Welcome back to The Slice!
With the weather cooling down recently, you might be tempted to get on the first flight out of the UK to a much sunnier location (we’ve definitely thought about it).
But hold your horses. Just in time for the pub garden weather making a comeback next week, we’ve rounded up a few places in London that have that holiday feeling.
Save yourself the cost of a flight to Mykonos and head down to PYRO for earthy decor and fresh sea bream crudo. Or take a dip in the infinity pool at Battersea Power Station or experience the Costa Del Croydon (yes, Croydon has a beach!).
It’s almost National Oyster Week (5-11 August) and if you like seafood as much as us, you’ll want to know that historic institution Bentley’s is serving up some of the best oysters you can find in London.
We’re telling you how you can get your hands on some of the best deals, including free oysters.
Read on for a whole range of recommendations for 2-3 August in London, handpicked as always by The Slice.
Welcome to the Slice
The Slice is your weekly guide to what’s happening in London, so if you’re looking for restaurant reviews, drinks deals or just a great new exhibition to visit on a rainy Saturday in the capital, we’ve got you covered.
Click here for this week’s edit of the best things to do in town.
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If you want to do it all on the cheap, you can also find our latest batch of exclusive hand-picked offers in partnership with Time Out here.
This week in London
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, here are 8 of the best activities, dining, and drinking spots in the capital.
1. Dive into Bentley’s for oysters and delicate fish
‘The smoked salmon of the heavens,’ I sigh. I’m at London’s finest fish restaurant, Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, as the softest most delicate fish served with potato blinis and horseradish transports us to the skies above (indeed, the salmon is smoked on the restaurant’s roof).
It’s magical watching the oyster shuckers a’shucking behind the bar (Want to join them? Bentley’s hosts an Oyster Masterclass every Saturday at 10:30am) as we continue the new set menu with butter poached smoked haddock and spiced brown crab rice, fresh as fish can be. Brightwell Ash cheese soufflé with asparagus is so divine, angels would be reaching for their trumpets.
Established in 1916, this year Bentley’s celebrates Richard Corrigan’s 20th year as chef/patron. One of the world’s best chefs and most generous, he and his team made 4,000 lockdown breakfasts for homeless people. This is creative, yet comforting cooking – the chef is no fan of the tweezer. Best finished with coffee on the large terrace, a meal at Bentley’s is like a beautiful culinary holiday from the city.
Two courses, £35. Three courses, £39. Daily 12 to 3.30pm, 4.30 to 6.30pm. 11-15 Swallow St, Piccadilly, W1B 4DG. Book here.
Want more oysters?
Some of the best oyster deals in London this National Oyster Week
- Dive into Dickie’s Bar in Mayfair and order a cocktail to get an oyster on the house. Offer available 5 August. Book here.
- You can get £1 a pop oysters all year round at Wright Brothers on Monday-Friday and Sunday 4-6pm, and at The Mermaid Thursday-Saturday 6-7pm. Book in advance here, this deal gets pretty popular! Mermaid, an Isle of Wight distilled spirit, will also be taking over the Wright Brothers Battersea terrace with a selection of curated coastal cocktails this summer.
- Get some cracking oyster deals at The Libertine, including a glass of Rathfinny English Sparkling Wine and two oysters for £10, and a pint of Guinness and two oysters for £10. Available 3-5pm, 4-8 August. See the full menu here.
- Head over to Little Bat Bar in Islington for a Carlingford Rock Oyster with Bresaola XO Sauce. It’s just £1 everyday from 5–8pm with any drink order until 9 August. Find out more.
2. See if Canal lives up to the hype
Fat drops of rain pelt the Grand Union Canal but two diners refuse to give up their table beside the water’s edge. They huddle under a parasol, sheltering a bottle of wine and several small plates. Despite the weather, staff at Canal dash back and forth from the restaurant to serve them – it’s both an impressive commitment to hospitality and utterly ludicrous. The place has been open for less than a month, but terms like ‘must-visit’ are already being banded around. Is it? I don’t think I’d go quite that far, but it is a great date night spot, with industrial-chic interiors and an interesting menu.
