Read all about the capital's most anticipated hot new restaurant openings.
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Sep
The Waterman’s Arms - SW13
London
Opening 17 Sep 2023
Opening September, this mid-Victorian pub in Barnes with a balcony overlooking the Thames is now run by Patty & Bun owner Joe Grossman, who grew up nearby and has hired a top-class chef and management team to deliver something special. Look out for some snazzy snack in the bar downstairs and whole fish and steaks cooked over coals in the dining room upstairs.
Chishuru - W1W
West African
London
Opening 18 Sep 2023
Open in mid-September 2023 - Adejoké Bakare has found a new, larger site near Oxford Circus. Good news for her long term fans who have followed her since she won the Brixton Kitchen competition in 2019, and the year after when Adejoké ‘Joké’ Bakare's supperclub Chishuru became a permanent restaurant, featuring West African flavours using British produce.
Running the popup "Joké & Friends" at the Globe Tavern in Borough Market from 9 May to 29 July 2023
Bistro Freddie - EC2A
British, Modern
London
Opening 30 Sep 2023
This late-summer 2023 opening in Shoreditch from the team behind Crispin in Spitalfields and Bar Crispin in Soho attracted chef Anna Søgaard, previously of Manchester’s ultra-minimalist restaurant Erst, to showcase her skills in London. It took over the site formerly occupied by Selin Kiazin's Turkish-Cypriot venture, Oklava (RIP)
Bocconcino - W1F
London
Opening 30 Sep 2023
The second branch of Mayfair's glitzy, Russian-owned Italian comfort-food operation opens in September 2023 in Great Marlborough Street, Soho. There will be wood-fired pizza, home-made pasta, cicchetti and some pretty extravagant pricing.
Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard - WC2H
London
Opening 30 Sep 2023
Opening autumn 2023, the Irish brewer's new £73million Covent Garden micro-brewery and 'culture hub' includes a rooftop bar and restaurant featuring open-fire cooking. It follows similar visitor centres in Dublin and Edinburgh.
Honey & Co Daily - WC1E
Sandwiches, cakes, etc
Fitzrovia
Opening 30 Sep 2023
The latest in the Honey & Co family, opening in September 2023 in Store Street, off Tottenham Court Road, is a deli and takeaway with a dinner room which also hosts supper club dinners on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays. Expect more yummy Middle Eastern baked treats.
(If you love this company, pay a visit to Honey & Spice, their grocery store at 52 Warren Street W1T 5NJ)
Kolae - SE1
Thai
London
Opening 30 Sep 2023
The Som Saa duo are opening this Thai bar and grill in Borough Market, having successfully crowdfunded for a new location pre-pandemic. This spot will accommodate 80 guests on three floors of an old coach house, and will focus on grilled dishes including whole fish and marinated half chickens, cooked in the style of southern Thailand.
Lyla - EH7
Leith
Opening 30 Sep 2023
Chef Stuart Ralston of highly rated Aisle opens his new seafood restaurant in October 2023 in the stylish Royal Terrace premises of the late Paul Kitching’s 21212. The 10-course set menu, for just 28 guests per sitting, is billed as 'an ode to produce from the Scottish Isles'.
Mauro Colagreco, The OWO - SW1A
French
London
Opening 30 Sep 2023
A major new hotel for London sees the Old War Office being taken over by Raffles, no less, and with famed French chef Mauro Colagreco of Mirazur taking three of the 9 dining spaces, we'll have plenty of choice about where to eat. More information (and restaurant names) as we know them, but there'll be a "a brasserie with a twist, a fine dining restaurant, and an avant-garde private Chef’s Table". Opening now planned for late Summer 2023.
Montrose House - EH7
Leith
Opening 30 Sep 2023
This distinctive late-Victorian pub in Abbeyhill is scheduled to open in autumn 2023 as a wine bar with upstairs dining room from the Radford family, who are behind Timberyard in Fountainbridge. European-inspired small plates are promised alongside a list of natural and biodynamic wines.
