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The best new London restaurants of 2024 (so far)

We're over halfway through the year, so that means it's time for our round-up of the best openings of the year to date...

 

September 2024

SaelSael

St James - 1 St James's Market, St. James's, London SW1Y 4QQ

Sael was Jason Atherton's first completely new restaurant of 2024, following the conversion of Pollen Street Social to Mary's. Chef Dale Bainbridge, most recently Head Chef at Pollen Street Social, is in the kitchen and the restaurant is an ode to all things British, albeit through a very fancy lens. The marmite custard tarts are a must-have snack while the whole menu features plenty of hits, including a fantastic snail and beef cheek lasagna. 

 

WildflowersWildflowers

Belgravia - Unit 2, 57 Pimlico Road, London SW1W 8NE

Once head chef of Elystan Street, chef Aaron Potter is at the top of his game with this excellent Mediterranean-focused restaurant in Belgravia. He's teamed up with interior stylist, Laura Hart for this beautiful-looking space with a very well-priced upstairs wine bar, which also features excellent snacks from Potter.

Read our Test Drive of Wildflowers

 

Café Francois

Borough Yards - 14-16 Stoney Street, London SE1 9AD

Maison Francois Founder François O’Neill and his team have transformed the old Paul Smith store in Borough Yards into a heavenly French brasserie that's just as perfect for enjoying a martini and plate of gougères as it is for a long, boozy lunch with said steak and a ramble through their great wine list. It's a huge hit with the prime rib with snails and their pistachio eclairs becoming early firm favourites. 

Read the Café Francois Test Drive

 

Sesta

Hackney - 52 Wilton Way, London E8 1BG

This Hackney restaurant took over the space from Pidgin with a couple of their alumni in charge. Chef Drew Snaith leads the kitchen while ex-Pidgin GM Hannah Kowalski leads the room and wine list. It's a big change for the space as the weekly changing menus are gone, replaced by a more seasonally-changing menu. The food remains excellent and the opportunity to hone signature dishes is proving to be a great shift. The scotched olives and beef ragu toasties are worth crossing town for and the whole menu features a consistent delivery of hits. It's a very worthy successor. 

Read our Test Drive of Sesta

 

Junk

Soho - 49 Old Compton St, London W1D 6HL

In 2024, London just can't get enough of smash burgers. As the Supernova craze died down, another one built up for Junk, a burger joint that originates from France. Oddly enough, this one seems like a mash-up of both Supernova and its sister establishment Creme, as Junk also specialises in big chewy cookies. The stars are the burgers, however, and you can build a five-stack behemoth of them. 

 

Noodle InnNoodle Inn

Soho - 4-6 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TA

Noodle Inn proved to be hugely popular quickly after launch, particularly on social media; the queues snaking down Old Compton Street have become a permanent fixture. Owned by the same people as Kung Fu Noodle, the big draw here is seeing those hand-pulled noodles being made in front of you and consequently seats by the open kitchen are the current gold ticket in London's foodie circles.

 

LeydiLeydi

City of London - 15 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7EF

This City restaurant, inside the Hyde London City hotel, is responsible for ex-Oklava chef Selin Kiazim's return to the London restaurant scene. It's a modern Turkish restaurant, with a specific focus on Istanbul, that really brings something new to the City (as well as some excellent cocktails). Breads and meze are a must, as is a tomato-covered burger, the borek and a wonderful kunefe. Grace Dent called it "a whirlwind of a restaurant that aims to incapacitate with kindness."

Read our Test Drive of Leydi

 

The BarbaryThe Barbary

Notting Hill - 112 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5RU

The original Barbary spawned a mini Barbary Next Door, but this latest opening is a much bigger venture. Moving west, they have kept much of the original counter-dining approach, but also added much more traditional booth seating for those Notting Hill residents who are a little more laid back. The classic Barbary dishes made the journey too (the hashcake for one), along with new additions like a coffee rub organic chicken.

