Read all about the capital's most anticipated hot new restaurant openings.
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May
Bossa - W1G
Brazilian
London
Opening 31 May 2023
Alberto Landgraf, chef patron of Oteque in Rio de Janeiro, is bringing his contemporary Brazilian flavours to London in early 2023; it will be on the former site of Maroush (RIP) beneath the Brazilian consulate.
Emmanuelle - EC1R
Middle Eastern
London
Opening 31 May 2023
Flamboyant chef Yuma Hashemi's latest venture is a Seventies-styled wine bar (complete with a peacock rattan chair, famous from 1974's X-rated film Emmanuelle) directly opposite Tehran-berlin (fka The Drunken Butler), his Persian restaurant in Clerkenwell. The wine list is modern, with natural and biodynamic options, and is backed up by French and Iranian snacks and small plates.
Empire Empire - W11
Indian
London
Opening 31 May 2023
Due to open in Spring 2023, a "disco-themed Indian" from the owners of the Gunpowder group.
Leo's - E5
Italian
London
Opening 31 May 2023
Chef Giuseppe Belvedere is inspired by his Sardinian heritage at this revamp of the former Jim's Cafe on Clapton's Chatsworth Road, serving cafe staples during the day and more ambitious dishes cooked over a wood fire and served alongside low-intervention Italian wines in the evening and Sunday lunch. He is backed by the team behind Milk Cafe and Juliet's Quality Food in southwest London.
Lino Queen's Park - NW6
British, Modern
London
Opening 31 May 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 May 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...
Manzi's - W1D
Fish & seafood
London
Opening 31 May 2023
Open in summer 2023 after years of pandemic-induced delay, this Soho seafood specialist (named after a much-loved 20th-century original) over two storeys of the Bateman's Buildings, between Greek and Frith Streets, is the first major opening from the Wolseley Hospitality Group since it was acquired (and renamed) from ace London restaurateurs Corbin & King last year.
Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO - SW1A
French
London
Opening 31 May 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 11 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 Spring 2023.
Riviera - SW1
French
London
Opening 31 May 2023
Now due to open in Spring 2023 (previously slated for Autumn 2022), we've heard little more news on when twin brother restaurateurs Alberto and Arian Zandi will open this restaurant – inspired by the cuisine of the South of France – in St James’s. It will be the Zandi’s fourth restaurant and their most prominent, occupying the striking Modernist building next to The Economist magazine that was formerly occupied by Sake no Hana (RIP).
San Carlo Alderley Edge - SK9
Italian
Alderley Edge
Opening 31 May 2023
The San Carlo group bought Gino D'Acampo's Alderley Edge Luciano's in February 2023, and will re-open it after extensive refurbishment.
Souvlaki Street - SE22
London
Opening 31 May 2023
After nine years in various street markets including Pop Brixton, and more recently as a home-delivery service, Greek street-food specialists Evi Peroulaki and Conor Mills are moving into permanent premises on North Cross Road in East Dulwich. Expect Aegean classics using prime British ingredients such as rare-breed Old Spot pork, plus Greek lager and cola.
Treehouse Hotel - M3
Manchester
Opening 31 May 2023
The UK's second Treehouse hotel will open in Manchester in early 2023, with a ground-floor restaurant by Mary-Ellen McTague and a 14th-floor destination restaurant and bar from Sam Grainger.
Yuca - W1S
Fusion
London
Opening 31 May 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.
Dovetale by Tom Sellers - W1J
British, Modern
London
Opening 31 May 2023
Another site from Tom Sellers, of Restaurant Story, who also opened Story Cellar in Covent Garden in April 2023. In a prime location on the junction of Piccadilly and Berkeley Street, it will be part of the new 1 Hotel Mayfair, the 1 Hotel group's first UK hotel.
Jun
Lucky Cat Manchester - M2
Pan-Asian
Manchester
Opening 01 Jun 2023
Gordon Ramsay brings his Asian small plates concept from Mayfair to Manchester.
Kima - W1U
London
Opening 05 Jun 2023
Open in June from the team behind nearby Opso, this contemporary Greek seafood specialist in Marylebone follows a no-waste "fin-to-gill" philosophy, with fish off-cuts, tails and bones either grilled or used to make stock. Expect some meat choices, and plenty of Greek wines.
