The best new restaurant openings of 2026 (so far) + Test Driving the new RH London, Dorian's next place, where to watch the football & more...

EDITOR'S LETTER

Now that we're more than halfway through 2026, we've reached the traditional point where we take a moment to look back at the year to date, and see what it's brought us so far in terms of restaurant openings. Now we're not saying this is the ultimate hit list (or are we?), but if you're trying to decide where to go for dinner this week, it's a damned good place to start.

In addition to making sure you've been to all the right places to eat, we expect you woke up on Monday morning (or pulled an all-nighter) to realise that you also need to book somewhere to watch the quarter-finals. We've got you.

Catherine, Editor - Hot Dinners

HOW IT'S GOING

The best new London restaurant openings of 2026 - so far...

It's hard to believe it, but we're already past the halfway point of 2026.  And in Hot Dinners tradition, that means that it's time to look back at the best openings of the year, so far...

How many have you been to?

RESTAURANT NEWS

NAKIMUSHI has the Dorian team bringing the Urchin and Robin's Ramen chefs under one roof

It's fair to say this'll be one to watch.

London's next Asian hype bakery is Rise & Fold in Bloomsbury with its Japanese salt bread

It's from the guy behind Tsujiri matcha

South London seafood folk Sea Garden are taking over the old Prince Regent boat in Paddington

But this one won't be setting sail.

Cremer sees the team behind Space Talk reviving a corner of Hoxton as a cafe and canteen

With ex-Primeur and Polentina chefs in charge.

TEST DRIVE

Test Driving RH London, the Mayfair mansion that serves you dinner with a slice of lifestyle envy

We went back to Mayfair's hottest opening, this time to put the restaurant through its paces.

Read our review

MATCH READY

Where to watch the quarter-finals (and enjoy good food & drink at the same time)

After England's stunning defeat of Mexico, it's going to get a lot harder to book a space to watch the quarter-finals. But we've got a handy primer of places to book that will also see you right in terms of decent match viewing food and drink.

Book your space now

NEW THIS WEEK

The new restaurants and bars opening in London this week

This week, there's a new lobster/burger spot in Covent Garden, a residency kitchen arrives in Hackney and there's a new party flat in Shoreditch. 

What's opening, and where

AND DID YOU HEAR?

Harry Styles found a cool way to endear himself to Londoners. The star ended his 12-night residency in Wembley by putting tabs at 12 ice cream shops around the city at the weekend, for free ice creams.

We also love the new initiative from Michelin-starred Clove Club which is offering youngsters in the hospitality industry a chance to enjoy its fine dining for free. Every month their new Young Bloods programme will give one hospitality professional and three friends or colleagues from the industry - all aged 23 or under - a full tasting menu and drinks pairing, completely free of charge. Applications are now open.

And if you're as terminally online as we are, you might have spotted James Dimitri's takedown of fellow influencer Ali from Shawarma Hut's review of Berenjak. The question you need to ask yourself, according to Singburi chef Nick Molyviatis, is "Where were you when the kebab wars started?"

SPOTTED SOMETHING?

Spotted a new restaurant about to open in your neighbourhood? Seen a celebrity dining out in London? Heard a piece of hospitality gossip you feel we ought to know about? Unburden yourself and tell us all about it.

Share the news...

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