What to See

‘Yoshitomo Nara‘

Yoshitomo Nara’s googly-eyed girls will be at the Hayward Gallery from June 10 until Aug. 31, part of the Japanese artist’s first solo exhibition at a public art gallery in the U.K. The show features more than 150 of the artist’s works, including installations of houses in charming disarray and signature portraits of young, punk girls sticking it to The Man. The show explores how Nara’s personal life informs his work, and highlights his canny ability to blend childlike innocence with political rebellion.

‘Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style’ at the Design Museum

The Design Museum is taking a deep dive into the cultural, technological, social and environmental significance of water and swimming with a show that runs until Aug. 17. Featuring more than 200 objects, it looks at the role of design in shaping people’s relationship with swimming and water-adjacent activities. Pieces on display include Pamela Anderson’s unforgettable “Baywatch” swimsuit; the first Olympic solo swimming gold medal won by a British woman, and a bold selection of men’s Speedos from the 1980s.

V&A East Storehouse

The V&A has opened the doors on one of its most ambitious projects yet, a new building to house its archives in East London. Located in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the V&A East Storehouse redefines public engagement with museum collections. Although any member of the public can visit, the displays are by appointment only and will require two weeks’ notice. The new space offers unprecedented, behind-the-scenes access to more than half a million objects, books, and archives that were previously hidden from view, including its recently acquired David Bowie collection of photographs, album sleeve artwork and memorabilia charting the musician’s creative process.

What to Watch

‘Faust’ at the Royal Ballet and Opera

The French composer Charles Gounod’s 1859 opera “Faust” is back at the Royal Ballet & Opera with Belle Époque flair. Set designer Charles Edwards and costume designer Brigitte Reiffenstuel have turned the opera stage into 1870s Paris with the Cabaret de L’Enfer and flirty corseted uniforms. The costumes and set turn deliciously red in the scene where Dr. Faust calls on the devil for help. When the devil, otherwise known as Méphistophélès, appears, he offers the willing Faust the prospect of love, wealth and youth. And we all know how that ends.

‘The Great Gatsby’ at the London Coliseum

Obsessed with F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel and/or Charli XCX’s Great Gatsby-esque “Party 4 u?” The Tony Award-winning musical “The Great Gatsby” has rolled into town just in time for fans of the book and/or the song. Watch a time-honored story of lust, longing, and loss come to life with a jazzy original score by Jason Howland, who worked on “Little Women,” and Nathan Tysen of “Paradise Square.” The show runs at the London Coliseum until Sept. 7.

‘Benji Reid / Factory International: Find Your Eyes’ at Sadler’s Wells East

In this bold production, photography and choreography converge on stage in a theatrical setting. Former hip-hop pioneer Benji Reid draws on a lifetime of experience, exploring vulnerability, tragedy, and triumph through the lens of the camera. Extraordinary performers from diverse disciplines join Reid to create powerful images live at Sadler’s Wells East from June 4 to 7. 

Where to Eat

The Parakeet

The Parakeet is turning up the heat in Kentish Town — literally. It specializes in wood-fire grilling, with chefs in the semi-open kitchen cooking juicy sirloin or John Dory fish over open flame. Looking for lighter fare? The venue also has a pub and bar area serving finger foods with a grown-up spin, including a veal schnitzel and egg sandwich, and baba ganoush.

Giacco’s

Just down the road from Finsbury Park station is a quaint Italian restaurant and wine bar that serves fresh pasta — from ravioli with ricotta, nettle, Amalfi lemon and sage butter, to rigatoni with escarole, olives and lemon. Every Sunday a guest chef takes over the kitchen. One of the recent chefs to step into the kitchen is Marios Miliorellis, who has worked at Michelin-starred kitchens such as L’Ortolan and Noma.

Ellie’s Bar

London’s hottest new bar is located — where else? — in Dalston. Ellie’s Bar serves up 8-pound martinis (roughly $10) and — arguably — the coolest arty crowd in the U.K. That’s partly due to its founder Cal McRae, who is also head of talent at The Face magazine. To accompany the delicious cocktails and wine list, the bar is preparing to open a rotating kitchen residency.

Wild by Tart

Set in a former power station and coal store in Belgravia, Wild by Tart blends restaurant, bar, retail store, event space and photography studio under one stylish roof. The menu features vibrant, seasonal dishes such as monkfish, Creedy Carver chicken, and crispy shiitake mushrooms each crafted with sustainably sourced ingredients wherever possible.

Jolene

This Stoke Newington gem is known for its fresh, seasonal dishes and natural wine cellar. By day, it operates as a bakery, serving freshly made bread; by night, it transforms into a softly lit restaurant offering a menu of sharing plates that change regularly, ranging from handmade pastas to vibrant vegetable dishes.