August can be one of the quietest months for new openings in London, what with holidays and everyone gearing up for the big autumn push next month. But there are still a fair few intriguing new restaurants coming your way in the month ahead.
Waterhouse
Hackney - 7A Ezra Street, London E2 7RH
We've had a lot of restaurant closures recently, so it's good to learn that one of them, The Waterhouse Project, was actually temporary. Gabriel Waterhouse is, in fact, moving it to this new location in Hackney for another small, tasting menu-led affair (there are only 24 seats) with its own kitchen garden. This new version of the restaurant is adding something new, however, as it will also include a wine bar.
Opening: 6 August 2026
Arcus and Bancone
Bloomsbury - 61-66 Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London, WC1B 5BB
Hoping to open in time to get the last of the summer sun, the Imperial Hotel is completely revamping its (very large) rooftop space with new restaurant and bar, Arcus. In charge of the menu here is a chef that already has rooftop experience from Wagtail, with dishes like yellowfin tuna tartare with honeycrisp apple and campari gel on his menu. That's not all the relaunched hotel is planning though, as on the ground floor will be the latest outpost of fresh pasta restaurant Bancone, opening at the same time.
Opening: 14 August 2026
Soraya
Marylebone - 96 George Street, London W1U 8AF
Delayed from last month, but definitely opening in August, this is the latest opening from the team behind Zephyr, Lagana and Nina, all of which have been huge hits. Those have all been Mediterranean-focused, but Soraya is going to have more of a Persian influence. It's also a restaurant that the group opened in Abu Dhabi first, before translating it to London. They'll be serving up an all-day menu starting with Persian omelettes in the morning and moving onto kebabs later in the day. It certainly seems at least Berenjak-adjacent, and we can see them continuing their winning streak.
Opening: August (Date TBC)
Saltwater
Soho - 3-4 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR
This comes from the team behind nearby Milk Beach (and who, only last month, changed the original Milk Beach into Bar Blondie). This is something a little different for them as Saltwater is a fresh sushi bar. Yes, there will be handrolls, because how can there not be these days, but it'll be more of a grab and go place (although you can sit in too). They'll also have various nigiri, donburi bowls and more on offer.
Opening: 13 August 2026
Marrone
Soho - 15 Sherwood St, London W1B 5AP
Whenever an Italian restaurant opens, one of the first questions raised is "how good is their tiramisu?" Londoners certainly have strong opinions about their favourite version of the dessert, so all eyes will be on this dedicated tiramisu cafe to see if they can pull off the ultimate version. There will actually be three versions here - original, pistachio and chocolate - and they'll be doing versions with and without alcohol too. We can see there being queues for this when it opens around the corner from The Devonshire, so expect the streets around the pub to be even busier than usual.
Opening: 8 August 2026
Whippies
Covent Garden - Top Floor, Seven Dials Market, Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LX
Big Kid ice cream makes some of the best ice cream in London and now Harry Webb is getting ready to open a spin-off which will be all about soft-serve. He'll have knickerbocker glories, hot fudge sundaes, banana splits and, most importantly, 99s that feature his own flake creation. He's also created his own soft-serve recipe with "organic milk, brown butter and real Madagascan vanilla" which sounds fantastic all on its own, frankly.
Opening: 8 August 2026
It's Bagels
Hampstead - 60 Hampstead High St, London NW3 1QH
London loves bagels right now and more than any other, they really seem to like It's Bagels. This latest outpost won't be dissimilar to their other outposts like Notting Hill or Primrose Hill, with a combo of grab-and-go bagels as well as special creations made on-site. This will be a perfect pit-stop after or even before a stroll on the heath.
Opening: August (Date TBC)
All of London's newly opened and upcoming restaurants...
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