The best new restaurants in London

Conceived as a spiritual successor to Koyn Thai, Samyukta Nair's new London restaurant is situated on the ground level of her opulent Mimi Mei Fair venue. The flame-grilled Thai specialities that garnered Koyn such acclaim are back, with favourites like black pepper squid and lamb massaman curry accompanied by fresh additions and Thai-inspired cocktails.

A relaunch of sorts of former Michelin star holder Humo, Igni maintains its predecessor's elegant bronze-toned aesthetic whilst continuing to champion the craft of wood-fired gastronomy. The kitchen is led by acclaimed chef Theo Clench, who utilises his Michelin-starred background to curate refined tasting menus with a strong emphasis on seafood. Come Michelin Guide award season, this new restaurant definitely aims to be in the conversation.

Located in the space previously housing Papi, Auguste takes diners on an imaginative gastronomic adventure focused on flame-grilled arrosticini skewers paired with low-intervention Italian vintages. The dining room is decked out in a whimsical blend of soft pastel hues and rich walnut detailing, with seating spread across a downstairs bar, conventional tables, and a standing counter.

Simpson's in the Strand, a landmark of British fine dining since the early 1800s, has been brought back to life by celebrated restaurateur Jeremy King following its closure in 2024, and it's arguably bigger and better than before. King has relaunched the historic site with a number of distinct restaurants and bars, maintaining a sense of prestige through classic features such as the signature silver carving trolleys.

Teal is the debut independent venture from Sally Abé, the prominent rising star in the British culinary landscape who formerly led the kitchen at The Pem. Her contemporary bistro is dedicated to celebrating British gastronomy, combining bold flavours with traditional cooking methods and a sense of refined nostalgia. To accompany the food, the new restaurant offers a dynamic wine selection with a particular emphasis on champagne and regional varieties from throughout France.

Burro by Trullo co-owner Conor Gadd is a spacious Italian restaurant tucked away in the heart of Covent Garden with a private rear terrace. While the culinary focus is again on authentic Italian staples and hand-made pastas – no need to change something that works as beautifully as Trullo – the interior design pays homage to Gadd's Irish roots, merging the cosy atmosphere of a rural manor with the charm of mid-century Italian bistros.

Notting Hill staple Taqueria relaunched in February as TAQ, with celebrated chef Jackson Boxer (of The Devonshire and Orasay) at the helm. Authentic Mexican cuisine remains the focus, specifically tacos featuring premium seafood and meats served atop warm, hand-pressed corn tortillas. Traditional fillings such as pork carnitas and battered fish sit alongside more creative additions, including a unique tribute to The Devonshire's legendary cheeseburger.

Wild Izakaya is the newest project from the team behind the popular Notting Hill establishment Wild, presenting a unique interpretation of traditional Japanese dining. Under the guidance of a former Nobu chef, the menu emphasises authentic methods and flavours, with the experience enhanced by counter seating that provides a direct view of the open kitchen. To complement the cuisine, a curated beverage list includes cocktails with Japanese influences, as well as an extensive range of sake, wines, and high-end spirits.

“Five Star Kitchen” champion Dominic Taylor showcases his internationally influenced Caribbean culinary vision at The Good Front Room, reinventing island staples for a contemporary audience. His menu offers modern interpretations of traditional dishes such as ackee with salt fish and seafood boil, complemented by a signature rum punch and a music-led atmosphere.

In its pop-up days, Tiella quickly built a buzz for chef Dara Klein's distinctive take on Italian food, laced with subtle New Zealand influences. Now settled into its first permanent home, the restaurant occupies a former pub reimagined as a contemporary trattoria and bar. The menu leans into generous portions of Klein's homestyle cooking, made with quality British and Italian produce.

Mater1a is a new London dining destination with a dramatic interior distinguished by artisanal craftsmanship and premium finishes. Under the direction of Michelin-starred chef Victor Garvey, the tasting menus reflect his time in Japan, highlighting superior seasonal ingredients via meticulously composed, deceptively simple plates. Both wine and non-alcoholi pairings are available, and the relaxed atmosphere is underscored by live DJs.

Stable Wines is the latest opening from the team behind Goodbye Horses and The Dreamery, bringing a new wine shop and bar to a quiet spot off Essex Road. The ground-floor shop focuses on natural wines and features an oak counter made from the same tree as the bar in Goodbye Horses. Downstairs, a former bank vault has been transformed into a candlelit cellar with a speakeasy-meets-medieval feel, creating a memorable setting for drinks. The menu includes oysters with Guinness rarebit and a spaghetti squash vol-au-vent, helping make Stable Wines one of Islington's most talked-about new openings.

This stylish new London restaurant eatery focuses its culinary efforts on a dual menu of premium beef and fresh seabass, each masterfully prepared over glowing charcoal to impart a rich, smoky depth of flavour. Guests can begin or end their evening at the discreet cocktail bar, while those seeking a more exclusive experience can retreat to the restaurant's elegant private dining room.

