The coolest things to do in London this week
From London's best new restaurants to its finest art shows, this is GQ’s roundup of the best things to do in London this week
1/23Sarnie Party
The humble sandwich has undergone quite a glow-up in the capital over the last half-decade. Meal deals and boxed butties have been sidelined in favour of something more elevated, with the likes of Dom’s Subs, The Black Pig and Mondo Sando helping to erase the trauma of sad Pret lunches with godlike overflowing sandwiches. Sarnie Party, taking place this weekend (17-19 May), looks set to be a beautiful celebration of this boom. 20 of the city’s best sandwich purveyors (including the aforementioned trio) will descend upon Camden Town Brewery Hall in Kentish Town, each bringing some never-before-seen sandwich recipes. Each ticket will get you three sandwiches of your choosing and a beer. Get stuck in.
£30 per ticket. Sarnieparty.com
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2/23Aldo Fallai x Giorgio Armani Exhibit
Giorgio Armani's Sloane Street store will double as an exhibition space for the next few weeks, as the shop plays host to a show of Aldo Fallai's photography. The series spans 26 works dated from 1977 through 2021, many pulled from fashion and editorial spreads. The exhibition sheds light on the creative relationship between the Florentine photographer and the Italian fashion designer.
37-42 Sloane St, SW1X 9LP
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3/23Selfridges Car Boot Sale
One of the biggest events in London's shopping calendar is back. On Saturday, May 18, Women for Women International will return with their seventh annual Car Boot Sale, hosted by Alex Eagle at the Selfridges London Car Park. This an absolute blowout sale, where brands, designers and stylists put a select number of gems up for grabs, both new and pre-loved. Brands like 111Skin, Sunday Riley, Astrid & Miyu, and Frame will make an appearance at the event, where all proceeds will go towards women survivors of war.
Tickets here
4/23Before Freedom: Adam Rouhana, at No.9 Cork Street
Palestinian-American photographer Adam Rouhana first picked up a camera as a child, during his yearly trips away from Boston to visit his grandparents’ home in Mount Carmel, the coastal mountain range overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Now, decades later, he unveils his first solo exhibition in London, curated by Amah-Rose Abrams. His photographs exhibit a nuanced portrayal of Palestinian life beyond what we see on the 24-hour news cycle. Through Rouhana's lens, glimpse the intricacies of Palestinian existence, where resistance and grief are interspersed with daily moments of joy and hope. Visit No 9 Cork Street, Frieze's Mayfair gallery, to see the exhibition from 3 to 18 May.
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5/23Visit Maison Diptyque in Mayfair
Diptyque has unveiled a new store concept, Maison Diptyque, and the London iteration just arrived in the heart of Mayfair. Their largest store to date is spread over three floors where you can discover all that Diptyque has to offer (a lot, as it turns out). Head down to explore – we promise you won’t be disappointed.
Maison Diptyque London
6/23Scarfes Bar, Holborn
Stepped east of Soho and found yourself in desperate need of soft furnishings, antique literature and an Old Fashioned? Scarfes remains our go-to for plush decor and punchy cocktails, and that’s still the case come the advent of its new menu. Featuring 22 original cocktails from the celebrated duo of Martin Siska and Yann Bouvignies, it’s a welcome reminder of the Rosewood Hotel bar’s award-winning prowess. If you’re feeling adventurous amidst the home comforts, opt for the Plummet Boulevard’s blend of Glenfiddich 12, plum wine, Campari and Umeshu.
7/23Bubbledogs at 45, Mayfair
Champagne and hot dogs? These are the dreams summer is made of, and so Sandia Chang and James Knappett's sorely missed Bubbledogs pop-up has been reborn in collaboration with 45 Park Lane’s executive chef Elliott Grover. Located on the hotel's CUT Out restaurant terrace, hotdogs on the menu include one made with A5 wagyu, mayonnaise and summer truffle, as well as another featuring lobster tempura and caviar. If you don't stick around for the baked cheesecake and one final glass of fizz, you'll have done yourself a disservice.
