With a bumper number of bank holidays and evening light finally stretching beyond 7pm, May is the month that London really starts gearing up for the heady days of summer. So, how to fill those long balmy hours? From the capital’s chicest new restaurants to horizon-expanding masterclasses, and fashionable pop-ups and festivals galore, here are the best things to do in London in May 2025.

The social season event: Lord’s

May ushers in an exciting new season of cricket at Lord’s – the Home of Cricket and considered the most iconic ground in the world. Offering a thrilling summer of sport, featuring a lineup of international matches and championships from the best in the business, Lord’s also offers first-class hospitality packages to ensure you watch the sport unfold in style.

Not sure which to book? We’re here to help. The premium Private Suites cater for up to 22 guests and boast balcony seating, panoramic views and a personal host on hand to serve a fresh breakfast and gourmet lunch, accompanied by fine wines, beers, premium spirits and champagne. Elsewhere, Lord’s newest offering at The Willow can host up to 48 guests, with a ticket here granting access to breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and a complimentary bar, with the entire culinary offering that curated by Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks. Finally, don’t miss The Marylebone Suite for those all-out but intimate events. Offeriing private tables for up to 12 guests, a four-course lunch will be served with a side of fabulous views of the cricket and Lord’s iconic Pavilion. Chin, chin. 

For more information and to book tickets now, visit lords.org

The shopping: TASAKI at Selfridges

Purveyor of perfect pearls since 1954, Japanese jewellery house TASAKI has launched its first-ever permanent counter at Selfridges. Following the brand’s 70^th anniversary last year, and arriving just in time for summer, the counter in the Wonder Room is welcoming new-to-the-brand shoppers and in-the-know jewellery collectors to feast their eyes on TASAKI’s stunning collection of pearls and diamonds. 

As the world’s principal producer of precious pearls, which are featured across the house’s high and fine jewellery collections, those new to TASAKI should look to its balance, danger and chants collections, all spanning necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings, for classic, feminine pieces with contemporary appeal. Flourish, meanwhile, is the collection for your summer wardrobe, inspired by the beauty of the ocean with a mix of beautiful stones including sapphires, pink tourmalines, topaz, diamonds and, of course, more pearls. But don’t just take our word for it – head to TASAKI in the Wonder Room now. We guarantee you won’t regret it…

The TASAKI counter at Selfridges is now open at the Ground Floor Wonder Room, 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB, visit tasaki.co.uk

The restaurants: Clap Ka-Fe, Pyro and Sino

From the team behind the acclaimed contemporary Japanese restaurant CLAP, KA-FE offers Londoners a new, refined grab-and-go experience promising both style and substance. This Knightsbridge outpost aims to reimagine the cafe concept and is inspired by the casual eateries of Tokyo that don't compromise on quality. Start your day with an array of unique and delicious pastries – think teriyaki pain aux raisins, yuzu tart au sucre or pain au trois chocolat – paired with expertly brewed artisanal coffees, premium matcha and delicate sencha.

Come lunchtime, the space transforms into a high-end Japanese deli, serving limited edition nigiri sets, sushi bento boxes and Kyoto-style chirashi. Every CLAP outpost has a signature dish, and KA-FE is no exception: sample shiitake salted caramel St Honoré pastry and the crepe matcha cheesecake for ultimate indulgence.

Pyro, the hotly anticipated debut restaurant from ex-Hide, Petrus and Ledbury chef Yiannis Mexis, will launch on 1 May. A celebration of cooking over fire and Mexis’ Greek heritage, Pyro will encapsulate the laidback buzz of a classic Greek taverna in the heart of Borough. Named for the Greek word ‘pyr’ – which roughly translates to 'setting things ablaze' – the huge open fire kitchen takes centre stage, as joints of succulent meat, fresh local seafood and seasonal vegetables are scorched to perfection. Expect grazing plates of spanakopita with barrel-aged feta, mussel saganaki with toasted bread and souvlaki skewers cooked over the embers, before larger dishes of Dorset lamb accompanied by lamb fat flatbreads and smoked anchovy yogurt, and whole charred aubergine served with a rich tomato stew and smoked mizithra.

