The best foodie pop ups in the Cotswolds, Hereford and the Forest-of-Dean

Tucked between honey-hued hills and winding county lanes, the Cotswolds is best known for its postcard prettiness and slow-paced charm – but look a little closer and you’ll find something altogether more tantalising simmering beneath the surface. In recent years, this bucolic corner of the country has quietly become a magnet for a new wave of food pop-ups and roving culinary talents, bringing with them a deliciously offbeat energy. Pop up food restaurants are part of this flourishing scene. Now, these delights are expanding even further afield to Herefordshire and the Forest of Dean. Think open-fire feasts in hidden meadows, supper clubs in restored barns, and pizza vans parked beside ancient stone pubs and cool tap-rooms. Add a smattering of seasonal menus, farm-to-fork credentials, and a healthy dash of local spirit, and you’ve got scenes that are as warm and inviting as they are quietly innovative.

Josser in the Park, Cirencester

Set in the leafy heart of a Cirencester park, Josser is more sprawling than petite – an airy, al fresco escape that hums gently with the welcoming vibes of the owners from April through to September. Thoughtfully created and curated, its a celebration of slow, seasonal living: mornings begin with coffee in hand and toes in the grass at The J Kiosk, while sun-dappled brunches and intimate, fairy-light lit dinners unfold under canvas at the Josser travelling restaurant, where the menu is as fresh and delightful as the setting. Pop up food restaurants like this are becoming a staple of the region. Part park hangout, part culinary hideaway, Josser is a gentle reminder that some of life’s best moments happen when you’re not in a rush.

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Pig’s Pizzas, Cheltenham and Little Dean

Since firing up their first pizza oven, Pig’s Pizzas – a flour-forward pop up run by two friends with a shared love of good dough and great vibes – has steadily earnt itself cult-like status across Gloucestershire. Whether slinging slices at The Swamp (Deya Brewery’s famously offbeat Cheltenham taproom) or setting up at the Littledean Taproom in the Forest of Dean, this nomadic outfit has raised the bar for pop-up dining. The masses reliably descend for pillowy dough topped with seasonal fare – think wild garlic pesto, calabrian nduja and wilderbee hot honey served with a side of laid-back charm and ice cold pints. There’s an effortless cool to Pig’s Pizza, an alchemy of craftmanship and community that’s just as much about the atmosphere as it is about what’s in the box. Some really nice guys making some really nice pizzas, really.

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The Cotswold Guy, Bicester Village

With his signature blend of refined comfort and culinary wanderlust, The Cotswold Guy has brought something truly special to Bicester Village. This pop up offers a no-frills, high-quality take on British classics. They’re reimagined through a global lens. From delicate, spice-kissed flatbreads to rich, slow-cooked stews with an elegant twist, the food is an art form. Everything is prepared with finesse. It’s an offering that feels both grounded and elevated. A celebration of honest ingredients, bold flavour, and the quiet confidence of a chef who knows that less really can be more. Pop up food restaurants like this are redefining casual dining. The Cotswold Guy’s latest venture is as stylish as it is satisfying — perfectly at home amidst the buzz of Bicester Village.

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The Beefy Boys, Hereford

Born out of a shared love for bold flavours and American-style indulgence, The Beefy Boys have become something of a legend. Their pop up — gritty, unapologetic, and utterly irresistible — channels a no-frills, high-quality ethos. Locals and out-of-towners alike line up for a bite. What started as a humble burger experiment has transformed into a foodie phenomenon. From the expertly smashed patties to the toweringly stacked buns dripping with house-made sauces, every bite delivers. They now have restaurants dotted around the South West. Even better, they can take their food truck to you. There’s an electric, street-side energy to the whole affair. It’s all anchored by a fierce dedication to flavour. The Beefy Boys don’t just serve burgers — they serve a movement.

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Papelon, Tetbury Woolsack Races

It’s the heady scent of slow-cooked spices that reaches you first. A fragrant, sun-soaked whisper of Caracas weaving through Tetbury’s market town air. Then comes the colour: vibrant arepas, their golden shells still warm from the griddle. They cradle tender meats, sharp cheeses, and the earthy sweetness of black beans. But it’s the spirit behind the food — rooted in Venezuelan heritage, carried across continents, and served with unmistakable heart — that leaves the most lasting impression. Papelón is more than a pop-up. It’s a gathering place. A celebration of simple, soulful cooking. And a delicious reminder that the best meals linger long after the last bite.

Tetbury Woolsack Races will take place on Monday 26th May 2025.

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