David Robson8/23Brunch at Mortimer House, Soho
Soho's Mortimer House is one of few restaurants doing brunch justice, from solid English breakfasts to fancy sweet treats like pancakes with lemon curd that are very Amalfi-coded. The service is pleasant, the rooms light and airy and the atmosphere relaxing, you'd struggle not to end up sitting and sipping the day in one of their window seats.
Book on mortimerhouse.com
Copyright: The Artist. Courtesy: Larkin Durey, London9/23Between Broken Promises, Harissa at Larkin Durey
For his debut London exhibition, LA-based artist Massoud Hayoun draws on his Tunisian, Moroccan and Egyptian heritage to explore themes of belonging, identity, gender and systems of power through his work. His evocative portraits, painted as though they were drawn using a blue-ink ballpoint pen, celebrate the complexity of society at its fullest, featuring convicts, sex workers and migrant labourers while also paying homage to the people who raised him: his Egyptian and Tunisian grandparents. Although he mostly focuses on painting — an immediate, more visual way to tell stories – Hayoun is also a journalist and author, and has written an award-winning book about his Jewish Arabness. Visit the Larkin Durey Gallery in Mason’s Yard from 9 to 24 May to see the exhibition.
10/23Dinner at Saltine, Islington
Saltine is the first restaurant from Fink’s cafes founders Mat Appleton and Jess Blackstone alongside St John and Spring's former chef Phil Wood – and trust us when we say that you'd be remiss not to book yourself a table at this outpost. From turbot to duck and crab bisque, dishes are so succulent that the meat falls off the bone. Finish your experience with the signature sticky toffee apple cake and the bread and butter pudding comes highly recommended.
Book on saltine.co.uk
11/23Black Eats Fest
Black Eats LDN is hosting its first festival this Saturday and Sunday, and this time it’s bigger than ever. Founder Jackson McLarty is taking over Woolwich Works for what promises to be one of the biggest celebrations of Black-owned food businesses. With hype already bubbling on TikTok, certified foodies should be sure to head southeast this weekend for a taste.
12/23Nobu Pilates with Marsha Lindsay
It feels like every week a new reformer class is being announced, yet Nobu's Pilates classes have somehow remained a best-kept secret among celebrities and fitness tastemakers. With impeccable instructors like Marsha Lindsay at the helm, it’s no wonder these classes are creating a cult community among loyal attendees. From world-class reformer equipment to unmatched settings, Nobu should be your top choice for fulfilling your reformer fantasy.
Book here.
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13/23Jonny Woo at The Cockatoo for Bistrotheque's 20th Anniversary
As part of a cultural event series to celebrate the 20th birthday of iconic London venue Bistrotheque, comedian, actor and drag queen Jonny Woo is partnering with Tanqueray No. Ten for an unmissable show. A normal Friday at the pub, this is not – Woo blends cabaret, spoken word, drag and storytelling for a unique and lively experience. Plus, there's a bespoke menu of curated cocktails to match.
Book on The Cockatoo's website.
14/23Faber
Nestled on a quiet corner in Hammersmith, just seconds away from the station, Faber feels like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Steering the boat is chef Ollie Bass, whose expertise, honed at Sessions Arts Club and Quo Vadis, is evident in every sharing plate. A fish lover in practice (and yes, in name), Bass’ menu spotlights the finest ethically sourced ingredients, and the restaurant's bright interior whispers British coastal charm. Make sure to scan the chalkboard scribbled with the day’s seafood specials before you order. Plus, wander in on a weekday for some freshly shucked oysters, they're £2 a pop.
15/23Reiki at Fry+Dean Hair Studio
It turns out Fry+Dean has a whole lot more on its list of services than just haircuts. Reiki – the healing, non-contact energy-based practice that cleanses your mind and fills your cup – can be found right here in the heart of Shoreditch (to no one's surprise). If you frequently find yourself reaching for a handful of crystals rather than a paracetamol, this ancient Japanese alternative medicine may be right up your street.
