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The UK food festivals not to miss in 2023

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Twisted: Unserious food tastes seriously good.

Wondering the UK food festivals 2023 has to offer? Well, wonder no more.

We have compiled a list of the most delicious events happening this summer, and we’re sharing it with you lovely lot.

Yup, we’re never ones to gate-keep here at Twisted – as you can probably tell from our hefty guides to everything from Glastonbury food to the Capital’s rooftop bars – so, we decided it was only fair to sift through the UK food and drink festivals happening this year and weed out the gems.

uk food festivals 2023

Looking for the best UK food festivals 2023 has to offer? (Credit: Getty)

Whether you’re looking for chef masterclasses, hunting for a new fave independent food business or hoping to broaden your culinary horizons and taste something you’ve never tried before, let us guide you through the spots to do just that.

Here are the UK food festivals you can’t miss in 2023.

Eat your way through the UK food festivals of 2023

Looking for a food festival, it can sometimes feel like the choice is a little overwhelming.

But the sheer amount of choice means – cliche as it sounds – there really is something for everyone’s tastebuds.

Whether you’re after something vegan or heavy on the meat, Michelin-starred or affordable, packed with celebs or a little more low-key, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s start with the best food festivals in London and then broaden out to see what the rest of the UK has to offer…

 

Best food festivals in London 2023

1. Hampton Court Palace Food Fest

uk food festival 2023

Hampton Court Palace food festival is a great family day out (Credit: Hampton Court Palace)

You’re not gonna get a more scenic food festival than this one.

Hampton Court Palace’s royal grounds is opening up for food lovers to tuck into a whole load’a street food and menus worthy of Michelin stars…but the fun doesn’t stop there.

There’s also a cooking school so you can plate up your own delicacies, and there’s a cheese tasting corner, too.

Expect music, crafts and face painting for the kids.

A fun day for all the fam! 

When is it: 26th – 28th August 2023

How much: from £26.30

Get tickets here.

2. Taste of the Caribbean (touring)

uk food festival 2023

The festival is a celebration of Caribbean food (Credit: Taste of the Caribbean)

Taste of the Caribbean food and drink festival is here, offering punters the chance to try a whole variety of food from different Caribbean islands, cooked by 25 of the UK’s best restaurants who know and love it best.

Touring several spots across London, including Hackney, Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Beckenham, there will also be live reggae, Motown and R&B music and even a Bob Marley & The Wailers tribute band. Plus, expect funfair rides and rum punch aplenty.

You can bring blankets and foldable chairs and get ready for a feast.

The food on offer includes jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish, oxtail, curry goat and roti. What more could you want?!

When is it: 8th July 

How much: from £30

Get tickets here.

3. Meatopia

uk food festival 2023 meatopia

Step this way for all things meat (Credit: Meatopia)

Meatopia is for the carnivorous amongst us (well, duh). Expect the best meat the UK has to offer all packed into Tobacco Dock in east London, and some of the top chefs around cooking it all up like only they know how.

From the mind of Hawksmoor’s Richard H Turner, and inspired by a US version of the same festival, Meatopia champions using ethical, local produce and cooking every part of the animal.

The meat is cooked over fire and served to hungry punters, and this year the chefs include friends of Twisted, Ana Da Costa (of Two Hot Asians fame) and Suzi Bakos (The Little Sauce), BBQ cook and food writer Melissa Thompson and Ottolenghi chef Christos Karetsos.

When is it: 31st August to 3rd September

How much: from £23

Get tickets here.

4. Emilia’s Summer Pasta Festival

uk food festival 2023 emilia's crafted pasta festival

A pasta festival? What’s not to love (Credit: Emilia’s Crafted Pasta)

Emilia’s Summer Pasta festival is back for 2023, offering (you guessed it), pasta aplenty.

The chain is opening up its outdoor terrace in London’s Canary Wharf and bringing you every time of pasta you could imagine, served street-food style, alongside so much more.

There will be live music and even pasta art exhibitions to enjoy, as well as a whole array of masterclasses, from a kiddy one to an adults pasta making class, and even a lesson in pasta and wine pairing.

If you don’t leave positively stuffed and feeling a bit smug about your cooking skills then you’re doing it wrong.

When is it: 16th July 

How much: free but reservation encouraged. 

Get tickets here.

5. Savour Festival

uk food festivals 2023 savour

Savour is one for the serious food lovers (Credit: Savour)

This is another good’n for any proper food lovers.

A bunch of London’s top restaurants are all convening at Royal Hospital Chelsea to bring some of their best dishes to the public. It’s like a food tour of London but all in one place!

We’re talking Angelina’s Japanese-Italian fusion spot from Dalston, steak chain Gaucho’s and West London vegan spot, Holy Carrot…

As well as pop-up restaurants with Michelin worthy food and a whole bunch of super affordable street-food vans with meals starting at a quid, there will be celebrity demonstrations, independent and artisan food stalls and plenty more.

There’s live music and plenty of cocktails available too, it sounds like a rather lovely day out.

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