Now, if team Foodism collectively had to agree on their one area of expertise, I'm confident it'd be which new London restaurants you simply have – and we stress here, have – to try. Because, well, it's kind of our job.
It's the question us Foodism staffers get asked the most as being at the forefront of the food and drinks industry with contacts in all the right places means we get the inside scoop on must-tries before most. And, lucky for you, that means that, ahead of time, you can now scout which eateries really need to be on your radar for the coming months.
Want to eat a dish so good it almost brings you to tears? That's covered. Keen to dine at spots that have boomed with success so much in other countries they've opened UK posts right here, in London? We got you. Stuck for where to eat in London tonight to get that perfect Insta shot? Foodism has the knowledge, too. NB – this isn't just an exhaustive list of all the press releases we're sent. These are the hand-chosen gems of London's new openings, selected and scouted out with love, care and affection.
Keep scrolling for our ultimate guide to the City's hottest and most-talked about new London restaurants. They're ordered chronologically with the newest nearest the top, and the ones opening back in early 2019 but still exceptional and worth a visit near the bottom.
Happy feasting.
New London restaurants: soon to open
1. Sussex
63-64 Frith Street, W1D 3JW (nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road)
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If you're a Londoner who's into their food, you've likely heard of the Gladwin brothers, the sibling trio behind The Shed, Rabbit and Nutbourne. This autumn, get set for the fourth restaurant in the group which, surprisingly, won’t be serving sharing plates like the others. Instead, it'll open its doors in the old Arbutus site in Soho, serving food fresh from the family farm in Sussex, foraged finds from nearby woodland and wines from its family vineyard. It's a family affair – and one you'll definitely want to bag a table at, for the hand-dived scallops and blood pudding alone.
2. Stoney Street
2-3 Stoney Street, SE1 9AA (nearest tube: London Bridge)
From the owners of cult Neal's Yard porridge spot 26 Grains comes shiny new Stoney Street. Situated on Borough Market’s (who’d have thought it) Stoney Street, the team will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner plates using the best local and seasonal ingredients. Henrietta Inman, formerly of Leyton's Yardarm, is heading up the kitchen, confirming that this spot is a must-try. Don't miss the fresh pastries, seasonal tarts and local wines, available to take away from the front window hatch.
3. Mama Fuego
69-72 Olympian Way, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0NA (nearest tube: North Greenwich)
New parks opening in London is fairly rare – it's got quite a few – and yet, in Greenwich you'll find The Tide, a new urban park from the designers of NYC's much-loved High Line. On the food front, the Abuelo founders are serving South American-Australian fare. Dine at the restaurant, brunch at the milk-bar café or cheers at the venue's late-night drinking den.
New London restaurants: just opened
4. Emile
26 Curtain Road, EC2A 3NY (nearest tube: Old Street)
From the old restaurant director of Petersham Nurseries and landlord of much-loved London gastropub the Drapers Arms comes Emile, a new Shoreditch pop-up. It’ll fill the space left by Rok on Curtain Road and focus on local, seasonal produce, hands-on cooking and seriously sexy wines. Think pecorino paired with pear, pumpkin and speck, and venison loin with kalibos cabbage, plum and thyme. Clear your diaries quick – it’s only there for six months.
5. Tonkotsu
New Inn Yard 1 Anning Street E1 6HU (nearest tube: Shoreditch High Street)
As if you needed any more reason to stuff your face with salty, warming noodles at Tonkotsu, the chain has just opened its 11th branch in sunny Shoreditch. Expect all the classic Tonkotsu dishes, plus a signature Shoreditch dish for you to feast on. The must-try, of course, is the ramen: made traditionally and cooked for exactly 32 seconds for that perfect bite. Drool.
6. Norma
8 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 2LS (nearest tube: Goodge Street)
Does the sound of antipasti, fresh grilled fish and homemade focaccia inspired by Sicily and served in a converted Fitzrovia townhouse tickle your fancy? Ben Tish knows you all too well, as this is exactly what new launch Norma is offering. Located on Charlotte Street, it’s got Italian grand café vibes, plus all the moreish ingredients and drinks you’d expect – including a great selection of Sicilian marsala, passito and limoncello. Who needs a holiday, anyway?
7. Oren
89 Shacklewell Lane, E8 2EB (nearest tube: Dalston Junction)
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Oded Oren has been here, there and everywhere in London this year, popping up with his Mediterranean-Israeli fusion fare, and now his much-loved grub will be served from a permanent location in Dalston. If you’re in for ox cheek with hummus, and hake kebabs slathered in sheep’s yoghurt, get yourself on the Overground asap.