Seven North - EC2M
City of London
Opening 30 Sep 2023
Open in autumn 2023, the new Sircle Hotel in Devonshire Square, near Liverpool Street station, features a restaurant from Israeli chef Eyal Shani, who is making his presence felt in the capital with two branches of Miznon and Tel Aviv-style Lilienblum near Old Street. Seven North, already up and running in Vienna, combines pan-Mediterranean and German culinary influences.
Sexy Fish - M3
Fish & seafood
Manchester
Opening 30 Sep 2023
Richard Caring's Caprice Holdings group is opening a second Sexy Fish (and neighbour to The Ivy Asia) in Manchester's Spinningfields Square in Autumn 2023.
Soul Mama - N1
London
Opening 30 Sep 2023
Opening in autumn 2023, musician YolanDa Brown's Islington Square venue has been bankrolled by a £250,000 crowdfunding drive. It will showcase live jazz, soul, reggae and gospel music, with a menu inspired by recipes handed down through generations of mothers across the Caribbean, Africa and South America.
The Devonshire - W1D
London
Opening 30 Sep 2023
Opening in autumn 2023, this 'dream pub' off Piccadilly Circus in Soho combines the talents of ex-Guinea Grill landlord Oisin Rogers and Flat Iron founder Charlie Carroll. There will be a classic bar downstairs and an ambitious dining room upstairs knocking out cuts of dry-aged Scottish beef on a wood-fired grill.
The Wolseley City - EC4N
City of London
Opening 30 Sep 2023
The new City outpost of the Wolseley in King William Street, slated to open in autumn 2023, is be much larger than the Piccadilly original, with two private dining rooms and three bars serving the familiar menu featuring power breakfasts, schnitzels and crustacea. This is a vital opening for new owners Minor International, more than a year after taking control from the Wolseley's widely respected founders, Chris Corbin & Jeremy King.
Oct
Los Mochis - EC2M
London
Opening 01 Oct 2023
Open in autumn 2023, a glossy-looking rooftop venue in British Land's first net Zero development in the city. It is to serve the same Japan-meets-Mexico menu as the original off Notting Hill Gate, but the main emphasis will be on the selection of tequilas and mezcals.
Akara - SE1
West African
London
Opening 31 Oct 2023
The team behind the upscale West African restaurant Akoko are launching a new concept in Borough Yards in October 2023. Akara is named after West African black-eye bean fritters.
Ho Lee Fook - W1T
Chinese
London
Opening 31 Oct 2023
From Black Sheep group, owned by Hong Kong restaurateur Syed Asim Hussain; guest-cheffed at Carousel 27 July–5 August 2023 before looking for a permanent home - more info as we know it.
The Cocochine - W1J
British, Modern
London
Opening 31 Oct 2023
Tim Jefferies, who runs the photography gallery Hamiltons, and his business partner, Sri Lankan born Larry Jayasekara - head chef at Pétrus until 2018 - are opening this high-end, four-floor spot in Mayfair in October 2023.
Yuca - W1S
Fusion
London
Opening 31 Oct 2023
Still no firm date when the duo behind Mayfair's Brazilian-Japanese fusion spot Mano, Alexis Colletta and Romain Fargette, are opening another fusion restaurant in the neighbourhood, first announced in early 2022. This one will be Japanese-Mexican, sited where Mews of Mayfair (RIP) was, and will feature a 300-cover restaurant and a club in the basement.
Daroco Soho - W1D
Italian
London
Opening 31 Oct 2023
With siblings in the 2nd and 16th arrondissements of Paris, this September 2023 newcomer aims to import its brand of ‘offbeat Parisian chic and sunny Italian generosity’ to Soho (on an intriguing cut-through between Greek Street and the Charing Cross Road). It’s a large spot – with 100 covers and a 50-seater terrace – where the focus is on pasta and pizza.
