These are all best specials for St Patrick’s Day, from Guinness to ‘posh’ spice bags

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It’s St Patrick’s Day next Tuesday, and there’s plenty happening right on our doorstep.

You could head to your local to for a pint of the black stuff, but then you’d miss all the other cool things happening, including free Jameson, Ginger & Lime cocktails, spice bags galore, and even a frozen Irish coffee (if the sun comes out!)

But first — don’t forget, Mother’s Day is just around the corner on 15 March.

Whether your mum loves to sing along at an uplifting gospel brunch, tuck into a proper Sunday roast, or cosy up with a nostalgic feel-good film, we’ve rounded up some brilliant treats to make her day extra special (and score you plenty of brownie points).

See you next week!

Things to do this week in London

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, here are 8 of the best activities, dining, and drinking spots in the capital.

1. Noodle Nova

By Isabel Fraser

Nestled behind an unsuspecting stained glass window between a pizzeria and a Tesco Express is Noodle Nova, the new home of traditional Northwestern Chinese food in London. Once you’ve peeled back the net curtain, you’re in for a night of succulent meat, rich broth and fresh vegetables, and not to mention, many types of noodles.

The hand-pulled Lanzhou type, served in beautiful ‘kraak ware’ bowls, is the specialty, so much so that the restaurant’s Chinese name directly translates to ‘Lanzhou noodles in blue and white porcelain’. Spicy braised cabbage gives a satisfying crunch, soy infused cucumber cleanses your palate and boiled beef in fiery chilli broth may just be the main event. If you’re feeling adventurous, stray away from the traditional stir-fry dishes and try a signature plate, such as tender hand-grabbed mutton or wok-fried chicken. Their mantra is ‘food that’s warm and satisfying, meant to be enjoyed slowly’— and that it certainly was. Sharing a filling set menu between two was an impossible feat for me, so consider ordering less than your watering tastebuds tell you is needed.

Hand-pulled beef noodles from £13.80, signature rice & noodle bowls from £13.80. 229 Strand, Temple, WC2R 1BF. Book here.

2. Head to The Great Indian for brilliant pub grub

By Maicey Navarro Griffiths

Situated in a restored 1898 pub in Archway, The Great Indian Gastro Pub serves delectable pub food with a strong Indian influence, catering to meat-lovers and plant-based enthusiasts alike. Standout dishes are the Gunpowder Chicken Wings, which is succulent and spicy, and Rangra Chilly Paneer.

Chicken Biryani, complemented by perfectly crispy rice and Tandoori Paneer Tikka Masala are  must-orders for mains – both blending heat and rich flavours and balanced with garlic yoghurt. Pair with a unique cocktail such as the Maharani Secret, which comes with a mini ice-cream vanilla cone pegged to the glass (what a treat!), for a light, tropical cooler to counteract all the spice. I will certainly be returning!

 Starters from £5.50, main courses from £9.90. 139 Marlborough Rd, London, N19 4NU. Book here.

3. Raise a glass to St Patrick’s Day in the capital

Berners Tavern has launched some exciting Irish inspired classics just for the big day. Start with Jameson Irish Whiskey paired with two oysters, followed by a traditional meaty Shepherd’s Pie and an ultra rich Chocolate Guinness Cake to finish off. Book here. 

Spice bags have become pretty popular in London in recent years, but they are Ireland’s ultimate late-night order. To celebrate St Patrick’s Day, Burger & Lobster are launching a ‘posh’ spice bag where chicken is swapped for luxurious fried half lobster and breaded prawns. £25pp, available from 17 March for four weeks.

Sip on Irish cocktails at Irish cocktail bar Homeboy with a brand new drinks menu that focuses on simplicity, balance and Irish storytelling, as well as hot or frozen Irish Coffees perfect whatever the weather. When you get peckish, curry chips, a herbed pork and black pudding sausage and more are on the menu. 

irishshpice are taking over Clapton pub Moyletts for the ultimate Irish-Chinese crossover. The pop up is chef Garreth’s love letter to the original spice bag creator, The Sunflower Inn, which he lived opposite growing up. Expect crisp chicken and plenty of heat, aka everything we love about the humble takeaway. £12 each. Catch it for its last weekend until 15 March. 

There are 10,000 complimentary Jameson, Ginger & Lime cocktails up for grabs at Young’s Pubs until 31 March. Find out how to get your hands on one here!

