We’re now officially in July, and what a busy time it is!
Americans are partying for 4th of July, Brits are gearing up for the General Election, Wimbledon is in full swing and it’s all kicked off in the Euros.
See our picks below for places to get in on the action, or skip it all and simple visit an amazing new restaurant, enjoy the sun at a rooftop bar and enjoy…at long last, summer in London.
Read on for a whole range of recommendations for 6 and 7 July, handpicked as always by The Slice.
Don’t miss
1. Book now to watch Wimbledon on the big screen
London’s iconic summer staple tennis tournament is back! If you’re wondering where you can watch the matches (hopefully in the glorious sunlight), we’ve got you covered:
FREE King’s Cross: Everyman – watch from the iconic canal-side green-steps
Chelsea: Bluebird Chelsea – expect giant tennis ball decorations
FREE Battersea: Power Station Park as part of The Wimbledon Experience
FREE Vauxhall: Metropolis London
Mayfair: Langan’s Brasserie – make sure to grab their new ‘Sidecourt Sour’ cocktail
FREE Canary Wharf: Summer screens – you can also catch other live sports and free film screenings here too
FREE Waterloo: The Refinery Bankside – one of the largest screens in the capital
FREE Paddington: Merchant Square – from 11am every day with al fresco cocktails available
2. Go all out for the 4th of July
Oyster bar, bakery and grill Darby’s, from Chef Robin Gill, is marking US Independence Day with a special celebration – think proper American whiskey courtesy of WhistlePig, New Orleans-style big brass bands, and delicious BBQ dishes cooked over the smoker.
Or for a very British twist, Oblix at The Shard are offering a new Night Brunch and a new American-inspired afternoon tea. This is one tea that won’t end up in the harbour!
If you’re a history buff, celebrate America’s Independence than at the home of one of the Founding Fathers. Book one of the immersive tours at Benjamin Franklin’s Westminster home and discover what life was like for an American in London just before revolution!
3. Pull an election all-nighter
Back in Blighty, we’ve also got something big happening on 4 July. Watch the votes roll in at one of London’s best Indian restaurants from 6pm tomorrow until 11am on Friday, as The Cinnamon Club in Westminster opens its doors for a general election all-nighter.
There’ll be plenty of food and drink on offer in front of a big screen so you can watch the nation decide on its next government. Book your table for free here.
Best places to eat
4. Challenge yourself to a whole lot of lobster
Burger & Lobster is dropping a limited edition feast next week featuring two Atlantic lobsters, four claws, half a pound of prawns and bottomless fries. The lobsters can be grilled, steamed or, for maximum social video potential, fried. Pair with a glass of Taittinger Brut – a light, crisp champagne at a very reasonable £12.50 a glass – for a truly indulgent feast. Guaranteed you won’t go home hungry.
From £47.50 per person for four. Various locations. Available until 12 August. Book here.
5. Spend the whole week discovering your favourite fizz
It’s nearly Cava Discovery week where over 30 wine shops, wine bars, tapas bars and posh hotels across London will be running events and promotions to get us all excited over Cava.
From tasting flights to paired menus, happy hour offers and promotions on Cava purchases, be prepared to be well and truly Cava’d out by Sunday 14 July.
Three pop-ups of note are the Seafood Festival at Pizarro on the 9th, with six courses matched to six Cavas, a Japanese pairing lunch at Kioko by Endo on the 10th and a Cava discovery tasting with tapas at wine merchants Philglas & Swigott on the 11th.
Full details of partners, how to participate and events here.
6. Pick up free (dough) balls in Wimbledon
To celebrate Wimbledon’s return, Pizza Express in Wimbledon Village will be giving away free tennis ball tube-inspired Dough Balls Doppio tubes to passers-by on their way to the tennis between 9-14 July.
Share a pic of yourself with the Dough Balls, tag the restaurant, and you’ll be entered into a £100 PizzaExpress gift card too!
7.Catch free fish and chips at Market Place Vauxhall
And on that note – who doesn’t love a classic British fish and chips? Wicked Fish at Market Place Vauxhall is giving away 100 free portions of gluten-free fish & chips on Monday 8 July.
Get yours from 11am – they are first come first serve.
8. Try the world’s best pizza – in Chiswick
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Europe’s best pizza would be found in Italy, somewhere like Rome or Naples. Luckily for us, it happens to be right here in London.
Napoli On The Road, which has restaurants in Chiswick and Richmond, was recently crowned the best pizzeria in Europe in the 50 Top Pizza Awards 2024. If that wasn’t enough, owner Michele Pascarella, a chef from Naples who has been making pizza since he was 11 years old, was crowned the best pizza chef in the world at the most recent World 50 Top Pizza Awards. And the pizza really is that good – read our full review of Napoli On The Road here.
Pizzas from £11.95. 9A Devonshire Rd, Chiswick; 12 Red Lion St, Richmond. Book here.
9. Scoop up these ice creams for Ice Cream Month
The mercury is creeping up again this weekend – what perfect timing to kick off Ice Cream Month! Need some inspo for where to get the perfect scoop?
From humble beginnings in a small Mediterranean kitchen almost 20 years ago, Mama Anita’s traditional gelato is now world famous. The flavours are 100% handmade and there are over 150 different kinds of frozen yoghurt, sorbets and more to try. Pop over to our TikTok channel for our full verdict.
