Ultimate Guide to: London’s Best 4th July MenusBy Alicia Grimshaw
Warning: this features contains an excessive amount of BBQ meats. Wear trousers with some give, and prepare to feast on ribs, cornbread and American-inspired cocktails. Here’s the best 4th July menus in London. Let’s get eating:
4th July in London: Menus
1. For Epic Desserts: Christopher’sÂ
The Run-Down: Like doughnuts? Like peanut butter? If you answered yes to at least one of those questions, swing by Christopher’s, the legendary American restaurant and bar in Covent Garden for a American feast. Try an array of BBQ-inspired dishes, along with ice-cream sandwiches and doughnuts, as well as a set menu of American classics.
Eat and Drink: A special menu will be served from Monday 3rd – Friday 7th at lunch and dinner, priced at £38 for two courses and £44 for three. Dishes include a BBQ pulled pork tortilla with apple slaw, avocado relish and hickory slaw; a tasting plate of BBQ beef, including Kansas-rubbed prime rump steak, slow-cooked short rib and chopped chilli beef and maple-whipped sweet potato and soft flour tortilla; or the classic surf and turf. For those with a sweet tooth, Christopher’s are introducing two new desserts to mark Independence Day, with a drool-worthy ice cream sandwich featuring soft chocolate chip cookies, honeycomb ice-cream and dark chocolate sauce,  as well as finger-licking 4th July cinnamon doughnuts, filled with peanut butter and jelly, lemon curd and blueberry jam.Â
Where:Â 18 Wellington St, London WC2E 7DD
The Run-Down: MASH don’t do anything by halves, especially when there’s meat involved. Their American extravaganza is only fitting of a place serving 1.3kg steaks – think burgers, whiskey, and plenty of booze. And for one night only, MASH will be setting up an American-inspired Instagram station with all kinds of American props. 25 props will be available to guests, and the person who posts the best Instagram with the hashtag #MASH4th will win a dinner for 2.
Eat and Drink: First up is the burger and beer deal for £15. MASH Chefs have developed the all-American burger, featuring a beef burger nestled alongside spicy avocado salsa, crispy bacon, BBQ sauce, and American Jack Cheddar (also available with chicken breast and Portobello mushroom). And to keep you all well-oiled: an American Whiskey Flight. Koval Whiskey have already taken the US storm with their unusual whiskeys made from the likes of millet, quinoa, and more. In honour of 4th July, MASH have launched a Koval whiskey flight featuring their rye, millet, and four grain whiskies.
Where:Â 77 Brewer St, Soho, London W1F 9ZN
3. For American Fare: Jackson + RyeÂ
The Run-Down: Jackson + Rye are celebrating their departure from the UK (nope, not another Brexit) and their new status as the 51st State of America – the Great State of Jackson + Rye – with a series of parties at each of its six restaurants and an exclusive 4th July menu.
Eat and Drink: The Great State of Jackson + Rye has created a bespoke menu and cocktail to honour their new status. Available in all restaurants, the menu will run from Monday (3rd) to Friday (7th July) and will include American classics such as smoked St. Louis ribs, Cajun steak and backyard chicken with sides of house slaw, triple cooked fries, chargrilled cauliflower and baked sweet potato with bacon crumbs. Dishes can be washed down with a bespoke cocktail specially created for the 4th July; an Orange Mint Julep. Dreamy.
Where: Locations hereÂ
4. For a One-Day Party: BalthazarÂ
The Run-Down: If you like free food, follow these simple steps. 1) Be sure to wear stars and stripes. 2) Visit Balthazar this Independence Day. 3) Make sure you’re one of the first 100 diners through the door. And if you follow all of the above, you’ll eat an exclusive American-inspired menu free of charge. For the third consecutive year, Balthazar is going all out for the 4th of July, celebrating its American roots with an Americana party in the restaurant throughout the day.