 

 

August 2024

LoloLolo

Bermondsey - 102 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UB

Lolo marks the third restaurant that Jose Pizarro has opened on this stretch near London Bridge and it has become an immediate hit. Sitting in the all-day casual space that sits thematically between tapas bar José and the more formal Pizarro, this genuinely feels like it's adding something new to the street. Being an all-day affair, there's a focus on egg dishes and sandwiches alongside laid-back sharing plates, all backed up by a well-priced wine list. The Tortilla vaga (lazy omelette) is an absolute must. In his last review for The Standard, Jimi Famurewa said while the menu can be a little unwieldy "some languorous drinks, augmented by those great snacks, may be the best approach here."

Read our Test Drive of Lolo

 

MarcelineMarceline

Canary Wharf - Wood Wharf, 10 Water St, London E14 5GX

Is it a New York-style cafe or a French brasserie? Well, according to the critics Marceline straddles both worlds and that's a good thing. It makes this handy mid-range restaurant in the heart of Canary Wharf as useful a place to go for a business lunch as it is for a boisterous dinner with friends in the evenings. Elite Traveler found themselves in a "butter-induced coma" after enjoying the signature dish of Ravioli Dauphiné. Time Out agreed, calling it a "an oozy, oily, cheesy thing of wonder". 

Read our Test Drive of Marceline

 

Mary'sMary's

Mayfair - 8-10 Pollen St, London W1S 1NQ

Mary's kicked off Jason Atherton's incredibly busy autumn, seeing him replace his flagship Pollen Street Social with new grill restaurant Mary's. While it's a very different beast to what came before, Mary's proved to be an extremely accomplished relaunch of the space, with chef Alex Parker delivering some excellent dishes and grills, not to mention a fantastic smash burger. There's also a Blind Pig cocktail bar here that's worth popping into alone. Grace Dent was impressed, saying "Mary’s is hugely enjoyable".

Read our Test Drive of Mary's

 

GoldiesGoldies

Carnaby - 10-11 Kingly Court, London W1F 5PW

This opening saw the team behind Blanchette take a slightly different approach, creating a  "wood-fired dining experience". We've seen a few of these appear in London, but Goldies is notable because it's also a much more affordable restaurant than many such grills. Jay Rayner became a fan, citing "flame and smoke used less to prove authentic caveman credentials and more just because it makes things taste nice." 

 

 

July 2024

PlatesPlates

Shoreditch - 320 Old Street, London EC1V 9DR

Plates is so hot right now that it's almost impossible to actually book a table before next year. It's easy to see why it's popular. Chef Kirk Haworth became a big star after winning this year's Great British Menu with his inventive and precise plant-based cooking. Previously run as supperclubs or a one-night-only restaurant, he's teamed up with his sister Keeley for this impressive Shoreditch opening, which showcases many of the dishes he prepared in the show. This feels like a restaurant already deserving of a Michelin star, so if you can get a table (and it's worth signing up to hear about cancellations) you're in for a treat. In The Sunday Times, Adam Kay described it as "a vegan restaurant that could easily win over a committed carnivore."

Read our Test Drive of Plates

 

Goodbye HorsesGoodbye Horses

Islington - 21 Halliford St, London, N1 3HB

This wine bar and restaurant has quickly become the hottest ticket in Islington right now. Part of it is down to the reworking of an old neighbourhood pub into a beautiful modern, but welcoming space. Another aspect is the natural, biodynamic and organic wine list that really brings something new to the area. And all that's capped off with an excellent menu of small plates by ex-Papi chef Jack Coggins. The menu makes something simple like egg mayonnaise seem special, and there are some really inventive takes throughout. 

Read our Test Drive of Goodbye Horses

 

CornusCornus

Belgravia - 27 Eccleston Pl, London SW1W 9NF

After fifteen years, the team behind Chelsea hit Medlar opened a follow-up which is more of a high-end affair (with some notably punchy prices). They've brought in ex-Angler chef Gary Foulkes to head up the kitchen and ex-Allegra pastry chef Kelly Cullen on dessert. We're in fine-dining territory here and there's a huge amount of detail put into dishes like the signature spaghetti with lobster and caviar. Reviews have certainly mentioned those prices but were also impressed by the food. Grace Dent said it's "celebrating exquisite products cooked by a talented team working at a level that only a handful of people in Britain today could even hope to manage." A set lunch has recently been added, which makes the experience much more affordable. 

