The best food festivals in the UK in 2023
Summer in the UK is many things; hot and humid (lest we forget about 2022’s heatwave), rooftop bars galore, and prime time for weekenders to the country’s prettiest corners. But it’s also when the coolest festivals in the UK pop up. We’re not just talking about music festivals – this year, food and drink festivals are having a moment. And the upcoming lineup is a foodies' paradise, peppered with plenty of talented chefs from cult favourites to Michelin-star restaurants who will be serving up the tastiest dishes. It’s not all about eating, mind. There are cooking masterclasses, chef demonstrations and exclusive performances for all ages.
From spotlighting London’s very best restaurants in one of the capital’s parks to buffets of Scottish food and Welsh cuisine by rivers and castles, there’s a delicious feast waiting for everyone – even the pickiest of eaters. Book in advance and arrive hungry, these are the best (and tastiest) food festivals in the UK for 2023.
London
London Restaurant Festival
Returning for its 15th year, London Restaurant Festival is bringing together some of the city’s hottest dining spots into a feast-fuelled multi-week event serving up over 50 culinary experiences. For its summer edition, there will be tasting menus, pasta-making masterclasses, brunches with your pooch and restaurant-hopping tours taking foodies from Michelin-starred eateries and vibrant street food spots to hidden gems. The cherry on top is its gastronomic weekend extravaganza at L’oscar hotel, featuring museum tours, exclusive performances by Pink and Gwen Stefani and all the very best in dining. There's also an Autumn edition of the festival in October.
Address: multiple locations
Website: londonrestaurantfestivalsummer.com
Price: General sale tickets from Tuesday 9 May
Dates: Wednesday 31 May to Sunday 25 June
Meatopia
Meat lovers, this one's for you. Think three incredible days to devour the juiciest, flavour-packed meat in the capital. Located in Tobacco Dock, Meatopia is a carnivore’s paradise. Brought here by Hawksmoor honcho Richard H Turner – who originally teamed up with the late Josh Ozersky, founder of the American version of the festival – Meatopia is all about snout-to-tail cooking using local, ethically-sourced meat, smoked to perfection over wood and charcoal. Each day, around 30 prolific live-fire chefs dream up original recipes specifically for the festival, so feasters are in for a real treat. There’s top-notch music, sizzling demos and plenty of booze.
Address: Tobacco Dock, London E1W 2SF, United Kingdom
Website: meatopia.co.uk
Price: from £23
Dates: Thursday 31 August to Sunday 3 September
Pub in the Park
There’s no better way to spend a sun-drenched day in London than with friends and good music. Add in mouth-watering food and you’ve got the ultimate summer’s day. The brainchild of renowned Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, Pub in the Park celebrates the best of British food, drink and entertainment. This year, he’s kicking off the feastival tour at Wimbledon Park and bringing with him a buffet of incredible chefs (Simon Rimmer, Ainsley Harriott and Anna Haugh to name a few) serving up dishes from brunch classics to noteworthy dinner plates, and an impressive line-up of live music. If one weekend isn't enough, Pub in the Park is making stops at nine other locations around the UK.
Address: Wimbledon Park, Home Park Rd, London SW19 8AU, UK
Website: pubintheparkuk.com/wimbledon
Price: from £56
Dates: Friday 12 May to Sunday 14 May
Foodies Festival
Spreading across the UK, Foodies Festival’s London pop-up is one of its biggest (and tastiest) with a line-up of chefs such as Ben Wood, head chef at Spanish tapas spot Barrafina, and MasterChef champions Nikita Pathakji and Alex Webb. Critically-acclaimed chefs will whip up their signature summer recipes and Great British Bake Off stars – including 2022 winner Syabira Yusoff – will share expert baking tips while showcasing easy-to-bake treats.
