Saawaros' Thai Residency above The Albert Arms, SE1

 

Saawaros, run by Thai chef-founder Ice, is popping up Wednesdays to Sundays in the upstairs room at The Albert Arms, SE1, serving superior Thai food.  

Saawaros means 'passionfruit', and this is Ice's passion project, which he started while working as a chef at Fallow, and has now been successfully running since late 2025.

The menu offers a good mix of dishes, including Thai takes on oysters and wings, salads, and the most popular dish, a slow-cooked beef short rib curry, which is a work of art.

It's my favourite from all the ones I've visited regularly.  It is serving Wednesday to Sunday evening (plus Saturday lunch) in a small, smart dining above the pub; book your table now!

When - Wednesday to Sunday evenings, and Saturday lunchtime.

Where - Above The Albert Arms, 1 Gladstone St, Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6EY

Booking - Book by DM on Saawaros' Instagram account

Map

Saawaros London on Instagram

The Albert Arms SE1 on Instagram

Tracks Pizza at The Hand of Glory, Lower Clapton, E8

Tracks Pizza - Millie & Charlie - have started a new residency at The Hand of Glory pub in Amhurst Road, E8, serving their thin & crispy pizzas Tuesdays to Saturdays.  

Tracks pizza started a couple of years ago, trading at markets, then had a big residency at a brewery in Herne Hill last summer, and a pub on the Kingsland Road most recently, perfecting their flavours and technique along the way.  

Great pizzas - join the queue! 

When - Tues-Sat - evenings + all day on Saturday

Where - The Hand of Glory, 240 Amhurst Rd, Lower Clapton, E8 2BS

Booking - via JaguarShoes

Map 

Tracks Pizza on Instagram

The Hand of Glory pub on Instagram 

Rice Paddy's Thai Residency at The White Horse in Peckham

Rice Paddy - Irish chef Paul Asher - has taken over the kitchen at The White Horse pub in Peckham, serving his Northern Thai dishes on Tuesdays to Sundays.

Paul has worked in some great restaurants both in the UK and Thailand, and has a great love and understanding of the cuisine.  

I have eaten his food many times over several residencies around South London, and I'm delighted to see him in his most ambitions residency yet.  His food is so good, especially his curries, and he is also doing both his take on Sunday Roasts and sharing platters on Sundays and a festive set menu designed for groups in the run up to Christmas.

It's always a joy to visit Paul, and see what is new on the menu.  When I first visited him at The White Horse I had his chicken wings which were so hot I had to go running back to the bar for more drinks!

When - Tuesdays to Sundays 

Where - The White Horse, 20-22 Peckham Rye, London SE15 4JR

Book via - The White Horse

Rice Paddy on Instagram

The White Horse on Instagram

Out Back at The Hawke, Victoria Park Village, E9

Out Back is a project from chef Lewis Simmons - aka Simmo - who has moved his smoker in to the back yard of the Hawke pub in Victoria Park Road, E9, and is cooking up lots of treats in the kitchen.

Simmo has been cooking around London for several years, working for other BBQ outfits, and this is his first proper solo residency.  Expect lots of slow cooked meats - the smoked pork belly rib is insanely good - and his is also doing Sunday Roasts.  Booking strongly recommended.

Out Back is serving at The Hawke on Wednesdays to Sundays, including from lunchtime at the weekends.

 When - Wednesdays to Sundays 

Where - The Hawke Pub, 235 Victoria Park Rd, E9 7HD

Booking - via The Hawke Pub

Map

Out Back on Instagram

The Hawke Pub on Instagram

Melanie Blatt's Full Fillings Food at The Londesborough, N16

Full Fillings Food is a new(ish) burger pop-up from former All Saints star Melanie Blatt, now serving at The Londesborough pub in N16, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  

The concept is big filled buns, and there are currently 3 on the menu: Mexican-inspired beef birria,  Caribbean-inspired chicken, and a veggie mac n cheese one (a genius idea!).  I had the beef birria, which came with a really good gravy; a vital part of the experience.

