Lucas Sin's Hong Kong-Style Restaurant Pops Up in NYC
And 12 other food events/pop ups to check out in New York State
At People & Food, our goal is to change where folks choose to eat. Away from the chains and VC-backed restaurants that most publications and influencers are covering, and towards the small eateries and mom-and-pop businesses that we all love and want to preserve.
Our list of pop-ups and events is curated with that mission in mind. If you see an event that deserves a mention and aligns with our mission, please drop us a line and we’d be happy to add it.
This will be a monthly column, and we’ll update it as we learn of more events. Thanks for your support. - Rob, Angela, Sangita and Alexa
It’s officially August in New York and our calendar is popping off with exciting openings, pop-ups, parties, and festivals! With so much going on, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with figuring out what to eat and who to meet.
That’s why we’ve compiled a curated list of food events for those who care just as much about the people and culture behind a dish as the food itself.
NYC’s Next Big Cantonese Restaurant Pops Up
We’re kicking it off with the long-awaited opening of Manhattan’s newest cha chaan teng from Chef Lucas Sin: Lok Kee. Lucas is a Hong Kong-born chef and outspoken champion of Cantonese cuisine; his upcoming book is literally called Cha Chaan Teng and pays homage to the comfort food from Hong Kong’s iconic diners.
Lok Kee is only popping up for dinner for right now, and taking reservations via DM.
When: Thursdays—Saturdays in August
Where: M Star Cafe (📍 19 Division St #1, New York, NY 10002).
How to Attend: DM @lokkee.nyc to reserve!
ACHG Kitchen x Uncle’s Thai Food Ice Cream Party
When: August 1, 2026, 12PM—sold out
Where: FF&E (📍 109 Montrose Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206)
How to Attend: Just pull up. More info and flyer here.
Back-to-Back Cultural Celebrations in Poughkeepsie
The Hudson Valley Caribbean Festival and the Oaxacan La Guelaguetza Festival are running on the same weekend in Poughkeepsie. Combine either festival with a tour of Oaxakeepsie — use Alexa’s guide here.
The Hudson Valley Caribbean Festival
When: August 1, 2026, 12PM—8PM
Where: Waryas Park (📍 Poughkeepsie, NY 12601)
How to Attend: Free tickets here!
La Guelaguetza Festival
When: August 2, 2026, 12PM—7PM
Where: Waryas Park (📍 Poughkeepsie, NY 12601)
How to Attend: You can just turn up. Full info here.
A Pop-Up Taqueria with Nixtamalized Tortillas in the Capital District
We’ve mentioned Los Hermosos before in our round-up of authentic tortillerias in New York State. Now there’s two opportunities for you to try them out.
Los Hermosos At Wolf Hollow Brewing
When: August 1, 2026, 5PM—8PM (or until sold out)
Where: Wolf Hollow Brewing Co (📍 6882 Amsterdam Rd, Schenectady, NY 12302)
How to Attend: Check their Instagram for full details.
Los Hermosos At Nine Pin Cider Works
When: August 8, 2026, 5PM—7PM (or until sold out)
Where: Nine Pin Cider Works (📍 929 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207)
How to Attend: Check their Instagram for full details.
A Native American Frybread Pop-Up Debuts in Bushwick
From Reddit: “My name is Raini and I'm a member of the Lakota tribe. I realized theres been a gap in indigenous foods available so I decided to start my own frybread stand! Complete with toppings such as honey, powdered sugar, and three different types of jelly!”
When: August 2, 2026, 12PM—sold out
Where: Maria Hernandez Park (📍 Brooklyn, NY 11237)
How to Attend: Check their Instagram for full details.
Limited Pacific Food Drops on the Border of Brooklyn and Queens
Our friends over at Taste Buds featured Pacific Fried last month. He specializes in Chamorro food (a foodway that Julian Mu stumbled upon in the Portland, Oregon episode of Martinez and Mu).
When: August 2, 2026, 6PM—8PM
Where: On the corner of Wyckoff Ave and Putnam Ave (📍 Brooklyn, NY 11385)
How to Attend: He is highly encouraging pre-orders. Instructions here.
A Danish Cookie Tin With Actual Food in it!
But it’s still not Danish cookies.
Join Sewing Tin for a “supper club experience that blends South Asian flavors with with modern cooking techniques, pushing the boundaries of contemporary cuisine while staying rooted in nostalgia.” Inspired by the iconic blue Danish butter cookies container that many immigrant families have adapted into a sewing tin.
When: August 2, 2026, 6:30 PM—10:30 PM
Where: Maxwell Tribeca (📍 135 Watts St, New York, NY 10013)
How to Attend: Book your tickets here.
A Study in Shellfish
Atelier Vivi, normally a culinary school for kids, is teaming up with Aqua Best, Chinatown's family-run fishmonger known for sourcing straight from fishermen, to host their first tasting and cooking workshop for adults! Whip up mignonette from scratch, get a chowder simmering, and then let the expert from Aqua Best guide you through a fun tasting of oysters and clams.
When: August 4, 2026, 6:30PM—8:30PM
Where: Place des Fêtes (📍 212 Greene Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238)
How to Attend: Reserve your spot here.
Another Pop-Up for Seafood Lovers
From Baja California, México to Lima, Peru. Coming soon to both sides of the East River.
Baby Oyster @ Babysips
When: August 4, 2026, 6PM—9PM
Where: BabySips (📍 176 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002)
How to Attend: Just pull up. More info and flyer here.
Baby Oyster @ Lise & Vito
When: August 9, 2026, 4 PM—sold out
Where: Lise & Vito (📍 126A Nassau Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222)
How to Attend: Just pull up. More info and flyer here.
An Evening with Dame Grace Young in Chinatown
Grace Young is a Chinatown advocate who has been featured on Rob’s channel. She’ll be joined by Grand Tea Imports — also featured by Rob — at Hop Lee… also featured by Rob. (Grace helped Rob produce his Chinatown series).
When: August 25, 2026, 6:30PM—8:30PM
Where: Hop Lee Restaurant (📍 16 Mott St, New York, NY 10013)
How to Attend: Buy tickets here.
Summer Tea in Prospect Park
From Instagram: “This year marks our 8th Summer Tea @prospect_park since 2019! 🍵🌿
In this time of change, arts and culture in our communities are where we continue to find inspiration and meaning.”
When: August 23, 2026, 11AM—3PM
Where: Prospect Park (📍 Brooklyn, NY)
How to Attend: Free to attend. RSVP required.
Laotian Food in Greenpoint
This is a rare opportunity to try authentic Lao cuisine in NYC, from the fresh, herbaceous flavors of Nam Khao (crispy rice salad) and Thum Mak Hoong (Lao papaya salad) to the garlicky, peppery aromas of Sai Oua (Lao herbal beef sausage). Greenpoint local Anita Pathammavong organizes the pop-up, and her parents drive up once a month from Virginia to cook!
When: August 26 & 27, time TBD
Where: Lise & Vito (📍 126A Nassau Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222)
How to Attend: Look for details on IG.