15 joyful things to do in London in June 2024

Having lived in London for the last six years, the chatter around COYA has long put Mayfair's chicest Peruvian hotspot on my radar. This month, I finally got to experience the city's most-talked-about Latin American cuisine - and it didn't disappoint. 

If my evening at COYA has taught me anything, it's that all meals should start with a healthy dose of lime-infused guacamole - preferably hand-mashed at the table and served with a basket of salty corn tortillas.

Don't miss the Ceviche de Lubina Clásica, a light and refreshing citrus-cured sea bass. Other highlights included the Lomo de Res (spicy beef) and Arroz Nikkei (Chilean sea bass). Ask your server for a plate of the aubergine. "Everyone goes wild for this," our server told us, and it's not difficult to see why.

Aside from the food, the atmosphere at this buzzy central hotspot is electric, and often leaves diners slipping away from their tables at the end of their meal and into the bar. It's elegant, unassuming, and brought to life by the attentive servers who keep the service running like clockwork.

This month, COYA Mayfair is hosting its annual ticketed La Noche Blanca White Party to celebrate the coming of summer. Expect exciting entertainment, DJs spinning upbeat tracks throughout the night, singers and saxophonists, as well as vibrant cocktails and a Latin American feast. 

To book, visit www.coyarestaurant.com

Reviewed by Georgia Brown, Senior Lifestyle & Fashion Writer

I will never say no to a propostion of pasta or pizza, but when the city is so full of Italian restaurants, it can be a welcome delight to delve into the flavours of other cuisines. 

Enter Mediterranean Grill by Assembly, a sophisticated brasserie-style eatery tucked away in the Dining Hall of Harrods. This charming gastronomic treasure celebrating Eastern Mediterranean cuisine shouldn't be missed if you're passing through Knightsbridge. 

When I dined with a friend, we welcomed the restaurant's recommended concept of small sharing plates - mostly because it was all so tempting and delicious I would have definitley got order envy if I didn't try a bite of each dish. 

There is nothing to fault about Chef Athanasios Kargatzidis' menu. Every dish made us pause in delight at each mouthful to savour the fresh, flavoursome ingedients and fiery open-flame grilling.  

The labneh served with grilled cucumber and harissa olives was light and refreshing; quickly mopped up by the pillowy warm pitta we ordered on the side. I could've had several more of the heirloom tomato salad, tossed in a zingy tuna and anchovy dressing. 

From the grill, the sirloin steak was divine. Cooked in spice herby butter each bite was a melt-in-the-mouth experience, while the delicate scallop and roe seared in miso butter shouldn't be missed. 

What truly made the experience outstanding was the attentiveness of the staff, who shared great passion for the food they served and were always keen to recommend flavour combinations and wine pairings. 

When I booked a visit to Smith’s Bar and Grill on a Saturday, I had no idea what to expect. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a vibrant atmosphere with a DJ, delicious food, and an overall fantastic experience – even with two young children in tow.

The setting of Smith’s Bar is idyllic, particularly on a sunny London day. Nestled in the picturesque Little Venice Canal area near Paddington station, it offers a stunning and somewhat secluded ambience, even when busy with tourists.

Once seated, I faced an important decision: indulge in their 90-minute bottomless brunch or opt for the à la carte menu. Though the bottomless brunch was tempting, the truffle tagliatelle in the à la carte menu was irresistible. I also sampled the calamari and scallops. Despite indulging in these dishes, I saved room for dessert, choosing the churros and the tiramisu. The tiramisu, deconstructed and prepared table-side, was both a delightful performance and a culinary treat.

Without a doubt, the experience was exceptional, and I would return in a heartbeat.

Smith’s Bar offers bottomless food for £35 per person. For an additional £15 per person, you can enjoy bottomless drinks. This offer is available for Friday lunch and dinner, as well as Saturday brunch and dinner.

Reviewed by Andrea Caamano, Website Editor

Chotto Matte, renowned for its fusion of authentic Japanese-Peruvian cuisine, has just launched a fabulous Rhythm of the Andes brunch series in partnership with Pommery champagne – and it's not one to miss! I was excited to be among the first to try this new offering, having visited a few years ago where I knew the food was already going to be brilliant. Priced at £125 per person, this wasn't just any brunch – it was a three-hour culinary experience with lively music, performers and bottomless champagne (a non-alcoholic option was also available).

