The best place to eat during Frieze London 2023
Explore our curated selection of top dining spots for exceptional food experiences during Frieze London. From classic British fare to inventive global flavours, we've got all tastes covered.
Rochelle Canteen
Image: Beloved East London foodie favourite, Rochelle Canteen. @rochellecanteen.
Rochelle Canteen, a beloved dining spot since its establishment in 2004, is a cherished destination for food enthusiasts. Nestled in the peaceful garden of an old school away from Shoreditch High Street's hustle and bustle.The restaurant offers a delightful and relaxed dining experience, featuring a thoughtfully curated seasonal menu of British cuisine for both lunch and dinner. Rochelle Canteen is the perfect choice for those seeking a comforting and wholesome meal in a welcoming setting.
Location: Rochelle Canteen, 16 Playground Gardens, London, E2 7FA. Website: rochellecanteen.com.
Café Deco
Image: Austrian Bread & Spinach Dumpling with Brown Butter & Chives. @cafe_deco_bloomsbury.
Café Deco in Bloomsbury, founded by Anna Tobias and the team from 40 Maltby Street, is a relaxed venue featuring a bar, restaurant, and wine shop. The menu is straightforward but delicious, with a thoughtful wine selection from small-scale growers and producers. A visit promises an enjoyable time guided by an experienced and proficient team. Don’t miss out on their daily offerings, which, depending on the season, are conveniently listed on a blackboard.
Location: Café Deco, 43 Store Street London, WC1E 7DB. Website: cafe-deco.co.uk.
Sessions Arts Club
Image: Sessions Arts Club. June 2023. © MTotoe.
Sessions Arts Club, nestled in the historic Old Sessions House, epitomises London's trendiest dining. It marries history and art, showcasing contemporary artworks in a former courthouse. Chef Florence Knight crafts a seasonal European menu, blending British, French, and Italian flavours. Must-tries include Lovage with goat’s curd, Hake with courgette, and their delightful almond cake. This fusion of history, art, and delicious cuisine offers an unforgettable dining experience. Reservations are a must due to its popularity.
Location: Old Sessions House, 24 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0NA, UK. Website: sessionsartsclub.com.
St John Bread and Wine
Image: Grilled Ox Tongue, Runner Beans and Parsley Sauce. Long labour.
St. John Bread and Wine, located near London's Spitalfields Market, offers a relaxed dining experience compared to its sister restaurant. The menu celebrates traditional British cuisine and is renowned for its distinctive dishes, such as Crispy Pig's Skin with Chicory and Sorrel, Salt Cod with Leek and Watercress, and Plaice with Tartare Sauce. A visit wouldn't be complete without savouring the signature Eccles cakes paired with Lancashire cheese. The atmosphere is stylish and understated, there is also the option to bring your own wine for a small corkage fee.
Location: 94-96 Commercial Street, Spitalfields, London, E1 6LZ. Website: stjohnrestaurant.com.
Akub
Image: Spiced squash dumplings, beetroot tahinia. Akub London. Notting Hill. © MTotoe.
Akub, a Palestinian restaurant in Notting Hill, beautifully blends Palestinian culinary traditions with locally sourced British ingredients. Chef Fadi Kattan adds a modern twist to traditional dishes while staying true to their essence. The menu offers vibrant sharing plates like Gaza coastline salads and hearty Ramallah stews, along with unique delights such as freekeh risotto and mousakan mille feuille. Set in a chic earth green building, Akub provides a serene dining experience and a basement bar, embodying Palestinian hospitality at its best.
Location: 27 Uxbridge St, London W8 7TQ. Website: akub-restaurant.com.
Quo Vadis
Image: Artichoke, black olive & goat’s curd crostini. @quovadissoho.
Quo Vadis, a long-standing spot in Soho since 1926, is affectionately known as the "Great Dame of Dean Street." With the Hart brothers and Chef Jeremy Lee at the helm, it continues to offer excellent food and a friendly atmosphere. Following a renovation in 2023, the restaurant maintains its classic charm. Chef Jeremy Lee's seasonal menu offers dishes like oysters, smoked eel sandwiches, and a daily pie. Quo Vadis is a must-visit, where good food meets history and a sense of old-school Soho.