Love a weird flavour combo? So does Anya Hindmarch. Her wacky pop-up parlour, Ice Cream Project, is back for its third summer with bizarre serves including Heinz Beanz, Branston Piccalilli and Perello Olive. We can’t decide whether we love it or not – tell us what you think!
Soho’s Pastaio are beating the heat by inviting East London legends Soft n Swirly to churn out their cherry soft serve this weekend, in a cone or as a special sundae. They’ll also £1 from each soft serve sold to London LGBTQ+ Community Centre. Sweet!
10. Build your own cheese box at Grape & Fig
Tis the season for picky bits, and there’s no better place than London’s first build-your-own charcuterie board pop-up. Located just off Oxford Street and founded by sisters Toria and Catherine, this is the grazing bar of your dreams.
Start with an empty box, and then fill it with your choice of nuts, cheese, fruits, crackers and more. They even pack it for you so it’s beautifully presented (see below!) – perfect for snapping some gorgeous pics. Now that’s what we call girl dinner!
Book here.
11. Taste TA-KO’s delicious tacos
By Courtney Pochin
Stoke Newington is a trek for those south of the river, but trust me, TA-KO is worth the journey. Order the veggie tacos – sublime char siu jackfruit is just like eating pulled pork, but my favourite had crispy cauliflower with black bean and tamarind ragu, avocado and pepper mayo, it has such a good crunch. Delicious drinks, game-changing food, and everything is gluten-free.
Ta-kos from £5. 8 Stoke Newington High St. Book here.
12. Try Ladurée gorgeous new cafe
Ladurée are best known for their very pretty macaron shops – but their newest concept is this gorgeously stylish cafe in Notting Hill.
In addition to their signature macarons you’ll also be able to order a coffee with a macaron on top, the Latte Plaisir Sucre. Or if you fancy something cooler, their soft serve is a fab option too! Warning – it’s very sweet.
13. Class up your burger game with truffle burgers
Supra Burger are the newest burger kids on the block, launching five new burgers at rotisserie chicken restaurant Cocotte in Queen’s Park. Are they yummy? Yes.
The Truffle Burger comes top for us (see the full selection here), with the perfect amount of that fragrant fungus (unlike the fries – totally overpowering).
The burgers were packed with flavour and a generous fistful of toppings, but the smash patties are on the oiler side. Fear not if you’re here for chicken, the crispy tenders are worth adding on.
From £11.50. 79 Salusbury Road, Queen’s Park. Find out more here.
Where to go for a drink
14. Enjoy the sun at a rooftop bar
From terraces on top of skyscrapers to vibey rooftop restaurants, London is full of high up perches to get soak up the sunshine and incredible views with a glass in hand.
We’ve rounded up some of our favourite central London suntraps here.
15. Dance the night away at Little Violet Door
Following on from its house party siblings the Little Scarlet, Yellow, Blue and Orange Doors across London, The Little Violet Door has now opened in Carnaby. Expect kitchen discos, late night cocktails and good vibes all night long.
Book your table here.
What’s on
16. Roll up to a cool photo exhibition
From July 5-6, The Museum of Youth Culture and Palace videographer Jack Brookes are teaming up to present a free Polaroid exhibition, Trigger Happy, at Covent Garden’s Meanwhile Studio that captures the hidden magic in unplanned moments in one of London’s skateboard communities.
Walk in or book a slot here.
17. Enjoy all the fun of the fair
It’s summer fete season! There are plenty of fun, family-friendly events popping up all over city this weekend: Audley Nightingale Place in Clapham will host artisanal craft stalls and BBQ on Saturday 5 July, Kidbrooke’s Cator Park will be the scene of a vibrant Carnival (complete with costume-making!), and Parsons Green’s annual fair is returning on 6 July with over 100 stalls, a petting zoo, circus workshop and more!
18. Get theatrical with some al-fresco Shakespeare
The non-profit touring theatre company Shakespeare in the Squares is performing the play All’s Well That Ends Well in various London garden squares until Friday 12 July.
Get your tickets here from £15.
19. Find the perfect place to cheer your team on at the Euros
Drinks on ice, flags at the ready, national anthem nailed. The knockout stages of EURO 2024 is kicking off this Saturday, and incase you haven’t chosen where you’re going to be yet, we’ve compiled a list of the best pub gardens and big screens to watch the matches over the next few weeks.
Check out our handy guide right here.
20. See some of London’s most iconic artworks at a new exhibition
Sotheby’s Bond Street is hosting a very special collection of extraordinary works from artists with links to London. London: An Artistic Crossroads features a dozen masterpieces from regional museums by international artists connected to and influenced by the city.
Works by Lucian Freud, a familiar face to many Londoners until his death in 2011, Piet Mondrian, Francis Bacon and Frank Auerbach will be united in celebration of London’s role in the artistic journeys of so many.
Find out more here.
21. Take the kids out to Babylon Park
Ideal summer holiday fun particularly on a rainy day (which, let’s face it, we can probably expect more of them), for children and those looking for nostalgia. Spread over two floors, there are things for children of all ages, including a roller coaster and retro games. The unlimited pass is worth paying for, if it’s available.
8 Castlehaven Road, Camden. Book here.
See you next week!
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