New opening

They've already created immersive bars like ABQ (the bar with a Breaking Bad theme) and Bletchley (1940s based, a bit of codebreaking involved) and now the same people behind those are heading to Shoreditch with another immersive bar.

This time it's called H Division. It's themed as a Victorian police station in east London that's covering unsolved cases. And yes,

18/8/22 - the Canary Wharf branch has now opened. 

South of the river fans of the Smokey Robinson or Ari Gold have a spring bonus as Patty & Bun are taking on a site on Northcote Road.

This new 'stripped back' burger joint is going to be like Patty & Bun's original spot by Selfridges so there'll be room for 35 inside and a few seats outdoors too.

It's the ninth opening

Soho House isn't slowing down. Now that 180 House on the Strand is done, they're looking at their next opening. This time it's in Balham (taking over what used to be the Foxlow site) and it's the first time they've gone to South London. 

At this stage, there's only a very small amount of news. We have a preview of what it should look like inside (see the pic above) and we do know that it'll also

Hot Dinners Exclusive

Acme Fire Cult are getting ready to launch their first permanent restaurant at the 40FT Brewery in Dalston. 

Acme comes from chefs Andrew Clarke (Brunswick House and St Leonards) and Daniel Watkins (St Leonards) and, as the name gives away, is largely about cooking over fire. There's also a strong focus on low-waste and a menu that

The people behind popular cafe Abuelo in Covent Garden are expanding. They'll be launching another cafe, Uncle Zorro, just around the corner and this one also features a basement bar. 

The ground floor will be the cafe. There you'll find gourmet salads and hot sandwiches as well as the speciality coffee they currently serve up Abuelo. They'll be

Updated 21/3/22 with opening date and new dishes

Our news story on the opening of Bunsik's first place on Charing Cross Road was one of our most-read of 2021. So, we confidently predict you're all going to be interested to learn that the Korean corn dog sensations are going to be opening a second

A Hot Dinners exclusive

During lockdown, residents of Highbury and Finsbury Park were sustained in part by a local business, The Roost, serving up superlative rotisserie chicken deliveries. The business has been going great guns since then and, next month, will open its first proper restaurant in Finsbury Park.

Taking over the old Exquisite site, they're going to be serving up their brined, rubbed

Caravan have expanded to many parts of London, Canary Wharf being the most recent, but now they're adding something new to their main roastery just off Caledonian Road. 

Until now, the roastery has been just that - roasting and supplying coffee to all their restaurants (and elsewhere)

They have restaurants north and south in Kentish Town and Battersea but now The Patate are bringing their French burgers to central London, opening in Covent Garden. 

They're taking over a space that used to be a vegan cafe, so this is a bit of a change, for sure. If you're unfamiliar with them, the idea is to serve up burgers inspired by French cooking techniques. This is

The people behind Soho's Freedom Bar and Soho Residence are heading west to Notting Hill for their next, The Act. As the name hints, it'll be a little more than a standard bar, being dubbed a "theatre bar".

So what exactly is a theatre bar in practice? Apparently, you can expect "live vocals from London’s top chanteurs" and they'll also have pop-up appearances from London stage shows too. All that sounds great particularly if you're a

There was more than a little surprise when the news was revealed that Honey & Co was closing on Warren Street in April after 10 years. But now we have much better news, in that it's reopening fairly close by, in Bloomsbury. 

They're taking over what used to be Cigala on Lamb's

Finsbury Park residents who've been watching the opening of all the new food and drink businesses at the station over the past few months may have been a little disappointed by how slightly 'chain-y' it is. But something new and independent has flung open its doors and that place is Someday. 

Run by the same team who own Moth Bar in Hackney, the self-styled margarita and spritz bar genuinely sounds like

14/3/22 - updated with opening news

We've been fans of Philly cheesesteak masters Passyunk Avenue since they opened in Fitzrovia (and their delivery DIY kits are one of the best we've had) so the news that they've expanded to Waterloo is welcome indeed. 

After doing a bit of

14/3/22 - updated with opening date

Six months after taking over the old Dominique Ansel bakery in Belgravia, Chestnut Bakery are at it again. The bakery that's already created a stellar reputation for its breads and pastries is taking over the other Ansel site in Covent Garden.

If you recall,

Nightjar's original near Old Street has been long revered as one of London's greatest bars, and now its getting a sibling in Carnaby. 

Echoing the original as closely as they can, the decor will be 1920s in vibe and there will be a stage too - live music will be just as big a part of the bar in Carnaby as it is at the first Nightjar.

The cocktail menus will evoke the early 20th Century,