Nov
Cibo - M2
Italian
Manchester
Opening 30 Nov 2023
On the site that - for 14 years - was Rio Ferdinand's Rosso, RIP. There are Cibo branches in Hale and Wilmslow, plus sister restaurant Sasso in Disley, but this will be the first city centre opening.
Fenix - M3
Greek
Manchester
Opening 30 Nov 2023
A Greek and Mediterranean restaurant from the Tattu group; opening November 2023.
Jamie Oliver - WC2B
London
Opening 30 Nov 2023
Opening November 2023 inside the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, the once 'Naked Chef' makes his return to the national restaurant scene with a menu devoted to British classics. He promises there will be "something for everyone
Dec
Mowgli - BS1
Indian
Bristol
Opening 04 Dec 2023
Originally due to open in 2022, now planned for December 2023 in the former PizzaExpress, a Grade 1 listed building.
Four - BN1
British, Modern
Brighton
Opening 31 Dec 2023
Chef Aaron Dalton is launching a tasting-menu restaurant called Four inside his home in 2023, in the hope that he can make it work on a permanent basis.
A former head chef at London's Smoking Goat who has also worked at Chez Bruce and Simon Rogan's Fera, Aaron was planning before the pandemic to open a restaurant featuring wood-fired cooking with his wife Sally. But their backers pulled out and Sally, a paediatric nurse, died from a rare and aggressive cancer in late 2022.
This purpose-built space in his home means he can be near his children and still cook. In the mean time, he's appearing at pop-ups around the area - follow his socials for more details.
Lino Queen's Park - NW6
British, Modern
London
Opening 31 Dec 2023
Though well-received, the original Lino near St Barts never properly got off the ground before Covid struck and closed during the pandemic. This (now) early 2023 (was September 2022) newcomer adds to the expanding Queen’s Park scene, a two-floor site plus outside dining too.
Long Chim - W1D
Thai
London
Opening 31 Dec 2023
We don't know exactly when, but it's exciting news that renowned Thai chef David Thompson (of Nahm at The Halkin, 2001-2010, RIP) is returning to London with his Long Chim brand (open in Sydney, Perth and Dubai but recently closed in Melbourne and Korea). More news as we hear it...
Row at 5 - W1S
London
Opening 31 Dec 2023
Open 2023, Jason Atherton's new flagship restaurant on Mayfair's Savile Row occupies the ground floor and basement of a new building. Expect extravagant multi-course menus in the chef's first new London venue for four years – bringing his total in the capital to six.
Jan
Albert's Schloss - W1
German
London
Opening 01 Jan 2024
On the former West End site of the Rainforest Café (RIP), this boozy Mancunian import – a ‘bier palace’ and ‘cook haus’ providing ‘recreation, indulgence, pleasure, and debauchery” – is to follow up on its spin-offs in Liverpool and Brum with this London debut in early 2024, on the site of Rainforest Café (RIP).
Treehouse Hotel - M3
Manchester
Opening 31 Jan 2024
The UK's second Treehouse hotel will now open in Manchester in early 2024, with a ground-floor restaurant by Mary-Ellen McTague and a 14th-floor destination restaurant and bar from Sam Grainger.
Mar
The Park - W2
British, Modern
London
Opening 01 Mar 2024
Jeremy King is back! (with a vengeance?) at this big, bold newcomer in a landmark new development opposite Kensington Gardens and on the corner of Queensway. Apparently it will be “very much within the ‘Grand Cafés & Brasseries’ mould that [he] love[s] so much but it is however very much of the early 21st Century rather than 20th". Perhaps that means less of the Edwardian (Ivy, Wolseley, Delaunay) or Victorian (Sheekeys) style that has characterised his earlier openings.
Chotto Matte - M2
Fusion
Manchester
Opening 31 Mar 2024
There's a while to wait for Mancunian fans of the Japanese-Peruvian food - the St Micheal's development, where this rooftop terrace restaurant will open, isn't due to be finished until 2024.
