The best new restaurants in London

The Brave marks a fresh chapter for celebrated chef James Cochran after the closure of his much-loved restaurant, 12:51. In this new establishment, Cochran takes inspiration from cherished childhood memories of pub lunches with his father, crafting comforting dishes like potato dumplings with slow-braised beef shin and coal-roasted leeks. The welcoming space blends classic pub charm with modern creativity, offering distinct areas for dining and drinking, including an inviting outdoor seating area.

Renowned Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Jason Atherton's premier establishment on Savile Row occupies two levels. Designed as a gastronomic journey, the new restaurant showcases a multi-course tasting menu that celebrates the finest seasonal British ingredients. The venue offers a mix of counter seating and traditional tables, complemented by an open kitchen, a stylish bar, and an exclusive private dining cellar.

Celebrated chef Michel Roux Jr returns to The Langham with Chez Roux, where he channels nostalgic memories from his childhood to reinvent historical British classics using sophisticated French culinary techniques. The refined menu features dishes such as lamb chops reform and grilled lobster with garlic butter, complemented by a selection of premium wines and cocktails inspired by the era.

Inis is a charming canalside restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, complemented by relaxed weekend brunches and Sunday roasts. This contemporary venue features outdoor seating during the warmer months and offers a selection of seasonal British and Irish fare. Highlights from the menu include the likes of a full Irish breakfast, whiskey-smoked salmon on Irish brown bread with crème fraiche and pickled onion, and mussels accompanied by chips and garlic bread.

Roe in Wood Wharf comes from the trio behind Fallow. Spread across three levels, it features a terrace with views of the canal and an exclusive dining area on the mezzanine. It also boasts the world's first plant-based, compostable 3D-printed interior, highlighting a commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness. In line with Fallow's ethos of waste reduction, Roe offers a diverse á la carte menu specialising in nose-to-tail cooking with a focus on British ingredients and underutilised produce.

A nice pub is a welcome addition to any part of town. After being closed down for a while, Clock House Tavern in Peckham Rye has been restored by the Parched pub group, known for reviving classic South London pubs. Under new management, it maintains its traditional charm with oak panelling, antique mirrors, and a large beer garden, plus a snug area and an upstairs bar with park views. The pub opens this Thursday, offering local ales, fine whiskeys, handcrafted cocktails, and hearty dishes by Gengelly's, including roast dinners.

Situated across two levels in a former bank beneath the Strand Palace hotel, this Bocconcino spin-off offers a choice between an intimate private dining experience within the old vaults and a more vibrant space featuring a bar. Unlike its siblings, the menu focuses opn exquisite Italian seafood dishes, with options such as fresh lobster, crab, turbot, and other treasures from the sea, all displayed in an enticing fresh fish showcase beneath a beautifully hand-painted ceiling.

Located in Whitechapel, Sotto Cucina & Bar is an intimate Italian restaurant that focuses on flavours from Sicily. Modern dishes here are prepared using fine British ingredients along with some special imported products. Sicilian and Mediterranean wines are on offer to pair with the food. The subterranean space is enhanced with specially-commissioned art.

Once a hotspot for celebrities in West London, the famed Julie's shut its doors in 2022. It made a comeback a few years later, reinventing itself as a French brasserie under the leadership of a chef trained at Le Cordon Bleu. The new establishment stretches across a ground-floor dining room and bar, a basement dining space, and an alfresco terrace. One of Julie's standout features is the martini trolley, which delivers a theatrical cocktail experience right to your table.

July in Fitzrovia is an elegant all-day dining destination and wine bar, drawing inspiration from the Alsace region of France. Offering food throughout the day, it serves meals from morning breakfast and coffee to late-night bar snacks. Accompanying the food is a thoughtfully selected wine list, emphasising low-intervention wines sourced from small-scale European producers.

The Four Legs team from the well-loved Plimsoll pub has revamped an old chip shop in Finsbury Park, turning it into a Spanish-inspired fish bar while preserving features like the original tiles and Formica flooring. This relaxed venue serves Spanish coastal dishes, complemented by a selection of beers, wines by the glass, and Spanish vermouth. In classic pintxo bar fashion, there's counter seating and a lively atmosphere.

Founded by acclaimed restaurateurs George Bukhov-Weinstein and Ilya Demichev, Krokodilos draws inspiration from cherished family recipes and the convivial spirit of Greek communal dining. This elegant Kensington eatery tempts guests with freshly baked bread, accompanied by a variety of exquisite olive oils, before leading them into an array of flavourful dips, crisp salads, expertly grilled seafood, and other authentic Greek delicacies.

Oma, led by chefs formerly of Kiln and Sabor, draws its culinary influence from the Greek islands. The menu is rich in fresh seafood and wholesome Mediterranean dishes, including hummus masabacha, harissa-grilled prawns, and lamb belly skewers. The restaurant's design is inspired by natural landscapes, featuring earthy tones and textures, and includes a raw bar, an open-plan kitchen, and an expansive terrace with views of Borough Market.

The sibling establishment to the upstairs Oma, Agora contrasts its counterpart's elegance with a vibrant ambience, energised by the buzz of Borough Market. This laid-back Greek eatery offers smoky street food from Athens, such as spit-roast pork, paired with refreshing cocktails. Throughout the day, you can also grab a takeaway coffee or pastry here. Come evening, anticipate a cosier yet spirited atmosphere.

Nestled in the revitalised Newson's Yard arcade, Wildflowers is a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and wine bar led by accomplished chef Aaron Potter, whose experience includes time at Maria G's and Elystan Street. Spread across two levels with a charming terrace, the venue offers a picturesque setting for meals and the option of private dining. Adding to its appeal, Wildflowers also features a deli, making it a destination for both exceptional dining and gourmet provisions.

