The hottest new restaurants London has to offer

It is a long established truth that London is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, with the capital’s dining scene growing exponentially over the last decade and pretty much every cuisine imaginable been accounted for. With so many restaurants to choose from though, heading out to dinner can often become somewhat of an overwhelming affair. It is true that new restaurants open in London every day, but how do you separate the great from the good? We have done the hard work for you, with our pick of the best new restaurants London has to offer.

Updated on 20 May 2021

If you want to visit the new London restaurant that’s on everybody’s lips, guaranteed to leave you satisfied and right at the centre of the capital’s cultural zeitgeist, this is the only list you’ll ever need. You can expect the most talked-about chefs, the biggest comebacks, white-hot pop-ups-gone-permanent, or simply brand-new restaurants that are knocking it out of the park. Scroll this way for London’s hottest new restaurants and be prepared to block out your diary for the foreseeable future.

Find out all about London’s fabulous new restaurant openings by checking out our pick of the best new restaurants London has to offer. Of course, London has an incredible portfolio of restaurants but if you're looking for something more specific, you can check out our curated top picks for brunch in the capital, or afternoon teas that are not to be missed.

Every one of the London restaurants featured in SquareMeal’s list of the hottest new openings have been tried and tested by our team of critics, so check out the full reviews by clicking through. Each SquareMeal listing features an independent review, as well as reviews from those who have visited, together with unique special offers such as special menus and discounts.

Cafe Biltmore

Cafe Biltmore

44 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London, W1K 2HP

Serene leafy terraces in bustling Mayfair are hard to come by, so thank heavens for Cafe Biltmore from chef Jason Atherton. Expect a casual offering (for this postcode at least) full of globally inspired dishes.

£50 - £79
Modern European
Mediterranean
Imad

Imad's Syrian Kitchen

2.14 Top Floor, Kingly Court, Soho, London, W1B 5PW

A wildly popular pop up gone permanent in Kingly Court, the delicious food here is served alongside the heartwarming story of chef Imad, who fled war-torn Syria after his restaurants were destroyed in the conflict.

Under £30
Middle Eastern
Syrian
Sumi

Sumi

157 Westbourne Grove , Notting Hill, London, W11 2RS

A more casual little sister to sushi master Endo Kazutoshi’s White City flagship, Sumi offers calming interiors and a chef’s table where guests can watch the action. Don’t miss the Wagyu striploin in onion sauce.

£50 - £79
Japanese
Pali Hill

Pali Hill

79-81 Mortimer Street, Fitzrovia, W1W 7SJ

Taking the place of long-standing institution Gaylord, Pali Hill bravely sticks to Indian cuisine and the gamble pays off. An unpretentious and relaxed setting is matched with an affordable menu of delightfully messy sharing plates.

£30 - £49
Indian
Maison Francois

Maison Francois

34 Duke Street, St. James's, London, SW1Y 6DF

This French brasserie from Francois O’Neill and MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Matthew Ryle is a purely joyous dining experience from start to finish. Don’t miss the decadent trolley of Parisian puddings which steals the show.

£50 - £79
French
Café Kitsuné at Pantechnicon

Café Kitsuné at Pantechnicon

19 Motcomb Street,, London, SW1X 8LB

One of two restaurants at Nordic/Japanese venue Pantechnicon, the London branch of Cafe Kitsune (there are a handful around the world) offers the feel of a French patisserie-style cafe with a distinct Japanese twist.

Japanese
The Princess of Shoreditch

The Princess of Shoreditch

76-78 Paul Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 4NE

Pub grub this certainly is not. Chef-to-watch Ruth Hansom heads up the kitchen at this East London gastropub and we encountered not a single dud dish on our visit. All incredibly reasonably priced too.

£30 - £49
British
Gastropub
SquareMeal London Top 100
Taka Marylebone

Taka Marylebone

109 Marylebone High Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 4RX

London is not short of Japanese restaurants, but Taka manages to still feel fresh, thanks to its charmingly playful dishes such as mochi flatbread and decadent fries which arrive topped with caviar, cheese and truffle.

£50 - £79
Sushi
Japanese
Noble Rot Soho

Noble Rot Soho

2 Greek Street, Soho, London, W1D 4NB

Replacing The Gay Hussar, this is the second site for cult restaurant Noble Rot. Expect a menu of Anglo-French classics, plus some nods to the Hungarian cuisine that was served in the restaurant’s previous life.

£30 - £49
British
French
Behind

Behind

20 Sidworth Street, Hackney, London, E8 3SD

This 18-seat chef’s table restaurant had traded for less than 100 days before earning its first Michelin star. Expect a seasonally changing menu of sustainable British produce so good it will blow your socks off.

£50 - £79
Fish
One Michelin star
Native at Browns

Native at Browns

39 Brook Street, London, W1K 4JE

This sustainability conscious outfit finds its home in a luxury fashion boutique, serving up seasonally changing plates that are just as pretty as the outfits on display next door. Fab list of herbaceous cocktails, too.

£30 - £49
British
Eldr at Pantechnicon

Eldr at Pantechnicon

19 Motcomb Street,, London, SW1X 8LB

Serving unpretentious Nordic dishes in a relaxed setting, Eldr is a unique and exciting addition to London’s restaurant scene. Dishes change seasonally, but you can always count on friendly service and an attractive dining space.