Eat and Drink: The special Independence Day menu, created by Executive Chef Robert Reid, will include a show stopping Independence Day–Dog, layered with beef and crispy shallots; a signature Balthazar macaroni cheese; or the classic Balthazar burger and French fries. This will sit alongside an indulgent apple pie served hot with vanilla ice cream, and either a Maker’s Mark Long Julep or a Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned cocktail. In addition to the 4th of July dishes, Bar Manager Brian Silva will be shaking up all-American cocktails including a California Pisco Punch, a New Orleans Vieux Carre and an Alabama Slammer. Balthazar’s iconic Bloody Mary will of course be available, served with crisp celery, queen olives and traditional streaky bacon.
Where:Â 4-6 Russell St, London WC2B 5HZ
Photo Credit: Steven Joyce
The Run-Down: Crosstown have created a trio of limited edition doughnuts inspired by classic American flavours to help everyone from the USA feel at home here in London this 4th July.
Eat and Drink: Flavours include the Mississippi Mud Pie, featuring  chocolate sourdough with a dark chocolate custard filling, topped with a thick layer of dark chocolate ganache, chocolate soil and dark chocolate flakes. The apple pie is a delicious doughnut/dessert hybrid with Crosstown’s sourdough, filled with a traditional apple and cinnamon compote, with a vanilla glaze and vanilla pie crust crumble topping. And, don’t forget the brand new Red, White and Blueberry doughnut –  a blueberry sourdough ring is hand-dipped in Crosstown’s classic vanilla glaze and finished with freeze-dried raspberries and a blue cross.
Where: Locations here, or order onlineÂ
Photo Credit:Â Photograph by Maz McEwan
6. For Savoury and Sweet Bites: Outsider Tart
The Run-Down: Founded by an American couple, Outsider Tart is leaving no cake unturned this Independence Day. The team have designed a special BBQ menu featuring a range of burger and hotdog recipes from across the pond, as well as a special stars n’ stripes twist on regular whoopies, cheesecakes, brownies, the lot.
Eat and Drink: Burgers. Burgers. Burgers. Sample the likes of the Wake Forest with tangy spicy mustard; the Texan with chilli cheese; Utahn featuring blue cheese and fried onion; Love Stinks, a medley of roasted garlic cream cheese, fried onions, bacon and red pepper aioli; and the NYC turkey, a turkey burger with swiss cheese on an English muffin. If burgers ain’t your thang, there’s also BBQ chicken, ribs, Maine lobster rolls, and the almighty independence pig out – featuring a burger, dog, two sides and corn.
Where:Â 83 Chiswick High Rd, Chiswick, London W4 2EF
The Run-Down: Independence Day is receiving a US beach-style makeover down at All Star Lanes. On 4th July, All Star Lanes are bringing the sunshine and beach life to London with their Miami heat tiki cocktail, and the Waikiki duck burger.
Eat and Drink: The creation of All Star Lanes Exec Chef, Ashley Clarke, the Waikiki duck burger comprises of a shredded confit duck fritter, lightly pickled yellow peppers, charred pineapple glazed in soy and sesame, served in a toasted brioche bun. Continuing the star-spangled beach party is the colourful Miami Heat Cocktail, created by Head of Booze, Sean Soon, featuring Bacardi Oakheart rum, Xante Pear liqueur and lime juice shaken with mango, pineapple and orange, finished with drizzle of Blue Curacao drizzle and topped with retro candy.
Where: Locations hereÂ
8. For Pure Gluttony: The DinerÂ
The Run-Down: At The Diner, the team count down the days each year until Independence Day. They go mad for it – well, the food. And there’s no better way to get your American glutton on more than with The Diner’s kick-ass Independence Day menu.
Eat and Drink: Let’s start with the big guns: the Santa Cruz chicken burger, including crispy fried chicken breast, avocado, Monterey Jack cheese, and chipotle slaw for a tenner. And the truly ingenious last meal, the killer death row BBQ box with 1/2 rack baby back ribs, 2 pieces fried chicken, pulled pork, corn on the cob, 2 portions of fries, a side of mac n’ cheese and coleslaw; this baby is a game changer. But no Diner meal is ever truly complete without sides that are bigger than your entire head. You’ll need their favourite show stopping Jalapeño poppers with bacon and sour cream as well as the famous WTF Fries, French fries with shredded BBQ pork, cheese, friend eggs, bacon, gravy, and chili flakes.
