When choosing somewhere to eat in London, Marylebone Village doesn’t disappoint. We all know the best food is found when you steer clear of the monotonous chains and stumble upon something local and there are just so many fantastic places here, you will find yourself in real foodie heaven. In fact, this thriving pocket of London is home to the acclaimed Marylebone Food Festival, from Tuesday 26th April – to Sunday 1st May 2022, in support of London charity The Food Chain. A six-day festival across all of Marylebone’s food and beverage offerings, you can indulge in everything from mouth-watering charcuterie boards at 28-50, to fresh pasta at Caldesi and decadent desserts in the Ivy. Expect wine dinners, workshops, supper clubs, feasts and book signings to accompany your foodie journey, experiencing the best Marylebone Village has to offer. Below we’ve rounded up how to create the ideal Marylebone food safari itinerary and what to expect at the food festival…
A Marylebone Village Food Safari
We recently headed to Marylebone to discover some of the best foodie locations ahead of the festival and have put together our own itinerary idea for you to try…
6.15pm – Begin your evening with some wine & cheese at 28-50
If you’re yet to visit 28-50 Marylebone, it’s the perfect spot for light indulgence and to try some of the most beautiful wines the city has to offer. The ideal place to commence our food safari, we tucked into charcuterie boards with an array of cheeses and meats, accompanied by a glass of white wine. The atmosphere here is relaxed and chilled, revellers relaxing after a long day in the office. It’s a spot you can head to for an after-work reprieve, on a date with your other half, or to socialise with friends. The wine list is impressive with a food offering to match.
6.45pm – Head to The Coach Makers Arms for a cocktail (or two!)
Our next stop on the tour was for a drink at the Coach Makers Arms – a stunning Victorian pub, restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart of Marylebone. It’s busier here, yet perfectly encapsulates the “London pub” vibe that you want at a destination like this. It’s warm, cosy and the staff are friendly as they lead us to our table on the first floor. We sip on espresso martinis and revel in the relaxed location, soaking up the ambience as we do so.
Food festival offering: East London at The Coach Makers – 3 Course Menu & East London Live @ The Clubhouse
7.15pm – Get a taste of Italy at Caldesi
Our next stop for our “main” dish of the night is Caldesi, a charming family-run Italian in the heart of Marylebone Village. Caldesi is one of those places that entices you in and makes you feel both special and instantly at home. The atmosphere is as welcoming as the founder – Celebrity Chef and Restauranteur Giancarlo Caldesi and his wife who regularly frequent the restaurant and ensure it’s running just as it should. We tuck into three incredible pasta dishes, a mouthwatering sea bass ravioli accompanied by a lemon & butter sauce, tomato concassé and fresh parsley, the signature Linguine Caldesi with tomato sauce, garlic, chilli, and cream and a lasagne to finish. Each dish was cooked perfectly, exuding relative simplicity yet packing a punch with flavour. There’s no pretentiousness here, just a focus on really good food and wine that feels like a real treat.
Food festival offering: Signature pasta dish with specially selected Italian wine to match £20
8pm – Round your night off with dessert at The Ivy
Our night ended with a dessert in The Ivy just a stone’s throw away across the street. It seems more Ivy restaurants are popping up every week, yet they still manage to retain the boutique, independent feel. The dessert menu here is enviable and while I’m full of pasta, I can’t resist something sweet to round the evening off. It’s the black bee honey and white chocolate cheesecake that catches my eye. It arrives, accompanied by a mango sorbet, honeycomb and edible flower, looking almost too delicious to eat. This is washed down with an after-dinner Hazelnut Alexander cocktail – a blend of Courvoisier VSOP Cognac, Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur and cream, finished with grated nutmeg – the ideal nightcap.
By the end of the night, I’ve travelled through the wine regions of France, wandered the cobbled streets of Tuscany and been to dessert heaven and back. Marylebone is a foodie destination that takes you on a culinary journey and leaves you wondering just when you can return. There is something for every taste and preference and so much to be discovered. Be sure to get tickets to the Marylebone Food Festival below – it’s something you don’t want to miss out on.
Check out our recent trip to Marylebone Village to find out how you can make the most of a day here and book your Marylebone food festival tickets here.