Read our Test Drive of Cornus

 

Holy CarrotHoly Carrot

Notting Hill - 156 Portobello Rd, London W11 2EB

Holy Carrot sees ex-Acme Fire Cult chef Daniel Watkins team up with Holy Carrot's Irina Linovich for the first permanent restaurant of the former pop-up. It sees them taking the same plant-based and sustainable approach to the pop-up and creating a plant-based menu that pushes what's possible with vegan food without feeling like boundaries have been set. The carrots are a must, but the matcha tiramisu is also excellent, as are the cocktails by A Bar with Shapes for a Name. 

Read our Test Drive of Holy Carrot

 

SolsSol's

Bayswater - 25 Leinster Terrace, London W2 3ET

Sol's has added to the somewhat unexpected rejuvenation of Bayswater's dining scene (also see The Park), with a wine bar that feels like a slice of East London has moved west. It's a small wine bar that comes from the people behind coffee shop/newsagents Shreeji News and Foreign Exchange News. Expect small and sharing plates alongside a low-intervention European wine list. 

Read our Test Drive of Sol's

 

MaubyMauby

Brockley - 1 Harefield Road, London SE4 1LW

Mauby is the latest venture for a couple who first made a name for themselves with their amazing jerk chicken and barbecue, with the very popular Jerk Off BBQ. At Mauby, they are hoping to bring "a bit of Soho energy to Brockley" serving everything from fresh fried seafood, stewed beans and tasty vegetable plates to lesser-known homestyle West Indian dishes and great desserts. Jimi Famurewa approved, saying "I really hope that this immensely likeable slice of British-Caribbean cool is here for the long haul."

 

UkiyoUkiyo

Covent Garden - 8 Slingsby Place, London WC2H 9JZ

Ukiyo is a sushi bar in Covent Garden that focuses on hand rolls but also offers up a full omakase experience that happens to be one of the most affordable in central London. Alongside the rolls, there are maki, nigiri and sashimi as well as an interesting sake and cocktail offering. 

Read our Test Drive of Ukiyo

 

 

June 2024

MigaMiga

Hackney - 1 Mare St, London E8 4RP

Miga is another restaurant that has built up an impressive following, relying on word of mouth and social media buzz to get the word out there. A family business (it's run by two brothers, with their father in the kitchen), its modern approach to Korean cooking brings something unique to the Hackney food scene. The restaurant is continuing to evolve, with a new-look menu promised in September and they're also trialling omakase-style dinners. That buzz has already translated to a five-star review in The Standard from Jimi Famurewa who says they are giving "their father’s remarkable, soulful cooking the platform it deserves."

 

Henri

Covent Garden - 14-15 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QH

Chef Jackson Boxer is a busy man, but he’s still found the time to open this gorgeous Parisian-inspired bistro in the heart of Covent Garden. The seaweed canelés bejewelled with trout roe are a must-have and there are numerous dishes on the reasonably-priced menu that make this just as much of a place to pop in for a dish and a drink as for a pre or post-theatre dinner.

 

The River Café Café

Hammersmith - Thames Wharf Studios, Rainville Road, London W6 9HA

Obviously, Ruth Rogers’ first new restaurant opening in thirty years was going to cause quite a stir in London’s foodie circles. Fans of The River Cafe - and they are legion - will want to try anything new they do, but anyone who’s perhaps been put off by trying the OG by the punchy pricing might look to test the waters with this new riverside cafe first. Expect great pasta but also pastries and coffees making this more of an all-day offering.