Address: Syon Park, Brent Lea, Brentford TW8 8JF, United Kingdom
Website: foodiesfestival.com/syon-park-london
Price: from £21
Dates: Saturday 27 May to Monday 29 MayTaste of London
Set across five sun-beamed (fingers crossed) days in London’s beloved Regent’s Park, Taste of London is making its annual return to celebrate the capital’s diverse food scene with the finest chefs showcasing over 150 dishes. From Italian and Japanese to Chinese and Indian, expect to indulge thanks to some of London’s best restaurants, including cult-favourites from the Big Mamma Group (Gloria, Circolo Popolare, Ave Mario and Jacuzzi). There’s an extensive food market, cooking classes from Michelin-starred chefs, wine and Champagne tastings, and even whiskey vending machines.
Address: Regent’s Park, London
Website: london.tastefestivals.com
Price: from £24
Dates: Wednesday 14 June to Sunday 18 June
Paradise LondonUK
The Big Feastival
Imagine Glastonbury but with lots more delicious food, and you have The Big Feastival. Nestled in a secluded Cotswolds farm, The Big Feastival serves up plenty of spectacular dishes with a side of amazing tunes. While headliners (Melanie C, Tom Grennan and Rick Astley, to name a few) perform at the main stage, foodies can tuck into award-winning street food, Michelin-worthy meals or dish up their own at the cookery school – and there’s even a cheese tasting corner. There are also dedicated areas for entertaining little ones, including arts and crafts workshops, face painting, storytelling and mini chefs sessions.
Address: Alex James' Farm near Kingham, Chipping Norton OX7 6UJ, United Kingdom
Website: thebigfeastival.com
Price: from £93.50
Dates: Friday 25 August to Sunday 27 August
Abergavenny Food Festival
While British food will always have our hearts, it’s time for Welsh cuisine to have the spotlight. And Abergavenny’s food festival is doing just that. For its 25th anniversary, the line-up features chef demonstrations from Imad Al Arnab and Jeremy Lee, as well as night markets with street food, cooking classes for children and talks by top food heavyweights, including Jake Fiennes, author of Land Healer – and all can be enjoyed while relaxing to live acoustics.
Address: Abergavenny Food Festival, Raglan Chambers, 63 Frogmore St, Abergavenny NP7 5AU, United Kingdom
Website: abergavennyfoodfestival.com
Price: Saturday 16 September and Sunday 17 September
Dates: £13.50
The North Leeds Food Festival
For a riverside feast, head to the North Leeds Food Festival for street food and artisanal delights galore. Think poutine, paella, sizzling roasts and delicacies from the Mediterranean to Malaysia. For those with dietary needs there are vegan and vegetarian options, as well as gluten-free and halal too. To top it all off, there's tasting sessions, live entertainment and a fun fair for all ages. Food enthusiasts can also hone their cooking skills while watching top-tier chefs do what they do best.
Address: Roundhay Park, Soldiers Fields, Roundhay, Leeds, LS8 1JX
Website: https://northleedsfoodfestival.co.uk/
Price: from £8.95
Dates: Saturday 13 May and Sunday 14 May
Ludlow Food Festival
For Ludlow’s annual food festival, more than 100 exhibitors will set up camp in the beautiful grounds of Ludlow Castle. From meat-based producers to vegetarian stands and artisanal bakes, there’s something for everyone to taste. Foodies can sample (and score) their favourite local produce, or embark on activities like the Real Ale Trail, which involves tasting the local pubs' best beers, and the Sausage Trail. Chefs, food producers and food writers are expected to host talks, workshops and master classes.
Address: Ludlow Castle, Castle Sq, Ludlow SY8 1AY, United Kingdom
Website: ludlowfoodfestival.co.uk
Price: from £12.50
Dates: Friday 8 September to Sunday 10 SeptemberEdinburgh Food Festival
Celebrating the best of Scottish cuisine, Edinburgh Food Festival is set to be a feast packed with street food and stalls for all ages. This year’s 10-day event (held just before Edinburgh’s Fringe season) will welcome back favourites such as award-winning pies from Jarvis Pickle, refreshing gelatos from Alanda’s and a seafood selection from vendors that are enough of a reason to attend. Children can join cooking classes and afterwards join in the fun with chefs while they create their signature dishes.
Address: George Square Gardens, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.edfoodfest.com/
Price: Free to enter
Dates: Friday 21 July to Sunday 31 July