National Geographic Food Festival Review 2025: My Honest Review

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Introduction

Have you ever been to a food festival before? And what about the National Geographic Food Festival? If you are looking for a National Geographic Food Festival review then you have certainly come to the right place. I haven’t seen many detail reviews of this famous food festival and I am trying to do more food reviews. So if theres anything you want a review of do let me know. Food festivals in London or more generally are such a great way to taste different new dishes, explore global cultures, and travel with your tastebuds from just a different stand in one place!

In this post, I’ll be giving you my honest review of the National Geographic food festival. From what I ate, what I drank (not much because there was a lot of alcohol) , what surprised me, and my overall thoughts on the food festival. Keep on reading if you’re considering going in 2026 or just love food and culture as much as I do.

This was my third time coming to the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival. I first went in 2018, then again in 2022, and now in 2025, and honestly, I feel like it keeps getting better and better. The event usually takes place in mid-July, and this year’s edition was held on 19-20 July 2025 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, North London. (Map and nearby hotels at the below if you’re coming in from outside London.)

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National Geographic Food Festival Review

One thing this food festival does well is celebrate global cuisines. The National Geographic Food Festival shares a range of drinks, business vendors, tasting sessions with different countries, cooking classes (my fave, did anyone here Cooking Travel Talks?) and so much more. Below are some of the dishes I tried and the destinations:

1. I first had a halloumi fried from Cyprus. And to be honest I was pretty impressed. It was golden, crispy on the outside and perfectly soft inside. Tasting some of there food has now made me consider visiting Cyprus.
2. Then there was also a Caribbean stall from Barbados that served oxtail with a salsa topping with Asian-style buns as a combo I didn’t expect it, but I actually liked it.
3. I also tried some snacks from the Czech Republic, which where also good. I had been to Czech Republic before on a day trip, which you can read here. However, the host at the stand made me consider visiting again to other destinations like Český Krumlov and Kuntá Hora.
4. There was also a few nibbles from Greece, (which I honestly need to go back to) and Montenegro a country I recently attended and absolutely loved.
5. Oh and can’t forget Indonesia with their seasoned chicken. They also had a give away for a trip for two to the event which I of course entered.
6. There was actually quite a few stands with competitions and giveaways, which I have to say was a nice touch to get people to be interactive.

There was a number of Caribbean stands from Antigua and Barbuda to Barbados and more. However, I have to say I was surprised not see one African country stand at the food festival. For a festival that celebrates global cuisine around the world, it felt like a big gap. From jollof to tagine, from suya to injera. African food is truly diverse, bold, and deserves a seat at the table. I really hope we see more representation in 2026!

Another thing that really stood out me was that there was a lot of drinks and I mean alcoholic drinks. There was array of spirits, wine and many types of shots. And I get it lots of people do like to have a drink or two, which is great if alcohol is your thing. But if you’re like me and want to try the food you may feel slightly underwhelmed.

Many of the food vendors like Vine Street, Aux Pains de Papy, Oli Well, Uche Rum, Bunta Beer (alcoholic) Mr. Sprinkle etc, who where there to sale their food products. Some had a little taster, which is totally fair. I loved how some of these businesses had been only up and running for 6 months or so and where now able to showcase it at the National Geographic food festival.

I bought my mum some shortbread from a company called New Forest Shortbread the host started her business during COVID-19 only selling to hotels and now she has a range of flavours from Lavender, Chocolate, Lemon and more. It was so nice to hear her story.

I got to hear a lot about how and why other businesses started their food companies, which was good. It was also nice to just experience and quiz different countries on their foods and understand the similarities with local Nigerian and British foods.

Towards the end me and Jenna from JennasWorldView got Tacos which where pretty ok. I think we paid around £15 for these and then LakiKane were doing cocktails for about £7 each. I have not always liked LakiKane, but they did well with the cocktails so bravo. Get yourself the lemonade crush you honestly won’t regret it.

Below is a review of the National Geographic Food Festival review box:

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Cooking Demos, Chefs & Culture

What I really loved was how the festival brings global cultures to the stage. From the live cooking demos to tasting sessions and food photography workshops, it was a great way to immersive and connect with world cuisines in London.

This year, chefs like Yotam Ottolenghi, Asma Khan, and Andi Oliver gave demos on a range of dishes. The type of thing you usually only catch on TV or at high-end events. This for me was a good segment of the festival, where I learnt about different herbs and spices and how they change the taste of a dish.

How Much Are Tickets? And is it Worth it?

I purchased my ticket for £18 and that’s because I knew I was already going to be in London. However, in the past I have been able to get a discount with TimeOut.

So, is it worth the money?

I would say so, yes, especially if you take advantage of the cooking demos, tasting sessions, and workshops. Just know it’s more “discovery-focused” than “unlimited samples”. And people do come hungry to eat so don’t be that person. You will find the stands with free tasters tend to have long queues, so be prepared to wait! Overall, the event sells out quickly, so it’s worth signing up to their newsletter and booking early.

Event Details Recap

• Where: Business Design Centre, Islington, North London
• When: Mid-July every year (2025 was 19–20 July)
• What to Expect:
  • Global food tastings from a range of countries including Greece, Cyprus, Barbados and more
  • Celebrity chef cooking demos
  • Photography & cooking workshops
  • Small business stalls
  • Lots of drinks (and some food!)

Tips If You’re Going for the First Time

• Go early – Some stalls sell out of their best bites by mid-afternoon.
• Bring a water bottle – Especially if you’re skipping the alcohol, I always carry my Stanley cup everywhere.
• Don’t skip the talks and demos – They’re free and so insightful and you can actually learn a lot from them. If you like pay a bit extra for the VIP.
• Talk to the vendors – They’re often the founders and love sharing their stories.
• Look out for discounts because there are a few – TimeOut or Nat Geo Traveller’s newsletter usually offers early bird deals.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the National Geographic Food Festival

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Final Reviews

And there you have it a National Geographic Food Festival review. How did I do did I give an honest review? Anything that I may of missed and you would like to know more about? Well if you do head over to my Instagram and Tiktok, where I give reviews through videos.

So to end. Would I go to the National Geographic Food Festival again? Absolutely. It’s a gastronomic adventure for the day where you will get to experience different countries around the world! Despite some areas that could improve like more food stalls, better non-alcoholic balance, (and African country representation). I would have to say that this is still one of London’s most vibrant and flavourful food festivals to attend and it’s over two days.

If you’re like me and like trying new foods and fancy a food festival or things to do in July without leaving London then the National Geographic Food Festival is the perfect spot for you. I would say it was a great day to interact with like minded people. And you’ll certainly leave the event with a taste for food maybe for a new country like I did with Cyprus.

Now tell me is this something you think you will be going to in 2026? And if you are going next year let me know in the comments below.

PS – Festival Team or Brands Reading?

If you’re part of the National Geographic Food Festival team or a brand looking to collaborate for 2026, I’d love to hear from you. From blog coverage to foodie travel storytelling, I bring culture, content, and connection to the table. Let’s connect: info@mybreakingviews.com.

And if you want to know other food festivals around the world head over and buy my Taste The World e-book now. With 59 pages on how to plan a trip, food hygiene tips, with the different foodie activities and more for just £10.99. You can buy it here.

Speak soon,

MBV x