Back before Covid, we reported that the old Grade II courthouse on Clerkenwell Green was being turned into a really interesting new restaurant. It was part of the redevelopment of the building into a creative studio comprising a restaurant, wine bar and art gallery space. The people behind it are artist Jonny Gent, the famed Jon Spiteri, architect

Updated 28/6/21 with opening dates

Jolene Bakery and its offshoot Big Jo have been a huge success story of the past few years - you only have to see the queues snaking down from both during lockdown to know that.

They now have three new openings planned for this year. The first will be in the summer, in Shoreditch, on Redchurch Street.  The next up will be on

It's all change in Camden where new Mediterranean restaurant Azura is getting ready to open in the old Inamo site on Mornington Crescent.

We don't know too much about what's planned, but what we do know is that they're intending on "bringing the taste of Mykonos, Santorini, Bodrum and Alacati to London." Behind the restaurant is Andreas Kizoub who also owns Ormos in Notting Hill, and was previously head chef at Opso and

The people behind Kricket are getting ready to open something new, and quite different from before. This time it's a standalone basement bar in Soho, called SOMA, taking over the building right next door to Kricket Soho (which used to be a club and karaoke bar). 

SOMA will still carry on the Indian influences that you'll see in Kricket, and more besides with drinks

It's been a while since we've had a big opening in Stratford (Patrick Powell's Allegra being the most successful) but D&D (the people behind The German Gymnasium, Bluebird, Coq D'Argent, Launceston Place and lots, lots more) are opening one of the biggest restaurants there

The Hawksmoor empire is expanding as they get ready to open their seventh restaurant, this time in Canary Wharf. Their latest place will actually be floating in the water. Expect steaks, cocktails, lots of outside seating and one of their biggest bars to date.

The people who brought London Casa Do Frango are now turning their attention to Cuba. Bar La Rampa will be dedicated to all things Cuban, aiming for an authentic evocation of the country. In charge of the menu are the people behind TA TA Eatery and, yes, there will be Cuban sandwiches. 

24/6/21 - updated with soft launch info

Next up for Tom Kerridge in London, is a very different type of venture. This time he's teaming up with Mark Emms to create Bad Vegan, which will be coming to the top floor of Camden's Buck Street Market. 

The "bad" part of the name comes from the fact that although the menu will be predominantly vegan - they will actually have non-vegan

Sunday in Brooklyn has been a big hit in New York - and they're the latest NYC restaurant to make a splash in Notting Hill. They'll have dishes from the original restaurant (including the famed pancakes) and a big focus on brunch. 

Sambrooks Brewery are getting ready to unveil their big new brewery taproom, Sambrooks Brewery Tap, in Wandsworth and they've brought in Crust Bros to be in charge of the food. This is the second location for Crust Bros, and they'll have to up their pizza-making rate as this is a pretty big taproom, able to seat up to 160 (including a large outdoor terrace).

The

If oh-so-Instagrammable drinks and cakes are your deal, then you'll be wanting to hotfoot it to Marylebone next week where a very photogenic-sounding cafe is opening.

How Matcha! - the clue is in the name - will be ALL about matcha, whether that's in cake or tea form. The drinks have been created so they're as good hot as they are on ice, which will be handy for days on which the British summer deigns to show

Opening this month in the old Shep's spot next to Chick 'n' Sours is The Duchess of Dalston. And while new bars are a pound a penny in this part of Dalston, the provenance of this particular bar bodes well.

It's from the team who brought us Callooh Callay and Islington's Little Bat bar. They're going big on locality and community - which means sourcing local ingredients for their drinks and using the

They may be gearing up to opening their main restaurant in Soho, but that's not all we're getting from Rita's. Their sandwich offshoot Bodega Rita's is coming back too - this time opening in Clerkenwell.

There's a new menu of American-style subs that includes:

• The Tony - deli sub filled with pesto, prosciutto, spiced salami ventricina, smoked cheese,

Junsei is all about yakitori skewers cooked over Binchōtan Japanese Charcoal. There are over 20 skewers available, not to mention charcoal seared Wagyu and more...

 London's hotel scene is a barometer of the city's health. Judging by what's coming our way, it's in rosy health with all manner of hotels with interesting bars and restaurants you'll want to know about.