THINGS TO DO IN
LONDON IN MAY

May is made for long, indulgent brunches that blend into the afternoon. This year’s line-up is unapologetically decadent.

Bocconcino Mayfair is your go-to for Champagne clinks and standout Italian plates. Oysters on arrival, truffle pasta you won’t want to share, and a live DJ to take things from languid to lively. It's the kind of brunch you plan an outfit for. Available every Saturday and for a special bank holiday edition on Monday 26th May.

Soho’s answer is Bocconcino’s Buffet Italiano available every Sunday. Lobster, oysters, pillowy-soft lasagne, and creamy pastas - all on rotation. The vibe? Loud in the best way. Bottomless Prosecco is a must.

Prefer Covent Garden charm? Osteria Del Mare has brought the Mediterranean coast to the city. Their Saturday lobster brunch is the kind of sun-soaked afternoon that turns into something more. Think sharing platters, oysters, and all the spritz.

Looking for London’s top May bank holiday brunches? See some inspiration here.

Yes, really. The Grove Hotel has converted vintage hot air balloons into private dining pods. Set in perfectly manicured grounds, it’s intimate, a little surreal, and just far enough from London to feel like an escape. Book it before it’s all over Instagram.

More info here

Evenings are lighter, and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is back. This season kicks off with the UK debut of Shucked, which is as playful as it sounds. Pre-show drinks in the garden bar are practically mandatory.

More info here

Forget formal dining. Supper clubs are where the real food conversations are happening. They’re unpolished in the right way - shared tables, one-off menus, good wine, and even better people.

Keep an eye on The Bridge Club for elevated British-European cooking or Shanghai Supper Club for nights that feel like a secret you want to keep.

Some Friday nights are made for staying seated just long enough to be tempted onto the dance floor.

At Bocconcino Soho, it starts with dinner but rarely ends there. Live bands, great drinks, and that unmistakable buzz that something’s happening.

Osteria Del Mare brings the tempo too. Think musicians and singers weaving their way through the tables as the seafood platters come out. Covent Garden has never felt more alive.

It’s not just about the blooms. The Chelsea Flower Show is where London comes to strut in linen and sunglasses. The gardens are works of art, the people-watching is top-tier, and the rosé flows from midday. 20 - 24th May - Put it in the diary.

London’s art scene is having a moment, and May’s line-up is seriously strong.

Start at the Barbican with Huma Bhabha’s powerful, off-kilter sculptures. Then it’s Munch at the National Portrait Gallery - moody and magnetic. Over at the Serpentine, Giuseppe Penone delivers tactile serenity, while Tate Modern's Do Ho Suh exhibition feels like walking through memory.

There’s no shortage of things to do this May, but the magic is in choosing well. Whether it’s a decadent brunch, an evening of live music and pasta, or a sunset show in the park, make it count. The city’s awake, the tables are filling up, and the best seats are never empty for long.