Black History Month is more than just a moment on the calendar, it’s an opportunity to learn something new, to support new businesses, to enjoy all forms of art and creativity, to indulge in incredible restaurants, and most of all to celebrate each other, together.
Whether you’re looking to engage with your community, educate yourself, support Black-owned businesses, or simply expand your perspective by listening to different voices, there are countless ways to participate in Black History Month across London. While honouring Black British culture is not just for one month, but all year round, this is how the CF Team are celebrating Black History Month this October.
Where To Eat & Drink
Guanabana, Kentish Town
View this post on Instagram
With the arrival of October, comes the arrival of my favourite season: roast season, and Guanabana has quickly become one of my favourites in London. The North London Caribbean smokehouse puts its own spin on the classic Sunday roast, with an Island Roast featuring your choice of jerk chicken or beef, seabass or portobello mushroom, served with sweet plantain, crispy roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and Guanabana’s spicy jerk gravy. It’s generous, comforting and full of flavour without losing what you actually want from a proper roast. Served every Saturday and Sunday, it’s one to book if you’re after an alternative to the usual weekend spread. By Bibiana Obahor
Ikoyi
View this post on Instagram
Two Michelin-star restaurant Ikoyi, by former school friends Jeremy Chan and Iré Hassan-Odukale, takes its name from a wealthy neighbourhood in Lagos, and consistently retains a spot on The 50 list. The menu is informally inspired by West-African cuisine, reimagined by the creative team so that chicken rice meets white truffle, for example, and changes in tune with British micro-seasonality. Meander through all the signature dishes with the £350 10-course tasting menu and soak in the Japandi-style interiors designed by David Thulstrup. By Ella Mansell
Chishuru
View this post on Instagram
What started as a small Brixton Village outlet – one that had people queuing for Nigerian chef and owner Adejoké Bakare’s set menus comprising dishes like ebiripo and ekuru – has evolved into a two-story masterpiece in central London. But chef Bakare’s journey with food goes back much further: while studying at university in Nigeria she also ran a fish and chip cart, later moving to London and setting up a food cart outside her church. In 2020 she won a competition that offered a three-month popup space in Brixton as the prize – and Chishuru was born. Today, find her in central London, on Fitzrovia’s Great Titchfield Street, where she plates up set menus comprising similar dishes to her (now closed) Brixton space: ekuru still features, this time served with a sweet-rice waina, alongside delicious plates like moi moi and a pepper soup that’s often served with seafood. It was here, in 2024, that Bakare became the first Black female Michelin-starred chef in the UK, as well as the first Black female Michelin-starred chef in the world with her own restaurant. By Katie Silcox
Akoko
View this post on Instagram
For a dining experience that reimagines West African cuisine with a fine-dining flair, book a table at Akoko in Fitzrovia. Chef Ayo Adeyemi’s menu blends traditional flavours with modern techniques, showcasing dishes like smoked goat with jollof rice, or signature suya lamb. Set against a warm terracotta-toned interior, the restaurant offers a sensory journey through bold spices, refined presentation, and inventive pairings — making it one of the most exciting culinary addresses in London right now. By Bibiana Obahor
Jam Delish
View this post on Instagram
Vegan or not, Jam Delish in Angel is one of the most exciting Caribbean kitchens in London. Founded by siblings Jordan and Chyna in 2020 as a modern, plant-based take on their grandparents’ traditional Caribbean recipes, it’s a chic spot bringing Caribbean soul to North London. Go straight for the plantain “goat” curry with rice and peas (a must) and one of their rum punch cocktails from the in-house bar. The menu leans playful, but the flavours are deeply authentic, making this a spot you’ll want to return to. By Bibiana Obahor
Enish
View this post on Instagram
For an authentic meal, head to Enish. With ten locations across London, Manchester and even Dubai, Enish has become a go-to for true Nigerian dining. The menu is extensive, featuring classics from pepper soup and egusi to jollof rice and suya, a true celebration of West African food culture. Whether you’re craving a casual lunch or a feast with friends, Enish delivers hearty flavours in a lively setting, making it the perfect introduction (or return) to Nigerian cuisine anywhere in the capital. By Bibiana Obahor
Papa L’s Kitchen
View this post on Instagram
With kitchen experience at The Ivy Covent Garden as well as Sexy Fish and Scott’s Mayfair, it was only a matter of time before Lawrence Gomez (aka Papa L) started his own restaurant – and there was no doubt he’d make it a success. Serving African-fusion dishes, the menu at Papa L’s Kitchen changes regularly but expect dishes like a 24-hour marinated lamb chop, a pan-fried red mullet, and a coconut chicken curry – all best ordered alongside sides such as spice plantain, tempura courgette with chilli jam, and salt cod fritters with ackee. By Katie Silcox
Buster Mantis & The Watergate
View this post on Instagram
Deptford’s beloved Buster Mantis has long been a favourite for its authentic Caribbean flavours, but many don’t know about its sister restaurant, The Watergate, which brings the same spirit with a European twist. Think natural wines, small plates made for sharing, from lamb to grilled tiger king prawns, all served in a low-lit, speakeasy-style space. It’s intimate, cosy, and best booked in advance. And yes, the deep-fried Oreos really are as good as they sound. By Bibiana Obahor
Things To Do & Book
The Music Is Black: A British Story, V&A East
View this post on Instagram
Music lover, or not, you should make time for The Music Is Black: A British Story at V&A East. The immersive exhibition traces 125 years of Black music-making in Britain, moving through everything from jazz and reggae to lovers rock, jungle, UK garage and grime. More than 120 tracks soundtrack the experience, alongside fashion, photography, instruments and archive material that show just how deeply Black music has shaped British culture. Go with enough time to properly listen rather than rush through — there is a lot to take in. By Bibiana Obahor
Ronald Moody: Sculpting Life, Orleans House Gallery