Audrey Green - WC2H
London
Opening 22 Jun 2023
April 2023: After being closed for several years for a major refurbishment - the NPG reopens in June 2023, with a new all-day café on the ground-floor and basement of the gallery, run by the Australian group Daisy Green, which will transform every evening into a late-night bar with a small-plates menu.
Albert's Schloss - W1
German
London
Opening 30 Jun 2023
The Manchester original beer hall has spawned branches in Liverpool and Birmingham, and has now taken over the former site of the Rainforest Cafe.
Arcade Food Hall at Battersea Power Station - SW11
International
London
Opening 30 Jun 2023
Just a few months after reviving Arcade Food Hall at Centre Point, JKS Restaurants has announced that they will be launching a second, opening at Battersea Power Station in 2023, with different (but no doubt exceptional) food offerings.
Cantinetta Antinori - SW1X
Italian
London
Opening 30 Jun 2023
A new spin-off from a famous Florence-based, international group (founded in the 1950s, whose HQ is the 15th-century Palazzo Antinori) – this delayed (now summer 2023?) newcomer is the brand’s first UK venture. It occupies a three-storey site, just off Sloane Street, from which it will offer all-day dining featuring Tuscan food and wine in a fairly old-school vein.
Chishuru - SW9
West African
London
Opening 30 Jun 2023
Open in mid 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.
Elodie, Birch Selsdon - CR2
British, Modern
London
Opening 30 Jun 2023
Selsdon is gaining a sibling to Birch in Cheshunt, set in an 18th-century mansion with foraged fine dining from ex-Typing Room chef Lee Westcott. See also Vervain, the all-day brasserie at the same hotel, which also boasts three bars, a spa, a Lido (opening Summer 2023), a 200-acre kitchen garden and a co-working space.
Four - BN1
British, Modern
Brighton
Opening 30 Jun 2023
Chef Aaron Dalton is launching a tasting-menu restaurant called Four inside his home in Spring 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.
Lina Stores - SW4
Italian
London
Opening 30 Jun 2023
Opening in summer 2023 on The Pavement overlooking Clapham Common, the long-promised fifth branch of the veteran Soho Italian deli-turned-restaurant group will unfurl its distinctive green-and- white-striped awning to welcome diners for fresh pasta other Italian specialities, including dozens of cuts of cold meat.
Little Kudu - SE15
London
Opening 30 Jun 2023
Open in June from Peckham's Kudu Collective, Little Kudu replaces the Smokey Kudu cocktail bar in Queen's Road, which has shifted to the RIXO fashion emporium in King's Road, Chelsea. Expect more of the South African flavours, ingredients and wines that have gained a strong following since the original Kudu opened five years ago.
Mountain - W1
Spanish
London
Opening 30 Jun 2023
Open June 2023 on the former site of a Byron, in the heart of Soho, Brat chef Tomos Parry is set to open a "wood grill and wine bar" inspired by his travels across Spain suppled by farmers and fisherman in Wales and Cornwall. Whole roast bream will be a feature as will lamb chops, and Anglesey lobster – all will emerge, as at Brat, from an open kitchen and the venue will incorporate a good deal of counter seating.
Mýse - YO62
Hovingham
Opening 30 Jun 2023
Chef Josh Overington and his wife Victoria are to open this new restaurant with rooms in North Yorkshire this summer, less than a year after closing their highly rated Le Cochon Aveugle in York. Mýse (which rhymes with cheese) is scheduled to open in June in the 19th-century pub most recently known as The Hovingham Inn.
Outcrop - WC2R
British, Modern
London
Opening 30 Jun 2023
Billed as a template for a new generation of 'green social clubs', this summer-long pop-up opens in June 2023 next door to restaurant Ikoyi in the Strand. AngloThai chef John Chantarasak has prepared a menu of Thai dishes cooked with British ingredients, served alongside natural wines. He is joined in the venture by teams from the Secret Cinema and restaurants Luca and Clove Club.
Studio Gauthier - W1T
London
Opening 30 Jun 2023
Vegan Soho chef-patron Alexis Gauthier is spinning out his meat-free cuisine with the June opening of two new venues in the BFI Building in Stephen Street, north of Oxford Street. Studio Gauthier is a more relaxed showcase for the upmarket veggie cuisine featured at his flagship, while 123V Bakery offers lighter bites to eat in or take away.