Pyro’s bar, a huge open-air garden worthy of any Athenian night spot, will be open late into the evening and serve cocktails curated by Ana Reznik. Her signature cocktail menu uses vibrant, seasonal Greek ingredients that capture the essence of Mediterranean cuisine, while the wine list features exciting varieties from independent Greek producers. Yamas!

Sino

Sino's founder Polina Sychova and chef Eugene Korolev. Image: Viktoriia Klymentieva

Sino – a new restaurant serving refined Ukrainian-inspired food by founder Polina Sychova and chef Eugene Korolev – will open its doors in Notting Hill on 10 May. Led by the Ukrainian duo, the restaurant (pronounced 'see-no') will present a contemporary take on the nation’s food culture, with Korolev serving twists on authentic dishes, elevated through his experience at Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe, and using high quality British and Ukrainian ingredients. Expect dishes such as aubergine marinated with dill flowers, fennel and garlic served with kyyrma bread, pork belly with blackened beetroot, and signature vareniky (dumplings) with ox tail, spicy beef broth, and housemade mushroom garum. That’s date night sorted. 

CLAP KA-FE is open at 12-14 Basil Street, SW3 1AJ, visit claprestaurant.com; Pyro opens on 1 May 2025 at 53B Southwark Street, SE1 1RU, visit pyrorestaurant.co.uk; Sino opens on 10 May 2025 at 7 All Saints Road, W11 1HA, visit sinorestaurant.co.uk

The supper clubs: The Goring x Dan Merriman and Sushi Kanesaka x Woven by Adam Smith

The Goring has announced a series of summer supper clubs in partnership with recent MasterChef winners and finalists. On 13 and 14 May, The Goring will welcome back 2024 MasterChef: The Professionals champion Dan Merriman to cook a four-hands supper alongside the hotel’s executive chef, Graham Squire, across a two-night residency at the Michelin-starred Dining Room. Priced at £185 per person, the evening will begin with a selection of canapes including an English pea and goats curd tartlet, before starters of Cornish crab and heritage tomato ponzu, and Vadouvan spiced monkfish with Scottish girolles, and larger plates including roasted duck with sweet and sour cherry and pistachio. 

The second instalment of Sushi Kanesaka’s Michelin Series – named City, Country, Coast – will also land in London this month. Having curated three exclusive omakase dining experiences, each celebrating the meeting of Edomae sushi craftsmanship with the distinct culinary styles of different acclaimed chefs, the first one-night only collaboration was with Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester’s chef patron Jean-Philippe Blondet – and next up is Coworth Park’s Adam Smith, head chef of Woven, on 20 May. Priced at £450 per person, expect to be transported to the English countryside, where Smith brings his deep appreciation for British ingredients to the omakase counter via Cornish seafood, new season asparagus and estate wild garlic alongside Sushi Kanesaka’s signature sushi.

The Goring x Dan Merriman will take place from 13-14 May 2025 at The Goring, 15 Beeston Place, SW1W 0JW, visit thegoring.com; Sushi Kanesaka x Woven by Adam Smith will take place on 20 May 2025 at 45 Park Lane, W1K 1PN, visit dorchestercollection.com

The terrace: Setlist

Coming to the riverside terrace at Somerset House on 8 May is Setlist, championing live music, DJs, art installations, and great food to mark the organisation’s 25^th anniversary year. Setlist will bring a number of brilliant female chefs together under one roof to create a unique menu of dishes that represent the best of London, including African-Caribbean specialist Opeoluwa Odutayo, cook and author Sophie Wyburd, and Andrea Montes Renaud and Laura Copp – the duo behind London-based Mexican ingredient producer Masafina. There will also be regular pop-ups, guest chefs, and a barbecue series throughout the summer, while Clement Ogbonnaya will be curating a vibrant programme of live music and events each week. 