View this post on Instagram
Opening just in time for Black History Month, Ronald Moody: Sculpting Life brings the work of Jamaican-born sculptor Ronald Moody back to the city he called home for much of his life. This is the first London retrospective dedicated to Moody, bringing together his striking sculptures with poetry, writing and audio broadcasts to explore the full breadth of his practice. Head to Orleans House Gallery from 1 October; entry is free, and the exhibition runs well beyond the month if October gets busy. By Bibiana Obahor
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, Somerset House
View this post on Instagram
Alongside Black History Month, October is a big month for art in London. The two collide at 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair that exhibits at Somerset House, which runs from 15 to 18 October this year, marking its fourteenth edition. Over 100 established and emerging artists join forces in this incredible art fair, creatively showcasing the cultural richness of Africa and its diaspora via painting, photography, sculpture, textile, ceramics, and performance. A series of tours around the exhibition are available to book, to properly take it all in. By Ella Mansell
Black British Book Festival, Barbican
View this post on Instagram
The Black British Book Festival returns to the Barbican on 4 October, and this year’s line-up is well worth making a day of. More than 80 authors and cultural figures will take part across talks, panels, workshops and readings, with Candice Carty-Williams discussing Queenie, Corinne Bailey Rae exploring sound and creativity, and Wretch 32 making the case for rap as literature. There’s plenty for aspiring writers too, plus poetry, children’s events and a marketplace made for discovering your next read. If your bookshelf needs refreshing, start here. By Bibiana Obahor
Young Gifted & Black, Peckham Theatre
View this post on Instagram
Autumn marks the start of the Young, Gifted & Black 2026 season which spotlights brilliant Black talents on stage via a selection of incredible performances. Each show celebrates the work of London’s array of young talents, from playwrights, performers, musicians, singers, and more. The programme is varied too, with shows ranging from Greener Pastures which follows Kukuwa as she leaves Ghana to join her sister in London and soon realises that the city isn’t what she expected; Don’t Write Me Off, an interactive play for young people aged 13+; and a Poetry Foyer celebrating Black brilliance. Young, Gifted & Black runs from 1 – 30 October 2026. By Ella Mansell
The Story, National Theatre
View this post on Instagram
For your October theatre booking, make it The Story at the National Theatre. Letitia Wright makes her National Theatre debut in Tracey Scott Wilson’s gripping newsroom drama, playing an ambitious Black reporter determined to pursue a story after a white teacher is killed in a Black neighbourhood. What follows digs into race, journalism, ambition and who gets to decide which version of the truth becomes the headline. Clint Dyer directs a brilliant cast including Ashley Thomas and Lorraine Toussaint, with performances at the Olivier Theatre until 24 October. By Bibiana Obahor
Where To Shop
Black Culture Market, Brixton
View this post on Instagram
For a little weekend shopping, Black Culture Market takes over Lambeth Town Hall in Brixton on 10 and 11 October. More than 40 Black-owned businesses will come together under one roof, spanning fashion, jewellery and art to books, skincare, homeware and food. It’s the kind of market worth browsing slowly: pick up something from an independent designer, discover a new beauty brand and stop for a bite while you’re there. Most importantly, every purchase puts money directly behind Black-owned businesses and the creatives building them. By Bibiana Obahor
Kai Collective
View this post on Instagram
Founded by Fisayo Longe, Kai Collective has become one of London’s rising fashion labels, celebrated for its fusion of affordable luxury and statement design. Inspired by Nigerian culture and a love of bold dressing, the brand champions confidence and individuality. You may recognise the brand’s viral “Adesuwa” dress or have seen the collections worn by the likes of Beyoncé and Adwoa Aboah. This October, discover Kai Collective’s pieces as an expression of Black British creativity and a reminder that fashion is as much about heritage as it is about style. By Bibiana Obahor
Tolu Coker
View this post on Instagram
Tolu Coker has become one of British fashion’s buzziest names, with work that draws on her British-Nigerian heritage. Her work, which is made using deadstock fabrics and upcycled materials, is about more than just clothes, but also rarely told, emotionally profound and joyful stories of the African immigrant community. Her collection presentations are part of the narrative, and she’s previously transported audiences to a family living room and a replicate of her London studio. Naomi Campbell is a long-term supporter of the rising label. By Ella Alexander
Maison Bent
View this post on Instagram
London-based luxury fashion label Maison Bent honours Caribbean ancestry via clothing. The brainchild of Central St Martins and London College of Fashion graduate Shanna Bent, the collections draw inspiration from both the designer/founder’s time at seductive Agent Provocateur and sophisticated Roland Mouret, and fuses this with traditional styles from her Jamaican heritage for pieces that feel wearable, but with a special air of occasion. By Ella Mansell
Ewusie
View this post on Instagram
Josh Ewusie, the man behind his eponymous brand Ewusie, has built a reputation for his artful take on leather, using laser-cut leather pieces and artisanal indigo fabrics sourced from Ghana. Before he’d even hosted his first show, his talent caught the eye of Chanel, who awarded him a scholarship. His brand is influenced by his dual heritage, be it his mother’s eclectic 80s’ wardrobe or his father’s taste in music or the work of black photographer Elieen Perrier. By Ella Alexander
Manketti Oil by Charlotte Mensah
View this post on Instagram
Charlotte Mensah’s Manketti Oil haircare brand is one we love and celebrate year-round (just like every other brand in this piece). As a multi-award-winning hairstylist, Mensah is such an authority on afro and curly hair textures. She’s also the founder of the excellent charity LOVE Naa Densua Foundation, which supports the next community of founders, hair stylists, and more via mentorship. By Ella Mansell
We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
Any Questions or Tips to add?