Photo: S4chin Parmar / Google MapsIFE London 2027 Hotels: International Food & Drink Event
IFE 2027 runs 5 to 7 April at ExCeL London, London. 25,000+ verified trade visitors
- Free-cancellation rooms
- Lock today's hotel rate
- Company invoice
- Book rooms for your team
Where to stay for IFE (International Food & Drink Event) 2027: the closest hotels to ExCeL London are in Royal Docks and Canary Wharf, with Stratford a short ride away. Rooms near the venue sell out first, so book a free-cancellation rate early. Add your company name and tax number at checkout for an itemised company invoice.
IFE, the International Food & Drink Event, returns to ExCeL London from Monday 5 to Wednesday 7 April 2027 as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. It opens 10:00 to 17:00 on Monday and Tuesday and 10:00 to 16:00 on Wednesday, with last entry at 15:00 on the final day. The organiser describes IFE as the UK's largest event for food and drink product discovery, with more than 1,500 exhibitors and over 25,000 verified trade visitors, and one badge also covers the six co-located events: IFE Manufacturing, HRC, The Pub Show, Hospitality Tech360, Speciality & Fine Food Fair and International Salon Culinaire. Buyers come from wholesale, import and export, foodservice, hospitality, retail and manufacturing. Entry is free for trade visitors who register before the show, and every registration is checked for trade status. ExCeL sits on the Royal Docks in east London with its own Elizabeth line and DLR stations, so the Royal Docks, Canary Wharf, Stratford and central London near the Elizabeth line are the practical bases for IFE London hotels. This page shows live rates near ExCeL for your dates; your badge comes from the organiser and is separate from your hotel booking.
Popular areas for attendees: Royal Docks · Canary Wharf · Stratford · Central London (Elizabeth line).
- London hotels for IFE sorted by distance to ExCeL London, from the Royal Docks to Canary Wharf, Stratford and central London
- Live rates for 5 to 7 April 2027, with dates you can change for a single buying day, stand build or all three days
- Free cancellation rates shown where the hotel offers them, useful while buying appointments and tastings are still being set
- An itemised company invoice emailed at booking, plus a group quote within 24 hours via our enquiry form for exhibitor and buying teams
Event at a glance
- Dates
- 5 Apr to 7 Apr 2027
- Venue
- ExCeL London
- City
- London, United Kingdom
- Airport
- LCY
- Attendance
- 25,000+ verified trade visitors
Live rates near the venue
Hotels near ExCeL London for IFE 2027
Free cancellation first
Flexible rooms prioritised so plans can change without penalty.
Company invoice
Itemised invoice billed to your company, emailed the moment you book.
Stay close to the venue
Hotels ranked by walking distance to the halls.
Lock today's rate
Reserve at the current price and book several rooms for the team.
Plan your stay
Rates shown for a 3 night stay, Sun, Apr 4 → Wed, Apr 7, arriving the day before the fair opens, or choose your own dates above.
Hotel rates near major event venues rise as the dates approach and the closest hotels sell out first. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
On the map
The venue, your hotel options and where to eat, all in one view. Tap the map to explore it full screen.
Booking hotels for a team or company?
Book several rooms near ExCeL London, keep every stay on a free-cancellation rate, and add your company name and tax number at checkout to receive an itemised invoice for your accounts, emailed the moment you book.
- Itemised company invoice, emailed instantly
- Bills to your company name and ABN / VAT / tax number
- Free-cancellation rates prioritised for changing plans
- Book multiple rooms for the team in one place
Send this page to colleagues so everyone books their own room near the venue, all at today's rate.
Exhibiting or sending a team? Tell us how many rooms you need and we will send a personalised quote within 24 hours, with the distance from every hotel to ExCeL London. If the closest hotels are nearly full, we split your team across neighbouring hotels a few minutes apart. Corporate accommodation for IFE (International Food & Drink Event)
Free IFE (International Food & Drink Event) Insider Guide
Do IFE (International Food & Drink Event) the easy way. Get our curated guide, plus first access to near-venue rooms before they sell out.
