LDNGuide
12 Exciting Things To Eat & Do This November
Autumn, you are trash. There, we said it. London hasn’t been particularly generous with the orange leaves pumpkin-spiced wet dream we were all promised, but we’ve decided to make the most of the grey weather and lean into the season with cosy film festival nights, moonlit heated swims, and a mirror margarita that’s perfect for pretending summer never abandoned us. Read on for the hottest new openings you should book now, a Drag Race UK party for the ages, and where to feast on Thanksgiving when, honestly, you’re really just in it for the turkey.
Eat Some Roast Duck in Camden
Coming in hot after Michael Bublé and long christmas lunches, markets are our third favourite thing about this time of year. Which makes Camden Market’s Hawley Wharf a very exciting place to be this month, especially because they’ve a bunch of new vendors have opened, serving things like Cantonese roast duck, Neapolitan fried pizza, and freshly baked doughnuts. It’s open everyday until 9pm.
Get One Last Cacio E Pepe Toastie
This spot is Permanently Closed.
Devastated is an understatement when it comes to our feelings about this Holcombe Market spot closing. Yes, we’re livid, but we’re also hungry. So head to this Tottenham wine and cheese stall for one last cheesy fix. Double down with a cacio e pepe toastie, a bunch of supplies from the ‘mega fridge’, and of course a brie brûlée crumpet before they close for good on the 24th December.
Head to Flor for Cake and Coffee
The Borough Market restaurant, wine bar and bakery has decided to double down on the latter and will be open from 8am Thursday to Sunday. Their famous brown butter cakes, pastries, loaves, and more - all freshly baked - will be available as well as coffee and wines to take away. An excellent way to start your day if we’ve ever heard one.
Head to One of London’s Many Pop-Ups
There’s a whole load of pop-ups and residences going on across London this month. Get yourself some freshly made bánh mì in Soho, bone marrow-stuffed pies in Peckham, or book tickets to a very OTT tuna omakase event in Notting Hill.
Drink London's Best Margarita
We kicked 2021 off with the mantra ‘avoid mirrors, drink mirror margaritas’. Whether that mantra worked out for us really depends on where you stand on the concept of daily afternoon naps, but in a much more positive turn of events Hacha has opened a second bar. Their signature and entirely unmissable mirror margaritas are now available on Market Row in Brixton, plus tacos, a paloma old fashioned, and a whole lot of mezcal.
ORDER THE BAO X MARGOT HENDERSON COLLAB
Another month, another achingly cool reason to visit Bao. Forever giving the fans an excellent excuse to order a round of confit pork bao, this month they’re teaming up with Rochelle Canteen’s Margot Henderson for a limited edition line-up of specials on their delivery service Rice Error. Think braised squid, crab, and fennel boxes. It’s available throughout November and from every box sold, £1 will be donated to a charity of the chef’s choice.
Go for a Moonlit (And Yes, Heated) Swim
Well, there we were thinking that if we ever ended up having a midnight swim in London it would be because we drank a daiquiri on an empty stomach and thought befriending a seagull on Blackfriars Bridge would be a good idea. Alas, Hampton Pool has made winter swimming all the more appealing with the return of their popular Moonlight Dip Sessions. They’ve got several sessions available on the 26th, 27th, and 28th, and seeing as you’ll already be in this part of town you might as well check out Tongdak’s fried chicken. It’s affordable, it’s perfectly crispy, and it’s absolutely deserved after cracking out your swimwear in November.
Start Your Engines With the Ultimate Drag Race Viewing Party
Imagine having the cheek, the nerve, the gall, the audacity, and the GUMPTION, to watch the finale of Drag Race UK at home. RuPaul Andre Charles would never. Clapham Grand are doing Drag Race viewing parties throughout the month, but it’s their finale party on the 25th that we’ve got our eye on. Expect confetti, balloons, popcorn, cocktails, and performances from some very special guests. Hit this link to get notified when the tickets drop and you know, be a winner, baby.
Book a Table at Shoreditch's Hottest New Restaurant
‘Manteca is a packout-by-7pm-pasta specialist spot that doesn’t seem to care about much else other than reminding people that a central London restaurant can still be the full shebang. Delicious. Fun. Good value. And, cool.’ That’s what we said about Manteca in Soho and as people who never forget an excellent ox cheek ragu pappardelle, we stand by it. This month they’re completing their move to Shoreditch. With the same focus on nose-to-tail cooking and hand-rolled pasta, we’re guessing that it’s going to be wildly popular. They’re officially opening on November 16th but you can get ahead of the crowd by booking now.
Get Your Turkey on at This Thanksgiving Feast
Turkey day is coming, baby! Sure, we’re not American and feel pretty lukewarm on the 2021 thankful scale, but potatoes are involved and that’s what really matters. This year, Sussex in Soho is putting on a full Thanksgiving spread involving duck liver macaroons, roast turkey with garden herb stuffing, and - ding ding ding - salt baked potatoes. The four-course menu will set you back £55 per person, which is actually pretty decent considering you also get a welcome cocktail and a pumpkin and ginger pie for dessert. Definitely get involved in their house British Nutbourne vineyard wines too, we stan.
Forage (!) for Your Dinner
I am going foraging. Say it to yourself with confidence. Foraging, yes, I am going foraging. The ultimate mash up of being out there frolicking with our gal, Mother Nature, and being really into food, foraging tends to be one of those things that feels pretty daunting. Mostly because of visceral childhood memories of a Brownies leader shouting “do not eat that berry!“. Anyway, the good people at vegan pub, The Spread Eagle, are making the whole foraging thing more approachable with their series of foraging walks alongside Flavour Fred - man named Fred who is apparently a foraging expert, good for him. The two-hour walk across Hackney Marshes is £60 and includes hunting and collecting seasonal treats, plus foraged cocktails and canapés back at the pub. Wear a jacket, obviously.
Get Festive, Make a Wreath
Aw, so nice, we can hear the jolly noise of sleigh bells in the distance. Or it might just be our overdrafts screaming. Either way, Petersham Nurseries is kicking off the magical festive period of mince pies, mulled wine, and buying everyone you know an Anthropologie candle, with their wreath making workshops. Wholesome, we know. For the more traditionally festive, they have dates throughout December but there are two workshops on the 29th November at their original Richmond garden centre. FYI you should absolutely follow up your crafty fun with a meal at their excellent restaurant.
