Seasonal menus, new restaurant openings, a celebration of creativity and plenty of exhibitions to attend: these are the best things to do in London this weekend – whatever the weather.
Dining, creativity and early-morning movement with a difference are leading the way in London this weekend. Mango season has arrived and Mayfair is embracing it; a popular Brixton-based supper club has found a permanent home; early-morning yoga classes have moved outside; London Craft Week is taking over the capital; and exhibitions celebrate everything from Black British music to Elsa Schiaparelli, Queen Elizabeth II’s style and Ancient Egypt.
We might not know quite how the weather is going to swing this weekend but, come rain or shine, there’s plenty to see, do, eat and experience in London. These are some of the best.
1. Celebrate Alphonso Mango Season at Jamavar
It’s Alphonso mango season and a celebration of it is well underway at Jamavar Mayfair. Culinary director and executive chef Surender Mohan has curated a menu that heroes the much-loved fruit, which he ships in from India, with dishes including pani puri stuffed with potato and sprouts ready to drizzle in mint, coriander and green mango juice; a char-grilled chicken with garlic, chilli and mango preserve; and the star of the mango-show, a raw mango dish with fenugreek and spiced coconut milk. Drinks like a mango malai cocktail come mixed with Código 1530 Rosa Tequila while dessert includes a handmade chocolate, coconut and mango bar whipped up in collaboration with the restaurant’s Mayfair neighbours Barnaby.
Address: 8 Mount Street, London W1K 3NF
Menu available now until the end of May 2026
Book here
2. Meet The Maker at Fortnum & Mason’s London Craft Week Events
First launched in 2015, the annual London Craft Week is in full swing across the city and weekend events include a ceramics auction at Sotherby’s, a presentation of Thai handicraft at Asia House, and handblown glass on display at Chelsea listening bar, New Forms. Throughout the weekend a diverse lineup of designers and artisans will also be hosting interactive sessions at Fortnum & Mason to showcase their crafts. Illustrator MaryAnna Emerson is sketching live portraits on Friday 15 May (3pm – 7pm) and Saturday 16 May (10am – 2pm); Sophie Amelia is personalising her gift cards on Saturday 16 May (2pm – 5pm); and Emily Ridley‑Fink of WEM Ceramics is sharing her creative journey with those who drop by (Friday 15 May 2pm – 6pm).
15 and 16 May 2026. Free Entry
Address: 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1A 1ER
See all sessions here
3. Join a West London run club with Kuro Coffee
Kuro Coffee’s latest outpost at Harvey Nichols is the meeting point for their Saturday run club this weekend, where runners will start their day with a complimentary coffee before heading out on a five-kilometre run. Post-coffee and led by coach Chris Callaghan, runners will navigate the streets of West London, ending at Kuro Bagels in Notting Hill at around midday. For those inclined to start their Sunday with caffeine, exercise and a tasty lunch, this might just be the ideal way to do so with a group of like-minded people.
Saturday 16 May 2026, 10am
Address: Kuro Coffee, 109–125 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7RJ
Free entry. Sign up here
4. Flow Into The Weekend With Sunrise Yoga on the rooftop at art’otel Battersea
Sunrise yoga on the rooftop is back at art’otel Battersea. Start your weekend as you (perhaps) mean to go on – yoga kicks off at 8.45am on Saturday 16 May on the hotel’s 16th floor rooftop. This one-hour gentle-flow yoga class is led by @jinisyogi and overlooks the Battersea Power Station chimneys. Included in the price is the class plus breakfast (coffee or juice and a pastry from TOZI). This is one very good reason to get up and go this weekend.
Equipment provided. £40 including breakfast and mat
Address: 1 Electric Boulevard, London SW11 8BJ
In case of bad weather the class will be moved indoors. Find out more and book here
5. Book a table at All Roads, the permanent home of London’s cult supper club
All roads lead to Brixton this weekend. Malika Greene and Paschelle Brown opened the doors to their first permanent restaurant last week, located on Atlantic Road. With the same warm energy and thoughtful tastes that made their supper club so popular, at All Roads Brixton dishes like torched mackerel on toast, wings marinated in a sweet black tea, and pork chop with a pimento peppercorn sauce reflect their Caribbean heritage and are designed for sharing – although we’re willing to bet you’ll wish you didn’t have to. Growing up, food was “always about people,” the couple reflected as they opened their restaurant doors last week, “it was how we connected, celebrated, gifted and marked moments”. Now, they say, they’re ready to “welcome our longstanding supper club guests, new faces and the wider community to All Roads.” And this is reason enough to jump on the Victoria line and (re)pay a visit to Brixton this weekend.
