Now that we are out of lockdown finally, you may be looking for some activities to occupy your time. Whether you are looking for somewhere new to eat, or just want to know what is currently happening in the art scene, we have put together a short list of  cultural activities that you can do with your friends and family in London this summer.

PAPA L’s Kitchen

Visit PAPA L’s Kitchen in Jermyn Street, London- the pop-up restaurant that is putting African cuisine on the map.

After achieving sell-out success of their Winter menu, founder, and Head Chef Lawrence Gomez (known as PAPA L), is back with a new à la carte Summer menu. Inspired by the foods and flavours of his native country Gambia, PAPA L has created a variety of Afro fusion dishes to appeal to all tastes and palettes.

From BBQ lamb cutlets with Ma’s Benachin rice, to grilled swordfish with green asparagus & smoked tomato dressing.

How about some chickpea salsa and artisan bread? Sounds good.

Open from Tuesday to Saturday 5-11:30pm. Bookings can be made online through their website and through OpenTable.

Stork Restaurant

Looking to treat yourself and your loved ones this weekend?

Why not go to Stork Restaurant? The pan-African restaurant based in London’s Mayfair, whose name pays homage to the migration of the Stork, expertly blending European culinary classics with West African cuisine to make for a unique and exciting dining experience.

Currently open from Wednesday through to Saturday 5:30pm-12 am, and 5:30-11pm on Sundays.

Emmanuel Unaji: A Voyage into Emmanuel Unaji's Multiverse

Joyce Bryant; A Voyage into Emmanuel Unaji's Multiverse, 2021. Photo Credit: Nina Photography.

In collaboration with ArtULTRA, a platform dedicated to giving space to emerging artists, London hotel the Hari has announced its exhibition showcasing artworks from artists in residence, Emmanuel Unaji and Matilde Merali. 

Emmanuel has a background in fashion and modelling, and with an art degree in his arsenal, he is not afraid to explore exciting new ideas and concepts. His latest body of work is dedicated to questioning what lies behind the constructed image of the self, as well as the images propagated by the media; engaging with the wider conversation on what constitutes 'reality'.

All 11 artworks are now available for viewing in The Hari's bar until November 2021.

Kojo Marfo: Dreaming of Identity

(centre); Dowager, 2021, acrylic on canvas. Image: courtesy Kojo Marfo and JD Malat Gallery, London 

In the first ever solo UK exhibition of his work, London-based Ghanaian artist Kojo Marfo presents his latest artistic project at JD Malat Gallery in Mayfair- Dreaming of Identity.

Born in Ghana, Marfo's interest in art and visual culture began as a child when he was exposed to the traditional artifacts, sculptures and carvings of the Akan people, a meta-ethnic group residing across Ghana and the Ivory coast. Many of the figures in his work are inspired by Akan fertility dolls as well as other African carvings, and contain several references to the landscape of his childhood memories in Ghana.

Dreaming Of Identity includes fifteen paintings created over the past year. Nine of the paintings in the collection belong to the project called 'Strangers', based on his encounters with fellow Londoners. The remaining six portraits reveal large-scale figurative paintings of families, animals and social gatherings inspired by his experiences throughout his life.

Opening hours for this exhibition are Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, and Saturday 12-6pm. The Exhibition ends on July 17, so book your viewing soon.

For more information, visit jdmalat.com

Enjoy, and happy exploring!