The Good Taste Guide: where to eat and drink in London in May 

From new al fresco terrace openings just in time for summer to blossom-bedecked banquets and plenty of bank holidays to take advantage of and fill with feasts, May promises to be a mouth-watering month for foodies in London. 

Here’s our pick of the very best of the capital’s drinking and dining scene right now. Warning: food envy incoming…

Experience the exclusive Steak and Wine club at Heliot Steak House 

Based in Leicester Square’s iconic Hippodrome casino, the Heliot Steak House’s recently-launched Steak and Wine Club nights have been a sell-out hit, with each focussing on a different country-sourced meat expertly paired with local wines, and this month sees the  British edition of the event take over on 16th May, with a UK-themed menu featuring flavourful Hereford fillet steak accompanied by crispy roast potatoes and Yorkshire Pudding; or Devon white crab with ginger, chilli and avocado, with a curated selection of highlights of the British wine scene. Not lucky enough to secure a place at the in-demand special event? The glam 1930s-esque steak house is open every night until late, serving up quality cuts of meat, globally sourced USDA prime steaks, and a wine list of more than 120 options. 

Heliot Steak House, Hippodrome Casino, Cranbourn St, Leicester Square, London WC2H 7JH. Book a table here.

Learn the art of Xiao Long Bao at Michein-recognized Din Tai Fung

Any foodie knows that Din Tai Fung is the place to go for authentic soup dumplings – and now, the Michelin-recognised Taiwanese hotspot is sharing its succulent secrets with you. This month, the restaurant launches its one-of-a-kind Xiao Long Bao Masterclasses, taking place exclusively at its Centre Point restaurant on the first Tuesday of every month. The hour-long intimate classes will give you an insider look into the making of the iconic dish, and give you the chance to make your own taro-filled Xiao Long Bao, all while guided by specially trained chefs. You’ll then sit down to a set menu and a glass of fizz – ideal for a date night or group get together. 

Din Tai Fung Centrepoint, 11 St Giles Square, London WC2H 8AP. Classes start on 16 May, tickets £118 per person and sold in pairs. Book tickets here.

Americana brings Southern Hospitality to the West End

Southern hospitality comes to theatreland this month with the opening of Americana, moments away from Piccadilly Circus. Serving up authentic Southern American soul food in a high-end retro American brasserie setting, expect the likes of Flame Grilled Oysters, Cajun Gumbo, Creole Jambalaya, Smoked Chicken Wings, and, of course, a decadent Deep-Filled Apple Pie. The cherry on top? It’ll keep you satisfied until the early hours, with a special late licence allowing the restaurant to serve food and drink until 3am. Midnight feasts just got a serious upgrade. 

Americana London, 11 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4BP. Book a table here.

Truffle Burger launches ‘finer diner’ in central London

We’ve found the perfect pit stop just off bustling Oxford Street, in the form of the elevated truffle-drenched burgers at this buzzy new burger joint. The star of the show is a 90-day aged British beef, smothered in molten raclette cheese, home-made fig jam, and black-truffle mayonnaise, and sandwiched between brioche buns, while sides including moreish truffle and parmesan fries and fried pickles with whipped cod roe can’t be missed. Read our full review here to discover why we can’t resist big truffle on little china… 

Truffle Burger, 16 Picton Pl, London W1U 1BW. Book a table here.

Knoops joins the Knightsbridge neighbourhood

Calling all chocolate lovers: you need to add Knoops to your must-visit list. Specialising in the finest drinking chocolate, your order is personalised in four steps: choose between hot and cold, your chocolate percentage, milk of choice and tempting flavour add-ons. Then, your custom cocoa is served as a smooth hot chocolate, or over cold milk and ice for an iced chocolate. This latest neighbourhood outpost, right by Harrods, is perfectly positioned for a post-shopping pick-me-up, or for grabbing an ice-cream blended chocolate milkshake before a summer stroll through Hyde Park. 

Knoops Knightsbridge, 130 Brompton Road, London, SW3 1JD

Cherry Blossom season blooms at Tattu London 

Picture-perfect modern Chinese restaurant, Tattu London has got even more beautiful, thanks to the arrival of its Cherry Blossom menu for Spring and Summer. Illuminated white cherry blossom trees adorn the restaurant’s central courtyard and rooftop bar, while new menu highlights include the delicate Tuna Sashimi Flower, featuring Nori, sesame, and wasabi mayo, and a limited edition Ruby Rose Fizz cocktail, featuring notes of cherry blossom Everleaf Mountain and yuzu, topped with Laurent-Perrier Rosé. 

Tattu London, The Now Building Rooftop, Outernet, Denmark St, London WC2H 0LA. Book a table at TattuLondon.com

Morty & Bob’s launches new al fresco terrace

Spring means al fresco dining, and family-owned Kensal Rise hangout Morty & Bob’s has just the ticket, with the arrival of its new outdoor terrace, complete with wooden farmhouse tables and twinkling fairy lights. It also comes with the arrival of a new dinner menu designed to be shared, featuring the likes of Burrata with hazelnuts and truffled London honey, wild mushroom orzo, and Charlie’s Chicken Parmigiana, a Morty & Bob’s take on the American classic. Small plates in the sunshine? Sounds like summer. 

Morty & Bob’s Kensal Rise, 118 College Road, London, NW10 5HD. Book a table here.

Blacklock chophouse comes to Canary Wharf

Already one of London’s favourite chophouses thanks to its restaurants in Soho and Shoreditch, Blacklock will open its largest ever restaurant this month in a cool NYC-style warehouse in the heart of London’s financial district. Found right by the waterside, this outpost will feature an all-new bar menu too, including Pork Scratchings; French Dipped Bone Marrow Buns and Pigs in Nuggets using Middlewhite pork collar and black pudding. Meat lovers should mark May 15th in the diary for the opening. 

Blacklock Canary Wharf, 5 Frobisher Passage, E14 4AA. Book a table here.