As we approach the end of 2025, it's time to look and the best of the new openings of the year in London. Here are the restaurants that really made a mark.
Opened in December
Stable Wines
Islington - 344a Essex Rd, London N1 3PD
At the time of writing, this new wine bar from the team behind Goodbye Horses and The Dreamery had barely opened its doors. However, our preview visit was sufficient to convince us that this was going to be an immediate hit. The upstairs wine shop on Islington’s Essex Road gives no clues as to the labyrinthine delights below ground. Expect a fully natural wine list and delicious small plates like truffled vol au vents and oysters. Your best bet on getting in is to gather a group and book one of the larger tables, otherwise it’s a case of trying your luck with a walk-in.
Dover Street Counter
Mayfair - 31 Dover Street, London W1S 4ND
Just a few doors down from the Dover, Martin Kuczmarski has opened a sibling restaurant. While you'll definitely see elements of The Dover in the design, this is a more relaxed affair (and more affordable too). Expect a party vibe, American classics on the menu and some great cocktails.
Corenucopia
Chelsea - 18-22 Holbein Place, London SW1W 8NL
Three‑Michelin‑starred chef Clare Smyth's Chelsea restaurant is billed as a luxury bistro that aims to bring her refined cooking to a more relaxed setting. A follow-up to Core (hence the name), this sees her reinventing classic British dishes like toad in the hole and fish & chips, albeit with a very fancy approach.
Opened in November
Martino's
Chelsea - 37 Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AN
This is another new opening from The Dover restaurateur Martin Kuczmarski and this one is a Florentine trattoria. But while new London Italians are ten a penny, Martino’s stands out for its looks (the design is by the same team behind The Dover), its service and its generous dishes. Look out for the old-school XXL pepper grinder being wielded by waiters, and don’t miss out on the lasagna.
The Marlborough
Mayfair - 24 N Audley St, London W1K 6WD
Obviously, Crisp’s new Mayfair home is hot. How could it not be? The much-loved London take on New Haven-style pizzas has been a barnstorming success with its transfer to The Marlborough, with queues of up to five hours being mentioned when it first opened. Even if you don’t manage to get a table in the subterranean pizzeria, it’s probably worth going for a pint of Guinness to soak up the atmosphere.
Read the Test Drive of The Marlborough
Poon's
Temple - Somerset House, New Wing, Lancaster Place, London WC2R 1LA
As the second generation in her family to get the restaurant bug, Amy Poon’s new opening at Somerset House was always going to be of interest. Not only is this a delightful-looking series of dining rooms, but the food also lives up to the promise of great Chinese home cooking. On our visit, the place was packed with one of the broadest customer bases we’ve seen in a while, with students to septuagenarians all enjoying evocatively-monikered dishes like ‘The hill that Amy didn’t die on’.
Hawksmoor St Pancras
King's Cross - St Pancras, Euston Rd., London NW1 2AR
It's been four years since Hawksmoor's last London opening (in Canary Wharf), but their latest might be their most impressive yet. They've taken over what, until recently, was known as The Midland Grand. That was already an impressive room, but with a proper Hawksmoor makeover (wooden flooring, completely new paint job), it looks spectacular and easily the most impressive Hawksmoor to date. That's backed up by The Martini Bar in another beautiful room, that's quickly become one of London's hottest bars.
Bonheur by Matt Abé
Mayfair - 43 Upper Brook Street, London W1K 7QR
This sees former Restaurant Gordon Ramsay chef Matt Abé launching his first solo restaurant in the space that used to be Le Gavroche. A much more modern affair, this sees him creating a fine-dining menu with particularly intricate attention to detail. He kept Gordon's three Michelin stars at his last space, so you can bet he's gunning for a few here too.
Khao Bird
Soho - 24 Brewer Street, London W1F 0SS
Khao Bird launched its first permanent Thai restaurant in Soho after a successful year-long residency at The Globe Tavern in Borough Market. Here, they're all about northern Thai live-fire cooking - the restaurant’s menu blends hyper-regional northern Thai dishes with creative twists, such as khao soi with beef brisket, prawn khanon jeen cold noodles and a beef larb with Campari, alongside other Asian-inspired plates.
Bistro Sablé
Islington - 63–69 Canonbury Rd, London N1 2DG
What was once Smokehouse in Islington has been relaunched a classic French bistro from the same team. Inspired by Parisian restaurants, you'll find classic French fare like French onion soup, rillettes, moules marinere and, of course, snails in garlic on the menu. The lovely outside terrace remains and locals will be happy to know that you can still just pop in for a quick drink and a pate en croute.
Whole Beast
Brixton - 336 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8QH
This sees Whole Beast turning its nose-to-tail, live-fire cooking into a full-time destination after multiple pop-ups and residencies around London. The founders, Sam and Alicja Bryant, took over the former Shrub and Shutter space and promise meat-centric dishes that make the most of every part of the animal. Signature plates include their award-winning aged cheeseburger, whipped smoked cod’s roe with hash browns, green chorizo tacos, fatboy potatoes and apple & cheddar pie.
Automat
Mayfair - 127 Mount St, London W1K 3NT
Over a decade after the original closed, Automat is back in Mayfair with both a new team and home. Billed as a refined take on American dining, the menu here features a must-try burger along with truffled cheese toasties. It's a beautiful space, but finding it takes a bit of effort - you'll need to know that it's at the back of the Tanner Krolle luxury leather goods store on Mount Street.