£30 - £49
Modern European
Scandinavian
Darjeeling Express

Darjeeling Express

2a Garrick Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9BH

The second iteration of Asma Khan’s restaurant sees a new location and menu. You can still expect the same homey atmosphere, alongside fresh tasting menus and a daytime deli where you’ll find staples of Indian cuisine.

Under £30
Indian
SquareMeal London Top 100
Gordon Ramsay Burger

Gordon Ramsay Burger

87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7XL

A burger restaurant might be the last thing you’d expect to find in Harrods, but these are no ordinary buns. Fronted by Gordon Ramsay, options include a Wagyu burger that clocks in at £80.

£50 - £79
Burgers
Harrods Social

Harrods Social

87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7XL

Harrods may soon be known more for its restaurants than its designer goods. Celebrity chef Jason Atheron is the one of a handful of big names to open here, with this classy modern British all-dayer.

£50 - £79
British
Wildflower

Wildflower

Camden (Buck Street) Market, Camden Town, London, NW1 8QP

Fine dining in a shipping container might sound like an oxymoron, but that’s exactly the concept at Wildflower. Once you get past the setting, expect an intriguing, exciting tasting menu which focuses on foraged ingredients.

£50 - £79
British
Irish
Casa Fofó

Casa Fofó

Casa Fofó 158 Sandringham Road, London, E8 2HS

It may have a Michelin star to its name, but at its heart Casa Fofo is simply an unpretentious neighbourhood restaurant. Guests are served a daily-changing tasting menu which draws influences from across the globe.

Over £80
One Michelin star
Chameleon

Chameleon

1 Marylebone Road, Marylebone, London, NW1 4AQ

Surely among the capital’s most unique venues, Chameleon offers up nine private dining greenhouses serving Tel Aviv inspired small plates, alongside a floral courtyard for drinks, art installations, a cinema and a makeshift fitness studio.

£30 - £49
Middle Eastern
Cafe Bao

Cafe Bao

4 Pancras Square, King's Cross, London, NIC 4AG

The Bao brand can do no wrong and its success continues with this all-day operation in King’s Cross. Head to the bakery counter for curious sweet treats including a white chocolate and red bean bao.

£30 - £49
Taiwanese
Nusr-Et Steakhouse

Nusr-Et Steakhouse

The Park Tower hotel, 101 Knightsbridge, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7RN

Whether the London debut of Salt Bae’s expensive celeb-magnet steak house chain will charm the city’s discerning foodies is yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure - everyone will be talking about it.

Over £80
Steak
Akoko

Akoko

21 Berners Street, London, W1T 3LP

The debut project from Masterchef: The Professionals finalist William JM Chilila is a West African-inspired restaurant in Fitzrovia. The cuisine is still underrepresented in central London, so it’s great to see it finally getting recognition.

£50 - £79
West African
Golden Gai

Golden Gai

16A D'Arblay Street, Soho, London, W1F8EA

Looking for drinks and snacks in central London? Head to Golden Gai, a bar from the team behind Dalston’s cult Japanese-cum-Italian restaurant Angelina. Quaff unique cocktails while munching on flatbreads filled with caviar and more.

Under £30
Japanese
Bars
Italian
The Cheese Barge

The Cheese Barge

Sheldon Square, Paddington Central, London, W2 6HY

A floating restaurant on a permanently moored barge that’s dedicated to all things cheese? Only in London. Is the Cheese Barge a gimmick? Sure, but it’s also plenty of fun and a rather unique outing.

Cheese
British
KOL

KOL

9 Seymour Street, London, W1H 7BA

Unlike anywhere else in London, KOL offers a slice of diner’s paradise - think Mexican-style dishes offering both style and substance, a stylish, lively dining room and staff who can’t do enough for you. Muy bueno.

£50 - £79
Mexican
Manteca

Manteca

58-59 Great Marlborough Street, Soho, London, W1F 7JY

Manteca started out life as a pop up, but its menu of fresh pasta dishes and meats cooked over flames proved so popular that it’s now got a permanent London home - we couldn’t be happier.

£30 - £49
British
Italian
Hot Stone Fitzrovia

Hot Stone Fitzrovia

3 Windmill Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 2HY

Serene leafy terraces in bustling Mayfair are hard to come by, so thank heavens for Cafe Biltmore from chef Jason Atherton. Expect a casual offering (for this postcode at least) full of globally inspired dishes.

£50 - £79
Sushi
Steak
Japanese
KOL Mezcaleria

KOL Mezcaleria

9 Seymour Street, Marylebone, London, W1H 7BA

Can’t get a table at London’s hottest Mexican? Pull up a stool in the basement bar instead, a late-night drinking den serving Tequila cocktails and Mexican inspired snacks such as an octopus and kombucha tiradito.

Under £30
Mexican
Bars
Six By Nico London

Six By Nico London

33-41 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 1RR

Making fine dining accessible, chef Nico Simeone offers six-course themed tasting menus, which change ever six weeks. Plenty of fun and full of tableside theatrics including fun cocktails and dishes which aren’t what they seem.

£30 - £49
International
Nobu Portman Square

Nobu Portman Square

22 Portman Square, Marylebone, London, W1H 7BG

Taking up the mantle from Nobu Berkeley Street, this newest iteration of the world-famous Nobu restaurant finds itself in Marylebone and promises the signature black cod miso, alongside a bar complete with an outdoor terrace.

£50 - £79
Peruvian
Sushi
Japanese

If that’s whet your appetite, check out our pick of London restaurants that are opening soon.


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