Opening Date to be Confirmed
Aktar Islam Rooftop Restaurant, Guildhall - NG1
Nottingham
An as-yet-unnamed restaurant project; it will open in the city's Grade II listed former courtrooms, police and fire stations that are being transformed into a hotel by Ascena, which owns Birmingham's Opheem. Work was due to start in late 2020.
Al Dente - EC3R
City of London
Pasta, freshly made on the premises and served with a dozen different sauces, is the promise at this City restaurant near Monument, with siblings in Fitzrovia and South Kensington.
Alkebulan Dining Hall - WC2N
Pan-African
London
Coming in 2022 - date and address as yet unknown - an African dining hall, the first of its kind in the UK, from TGP International, the company behind 3 Henrietta Street in Covent Garden, in partnership with New York restaurateur Alexander Smalls. The concept was launched at Expo 2020 in Dubai.
Babaji Pide - W8
Turkish
London
The Soho original has closed, but owner Alan Yau announced his intention to revive the brand in west London (and Istanbul); no news since late 2019 on this development.
Bar Jaleo - W1D
Spanish
London
An all-paella menu is planned for this pitstop from Victor Garvey (of Rambla), who seems incapable of opening just one restaurant at a time; he also opened Barullo in Aldgate in March 2019 (although that closed just a few months later).
UPDATE: As at April 2021, there's still no news on when this is going to happen - and it may not be at this location when it does.
Brooklands - SW1X
British, Modern
London
The rooftop restaurant at one of the capital's grandest new openings, the Peninsular London by Hyde Park Corner, a branch of the landmark Hong Kong hotel, is under the culinary direction of Claude Bosi, the Lyonais-born chef behind Bibendum in Chelsea. The menu is described as contemporary European.
Café Patisserie Glacerie - EX8
Sandwiches, cakes, etc
Exmouth
A new bakery from Micheal Caines, plus Mickey's Beach Bar nearby; no fixed opening date yet.
Casa do Frango - W1B
London
The West End flagship of this small group serves charcoal-grilled dishes from the Algarve accompanied by Portuguese wine. Downstairs there's a speakeasy cocktail bar, the Green Room.
Chyna - E14
Chinese
London
Announced in late 2019, Alan Yau’s ambitious Canary Wharf opening has yet to happen, with nothing heard of its development during the pandemic. On paper, it’s big and bold – occupying the ground floor of a large new Docklands development with 120 seats, and a large terrace overlooking the South Dock. Yau has said he wants it to be a ‘Chinese River Café’ with a series of tanks from which you can pick live seafood. In the same building, he was also planning Yau Grilling (see also).
Esti - E2
London
This new Greek-Australian restaurant from Kostas Vais has nabbed a six-month residency in an old Victorian police station in Shoreditch which is now operated as TT Liquor, ahead of moving into permanent digs in autumn 2023.
Flat Iron Clink Street - SE1
Steaks & grills
London
A second London Bridge branch for the growing steak chain; the other is on Tooley Street. No firm details on the opening date yet.
Gouqi - SW1Y
London
The culinary genius behind the rise to global fame of the Hakkasan group, where he was executive chef for the best part of two decades, Tong Chee Hwee is opening his first solo restaurant on the site of the former Garfunkel's off Trafalgar Square. We can expect Chinese cuisine of superlative quality.
H.O.M.E. - W1S
International
London
Pre-lockdown, Jason Atherton announced in an interview with Hot Dinners that he's opening another restaurant next to Pollen Street Social; the name is a working title, and it sounds as though it's going to be a small, globally inspired chef's table affair. No news on whether it's still in the pipeline post-lockdown.