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16/23Carmel
The area around Oxford Circus can be a dead zone when it comes to dining out (brutally high rents can make it hard for anything besides Five Guys and Pizza Express to stay afloat for long). But discerning diners can rejoice: there's a new oasis in the centre of the city. Carmel has just opened in a surprisingly secluded-feeling spot on Market Place, already buzzing with covers. This is the second location of the Queen's Park original and an additional notch in the belt of Josh Katz, the chef behind Berber & Q. The menu here is a wide-ranging ode to Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, with an emphasis on flatbreads: get yours fresh out of the oven, spread with cod's roe, lamb kebab, or asparagus & crab.
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17/23The Light Salon
LED is the new go-to route for a pre-party glow, with little downtime and zero pain. Skincare enthusiasts will be well-versed in the potential benefits of red light for collagen production and anti-inflammatory action. For the self-care addicts and uninitiated alike, The Light Salon is the gold standard for efficient, expert treatments. The brand's new membership scheme, priced at £120 per month, includes three facials, 15% additional treatments, ongoing skincare advice from therapists and a free birthday facial (for you and a plus one). A must-have for LED-obsessed Londoners.
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18/23Hector Henderson at The Seaside Boarding House
Springtime is flickering its way into London, but the warmer air is best enjoyed far away from the concrete and skyscrapers. Rochelle Canteen chef Hector Henderson – son of restaurant royalty Margot and Fergus – is cooking dinner at The Seaside Boarding House in Dorset this weekend. There's no better way to welcome spring than by dining on wild garlic lamb racks and asparagus maltaise, right on the beach.
Book here.
19/23The Grove’s new Mansion suites
Just on the cusp of Greater London in Zone 9, The Grove Spa in Watford makes perfect sense when you need easy access to nature and spacious self-care. The newly renovated mansion suites are a game-changer when planning a spa break, offering all the holiday vibes without the gruelling journey (or crazy train fares).
Book here.
20/23Dune 2 at Everyman
Denis Villeneuve's Dune 2 is the kind of film that demands to be enjoyed under high-spec cinema conditions - think a Dolby Atmos sound experience and a 4K projector. The best deals to experience the return of Timothée and Zendaya are at Everyman, London's comfiest cinema, which is partnering with Green & Black’s for the film's opening weekend. Come for Austin Butler's on-screen transformation and stay for the complementary chocolate bar that comes with each ticket, along with a bespoke futuristic-themed non-alcoholic cocktail infused with Everleaf Forest. Need anything else? Just order directly to your sofa.
21/23Rovi x Plenty More
Rovi is a vegetarian-centric epicurean haven created by chef Yotam Ottolenghi. With a fresh lunch menu drawing recipes from his book Plenty More, this is the perfect opportunity to witness how the pros bring recipes to life. On the menu, you'll find pot barley and lentils, Iranian butternut squash and spinach stew, along with a few more selections of comforting meals with uniquely combined ingredients. Consider this a fair warning: your taste buds might just demand a copy of the mastermind's book as a post-meal souvenir.
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22/23Reformcore
It seems like Reformer Pilates is all the craze lately, and rightfully so: strength-building, stretching, exercises that are high-energy but low-impact – it’s ticking off all the boxes. Since opening its flagship studio on King’s Road in Chelsea this past January, Reformcore has recently expanded to four other locations in Mayfair, Islington, Battersea and St Mary’s Axe. There’s no better way to start your morning or end your day than with a 50-minute class in one of their bright and spacious studios. The endorphin rush afterwards makes the burn worth it.
Book here.
23/23Padel at Padium
Padel, a fun cross between tennis and squash originally invented in Mexico, is gearing up to be the new social sport of 2024. The game has already won over celebs like David Beckham, Lando Norris, and Rafa Nadal. Whether you're looking to introduce yourself to the sport or you're an avid player in search of state-of-the-art courts, Padium is the place to go. Situated in the heart of Canary Wharf, it boasts luxe facilities and world-class coaches, who can get you up to speed or help you craft the perfect serve. Bring your racquet, or rent one at their shop.