- The best hotels within walking distance of the venue
- Where to host clients for dinner near the halls
- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
We'll email your guide and occasional IFE (International Food & Drink Event) hotel deals. Unsubscribe anytime.
Need to expense this trip? Business invoices available at checkout.
Where should you eat during IFE (International Food & Drink Event)?
ExCeL sits in the docks, but the Elizabeth line puts serious dining 15 minutes away. Book the client dinner in town and keep the dockside gastropub for post-show pints.
Photo: Da Terra / Google MapsDa Terra
Latin American-Italian tasting menus
Bethnal Green, ~25 min from ExCeL via Elizabeth line
Rafael Cagali's two-star room in the old Bethnal Green Town Hall: East London's most impressive client-dinner ticket and the closest two-star to the Royal Docks.
Tip: Last seatings ~8pm: leave the show floor by 7. Book before DSEI/WTM week.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: Galvin La Chapelle / Google MapsGalvin La Chapelle
French-Mediterranean
Spitalfields, Elizabeth line from Custom House (~15 min)
A soaring converted Victorian chapel holding its Michelin star since 2011: one of the easiest genuinely impressive rooms to reach from ExCeL.
Tip: The set lunch is strong value for a starred room between sessions.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: Max Gruber / Google MapsRules
Traditional British · since 1798
Covent Garden, ~30 min from ExCeL
London's oldest restaurant: game in season, steak and kidney pie year-round, beneath gilded art-crammed walls. The definitive old-London experience for international colleagues.
Tip: Upstairs cocktail bar for a pre-dinner martini; book evenings.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: The Hiwaymann / Google MapsSt. JOHN
British nose-to-tail
Smithfield, Elizabeth line to Farringdon (~15 min)
Fergus Henderson's whitewashed smokehouse has defined modern British cooking since 1994: Michelin-starred, unfussy, and beloved by every chef you'll meet.
Tip: Roast bone marrow and parsley salad; zero dress-code anxiety.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: The Fox, Excel / Google MapsThe Fox Excel
Gastropub
Royal Victoria Dock, 2 min walk from ExCeL's west entrance
A converted tobacco warehouse beside the ExCeL entrance: the default for post-show pints, casual client catch-ups and decent pub food without leaving the docks.
Tip: Slammed within an hour of halls closing: grab a table before 5:30pm.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: Izzie Peskett / Google MapsWatchHouse Cabot Place
Specialty coffee
Canary Wharf, one Elizabeth-line stop from Custom House
The polished specialty roaster's Canary Wharf outpost: excellent espresso and laptop-friendly seating, the best serious coffee minutes from ExCeL.
Tip: Before 8:30am on show days to beat the Wharf commuter rush.
Open in Google MapsAfter the halls close: London
Client dinner, team night out or a free day after IFE (International Food & Drink Event): bookable experiences in London, same account, same checkout.
While you're in London
Few cities pack more world-class sport and entertainment into a business week than London, from Premier League nights to West End-scale arena shows.
Premier League football (Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, West Ham)
With several top-flight clubs inside the city, there is usually a Premier League fixture within reach on any given trip during the season.
Find ticketsWimbledon Championships
The world's most famous tennis tournament is a bucket-list experience, and the daily ticket queue makes it possible even on short notice.
Find ticketsNFL London Games
Regular-season NFL games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley give US-facing travellers a familiar spectacle with a London twist.
Find ticketsThe O2 Arena concerts
One of the world's busiest arenas, The O2 almost always has a major artist, comedian or show on during your stay.
Find ticketsSix Nations rugby at Twickenham (Allianz Stadium)
England's home Six Nations matches are huge occasions, and hospitality packages suit client entertaining perfectly.
Find ticketsFixtures recur each season; exact dates for your fair week are confirmed at ticket search.
How do you get to IFE (International Food & Drink Event)?