The Londesborough is a big corner pub, with seating inside and out, so you should have no trouble getting served (but it's always safest to book (link - The Londesborough) and you may also get to meet Mel!

When - Tuesday and Thursday evenings (& on Uber Eats & Just Eat)

Where - The Londesborough, 36 Barbauld Rd, London N16 0SS

Bookings - via The Londesborough

Map

Full Fillings Food on Instagram

The Londesborough on Instagram

Swilipino's Swedish-Filipino Cooking at the ESEA Centre in Dalston

 

Swilipino - serving a mix of Swedish and Filipino dishes - is now serving Weds-Sat at The ESEA Community Centre in Englefield Road, N1, until December 2025.  I visited a few weeks ago and loved it; big bold flavours in a very nice setting.  I'd strongly recommend the curry goat (above), the Ginataang scallop; and the dessert - an oat lace cookie ice cream sandwich (below).  yum!

"Swilipino began as a creative identity and food project by Tintin Jonsson in 2018—a photographer turned chef in search of a new creative outlet and a deeper understanding of her dual heritage. Organically turning it into a catering and event business based in London, Tintin cooks Filipino-inspired dishes through the lens of her Swedish-Filipino background. She often draws from the southern Philippines, where her mother is from, blending traditional flavors with Swedish nostalgia to create what she playfully calls “frankenfood.”

Her cooking is a celebration of connection—an exploration of the shared threads between cultures, rather than the divides. Instead of dwelling on the confusion that dual identity can bring, she embraces it with a “full cup” mentality.

Tintin also spent years working as a development chef at the East London favorite My Neighbours the Dumplings, where she honed her skills in dumpling-making— which she has lovingly woven into the Swilipino identity.

Cartoons and animation are Tintin’s biggest sources of inspiration, and that joy and color shine through in her food. Expect big flavors, saturated colors, and definitely more chili than you’d typically find in traditional Filipino or Swedish dishes—because she likes it hot!"

When - Weds-Sat til mid December 2025

Weds-Fri evenings, and Sat all day from 12 noon

Where - ESEA Community Centre, 12-14 Englefield Rd, London N1 4LS

Bookings - tintin@swilipino.com

Map

Swilipino on Instagram

Kaunter's 4 month residency at Giacco's, N5

Kaunter - from chef Jemma Harrison - is now serving at Giacco's, 176 Blackstock Road, N5, Tuesdays to Saturdays til early December 2025.  It's a regularly changing menu - 'think Eastern Europe meets New York Deli' - which in practice means big comforting dishes like chicken schnitzel, cod roe, home-cured sardines and cherry sorbet.  

I visited for Saturday lunch a few weeks ago and loved it.  Lots of imagnination and creativity in the cooking, using great, locally sourced produce.  Plus - a really good wine list, cocktails and beers.  

It's on til early December - don't miss it!

Her journey began at Petersham Nurseries, Richmond back in 2014, before heading through kitchens like Koya, Westerns Laundry, Jolene, the Marksman Group and Camille — soaking up inspiration (and lessons) from every stop.

With a background in art and design, Jemma brings a creative eye to her plates. Her cooking is inspired by her Jewish British upbringing, her family’s love of food, and the nostalgia of childhood comfort, British classics and her love of fresh pasta — think Eastern Europe meets New York deli. Her deep respect for the land comes through in her carefully considered menus and seasonal ingredient choices.

Growing up, Jemma spent weekends at her dad’s home in Suffolk, right next to a working pig farm. She would often sneak in to see what was happening — a curiosity about food and its origins that has stayed with her ever since.

When - Tuesdays - Saturdays til early December 2025

Evenings, and all day Saturday

Where - Giacco's, 176 Blackstock Rd, London N5 1HA

Booking - via Giacco's here

Map

Kaunter on Instagram

Giacco's on Instagram

Marie Mitchell's Residency at Hometipple, Walthamstow

Scottish mackerel with sorrel sauce

Marie Mitchell is currently in the kitchen at Hometipple, the wine shop and restaurant in Walthamstow, E17, cooking a Caribbean menu, including lots of great fish dishes.  She is serving Tuesdays to Sundays, including lunches on Saturdays and Sundays.