8. Vardo
Duke of York Square, SW3 4LY (nearest tube: Sloane Square)
Sit tight, because Caravan is opening an eye-catching concept restaurant out west. Imagine the Black Mirror USS Callister spaceship and add the UK’s first fully retractable glass wall and you're not far off the design. Contrasting the intricate architecture is back-to-basics British produce focusing on low and slow cooking with local, seasonal ingredients; think baharat-rubbed lamb cutlets with green harissa and tahini, and baked eggs with lentil ragu. Fun fact: Vardo references the Romani travellers of the 1800s, and a traditional horse-drawn wagon; kind of like a caravan.
9. HAYA
184A Kensington Park Road, W11 2ES (nearest tube: Ladbroke Grove)
HAYA, a Mediterranean restaurant inspired by founder Victoria Paltina's travels in Tel Aviv and head chef Oren King’s love of seasonal sharing plates, is opening this September. Head there during the day for freshly ground coffee, breakfast staples and vibrant salads before the sun sets and gives HAYA a sexyier vibe by night. Try the za'atar duck breast and freekeh risotto with a bottle from the list of Israeli wines.
10. Legare
31G Shad Thames, SE1 2YR (nearest tube: London Bridge)
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It's official: pasta is having a moment. If Padella, Gloria and now Circolo haven't quite filled the carb-shaped hole in your heart, then pop Legare on your radar. From ex-Trullo chef Matt Beardmore and ex-Joya and Barrafina general manager Jay Patel comes a riot of parmesan, charcuterie and fresh pasta, plus low-intervention wines, sun-ripened vegetables and fresh seafood.
11. SONS + DAUGHTERS
The Pavilion, Lower Stable Street, Coal Drops Yard, N1C 4DQ (nearest tube: Kings Cross)
You'll know James Ramsden and Sam Herlihy from the success of the small-yet-vastly-creative Pidgin. Their next venture? Sons + Daughters, serving doorstop sandwiches made with light-as-you-like sourdough and a lot of TLC. Stop by at lunch for a Burford Brown and miso mayonnaise bloomer or head down come evening to feast on smacked cucumber and tahini and Miso-maple-cinnamon-cream cheese finger sandwiches. Then wash them down with a barrel-aged negroni or house BLT cocktail. Don’t leave without trying the candied focaccia and rosemary soft serve.
12. Seven Dials Market
Earlham Street, WC2 H9LX (nearest tube: Covent Garden)
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Cross an old banana warehouse with one of the UK's biggest outdoor food markets and what do you get? Kerb's first indoor venture. With 26 traders, head to the new Kerb for Club Mexicana vegan tacos, Monty's salt beef sarnies and Yum Bun buns.
13. Natoora Cafe
5 Elgin Crescent, W11 2JA (nearest tube: Notting Hill Gate)
Marking a London first, ethical suppliers Natoora have opened a café serving genuinely traceable and radically seasonal grub. Not only can you enjoy flavourful and ethical produce, you’ll also be able to educate yourself on exactly where your food came from. Which is pretty neat.
14. Nutshell
30 St. Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ER (nearest tube: Leicester Square)
Born from Marwa Alkhalaf's love for the home cooked dishes that her partner, Mohammad Paknejad, grew up eating in Tehran, Nutshell is the latest restaurant to open up on St Martin's Lane
Born from Marwa Alkhalaf's love for the home cooked dishes that her partner, Mohammad Paknejad, grew up eating in Tehran, Nutshell is the latest restaurant to open up on St Martin's Lane
Born from Marwa Alkhalaf's love for the home cooked dishes that her partner, Mohammad Paknejad, grew up eating in Tehran, Nutshell is the latest restaurant to open up on St Martin's Lane
Born from Marwa Alkhalaf's love for the home cooked dishes that her partner, Mohammad Paknejad, grew up eating in Tehran, Nutshell is the latest restaurant to open up on St Martin's Lane
Chef Jeremy Borrow, formerly of modern Israeli restaurant The Palomar, has cooked up a deliciously modern take on Iranian food. Plates here are designed to be shared, and to unite people in the process; the pink and green pastel interior mirrors the pistachio orchards of the owner’s hometown; and the must-try dish is a crispy, buttery, golden scorched rice dish called a tahdig. Hungry yet?
