Modern European
Critic reviews - total score 7 out of 10
This "informal" restaurant features former head chefs from both Arbutus and Wild Honey as Alan Christie and Colin Kelly go it alone. It's divided into a bar area at the front and more traditional dining down the back. Expect some excellent value on their special tasting menus too.
Critic reviews - total score 5 out of 10
The original in Spain is feted as one of the best restaurants in the world and holds three Michelin stars. This new restaurant is 'rooted in the traditions of ‘New Basque Cuisine’ which in practice means combining flavours you'd expect from that region with modern twists.
Critic reviews - total score 6 out of 10
This restaurant from Rainer Becker and Arjun Waney is on the 32nd floor of The Shard, and focuses on food from a rotisserie and grill (with a lounge bar also attached). It has British and European ingredients and influences, but is mainly be inspired by New York grills, as well as serving slow roasting joints and wood-fired breads and pizzas. And it has a damned fine view.
Critic reviews - total score 6.5 out of 10
Pierre Gagnaire's uber chic Mayfair restaurant is certainly for special occasions - it's one of the most expensive meals in town. There are multiple dining rooms within the building, all with very different looks and menus. There are also incredibly instagrammable loos.
Critic reviews - total score 5.5 out of 10
Alan Bird, former Executive Chef at the Ivy has opened this eponymous restaurant and bar in Smithfield, seating 150 people across five floors (with a roof terrace too). There is an all-day restaurant, bar and a few private dining areas serving traditional British food and the bar has been created by the people behind Purl.
Critic reviews - total score 7 out of 10
Critic reviews - total score 8 out of 10
The original opened up in Exmouth Market to great reviews and they haven't looked back since. Now in multiple locations across town, this was Caravan's second opening in London and one of the first places to open on Granary Square. Coffee remains a big thing, supplied by their nearby roastery. Food-wise, they serve what they call a "food well-travelled" menu all-day and their brunch remains one of the most popular in town.
Critic reviews - total score 7 out of 10
Kitchen Table is the main event of the two-part restaurant from James Knappett and Sandia Chang (also including Bubbledogs). Here you can expect a new meal almost every visit as the menu evolves depending on the chef's preferences and the seasons. And all this in a setting that sees you seated around the open kitchen watching and interacting with the chefs.
Critic reviews - total score 8 out of 10
Critic reviews - total score 7 out of 10
This Victorian hotel in South Kensington (just opposite the underground) has completed a refit and features two new restaurants one of which is the Apero aperitivo bar serving classic cocktails and small plates.
Critic reviews - total score 7.5 out of 10
Former Head Chef of critics' fave The Wapping Project, Cameron Emirali, teamed up with Luke Wilson for this restaurant in Soho which has become a perennial Soho favourite. Expect a daily-changing menu that will concentrate on seasonality and fresh ingredients. And on top of that, a particularly good wine list too.
Critic reviews - total score 8 out of 10
Critic reviews - total score 6.5 out of 10
James Knappett and his wife Sandia Chang turned out to be a formidable double act when they opened a restaurant of two halves. This is the hot-dog half at the front of the restaurant, serving up gourmet hot dogs alongside grower champagnes and other sparkling wines.
Critic reviews - total score 5.5 out of 10
The Heliot Lounge Bar and Restaurant is on a balcony overlooking the revamped casino floor and is going for a West End brasserie vibe.
Critic reviews - total score 6 out of 10
Following on from the success of Kitchen W8 - the last joint venture between restaurateur Rebecca Mascarenhas and chef Philip Howard - the pair have joined forces for a second venture. They've relaunched Sonny’s Restaurant in Barnes as Sonny's Kitchen.
Critic reviews - total score 8 out of 10
It already has a branch north of Oxford Street in Marylebone, and now the popular wine bar has come into the heart of Soho. Expect a similar approach as their other two locations with a bar, dining room and wine shop across two levels.
Critic reviews - total score 9 out of 10
Originally launched by Xavier Rousset and Agnar Sverrisson (who are also behind Texture), this is a "wine workshop and kitchen" on Marylebone Lane. Once part of a group, it's now a solo wine bar with European food in Marylebone.
Critic reviews - total score 6.5 out of 10
With just 36 covers, this compact and bijoux restaurant is the brainchild of Baltic chef and restaurateur Andrei Lesment with a menu to featuring hop shoots, beer, spatzle and plenty of beetroot.
Critic reviews - total score 7.5 out of 10
Greg Malouf takes over the Michelin starred cafe in Richmond.
Critic reviews - total score 8 out of 10
Chris Corbin and Jeremy King (The Wolseley, Zedel) are behind this huge restaurant, designed by the late David Collins. It's in a super position for pre and post theatre and the cafe at the front is handy as well.
Critic reviews - total score 6.5 out of 10
Just near Covent Garden, this bistro offers a "small but ever changing wine list" and a menu that changes every day to match the list.
Critic reviews - total score 8.5 out of 10
This is the former Alyn Williams restaurant at the Westbury hotel, serving modern British fare using fine French cooking techniques.
Critic reviews - total score 6 out of 10
This Azerbaijani restaurant has taken over the old site of La Noisette. You can expect Azeri tapas in the bar and the restaurant itself is focused around small plates.
Critic reviews - total score 7 out of 10
Staffed by folk who previously worked at Hix in Clerkenwell, expect a small menu featuring the group's favourite dishes from around the world, created with seasonal British ingredients. Plus there's "bring your own vynyl" approach which lets you play your own tunes on the turntable.
Critic reviews - total score 8 out of 10
Critic reviews - total score 7.5 out of 10
Wolfgang Puck made his fortune serving gourmet pizzas to Hollywood's elite. It's currently his only European restaurant - part of the Dorchester Collection. Steaks are the focus here as well as plenty of interesting salads for the stars to push around their plates.
Critic reviews - total score 6 out of 10
Ed Shaerf, formerly chef at the Ivy, has taken over this restaurant and its huge open terrace with the backing of David Moore (who is behind L'Autre Pied and Pied a Terre). Expect a menu that takes classic dishes from the 70s and 80s and gives them a modern twist.