Lucky Chip; Ben Cooper - Online Travel Editor, ELLEuk.com
I never went to the Netil Market arm of street food trailblazers, Lucky Chip. But as soon as they added a roof and some chairs to the huge slathering pink patties (in weird and wonderful combos) that were gaining comparison with Meat Liquor, I couldn't stay away any longer. Accompanied by spicy fries and served on plastic plates in pleasingly East London boozer-ish surroundings in the Sebright Arms, it's great value (at around £15 per head) and there are even DJ sets on weekends. You can't fall down, really.
Read our full review of Lucky Chip at the Sebright Arms
Shrimpys; Rebecca Lowthorpe - Fashion Features Director, ELLE
When is a pop-up not a pop-up? Answer: When it's semi-permanent like Shrimpys, of course. Needless to say I've been wanting to try it out for a while. Created by the Bistrotheque duo, David Waddington and Pablo Flack, it serves up American diner-style mains like soft shell crab burger and delicious lobster. With its expertly made cocktails, buzzy vibe and prosecco on tap, its no wonder this place has stuck around. Theyre still some of the hottest tables in town, though, so make sure you book early.
Address: Kings Cross Filling Station, Goods Way; Shrimpys.co.uk.
The Cube; Sara D'Souza - Online Travel Assistant, ELLEuk.com
Ive got a bit of a thing about heights (as in, I love them), so when I heard about the The Cube by Electroluxs pop-up restaurant I jumped at the chance to try it out. Perched at the very top of the Royal Festival Hall on the Southbank Centre, the views from the floor-to-ceiling glass walls are absolutely spectacular (particularly watching the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament light up at sunset). Food-wise, its a long way from your average pop-up restaurant, too - each week a different Michelin-starred chef (and in Sat Bains and Claude Bosis case double Michelin-starred) heads to the Cube to whip up an incredible six-course meal complete with matched wines. With only 18 seats, youre free to get up, watch the chefs and ask questions while they work. Its sort of like having your own luxurious dinner party.
Address: Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, South Bank; Electrolux.co.uk/Cube.
(The pop-up is open for lunch and dinner sittings every day and is on until September 30th. Check out our competition page to win tickets for two to dine here.)
Bonnie-on-Sky; Alice Watt - Online Fashion Assistant, ELLEuk.com
After hearing so many great things about their previous residency, Bonnie & Wild, in a pie and mash shop in Angel, I made sure I was one of the first to book a place at this summers rooftop pop-up Bonnie-on-Sky. Theyve set about bringing fine seaside dining to the heart of the city, and its delicious. With divine Isle of Lewis mussels, whole Devon crab and a scrumptious Eton Mess on the menu, an irresistible list of cocktails and unrivalled views of the Shard and city skyline, these guys seriously know what theyre doing. Add in a kitschy twist here and there, the nostalgic deck chair lounge, amusement pier telescope, seashore soundtrack and seaside cut-out board, and it makes for a stand-out dining experience. Thankfully, this exclusive pop-up is just a taster for things to come, as September will see their first permanent restaurant, Bonnie Gull Seafood Shack, open its doors.
Address: 5th Floor, Magdalen House, 148 Tooley Street; Bonniegull.com.
Jimmy's; Laura Davies - Sub-Editor, ELLE
The back streets of Stratford may not be especially well known for their culture, but when Jimmys popped up I just had to check it out. The brainchild of Jimmy Garcia (who founded The Wild Food Kitchen and Southwest Supper Club), its a Brooklyn-style warehouse apartment that serves up traditional British fare and is a great place to meet groups of friends. Or, with the giant screens theyre setting up, the perfect place to watch the Olympics.
Read our full review of Jimmy's
Like our pick of the best pop-up restaurants in London and now looking for more hot places to eat? Check out our pick of the best new London restaurants in 2012. Or see all our restaurant reviews.
