IKEA DIY Restaurant, Shoreditch

IKEA, best known for minimalist Scandi design and moreish meatballs, extend their London reach with a three-week pop-up restaurant, but much like their furniture, it will be a do-it-yourself affair.

Aiming to recreate a homely dinner party but with more space and less stress, the pop-up does all the washing up and provides the ingredients and sous-chef. But it’s not only the cooking which is unconventional; instead of booking, if you want to host your own dinner party in the Ikea pop up you will have to apply.

As well as basic details such as your proposed number of guests, Ikea want to know which three guests you would have at dinner if you could have anyone in the world, though they make no promises that they will turn up if you are given a slot.

With Scandinavian food popping up all over at the moment (from Aquavit’s opening in soho to Texture’s upcoming tasting evenings), the IKEA kitchen in Shoreditch offers a timely opportunity to practice your Swedish cookery skills.

As well as dinner parties, there will be workshops on everything from Swedish baking with Great British Bake Off winner Edd Kimber to Michael Zee demonstrating his famous Symmetry Breakfasts. There are also a set of lectures for the environmentally conscientious (on reducing food waste and gradualness food growing), along with some family friendly workshops. The workshops require booking in advance.

If you find yourself in Shoreditch craving Swedish snacks but you haven’t booked, then you can still pop in to the cafe, where you don’t have to cook your own meal. You can even pick up items from a streamlined, kitchen-focussed Ikea shop before you leave.

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Click here to find more brilliant pop-ups and supper clubs.