 

The ParkThe Park

Bayswater - 123 Bayswater Rd, London W2 3JH

Restaurateur Jeremy King’s latest restaurant opening is, he says, his love letter to America. You’ll find it on the edge of Hyde Park taking up the whole ground floor of a multi-million-pound apartment block in Bayswater. And where Jeremy goes, his fans follow in their droves. Business is already booming with the ham hock pie and prawn cocktails being early favourites but it’s a big restaurant so you should still be able to secure a table if you keep trying.

Read our Test Drive of The Park

 

Tollington'sTollington's

Finsbury Park - 172 Tollington Park, London N4 3AJ

With such a huge fanbase it was always going to be interesting to see what the Four Legs team did after their massive success with The Plimsoll. Moving only a little bit further north in Finsbury Park their next opening is Spanish fish bar Tollington’s, which has taken over an old fish and chip shop. The fryers may have remained but that’s all as this part of North London has become a corner of Spain instead. Bookings are going to be hard but the good news is there’s more room free for walk-ins in the front bar.

Read our Test Drive of Tollington's

 

 

May 2024

Julie's

Holland Park - 135 Portland Rd, London W11 4LW

This is the second time in just a few years that there's been a full revamp of Julie's, but this one has clearly been an unqualified success. Bringing in an ex-The Pelican chef (Owen Kenworthy) and the fact that it's now owned by someone who lives in the area has certainly helped to make this a hit again. The French brasserie style is a much more fitting approach for the area and crowd and the terrace is the place to be on a sunny day. We expect a lot of potential star-spotting at this place in the coming months and in the meantime, Giles Coren said "it was all utterly historic".

Read our Test Drive of Julie's

 

Kioku by EndoKioku by Endo

Whitehall - The OWO. 7 Horse Guards Ave, London SW1A 2EX

Nothing restaurant-wise has really taken off at the massive OWO/Raffles development on Whitehall so the stakes were high for this new rooftop spot by Endo Kazutoshi. The sushi, as you might imagine, is on point but there are lots of other interesting dishes to try too. The good news is that it’s already an immediate hit - the arrival of the British summer and the amazing views from the terrace here aren’t hurting any.

Read our Test Drive of Kioku by Endo

 

The Hero

Maida Vale - 55 Shirland Rd, London W9 2JD

Another successful revamp is the revival of what was once The Hero of Maida by the same people who made The Pelican such a big success. Stripping back the decor has created a beautiful-looking pub, while the food takes a new approach to pub classics (with a grill restaurant upstairs to follow soon). It's already become a massive hit with locals, and another local, The Standard's David Ellis also approves: "This might just be the best-looking pub in the world." Meanwhile, Jay Rayner says "they have made the sweetly familiar blissfully new again" while Giles Coren after visiting early said "it’s going to be good. Very good."

Read our Test Drive of The Hero

 

InisInis

Hackney - 13 Rookwood Way, Fish Island, London E3 2XT

Fans of an impeccably fried breakfast may want to make the trek to Fish Island in Hackney Wick to try out the feast that Inis is serving up. Word has spread not only of the morning offering but the interesting mix of British and Irish dishes that this independent restaurant has on its menu. It’s already won quite the following from locals but deserves visitors from further afield too.

 

Cafe BritalyCafe Britaly

Peckham - 191 Rye Lane, London SE15 4TP

Italian purists appear to have calmed down since the appearance of Cafe Britaly’s carbonara dish with cream and a fried egg topping first elevated their blood pressure. Numerous reviewers have enjoyed working their way through the menu at this greasy spoon meets Italian cafe in Peckham. A place that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Read our Test Drive of Cafe Britaly

 

 

April 2024

Oma and AgoraOma and Agora

Borough Market - 2-4 Bedale St, London SE1 9AL

Coming from David Carter, the man behind Smokestak and Manteca, it was fair to expect big things from his Greek-inspired restaurants in Borough Market, even if they were something of a creative departure for him. But barely weeks after opening, both restaurants are heaving, bringing a taste of Shoreditch vibes to Borough. The walk-in-only Agora channels a busy Greek taverna against live-fire cooking while the upstairs OMA features next-level dishes like their lobster-bisque borek. Breads are baked in-house (the acama is wonderful) and OMA is also blessed with an upstairs terrace that overlooks the market. It's the new party place in the area, for sure. In The Standard, Jimi Famurewa is an early fan, calling it suitably "epic". 

