9 Exciting Things To Eat And Do In October

There’s a lot to do in October. Continue supporting Black-owned businesses to honour Black History Month, eat some tacos because someone said it was National Taco Day and we’re always in the mood for tacos, and panic-buy a puffer jacket because we’ve finally, begrudgingly said goodbye to summer. This list includes everything from Oktoberfest celebrations, to exciting seasonal flavours from the best gelato spot in London.

photo credit: Patricia Niven

Hit Up Melissa Thompson’s Jamaican Cookbook Launch 

If you’re into Food, capital f for feelings, then you probably already follow Melissa Thompson on the ‘gram, where she’s known as @fowlmouthsfood. Now, you can enjoy her expert food thoughts and recipes the delightful old-fashioned way, in a cookbook. Motherland ‘charts the history of the people, influences, and ingredients that uniquely united to create the wonderful patchwork cuisine that is Jamaican food today’. Celebrate its release with a live talk at Brixton Library on Wednesday October 5th. The event is free but you’ll need to register here. 

Spend A Soulful Sunday At The Prince Of Peckham 

It’s Black History Month and everyone’s favourite Peckham boozer is hosting a day of soulful fun celebrating some of the biggest names of Black music, past and present, on Sunday 9th. Alongside a live band and the signature dark rum cocktail, jerk chicken will also be in attendance. The event will be kicking off at 8pm and tickets start at £6, or you can get your whole crew involved with a £30 table for six.  

Join In The Diwali Celebrations At Trafalgar Square

After a two-year hiatus, Diwali on the Square is back with a big celebration in Trafalgar Square on Sunday October 9th. Stop by for live garba performances, laughter yoga, south Asian street food vendors, and more. It’s free entry, so spend a couple of hours perusing the different stalls, then walk on over to one of the spots on our Covent Garden guide for dinner.

Eat Some Of London’s Best Pancakes For £1

You know what’s better than a stack of fluffy pancakes? A stack of fluffy pancakes for £1. And certified excellent pancake makers, Where The Pancakes Are, are opening their latest restaurant on October 14th. The new spot is in Battersea Power Station, and on the first day of opening you can get pancakes for £1. Take your mum, take your friends, take the Friday afternoon off—and just get down there for some cheap and cheerful pancakes.

Check Out BFI’s Black History Month Screenings 

BFI Southbank is bringing the entirety of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series to the big screen and whether you’ve already watched it or not—trust us, you want to be in the former group—that’s exciting news. Outside of McQueen’s love letter to Black resilience, music, and triumph, you can also catch screenings of documentaries about Darcus Howe and Frantz Fanon, or hit up one of the Kirikou and the Sorceress family events. If you're looking for something to eat before or after, check out our guide to the best Bankside and Southwark restaurants.

Have A Scoop—Or Three—Of Gelupo’s Harvest Festival Ice Cream Specials

We’ll be honest, we’re not usually ones to go hard on harvest festival celebrations. However, we’re always down to get involved in some ice cream, especially if it’s from the best gelato spot in the city, Gelupo. Throughout October, this Soho ice cream shop will be making seasonal specials like pear and ricotta, sweetcorn, and a pumpkin cinnamon number for all you proud Ugg-wearing, autumn-loving, self-proclaimed basics who enjoy a cheeky pumpkin spice latte. 

Check Out This New Arcade In Canary Wharf

Yeah, we don’t like going down that side of the Jubilee line since that dreaded job interview in 2017 either. But we’d be willing to make the trip for this new indoor funfair. Fairgame, which is opening on October 4th, has a bunch of arcade games, street food vendors including Rudy’s Pizza and Burger & Beyond, and a bar. Book a time slot ahead on their website—we have a feeling it’ll be popular. 

Throw Back Some Beers At These Oktoberfest Celebrations

A huge tent, live music, and enough German beer taps to quench the thirst of a small country. There are plenty of Oktoberfest events happening throughout the month, from a three-week-long extravaganza with a venue that’s TBC, to a Bavarian drinking den in Pergola Paddington that’s got oom-pah bands and DJs until October 30th. There’s even a bratwurst eating competition in Balham pub, The Regent, if you’re sausage inclined. 

photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli

Eat Tacos At One Of London's Best Taquería's

As if we needed another reason to eat al pastor tacos on a random Tuesday other than the fact it sounds delicious. But we’ll give you two reasons. Firstly, it’s National Taco Day on October 4th—which yes is the random Tuesday. And secondly, La Chingada is conveniently open on Tuesdays. If you haven't already been to this small Surrey Quays spot, order the al pastor, the suadero, and the chorizo tacos, grab some napkins, and settle in.