4. Savour ‘melt-in-your-mouth’ roasts at Mama Li’s new location

By Andrew Gaudion

Mama Li’s new Canary Wharf outlet is a welcome addition for both fans of and newbies to the Cantonese restaurant, with an expanded menu specially tailored to this rapidly evolving corner of London. The space itself is intimate (booking is highly recommended) and welcomes you with the comforting aroma of tea and exceptionally friendly service. The signature roast meats are the main attraction here: the duck, chicken, and pork have a remarkable depth of flavour and melt-in-the-mouth quality.

For dessert, the Pineapple Bun with Butter is a standout treat – naughty but undeniably delicious. Navigating this menu feels like a culinary ‘choose-your-own-adventure’, with every path leading to new delights. While you may suffer a brief moment of order envy at the sight of your neighbour’s plate, it just serves as a good excuse to return.

Roast meats from £14.30, chef specialities from £10.80. Canary Wharf, London Wall and Tower Bridge. Just walk in.

5. Treat your own mama with these brilliant Mother’s Day menus

The Brush East London Grand Café

Best for: being your mum’s idea of a perfect Sunday

We’ve found the perfect laidback mum and daughter date. At The Brush East London Grand Café, indulge in a Sunday Roast with a choice of beef, half roast chicken, whole grilled seabass, or mushroom wellington. Then, get comfy with the perfect Sunday movie, choosing between upbeat iconic musical Mamma Mia or Disney favourite Freaky Friday. And the best part? A complimentary glass of bubbles is available to all mums dining on either the brunch, Sunday roast or À La Carte Menu on 15 March.

Tickets £50pp including Sunday Roast, film, cocktail and popcorn. Book here.

Farzi

Best for: the mum who already has everything

Make memories you can keep forever at Farzi. This Mother’s Day, they’re treating all mums to polaroid pictures of their meal with their families. Join them for their signature brunch from 12-5pm and get an incredible Indian street food experience with dishes piled high with their irresistible Murg Pahadi Tikka and Paneer Butter Masala. As a special extra treat, any mother figures around the table will get some homemade macarons to take home. How sweet.

Tickets £37pp. 15 March.Book here.

The Refinery Regents Place by Drake & Morgan

Best for: musical mums 

Want something that will uplift you and your mum this Mother’s Day? Experience a gospel choir and soul-stirring Motown classics at the Gospel Motown Brunch. Get non-stop live music with iconic hits from Stevie Wonder, Sister Act and Beyoncé. And if you fancy going bottomless, get 90 minutes of free-flowing Aperol Spritz, Bloody Marys, Mimosas or Rum Punch for just £25pp.

Gospel Motown Brunch. Starter, main and a welcome drink £44.95pp. Sunday Roast upgrade is an extra £10. 15 March, 12-4pm. Book here. 

6. Leon

Calling all LEON fans! LEON Regent Street is being transformed into a nostalgic British chippy for one weekend only, even down to the seaside-inspired décor. The first 100 Fish Finger Wraps will be given away for FREE each day, plus there are scratchcards to win prizes and more. The LEON Chippy will be open from 12-8pm on 14-15 March.

7. 27 Old Compton Street

In celebration of its 1st birthday, 27 Old Compton Street is hosting a not-to-miss giveaway this month. On 16 March at 12pm, be one of the first 100 people at the door and you’ll get a FREE portion of Negroni Spaghetti to take away.

And yes it’s exactly what it sounds like: spaghetti tossed with a sauce made using the famous cocktail, topped up with mascarpone. Cheers to that!

8. Broken Glass

By John Nathan

★★★★

Brooklyn housewife Sylvia Gellburg is a perfectly healthy woman who has become mysteriously paralysed from the waist down. Her husband is desperate to find out why. A local doctor zeros in on the disturbing cause.

Written in 1994 by the great American playwright Arthur Miller, this psychological what-dunnit reveals a more profound question – how should we respond to genocide even if we’re an ocean away from it? It is 1938 and although Germany is on a different continent, Sylvia (Pearl Chanda) can’t stop thinking about an image she saw in her newspaper of  a contented crowd watching two elderly Jewish men on their hands and knees being forced to clean Berlin pavements with toothbrushes.

The casting in Fein’s production is not entirely convincing. The sensitive Waldmann is an unexpected choice for the role of alpha-male Hyman, a character in whom it is possible to see the tall, rugged figure of Miller himself who in this play grapples with the legacy of being Jewish in America while in Europe, Jews were almost wiped out. Yet all such niggles are bulldozed aside by Chanda’s smouldering performance as Sylvia, which ultimately detonates in a deeply shocking, howling premonition of the coming atrocity.

Young Vic. Tickets from £15. Until 18 April. Book here. 

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