Aces Foodcraft
Fitzrovia - 8 Pearson Square, London W1T 3BF
Aces Foodcraft comes from chef Alex Craciun, last seen in London at Jason Atherton's Sosharu. Here, he's created a produce-led restaurant which is also influenced by "Japanese precision and seasonal ingredients". It also changes across the day with a tapas-style approach in the day that shifts to a tasting menu in the evening.
Vincenzo's
Shoreditcha - 122 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 6DG
Vincenzo's originally found fame in Bushey, becoming one of the UK's best pizzerias. This second opening in Shoreditch is trying something a little different, however, as it's specialising as a slice shop. So, if you're in the area and hungry, it's the perfect place to swing by and grab a slice of their excellent margherita, tomato and pepperoni, vodka sauce and burrata slices, or the more unique spanakopita slice.
Plaza Khao Gaeng
Borough Yards - 18 Stoney St, London SE1 9AD
After such big success as part of Arcade food hall, Plaza Khao Gaeng opened in Borough Yards, bringing the vibrant, spicy flavours of southern Thai khao gaeng (curry over rice) to the edge of Borough Market. Here you'll find fragrant curries, rich stir-fries and dishes inspired by Thai market cooking. Expect plenty of heat in the dishes here too.
Opened in October
2210 by NattyCanCook
Herne Hill - 75 Norwood Road, London SE24 9AA
When announcing his solo restaurant, much was made (including by us) of Nathaniel Mortley's time in HMP Brixton and how he's reformed himself through his cooking and pop-ups. But even with that compelling background, the chef would have to deliver the goods with his first solo restaurant, and he's definitely done that. Here, the food is billed as "reimagining Caribbean classics with refined flair", and the response so far has been hugely positive.
Ria's Soho
Soho - 29 Fouberts Place, London W1F 7QF
The original Ria's proved to be pretty popular in its original Notting Hill location, but their second opening in Soho has been a massive hit and very hard to get a table at without a lot of notice. It's not hard to see why; the combination of a great natural wine list and a menu of deep-dish Detroit-style pizzas to soak up the alcohol is just perfect for Soho. Look out for their exclusive Soho pizza, the Chilli Crisp.
The Shaston Arms
Soho - 4 Ganton Street, London W1F 7QL
After big success in Barnes with The Waterman's Arms, the same team (one of whom was responsible for founding Patty & Bun) have turned their sights to Soho and have revitalised another pub. The Shaston Arms might have only opened back in 1999, but it had something of a devoted following (hopefully they're happy with this reinvention). While still very much a drinking pub, the food has had a big overhaul with The Waterman's Arms chef Sam Andrews, who was previously a chef at Ducksoup, back in Soho and in charge of the kitchen here.
Photo by Hannah Norris
Motorino
Fitzrovia - 1 Pearson Square, London W1T 3BF
Only a few months after Stevie Parle launched Town to a warm reception from the critics, he opened a follow-up, but it's not quite a case of Town Mk II. While the two restaurants clearly share the same designer, with a modern/retro design in place at Motorino, the food has taken a very different turn, with the restaurant billed as a "London Italian". Luke Ahearne leads the kitchen and he won his last restaurant, Lita, a Michelin star in record time (you can see versions of a few of his Lita creations at Motorino).
The Hart
Marylebone - 35 Blandford Street, London W1U 7HA
The Public House Group, which originally launched The Pelican, seem to be on fire when it comes to opening cracking pubs. The Hart is their latest addition and it's also their most central London pub yet. Familiar touches are in place, like a real attention to detail in the design (it looks gorgeous) and the mix of a pub downstairs and a more formal restaurant upstairs (with their trademark low/flattering lighting). Opening in an area which currently currently has no Chiltern Firehouse has meant that the restaurant has quickly become something of a scene.
Ben Murphy at 74 Charlotte Street
Fitzrovia - 74 Charlotte St., London W1T 4QH
Ben Murphy made a name for himself at Launceston Place and has brought his imaginative cooking to the former Mere site with a British-leaning menu. His dishes blend classic technique with playful touches and seasonal flavours, ranging from beautifully executed fish to reimagined meat courses, with thoughtful wine pairings and a welcoming atmosphere that feels sophisticated without being intimidating. There's also a fabulous ground-floor bar to check out.
Read the Ben Murphy Test Drive
Maset
Marylebone - 40-42 Chiltern Street, London W1U 7QN
Coming from the same team as Lurra and Donostia, Maset is a stylish French-Mediterranean restaurant in Marylebone that concentrates on the coastal flavours of southern France’s Occitan region. Dishes include bouillabaisse-inspired croquettes, pâtes au pistou and some great steak options. The team have delivered the ideal neighbourhood restaurant for Marylebone, and it also helps that the cocktails are excellent.
Arthur's Market
Chelsea - 279 King’s Rd, London SW3 5EW
From the people behind Belgravia's Prince Arthur pub, Arthur’s Market is a luxury grocery, deli, fishmonger and butcher which also happens to have two counter-dining restaurants at its heart. ASA Izakaya is a Japanese hand-roll and sushi bar serving fresh fish sourced daily. Beside it, Salvador offers Mediterranean-inspired wood-fired pintxo dishes and a wine bar, centred on a grill and bespoke wine fridges.
