August in the city is usually a time of quiet and calm. The bulk of the London season has passed, many have fled for glamorous holidays on European shores and those left behind are free to enjoy a diary devoid of work events and their pick of the best restaurant tables in town. From delectable new restaurants and rooftop bars to supper clubs and exciting new experiences at the capital’s landmarks, here’s our guide to the best things to do in London in August 2024.

The must-have menu: Harvey Nichols Summer Glow Menu

Looking for a healthy mid-shopping pitstop? Head to the Fifth Floor Café & Terrace at Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge for the nutritious Summer Glow Menu. Created in collaboration with nutritionist Emily English and wellness brand Bamford, the menu spans refreshing juices and flavourful brunch dishes made to promote good gut and skin health. Try the Collagen Booster juice, packed with vitamin A, orange and turmeric to help protect and plump the skin, paired with spicy halloumi tacos served with a vitamin C-rich pineapple salsa, and the English’s signature Glow Toast that supports skin health with an antioxidant-packed blend of beetroot hummus, poached eggs and feta. As well as providing a roster of health benefits, dine on the Summer Glow Menu to receive 10 per cent off on your next Beyond Beauty purchase and a complimentary Bamford candle. Eating well has never looked so good. 

The Summer Glow Menu is available throughout August 2024 at Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ, visit harveynichols.com

The social season event: Longines Global Champions Tour

Couldn’t make it to the show-jumping ring at the Paris Olympics? Not a problem. Londoners can immerse themselves in the world of equestrian excellence at the Longines Global Champions Tour of London 2024 from 16-18 August. Hosted within the historic grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, this prestigious event seamlessly blends centuries of tradition with the exhilarating energy of top-tier show jumping. With past winners of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of London including British stars Ben Maher and Scott Brash, as well as international athletes such as Pieter Devos and most recently, Jessica Springsteen, this event is, in essence, the show jumping’s Hall of Fame. 

It’s not only world-class sport on offer, though. Shopping villages can keep you occupied in between competitions, while spectators can whet their palate at the exclusive Portofino Dry Gin stand where European-inspired cocktails are guaranteed to transport you straight to the beautiful enclave of the Italian Riviera. Chin chin. 

The Longines Global Champions Tour will take place at Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4SR, from 16-18 August 2024, visit gcglobalchampions.com

The restaurants: Marceline, Cornus and Lolo

Floating on Canary Wharf’s Wood Wharf, French-inspired brasserie Marceline will be the new go-to for those in London’s financial district from 5 August. At the helm is Robert Aikens, who cut his teeth at Le Gavroche before moving to New York for more than 15 years. Back in east London, however, he has developed a signature but playful menu featuring classic steak tartare with hazelnuts and artichoke chips, Escargots de Bourgogne with garlic parsley butter, and, of course, steak frites to be paired with an extensive wine list curated by Jeffry Koren of Norway’s three-starred Maaemo, featuring unique Slovenian and Korean varieties. Warmer days need to be spent on the al fresco terrace while, inside, the balcony offers views over the bustling main brasserie. Bon appétit!

Next up, on 6 August, rooftop restaurant Cornus will open in Belgravia’s Eccleston Yards as the second restaurant from David O’Connor and Joe Mercer Nairne of the acclaimed Medlar in Chelsea. Named after the botanical appellation for the native dogwood shrub, Cornus – featuring wrap-around floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the London skyline – will build on Medlar’s enduring reputation with chef Gary Foulkes (formerly of Michelin-starred Angler) leading the kitchen. The regularly-changing menu showcases the bounty of British and European seasonal produce, and star dishes include hand rolled spaghetti with native lobster and Amalfi lemon, Lake District lamb with Romero pepper piperade, and Côte de Beouf from Banstead, served with potato and truffle galette. Wines are expertly chosen by Lukasz Gorski – currently the World’s Young Sommelier of the Year – while Cornus’ bar, Aranquez, will offer a range of classic cocktails and signature serves such as a clarified coffee negroni.

Finally, on 14 August, renowned Spanish chef José Pizarro will be adding his third restaurant to Bermondsey Street in the form of a new all-day dining concept named Lolo. The menu highlights his relationship with some of the UK’s best suppliers, such as coffee from Bristol’s Extract Coffee, Muswell Hill Cheese and fresh fish and seafood from Rockfish and will carry diners from breakfast through to late evenings. Expect eggs as-you-like with accompaniments such as salmon cured in PX sherry as well as a selection of deviled eggs,  fresh salads of octopus and roast tomato, salt cod with roasted fennel, and snacks of Iberico pork ribs, crisps with mussels in escabeche and black salt. 