Dishes like the stuffed corno pepper, the perlina aubergine, and mangalitza sausage are tasty, but not life-changing. Highlights include the olive oil negroni, grilled peaches with stracciatella and walnuts, and summer tomatoes which pair nicely with Layla sourdough and smoked butter. Top tip: skip the table cheeseburger and finish with a tiramisu to share.
Hear more of Courtney’s thoughts about Canal on her TikTok.
Small plates from £8, big plates from £16. 11b Woodfield Rd, Westbourne Park, W9 2BA. Book here.
Join Courtney at 1pm BST today for a food Ask Me Anything on Reddit
You’ve finally got a chance to ask all your burning foodie questions because Metro’s specialist food writer, Courtney Pochin, is hosting an Ask Me Anything. Over on Reddit, you can ask her anything from her hot takes on viral food trends, to chef secrets and the best hidden gems in London.
Submit your questions and join Courtney at 1pm BST for some foodie fun!
3. Go and visit a place that feels just like a day at the beach
art’otel London Battersea Power Station
Best for: a chic poolside escape
You might not know that art’otel has an infinity pool overlooking Battersea Power Station, and it looks like it belongs in paradise. Even better news is it’s heated, so no need to worry about those unpredictable overcast days.
You don’t have to be a guest to experience it, as right now you can make a splash at Aqua Aerobics up until November.
art’otel London Battersea Power Station. Tickets from £25 with a complimentary hot drink or a juice and a delectable pastry at TOZI Counter. Book tickets for Aqua Aerobics here.
PYRO
Best for: Mykonos vibes
Mykonos or London Bridge? And if it wasn’t for the big red London bus in the picture giving it away, you’d probably believe us if we told you we took the picture in Greece. PYRO is the new restaurant and bar ‘with Greek soul’, earthy decor and bamboo lanterns.
It’s buzzy, cosy and has a menu of stars – including spanakopita, with fragrant herbs and barrel aged feta and a citrus-y sea bream crudo. Save yourself the flight and book yourself into PYRO.
Grazing from £4.50, bigger plates from £14. London Bridge. Book here.
Costa Del Croydon
Best for: the holiday feeling where you’ll least expect it
This urban beach is back and it’s promising you that holiday feeling from a car park in south west London.
Centrale in Croydon is turning into Costa Del Croydon for the whole of August. In 2025, it’s been freshened up with quiet chilled zone for some relaxation, new food vendors, live music and more.
Tickets, free. Released weekly on 25 July, 1 August, 8 August, 15 August, 22 August. Paradise Soho. Find out more.
4. Try Lebanese treats at new bakery Ta’mini
Ta’mini Kensington is opening, and to celebrate the launch of their third London location in Kensington, they’re offering a complimentary Date & Pistachio Pastry and Iced Coffee to the first 50 people through the door on 1 August.
Be sure to head down as soon as it opens!
5. Try organic sourdough pizza at Berberè’s newest branch
Another Berberè branch opens on 4 August, this time on James Street in Marylebone.
Expect their 24-hour-proofed sourdough, made with organic flour – and pizzas like limited edition summer pizza Babaganoush.
6. Indulge in tasty pizza at the Toklas Bakery x Dough Hands event
Come and try the cult 20 inch pizza slices at the Toklas Bakery x Dough Hands two night collab.
Get pizza each night from 6pm until sell out, with the whole works – dips, sides, salads, £5 negronis, home-made ice cream sandwiches and specially selected wine. Just walk in.
7. See fish and chips art made from felt
Felt artist Lucy Sparrow is opening a full-sized fish and chip shop. But you can’t eat from here… the shop is made entirely from felt.
Come and see 65,000 individually hand-sewn intricate pieces between 1 August-14 September. Find out more.
8. Experience a ‘grief rave’ at Southbank Centre
Ever heard of a ‘grief rave’? Well you can experience one at Southbank Centre, and they’re inviting you to dedicate a song to someone or something you’re missing. 3 August, 1pm. Read more.
7. Try a wellness pop up
Wellness brand Wild Nutrition is hosting their first ever pop up on 30-31 July. Get ready for a jam-packed two day event encouraging you to move your body, experience free wellness sessions and more.
Plus, hear more about the launch of Wild Nutrition’s new Weight Management Support supplement and get invaluable advice from the consultants. Find out more.
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