After a hugely popular pop-up in 2023, ramen luminary Ivan Orkin brought a permanent home to Farringdon a few years on. The snug spot serves his much-lauded favourites, including tonkotsu ramen, spicy miso bowls, and kara-age chicken. A special salt beef bao with pickled cucumbers and punchy karashi mustard mayo, made just for this location, rounds out the offering.

Whole Beast takes nose-to-tail dining into bold, smoky territory, cooking over open flames with the swagger of a backstage headliner. Their famed burger, a prize-winning monster with serious fan devotion from their pop-up days, is only one highlight of their debut Brixton address, where Sundays might mean entire cuts slow-roasted above glowing embers. The drinks list backs it all with characterful pours, from small-batch beers and inventive cocktails to low-intervention wines.

Khao-Sō-i is a Thai noodle concept that landed in London after proving a hit during its Oxford Circus pop-up stint. Its namesake bowls are crafted from a cherished family formula, featuring springy egg noodles, an intricate blend of 32 Thai aromatics and freshly pressed coconut milk. The menu also cycles through a line-up of Thai snacks and sides, with dishes such as wok-tossed minced pork or bright, zesty jackfruit salad making regular appearances.

Crisp Pizza has swapped its tiny Hammersmith kitchen for a grand new home in Mayfair. The team has taken over The Marlborough on North Audley Street, serving the same cult New York-style pies that earned them queues back west. Downstairs is a low-lit pizzeria turning out those perfectly crisp slices, while upstairs is a polished pub pouring some of the best Guinness in town. 

Taking over the former Mere site, 74 Charlotte Street is the latest project from Ben Murphy, who brings his polished, playful style to a bright, stylish Fitzrovia space. The menu pays homage to British classics, such as a perfect beef Wellington, and other dishes with a bit of theatre, including an ice-cream trolley that does the rounds. There's a cocktail bar upstairs on the ground floor if you're just dropping in, plus a wine list that runs well over 300 bottles. A great new spot if you want something familiar but with a touch of showmanship.

The Poon family's roots in London hospitality stretch back decades, with their legacy carried forward by a new generation at Somerset House. Amy Poon's Chinese cooking prioritises lightness and precision, with steaming at its core. Soft, calming interiors set the tone, while the space itself includes a communal dining table and an open kitchen that brings the action to the fore.

Three Rounds Tavern is a lively London newcomer inspired by a Chinese proverb claiming real talk starts after the third round of drinks. Rare baijiu spirits take centre stage, with the concept led by the bar rather than the kitchen, and dishes created to match the pours. Between cocktails and Chinese craft beers, the friendly, communal vibe encourages easy conversation, while the table fills with expertly smoked and braised cold cuts, authentic dim sum, and other Chinese comfort classics.

Tobi Masa is the first independent London restaurant from renowned Japanese chef Masayoshi Takayama, a pioneer of modern Japanese dining. Conceived as a continuation of his celebrated three Michelin-starred New York establishment, the new restaurant at the Chancery Rosewood hotel presents a mix of his signature dishes alongside unique creations made exclusively for London.

Created by rising chef and Clink ambassador Nathaniel Mortley, better known as NattyCanCook, 2210 takes its name from the date his grandmother passed away – a heartfelt nod to the woman who sparked his passion for food. Here, he elevates Caribbean cooking with a refined, modern touch, weaving together flavours from Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, and beyond. The result is a thoughtful fusion where island ingredients meet polished French culinary technique.

A cosy new London bistro, Oui Madame has a relaxed, pastoral setting inspired by its owner's roots growing up and working at his family's restaurant. Open for dinner only, the kitchen balances refinement with comfort in a menu of modern European dishes with Mediterranean  and seasonal touches. With a curated wine list and intimate ambience, it delivers a quietly memorable dining experience.

Carbone, the London sibling of the famed New York original that has defined American dining over the past decade, delivers a bold Italian-American experience. Its interiors exude retro glamour, with Murano glass fixtures, grand drapery, jewel-toned banquettes, and modern artworks setting the scene. On the plate, expect signature staples such as the spicy rigatoni alla vodka, veal parmesan, and octopus pizzaiolo.

This elegant, wine-led restaurant comes with serious pedigree. Tucked inside a five-star hotel with its own discreet entrance, it evolved from a much-loved Southwark wine bar pop-up by the team behind the two Michelin-starred Trivet. The menu centres on precision grilling, offering a balance of inventive new plates and signature Trivet favourites, all designed to complement an exceptional wine list.

Lilibet's brings a refined, contemporary touch to seafood, blending classic techniques with international flair. Set in the heart of Mayfair, the elegant venue features a dedicated cocktail bar, an oyster counter, and a leafy garden terrace, alongside a fireside grill for a more intimate dining experience. Its interiors nod to the glamour of the 1920s, evoking the neighbourhood's golden age with a sense of timeless sophistication.

