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Welcome the new season with these tempting dishes and drinks

From restaurants and artisan producers to standout tipples and seasonal foods, these are the culinary experiences worth sampling this season

There’s plenty to whet the appetite
There’s plenty to whet the appetite (Getty Images)

Bring a touch of French elegance to social occasions

(Lillet)

Crafted in France from a blend of fine wines and fruit infusions, Lillet Rosé is a light and refreshing aperitif that’s ideal for making a spritz at home. With delicate notes of red berries, orange blossom and grapefruit, it’s best enjoyed in a wine glass mixed over ice with tonic and garnished with a slice of grapefruit. Whether entertaining guests or enjoying a weekend catch-up, brings a refreshing twist to social get-togethers.

Packaged in an elegant bottle, it also makes a great gift for special occasions. What’s more, it’s free from artificial colours and offers a low ABV and low-calorie alternative to many other long drinks.

Pick up a bottle at amazon.co.uk

Win an unforgettable London foodie weekend and premium salt bundle

(Maldon)

For almost 145 years, the master salt-makers at Maldon have been crafting their famous sea salt flakes, using the same time-honoured techniques. As the water slowly evaporates, delicate crystals form and stack, layer by layer, into signature pyramid-shaped flakes that are loved by chefs and home cooks around the world.

This Autumn, Maldon is channelling this passion into a nationwide competition to find the ‘perfect pyramid’ flake. The lucky winner will enjoy a ‘chef’s counter’ dining experience for two at Fallow, one of London’s most celebrated restaurants; an overnight stay at Shangri-La The Shard, London, with spectacular views across the capital; and a generous bundle of Maldon sea salt flakes to create exceptional dishes.

Post your image to maldonsalt.com/perfectpyramid or tag @maldonsalt on Instagram with the hashtag #perfectpyramid.

Indulge in elegant all-day dining in London’s Square Mile

(The Wolseley City)

Located in one of London’s most historic quarters, The Wolseley City is known for its all-day dining, striking monochrome design details and landmark architecture. A restaurant and bar, it boasts classic dishes and standout service, while evoking the traditional atmosphere of European grand brasseries (without losing its own unique character).

As well as offering exceptional dining in a glamorous setting, The Wolseley City is an ideal location for after-work drinks. On weekends, guests embrace a slower tempo, with leisurely brunches to the soundtrack of a live pianist and Sunday roasts accompanied by live jazz.

Experience classic Sicilian hospitality in London

(Norma London)

As the mercury dips in London, a little Mediterranean warmth can be found along Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia. Set in a characterful Georgian townhouse, Norma brings the sunshine and spirit of Sicily with bold flavours and a convivial atmosphere. Focusing on handmade pasta, fresh seafood and sharing dishes, the restaurant celebrates Sicily’s position at the heart of the Mediterranean, where Italian traditions meet centuries of North African and Moorish influence.

This October, Saturdays play host to La Grande Festa – a four-course lunch starting with Sicilian bread and antipasti to share, followed by pasta, a choice of main course with contorni and ‘la dolce Sicilia’, a selection of signature desserts centred around chocolate caviar. For the full experience, add four wine or cocktail pairings. Norma also offers a two-course lunch menu for relaxed dining on weekdays and at the weekend, as well as dedicated group feasting menus for celebrations.

Savour fresh seafood at home

(The Real Seafood Co)

This autumn, The Real Seafood Company is making room for something seriously special: the emperor king prawn. The company’s largest king prawn is an impressive size, with a meaty, succulent texture. For restaurant-worthy seafood at home, try emperor king prawn tostadas, pairing crisp tortillas with creamy guacamole, crunchy salad and smoky prawns, finished with paprika and cumin for a little warmth.

If cooler evenings call for something a little more comforting, whip up a 30-minute prawn curry that combines ginger, garlic, chilli, tomato and coconut milk with king prawns and spinach. With responsibly sourced products and recipe inspiration for home cooks, The Real Seafood Company brings a taste of the sea to your table.

Pick up a pack of speciality coffee roasted in Glasgow

(Parallel Coffee)

Created by three friends with a shared obsession for a good brew, Parallel Coffee is a Glasgow-based roastery and coffee bar with a modern vision for enjoying coffee and bringing out its best qualities. Its Wagner Ferrero from Brazil or Teodolfo Lopez from Colombia are great for an introduction to specialty coffee. For those looking to explore something a little more extraordinary, the El Diviso and Bella Vista coffees from Colombia showcase just how expressive coffee can be.