The Black Eel
Dalston - Address
This new Dalston pub has a frontage that used to be a pie and eel shop, but it opens up into a huge pub with lots of interconnecting rooms behind that. The food here is by Riley's led by ex-Lagom chef Billy Fisher, who has put together a menu of Med-influenced comfort food. The burger and the fried potatoes are must-haves, and the massive beer garden out the back will be very useful next summer.
Opened in September
Lilibet's
Mayfair - 17 Bruton Street, London W1J 6QB
We were early in to experience the charms of Lillibet's, an extremely fancy-looking seafood restaurant in Mayfair, but even then, the word had already got out that this was a place to go, with the place packed out from the very early days. Restaurateur Ross Shonhan has form - he’s the man behind Bone Daddies and used to be executive chef at Nobu. Here he’s created that rare beast in this part of town, a glamorous spot to eat out that also has real heart. The seafood is fabulous; our tip would be not to miss the coal-roasted oysters.
Nela
Bayswater - 163 Queensway, London W2 4BD
Jeremy King proved that the people of Bayswater were looking for a great restaurant when he opened The Park and now, down the other end of Queensway, Nela is doing the same. The live-fire restaurant originates in Amsterdam and is the first to open and the revamped Whiteleys building, now called The Whiteley. The menu has hints of Nobu, but at a more accessible price point, and the vibe takes a similar approach. So it adds a bit of glamour to Bayswater, but still feels at home in the neighbourhood.
Alta
Carnaby - Unit G9, Kingly Court, Kingly St, London W1B 5PW
This is the second group from Mad Restaurants and they've clearly started very strong. Their first opening, Moi, was one of our favourite meals of the year so far, and this is just as good, albeit a very different type of restaurant. It's the return to London of chef Rob Roy Cameron, previously at Untitled in Dalston but more recently at Albert Adria's 48 Degrees in Barcelona. Here, he's put together a range of dishes inspired by Northern Spain and from our early visit, it's clear that the cooking is exceptionally good.
Carbone
Mayfair - 30 Grosvenor Square, London W1K 6AN
There’s no use pretending you haven’t heard about Carbone. The arrival of the much-vaunted New York Italian restaurant in London was shrouded in secrecy up until opening, when it was then announced with a veritable onslaught of publicity. So far we know Leo and Kate Moss have dined here, and Posh Spice has also been in. While critics have been divided, we found ourselves hugely impressed with the buzz of the place and it really is a proper scene like no other in London.
Kudu
Marylebone - 7 Moxon Street, London W1U 4EP
From Peckham to Marylebone is quite the leap, but that’s precisely what South African-inspired restaurant Kudu has done. Chef Patrick Williams and his wife Amy Corbin (yes she’s the daughter of one half of uber restaurateurs Corbin & King) have consolidated all three of their South East London restaurants into one glamorous spot in the centre of town. There’s no denying that the new place looks fabulous, and they’ve managed to keep the charm that made everyone love them.
Lagana
Shoreditch - 19 Willow St, London EC2A 3HU
It was a pretty safe bet to expect that the latest opening from the London Pachamama Group would be a hit. After all the past couple of years have seen enjoying a flawless run of hot new restaurants, starting with Zephyr and Bottarga and ramping it up more recently with Nina and now Lagana. Lagana used to be Pachamama East, but it’s had a slick new makeover and joined the rest of the group in embracing a Mediterranean menu, here it’s got a Greek focus.
ADOH!
Covent Garden - 36 Maiden Lane, London WC2E 7LJ
The team behind Kolamba have already opened two successful restaurants, but this new one's been a bit of a leap for them. Focused on Sri Lankan street food, it's at a more accessible price point and is mainly set up as a walk-in space (although you can now book too). As a result, it's proven to be extremely popular in Covent Garden, where there isn't anything quite like it in the immediate area. It's also an extremely handy place to go pre-theatre. Mutton rolls and chilli prawn toast are the must-have snacks, while there are curries and fried chicken on a curry leaf waffle for the main event.
Bar Brasso
Nine Elms - 3 Viaduct Gardens, London SW11 7AY
Robin Gill opened Bar Brasso, an all-day café-deli and aperitivo bar beside his Darby’s restaurant in Nine Elms, London. The space begins mornings with coffee, pastries and deli sandwiches before serving seasonal lunch dishes like beef shin lasagne and roast chicken. In the evenings, it transforms into a relaxed aperitivo bar around a long marble counter with small plates such as sage and anchovy fritters, devilled egg crostini and mussels with nduja, plus the “Bourdain toastie.” Drinks include Campari-led cocktails, wines and a txakoli tap.
Aki London
Marylebone - 1 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0LA
Even before it had opened, new sushi spot Aki was hosting A-listers who were keen to see what exactly the £15m transformation of an old bank in Marylebone actually looked like. Across three floors it certainly looks as though the money has been well spent; there’s even a hidden nightclub in the old vault. But all this would mean nothing if the food wasn’t good, and the Kyoto farm-to-table proposition made this restaurant stand out in London’s insanely competitive sushi scene.
Read the Aki London Test Drive
Finks Clissold Park
Stoke Newington - Clissold House, Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 9HJ
The Finks empire’s progress across North and East London continued with their takeover of the huge cafe space at Clissold House in Stoke Newington. Although much of the offering is devoted to take out, there is a rather beautiful dining room where chef/owner Jess and Head Chef Matilde Romeo (ex Serpentine Gallery Cafe) deliver a seasonal menu spiked with interesting things. It’s also a major plus point for nearby families that the kids’ menu here is on point too.