From London airports
- London City Airport (LCY) is the closest airport: ExCeL puts it a 15 minute walk away or a short journey by DLR, bus or taxi, with flights to more than 30 destinations across Europe
- By DLR from London City Airport, ride to Canning Town and change to a Beckton train for Custom House (for ExCeL), according to the TfL route maps
- From Heathrow (LHR), Elizabeth line trains to Abbey Wood run through central London and Canary Wharf to Custom House; Heathrow says four trains an hour run direct from Terminal 4 to Abbey Wood and four of the six an hour at Terminals 2 and 3 run to Abbey Wood
- From Gatwick, Stansted, Luton or Southend, take the airport rail link into London and connect to the Elizabeth line, the Jubilee line or the DLR
By rail and road
- The organiser says the Elizabeth line, Abbey Wood branch, is the quickest route to ExCeL, taking 11 minutes from Liverpool Street to Custom House
- London is linked by rail to every major UK city; ExCeL says it is a short hop from any London rail terminal and suggests the TfL journey planner for the fastest connection
- The organiser encourages visitors to come by public transport; if you drive, book through ExCeL's official parking site, use postcode E16 1XL and note that ExCeL is inside the ULEZ
- ExCeL says pre-booking is the only way to guarantee a parking space, the car park is reached only from the A13, and the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels are tolled
How do you get around during IFE (International Food & Drink Event)?
Getting to ExCeL each day
- Custom House station (Elizabeth line and DLR) is about 200 metres from ExCeL's West Entrance
- From the Jubilee line, change at Canning Town for a Beckton bound DLR; the organiser notes Prince Regent serves the east entrance
- Prince Regent DLR is about 200 metres from ExCeL's East Entrance and about 1 km from Custom House if you walk through the venue
- The organiser lists buses 147, 241, 300, 325, 473, 541, 678 and the night bus N551 at stops by the venue
Around London
- ExCeL suggests a contactless bank card, a visitor Oyster card or a Travelcard for the best value on the Tube, DLR, Elizabeth line and buses
- Canary Wharf is one Elizabeth line stop from Custom House and has plenty of restaurants for client dinners
- From Stratford, the Jubilee line and the DLR both run to Canning Town for the Beckton branch to ExCeL
- Central London hotels near Elizabeth line stations such as Liverpool Street or Farringdon suit evening meetings in the City or the West End
Do you need a visa for IFE (International Food & Drink Event)?
Visa-free / visa on arrival
- British and Irish passport holders do not need an ETA or a visa
- Most visitors who do not need a visa, including those from Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia, need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel
- An ETA costs £20 and lets you visit the UK for up to six months; apply only through GOV.UK or the official UK ETA app
- Each person travelling needs their own ETA, including babies and children
eVisa / visa required
- Nationals who are not eligible for an ETA need a Standard Visitor visa to attend IFE; check your nationality on GOV.UK
- A Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for up to six months, and the earliest you can apply is three months before you travel
- GOV.UK allows visitors to attend trade fairs, meetings and conferences, but you cannot sell things at a trade fair or do paid work for a UK client
Documents to carry
- A passport valid for your whole stay, the same one you used for your ETA or visa
- Your approved IFE badge and your hotel booking
- A letter from your employer setting out the business purpose of the trip, in case the Border Force officer asks
Entry and visa rules change; check current requirements on GOV.UK before you book.
First time at IFE (International Food & Drink Event)?
- Registration opens in January 2027 and is free until 23:59 on Sunday 4 April 2027; from the first show day it costs £50 plus VAT at the desk, so register early
- Use a business email when you register: every visitor's trade status is checked, and a personal email means extra checks against your LinkedIn profile or company website
- IFE is industry only, with no students and no one under 18 admitted; babies in arms are the one exception, with a waiver signed at the Organisers Office
- Large bags, shopping bags and suitcases are not allowed in the halls; check luggage into the ExCeL cloakroom downstairs in the central boulevard, and you may leave with only one bag of samples
- On Wednesday, onsite registration closes at 14:00, last entry is 15:00 and the show closes at 16:00
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- Your badge covers all seven events of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week across both halls, so plan time for HRC or The Pub Show if you buy for hospitality
- Wholesale, distribution, import and export buyers were the biggest visitor group in 2026 at 36 percent, ahead of foodservice and hospitality (29 percent) and retail (24 percent), so exporters can expect plenty of trade conversations
- Online registration closes at 17:00 on the Tuesday, after which you can only register at the desk with proof of trade status, so sort your badge before you travel
IFE (International Food & Drink Event) travel FAQs
When is IFE (International Food & Drink Event) 2027?