The company also offers one-on-one training sessions with its expert roasters, who can teach you all you need to know to help you achieve the perfect coffee, from brewing and extraction to technique and equipment.

Order via the brand’s website and use code “FREESHIPPING” to get free delivery.

Unleash the flavours of Copacabana with organic canned cocktails

(Cabana Cocktails)

For those who prefer to enjoy a tipple with fewer artificial additives, Cabana Cocktails provides the answer in a can. Made with organic vodka and organic pressed fruit and vegetable juices, Cabana brings a fresh perspective to canned drinks. At 7 per cent ABV and 120 calories, with no added sugar, preservatives or artificial flavours, Cabana drinks will appeal to those who are ingredient-conscious, while the vibrantly styled cans pay homage to the iconic energy of the Copacabana.

Crack open a gift of high-quality chocolate eggs

(Chocolate Detective)

Great chocolate should be delicious and responsibly made. That’s the belief of Chantal Coady OBE, founder of the Chocolate Detective, who’s been shaping the British fine chocolate movement since 1983.

The brand’s Christmas collection arrives on shelves in mid-October and includes five festive egg selections – three French hens, two turtle doves, a partridge in a pear tree, a Christmas robin and snow goose – that are ideal for thoughtful gifts and stocking fillers. Sustainability is at the core of the Chocolate Detective’s ethos. Its unique chocolate egg cartons are made from bagasse (recycled sugar-cane fibre) to create a beautiful, smooth, food-safe white box, while its partner cocoa farm in Ecuador is approved by the Rainforest Alliance.

When the collection launches, you can save 15 per cent with code “FINDMYBIRD15” (offer ends 15 December 2026).

Sip sustainable loose-leaf tea from around the world

(What Cha)

What-Cha is a small family business that curates a selection of high-quality loose-leaf teas from 20 countries around the world. It works with independent tea farmers and pays them fair prices for their produce, with the goal of supporting better outcomes for tea industry workers and local communities supported by tea farms. Online, you can shop by country of origin or type of tea, from light white, green or full-flavoured black to diverse oolong and matcha. Can’t decide which to try first? Pick up a set of nine teas and be transported around the world with each sip, happy in the knowledge you’re supporting a responsible brand.

Shop the selection online and save five per cent with code “WELCOME5”.

Discover Japanese dining in historic English market towns

(Sushi & Salad)

Sushi & Salad Japanese Kitchen brings contemporary dining to some of England’s most characterful market towns. With restaurants in Ely, Stamford and Saffron Walden, as well as a new location in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, opening at the end of October, the restaurant group prides itself on its handmade sushi and sashimi. You can also enjoy its sharing platters, fresh salads, Japanese-inspired hot dishes and desserts. Cocktails, sake and Japanese teas feature on the menu, and vegan and gluten-free diets are catered for. For something a little different, try the Japanese afternoon tea, which puts a spin on the traditional ritual with a combination of savoury and sweet treats and selected teas.

Visit for lunch or dinner, or order an expertly prepared takeaway with a 10 per cent discount on the app to enjoy the flavours of Japan at home. Download the app, reserve a table, order online and pick up gift vouchers via the Sushi & Salad website.

Treat yourself to a burger with a refined twist

(Burger & Beyond)

Not all burgers are created equal. Established in 2015, Burger & Beyond has made a name for itself as one of the UK’s leading burger restaurants, having gained international recognition and ranked as the best burger in the UK and fifth best in the world by BurgerDudes, the world’s most comprehensive burger guide.

Created with a focus on quality ingredients and bold flavours, Burger & Beyond’s menu features rare breed Galician and British dry-aged steaks, creative cocktails and signature sides. More than simply a burger joint, Burger & Beyond brings care, creativity and attention to detail to every dish and drink on the menu.

Enjoy the very best of Indian food in London

(Masala Zone)

Masala Zone restaurants, all located in central London, combine authentic Indian culinary and visual provenance. Visit to indulge in proper Indian food (spanning regions and cooking styles) in intricately decorated surroundings with a stunning collection of fine carvings, traditional tribal art murals and rich tapestries.

Dishes are inspired by the true sources of Indian food, from gourmet home-style dining to the fragrant street stalls that frequent the country. Menus cover a wide range of Indian cuisine, with as many as 18 grazing small plates to choose from, delicious thalis and a mouth-watering range of curries drawn from the length and breadth of India.

Enjoy 25 per cent off all out-of-the-ordinary dishes (ie, no samosas, butter chicken and rogan josh) for up to eight people at Masala Zone Piccadilly Circus, Masala Zone Soho and Masala Zone Covent Garden. Offer valid until 22 November 2026.

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