The menu was incredible, featuring a range of delicious dishes such as Inca Sushi (crispy spicy tuna sushi topped with gold leaf), Pollo Picante (chicken, red and yellow anticucho, yuzu, and chives), Arroz Chaufa, Corn Ribs and Sato Maki (sea bass, salmon tartare, and romano pepper).

For those opting for the vegetarian menu, Chotto Matte offers dishes such as Inca Bean Mole, Lychee Ceviche, and the vegan version of Inca Sushi—crispy sushi with picante iso vegetables, takuan, and shiso cress. Each dish was crafted for sharing whilst we got to take in the wonderful and vibrant atmosphere.

Launched this month, Chotto Matte's brunch series takes inspiration from the history of the ancient Incas, with guests treated to an impressive lineup of performers and resident DJs from 12 pm to 4 pm every weekend. Partying aside, the food here really is exceptional!

Reviewed by Sharnaz Shahid, Deputy Online Editor

A visit to P.F. Chang's in Leicester Square is always a treat. I've been a fan since it first opened years ago, and it never disappoints. The restaurant, once a Rolling Stones recording studio, now spans 4,500 sq ft and accommodates 134 guests. After a £450,000 refurbishment, the space is very immersive and has a buzzy atmosphere.

Whether you're heading to the West End for a show, a quick dash to P.F. Chang is perfect. Recently, the global Pan-Asian restaurant introduced a new sushi menu alongside their beloved classics, like the mouthwatering Mongolian Beef and delicious Dynamite Shrimp. During my visit, I enjoyed crispy Spring Rolls, the sweet and savoury Mapou Tofu, and the perfectly spiced and well-seasoned Garlic Chilli Beans.

The Mongolian Beef was rich and tender, while the Dali Chicken was hearty and tangy. The Kung Pao Chicken combined tender chicken with crunchy peanuts in a spicy sauce, and the Red Chilli Buttery Shrimp was both hot and flavorful. Chang's Chicken stood out with its tangy sweetness, the Hunan Hot Fish offered a vibrant spicy kick, and the Honey Shrimp provided a delightful sweet-savoury contrast. Overall, the meal was fantastic and I will be back here soon.

Reviewed by Sharnaz Shahid, Deputy Online Editor

With the weather warming up, we're swapping cosy winter pubs for sun-soaked terraces, and none beat The MAINE Mayfair's. Known as 'The Orangerie', the Mediterranean-inspired space is a hidden gem just off the hustle and bustle of Bond Street. 

Striped awnings, wicker furniture and hand-illustrated cushions give the illusion of holidaying on the European coast, sipping cocktails alfresco in the sunshine. My drink of choice was the Almond Mango Swizzle – a delicate blend of Jonnie Walker Black with refreshing fruity mango, mint and lemon, served in an ice-cold tin glass.

Each Saturday, The Sunshine Boys travel to each table to do live performances on request, and The Beatles, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift were just some of the bands they effortlessly covered on my visit – so get your song requests (and your cameras) ready! 

So what's on the menu? We went for the set three-course lunch, which features a glass of champagne on arrival and dishes to delight every palette, from beef carpaccio to spicy rigatoni and charred artichoke heart. But the main event, so to speak, was the basque cheesecake dessert, which quite literally melts in your mouth.

If you're looking for lighter bites, freshly shucked oysters, crispy fish tacos and Caesar salads are also on offer. 

On Saturdays, The Orangerie Menu is available from 12pm to 2:30pm and features three courses and a glass of Champagne on arrival for £80. To book, visit www.themainemayfair.com

Reviewed by Nichola Murphy, Deputy Lifestyle Editor

If you're looking for an extra special dining experience, INCA has quickly become one of my favourite dinner spots in London. Don't let the fact it's a nightclub in the West End put you off - the food is incredible, the atmosphere is amazing and the service is second to none.

The South American immersive restaurant is separate to the club and has 360 views of a central stage, which comes to life with performers every evening at 8pm. This summer, they've just launched the new Nativo shows, which mix high energy numbers and slower theatrical songs, and contemporary styles with traditional Latin influences. Musical theatre isn't usually up my street but it's so much fun and the costumes are mesmerising.