Address: 44 Atlantic Road, Brixton, London, SW9 8JN
6. Be one of the first into the new Bar des Prés restaurant
Two weeks after its last service at Albemarle Street, Bar des Prés reopened in a new location. Taking over 41 South Audley Street (formerly Socca), favourites from chef Cyril Lignac’s Franco-Japanese menu – like the beef gyoza with ginger and soy, the crunchy crab and avocado galette served with a Madras curry dressing, and the California roll with Label Rouge salmon, avocado, jalapeño and sriracha – remain, served in a space designed by Lázaro Rosa Violán Studio. “London has always been a very special place for Bar des Prés, especially as it was the first location we opened outside France,” says Lignac. Speaking to the new opening, he continues that “it feels like a new beginning, which we are excited for”. Us too – especially for the addition of an up-to-30-person private dining room which just made special occasions in Mayfair feel even more noteworthy.
Address: 41 South Audley Street, London, W1K 2PS
7. Wander around one of London’s prettiest neighbourhoods
Notting Hill is one of those places where you can easily spend a full day wandering aimlessly. Start by walking all the way down Portobello Road market – picking up antiques, vintage clothing, jewellery and art – before stumbling onto Golborne Road to browse Berber rugs and handcrafted ceramics at Moroccan interior stores like Fez. If you’re staying for dinner, make a reservation at Michelin-starred The Ledbury, or go for Detroit-style pizzas at Ria’s, vegetarian plates at Holy Carrot, Palestinian dishes at Akub, or modern European at Straker’s.
8. Dine at the brand-new MIKO Mei Fair
You’ve probably heard of MiMi Mei Fair – Samyukta Nair’s Chinese restaurant on Curzon Street in Mayfair – but London has just welcomed MIKO Mei Fair, a Thai dining spot on the ground floor of the same building. With a menu created by Soonthorn Apaipat, former head chef of Koyn Thai, and rooted in fire-cooked dishes, expect sharing-style plates of grilled meats, Thai curries and stir fries. We’ve got our eyes (and tastebuds) firmly set on the 12-hour slow-cooked lamb shank massaman, the tiger prawn pla-ra, and the minced chicken, hot basil, chilli and fried egg kra pow gai.
Address: 54 Curzon Street, London,W1J 8 PG
Book here
9. Visit the V&A East Museum’s first exhibition: The Music Is Black: A British Story
Photo: © David Parry/ V&A
It’s been almost 10 years in the making, but the V&A East Museum has finally opened and its first temporary exhibition, The Music Is Black: A British Story, spotlights and celebrates 125 years of Black music and how it’s influenced British culture. Photography by Dennis Morris, Jennie Baptiste and Eddie Otchere is showcased alongside clothing worn by Little Simz, Seal and Dame Shirley Bassey, and objects like Joan Armatrading’s childhood guitar. But that’s not all. There are also two permanent, and free-to-enter galleries that explore global culture through fashion, art, architecture, performance and design. Fuel up at Café Jikoni, brought to life in partnership with Ravinder Bhogal and Nadeem Lalani Nanjuwany, the founders of Jikoni, and informed by the V&A East’s Youth Collective (16–24-year-olds from Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest) to ensure a space that’s affordable and welcoming to all.
Now until 3 January 2027
Address: V&A East Museum, 107 Carpenters Road, London, E20 2AR
Book tickets here.
10. See the Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style exhibition (then go for afternoon tea inspired by it)
What does 10 decades of dressing look like as a monarch? Coinciding with the 100-year anniversary of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, Caroline de Guitaut, Surveyor of the King’s Works of Art, attempts to answer the question. Including more than 200 items from 10 decades of her wardrobe – many never-displayed-before – this is the largest ever showcase of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch’s wardrobe, and an insight into the history, artistry and diplomacy behind royal dressing. Highlights include her christening robe, her silver lamé bridesmaid dress, plus her Norman Hartnell-designed wedding dress and Coronation dress. But don’t miss the smaller details, like design sketches and fabric swatches.
Now until 18 October 2026
Address: The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA
Book tickets here.
