The London Food & Drink Festival opens next week at Excel London, combining five trade shows under one roof for the first time. Taking place on 16–17 September 2026, the event merges lunch! with the National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show; London Drinks Exchange; Natural & Organic Food Show; and Artisan Food & Drink Show. This consolidation offers a single venue for exhibitors and buyers across food, drink, and hospitality sectors.
Exhibitors and brands confirmed
More than 600 exhibitors will showcase food, drink, technology, and equipment. Brands confirmed to participate include Oatly, TRIP, Popcorn Kitchen, Deliciously Ella, Organix, MOJU, Capri Sun, Minor Figures, Twinings, LOVE CORN, graze, Yeo Valley Organic, Walkers Shortbread, Biomel, Vegware, UCC Coffee, and Kellanova.
A programme of more than 200 speakers on eight stages will run alongside the exhibition, with sessions covering product innovation, marketing, and operations. Registration for lunch! grants access to all five shows, with one ticket available free in advance.
The Innovation Challenge and Start-Up Zone
The Innovation Challenge will return, spotlighting new food-to-go products launched within the past 12 months. A Start-Up Zone will provide a showcase for emerging brands.
Industry leaders speak at the festival
Confirmed speakers include Pano Christou, CEO of Pret A Manger; James Campbell, director of product and innovation at Sainsbury’s; Alasdair Murdoch, chief executive at Burger King; Annabel Mackie, marketing director at itsu; Caroline Ottoy, managing director at WatchHouse; and Alice Hutfield, director of development at KFC. Sessions will take place across the Coffee Shop, Food-to-Go and Retail & Convenience stages, offering insights into trends shaping the market.
The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show will feature four additional stages, including the new CHEF LIVE Stage, while the Natural & Organic Food Show will showcase brands and trends from the natural and organic sector. London Drinks Exchange will broaden the drinks offer, while the Artisan Food & Drink Show will bring together artisan producers—giving speciality food buyers another opportunity to discover products and suppliers outside the traditional lunch! exhibitor base. Start-Up and Launchpad Zones, Innovation Challenge Galleries and interactive features will also run across the two days.