I have now been twice.  Great food, especially the fish, but also jerk chicken,vegetarian dishes like roast aubergine and chickpeas (above), salads and some very delicious desserts.

"Fresh from winning the Fortnum & Mason Debut Cookery Book Award 2025 for her celebrated cookbook Kin, Marie shares vibrant British Caribbean flavours including jerk pork with coriander and lime sauce, baked whole escovitch fish with catch of the day, and her signature corn bread with thyme cream cheese.

Perfectly paired with chilled reds, crisp whites, and refreshing rosés for those long, lazy summer evenings."

When - Tuesdays to Sundays til end of August 2025

Where - Hometipple, 34 Orford Rd, London E17 9NJ

Bookings - via Hometipple

Map

Marie Mitchell on Instagram

Hometipple on Instagram

Fontella's Summer Residency at Bottle + Rye in Brixton

Monkfish carpaccio

Fontella - aka young chefs James and George - are in the kitchen at the Bottle & Rye bar in Brixton for the summer, serving Tuesdays to Saturdays with a great menu of small plates, freshly cooked from the best produce.  They serve in the evenings, except for Saturdays when they are open from lunchtime, but with a choice of sandwiches - made to their same exacting standards - until the main menu appears in the evening.

Grilled Red Mullet

The food is great, and they create a fun vibe in the bar.  They love their music - 60s R&B singer Fontella Bass is the inspiration for their name - and you can also expect to hear lots of other great tunes.

Warm Peach & Mozzarella salad

"James and George are a duo who first crossed paths in primary school and then later joined forces again in a pub kitchen where they discovered their shared passion for food. They previously worked in restaurants including : Chez Bruce, Trullo and Lita. ​

Fontella embraces a nomadic spirit, offering a European small-plate menu that reflects a nose-to-tail ethos, celebrating the whole ingredient with bold, thoughtful cooking.

Here for the summer — swing by for delicious food, great wine, and terrace vibes that complete the Bottle + Rye experience."

When - Tuesdays to Saturdays, including from lunchtime on Saturdays

Where - Bottle + Rye, Ground Floor, 404-406 Market Row, London SW9 8LD

Booking - Via Bottle and Rye here

Map

Fontella on Instagram

Bottle + Rye on Instagram

Lawrence Barrow's Seafood Suppers at The Sea, The Sea in Hackney

Chef Lawrence Barrow has taken over the kitchen and - small - dining space at The Sea, The Sea in Hackney for a 2 month pop-up series, Wednesdays to Fridays, serving the best of British seafood to diners, six seats at a time.  I was  lucky enough to go during the preview week, and was blown away by the food and the experience.

The Sea, The Sea is a seafood depot, taking the best of the catch from Cornwall, Scotland and elsewhere, and then supplying it to some of London's best restaurants.  During the run of the pop-up, Lawrence will be speaking to the people at the harbours, finding out what catch has just come in, and getting the best sent up for his diners.

This means that the menu will change every week, if not ever day.  When I was there I had several dishes, which are likely to not still be on the menu, but as an illustration they were...

Aged Ikijime Trout

BBQ Octopus

BBQ Mackerel Teriyaki

Cornish Cacciocco - a fish stew with 5 fish

Plus - one I didn't have - Fish Currywurst on the grill - Monkfish sausages.

It's a brilliant experience, and the food is at the next level.  They are also serving well-picked wines to go with your dinner, and so you won't get thirsty.  If you have a mix of dishes between you, and wine, you should expect to pay something like £70 per head.

When - Wednesday to Friday evenings in July and August, 5pm-9.30pm 

Where - The Sea, The Sea Hackney, 337 Acton Mews, London E8 4EA

Booking - via The Sea The Sea here

Map

Lawrence Barrow on Instagram

Flock's Rotisserie Chicken at Bruno, E9

 

Flock - chefs Lucy Timm and Florrie Kickham - are popping up til the end of June 2025, Thursdays to Sundays, at Bruno, the wine bar in Victoria Park Village, E9.  Flock's menu is a delight - they do rotisserie chicken (their rotisserie is sitting outside the bar), plus steak tartare, cassoulet, and even a delicious chocolate mousse.  They even do takeaway baguettes to enjoy in the park.