Where: Locations hereÂ
9. For South American Dishes: Red Rooster ShoreditchÂ
What: For Independence Day Red Rooster Shoreditch and Tienda Roosteria – the restaurants at The Curtain from chef Marcus Samuelsson – will be celebrating the restaurant’s Harlem roots with a special 4th July sharing platter and live music.
Eat and Drink: Both restaurants will be serving a 4th July barbecue special – the Star Spangled Platter –  which includes a burger, hot dog, baby back ribs, coleslaw and beans for £20per person. In Red Rooster there’ll also be live music from London-based ensemble Detour who will be playing their mix of hip hop, reggae and live electronica throughout the evening.
Where:Â 45 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3PT
What: Throughout July, STK will be offering a specially created 4th July menu, in honour of the American holiday. Priced at £35 per person, this all-American menu features three courses of pure delight.
Eat and Drink: Highlights from the menu includes succulent bourbon BBQ beef short ribs (using the finest cuts of USDA beef), served alongside a choice of either mac n’ cheese or corn on the cob, and traditional American corn bread. Of course, this experience wouldn’t be complete without indulging in the ‘Let Freedom Reign’ homemade vanilla ice cream and USA fruit meringue. To top this all off, pick from either a can of Budweiser or a root beer float to accompany your meal in true American style.
Where:Â ME London Hotel, 336-337 Strand, London WC2R 1HA
What:Â Chef Adam Rawson is behind new pop-up Bite Me Burger Co. Rawson has created a menu that combines well-loved burger classics with some more unusual flavour combinations – all in miniature form. (You can buy boxes of a dozen burgers fyi.)
Eat and Drink: For one day only, Bite Me Burger Co will be serving a special mini double cheeseburger, priced at £7.50 for two (eat-in only). Better still, the first 50 customers on the day will get one free, along with a free An American Venture beer from Badger Ales.
Where:Â Bite Me Burger Co. 36-38 Kingsway, London WC2B 6EY
What:Â This year, Soho’s underground sensation Cahoots is going all out to celebrate Independence Day in true American spirit as they throw a right knees up, complete with Kentucky bourbon and marching bands.
Eat and Drink:Â Open from 5pm, the Captain will be welcoming guests as they make their way down the apples and pears and into the underground station, however, only if they are dressed to the nines. Cahoots has teamed up with Jim Beam Double Oak, a new take on the classic Kentucky bourbon to create a rip-roaring celebration, complete with creative cocktails including; Seeing Stars and Stripes, Dreamboat Dolly and Liberty Liquor. Also on offer are CahootsÂ’ classic cocktails, including black market liquor and other post-war favourites served in vintage hip flasks, milk bottles and tins. From 7pm the entertainment begins, where guests can drink their vintage cocktails, whilst enjoying live performances from Lois, the all-American member of The Hotsie Totsies.
Where:Â 13 Kingly Court, Carnaby, London, WIB 5PG
13. For a Pickle Burger: Ben’s CanteenÂ
What: Ben’s Canteen has teamed up The Pickle House to create a limited edition burger to run throughout July, taking inspiration from upcoming Independence Day. Following a recent visit to New York, Ben wanted to bring back the idea of the Pickleback, and introduce this to his menu.
Eat and Drink: So there you have it: The Pickled Ben burger (£10). It’s packed with a beef patty, salt beef, emmental cheese, sauerkraut, mustard, Russian dressing and The Pickle House pickles – a blend that have been brewed for twelve weeks with sliced cucumbers and spices to create a flavour of both sweet and savoury. And of course, for added effect, wash this down with a pickleback from The Pickle House for £6.
Where: Locations hereÂ
14. For American Classics: Mondrian London
What: Mondrian London on the Southbank is bringing American favourites to the capital with their one-off 4th July menu.
Eat and Drink: The hotel’s restaurant, Sea Containers at Mondrian London will draw on its American heritage to create a one-off menu of classics such as an all American burger and baby back ribs alongside a selection of hard shakes. And they make some of the best pancakes in town. Take our word for it.
Where: 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD
What: Celebrate Independence Day on 4th July with a free American breakfast or new York pancakes at Liverpool Street’s 24-hour favourite, Polo Bar. (Side note: 1 breakfast between 2 people.)
