February is in full swing and the talk of pancakes and Valentine's is, like love, all around. But if you're in the mood for something a little different, we've got the perfect solution. Take a mate, take a date and pop in to a pop-up.
Beer & Buns Izakaya
What: Beer & Buns Izakaya (above) claims to offer the UK's largest range of Japanese craft beer. Use it to wash down steamed buns and crispy Korean-style jumbo chicken wings
Where: Upstairs @ K10 3 Appold Street, EC2
When: Mon-Fri from 5pm, until July 2015
How much: Buns are £3.50 each
More info: beerandbuns.co.uk
Ceru
What: Ceru (below) is a bright and colourful Levantine pop-up in Fitzrovia
Where: Rathbone Place, W1
When: until 30 April
How much: We put the average spend at £34, with wine and a tip
More info: Ceru
Hawker House, brought to you by Street Feast
What: A night market with street food, hot cocktails, craft beers, wine and whisky. Oh – and music
Where: Haggerston, E8
When: Friday and Saturday until 4 April
How much: free entry before 7pm, £4 after
More info: streetfeastlondon.com
London Beer Week, brought to you by the folks from London Cocktail Week and Craft Beer Rising
What: A whole week of beer-related greatness at various different sites, including brewery tours, beer and food pairing, a fun run, secret bars and new launches.
Where: Start at one of the hubs in Soho or Shoreditch to get your wristband and plan your attack
When: 16-22 February
How much: £10 per wristband
More info: londonbeerweek.com
Marco’s Meatballs, brought to you by Italian pop-up maestros Forza Win
What: Red wine and spaghetti meatballs (above) with a mystery ‘immersive’ element
Where: Vault Festival, underneath Waterloo station
When: until 6 March
How much: £15, including a glass of wine
More info: forzawin.com
Monty’s Deli at The Old Bengal Bar (above), brought to you by the Maltby Street market locals Monty’s Deli
What: homemade pastrami, salt beef and brunch dishes such as Monty’s French toast: home-baked challah bread topped with a pinch of cinnamon, maple syrup and two candied slices of fatty pastrami.
Where: The Old Bengal Bar, EC2
When: 11am-4pm, until 8 March
How much: The salt beef sandwich is £8
More info: oldbengalbar.com
Shackfuyu (below), brought to you by Bone Daddies
What: rough and ready pop-up inspired by flavours popular in Japan. Check social media (@BonedaddiesLDN) for today’s dishes and wash it all down with a Sake Cherry Gimlet.
Where: 14a Old Compton Street, W1
When: From 15 February, closing date TBC (Check the website for 50% off preview on 14 February)
How much: From about £2.50 to £12.50
More info: bonedaddies.com/shackfuyu
The Stevedores at The Pickle Factory
What: a six-week beer and whiskey pop-up with a week by week rotation of beer, whiskey, smoked and grilled meat, and acoustic music.
Where: The Pickle Factory at The Oval, E2
When: until mid-March
How much: depends how hungry/thirsty you are
More info: thestevedores.co.uk
Synaesthesia, brought to you by Kitchen Theory
What: a sensory dining experience where the worlds of psychology, neurology and science combine with gastronomy.
Where: Maida Hill Place, W9
When: until 8 March
How much: £56 (dinner only)
More info: kitchen-theory.com