Izakaya Nights - W11
Japanese
London
After shopping hours, the Supermarket of Dreams in Holland Park Avenue morphs into an upscale Japanese restaurant, with guests seated at a long central table to sample plates served up by Juan Cardona, formerly of Endo at the Rotunda, and Jaime Finol, formerly of Sumi.
Jaego's House - W10
London
The all-day restaurant at this new 'family club' is open to non-members and tailored to parents with young children, with kids' play areas and a menu of simple dishes that can be eaten one-handed while feeding toddlers (plus a full bar serving both alcohol and wellness shots).
Jolene Bakery - E2
Sandwiches, cakes, etc
London
One of two new satellite bakeries from the Jolene / Big Jo team.
Karapincha - E14
London
takeaways) is the first permanent spot from twin sisters Vasanthini and Dharshini Perumal, who are familiar faces on London's street-food market circuit. The day starts with ham-and-cheese-stuffed rotis for breakfast.
Kuki - TR3
British, Modern
Truro
Opening in 2021, although no date has been shared with us, the third restaurant in Jude Kereama's Kota Collective of restaurant using Cornish produce with an Asian twist; this one is in The Valley, a hamlet of holiday cottages near Truro.
Mercato Metropolitano Ilford - IG1
International
Ilford
The next food hall from the Mercato team will open in a car park in Ilford; there will be 30 stalls and space 600 people on the ground floor, and a sustainable farm on the roof which will produce salad for the market using hydroponic technology. Originally scheduled to open in October 2020, we don't have a revised date yet.
Muriel's Kitchen - WC2
British, Modern
London
FKA "Portrait" (now RIP) – this gallery restaurant with marvellous rooftop views of Nelson's Column and Westminster is no longer run by Peyton & Byrne and is being rebranded as Muriel's Kitchen. The new formula will follow that of the brand's original location in South Kensington.
NB The gallery itself is under refurbishment until Spring 2023, so no opening date yet.
Nest - EC1V
London
This high-flying Hackney spot (sibling to St Bart's near the Barbican) is moving to new, bigger premises next to Shoredtich Town Hall in October 2023. The focus on one key ingredient each month will continue; what's new is a downstairs bar, Nest Cellar, serving small plates including game-bird terrine and a British cheese board.
New England Colonial fish restaurant (name tbc) - W1S
Fish & seafood
London
Due to land in Autumn 2021, a high-rolling fish and steak restaurant with three siblings in Dubai. It's as yet un-named but we know it will overlook a new, covered, retail colonnade space called Medici Courtyard, that will connect the square with New Bond Street.
Noble Palace - SW1H
Chinese
London
New Chinese fine-dining restaurant near St James’s Park; opening end of May 2022 with a luxury menu representing all eight of China’s culinary regions. On the same site will be Mi Bar, where you'll be served a cocktail based on how you are feeling.
Notting Hill Corbin & King venture - name TBC - W11
London
Chris Corbin & Jeremy King have revealed that a new restaurant will open in Notting Hill, in the former Royal Bank of Scotland building; opening date to be announced.
Pacific - W1F
Japanese
London
We were told that Shaun Presland, previously executive chef with Australia's Rockpool group, would open in this former Foxlow Soho site in 2019, but it's now been announced that Bancone 2 is opening there - more details about this venture as we hear them...
Pizzeria da Michele - M2
Pizza
Manchester
The former Deansgate branch of Zizzi is soon to be home to "the world's best pizza", as made famous by Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love.
Ready Burger - NW3
Burgers, etc
London
Opening in July 2021; 100% plant-based fast food, already open in Crouch End.
Restaurant TBC at Admiralty Arch Waldorf Astoria - SW1A
London
Due to open in 2023, the new hotel in Admiralty Arch will have unparalleled views from two restaurants, including one on the rooftop.
Richard Corrigan at Hawley Wharf - NW1
Irish
London
We don't even have a name for the famed Irish chef's new restaurant, but he's been talking about it in the press, so it's definitely happening sometime in 2022; all we know at the moment is that it's in a new development in Camden Basin and will feature "bakery, smokery, craft beers" and has a large rooftop dining area.
