Lola Christina Alao and
Sophie Laughton
Published November 27, 2025 5:00pm
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One of the best opportunities to find presents for loved ones (Picture: Rusne Draz)
Welcome back to The Slice – our exclusive guide to what’s on in London, where we bring you trusted reviews, sneak previews, and amazing deals and discounts.
It might not be December yet but we’re starting early this year. We hate rushing around for last minute Christmas gifts, so if you’re anything like us, you’ll love this issue.
That’s because we’ve found some of the best Christmas markets in London, with handmade products, mulled wine and Christmas cheer, including Christmas on Columbia Road (the shops are staying open until late just for you).
What else is in this edition? A happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrates, we’re trying a Thanksgiving treat with a dedicated pie table, delicious bánh mì in King’s Cross, and mouthwatering sushi at a hot new opening.
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.
The Slice newsletter also a brand new look! We'll still be in your inbox every week, bringing you all the very best things to eat, drink and do in the capital. So if you want get the next edition before anyone else, sign up here!
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.
Things to do this week in London
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, here are 9 of the best activities, dining, and drinking spots in the capital.
1. Tuck into a winter-warming roast dinner for Thanksgiving at The Ned NoMad
The American holiday is growing in popularity here in the UK (Picture: Supplied)
By Courtney Pochin
Imagine a Hogwarts-esque banquet of succulent turkey, creamy mashed potato, stuffing, and every kind of vegetable going (including a green bean cassoulet and kale salad) all spread out on a table.
This is what you can expect from the Thanksgiving feast at NoMad London. It’s quite literally what comfort food dreams are made of, packed with rich, warming festive flavours. Be sure to get a bit of everything on your plate and save room for dessert as there’s a pie table (yes, a whole table) loaded with classics like pumpkin, pecan, apple and a chocolate one that I’m still dreaming about.
Feeling adventurous? Order a Sergeant Pepper – a unique green cocktail made with jalapeño-infused tequila, cachaca, lemon, pineapple and coriander. Apparently it’s Paul Mescal’s favourite drink…
£95pp. 27 November. 27 Poultry, The City, EC2R 8AJ. Reserve your spot.
2. Get fresh bánh mì and more at HOP Vietnamese
From a caramel chicken bánh mì to a pulled mushroom one (Picture: Supplied)
By Maria Astardjieva
Right outside King’s Cross station, the brand new HOP Vietnamese is a welcome stop for anyone craving fresh, bold flavours delivered in minutes. Its street-style menu hits all the right notes, offering vibrant dishes that feel straight out of Hanoi.
Every bowl and box is crafted with a balance of protein, veg and carbs, making it ideal for a nourishing, grab-and-go meal in the heart of the city. But the true standout is the bánh mì – a soft baguette generously stuffed with indulgent fillings. Choose from Caramel Chicken, Chargrilled Honey Pork, Crispy Chicken or, for us veggies, the Pulled Mushroom, which delivers a spot-on mix of sweet, sour and spicy while still feeling wholesome.
To finish, don’t skip the traditional Vietnamese egg cream coffee. The cold brew topped with a light, crème-brûlée-flavour foam doubles as dessert and is the perfect finish for all of us sweet treat lovers.
Hop rice boxes from £9.95, viet salads from £9.95, bánh mì from £9.95. 296 Pentonville Rd, Kings Cross, N1 9NR. Just walk-in.
3. Try indulgent tempura lobster claw at Moi
‘Tempura lobster claw has my guest asking if he can order another’ (Picture: Milly Kenny-Ryder)
By Beatrice Aidin
Watch out Nobu – Moi, the new Japanese restaurant in Wardour Street, is hot on your heels. Decorated with reclaimed woods, and warm burnt orange concrete walls, despite the size (150 covers) it’s as warm in atmosphere as the service. The Red Egg Plant cocktail sounds bonkers, featuring tomato consommé and gin, but it’s my drink of the decade.
Fatty tuna sushi, as good as in Japan, and tempura lobster claw has my guest asking if he can order another (no he can’t) while I get very excited about silken tofu with buckwheat. We’re meant to share the Cornish mackerel but I demolish it and, er, have to order more. Down a glamorous swooping staircase lies the Listening Room plus an omakase bar. It’s worth adding that Moi is pronounced ‘moy’, which in Japanese dialects translates to strong affection. This Soho culinary addition has unquestionably earned mine.