IFE (International Food & Drink Event) takes place 5 Apr to 7 Apr 2027 at ExCeL London in London, United Kingdom.
Where is IFE (International Food & Drink Event) held?
IFE (International Food & Drink Event) is held at ExCeL London in London, United Kingdom. The nearest airport is LCY.
When and where is IFE 2027?
IFE 2027 runs from Monday 5 to Wednesday 7 April 2027 at ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL, as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. It opens 10:00 to 17:00 on Monday and Tuesday and 10:00 to 16:00 on Wednesday, with last entry at 15:00.
Where should I stay for IFE London?
Hotels in the Royal Docks near Custom House are the closest to ExCeL's West Entrance. Canary Wharf is one Elizabeth line stop away, Stratford is linked by the Jubilee line and DLR, and the organiser puts Liverpool Street 11 minutes from Custom House on the Elizabeth line.
Is IFE free to attend?
Yes for trade visitors who register by 23:59 on Sunday 4 April 2027. Registrations from Monday 5 April cost £50 plus VAT, and every registration is checked for trade status. Badges are separate from any hotel booking.
Who can attend IFE?
Professionals and buyers in food and drink manufacturing, supply and distribution, foodservice, catering and hospitality. It is an industry only event: students and anyone under 18 are not admitted.
Which events does an IFE badge cover?
Your badge covers all seven events of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week for all three days: IFE Manufacturing, IFE, HRC, The Pub Show, Hospitality Tech360, Speciality & Fine Food Fair and International Salon Culinaire.
Does IFE have an official hotel partner?
The organiser names a hotel booking partner on its website. Event Escapes is independent and not affiliated with IFE or Montgomery Group; we show live rates across many hotels near ExCeL so you can compare.
Related trade fairs
Other fairs where we cover the hotels, by the same venue, city or industry.
WTM London
London, United Kingdom · November
WTM London hotelsBett UK
London, United Kingdom · January
Bett UK hotelsBlack Hat Europe
London, United Kingdom · December
Black Hat Europe hotelsDSEI
London, United Kingdom · September
DSEI hotelsThe London Book Fair
London, United Kingdom · March
The London Book Fair hotelsDroneX
London, United Kingdom · September
DroneX hotelsAlso in London
More to plan and book around London, all on Event Escapes.
Which hotels are closest to ExCeL London?
The closest hotels to the venue with the distance, the walk or ride time and an indicative nightly rate, refreshed weekly. Live prices for your exact dates are in the booking section above. Last checked 31 October 2026.
Cheap and 3 star hotels near ExCeL London
| Hotel | Distance to venue | Walk or ride | From per night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travelodge London City Airport★★★ | 0.9 km | ~14 min walk | £66 |
| Premier Inn London Beckton★★★ | 2.3 km | ~9 min ride | £85 |
More hotels close to ExCeL London
| Hotel | Distance to venue | Walk or ride | From per night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunborn London★★★★ | 0.3 km | ~5 min walk | £188 |
| Novotel London ExCeL★★★★ | 0.4 km | ~7 min walk | £185 |
| InterContinental London - The O2 by IHG★★★★★ | 2.1 km | ~8 min ride | £358 |
| London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf★★★★★ | 3.5 km | ~12 min ride | £286 |
EventEscapes is an independent travel platform and is not affiliated with IFE (International Food & Drink Event) or its organizers. Dates and venues can change. Verify with the official event site before booking travel.