Michael Caines at The Stafford
Mayfair - 16-18 St James's Pl, London SW1A 1NJ
Michael Caines at The Stafford marks the Michelin-starred chef’s first foray into London restaurants. The newest addition to this classic St James hotel food offering, Caines’ modern European cooking turned out to be a perfect foil. As you might expect, it's a fine dining affair with a menu that focuses on peak-season British produce, mixing new dishes created for London with favourites from the chef's Lympstone Manor, along with a few classics from The Stafford’s own history.
Liverpool Street Chop House & Tavern
City of London - 16a New St, London EC2M 4TR
With former M Restaurants CEO Martin Williams and exec chef Mike Reid running the show, the Evolv Collection say they're returning to the founding vision of Sir Terence Conran with a series of old-school chophouses in the City. On the menu you'll find a pea soope (sic) using a recipe from the 1600s, along with a proper beef shin and oyster suet pudding that'll help set any tough day in the office to rights. The Guinness is served in tankards, the bar snacks offering is extensive and it's been an immediate hit with the City crowd.
The Elizabeth
Belgravia - 139 Ebury St, London SW1W 9QU
What was once The Ganymede has been reborn with chef Anthony Demetre and chef David Halewood taking the food in a British bistronomy direction. And the results have been popular with critics and locals alike. The terrines, Cornish day boat fish and seasonal desserts matched with an interesting drinks list have given this Belgravia gastropub a new lease of life. As for that name? It's royalty-inspired, but we haven't heard if anyone from Buckingham Palace has been in yet.
Jiaonest
Haggerston - 230 Kingsland Road, London E2 8AX
If any new opening was guaranteed to look the part, it’s Jiāonest in Haggerston. Chef-owner Hua Yang came to London to study spatial design, but her supperclubs quickly revealed a bigger calling — sharing the bold, herbal flavours of her Chongqing childhood. So there are dishes like her grandmother's Mapo Tofu on the menu alongside the must-try Duck Duck rice toast. Clever design elements make you forget you're in a basement on Kingsland Road. If you're looking for somewhere to explore the regional cooking of Chongqing, where you can also enjoy a good bottle of orange wine, this is the place.
Opened in August
The Macbeth
Hoxton - 70 Hoxton Street, London N1 6LP
This much-loved pub has been around since the 1800s but its most recent reinvention is what brought it to a new audience of London foodies. Jamie Allan, the chef known for his time at Four Legs and The Plimsoll, and his friend Patrick Nolan, took on the East London boozer, keeping its spirit but elevating its food offering considerably. Now the leans into the flavours of Portuguese tascas with their bifana instantly becoming one of London's great sandwiches.
Legado
Shoreditch - 1 Montacute Yards, 185-186 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6HU
Hot on the heels of the opening of Singburi in Montacute Yards comes another buzzy launch, courtesy of Michelin-starred chef Nieves Barragán. And this one’s big, both in terms of Nieves’ reputation, but also size-wise. There’s a separate bar that’s open all day if you fancy a cerveza and some croquetas, but the massive menu will take more than a few visits to work your way through. Expect to find dishes that roam the length and breadth of Spain, along with some very clever takes on homestyle cooking.
Carmela's
Islington - 149A Upper St, London N1 1RA
What happens when two food influencers and a restaurateur get together to open a pizza restaurant? If you want to know the answer, you’ll have to hotfoot it down to Upper Street, where Phil Chaykin (Ugly Dumpling) and Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany (Bite Twice) have gone into business together with Carmela’s. NYC-inspired pies are at the core of the offer. The tardis-like restaurant is like a hit of New York Italian in the heart of Islington, and it’s been packed out since Day 1.
Opened in July
Island
King's Cross - Mare Street Market, Lewis Cubitt Square, London N1C 4DY
Island at Mare Street Market is essentially a surf-and-turf restaurant that brings together top chefs Tom Brown and Brad Carter, splitting “surf” and “turf” between seafood and meat-led plates. Inside a chandelier-lit dining room, the menu focuses on inventive pairings across small and large plates, including oysters, beef tartare, skewers and a standout Island mixed grill for two. Make sure to leave room for dessert and a standout take on a McDonald's apple pie.
Luna
South Bank - Unit 6, 36 Shad Thames, Butlers Wharf Building, London SE1 2YE
Tucked down an alleyway off Shad Thames, just yards from the tourist hordes at Tower Bridge. Jay Patel’s new neighbourhood wine bar, bottle shop and restaurant turned out to be a compelling sibling to his Bib Gourmand-winning Legare across the road. The decor might be modern but the list is more classic London wine bar. As for the food, Matt Beardmore's menu keeps things simple and produce-led: dressed oysters, crudos and amazing parker house rolls. A small but confident new addition to Shad Thames.
MOI
Soho - 86 Wardour St, London W1F 0TQ
Restaurateur Artem Login (L’ETO) has a new venture, MAD restaurants, and MOI is the first of a pair of new openings by this group in central London. He’s come out of the gates strong with this impressive new Japanese restaurant, which takes over two sprawling floors in Soho with a live fire restaurant upstairs, sushi bar downstairs and massive late-night listening bar too. But not only does it look the part, it’s serving too; the food we had was some of the best we’ve eaten in London so far this year.