Cowley Manor - GL53
British, Modern
Cowley
Opening 30 Jun 2023
Opening in summer 2023, this Cotswolds country house hotel near Cheltenham is now part of the Paris-based Experimental Group (owners of the Henrietta Hotel in Covent Garden). Jackson Boxer, chef-patron at high-profile London venues Brunswick House and Orasay, has been hired to take charge of the menu offered in the 50-cover dining room; there is also a 50-seat dining terrace.
Jul
Little Pizza Hicce - N1
London
Opening 31 Jul 2023
Opposite their pub Hicce Hart, opened in late 2022 in Islington's Chapel Market, chef Pip Lacey and business partner Gordy McIntyre have launched their first permanent pizzeria, with lots of stripped wood and a blackboard menu. Both are offshoots from Hicce, their fashionable flagship at Coal Drops Yard behind King's Cross station.
Aug
Bundobust - B2
Ladywood
Opening 31 Aug 2023
The Manchester-based Gujarati street food and craft beer specialist heads south to Brum this summer, finding a city centre perch in a Grade II listed building in Bennetts Hill. Expect 100% vegetarian food and beer from their own brewery, as well as a wide range of guest ales.
Sep
Meet Bros - W2
London
Opening 02 Sep 2023
The first European venture from one of Malaysia's leading restaurant groups is a steakhouse in Craven Road, Paddington, that takes its name from the meeting of Eastern and Western food cultures. No alcohol is served and the meat is fully halal, with cuts flavoured by infusion in Asian marinades.
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.
Mar
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
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.
Fazenda, - EC2M
City of London
The first London venue from this Leeds-based Brazilian rodizio operation is opening in the City of London's new 100 Bishopsgate skyscraper. There's a set price, and waiters bring a succession of grilled meats to the table until they are signalled to stop by a green card being turned over to red.
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
None of these
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.
Hicce Hart - N1
London
High-profile chef Pip Lacey has taken over an Islington pub (formerly the Day & Night) in this spin-off from Hicce in nearby King's Cross, with a focus on cooking over wood fire.
Izakaya Nights - W11
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.
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.
La Gamba - SE1
London
Overlooking the Thames in the South Bank Arts Centre, this new Gallician-inspired tapas spot from Jack, Harry and Matthew Applebee has a strong focus on fish – as expected from a family whose fish stall has developed over the past 25 years into a prominent Borough Market fixture.
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.
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 OWO - SW1A
International
London
The Old War Office, the Grade 2 listed building in which Winston Churchill made many of the most important decisions of World War 2, is to be turned into a luxury hotel. It was sold in 2014 and will open in 2022 as a hotel in partnership between Raffles (their first venture in Europe) and the Hinduja Group. Acclaimed French chef, Mauro Colagreco (who runs France’s three-Michelin-starred Mirazur in Menton) will help create a brasserie, a chef's table and a fine dining restaurant at this 125 bedroom property.
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.
Yannick Alleno at The Four Seasons - W1J
London
Parisian uber-chef Yannick Alléno, who holds a total of six Michelin stars at three separate restaurants under one roof at the Pavillon Ledoyen on the Champs-Elysées, makes his London debut this year at this swish Mayfair hotel, with an anticipated summer launch.
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.
Nakanojo - W1U
London
A second branch of this Nikkei specialist is opening in Marylebone, with a menu running from sushi and robata grills to tacos and ceviche and a drinks list that also combines Japan and Peru, with pisco sours, sakes and cocktails. The original is on the King's Road in Chelsea.
Nammos - SW7
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'.
Kapara by Bala Baya - W1D
London
Inspired by Israeli home cooking as well as the Tel Aviv party scene (Kapara is Hebrew slang for 'darling'), this all-day and late-night Soho spot is from Eran Tibi, the chef behind Bala Baya in Southwark.
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
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...
Flesh and Buns - W8
Japanese
London
F&B's third restaurant is to be located in West London on the old Sticky Fingers site.
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...
Sexy Fish - M3
Fish & seafood
Manchester
Richard Caring's Caprice Holdings group is rumoured to be opening a second Sexy Fish (and neighbour to The Ivy Asia) in Manchester's Spinningfields Square in 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.