Location: 26-29 Dean St, London W1D 3LL. Website: quovadissoho.co.uk.
Noble Rot Soho
Image: Courgette, Ricotta, Mint & Almond Salad, Poached Chicken, Radishes, Potatoes & Aioli and Strawberry & Rhubarb Mess. @noblerotsoho
Noble Rot, a cosy and celebrated restaurant near the British Museum and in Mayfair, is known for its exceptional wine selection and inviting ambiance. The Soho location, once the Gay Hussar, carries historical significance. Their menu, overseen by acclaimed chefs, features a renowned roast chicken dish and emphasises British coastal produce. They offer a delightful three-course autumn set lunch menu which offers smoked haddock, roast chicken, and a tempting plum & apple cobbler, all paired with exquisite wines.
Location: Noble Rot Soho, 2 Greek St, London W1D 4NB.Website: noblerot.co.uk.
Rita’s Dining
Image: Carnitas tostadas. @ritasdining
Rita's, led by Chef Gabriel Pryce, blends American and British culinary traditions, focusing on seasonal produce. Situated in a Grade II listed building in Soho since September 2021, they emphasise low intervention wines and organic spirit cocktails. Rita's is making a return to Frieze Art Fair this week. Their Frieze London menu features a diverse array of dishes, and during the fair, they will offer fresh, gluten-free tostadas, salads, and their renowned Cubano sandwiches. This will be complemented by a cocktail menu and seasonal juices.
Location: 49 Lexington Street, Soho, London W1F 9AP and at Frieze London. Website: ritasdining.com.
Rose Bakery London
Image: Rose Bakery London. @rosebakerylondon
Rose Bakery, co-founded by Rose Carrarini and Jean Charles, is a culinary gem that serves up an exceptional array of seasonal lunches. Their unwavering commitment to using organic, British ingredients shines through in every dish, resulting in simple yet exquisite food that strikes the perfect balance between the comfort of home-cooking and the refinement of restaurant cuisine. Nestled within the Dover Street Market, Rose Bakery is a haven for food lovers seeking a wholesome meal and tasty desserts!
Location: 3rd floor, Dover Street Market, 18-22 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4DG. Instagram: @rosebakerylondon.
Sollip
Image: Orkney scallop, fermented tomato granita, romesco made with Suljigemi (Makgeoli Lees), green peppercorn jangajji and fresh bay. @sollip_restaurant.
Sollip, a hidden gem near the Shard in London Bridge, offers a sophisticated Korean-inspired dining experience. Helmed by a skilled husband-and-wife chef duo, their fusion of European techniques with Korean flavours results in heartfelt and polished dishes. The restaurant features a lunch menu with about 4 dishes and a dinner tasting menu with around 7 dishes, all crafted using seasonal and local produce, reflecting their Korean heritage. The contemporary ambiance and curated wine list add to the unique dining experience at Sollip.
Location: Sollip,Unit 1, 8 Melior St, London SE1 3QP. Website: sollip.co.uk
Brat Restaurant
Image: Wild Mussels and Trotter Sauce, Grilled Red Peppers with a glass of vibrant Chenin from Thierry Germain. @bratrestaurant.
Brat, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Shoreditch, offers delicious British cuisine inspired by the Old English word for turbot. Founded by the Welsh chef Tomos Parry in 2018, the restaurant showcases traditional cooking methods, allowing the ingredients to shine. Parry, formerly the head chef at Kitty Fisher's, is known for his mastery of grilling on a medieval-inspired stove. Brat offers an no fuss dining experience with a menu that features signature dishes like turbot grilled on coals and a variety of enticing non-fish options.
Location: BRAT Restaurant, 4 Redchurch St, London E1 6JL. Website: bratrestaurant.co.uk.
Toklas
Image: Grilled, spiced aubergine with chickpeas, peppers and fresh herbs. @toklas_london.