Flock only started a couple of months ago, initially with a pop-ups in Camberwell, and with food this good expect to hear lots more from them.  Catch them before the end of June in E9, then look out for further announcements on their socials.

When - Thursdays - Sundays til 29th June 2025 - Thursday and Friday evenings, and Saturdays and Sundays from lunchtime.

Where - Bruno, 211a Victoria Park Rd, E9 7JN

Bookings - via Bruno

Map 

Flock on Instagram

Bruno on  Instagram

Sho Foo Doh's Japanese Residency at Filly Brook in Leytonstone

 

Prawn & squid okonomiyaki by Sho Foo Doh

Sho Foo Doh - led by Japanese chef & DJ Fumio Tanga - has taken over the kitchen at the Filly Brook bar in Leytonstone, E11, cooking Japanese '(un)classics' and his very popular okonomiyaki, Wednesdays to Sundays.

Fumio is one of the originals from the London street food and pop-up scene - I remember eating his food in a coffee shop in 2011 - and it is always good to see a new residency.  The menu is pretty extensive, with about ten of the (un)classics (including a tuna tostada, and tonkatsu, a deep fried pork cutlet), plus three okonomiyaki (pork, kimchi & cheddar, prawn and squid, and braised shiitake & mozzarella (vegetarian, can be made vegan).

I hope that this is a long-running one - great food, great bar.

When - Wednesdays to Sundays from May 2025

Where - Filly Brook, 392 Grove Green Rd, Leytonstone, London E11 4AP

Map

Book a space - on their site here

Sho Foo Doh on Instagram

Filly Brook on Instagram

Seouls of Mischief's Burgers at the Pretty Decent Beer Co taproom near Victoria Park

 

Seouls of Mischief is a new burger co now serving Weds-Sun at the Pretty Decent Beer Co taproom in Bow Wharf, E3, just minutes from Victoria Park.  It's a big, double patty aged-beef burger, very creatively presented (maybe this was just the day I was there, but I doubt it!).  

Seouls of Mischief is a sister company to Mexican Seoul, the restaurant next door to the taproom, which fuses Mexican and Korean cuisine in very inventive and tasty ways.

Elsewhere on the menu are other buns - chicken, fish, and vegan, plus a lot of sides including these hash browns, which are served with a dipping gravy.

It's a great addition to the taproom, which seems to be busier every time I go, and stocks a very good range of Pretty Decent's craft beers.

When - Wednesdays to Sundays

Where - Unit GF1, Bow Wharf, 221 Grove Rd., Old Ford, London E3 5SN

Map

Booking page

Seouls of Mischief on Instagram

Pretty Decent Beer Co on Instagram

Lá Lốt's 2 Week Vietnamese Pop-up at Naughty Piglets in Brixton

Lá Lốt - from Vietnamese chef Eric Wan - has been popping up around London since February 2024, spending a few days or a few weeks at different bars and restaurants across London and beyond.  This week and next (until Saturday 15th March 2025) he will be at Naughty Piglets, a restaurant and bar at 28 Brixton Water Lane, Brixton, where he his serving a modern Vietnamese menu - I particularly recommend the chicken lemongrass saté sweet basil (pic above) which I had a couple of nights ago.

Eric is classically trained, and worked at Dinner by Heston prior to launching Lá Lốt.  If you miss Eric in Brixton fear not - he is likely to be popping up somewhere else in the city before long; he was last year's most active pop-up chef and is likely to be this year's too.

"Lá Lốt is a community-driven concept that explores Saigonese cooking with a modern touch. Our approach revolves around experimenting with street food recipes, embracing both familiar classics and innovative creations, all while paying homage to the fabric of Southern Vietnamese flavours.

The inspiration for Lá Lốt is drawn from Chợ Lớn, a historic neighbourhood nestled along the Saigon River with a thriving Chinese diaspora. Its narrow streets are lined with food carts and hole-in-the-wall eateries that are as diverse as they are delicious—a true embodiment of Saigon’s street food culture.