Read our Oma and Agora Test Drive

 

RoeRoe

Canary Wharf - Five Park Drive, Wood Wharf, London E14 9GG

Over the years, Fallow has built a big reputation both for its cooking but also by becoming a master of social media. For their next proper restaurant (outside of spin-off Fowl), the team here have gone a whole lot bigger for their Canary Wharf restaurant Roe. Huge though it is, the style of food that made Fallow such a hit, low waste, with a strong focus on local and sustainable, is very much in evidence here. From excellent skewers to a properly game-changing banana dessert, the food is excellent. They're also now open all day making it perfect for the Canary Wharf workers looking for a power breakfast spot. 

Read our Test Drive of Roe

 

ClothCloth

City of London - 44 Cloth Fair, London EC1A 7JQ

Tucked away off Smithfield, this cosy little British bistro (with a strong wine offering) has hit the ground running, winning a slew of good reviews. The Guardian’s Grace Dent is a fan saying; “There’s nothing hokey, disappointing or out of a tin at Cloth.” It was also popular with The Financial Times critic Tim Hayward who said; “even though the meal was just short of stellar, I’m determined to return many times.”

Read our Test Drive of Cloth

 

ABC KitchensABC Kitchens

Knightsbridge - Old Barrack Yard, Belgravia, London SW1X 7NP

The Emory is the brand new suites-only hotel from The Maybourne Group that's right next door to another of their hotels, The Berkeley (and connected to it by a door through to Cedric Grolet). Blessed with a hidden courtyard, it also boasts the latest London restaurant from Jean-Georges Vongerichten (he also teamed up with Maybourne at The Connaught). This is essentially an amalgam of the various ABC restaurants he's opened in America, featuring some of his best-known dishes like the spring pea guacamole. It's already a hit with the Knightsbridge folk, and has a brass-hued interior design that really comes to life at night. 

Read our ABC Kitchens Test Drive

 

Los Mochis CityLos Mochis City

City of London - 9th Floor, 100 Liverpool St, London EC2M 2AT

It’s notoriously hard to impress the demanding City crowd but this rooftop spot at 100 Broadgate has clearly done just that. Do diners love the Mexican-Japanese fusion food and the interesting cocktail list or are they here for the amazing-looking roof terrace? It’s buzzy every night of the week and there are more elements still to open here.

Read our Test Drive of Los Mochis City

 

 

March 2024

Arlington

St James - 20 Arlington St, St. James's, London SW1A 1RJ

The first of Jeremy King's three new restaurants of 2024 continues to be a massive hit, even without star MD Jesus Adorno. So many A-list celebs have already been through the doors during its testing weeks that it's unquestionably the new place to be seen in right now. Essentially Le Caprice in all but name, it's been a hit with the old and new crowd. Of the former, Giles Coren says "the food is great. Just great." while Jimi Famurewa is a fan of the restaurants which lets you "party like it’s 1989." Yes, it's something of a throwback, but as Grace Dent puts it: "It ain’t broke, and neither is its the clientele, so nobody needs to fix it."

Read our Arlington Test Drive

 

LitaLita

Marylebone - 7 Paddington St, London W1U 5QE

Almost out of nowhere, Lita has quickly become one of the hottest restaurants in town. Crossing over into the space that made Chiltern Firehouse such a big hit, it mixes great cooking with a laid-back-luxe vibe that's proving very popular with the well-heeled Marylebone set. Of course, it helps that the food by chef Luke Ahearne is exceptionally good (the tuna dish pictured is a showstopper) and has already garnered some stellar reviews. In The Standard, Jimi Famurewa called it "a marvel" while Jay Rayner was in "heavenly raptures over the cooking here". 

