Your essential guide to the best things to do, see and eat in central London this October.
London Restaurant Festival (1-30 October)
Eat your way around St James’s at this year’s London Restaurant Festival. Start with the seven-course tasting menu for £74 at Wild Honey: from traditional bouillabaisse to roast saddle of rabbit and grilled Provencal apricots – be sure to save space for the lavish English custard tart served with its famous Wild Honey ice cream. Room for more? Stop in for lunch or the pre and post theatre menu at Indian bistro, Farzi Café. Enjoy two courses with a mocktail for £20 or £25 with a champagne cocktail.
London Cocktail Month
This year London Cocktail Week has been extended into London Cocktail Month – why not celebrate by discovering the Art of Aperitivo at Quaglino’s? Stimulate your appetite with unmatched cocktails from Head Mixologist Michele Lombardi and live music.
BFI Film Festival (6-17 October)
Sit down to a special selection of the 65th BFI Film Festival programme at the ICA this month. Return on 23 October for a seminar on Black women’s culture and identity in Britain since the 1970s.
UK Chocolate Week (6-17 October)
Milk? Dark? Or packed with nuts? Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or someone special, you’re guaranteed to find a favourite in St James’s. Where better to start than at the Queen’s chocolatier, Prestat: inventors of the original chocolate truffle. Bite into the best on our chocolate tour of St James’s.
Asian Art season (21 October - 6 November)
Celebrate the 24th anniversary of Asian Art in London. Admire a 16th century Ottoman patterned tile at Christie’s, contemporary masterpieces from Senaka Senanayake at Grosvenor Gallery and more. Visit experts, add to your collection, and just explore the exquisite variety of artworks on display. Need help recognising your East Asian art or want to learn more about Indian and Islamic styles? Brush up your knowledge at St James’s Art Books or Maison Assouline.
Handle with scare
Silk dressing gowns, eye masks, caps and more; New & Lingwood’s signature skull and crossbones motif enchant us every season. Carve out a Halloween that’s both trick and treat with Fortnum & Mason’s morbid morsels; try the pumpkin and gourd iced biscuits, witches chocolate fingernails and Lucifer’s sinfully delicious marmalade.