Pulling from rich history and cultural depth, our dishes are thoughtfully crafted to taste and feel nostalgic. We preserve the underlying flavours and present them through a modern lens, delivering an experience that blends tradition and creativity—an ode to both old and new."

When - Tues-Sat evenings til 15th March 2025

Where - Naughty Piglets, 28 Brixton Water Lane, London SW2 1PE

Booking via SevenRooms

Map

Lá Lốt on Instagram

Naughty Piglets on Instagram

Jemma Harrison's Sunday Pop-up at Giacco's, N5

 

Jemma Harrison, a British chef, is doing a short pop-up series at Giacco's, a bar and restaurant in Highbury, N5.  She was there last Sunday (2nd), and will be there this Sunday (9th Feb 2025), cooking a very comforting menu with fresh produce and pasta.

I loved the two dishes I tried last weekend - the fried skate (below), and the angolotti del plin (above) - small pinched parcels of pasta with chicken and cabbage.

One trend we've seen emerging recently is the rise of these very short term events - often just a long weekend or even a day - giving the host restaurant more variety in their offering, and letting independent chefs spread their wings by trying new things.

Jemma is only doing one more date at Giacco's - this Sun 9th - but follow her to see where she will be next, and follow Giacco's to see who their next guest in the kitchen will be.

When - Sun 9th February 2025

Where - Giacco's, 176 Blackstock Rd, London N5 1HA

Map

Booking page

Jemma Harrison on Instagram

Giacco's on Instagram

Magic Momo's 6 Month Residency at Nam Long, SW5

 

(Showing the momo plates from an earlier residency)

Magic Momo - founded by chef Daisy Beale - has taken over the kitchen at Nam Long, the restaurant and cocktail bar at 159 Old Brompton Rd, SW5 0LJ, serving a mix of momo dumplings and small plates, from 7pm to 9.45pm, Wednesdays to Sundays.  

I've known Daisy for a couple of years, through frequent pop-ups ranging from 3 months at The Rose and Crown in NW5 to supper clubs at Eggbreak in Notting Hill.  Landing this is a great coup; hoping to visit soon.

"We’re excited to welcome Daisy Beale, our new chef, who’s taking over the Nam Long kitchen and bringing her Magic Momos to the table. From small plates and steaming dumplings to sharable dishes, Daisy’s menu is inspired by her travels, time in Thailand, and running her restaurant, all with a focus on bold Southeast Asian and Himalayan flavours.

After discovering the magic of momos in Nepal, Daisy made them a signature dish in her restaurant. Now, she’s bringing her unique take to Nam Long, blending dynamic, authentic flavours with a modern twist to each dish – from Soft shell crab and Dumpling salad to Mushroom & truffle momos, and larger plates such as Grilled king prawns with coconut chilli relish, perfect for sharing."

When - Weds-Sun evenings, 7pm-9.45pm

Where - Nam Long, 159 Old Brompton Rd, SW5 0LJ

Booking

Map

Magic Momo London on Instagram

Nam Long Le Shaker on Instagram

Saucy Bast*rds' Burger Bar on Upper Street, N1

 

Saucy Bast*rds - brothers Zeus and Leandros - have taken over the former 12:51 site at 107 Upper Street, N1 and are serving their burgers there for the next couple of months.  

Saucy Bast*rds started doing pop-ups earlier this year, including at Pasero, near to where Zeus lives in N15.  They serve a menu of smash burgers - their signature one has two patties, American cheese, and lots more, plus sauces on the side to dip it into, 'French dip' style.  They also have chicken both in a burger ('Cocky Bast*rd') and as wings, plus all the sides that you would expect, and desserts too.

It's great to see a 'proper' pop-up - they are not doing a residency in a bar, but have taken over an empty space and making it their own.  Please go and support them - and feast on the delicious burgers! 