Read our Test Drive of Lita

 

Josephine BouchonJosephine Bouchon

Chelsea - 315 Fulham Road, London SW10 9QH

It's been a busy 12 months for Claude Bosi with this being the third restaurant he's opened in that time frame; one of them already has two Michelin stars. This restaurant, a team-up with Bosi's wife Lucy, feels like more of a neighbourhood affair and one that's closer to Bosi's heart, being a local bistro that harkens back to his family's roots. It's become a massive hit for both locals and those further afield. Very much an old-school affair, Jay Rayner calls it "a beautifully executed act of remembrance." Make sure to order the rum baba, served tableside.

Read our Josephine Bouchon Test Drive

 

TTTT

Shoreditch - 17b Kingsland Road, London E2 8AA

The rooftop of what was TT Liquor used to host pop-up restaurants but this year they've redesigned it and put a permanent chef in place, ex-Oren chef Sam Lone. He's making ample use of their smoker for an excellent rooftop menu featuring some of the best barbecued meats in town (as well as some amazing croquettes). The roof is fully weatherproofed so it's great even when the rain is pouring down. 

Read our Test Drive of TT

 

The CocochineThe Cocochine

Mayfair - 27 Bruton Place, London W1J 6NQ

This restaurant comes from the team of gallery owner Tim Jefferies and chef Larry Jayasekara. It's set in an absolutely beautiful space, adorned with artwork from Jefferies' galleries. It's a fine dining affair with much of the produce coming from produce from the Rowler Estate in Northamptonshire. Expect intense attention to detail in the cooking and make sure to try one of their pies if they're on the menu. 

Read our Test Drive of The Cocochine

 

Thirty7Thirty7

Covent Garden - 37 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9EN

Thirty7 comes from the Oystermen (Matt Lovell & Rob Hampton) and is just around the corner from their first Covent Garden restaurant. They describe the restaurant as a neighbourhood restaurant and bar which goes beyond the seafood focus of before (although you will find oysters on the menu). Make sure to have the cheddar beignets and also pop down to the very handy bar downstairs.

Read our Test Drive of Thirty7

 

Dream Xi'anDream Xi'an

City of London - Unit 2A, Tower Place, London EC3R 5BU

When chef Guirong Wei (Master Wei) opens a restaurant, she might not tell many people about it but people sit up and take notice. Her latest place here in Tower Hill includes some of the greatest hits of Master Wei, which means those amazing hand-pulled noodles, as well as a focus on dumplings inspired by Wei’s Shaanxi upbringing.

 

Chapel Market KitchenChapel Market Kitchen

Islington - 2 Chapel Market, London N1 9EZ

Tucked down the far end (some might say the wrong end) of Chapel Market, this seafood spot has been turning out superlative dishes since opening quietly early in 2024. Chef Maoz Alonim has swapped the markets of Tel Aviv for North London and in doing so has given Islington this enticing oyster bar and grill.

 

 

February 2024

MorchellaMorchella

Clerkenwell - 84-86 Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4Q

After success with Perilla in Stoke Newington, the same team has opened a much bigger restaurant close to Exmouth Market that's quite a different beast. Focusing this time on a modern interpretation of Mediterranean dining, they prove that they're no one-hit-wonder with an extremely assured parade of snacks and sharing dishes, all with their own unique spin. In The Standard, Jimi Famurewa says the restaurant "traffics in the sort of rare brilliance that it’s hard to keep secret for very long." meanwhile, Grace Dent says the kitchen is creating "an intense mix of decadent, surprising, weird and usually utterly triumphant dishes".

Read our Test Drive of Morchella

 

Liu XiaomianLiu Xiaomian

Carnaby - First floor, Kingly Ct, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW

Previously popping up in residencies, Liu Xiaomian's noodles have been very popular, counting none other than Nigella Lawson among their fans. Run by Chongqing expats Liu Qian and Charlene Liu, this sees them finally getting a permanent space in Carnaby's Kingly court. The menu centres around two dishes - Xiaomian wheat noodles in an aromatic and spicy broth and a hot and sour glass noodle dish with new pig's trotter noodles making the menu too. If you're yet to try their noodles - then now's the time. 