Toklas, owned by Frieze Art Fair founders Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover, is a chic Mediterranean restaurant loved for its exceptional cuisine. The sleek indoor setting contrasts with a relaxed outdoor terrace. Highlights of their menu include Pollock with clams, monkfish crudo, and our favoUrite, the Aubergine with Courgette and feta. Don't miss their heavenly desserts, like the signature chocolate cake and lemon tart. Toklas is a must-visit for fantastic food and inviting ambiance.
Location: 1 Surrey St, Temple, London WC2R 2ND. Website: toklaslondon.com.
Jikoni
Image: Jikoni, April 2023. © MTotoe.
Renowned restaurant Jikoni is showcasing its "no borders" cuisine at Frieze, celebrating diverse flavors inspired by immigrant food. Their carbon-neutral approach and close partnership with Waltham Place emphasise sustainability and nourishing, vibrant vegetarian offerings. Jikoni embodies comfort and joy while promoting a healthier lifestyle and a more sustainable planet. Alternatively, you can visit their Marylebone restaurant and enjoy wholesome, tasty food.
Location: Jikoni London, 19-21 Blandford St, London W1U 3DJ and Frieze London, The Regent's Park , London, NW1 4NR. Website: jikonilondon.com.
Townsend Restaurant
Image: Spiced carrot with hung yoghurt and hazelnuts. @townsend_restaurant.
Townsend, situated in the iconic Whitechapel Gallery in Aldgate, offers a perfect setting for a romantic date night that combines art with modern British dining. Renowned chef Nick Gilkinson leads the kitchen, presenting a seasonal menu with dishes like roast mallard and squid ink dumplings filled with Portland crab. Vegetarian-friendly options are also available, such as Cornish beetroots with almond cream and sorrel. Emphasizing fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and an impressive wine selection, Townsend ensures a memorable dining experience for brunch, lunch, or dinner, making it an excellent choice for a date night.
Location: 77-82 Whitechapel High St, London E1 7QX. Website: townsendrestaurant.co.uk.
Spring x Heckfield Place
Image: Frieze Masters 2022. Photo by Michael Adair. Courtesy of Frieze and Michael Adair.
Spring returns to Frieze Masters for the third consecutive year in collaboration with Heckfield Place. This partnership epitomises a distinctive dining experience by harmonising London's cultural epicentre with Hampshire's country house hotel. Led by Skye Gyngell, both venues prioritise sustainability and exceptional ingredients. Heckfield Place, nestled in a sprawling 438-acre estate, seamlessly melds a luxury hotel with a Georgian family home. On the other hand, Spring showcases Gyngell's celebrated ingredient-focused cuisine in Somerset House. This collaboration exemplifies sustainable dining and sophisticated culinary styles from both locales in an intimate setting for diners to relish.
Date: 11 - 15 October 2023. Location: Frieze Masters, The Regent’s Park (Gloucester Green Entrance), London, NW1 4HA. Website: frieze.com.
Food at Frieze
Image: Gail's at Frieze London 2022. Photo by Linda Nylind. Courtesy Linda Nylind and Frieze.
In addition to the collaboration between Spring and Heckfield Place and Jikoni at Frieze London, Frieze London and Frieze Masters will, throughout the week, host other London eateries such as Petersham Nurseries, Rita’s, BAO, Yalumba Wine Bar, and Company Drinks. New additions to the lineup include Maison François, a Parisian brasserie, and Fallow, a sustainable eatery, as well as SAYURI, a matcha bar at Frieze London. Debuting at Frieze Masters is Dumplings’ Legend, while returning favourites like Ham Yard Bar & Restaurant will also be present. Gail’s Bakery will operate cafes at both fairs.
Website: frieze.com.
Pollini at Ladbroke Hall
Image: Ladbroke Hall. Apirl 2023. © MTotoe.
Ladbroke Hall's Pollini restaurant, led by acclaimed chef Emanuele Pollini, invites art enthusiasts to enjoy a special express art lunch during Frieze Week. The 60-seat restaurant, designed by Vincenzo De Cotiis, features impressive artworks and a distinctive central chandelier. The menu, sourced from the hall's kitchen garden, offers a delightful blend of fine dining and artistic inspiration.
Location: 79 Barlby Rd, London W10 6AZ. Website: ladbrokehall.com.