1. For Art You Can Eat: La Maison Ani
What: Why stop at looking at art when you can taste it, too? La Maison Ani at Jumeirah Carlton Tower is teaming up with London Art Exchange and contemporary artist Gabrielle Malak for a collaboration that brings the gallery experience to the dining table.
Two original works, Love Letter and Eternal Été, have been paired with dishes inspired by the places and emotions behind them. Think peony and lemon meringue for the Florence-inspired Love Letter, while Eternal Été comes alongside a lobster and harissa-infused tagine. Add watermelon-pink banquettes, marble interiors and Chef Izu Ani’s French-Mediterranean cooking, and you’ve got a very glamorous way to spend an afternoon away from the fair.
Where: Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Knightsbridge, London SW1X.Book a table.
2. For a Full Day of Art and Japanese Fine Dining: Aki London
What: If one art fair visit simply isn’t enough, Aki London has the answer. Its From Day to Night experience on Friday 16 October takes guests from a private studio visit with artist Bouke de Vries to a hosted VIP tour of Frieze London, before finishing with Ruinart Champagne and an exclusive four-course dinner.
On the menu? Wagyu beef and black garlic gyoza, seared salmon maki, omakase sashimi and caramelised black cod, with wine pairings selected by head sommelier Antonio Palmarini. At £595 per person, including admission to Frieze London, it’s certainly a splurge, but for collectors and serious art enthusiasts, the access is part of the appeal. Prefer to keep things more casual? Head downstairs to Kiyori Bar, where a Frieze-inspired cocktail created with artist Ken Nwadiogbu will be available alongside an exhibition of his work from 13 October to 1 November.
Where: Aki London, Hanover Square, Mayfair.Book a table.
3. For Sri Lankan Art and Home Cooking: Kolamba
What: Your cultural fix doesn’t have to end at the gallery. At Kolamba, Sri Lankan art and craft are as much a part of the experience as the food. The Soho restaurant features framed batik panels custom-made by Sri Lankan fashion designer Sonali Dharmawardena, commissioned in the restaurant’s signature colours.
Over at Kolamba East, contemporary artist Prageeth Manohansa brings another layer of Sri Lankan creativity to the space. Both restaurants serve modern interpretations of Sri Lankan home cooking, making them ideal for anyone who fancies swapping exhibition labels for bold spices and dishes inspired by the island’s culinary traditions. Choose Soho for a meal between Mayfair gallery visits, or head east if your art trail takes you towards Shoreditch.
Where: Kolamba Soho and Kolamba East, London. Book a table.
4. For Mexican Cocktails and Contemporary Art: Ixchel
What: Chelsea’s King’s Road is worth the detour this Frieze Week, particularly if your idea of culture involves a tequila cocktail and a very good dinner. Ixchel combines contemporary Mexican cooking with an impressive agave offering, led by Mexican-born chef Ximena Gayosso Gonzalez, whose experience spans London and Mexico City.
The extra reason to visit is Interwoven, an exhibition presented as part of the Chelsea Arts Festival. Bringing together six contemporary Mexican women artists, it transforms the restaurant’s lower-ground floor into a living gallery, with painting, ceramics and textiles by Alicia Paz, Ana Benavides, Andrea Segura, Paola Estrella, Regina Torres and Rita Fernández. Come for the art, stay for the margaritas and make an evening of it.
Where: Ixchel, King’s Road, Chelsea. Book a table.
5. For Contemporary Indian Cuisine in Mayfair: Trèsind
What: Need a break from gallery hopping? Trèsind Mayfair offers a different kind of creative experience, with contemporary Indian cooking from chefs Himanshu Saini and Amit Bagyal. Regional traditions and familiar flavours are reworked through modern techniques, seasonal ingredients and carefully composed dishes. I
t’s the sort of place where presentation is part of the pleasure, making it a fitting stop during a week dedicated to contemporary expression. The Hanover Street location is handy for exploring Mayfair’s galleries, while the tasting menus make a strong case for turning a quick lunch into a longer evening affair.
Where: 13–14 Hanover Street, London W1S 1YH. Book a table.
6. For Art You Can Drink: Hidden Society
What: Tucked away on Goodge Street, Hidden Society is an intimate Fitzrovia cocktail bar where art and mixology meet. Its latest collection, Happy Accidents, takes inspiration from the landscapes of artist Bob Ross, translating his creative philosophy into five cocktails designed to be experienced as one imagined scene.
The collection moves through Sky, Mountain, Forest, Lake and Sunset, with each drink exploring a different mood through flavour. Expect floral notes in Sky, mezcal and pine in Mountain, and a warm, gently spiced finish with Sunset. Created by general manager Mario Hernandez, the menu offers a playful way to experience art beyond the gallery walls. All five cocktails cost £9 before 7pm and £12 afterwards.
Where: Hidden Society, 61 Goodge Street, London W1T 1TL. Book a table.
For more recommendations, visit TONE Magazine LDN