Shanghai Me
Mayfair - 28th Floor, Hilton on Park Lane, 22 Park Lane, London W1K 1BE
When London gets a new high-rise restaurant, you can always expect a certain degree of buzz around its opening. But the arrival of Shanghai Me at the top of the Hilton on Park Lane has created more than the usual level of hype. With outposts in Dubai and Doha, this new opening serves up a pan-Asian mix with everything from dim sum to Singapore noodles on offer.
Read our Test Drive of Shanghai Me
Speedboat Bar at the Electric
Notting Hill - 191 Portobello Road, London W11 2ED
It’s fair to say that the restaurant/diner section of The Electric on Notting Hill has taken time to find its groove. But the arrival of Luke Farrell’s white hot success story Speedboat Bar looks like being just the restaurant to do the job. As with the OG restaurant in Soho it serves up a series of must-order Thai street food specials. Expect this to be the kind of party place that Soho House does well, with food that’s as hot as the crowd.
Opened in June
Singburi
Shoreditch - Unit 7 Montacute Yards, Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6HU
The original Singburi was extremely popular in its original Leytonstone location, but this move to Shoreditch has pushed things into the stratosphere (and the mainstream). Taking a new approach with chef Sirichai Kularbwong fully taking over the reins from his parents, this has been an instant hit. Getting a table is challenging, but not impossible (particularly if you avoid weekends), and it's worth it for some of the very best Thai food in the city.
Read our Test Drive of Singburi
Lupa
Highbury - 73 Highbury Park, London N5 1UA
White Lotus actor Theo James teamed up with Carousel co-founder Ed Templeton for this venture, bringing in ex-Pidgin chef Naz Hassan to lead the kitchen. It's clearly a match made in heaven as they've revitalised this tiny restaurant space with an excellent Roman-style menu. The deeply yellow carbonara is the breakout star from the menu, but overall it's a great little neighbourhood restaurant. There's also a decent likelihood of seeing some celebs in here, as long as you manage to secure a highly sought-after booking.
Canal
Westbourne Grove - 11 Woodfield Rd, London W9 2BA
Canal saw the team behind Bistro Freddie and Crispin head west for the first time, opening as part of the Mason & Fifth hotel in Westbourne Park. As with their previous restaurants, this canalside restaurant (that's where the name comes from) has been a big hit, led by New Yorker Adrian Hernandez Farina (previously at Humo). Dishes are seasonal, but if there's one dish that everyone has to get, it's the table cheeseburger - a burger split into quarters for everyone to snack on as a middle course.
Lai Rai
Peckham - 181 Rye Lane, Peckham SE15 4TP
The team behind Bánh Bánh are behind this all-day Vietnamese café-turned-evening canteen on Rye Lane. By day, expect strong cà phê sữa and bánh mì (including a vegan version with whipped tofu pâté). Come evening, it’s all about grilled meats, crispy chicken and cocktails like the Ca Phe Martini – think Espresso Martini with a Vietnamese twist. There's even Laughing Cow cheese ice cream. Chef Blair Nguyen (Vinaxoa) is on food duties in a restaurant that David Ellis in The Standard called it "mostly triumphant".
Mareida
Fitzrovia - 160 Great Portland St, London W1W 5QA
Chilean food isn't something that's well represented in London, so the arrival of Merida brings something fresh to the food scene. Inspired by all things Chile (they've even imported Chilean rocks for a wall display) there are some similarities with other South American cuisine, but also some genuinely new things to try here - the mussels in charcoal shells are particularly great. The steak and poached egg dish is a must-have, but save room for the desserts, where there are some real showstoppers.
Fan
Notting Hill - 6 Chepstow Road, London W2 5BH
After making waves in Lima (in a city that also boasts the World's Best Restaurant Maido), Nikkei omakase spot Fan quietly opened in Notting Hill and it very quickly became a local favourite. Here you can expect an omakase menu or inventive à la carte dishes blending Japanese technique with Peruvian and Chinese influences. Think scallops with squash butter and crispy rice, or ceviche with coconut tiger’s milk and ikura. Behind it are Lima chefs Romania Parra, Jorge Sasaki and Santiago Wong, bringing serious Nikkei energy to Notting Hill.
Opened in May
Belly
Kentish Town - 157 Kentish Town Road NW1 8PD
Belly was the first of a series of new openings this year in North London from restaurateur Omar Shah, who was the co-founder of Mamasons and Ramo Ramen. Here in Kentish Town his latest bistro took both Filipino and European influences to come up with a compelling menu. So tinola chicken might come with a beurre blanc, while beef fat fries with thousand island dressing were a must-have. The cocktail offering was equally strong - think watermelon calamansi margaritas and coconut espresso martinis.
Osteria Angelina
City/Shoreditch - 1 Nicholl's Clarke Yard, off Blossom Street, London E1 6SH
The Japanese and Italian influences behind Dalston's Angelina have always proved to be a winning combination and that continues to be the case with their newest opening on the borders between Shoreditch and Spitalfields. For their second restaurant, they've moved away from their tasting menu concept to more of an a la carte offering. Grace Dent loved it, saying "It will also offend purists everywhere, but being upset has never been so delicious." Look out for their in-house pastaio making pasta in a glass-enclosed kitchen beside the dining room.