Marceline will open at 10 Water Street, E14 5GX, on 5 August 2024, visit marceline.london; Cornus will open at 27c Eccleston Place, SW1W 9NF, on 6 August 2024, visit cornusrestaurant.co.uk; Lolo will open at 102 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UB, on 14 August 2024, visit josepizarro.com

The exhibition: Barbie: The Exhibition at the Design Museum

Thought Barbie-mania was over? Think again. Marking the 65th anniversary of the Barbie brand, Barbie: The Exhibition – in partnership with Mattel – features more than 180 remarkable dolls, dream houses and accessories. Come face-to-face with some of the most important dolls ever to be made, from the first Barbie to ‘move’ and ‘talk’, as well as the recognisable Sunset Malibu Barbie from 1971, groundbreaking Day to Night Barbie from 1985 that was designed to reflect the workplace revolution for women in the 1980s, and 1992’s Totally Hair Barbie, which has sold over 10 million across the globe. The exhibition – running until February 2025 – is one of the first to explore Barbie’s changing appearance in relation to evolving cultural shifts around diversity and representation, while presenting behind-the-scenes insights into Mattel’s design processes. 

Barbie: The Exhibition is open at the Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG, visit designmuseum.org

The fitness event: Ham Yard Hotel x Third Space Rooftop Yoga Series

Every weekend from 3 August until September, yogis are invited to perform their best sun salutations at the rooftop of Soho’s Ham Yard Hotel in partnership with Third Space. Led by the gym’s expert instructors, each morning will host two sessions of invigorating Yin yoga – a meditative and impactful practice that focuses on improving energy flow. Post-class, head downstairs to enjoy a nutritious breakfast in Ham Yard Restaurant’s sunny Orangery, before collecting a goodie bag supplied by premium activewear brand Vuori. Don’t mind if we do…

Ham Yard Hotel x Third Space Rooftop Yoga Series is open every Saturday and Sunday from 3 August 2024 at 1 Ham Yard, W1D 7DT, visit firmdalehotels.com

The pop up: Doll Smash at Peter Jones Sloane Square

Need to top up your makeup bag? Head to Peter Jones in Sloane Square from 19-25 August for an all-day pop-up event from luxury cosmetics brand Doll Smash. Founded in 2019, Doll Smash is a vegan and gender-neutral cosmetics brand created by Rachael Wilson which is disrupting the industry with its range of lipsticks, brow tints, foundations and concealers that all highlight inclusivity thanks to its diverse range of shades. While a range of Doll Smash’s newly launched products will be available to buy, also don’t miss the mini makeovers stalls that are on-hand throughout the event for pre-dinner touch-ups, full transformations and everything in between. 

The Doll Smash event will be at Peter Jones Sloane Square, SW1W 8EL, from 19-25 August 2024. 

The supper clubs: Nijū x Ekstedt at The Yard, and Ruinart x Silo Savoir (Re)Faire Supper Series

Blending Katei Ryori style cooking with Swedish fire-cooking techniques, Mayfair-based Japanese restaurant Nijū will kick off its supper club series with head chef Theres Andersson from Ekstedt at the Yard for an evening of culinary delights on 7 August. Here, Andersson will cook alongside Nijū’s executive chef Chris Golding to create a collaborative six-course dinner (with hero dishes being kept firmly under wraps). This four-hands collaboration marks the first in Nijū’s new Yūshoku (supper) Club series, with future episodes promising appearances from chefs from Aulis and Som Saa. Watch this space. 

Elsewhere on 7 August, champagne house Maison Ruinart and zero-waste restaurant Silo will come together to showcase their adapted craftsmanship in response to climate change through the Savoir (Re)Faire Supper Series: a monthly gastronomic experience inspired by the creation of Ruinart Blanc Singulier, a tipple driven by the constraints imposed by an ever-changing climate. Diners can expect a five-course tasting menu featuring innovative dishes from head chef Doug McMaster paired with Ruinart’s emblematic cuvées, including the Brut NV, Blanc de Blancs NV, aforementioned Singulier and Rosé NV. Cheers!

Nijū x Eskedt at The Yard will take place on 7 August 2024 at Nijū, 20 Berkeley Street, W1J 8EE, visit nijulondon.com; Ruinart x Silo Savoir (Re)Faire Supper Series will take place on 7 August 2024 at Silo, First floor, Unit 7 Queens Yard, White Post Lane, E9 5EN, visit opentable.com

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