Richoux, a storied name in London dining, made its comeback with a refreshed concept inspired by the timeless charm of Parisian grand cafés. Expect marble counters, deep navy banquettes, and vintage-style artwork creating a chic yet relaxed atmosphere. The menu highlights French staples such as a 36-day dry-aged ribeye and tableside-prepared steak tartare, complemented by a thoughtful selection of wines and cocktails. To finish, guests can savour handcrafted patisserie and indulgent desserts.

Punk Royale comes to London from Scandinavia, where it has been tearing through the dining scene with its irreverent approach to fine dining and tasting menus. Surprise props, tongue-in-cheek service, and apocalyptic setting combine at one of the most unique new restaurants in London, upending established rules with its playful culinary expertise and ensuring a memorable dining experience.

Guided by a chef with an impressive fine-dining background, Raaz brings a new wave of Indian fusion cooking to Putney. This new London restaurant turns out fragrant curries, sizzling tandoori plates, and much-loved chaat staples, all accompanied by creative India-inspired cocktails and a well-curated wine list. An on-point playlist underpins the whole experience, giving the restaurant a vibey atmosphere.

Natural textures, pastel colours, and Wes Anderson whimsy combine to charming effect at this new London restaurant, located in Marylebone. Fotia originally launched in Singapore, earning accolades as one of the best Greek restaurants in Asia, and has now expanded to the Big Smoke. Speaking of smoke – charcoal grilling is at the forefront here, with premium cuts and fresh seafood cooked expertly in the traditional Greek manner. An assortment of small plates, signature cocktails, and fine wines round out the experience.

Moi spans two floors in Wardour Street, offering a refined Japanese dining experience. Alongside its main restaurant area, it houses private rooms, an omakase sushi counter, and even a dedicated listening space for a more immersive ambiance. The interiors combine sleek minimalism with earthy textures – think raw concrete, warm lighting, and reclaimed wood that echoes traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Brasserie Constance, a stylish addition to Fulham Pier, is a new London restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Adam Byatt of Trinity. This modern British brasserie offers panoramic Thames views, with a weather-dependent outdoor terrace available as well. The lunch and dinner menus at this neighbourhood restaurant highlight fish and meat mains like brill baked on the bone in coronation butter or a clay pot chicken to be shared.

At Island, a laid-back North London spot helmed by two Michelin-starred chefs, land meets sea in flavour-packed dishes. Set within King's Cross's Mare Street Market, the restaurant champions top-quality British ingredients through an American lens – think succulent steaks, chargrilled seafood, indulgent lobster rolls, and generous shellfish platters. Above the main dining space, a mezzanine-level cocktail bar offers a stylish nook to sip on expertly mixed drinks.

Blending rustic osteria charm with preserved Victorian details, neighbourhood eatery Lupa bringing the comforts of the Eternal City's homestyle cooking to North London. This intimate Italian spot focuses on Roman-inspired dishes like stuffed artichokes, lasagne al forno, and slow-cooked porchetta. The drinks list leans heavily on Italian aperitivos and regional wines, perfect for pairing with your meal.

Originally based in Leyton, Singuri made a name for itself with both its top-notch Thai cooking and somewhat eccentric approach to hospitality – taken together, the two made it one of the most difficult restaurants to get into in London. Having passed on to a new generation, the family-run business has relocated to a new, bigger venue in Shoreditch, but don't expect that to make it any less popular.

Regenerative farming is at the heart of Town by Pastaio's Stevie Parle. It's the first restaurant to serve Wildfarmed beef from its own herd of grass-fed cows in Oxfordshire, using whole-carcass butchery to cut waste. The kitchen serves seasonal European dishes such as potato bread with beef dripping and wood-grilled hogget. Drinks include a thoughtful wine list and cocktails.

South Kensington's Myrtos offers a refined Greek dining experience, helmed by celebrated chef Asimakis Chaniotis. The 80-seat spot takes pride in its authentic approach, serving everything from traditional lobster giouvetsi to a curated trolley of Greek cheeses. Meanwhile, the cocktail menu, crafted by Line of Athens, one of the world's best cocktail bars.

Marking its first appearance in London, Permit Room is Dishoom's more relaxed younger sibling. The venue serves up a mix of signature dishes and new creations, running from morning chai to evening feasts. With cocktails steeped in Bombay's bar culture, regular DJ sets and an inviting, sociable setting – not to mention a bookable two-bedroom flat above – it's more than just a restaurant.

Renowned chef Daisuke Shimoyama's new London restaurant, perched on the seventh floor of The Stratford hotel, is a sleek, design-forward destination offering sweeping views from its two terraces. Outfitted with an authentic Japanese charcoal grill, the airy dining room presents an array of Japanese specialities, from sushi to premium Wagyu beef. One of its standout attractions are the immersive bluefin tuna evenings.