Read the Osteria Angelina Test Drive
Town
Covent Garden - 26-29 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5RL
This restaurant saw the return of chef Stevie Parle to the big time, with a restaurant that's extremely stylish and unlike anything else in Covent Garden. Expect a menu that puts the producers front and centre. Parle has been building these relationships for a long time, and from the cheese, which is made by members of his own family, to the amazing steak. The critics praised its looks "a sleek, capacious, ever-so-slightly Austin Powers-esque...pleasure palace", declared Grace Dent in the Guardian, the "showstopping" bread with Town gravy that Giles Coren loved in The Times.
Eel Sushi Bar
Notting Hill - 118 Talbot Road, London W11 1JR
Eel Sushi comes from Chris D'Sylva, the man behind Dorian which is only just across the road and it's just as hard to get into. The good news is that the sushi quality more than matches the difficulty of securing your seat at the counter. It's an a la carte affair making it stand out from all the recent omakase openings and it immediately became one of the best places for sushi in Notting Hill (as well as being quite the scene).
Duchy
Shoreditch - 18 Phipp Street, London EC2A 4NU
Taking over the old Leroy spot, Suchy is owned by a pair that worked in its previous incarnation, including chef Simon Shand. They've shifted to a focus on French and Italian food, with more than a little Alpine influence (particularly in the house bread, fougasse). That menu features some fantastic hits, from exceptional crab arancini to a truly great French take on sausage and mash. Pair that with an excellent wine list and one of the best martinis we've had in 2025 and this is a firm winner.
Norbert's
East Dulwich - 5-6 Melbourne Terrace, Melbourne Grove, London SE22 8PL
In a nutshell: Rotisserie chicken with a great pedigree
Rotisserie chicken has been making a bit of a comeback of late, with both Toum and Chuck's creating waves. However, this East Dulwich version is notable for the people behind it, John Ogier (ex-Lyle's, The Marksman) and chef Jack Coghlan (ex-Planque and Lyle's). That team is delivering a chicken shop experience like no other, with carefully sourced chicken backed up by lots of added extras like lentils vinaigrette and chicken-fat new season potatoes to go with the main event. Their chicken bun also looks worth crossing town for.
Marjorie's
Soho - 26 Foubert's Place, Soho, London W1F 7PP
Marjorie's comes from a duo that is new to hospitality but who have clearly been doing their homework, as the wine bar/restaurant has been packed almost from day one. The Parisian-inspired space that's just off Carnaby Street is a great little space with an excellent wine list, backed up by a great modern French menu by chef Giacomo Peretti. The poached chicken with crunchy rice is excellent, but if you have pretty much any of the small plates on offer here, you'll be in for a great meal. Celebs are also starting to discover it, making it one of the places to be seen.
Read the Marjorie's Test Drive
Romeo San
Marylebone – 32 Paddington Street, London W1U 4HG
From the family behind Le Relais de Venise, this sleek, walk-in-only temaki bar is their luxe take on Japanese dining. At Romeo San, it’s all about premium handrolls – think caviar, freshly grated truffle (via Meera Courtesi), and fish from Notting Hill Fish Shop. The 25-seat counter is headed up by ex-Sushi Atelier chef Rodrigo Alonso, with Dorian alum Roxy Voinea running the floor. You can even skip the queue and pick up a DIY handroll kit for home.
Sino
Notting Hill – 7 All Saints Road, London W11 1HA
The second prominent Ukrainian restaurant to open in 2025, Sino brings a refined, modern take to Notting Hill. From Polina Sychova and chef Eugene Korolev (ex-Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe), the menu nods to its name – meaning “hay” – with dishes like hay-infused mushroom broth, BBQ catfish with cherry glaze, and vareniky with oxtail and housemade garum. Ukrainian mixologist Ana Reznik (ex-A Bar with Shapes for a Name) handles cocktails, including a standout Buckwheat Milk Punch.
Kokin
Stratford - 7th Floor, The Stratford, 20 International Way, London E20 1FD
The team behind Hannah by County Hall went east with Kokin, taking over the former Allegra site on the 7th floor of The Stratford. Chef Daisuke Shimoyama is behind a woodfired Japanese menu, plus a sushi bar blending Temae (you choose) with Omakase (chef’s choice). Expect a slick space, big views and - of course - whole bluefin tuna breakdown nights.
Myrtos
South Kensington - 37–45 Kensington High Street, London W8 5ED
Part of London’s Greek food renaissance, Myrtos is the debut solo spot from ex-Pied à Terre chef Asimakis Chaniotis, taking over the old Aubaine site. Expect modern dishes inspired by regions across Greece, like lobster giouvetsi, Dorset snail flatbread, and lamb belly skewers - all using a mix of Greek and UK produce. There’s a Greek cheese trolley for good measure, and drinks are from Athens cocktail bar Line (No.6 in the World’s 50 Best Bars), including a Bloody Mary riff with sun-dried tomatoes and beetroot molasses.
Opened in April
One Club Row
Shoreditch - 1 Club Row, London E1 6JX
Easily one of the hottest restaurant openings of the year, One Club Row has been the place to be seen since it opened. Chef Patrick Powell’s menu is full of nods to both Paris and New York (the burger is a must-have) and the martinis and general bonhomie just add to the vibe. The critics also lauded it as an instant hit. The Standard’s David Ellis was an early fan calling it “E1’s answer to The Dover” while in The Sunday Times, Charlotte Ivers said it made her "instantly feel there’s nowhere on earth that could possibly be more fun at this precise moment."