Rioja - G3
Spanish
Glasgow
Spanish chef Miguel Angel Major, previously of Michelin-starred Sucede in Valencia (and before that, a little-known spot called El Bulli), has been appointed head chef for the relaunch of this newly expanded Finneston tapas restaurant; he will blend Basque and Scottish flavours and ingredients in what their social media calls "an exceptional, unique restaurant concept". Opening in June 2021.
Rockfish - TQ8
Fish & seafood
Salcombe
Due to open in Spring 2022 - subject to planning - a 100-seater seafood restaurant overlooking Batson Creek.
Sabor De Don Pablo - SW2
Spanish
London
Pop-up entrepreneur Jimmy Garcia has announced plans for his first permanent restaurant, in premises he currently uses for storage by Tulse Hill station; it will be named after his grandfather and focus on tapas and paella. The original plan was to open in October 2019, but as at March 2020 we have no news to share.
Sam's Waterside - TW8
London
Restaurateur Sam Harrison's smart neighbourhood restaurant and bar is designed to anchor the new Brentford Project, a mixed-used development beside the River Brent, when it opens in July 2023. It follows the success of Sam's Riverside at the reopened Riverside Studios by Hammersmith Bridge. There will also be a Sam's Larder opposite.
Soderberg - SE22
London
Opening in early 2023, this East Dulwich branch of an Edinburgh-based Swedish cafe group (also with a branch in Soho) will offer a range of home-baked Scandi classics including open sandwiches and cardamom buns along with sourdough pizzas.
SOMA - W1D
Indian
London
Due to open in September, a new concept from the team behind Kricket; named after the Hindi moon god, SOMA is a "take on a speakeasy", serving Indian-inspired cocktails and snacks right next door to Kricket Soho.
Stu Deeley restaurant, name tbc - B3
Birmingham
No further news on when MasterChef: The Professionals 2019 winner Stu Deeley is opening his own Jewellery Quarter restaurant (in direct competition to his former employers at The Wilderness). More details - and a name - when we hear them, but he has already said he'll be serving the "Brummie fusion food" that won him the MasterChef crown.
Sushisamba - EH1
Fusion
Edinburgh
Due to open in 2021 (or possibly the year after), the UK's third branch of Sushisamba at the second ever W hotel, this one will be part of the vast St James's Quarter redevelopment. The restaurant will be on the rooftop of the distinctive, 'ribboned' building.
Tapas Brindisa Richmond - TW9
Spanish
London
Opening in October, the first suburban branch of Brindisa's tapas mini-chain; this site benefits from riverside views from the 60-cover terrace.
The 3rd - BS1
Spanish
Bristol
Apparently not busy enough with running his new restaurant in London (Decimo), Peter Sanchez-Iglesias is also opening this spot (originally planned for March 2020) on the former site of his Pi Shop (tucked between his other two restaurants, Casamia and Paco Tapas); it will have an all-day café, restaurant (with a chef's table, naturally) and a bar.
The Bugis Singapore Restaurant - SW7
Pan-Asian
London
This Cantonese, Malaysian and Singaporean specialist is re-opening in July 2023 after moving around the corner.
The OWO - SW1A
International
London
A mega new hotel for London sees the Old War Office on Whitehall – in which Winston Churchill made many of the most important decisions of World War II – being taken over by Raffles, no less (their first venture in Europe) and the Hinduja Group, to open in late 2023 as a new 125 bedroom property. It will have nine new restaurants, of which we list the four most notable individually: Café Lapérouse, Endo Kazutoshi, Langosteria, Mauro Colagreco and Paper Moon (see also). Other options include Mauro’s Table and a fine high-ceilinged brasserie called ‘Saison’ – which fall under the Colagreco umbrella – as well as The Drawing Room (lounge and all-day dining) and Guards Bar.