 

BrunoBruno

Victoria Park - 211a Victoria Park Road, London E9 7JN

After his success with Sager + Wilde, Michael Sager has concentrated on his own neighbourhood for his latest opening, a small, cosy wine bar just off Victoria Park. Named after his father, the bar is stocked with many wines from his own private collection and those are backed up with a carby menu that's led by huge filled pretzels. This is exactly the kind of wine bar you want to appear in your neighbourhood and will make you jealous of the Victoria Park locals. 

Read our Test Drive of Bruno

 

CamilleCamille

Borough Market - 2-3 Stoney Street, London SE1 9AA

After success both in London with Ducksoup and out of town with Osteria Emilia, Clare Lattin and Tom Hill's latest restaurant sees them pivot to a pretty traditional French bistro. With ex-P Franco chef Elliot Hashtroudi as head chef, the very French menu is already finding its fans. In The Guardian,  Grace Dent "got the sense that this is a truly great little restaurant" while Jimi Famurewa called it one of the year's "most intoxicating openings".

 

SingapulahSingapulah

Chinatown - 53 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 6LB

Once a pop-up, Singaporean restaurateur Ellen Chew is relaunching Singapulah, this time teaming up with the Singapore tourism board. Behind a "secret" door, you'll find the restaurant which features classics like Bak Chor Mee, Singapore Laksa, and Mao Shan Wang Durian. It's already fully viral on social and hopefully should be the restaurant to make a success of what recently has been an ill-fated site. 

 

The Shoap by Auld HagThe Shoap by Auld Hag

Islington - 406 St John Street, London EC1V 4ND

In a nutshell: Scottish deli

After years working as a market stall under the Auld Hag title, Gregg Boyd has gone permanent with this deli, cafe and bar in Angel, immediately proving that there was a pent-up need for "Scottish scran". Since opening, there have been queues out the door for their filled morning rolls, tattie scones, cakes and more. Get there as early as you can to make sure you grab some baked goods, but it's also a great place for a late afternooon/early evening drink in Angel. In The Standard, Jimi Famurewa was impressed, saying that when you leave, you'll be "plotting an immediate return".

 

 

January 2024

Juno

Notting Hill - 2-4 Farmer St, London W8 7SN

We may have contributed to the buzz around this tiny new restaurant tucked away upstairs in Los Mochis in Notting Hill after our Instagram reel garnered 370k views. But while we're unlikely to ever get a seat here again given that there are only six, we can't be sad if that's because more of you are heading down to try this exceptional omakase spot.

Read our Test Drive of Juno

 

Farm Shop wine barFarm Shop wine bar

Mayfair - 64 South Audley Street, London W1K 2QT

Farm Shop started life out on an actual farm, Durslade Farm in Bruton, and this is their Mayfair location which, as well as being a shop and butcher, has an extensive wine bar below ground. The entry-level wines by the glass are surprisingly affordable for Mayfair and they're backed up with cheese and charcuterie boards, toasties and more. The perfect little hideaway in the middle of Mayfair.

Read our Test Drive of Farm Shop

 

Alley Cats PizzaAlley Cats Pizza

Marylebone - 22 Paddington St, London W1U 5QY

Alley Cats Pizza has been something of a phenomenon. The pizzeria is based on NYC-style pizzerias with huge pizzas on offer and built up an avid following overnight. There are no bookings so queues are likely at peak times and when you get a table expect the classic crisp-based pizzas to fill the whole table. They do offer click & collect if you're queue-phobic and more branches are on the way. 

 

 

Also see 

The best new London restaurants of 2023
At the end of  2023, it's time to take a look back and highlight the very best restaurants that have opened in London this year.  ...
Read more
Hot Right Now - London's hottest restaurants - October 2024
We give you the lowdown or uber-edit of which London's restaurants are creating the biggest buzz right now...
Read more

 

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