As we've reached the halfway point of the year, it's time to look and the best of the new openings of 2025 in London (so far), running from January to June. 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.
Opened in November
Martino's
Chelsea - 37 Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AN
Even before it had officially been announced, Martino’s was the kind of restaurant we were getting emails about. ‘What’s that restaurant opening up on the corner of Sloane Square?’ readers asked. ‘It looks like a nice place for a drink.’ Well, it turned out that The Dover restaurateur Martin Kuczmarski had been keeping something rather large under his hat - a new Florentine trattoria to be exact. 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. Is it worth the wait? That’s a hugely subjective question but as David Ellis in the Standard put it, “There are many excellent places with empty seats. But they are not Crisp.” 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. Places for their soft launch went in minutes, their Christmas Day lunch sold out instantly, which proves that the steak group is still as big as ever.
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. Grace Dent was among the first in, saying "there’s an attention to detail in every dish that makes this place more than fit for a special occasion" and "it’s definitely up there in the best-of list".
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. Although Grace Dent was unimpressed with "little or no hospitality at all", we've also seen many raves about the place on social.
Photo by Hannah Norris
Motorino
Fitzrovia - 1 Pearson Square, London W1T 3BF
It's only been a few months since Stevie Parle launched Town, to a warm reception from the critics. Now he's 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. Rather than Parle leading, this time it's the turn of Luke Ahearne, who won his last restaurant, Lita, a Michelin star in record time (and you can see versions of a few of his Lita creations at Motorino). The restaurant is billed as a "London Italian", which does allow them to get away with a little inauthenticity where needed, but ultimately it's an excellent new Italian restaurant from an acclaimed chef and has a pretty decent bar attached.
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 has no Chiltern Firehouse has meant that the restaurant has quickly become something of a scene. As ever, the food is supported by produce from their farm, with dishes like bubble & squeak on the menu and particularly great snacks in place for the downstairs pub.
Opened in September
Lilibet's
Mayfair - 17 Bruton Street, London W1J 6QB
We were early 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. It's impressed David Ellis in The Standard, who gave it a five-star review, saying "Have I ever eaten anything better? I couldn’t swear to it."
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. Already popular in its early days, expect this to become a major hit over the next few weeks as word gets out.
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. The first reviews have been middling - David Ellis in the Standard said “there’s no denying its glamour” but thought the famous vodka pasta was just fine. Sunday Times critic Charlotte Ivers proclaimed the Caesar salad “impeccable”, the chicken scarpariello less so. 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 manged to keep the charm that made everyone love them. As Grace Dent said in her review, "Kudu is already a delight". You mustn’t miss the showstopping dessert Kit Kat tart with burnt marshmallow.
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. It’s been impossible to miss on social, with East Londoners enjoying finally having the spotlight shone on their neck of the woods.
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. In The Standard, David Ellis was an early fan, saying it "offers the best fast food in the city".
Opened in August
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. On day two of their official opening, the place was heaving and once word percolates through about how good this is, getting a table is going to be even harder.
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
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. The place was absolutely packed on a weeknight when we went in, so word has got out that this room with a view is worth checking out. We’ve already spotted one of the city’s big critics checking out the bar - will they come back to do the restaurant too?
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 streetfood 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
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
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
Voyage with Adam Simmonds
King's Cross - 23 Euston Road, London NW1 2SD
Voyage sees Adam Simmonds taking on the restaurant space at the Megaro hotel in King's Cross for a Scandinavian-inspired affair. Mainly a tasting menu affair (although a cheaper three-course option is available) this features some extremely intricately put together dishes that have a clearly Nordic influence in their freshness and simplicity. It hasn't been to everyone's taste, but the restaurant does bring something quite unique to the area.
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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