Snacks from £5, sushi & rolls from £21. 84 Wardour St, Soho, W1F 0TQ. Book here.
4. Try one of London’s not-to-miss Christmas markets
Christmas on Columbia Road, E2
View this post on Instagram
Best for: something for all the family
There’s loads going on at Old Spitalfields Market, and this year there’s so much gift inspiration, with vintage and charity shopping all throughout December, a Vinyl Market on 5 and 19 December, and an Urban Makers Christmas Market. You can also look forward to carol singing with The BIG Sing Choir and Santa Saturdays for all the family.
Wednesdays, 5-9pm. 26 November, 3, 10, 17 December. Find out more.
Old Spitalfields Market
Best for: a cute Christmas date
This is one of London’s most loved Christmas events. Every year, the Columbia road shops stay open as a special treat for the festive season. It’s the best time to pick up a mulled wine, and wander down the street in and out of the shops where you’ll find handmade gifts and more (without the crowds!). There will be no carol service this year, but that’s okay, we’ll be too busy shoving our faces with mince pies!
Old Spitalfields Market. Find out more.
Black Culture Market
Best for: a bougie late night bite
The much underrated Black Culture Market is back with a special festive edition – at The Department Store in Brixton. It celebrates emerging Black entrepreneurs and creatives, and you can get your hands on fashion, unique jewellery and prints, skincare, clothes, African art and more. There will also be food and cakes for you to graze on, plus drinks to sip on.
4-5 December, 11am-5pm. The Department Store, Brixton. Find out more.
5. Get a free Lebanese treat at Ta’mini Bakery in Kensington
It’s Black Friday week! (Picture: Supplied)
Get freebies at Slice-fave Ta’mini! The Lebanese Bakery off Kensington High Street is offering guests a complimentary mini bake and hot drink with any purchase on 29-30 November.
To redeem, just follow Ta’mini on Instagram and show a receipt for any purchase made over the Black Friday weekend.
6. Come along to LEON’s Charity Supper Club
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LEON is joining forces with chef Suzie Bakos to transform LEON favourites into abundant sharing dishes. Think Hash Brown Bites, Amba, Garlic Mayo, Chilli & Coriander.
The one-night-only charity supper club is running on 11 December. Get your £20pp tickets here.
7. Glide around London’s best ice skating rinks
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‘Tis the season for the most slippery form of festive entertainment as London’s iconic rinks reopen for winter. The Slice’s favourites include Queen’s House Ice Rink, Greenwich for its dazzling UNESCO World Heritage setting, Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink (see if you can spot Skating Santa!) and Glide at Battersea, complete with a fairy lit skate trail for the adventurous.
Also new for 2025 is Skate at Leicester Square, where a circular rink around Shakespeare’s statue takes centre stage. Get your skates on!
8. See groundbreaking film by emerging creators at London Palestine Film Festival
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London Palestine Film Festival is the perfect opportunity to see brand new releases reflecting on Palestine.
On until 28 November, tonight’s showing tells the story of the balance between survival and surrender. See the full schedule here.
9. Experience Othello starring David Harewood
David Harewood as Othello and Toby Jones as Iago (Picture: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg)
By John Nathan
★★★★
Having played the epitome of decency in the form of Mr Bates, the hero of ITV’s Bafta-winning drama about the Post Office scandal, Toby Jones is now playing the moral opposite in lago, the Shakespeare villain with a heart of unfathomable, malignant intent. His target is the north-African warlord Othello, played imperiously by Homeland’s David Harewood.
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Ti Green’s set starts promisingly, with golden cornices floating above the stage. They cleverly connect to this most beautiful of West End theatre’s ornate proscenium arch. However, they are all-too soon replaced by shadowy backdrops that suspend the production in an indistinct hinterland.
Still, the evening is anchored by the constant, sinister presence of Jones’ Iago. He is like the first ever troll. And as we know, operating as they do at the fag end of human nature, the pleasure they take in harming others is no mystery at all.
Tickets from £25. Theatre Royal, Haymarket. Until 17 January. Book here.
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