Read the One Club Row Test Drive
Josephine
Marylebone - 6-8 Blandford St, London W1U 4AU
Much more central than the original Chelsea opening, this leans more towards a Parisian brasserie with a hitlist of French classics, including a very good soufflé au Camembert and some excellent terrines. Critic reception has been mixed however. Giles Coren in The Times enjoyed the "great cooking, serious staff, top-class looks and real personality" but in The Standard, David Ellis was less impressed, calling it "Café Rouge with a bit of lippy on.". There are already whispers of a follow-up in the works.
Tom Brown at The Capital
Knightsbridge - The Capital, 22-24 Basil St, London SW3 1AT
The opening of chef Tom Brown’s new Knightsbridge restaurant marks a completion of the circle for the chef who first came to prominence when working here under chef Nathan Outlaw. Now it’s his name above the door, and fans who loved his food at Cornerstone are making the pilgrimage here to enjoy his seafood-focused offering. David Ellis at the Standard felt “Brown is operating at a level rarely witnessed” but thinks there’s still room for improvement. Reform voter William Sitwell, meanwhile, was less of a fan, calling it "dull and misconceived." We think that if you love inventive seafood in a luxurious setting, this should tick all the boxes for you.
The Kerfield Arms
Camberwell - 16 Grove Lane, London SE5 8SY
London’s roster of excellent gastropubs got another addition to its swelling ranks in this Camberwell pub from the team who brought us the critical hit The Baring. The same team has brought over its seasonal menu approach (and the chef) to great effect. As with their Islington sibling, there’s a popular skewer dish on the menu - here it’s Cornish squid & lardo shish with pul biber chilli, which should give you an idea of the inventiveness of the offering. When we visited, literally everything we tried was a banger, but if you don’t order pizza dough with tarama or the doughnut, then that’s on you.
Read The Kerfield Arms Test Drive
Tatar Bunar
Shoreditch - 152 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3AT
London’s Ukrainian dining scene continues to boom, and the arrival of Tatar Bunar in Shoreditch is just one more reason to head to this part of town to dine out. Grace Dent was enchanted by this quaint and charmingly rustic restaurant, which she said was "already most definitely a highlight of 2025". Southern Ukraine provides the culinary inspiration here with a menu that includes mushrooms on a grapevine twig while the village onion bread comes with lardo and elderberry pickles.
Ara
Aldgate - 66 Alie Street, London E1 8PX
Just down the road from his Middle Eastern hit Amber, restaurateur Murat Kilic opened Ara, a globe-trotting, sustainability-focused spot inspired by his love of travel. The menu ranges from dishes like mussel skewers with roasted chicken wings to blackened leeks with muhammara and XO sauce, plus short rib with date demi-glaze. Interiors by Nina Woodcroft (ex-Silo) feature pineapple leather, recycled plastics and offcut steel. The drinks list keeps the eco-vibes going too, with Discarded Spirits cocktails and low-intervention wines.
Opened in March
The Lavery
South Kensington - 4 Cromwell Place, London SW7 2JE
The critics were unanimous: The Lavery is a very beautiful restaurant. "It’s modern minimalist with a glut of leftover grandeur from fine times past," declared Grace Dent in The Guardian, while Giles Coren in the Times said, “It’s the sort of place I often have dreams about living in.” The good news is that the food by former River Cafe chef Yohei Furuhashi more than lives up to the surroundings. Think ultra seasonal with a modern European sensibility. When we visited, we were big fans of the gnocchi (which Coren also praises as ‘perfect’).
Read our Test Drive of the Lavery
Nina
Marylebone - 18 Thayer St, London W1U 3JY
Having seen its last new opening, Bottarga, immediately became one of those hard-to-book restaurants, the same team used a similar Mediterranean approach for Nina. They were rewarded with immediate buzz that this subterranean, Mediterranean-focused Marylebone opening on social (which was once the original Pachamama). We popped in for dinner to find the place heaving (in the best possible way). Go for crudo and ‘tini cocktails; this is a place to dress up for.
The Fat Badger
Notting Hill - 310 Portobello Rd, London W10 5TA
Given their success with opening pubs so far - we present The Pelican, The Hero and The Bull (in the Cotswolds) as evidence - it's not all that surprising that the same team scored another win with The Fat Badger. However, this is a bit of a different beast, as the pub is actually on top of their super popular Notting Hill restaurant Canteen. Grace Dent was an early fan, calling it "immensely likable" and Charlotte Ivers in the Sunday Times agreed, saying " all the ingredients are so cleverly balanced, so frequently surprising."
27 Old Compton Street
Soho – 27 Old Compton Street, London W1D 5JS
Restaurateur Nima Safaei (behind 40 Dean Street) stuck with the street-name theme for his latest Italian opening but this one’s all about speed. Inspired by tavola calda dining, it's a fast, fresh pasta pitstop perfect for a quick Soho refuel. The 30-seater restaurant, which encourages walk-ins, serves dishes like rigatoni amatriciana, pumpkin & ricotta ravioli, and gnocchi with cavolo nero, alongside Italian wines by the glass and cocktails with a Mediterranean twist. Ideal for pre-theatre or post-club carb loading and extremely good value too.