Eat and Drink: Choose between fluffy American pancakes topped with cheesecake cream, strawberries, digestive crumbles and fruit coulis. Or really indulge yourself, American style, with the big American breakfast; enjoy a pancake topped with streaky bacon and maple syrup served with slow roasted thyme tomatoes, roasted mushrooms, a hash brown, two eggs, sausages and Cajun sweet potato chips. Did we mention it’s free?
Where:Â 176 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4NQ
4th July in London: Competitions
16. For a Hot Dog Challenge:Â The Blues Kitchen, Shoreditch
The Run-Down: The Blues Kitchen are celebrating their 5th annual hot dog eating competition this Independence Day. Promising to be their biggest and baddest yet, The Blues Shoreditch have stocked up on enough hotdogs to feed a village, courtesy of the one and only Big Apple Hot Dogs.
Eat and Drink: From 7pm on Tuesday 4th July, 20 contestants will have just 30 minutes to eat quite possibly their bodyweight in hotdogs for a £50 bar tab as well as the never-ending glory. For those who fancy their chances, sign up is now available here. If hot dogs aren’t your thing, guests can also enjoy a great choice of BBQ soul food options from the true American menu at Brixton, Camden and Shoreditch. Dine on appetizers of spicy buffalo wings and cajun blackened shrimp, before moving on to the true American BBQ St Louis pork rib or beef brisket and finishing off with their signature Oreo doughnuts and salted caramel sauce.
Where:Â 134-146 Curtain Rd, Shoreditch, London
17.For Ribs Galore:Â Big Easy Bar.B.Q & Lobstershack
The Run-Down:Â This 4th July, Big Easy Bar.B.Q & Lobstershack is celebrating the United States of America with the return of its infamous Rib-Eating Contest, which will get the party started at all three restaurants simultaneously on Independence Day. The Crabshack and Bar.B.Q maestros are also preparing a one-day-only cocktail to fire up diners.
Eat and Drink: Inviting a total of 21 challengers to its Canary Wharf, Covent Garden and Kings Road restaurants, Big Easy is looking for a trailblazing contender to break the current record of seven racks in eight minutes. A bell will summon the seven selected food gladiators to the bar at each restaurant and the competition kicks off at 6pm sharp. After 15 minutes, the victor will walk away with a £100 Big Easy voucher, a medal, a trophy and the glory. Second and third place will also receive a medal, and all runners-up walk away with a £10 Express Lunch voucher. Rib fans who have what it takes can enter themselves (and a friend) by heading to Big Easy’s Twitter, Instagram or Facebook page.
Where:Â Crossrail Place, E14 5AR; 12 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7NA; 332-334 Kings Road, SW3 5UR
4th July in London:Â Events
The Event: On Tuesday 4th July, The King & Co will host Rogue Ales & Spirits for a one-night Tap Takeover to celebrate US Independence Day. Starting at 7pm, the event will highlight eight draught beers and a selection of special bottles by one of the USA’s best breweries, with the opportunity to enjoy free samples of favourites like their Brutal IPA and Juniper Pale Ale. The pub will team up with Rogue Ales & Spirits once again on Wednesday 5th July for an exclusive American Beer and Whiskey Pairing evening, featuring a tutored tasting of four perfectly matched US beers and whiskies, plus a limited edition beer and whiskey welcome cocktail.
Where: 100 Clapham Park Rd, London SW4 7BZ
19. For a Baseball Party:Â Major League Baseball
The Event: Major League Baseball will next week transform London’s Hyde Park into a baseball field to host a huge 4th of July party with the representatives of the legendary Boston Red Sox and Los AngelesDodgers going head to head. The free event – running from 5pm-10pm – will mix sport, street food and music. Representatives of two of MLB’s most popular teams will take to the stage including All-Stars Carlos Peña, Cliff Floyd and Shawn Green. The first pitch of the evening will be thrown at 7.30 pm. The 4th of July party will bring the culture of the sport to London with NTS Radio’s DJ Martelo warming up the crowd with the sounds of the two cities, while food lovers will also be able to sample limited edition specials including Fin+Flounder’s Boston crab burger and Arancini Brothers los Arancini balls available just for July 4th.
Where: Hyde Park, London