The Plough at Shiplake - RG9
British, Modern
Shiplake
The team in Henley have rescued this village pub (previously called The Plowden Arms) that dates back to 1774. It will reopen as an "informal all day dining affair open seven days a week".
The Queen's Arms - BS40
British, Modern
Chew Magna
A second Chew Magna site from the Eggleton family, the team behind The Pony & Trap (now known as The Pony Chew Magna); this site is being refurbished to open with rooms.
The York Minister Refectory Restaurant - YO1
British, Modern
York
Just a month after the tragic fire at his Star Inn at Harome, chef Andrew Pern received the good news that his application to convert the closed York Minster School into a restaurant, along with chef Bex Toppin and her partner Will Pearce, of Robinsons Cafe.
Tienda Roosteria - EC2A
Mexican
London
Tienda Roosteria at Shoreditch's ultra-cool Curtain Hotel specialises in "tacos, tequilas and good times". Head there on Triple Taco Tuesdays to snag yourself three tacos and a beer for just £10.
Unimini - EC3M
Pan-Asian
City of London
The owners of CheeMc in Elephant & Castle and Gogo Pocha in Waterloo are opening a bento box grab-and-go restaurant in the City.
Veda Baby - W1D
Vegetarian
London
Trailed in early 2020 as "Ayurvedic grab-and-go" restaurant from Jasmine Helmsley, supported by The Pepper Collective. The website is still up, but there's been zero mention of it since… our growing impression is that it's “coming never".
Yafo - BS3
Middle Eastern
Bristol
A vegan Middle Eastern spot, opening after lockdown, serving authentic Middle Eastern vegan fare.
Yann Couvreur - W1K
Sandwiches, cakes, etc
London
They know their way around a bun those Parisians. So the news that social media sensation Yann (who did a short residency at Claridges in 2019) is set to open in Mayfair – complete with his Instagramable pet fox and ‘iconic’ buckwheat version of the Breton pastry cake, the kouign-amann – has tongues wagging. The store was originally to open in late 2019 / early 2020, but its already delayed arrival was pushed back further by the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on restaurants.
Yau Grilling - E14
Japanese
London
Announced in late 2019, little has since been heard of this Alan Yau opening on the first floor of a big Canary Wharf development near the South Dock. It’s to be a 45-seater, open all day, and serving a Japanese-inspired menu from the, er, grill. On the ground floor, Yau also plans to open Chyna – see also.
Nammos - SW7
Mediterranean
London
High-end Mediterranean seafood and beef top the menu at this chichi outfit from a group based in Mykonos, with offshoots in Cannes and Dubai. It's reservations-only, to minimise disturbance in tranquil 'Knightsbridge village'.
Flat Iron - W8
London
This good-value steakhouse group is opening its 12th site in Kensington, serving its usual small menu headed by the signature flat iron steak, costing much the same as a posh burger.
Contigo - WC2N
Fusion
London
Occupying the site of the former Strand Dining Rooms, this high-end Nikkei operation has a sushi counter and bar called Lima, a main open kitchen called Osaka, and an outdoor terrace with views across Trafalgar Square – so Nelson can look down on you from his column while you dine.
Benihana - WC2
Japanese, Teppan-yaki
London
The glossy US-based teppanyaki chain is to add a third London branch on the Covent Garden site that was Fire & Stone (RIP) – its first new one in London in 20 years (to join those in Chelsea and Mayfair). Nowadays, the group is owned by Minor International who acquired a 75% stake in 2018.
Caviar Kaspia - W1J
Fish & seafood
London
Back after almost 20 years, the famous Parisian caviar house announced it was opening on the former site of The Chess Club back in 2018; exact date yet to be announced.
Embr Kitchen - E2
Steaks & grills
London
The "best of British produce with a Brazilian and Scandinavian twist" features high-welfare meat (with a focus on goat), seasonal ingredients, great sustainability credentials and charcoal grilling; no news (at Jan 2022) on an opening date - it's been a while...
