Two acting heavyweights – Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Dunkirk) and Martin Freeman (The Responder, Sherlock) – go head to head in this darkly funny, razor-sharp new play from rising star David Ireland. Set in a church hall, and staged in the round at the SohoPlace theatre, it follows two men in recovery confronting past mistakes, hard truths and what it really means to be forgiven. It’s tense, unflinching and often very funny – a proper actor’s piece in the best way. 

4 Soho Place, Charing Cross Road, Soho, W1D 3BG; until 26th July
 
Visit SohoPlace.org

Yiannis Mexis – previously of Michelin-starred HIDE and The Ledbury – has gone solo with Pyro, a slick new Greek grill in Borough. As the name suggests, it’s all about fire here. Think open flames, charred meat, smoky veg and bold Mediterranean flavour. The space is smart – all natural stone, bronze and glass – with a buzzy bar and terrace ideal for a long lunch. On the menu? Spiced feta, grilled sweet peppers, barbecued octopus and souvlaki skewers, plus showstoppers like whole flame-grilled lobster or shoulder of Dorset lamb.

53b Southwark Street, Borough, SE1 1RU

Visit PyroRestaurant.co.uk

British artist Ed Atkins has been making waves in the contemporary art scene for over a decade, and this new Tate Britain show proves why. Fusing CGI, voiceover and sound design, his work explores everything from anxiety and masculinity to loss and longing. Expect large-scale video installations, unsettling digital avatars and a dark, cinematic atmosphere that sits somewhere between Black Mirror and a Beckett play. 

Millbank, Westminster, Sw1p 4rg; Until 25th August

Visit Tate.org.uk

All Points East’s sleeker, more curated new sibling arrives in Victoria Park this June. Meet LIDO: a two-weekend festival where the line-ups are built by the artists themselves. The first edition is stacked: Charli XCX, Jamie xx, Massive Attack and London Grammar headline, with support from the likes of 070 Shake, The Blessed Madonna, Sampha and Romy. Add in a zero-to-landfill sustainability pledge and a sleek visual identity by Studio Moross, and this one’s shaping up to be the cool kids’ alternative to Glasto.

Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets, E3 5tb; 6th-7th & 13th-15th June

Visit LidoFestival.co.uk

It started as a local school fundraiser. It’s now one of London’s most unmissable food events. Soho Food Feast returns with over 50 top restaurants – from cult favourites like Bubala and BAO to big-hitters like Dishoom, The Devonshire and 10 Greek Street – all slinging out small plates in support of Soho Parish Primary. Expect killer cocktails, live music, chef demos and a proper festival vibe (without the mud). It’s a great chance to eat your way round the city without ever leaving Wardour Street – and it’s all for a good cause.

St Anne’s Gardens, Wardour Street, Soho, W1d 6lb; 7th-8th June

Visit SohoFoodFeast.co.uk

Best known for his portraits of the Queen and Audrey Hepburn, Cecil Beaton was also a garden obsessive. This new show at the Garden Museum unpacks how his gardens – at Ashcombe House and Reddish House – shaped his aesthetic, influenced his work, and became part of his mythology. Expect fashion photography with floral backdrops, elaborate party installations, Royal Ballet costumes, personal letters and diary entries. 

Garden Museum, Lambeth Palace Road, Lambeth, Se1 7lb; Until 21st September

Visit GardenMuseum.org.uk

Little Simz has stepped up to curate this year’s Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre – and she’s put together a serious line-up. The Streets, James Blake, Mahalia, Ghetts, BADBADNOTGOOD, Tiwa Savage and Jon Batiste are all in the mix, plus Simz herself will perform with Chineke! Orchestra at a special one-off show. With 11 days of music, talks, workshops and installations, this is one of the best cultural festivals London does. And with Simz at the helm – fresh from Cannes and an upcoming album drop – this edition feels especially zeitgeisty.

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, Waterloo, Se1 8xx; 12th-22nd June

Visit SouthBankCentre.co.uk