Read the 27 Old Compton Street Test Drive
Luna Omakase
City of London - 9th Floor, 100 Liverpool St, London EC2M 2AT
Like the original Los Mochis, the City version also has a hidden-away omakase restaurant that acts as a separate space. Seating just 12 people and serving up 12 courses (influenced by the moon of the title), this serves an ever-changing Japanese omakase menu, with excellent sushi dishes and some theatricality throughout.
Opened in February
The Knave of Clubs
Shoreditch - 25 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6JX
One Club Row may be stealing all the press (see above), but the pub downstairs is worth a visit in itself. Run by the same team, their aim to create a proper pub with great food in the heart of Shoreditch was clearly a success, with the pub packed out only days after opening. It's helped by having Powell in charge of a menu that, while being led by (very good) rotisserie chicken, features a range of excellent pub snacks, not to mention a must-have prawn scotch egg.
Read our Knave of Clubs Test Drive
Senza Fondo
Shoreditch - 1 Rufus St, London N1 6PE
Italian restaurant Senza Fondo has one key selling point - its bottomless lasagna. That comes in traditional or artichoke varieties (and even in a sandwich) and it's a simple premise that has meant the restaurant is booked out for months ahead - people do love a good deal. There is more to the restaurant than layered pasta, though. Assuming you don't overdo it on the lasagna, you'll also find pizzette, pasta and snacks like deep-fried mozzarella sticks. The Standard's David Ellis was convinced: "It is better than Big Mamma, just about, and not nearly so pleased with itself."
Cálong
Stoke Newington – 35 Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 0NX
After seven years running the Michelin-starred Galvin at Windows, chef Joo Won struck out on his own with Cálong, a relaxed Stoke Newington spot blending French technique with subtle Korean flavours. Signature dishes like kimchi risotto, “JFC” (Joo’s Fried Chicken) and sweet soy pork terrine bring his modern, personal take on Korean food to life. In The Guardian, Grace Dent put it simply: "There’s an awful lot to like about Cálong".
Opened in January
The Prince Arthur
Belgravia - 11 Pimlico Rd, London SW1W 8NA
London has had a run of impressive gastropubs of late, and The Prince Arthur is part of that trend, albeit by going at things a little differently. While it looks like a more traditional pub when you first go in the door, it's one with a beautiful design (that amazing ceiling particularly) and a Basque menu that dips into luxe territory (it is in Belgravia, after all). There's plenty of caviar (their own brand) and the Basque cheesecake is up there with London's best. Grace Dent was an early fan, saying "above all, the cooking is wonderful, especially if seafood is your thing."
Read our Test Drive of The Prince Arthur
Dove
Notting Hill - 31 Kensington Park Road, London W11 2EU
Reacting to increasing costs that have particularly hit the seafood market, Jackson Boxer closed what was Orasay in Notting Hill and brought it back to life as Dove. Instead of the seafood focus, it's now a restaurant that concentrates on "elevated comfort food" with dishes on the menu including the fantastic deep-fried truffle lasagne. It seems to be a gamble that's paid off. While the look of the restaurant itself hasn't changed, the new approach has brought more life and, more importantly, renewed interest into what has always been a great Notting Hill place. As Bella Freud in The Guardian said, "The food at Dove is amazing."
Bar Valette
Shoreditch - 28 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8AA
Taking over the space that once held Two Lights, Bar Valette saw Isaac McHale and team opening something that's related to The Clove Club, but an altogether more casual experience than that two-Michelin-starred affair. Taking Europe as its focus, particularly France and Spain, the menu features a great collection of snacks (the fried barbajuans are fantastic) and more rustic fare (albeit through a Shoreditch lens) like the Fabada bean stew.
Read our Test Drive of Bar Valette
Don't Tell Dad
Queen's Park - 10-14 Lonsdale Road, London NW6 6RD
Londoners love a good bakery and that's just what Don't Tell Dad kicked off with when it first launched at the very end of 2024. This was followed by their restaurant which is billed as being a neighbourhood-focused affair. But despite their more modest goals, the restaurant organically blew up on social media, particularly on TikTok. David Ellis in The Standard didn't buy into the hype, but Jay Rayner was more of a fan, calling "a class act" and Giles Coren definitely enjoyed it. The huge pork cassoulet is the dish to get (but also make sure to have the madeleines, which are made to order).
Read the Don't Tell Dad Test Drive
Breadstall
Soho - 92-93 Berwick St, London W1F 0QB
Breadstall built itself a great reputation in Battersea over the years, but really stepped up a gear or two with this much bigger Soho operation. New York has many pizzas-by-the-slice options, so it was about time that London had one too and Breadstall really delivers on that front. The toppings change regularly, but if the vodka sauce one is on, make that a priority. Dips are good too.
Read our Test Drive of Breadstall
Himi
Carnaby - 4 Newburgh Street, London W1F 7RF
Following their omakase-focused Roji, chefs Tamas Naszai and Tomoko Hasegawa launched Himi, a laid-back neo-izakaya in Carnaby. Expect a relaxed but refined take on Japanese dining, with dishes like scallop isobe age, inaniwa udon with duck dashi, and Yorkshire wagyu with Jerusalem artichoke. There's charcoal cooking, and strong sushi and sashimi dishes, with a strong focus on seasonality. It's a more casual vibe than Roji, but still with all the care and precision these two chefs are known for.
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