scene.

Attendees can expect an extended and immersive all-night set from the cult icon as he returns to the decks where his distinctive style first took root. It promises to be a legendary celebration of UK clubbing heritage and an unmissable night out for dance music purists.

Where: 103 Gaunt St, London SE1 6DP
Book here

Book an impromptu trip to Lisbon

For those looking to escape London this weekend, Lisbon provides the perfect city break. During your visit, make sure to check out Java for one of the best views in the city, paired with even better food and drinks. Start with tuna crudo and a selection of dips and pitas, then dive into irresistible sharing plates from fresh seabass to my personal favourite, beef short rib.

For more Lisbon recommendations, check out our complete guide here.

Where: Praça Dom Luís I 30, 1200-152 Lisboa, Portugal
Website: www.java.com

Book a bank holiday getaway to the Cotswolds

If you want to escape the city without having to catch a flight, head to Hyll Hotel for a Cotswolds retreat.

Set within 54 acres of private meadows and woodland, Hyll is a reimagined 14th-century manor house that captures the essence of a slow-paced Cotswold summer. Recently refurbished, the property manages to balance historic heritage with a contemporary design that feels both indulgent and unpretentious. With the sun out, the terrace becomes the heart of the hotel, serving a local, seasonal menu that celebrates the best of the British countryside.

Where: The Cotswolds, Charingworth, Chipping Campden GL55 6NS
Website: www.hyllhotel.com

Which activity are you adding to your weekend itinerary first?


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