It wouldn’t be a Somerset House opening without art – so, naturally, the heart of Setlist will be a striking 50m-long covered pavilion designed to provide a blank canvas to emerging visual artists from London. The inaugural commission will be an installation by Brixton-based artist Farouk Agoro, whose work uses markings as a visual language to explore space, rhythm, and emotion. Inspired by sculpture gardens across the world, Setlist will also curate a series of interactive artworks and games across the year, including a basketball-inspired installation by Gray Wielebinski. 

Setlist opens on 8 May 2025 at Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA, visit somersethouse.org.uk

The pop-up: Tavola by Skye McAlpine, and Elemis x AMF1 at Harrods

Elemis x AMF1 at Harrods

Skye McAlpine

Calling all interior enthusiasts, Tavola by Skye McAlpine will be opening a spring pop-up in Belgravia this month, offering a curated shopping experience from 3 May to 7 June. The space will showcase Tavola’s full collection as well as a selection of antique homewares sourced by Skye McAlpine and exclusives from C. Atherley: the new scent and bodycare brand founded by Cath Kidston Padgham. Plus, an inspiring programme of workshops and talks will be held throughout the pop-up, including tea with Skye McAlpine and Cath Kidston Padgham, a children’s art workshop with childrenswear brand Forivor, a panel discussion with interior designer Salvesen Graham, and tablescaping workshops led by McAlpine herself.

Open from 6-23 May, skincare enthusiasts can enjoy a new exclusive beauty pop-up by Elemis as part of its multi-year partnership with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula OneTM Team. Step inside Harrods' beauty hall to discover an incredible F1 car made out of the Elemis' collagen cream pots, where visitors are invited to guess how many are on display to be in with a chance of winning a year's supply of goodies. Elsewhere, enjoy a complimentary 10-minute facial, an expert skin consultation using the beauty brand's HD Skin Diagnostic Camera, and shop the Elemis x Aston Martin Aramco Formula OneTM Team Pro-Collagen Collection. Plus, the first 100 people to play a digital game in the pop-up will receive a goody bag filled with Elemis skincare heroes – you heard it here first...

Tavola by Skye McAlpine will be open from 3 May-7 June 2025 at 48 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9PA, visit skyemcalpinetavola.com; Elemis x AMF1 at Harrods is open from 6-23 May 2025 at Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL, visit uk.elemis.com

The festival: Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words

One of London’s newest literary festivals, Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words will host its debut run from 14-17 May with a stellar line up of speakers. The four-day programme features events ranging from current affairs and journalism, to fiction and screenwriting, with headliners including actor Larry Lamb, presenter Reeta Chakrabarti, author Jojo Moyes and the BBC’s Jeremy Vine. 

Celebrating Fleet Street’s long-standing ties with the media industry, the inaugural Festival of Words will feature a packed current affairs programme, named The Scoop, showcasing the best in non-fiction and shedding light on timely issues. Visit on Saturday if you have kids in tow when Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, offers the opportunity for families to set their own world records, while comedian and illustrator Olaf Falafel presents an energetic and exciting event packed with jokes and drawing. 

Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words rus from 14-17 May 2025 at Unit 411, Fleet Street, EC4A 2DQ, visit fleetstreetquarter.co.uk

The fitness studio: Psycle Bank

Psycle has just opened its sixth London outpost in Bank, now home to a 48-bike ride studio, a 23-bed reformer studio and a 21-person state-of-the-art yoga and barre studio, as well as its first-ever infrared workout space, bringing a new concept to Psycle’s offerings. Designed to enhance circulation, relieve muscle tension and aid recovery, Psycle’s Bank community has the unique opportunity to try two new classes: Infrared Sculpt and Infrared Release. Alongside its vibrant workout rooms, the new studio seamlessly blends exercise and convenience as fitness fanatics can transition effortlessly from workout to work, with complimentary cleated shoes for Ride and well-appointed changing rooms. For an added boost before or after a session, the Energy Kitchen serves up nourishing plant-based shakes and drinks. 

Psycle Bank is now open at 40 Coleman Street, EC2R 5EH, visit psyclelondon.com

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