11. Grab a Mondo Sandwich from its new Deptford home
Cafe Mondo, Camberwell’s cult sandwich shop, has found a new home in Deptford. Co-founders Jack Macrae and Viggo Blegvad have sparked something of a sando craze in SE London, with queues that rival those at TOAD Bakery right next door (yes, the one with the viral sesame soy sauce cookie). Wedged between Jars Bar and ZÉ-ZÉ Cafe, the Deptford branch slots comfortably enough into a dinky archway space, featuring the brand’s same open-plan kitchen and magnetic menu board above. The menu features all of the classics – the famous Frangos and the cold cut Combos – alongside a few exclusive Deptford specials. A weighty beef special slathered in a punchy Szechuan beef dip sets the tone, stuffed with pickled mustard greens. Plenty of benches outside make up for the lack of inside seating, where you’ll find Deptford’s cool crowd sipping on tequila slushies all summer long. Zana Wilberforce
Address: Arch 5, Deptford Market Yards, SE8 4BX
12. Go Greek at these two new London restaurants
Maza Mayfair and Taverna Ermou both opened last month, and both bring a taste of Athens to central London. Expect old Athenian charm, elevated and time-honoured Greek dishes, and a big dose of filoxenia – aka friendly hospitality – in both. Maza Mayfair is inspired by co-owner Christina Mouratoglou’s heritage, while Taverna Ermou is a direct implant from the streets of Athens (one of its Greek counterparts, Ergon House, sits on Ermou street in the centre of the Greek capital).
Addresses: Maza Mayfair, 21-23 Bruton Place, London W1J 6NB / Taverna Ermou, 38-40 James Street, London W1U 1EU
13. Visit the V&A’s Must-See Schiaparelli exhibition
Elsa Schiaparelli is a superstar in fashion circles, but her name is lesser known outside of it. The V&A is set to change that with the first ever UK exhibition dedicated to the designer. Schiaparelli is famed for her playful, witty and shocking styles that kickstarted fashion’s relationship with the art world. She collaborated with Dalí, Cocteau and May Ray, proving that what we wear doesn’t have to be limited to looking conventionally pretty. Schiaparelli showed women that fashion could also be interesting, funny, demanding and desirable. Find out about her legacy through the 400 objects that the V&A has unearthed, including her iconic lobster dress and upside-down shoe hat. Ella Alexander
Now until 1 November 2026
Address: V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
Book here
14. Step into Ancient Egypt at Ramses and the Pharaohs’ Gold exhibition
Gold-plated Wooden Mask from the Coffin of Amenemope – Ramses & The Pharaohs’ Gold Exhibition © NEON_World Heritage Exhibitions
We know you’ve heard about Tutenkhamun, but what do you know about Ramses II? Three thousand years ago, this Ancient Egyptian pharaoh ruled for almost 67 years (far longer than ‘The Boy King’s’ 9-10 years). In his time he led the Battle of Kadesh, built temples such as Abu Simbel, and signed the world’s first recorded peace treaty – living until roughly 90 years old and fathering more than 100 children, Ramses II left quite a legacy on the world. That legacy has been brought to life in this thoughtfully curated exhibition that takes you up close and personal to more than 180 ancient artefacts including gold masks; 3,000-year-old statues (some showcased just centimetres away, and without glass casing); amulets, rings and necklaces; silver coffins from the royal tombs of Tanis; and – arguably the star of the show – Ramses II’s carved cedar coffin. Presented in a way that allows visitors the time, space and information to take it all in, this stand-out historical exhibition also utilises modern tech at times, notably in the immersive depiction of the Battle of Kadesh and the VR experience at the end, which takes you back in time to meet his first wife, Queen Nefertari, as she takes you on a tour of Abu Simel.
Currently booking until 12 July 2026
Address: NEON at Battersea Power Station, 2 Circus Road East, London, SW11 8DQ
Book here
15. Go For Dinner and Drinks on a Rooftop Terrace
The spring weather might be teasing us, but when the sun does come out, Londoners seek out the city’s outdoor dining spots. And this is a city with plenty of them. Some of our favourites include Yasmin’s sixth floor terrace, where Middle Eastern mezze comes with a view; Petersham Nurseries’ Floral Court, with quaint Mediterranean village vibes; and North London’s The Lighterman, where long lunches with friends take place canalside. But this is only the start of London’s best outdoor restaurants – we’ve curated a list of 28 CF favourites here.
16. See Keith Haring’s Subway Drawings at Moco Museum
Just across the road from Marble Arch tube station, a 1980’s New York subway has popped up – and for the next two and a half months it’s home to 20 of the late Keith Haring’s subway drawings. Created with speed, beside the train tracks underneath the Big Apple, “these subway drawings are where his voice became public, direct, generous, and fearless,” says Kim Prins, founder of Moco Museum, referring to his early-years practice of using white chalk on underground advertising boards before he rose to international acclaim. At the time Haring’s drawings were uncommissioned and, by many, unwanted – often considered public graffiti and quickly removed. Some remained however, and, 36 years after his death, are being showcased at Moco Museum London. Voice of the Street – Keith Haring’s Subway Drawings invites us to view his early works, long before his art reached gallery walls.