Kanada-Ya - W5
Japanese
London
A fifth UK branch for the ramen specialists; opening date as yet unknown.
Roast - W1W
British, Modern
London
In a former BBC building, the Borough Market restaurant's more casual sibling, over two floors, will open with Paul Shearing (Bread Street Kitchen, Odette's) at the stoves. Still no news yet on an opening date at Jan 2022...
Theo's Italian Kitchen (Group) -
Italian
GROUP
Chef Theo Randall already runs one Theo's Italian Kitchen in Zurich; three UK branches are to open (we are still waiting for dates to be confirmed over a year later) in Newcastle and London (Battersea and Aldgate). We'll (hopefully) expect the same authentic Italian fare that has kept Theo at the top of his game since his days as head chef at The River Cafe.
Vergine Maria - W5
Vegan
London
From the Santa Maria team (and on the original site of the Ealing branch, which has shifted to Bond Street in W5), a vegan pizzeria which was scheduled to open in late 2021, but there's been no news for a while now...
Wool Yard - SE18
International
London
We're told that the land for Wool Yard has been sold; a Street Feast has also now opened in Woolwich so whether the 'shipping-container-community-hub with food stalls' development, from Carl Turner (the man who brought us Pop Brixton) will actually happen now remains to be seen.
Yiu Fat Noodle - WC2H
Chinese
London
From the team behind Pachamama, a crowdfunded Chinese restaurant, in the new Central Cross development at the eastern end of Chinatown. It was due to open in Summer 2019 but (as of Jan 2022) no opening date has been released.
Atticus - EC1V
American
London
No news on when Iqbal Wahhab, founder of Westminster's classy Indian the Cinnamon Club and Borough Market's Roast, will open his Southern US venture in Angel serving chicken, ribs and barbecued meats; it's been in planning for well over a year. Named after Atticus Finch, the magnanimous father in Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, the restaurant will be rolled-out as a chain if the concept proves successful. Much like its namesake, this restaurant has noble goals and will employee disadvantaged people and help rehabilitate ex-offenders through employment.
Custard - SE1
Indian
London
The plan to open a bakery by day, wine bar by night project at One Tower Bridge, from the folks behind Gunpowder (and below the new branch of Gunpowder), is currently on hold while they locate kitchen facilities - the bakery was to share facilities with Gunpowder, but this is proving a problem.
Mamarosa - EC2
Italian
London
After several years, there's still no news about when Barcelona's Mamarosa is due to land in Shoreditch... we'll keep you updated when we hear something.
Muriel's Kitchen - WC2
British, Traditional
London
No news on the proposed sibling to South Ken's neighbourhood bistro.
Not Really Indian (NRI) - B1
Indian
Birmingham
Since being announced in 2018, there's been no news about when chef-entrepreneur Atul Kocchar's first UK restaurant under the Not Really Indian (NRI) brand will open. (When it does, it will be serving cuisine developed by Indian cooks living abroad.) Kochhar pulled out of taking up space in Birmingham’s Mailbox development in 2018, but is apparently looking elsewhere; NRI was launched in Mumbai in 2016.
Shibui - W1
Japanese
London
Former head chef at Hackney's “cramped-but-magical” Pidgin, Elizabeth Haigh, ran a pop-up at Carousel in 2017 (and Kaizen House pop-up at Mortimer House in 2019) and is looking for a permanent site for her Japanese-influenced cuisine, featuring refined barbecue dishes with inventive flavour pairings. More news as we know it...
The Peninsula London - SW1
London
Luxury hotel owned and operated by The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels; due to open in 2023.
Dining Room at Art'otel - SW8
London
Amsterdam hotel group plans to open new hotel and rooftop dining space in London's iconic Battersea Power Station in late 2022 (originally it was promised for 2019). A second hotel in Hoxton is due to open in 2023.