We watched the shows while trying the Chef's Menu, which included the most delicious sushi and fish tacos to start, before we moved on to the Wagyu steak which was cooked to perfection. The cocktails are equally impressive, and I would highly recommend the Picante.

Whether it's a birthday party, a date night, or you're just visiting the city, INCA is a must-see for tourists and Londoners alike.

Reviewed by Hollie Brotherton, Lifestyle & Commerce Senior Writer

In the mood for a unique cocktail? Head to Boutique-hotel St. Martin's Lane Hotel's saké spritz terrace, where the refreshing Cali-style concoctions will transport you to Sacramento.

This summer, the hotel has partnered with Spring SoGood Saké to bring a selection of cocktails that capture the essence of the city's neighbourhoods – we're talking about a vibrant tomato cocktail for Downtown Sacramento and a honey and pepper margarita for North Oak Park.

Don't let the unusual ingredients deter you! It took a bit of convincing to order the asparagus cocktail, but the subtle yet refreshing taste was nothing like the earthy vegetable I was expecting, and it turned out to be my favourite tipple of the evening.

I paired it with seasonal dishes such as the prawn mille feuille, grilled octopus, and mango and passion fruit dariole. 

Fear not, if the English weather is not living up to the Californian vibe, the terrace also comes with cosy blankets draped over the back of each chair and heaters to keep you cosy.

Open from 12pm to 10pm every day. To book, visit morgansoriginals.com/st-martins-lane/restaurants-bars/the-terrace/

Reviewed by Nichola Murphy, Deputy Lifestyle Editor

It can be nearly impossible to get a walk-in table at Bancone. It's one of those places you definitely have to book days, if not weeks, in advance. But trust me, it is well worth the hype. When I visited the Borough Yards outpost on a balmy Thursday evening in London Bridge, I felt like I'd been transported to New York. The atmosphere in the casual-yet-cool restaurant was buzzing, plates of fresh pasta were being whizzed from kitchen to table, and the seats at the ever so chic sit-up bar were all taken up. 

If you're a Bancone virgin like I was, you have to try their signature dish, which is plastered all over their Instagram: the silk handkerchief pasta with walnut butter and confit egg yolk. Made daily by hand, you can truly taste the difference in freshness. It'll be hard going back to dried supermarket pasta after a visit to Bancone. The pasta really was as silky and smooth as described, bathed in calorific but well worth it creamy butter. The other main I shared with my friend was the spicy pork and nduja ragu mafalde. You can't go wrong with nduja - the thick, twisted pasta shapes that perfectly soaked up the ragu made it another winner for us. 

For starters, I highly recommend the creamy, melt-in-your-mouth burrata served with salty croutons and confit tomatoes. While for desserts, don't miss the crème caramello, Bancone's brilliant take on flan. It has a subtle coffee flavour and although it was described to us as "soggy", it most certainly wasn't. It was a perfectly light way to round off our fabulous meal. 

Reviewed by Ainhoa Barcelona, Content Managing Editor

Located in an inconspicuous corner of Chelsea Barracks, it would be easy to miss The Campaner - South West London's latest Spanish export - but it's well worth taking a detour from the bustling King's Road.

Inspired by traditional Barcelona gastronomy, the menu has some of the most incredible food I've tried in a long time, along with the friendliest service. The interiors are colourful and modern with Spanish influences - it's very luxe but also relaxed.

We started with recommendations from our server: the traditional tomato bread, Iberian ham croquettes and tomato salad with Ají Amarillo and tuna belly - all fresh, flavoursome and delicious.

This set us up for the Lobster 'Caldoso' rice - a huge paella shared between two of us, with fish cooked to perfection and more than enough to keep us satisfied. All washed down with crisp white wine and refreshing Negronis, if you want to feel like you're on holiday without leaving the city, this is the place to go.

Reviewed by Hollie Brotherton, Lifestyle & Commerce Senior Writer

Located in one of my favourite parts of London, the bustling Shoreditch, I was so excited to catch up with a pal over some delicious Pan Asian cuisine - and UBA over-delivered! 