Now until 18 June 2026
Address: Moco Museum, 1-4 Marble Arch, London, W2 2UH
Book here.
17. Discover Global Culture and Influences Right on your Doorstep
Travel to Saudi, India or Ethiopia this weekend, all without leaving London. Women in Travel CIC’s intimate, female-led tours take you on a multicultural journey throughout our city, each through the eyes of women. Food is a big part of each tour, but so are personal insights into the traditions of each country, via history, art, architecture, literature, music and more. Brought to life by guides with real-life knowledge, understanding, ties and connections to each culture, these tours go beyond sightseeing and delve deep into the stories and fabric of each society, showcasing how they have influenced the UK capital. You might drink Saudi coffee for breakfast, eat Ethiopian misir alicha and injera for lunch, or eat Indian sweets for dessert, all while tracing the global influences – trade, migration, design and cultural ties – that make London, well, London.
Saturday 16 May, times and prices vary
Find out more and book here
18. Visit Tracey Emin’s largest ever exhibition, A Second Life, at Tate Britain
Life, love, heartbreak, pain, suffering and hope – you’ll feel all of this and much more throughout Tracey Emin’s new (and largest ever) exhibition, open now at Tate Britain. Emin’s work has always been all encompassing of human nature, and in this landmark exhibition we’re invited – no drawn – further into her world, heart and feelings with such real and raw human emotion that it would be futile to try to escape its intensity. Through more than 100 of her mixed-media works – paintings, textiles, sculpture, video, and her globally recognised neon pieces – and spanning 40 years of her career, this is about as moving as an art exhibition can get. Emin is without a doubt one of the most significant artists of our generation, yet her work has come to define us all; the way we love and cry, work and grieve. The way we live. This is one of the must-see exhibitions of 2026.
Now until 31 August 2026
Address: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
Book tickets here
19. Dine At This Mayfair Hotspot
Brought to you by Serdar Demir, the man behind Turkish fine-dining restaurant The Mantl in Knightsbridge, and spread across three floors, Chargal uses oak-charcoal cooking to serve up delicious plates of mezze (kuru cacık, hummus, muhammara, manti and more) alongside main dishes like pistachio lamb cutlets, lamb fillet with smoked aubergine, and a fish platter comprising scallops, sea bass, octopus and carabinero prawn. Don’t miss the dark chocolate sorbet made with fennel pollen and olive oil for dessert.
Address:11 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 8DS
Book here
20. Take a Day Trip
While not technically in London, all of these trips are very easy to reach from London – whether for the day or overnight. Top spots include Bath to warm up in the spa waters; Oxford to spot the university (and Harry Potter) landmarks; Canterbury to see the cathedral; Winchester to pick up a sale bargain on a historic high street; The Cotswolds for winter rambles; Margate to blow the cobwebs away on a beach walk; and Brighton to shop the pretty lanes (and Laines). All are less than two hours from London.
21. Step into the wonderful world of Wes Anderson at The Design Museum
Wes Anderson’s characteristic visual symmetry, funky colour schemes, tongue-in-cheek exaggeration, but often serious plot lines, are known to all – avid fans or not, his films are inescapable. This Design Museum exhibition is a behind-the-scenes snapshot into the incredible productions, as over 700 items from the archives are on display for the first time ever in the UK, marking the first ever retrospective of the filmmaker. The exhibition is arranged largely chronologically, sectioned out by film. In each, marvel over everything from the colourful costumes, clips from the movies, mini set replicas (the entire Darjeeling Express included), on-set BTS stills, soundtrack snippets, and all the props you could think of, from sketches, to books, to typewriters to perfume bottles, and even the iron tasseled keys from The Grand Budapest Hotel near a scaled model of the entire hotel. As co-curator and chief curatorial director of the Design Museum, Lucia Savi explains, Wes Anderson’s “extraordinary archive is testament to his unique cinematic approach,” and this exhibition is a wonderful prompt to revisit your favourites from his work. Ella Mansell
Wes Anderson: The Archives is open now until 26 July 2026 at the Design Museum.
Address: 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG, United Kingdom
Book here
We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
Any Questions or Tips to add?