Tempus Hot List: September 2025

Visit Aki London, the city’s hottest new Japanese restaurant

London is gaining another Japanese fine dining restaurant in the form of Aki London. Opening this September at One Cavendish Square, the restaurant will serve a Kyoto-style farm to table menu, enhanced with modern techniques such as fish-to-tail cooking and in-house fermentation using nukadoko (fermented rice bran). Diners can expect a contemporary twist on traditional Japanese cuisine, showcasing fresh, high-quality ingredients and inventive flavour pairings spanning sushi, robata, and kushiyaki. Aki will also be home to Kiyori, a vibrant late-night venue nestled within the building’s former bank vaults. Accessed via a discreet private VIP entrance, Kiyori offers an intimate, exclusive setting for those looking to extend their evening beyond dinner. The space will feature regular DJ and event programming, creating the perfect backdrop for expertly crafted cocktails, premium spirits and magnetic late-night energy. You don’t want to miss out on this new opening.

akilondon.comDine like Marie Antoinette with The Kensington’s ‘Let Us Eat Cake’ afternoon tea

In celebration of the V&A’s hotly anticipated Marie Antoinette: Style exhibition, The Kensington is introducing its ‘Let Us Eat Cake’ afternoon tea. Launching on 20 September, this quintessentially British experience will pay tribute to the opulence, artistry and enduring style of one of history’s most iconic figures. Drawing inspiration from the fashion, gardens and lavish court life of Marie Antoinette, the fan-shaped menu mirrors the decorative elegance and playful extravagance of the Palace of Versailles. Guests can sample a selection of intricately crafted patisserie, including Le Gâteau du Jardin – a strawberry genoise sponge layered with vanilla Chantilly and fresh strawberries, Le Brisé de la Dauphine – a delicate lemon shortbread shaped like a fan, La Robe de la Reine – a blackberry and lemon curd tartlet topped with blackberry mousse, and Le Macaron Petit Trianon, a raspberry and white chocolate almond macaron. These are served alongside freshly baked traditional and fruit scones with clotted cream and homemade jam. It doesn’t get any more opulent than this.

doylecollection.comCelebrate beauty and self expression with Covent Garden’s Big Beauty pop-ups

If you’re a beauty aficionado, this is an event you don’t want to miss. From 4 to 14 September, Covent Garden’s piazza will be transformed into a multi-sensory playground of beauty, wellness and self-expression, bringing together world-class brands and industry experts for exclusive pop-ups, giveaways, masterclasses and immersive experiences all in one place. From a gorgeous Elemis pop-up and floral installations inspired by scent icons like Diptyque, Jo Malone London and Penhaligon’s to Liberty’s beauty advent calendar reveal and facials, masterclasses, launches and personalised services from Charlotte Tilbury, Chanel, Tom Ford and more – this event is bringing together the big names of beauty to the heart of London.

coventgarden.londonBask in all the couture at the London Fashion Week

It is that time of the year again as the biggest names in fashion bring cutting-edge design and sustainable style to the runways of London this September. From 18 to 22 September, enjoy events around the city, from inclusive high fashion catwalks to public shows on a range of material. And if you’re wondering about where to go and what to do in the city during couture season, keep an eye out for our guide to the best places to visit during Fashion Week coming soon.

londonfashionweek.co.uk

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