By day, it operates as a bakery and then transforms into a restaurant from lunch through to dinner. Don't Tell Dad is a project masterminded by Coco di Mama co-founder Daniel Land, who has gathered an impressive team to support his vision. Among them are former Layla head baker Keren Sternberg, who's behind the sweet and savoury pastries each morning, and chef Luke Frankie, whose stints at Noble Rot, Forza Wine, and Spring inform his inventive interpretation of European cuisine throughout the rest of the day.

Fantômas, located in Chelsea, is the brainchild of chef Chris Denney and restaurateurs George Bukhov-Weinstein and Ilya Demichev. The restaurant offers inventive modern European cuisine, emphasising seasonality and showcasing flavours inspired by Asian and Japanese influences. Drawing on Denney's extensive global travels, the menus aim to redefine expectations, moving beyond the mould of previous ventures like Burger & Lobster and Wild Tavern.

The Brush, located within the Art'otel London in Hoxton, spans two floors and draws inspiration from the opulent grand cafés of Central Europe. On the ground floor, guests are welcomed into a dining space enclosed by glass walls, offering refined European dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The upper level hosts a lounge ideal for working or unwinding, complete with a bar serving cocktails and evening live music for a relaxed ambience.

The Cardinal Bar and Kitchen at Hotel Saint is an all-day dining venue. It provides a choice of seating, both indoors and outdoors, and creates a welcoming, friendly environment. The restaurant specialises in European-style dishes, including options like steak frites and stracciatella with slow-roasted tomatoes, dukkah, and garlic toast. Additionally, there's a bar offering a range of signature cocktails and other drinks.

El Pastor is one of London's top places for tacos and soon you'll be able to get them at Battersea Power Station with the group's newest location, opening in 2024. Flavour-packed food is dished up in a colourful and vibrant setting, with classic taco fillings to choose from like chicken, mushrooms, or pulled pork. Alternatively, grab a sharing plate for a social meal.

Endo Kazutoshi, a third-generation sushi master, elevates his delicate craft to new heights in the refurbished OWO building. Kioku by Endo, located on the grand rooftop of The OWO, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city along with exquisitely prepared Japanese delicacies, including the chef's table experience. Additionally, outdoor seating is available, and a separate ground-floor entrance leads to an accompanying sake bar.

Opened in 2023 as 20 Berkeley, this British restaurant was revamped a year later and reopened as Nijū, with renowned sushi master Endo Kazutoshi at the helm. Now focusing on an ingredient-driven menu, Nijū features 'Katei Ryori' home-cooked style dishes crafted by Kazutoshi. The restaurant maintains its upscale ambience, complete with a custom sushi bar, and offers an exclusive private dining room and a cosy bar for cocktails and Japanese-inspired sandwiches.

Dream Xi'an, a new addition to chef Guirong Wei's collection of London-based Xi'an restaurants, offers classic street food from China's Xi'an province in a contemporary setting adorned with traditional Chinese motifs. Expect cult dishes like hand-pulled biang biang noodles and steamed dumplings, complemented by a range of chef's specials including kung pao chicken and potato slivers. This restaurant presents Chinese cuisine in a refreshingly unique way.

This Korean restaurant on the corner of Mare Street in London Fields serves authentic Korean dishes in a sleek, trendy London Fields-esque setting. It's run by two brothers and their chef father – the master cook who you can see plating up the dishes in the open kitchen. Dishes are meat-heavy, with a couple of vegetarian options, organised by starters, mains and sides. Highlights include soy-braised shortribs and their famous ox bone broth, an old family recipe.

Uba in Shoreditch takes its guests on a journey through Asian cuisine. The restaurant boasts opulent furnishings, drawing inspiration from Asian cultural themes. It's adorned in a palette of red and gold, featuring banquette seating, lava-stone tables, and an eye-catching marble bar. The menu's highlights are dishes such as spicy salmon tartare or Angus beef gyoza. The dining experience is enhanced by live DJ performances, and private dining is also on offer.

Colombo Kitchen, the go-to destination for Sri Lankan cuisine in South London, infuses the area with vibrant island flavours. Honoured as Sri Lankan Restaurant of the Year 2023 at its parent location in Worcester Park, it's celebrated for signature dishes such as hoppers and kottu. The restaurant's casual, cool atmosphere and relaxed service create the perfect setting for guests to unwind and enjoy authentic Colombo culinary experiences right in the UK.

Fremantle Bar & Kitchen, located within the Crowne Plaza London Docklands hotel, provides all-day dining in an elegant open-plan space that draws inspiration from the local area's history. The menu at Fremantle features Australasian-inspired cuisine, complemented by a selection of international wines and locally-distilled spirits. The restaurant includes a year-round terrace and offers private dining spaces as well.

Renowned French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten brings his celebrated NYC brand, ABC, to London with a new establishment at The Emory in Belgravia. Featuring stunning views of Hyde Park through its glass façade, this sophisticated restaurant provides all-day dining options showcasing the chef's acclaimed Latin-inspired dishes. Patrons can look forward to culinary delights like pizza oven-roasted lobster, pork confit tacos, and Wagyu steaks.

Ambassadors Clubhouse is a chic and contemporary Punjabi dining spot. This expansive establishment can accommodate up to 140 guests across two levels, including an outdoor terrace. One of the standout elements is the striking central bar, crowned by a gold dome, adding a touch of grandeur. The menu highlights unique and often overlooked dishes from the Indian subcontinent, complemented by cocktails crafted with tequila and mezcal.