The light in the evenings is lasting longer, and the clocks have gone forward – it’s time to get back out on the town and try one of the ever-exciting new openings in London. Whether you want traditional British Bistro style, vibey Italian dining or a long awaited North-African spot, we’ve rounded up the best of the latest openings.
Of course, keeping up with London’s relentless wave of openings can feel like a full-time job – so we’ve done the legwork for you. Here’s our pick of the most exciting new and upcoming restaurants to try this April, plus a few recent favourites worth revisiting. It is our job, after all.
New restaurant openings for April
The Latimer
274 Latimer Rd, W10 6QW
The Latimer family
The Spiteris, one of Britain’s powerhouse families in the hospitality industry, are all teaming up together for a new pub and neighbourhood restaurant, The Latimer. Husband Jon Spiteri (The French House, St. John, Sessions Art Club) and wife Melanie Arnold (Rochelle Canteen) will be joined by sons Lorcan and Fin (Caravel), and daughter Molly (Koya) in a venture one hopes doesn't eventually ruin Christmas. The kitchen will be led by Lorcan, with dishes like brown crab tagliolini with bisque and lemon and ox tail with mash and horseradish, while Fin will be heading up the drinks and leading the front-of-house service, with the rest of the family involved behind the scenes.
Opens April 21; thelatimer.co.uk
Ornella
51 Wilton Way, E8 1BG
We’re only a month or two away from everyone longing for a Talented Mr. Ripley summer – ideally minus the murder – and, due to the amount of Italian spots opening up, you don’t even have to leave London to get it anymore. Ornella comes from chef Naz Hassan, who pays homage to his Milanese upbringing with this London Fields spot. Think mondeghili meatballs, penne alla vodka, tagliatelle al burro e parmigiano and risotto alla milanese, and signature dishes like vitello tonnato, and ‘elephant’s ear’ cotoletto di vitello. It’s also the latest collaboration between founders Ed Templeton and Theo James, who opened the Roman-inspired Lupa last year, as they tick off every major Italian city.
Opens April
Tavern
374-378 Old St, EC1V 9LT
Tavern
We like a restaurant that tells you its vibe in its name – you hear Tavern, you think homely interiors, possibly a dog, pints, and meals of substantive portion. Dog yet to be confirmed, but you’ll find the other three at this latest opening from the team behind Michelin-starred St Barts. Taking over the former site of Nest in Shoreditch, the bistro-style restaurant will serve a regularly changing menu focusing on seasonal British produce, whole-animal butchery, and dishes cooked over fire, headed up by Executive Chef Brendan Appleby. Beer will be served in tankards, alongside classic cocktails and a wine list from suppliers including Newcomer and Modal Wines, focused on natural and low-intervention producers.
Opens April 28; Tavernlondon.co.uk
Sova
9 Blenheim Cres, W11 2EE
More and more new openings are shining a spotlight on Eastern European cuisine, and Sova is set to add to the list. Just off Portobello Road in Notting Hill, it will feature a range of Slavic-inspired sharing plates, skin-contact wine from Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine and beyond from consultant sommelier Cristian Vega, as well as vinyls and guest DJs to turn up the vibes. Sova literally translates to ‘owl’ in several Slavic languages, so we hope it keeps its nocturnal promise and becomes a late-night staple, because who doesn't want some Slovenian Malvasia after midnight?
Opens April; sova.london
The Golden Tooth
79 Green Lanes, N16 9BU
Golden Tooth
East London dwellers aren’t exactly lacking in choice, but are set to receive another option in the form of The Golden Tooth. This opening comes from the team behind Papi, with Chef Matthew Scott and wine aficionado Charlie Carr taking over the site of the historic Leconfield Pub in Stoke Newington for a pub-restaurant with in-built nostalgia. The menu will include currywurst, fried ox tongue with Thai gooseberry jam, and non-stop oyster shucking at the front bar. The wine offering focuses on micro-producers and low-intervention natural wines, with a special focus on homegrown English producers.
Opens April 24; Goldentooth.co.uk
Teal by Sally Abe
52 Wilton Way, E8 1BS
View on Instagram
One of the most anticipated openings of the year so far, Teal is the latest venture from chef Sally Abe, previously of The Pem and The Bull at Charlbury, and marks her first solo venture. Taking over the gone-but-not-forgotten Sesta space (which in turn took over from Pidgin), it aims to celebrate the best of British produce. The menu will change with the seasons, but expect dishes like Dorset crab royale, haunch of deer with pickled walnuts and cavolo nero, and Cornish mussels with Jersey royals, cauliflower and sea kale.
Opened March 26; tealbysallyabe.com
Impala
13-14 Dean St, London W1D 3RS
View on Instagram
Another long-awaited opening, Impala is the first solo venture of ex-Kiln chef Meedu Saad, an Egyptian-style restaurant that blends charcoal and Saad’s classic French training. Kiln DNA is all over the place, sharing the same design team and Soho residence. Menu highlights include a dry-aged Devon duck stuffed with black lime and Aswan chillies, skewers cooked over white coals for a smoky char, and wood-oven-baked rice with ghee in clay pots. To give a little insight into the level of preparation that has gone into this spot: The team worked with a farm in Exmoor to rear their own lambs, mutton and ewes for use in the kitchen, which will be a standout on the menu.
Opened March 26; impalasoho.com
Our favourite recent openings
Temaki
11 Maddox Street, W1S 2QF
Beloved ex-Brixton hand roll spot Temaki is opening its doors to a larger space in Mayfair, with some changes to the original. While hand rolls remain at the heart of the restaurant, it’s also broadening its menu to include a selection of Japanese small plates designed for sharing. Think crispy rice topped with premium cuts of fish, A4 wagyu sliders, and revolving sandos and toro. Complementing the food will be a curated wine list, Japanese sake, and a classic cocktail menu.
Osteria Vibrato
6 Greek St, W1D 4DE
From Charlie Mellor (Laughing Heart) and Cameron Dewar (Luca, Burnt Ends) comes a new Italian spot in Soho. The menu traverses the different regions of Italy, with a classic structure of antipasti, primi, secondi and dolci. Named in part after Mellor’s previous occupation as an operatic tenor, let’s hope the hand made pasta sings as well as the co-owners voice.
Cafe Kowloon
392-393 Mentmore Terrace, E8 3PH
Hong Kong cooking is having a moment in London, and Cafe Kowloon is here to add to the ever-expanding list of great Cantonese spots in the capital. Tucked behind Wonton Charlie's, the menu takes inspiration from Hong Kong’s dai pai dongs, street food stalls, cha chaan tengs, dim sum houses and cocktail bars. The perfect place to eat and drink just a little too much.
Forza Wine Soho
Unit 1, Ilona Rose House, Manette St, W1D 4AL
After conquering Peckham and Southbank, it was only a matter of time before Forza turned its attention to the heart of London dining. Expect regular service of Italian-style small plates like aubergine parmigiana and pork chop with braised tomatoes, alongside frozen cocktails, a great wine list, and, hopefully, soft-serve ice cream come summer.
Tamila
19-20 Poland St, W1F 8QF
This new Indian institution shows no sign of slowing down, opening a third venue in quick succession to satiate London’s unending demand for curry. The more casual spot from the same people behind The Tamil Prince and Tamil Crown in Islington is building on its footholds in Clapham and King’s Cross and taking a plunge into Soho. A love letter to the Indian dining institution, expect the familiar curry-house rituals: rotis, curries, beers, and late-night drinks.
