The Time Out London blog team

On days when you’re in the mood for jollof or egusi, the Big Smoke has its fair share of West African restaurants to venture to. In fact, one of the city’s best restaurants has been serving Nigerian tapas to Tottenham locals since 2016 and, after a decade in the game, has now launched its own fast food counter by Liverpool Street.  When it comes to finding the flavours of West Africa in liquid form, though, London often falls short – but luckily this won’t be the case for long. That’s because award-winning bartender Emanuele ‘Lele’ Mensah is launching a new bar dedicated to showcasing the ingredients, techniques and stories of Ghana. Asase, set to debut in Shoreditch later this year, takes its name from the word for ‘land’ in the Ghanaian language Twi. Mensah, formerly of the Connaught Bar and Lyaness, has said that the inspo behind the new West African cocktail spot is ‘the belief that the Earth is what connects us’.  Photograph: Grant Walker / AsaseAsase's Egusi Martini Clay and other natural materials will be central to the interior decor, with neutral, earthy tones like terracotta and brown running throughout the intimate 20-25-cover space. Plus, the layout has been designed around a big sharing table in the centre of the room to bring groups of guests closer together. Asase was originally scheduled to open its doors this summer, but its debut has been pushed back to the autumn, with construction currently underway.  When it opens, Asase will be serving West...

Londoners, we have big news. Huge news, in fact. Time Out’s just revealed plans for our first ever London Market. Time Out Market London will open at 55 Regent Street, an iconic West End location at the gateway of Regent Street, Piccadilly and Piccadilly Circus. The three-floor venue will span over 26,400 square feet and feature a selection of carefully curated London restaurants, bars and food businesses. Fittingly, given that Time Out was founded in London back in 1968, this will be our flagship venue. After nearly 60 years of helping millions of Londoners discover the very best of the city’s food, drink and culture, the capital’s first ever Time Out Market is set to open in the first half of 2028. Every Time Out Market is curated by our local editorial team. More than just a place to eat and drink, London’s Market will reflect the city’s energy, diversity and creativity with a year-round programme of cultural events and entertainment. Expect no less than the city’s most exciting chefs, restaurateurs and cultural experiences. As for the building itself? Well, many Londoners will no doubt know the address as the site of the old Tower Records, though it was built in 1925 for the Swan & Edgar department store. These days it’s a Grade II-listed beauty – and it’s about to get even more stunning (and not just because we’re moving in). Time Out Market London’s opening at 55 Regent Street is part of a wider regeneration of 10 Piccadilly by the Crown Estate. Developed with the...

The Thames could be getting a shiny new neighbourhood. The Royal Borough of Greenwich has signed a memorandum of understanding with Greater London Authority (GLA) and Transport for London (TfL), agreeing to work together on the regeneration of long-neglected Charlton Riverside.  The area pegged for regeneration sits along a section of the Thames between the Greenwich Peninsula and Woolwich. Unlike planning permission, the memorandum of understanding is not confirmation that Charlton Riverside’s makeover will go ahead but a commitment by all parties to work together in order to make it happen. A planning application will follow.  Greenwich Council hopes that, over the next 20 years, the scheme will create 8,000 new homes alongside new schools, community facilities, green spaces, improved transport links and better access to the River Thames. It also says that the project will provide continued support to the area as ‘one of London’s most important industrial locations’.  Plans to redevelop the area with thousands of new homes were announced back in 2012 but since then, only two blocks of flats have been built. The project has been set back over the years because there is no single large landowner who can co-ordinate development. Authorities also cited a lack of infrastructure as a reason for the delays.  But now, things are finally being set in motion. Greenwich Council has been buying up the land and is now one of the largest landowners on Charlton Riverside. Alongside the...