When - Open Tuesdays to Sundays - probably til the end of October 2024 or beyond

Where - 107 Upper St, London N1 1QN

Map

Saucy Bast*rds on Instagram

Lucy Timm's August 2024 Pop-ups around London

Chef Lucy Timm - ex Sager & Wilde, 26 Grains and others - is popping up at 4 restaurants around London this August, spending 1-5 days in each one.  Lots of chefs are doing short term stints at the moment, but I think this is the first time one has announced four at a time, covering different parts of the capital, including SE5, N15 and N1. I'm hoping to go to one this weekend if possible.  Booking recommended for all - see links below.

"Lucy has been honing her craft in some of London’s best-known and loved establishments over the last seven years. Starting at Sager & Wilde before moving to the renowned Leroy in Shoreditch. In 2021, she took the helm at Royale, a Provençal-inspired eatery, and then was most recently the culinary vision at 26 Grains. Praised by critics like Grace Dent and Fay Maschler, and featured in The Sunday Times Magazine’s “10 Faces to Know Now” and Great British Chefs’ “Ones to Watch.”

Lucy’s food focuses on seasonality and quality produce. With a background in Italian and French cuisine, Lucy’s food is known for exploring innovative cooking techniques. Infusing her dishes with subtle yet bold flavours drawn from the Middle East and North Africa."

When & Where - 

Sat 3rd August 2024 - Ken's, 51 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QL

Ken's

Weds 7th - Sat 10th August 2024 - Little Cellars, 75 Camberwell Church St, SE5 8TU

Little Cellars

Weds 14th - Sun 18th - Pasero, 120a W Green Rd, South Tottenham, N15 5AA

Passero

Thurs 22nd - Sat 24th August 2024 - Albers, 23A Englefield Rd, N1 4JX

Albers

Canto 73's Weekly Supper Clubs at Fantail in Islington

 

Canto 73- led by chef Chef João Ferreira Pinto - runs regular supper clubs every Friday and Saturday night at Fantail, the coffee shop at 274B St. Paul’s Road, Islington (nearest tube - Highbury & Islington).  The supper clubs feature seven courses, wth seasonal ingredients from independent producers, and great wine available for pairing.

We started supper clubs in the summer of 2021, wanting to create a sustainable, gentle way to host dinners during the pandemic. We ended up really enjoying this slower-paced, shared dining experience so decided to make them a regular occurrence.

Every Friday and Saturday at 19:30 we host a casual evening of seven seasonal plates with a little explanation of each dish by the Chef. We are really passionate about seasonal, sustainable ways of eating and work as locally as possible, including lots of independent businesses in Islington, or with very small production purveyors.

Our menus are created from years of experience in Michelin restaurants, but wanting to take the fussiness and higher price away to create incredibly delicious food that can be enjoyed in a casual, unintimidating environment.

We also offer a wine pairing from our suppliers at Graft Wine which we highly recommend to get the most out of the evening. 

When - Friday and Saturday evenings at 7.30pm

Where - Fantail,  274B St. Paul’s Road, N1 2LJ

Reservations - £50 from Canto 73 here 

Map

Canto 73 

Canto 73 on Instagram

Yagi Izakaya's Japanese Bar Food at The King & Co in Clapham

 

Yagi Izakaya - led by chef Chris Wright - is now in the kitchen at The King & Co in Clapham, serving Japanese-style bar food - the sort you find at izakayasizakayas in the back streets - Mondays to Saturdays until early July (with the pub doing its own roasts on Sundays).  

Chris has a long history with Japanese cooking, including time spent in Japan, and also at restaurants including Nobu.  This is his second time at The King & Co, and he has been innovating with the menu, including adding Snow Crab Milk Buns (see above), and a set of 5 Chicken, Nduja & Shitake Gyoza, which come cooked together in a sort of crispy pancake.

There are also sweet things, including this Black Sesame & Truffle Ice Cream.  As always with this chef the quality is fantastic - and I've already booked by second visit.

When - Mondays-Saturdays until early July 2024

Monday-Friday evenings, Saturday all day from 12pm

Where - The King & Co, 100 Clapham Park Rd, London SW4 7BZ

Bookings - via the The King & Co

Map

Yagi Izakaya on Instagram

The King & Co on Instagram