Although the end of May brought the heat, summer has now officially arrived. So, if you want open-air dining or rooftop bars, now is the perfect time to head out.
But there's plenty to enjoy indoors as well, from exquisite dining to incredible stage shows. Our dedicated team at HELLO! have been all around London to sample all the offerings in the capital to make sure you get the best recommendations for how to enjoy your summer.
Scroll down for all the reviews…
Festivals
Book your tickets for Taste of the City
London's top food festival is expanding this June. Alongside the main festival, the brand-new Taste of the City series will run from June 15 to June 21, offering one-off culinary experiences across the capital's best venues. Celebrating the restaurants, bars and talent shaping London's vibrant hospitality scene, Taste of the City invites foodies to go beyond the festival, whether it's chef's tables or special collaborative menus.
Highlights of the city-wide series include a seven-day feasting marathon at Rondo featuring a different chef daily, and a 'Bangkok Backyard' night market at Chet's in Shepherd's Bush. If it's a luxury dining experience you're after, book in for a Michelin-starred menu at Pavyllon London, a six-course seafood tasting at The Melusine paired with Nyetimber, or an eco-conscious seasonal lunch at the Michelin Green-starred Apricity.
There will also be plenty of fun interactive masterclasses, including pasta making at Eataly and Valencian paella cooking at ArrosQD.
Meanwhile, the flagship Taste of London festival returns to Regent's Park from June 17 to June 21.The park will transform into an open-air foodie wonderland featuring over 30 top-tier restaurants, 130 signature dishes, and 160 artisan producers.
Exciting new restaurant additions making their festival debut for 2026 include Italian hotspot Harry's and the Mexican eatery Ixchel, alongside the ever popular Sexy Fish and Pahli Hill Bandra Bhai.
Tickets for all individual Taste of the City events and the main Regent's Park festival are on sale now via the official website.
Reviewed by: Kate Thomas, Website Editor
Burger lovers won't want to miss this Summer food festival
Burger lovers, take note: Burger Fest UK is returning to London this summer following a hugely successful debut last year. Taking over Richmond Athletic Ground from 12–14 June, the three-day festival will bring together more than 20 of the UK and Ireland's most talked-about burger traders for a weekend dedicated to burgers, beer and all-around indulgence.
This year's line-up goes beyond traditional beef burgers, with a growing number of chicken specialists joining the party. Traders, including Clucking Oinks and Gurt Wings, will be serving their cult creations alongside some of the country's best smash burgers, giving visitors plenty to work through over the weekend.
At the centre of the action is the UK Burger Championships, where thousands of guests will vote for their favourite burger to crown The People's Champion. Last year's inaugural title went to Meatcastles, who return in 2026 hoping to defend their crown against a fresh field of challengers.
Whether you're a fan of classic cheeseburgers, loaded smash patties or next-level fried chicken sandwiches, Burger Fest UK promises a weekend packed with some of the best burgers the UK has to offer. Tickets start from £12 and are available here.
Reviewed by: Sharnaz Shahid, Deputy Online Editor
Restaurant reviews
New age dining in Covent Garden
Arcade has already gained a reputation for pulling together carefully curated kitchens in a stylish space at its sister space on Tottenham Court Road. This new incarnation brings together smash burgers, southern Thai sharing dishes, Greek cuisine and so much more in a beautifully lit spot in a brilliant location, sandwiched between the Strand and Covent Garden.
With low lighting and sleek interiors evoking a private members club, it was easy to relax and enjoy the flow of dishes, kicking off with spicy Punjabi samosas from North Indian curry experts Hero. Moreish beef croquettes with a swipe of mustard preceded juicy steak and chips from the South American stand Solis and thin-cut pizzas from east coast-style pizza house Gracey's. I'm already planning my next visit.
To book, visit here.
Reviewed by: Miranda Thompson, Features Editor
© Daniel OgulewiczIndulge in Italian food at Via Emilia
Italian is one of the best cuisines in the world, with every region of the country offering something entirely different. At Via Emilia, in Notting Hill, you're transported to Emilia-Romagna.
The tastes of the restaurant is unlike any Italian I've ever had from sharing platters with melting cheeses and meats to their Turtē vèird a l'arşâna, a unique ravioli that is to die for. Every mouthful of this dish was divine, and I was so glad I shared it alongside my tagliatelle.
As for drinks, you have to have the sparkling Lambrusco. I do not enjoy drinking red wine, so I wasn't sure whether I would be into this, but the sparkling version was incredible. If I knew you could have red wine like this, I would have started drinking it years ago.
Book here.
Reviewed by: Matthew Moore, Senior Evening Writer