The restaurant itself has a cool, calm atmosphere, the large main room meaning plenty of space to chat away without disturbing any of your neighbours - and the waiting staff were wonderfully friendly and welcoming - and gave us some amazing recommendations.

Our waitress’ favourite cocktail Smoky Dragon became the surprise hit on the drinks side, with both my friend and I deciding that I had chosen the best cocktail despite not usually going for a ‘smokey’ vibe.

The tequila, apricot, pineapple and Szechuan pepper-infused beverage was a delight.Onto the food, we were completely obsessed with the Korean crispy fried chicken, Japanese mushroom yaki soba, the imperial miso black cod and you have to try the salmon ceviche tacos. 

As for the desserts, nothing quite beats mochi ice cream, and it was second to none at UBA. I can’t wait to go back!

Reviewed by Emmy Griffiths, TV Editor

Japanese food is one of my favourite cuisines and when done properly, it really is exquisite. ROKA, which has restaurants across London and is celebrating its 20^th birthday with some of its best-loved dishes from the past two decades, is known for its robatayaki menu, which are dishes cooked over charcoal.

When I visited the Aldwych branch on a weekday evening, I was amazed by how buzzy and full the restaurant was – a good sign and a great way to start the meal. Chefs at the robata grill in the open-plan kitchen were hard at work, barbecuing all sorts of delights from lamb cutlets to chicken skewers. A couple of the standout robata dishes I highly recommend though, are the flavoursome seabream fillet and the tender beef fillet, the latter of which is drizzled with chilli, ginger, and spring onion. 

Of course, the sushi and sashimi dishes are also integral to the menu and my absolute must-order has to be the yellowtail sashimi with yuzu-truffle dressing. I wouldn't have instantly paired truffle with raw fish, but trust me, it works and is like nothing you will have tried before. The rock shrimp tempura may sound like a bit of a basic order, but it was another highlight on the menu – not greasy or overly fried like tempura can sometimes be. The salmon and tuna sashimi were other crowd-pleasers, as were the succulent crab and black cod dumplings. 

As for pudding, make sure to indulge in the Roka Dessert platter. It's a little extra in its presentation, but comes with cheesecake, brownie, exotic fruit, plus ice cream and sorbet. What a way to end a ten-out-of-ten meal.

Reviewed by Ainhoa Barcelona, Content Managing Editor

Ole & Steen is a favourite amongst HELLO!, and this month, the Danish bakery is sharing some hygge, translating to 'enjoy the good things in life'. 250,000 slices of their irresistible layered pastry will be given out for free during the month of June.

To claim your free slice of Cinnamon Social, which normally costs £4.25, download the Ole & Steen app from the App Store and register. New sign ups throughout the month will see 450 points in their app which is enough to get you a free slice of Cinnamon Social.

The Cinnamon Social is a favourite among the HELLO! team. This braided, sweet, soft dough pastry is their bestseller for a reason - it's simply irresistible and the perfect midday pick-me-up.

We were also pleasantly surprised to discover that their lunch offerings are equally impressive. The Smoked Salmon Open Rye and Edamame Pesto Hummus Open Rye quickly became team favourites.

Those familiar with the Toy Story franchise might be familiar with 'Pizza Planet'. An imagined veritable cornucopia of arcade machines, rides and delights which could be perceived as fairground nirvana. It appears that a similar physical manifestation of the aforementioned location has appeared in London's vibrant Camden Market.

 Babylon Park is a neon assault on the senses and will have your little ones bounding around from ride to ride, amped up on adrenaline from the indoor roller coaster (yes, really) and the banquets of sugar on offer. We visited with both a four and an eight-year-old and they were both completely enthralled during our two-hour visit. 

It's recommended to purchase coins in advance for the rides, or a wristband for unlimited rides and arcade machines for an allotted period. We opted for this option so we weren't constantly referencing our coin budget. The kids were very pleased to know that it afforded them carte blanche to get the most out of our stay and nothing was off limits. 

It's definitely targeted at a younger age group, but a good way to spend a few hours with the kids when poor weather strikes or cries of 'I'm bored' become too incessant for you to ignore.

Reviewed by Christian Anderson-Ramshall, Head of Channels