The good news: Some of London’s top restaurants have finally reopened their doors.
The other good news: Some are opening their doors for the very first time – because, in spite of everything 2020’s had to throw at them, London’s chefs and restaurateurs are doing everything they can to bring the city back to life and open the restaurants they’ve been planning for years.
From the highly anticipated openings that had to be postponed, to brand new announcements – here are the best new restaurants set to open in London over the next few months…
Kol | Marylebone
When Noma’s head chef René Redzepi decided to open a pop up in Mexico back in 2017, he didn’t just choose some rando with a stove to help set it up. He chose Santiago Lastra. And Santiago Lastra did such a fine job, he’s now opening his own super-fancy restaurant in London… READ MORE
Opening: 20th October, book here
Soft launch? None announced
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Cafe Deco | Bloomsbury
Chef du jour Anna Tobias – whose CV is adorned with everywhere from The River Cafe to Rochelle Canteen – has joined forces with the team behind 40 Maltby Street to help her open her debut restaurant (and wine bar), in Bloomsbury this autumn. READ MORE
Opening: Late October/early November
Soft Launch? None announced
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The Cheese Barge | Paddington
Originally mooted to open this spring, The Cheese Barge has been slowly maturing over in Somerset for the past six months, and is finally ready to sail into Paddington’s canals, loaded up with artisan British cheese… READ MORE
Opening: Early November
Soft launch? None announced
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Cafe BAO | King’s Cross
Another branch of lauded steamed bun spot BAO will soon be joining the new slick of eateries up in King’s Cross. This’ll be their biggest place yet, offering all day dining inspired by the Western-style cooking of tearooms across Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan… READ MORE
Opening: Third week of November
Soft launch? None yet announced
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WC Bloomsbury | Bloomsbury
Clapham’s eminent bar-in-an-old-public-toilet is about to do a number two. WC Bloomsbury opens next month in a restored, Grade II listed public convenience, where they’ve enhanced the original tile-work and mosaic flooring with plush, intimate booths; a sleek bartop; and some very atmospheric candlelight…
Opening: November
Soft launch: None yet announced
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Claro | Soho
If you’re going to choose a name for a new Modern Portuguese joint in Soho, the choice is clear…
…a word which in Portuguese translates as ‘claro’.
It comes to us from Leandro Carreira (Executive Chef, formerly of Londrino) and Alex Hunter (founder) of the critically-lavished seafood restaurant The Sea The Sea… READ MORE
Opening: TBC
Soft launch? None announced
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Manzi’s | Soho
It seems like anyone who lived in London between the 1950s and early noughties has a story about Manzi’s.
Just off Leicester Square, it was a two-storey seafood restaurant run by the kind of rumbustious Italian family you see in movies. In the midst of red gingham tablecloths and plastic loaves hanging from the ceiling, first dates, children’s birthdays, and silver wedding anniversaries were celebrated over curried halibut and Manzi’s renowned strawberry flan – and now the restaurant kings behind The Wolseley and The Delaunay are hoping to revive it. READ MORE
Opening: TBC
Soft launch? None announced
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Camden Town Brewery | Camden
After ten years, Camden Town Brewery is finally getting la(r)ger. They’re currently operating as a pop up beer garden (with BBQ grub from Prairie Fire) while they’re busy transforming the place to include a bigger taproom, outside seating, and a 50-seater restaurant… READ MORE
Opening: Late 2020
Soft launch? None yet announced
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Blacklock Covent Garden | Covent Garden
If the third time’s a charm, then the fourth should be a breeze – at least it will be for Blacklock, the chophouse titans who are planning to open a fourth branch. You’ll find it on Henrietta Street in Covent Garden, and it promises to be just as noteworthy as its predecessors… READ MORE
Opening: TBC
Soft launch? None yet announced
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Chyna | Canary Wharf
Hakkasan. Yauatcha. Park Chinois.
When Alan Yau announces a new restaurant, people tend to pay attention.
And, well, he’s announced a new restaurant. A big one. Called Chyna, he’s billing it as a “Chinese River Cafe”, and it’ll sit in the huge Wardian development in Canary Wharf where it’ll overlook the South Dock. There’ll be enough room for 120 diners, and there’ll be a nice waterside terrace too… READ MORE
Opening: TBC
Soft launch? None announced
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Yau Grilling | Canary Wharf
…and what’s that next door, you ask? Oh, that’s just Alan’s other spot that he’s opening. At the same time. No biggie. It’ll be a 45-seater focused on Japanese grill dishes, with a dedicated oyster bar thrown in for good measure… READ MORE
Opening: TBC
Soft launch? None announced
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Sessions Arts Club | Clerkenwell
Opening a restaurant inside a former courthouse is a solid idea.
For one thing, it makes it much easier to order, order.
And for another, it makes for a stunningly atmospheric setting – as the multi-talented creative team behind Sessions Arts Club is about to prove… READ MORE
Opening: TBC
Soft launch? None yet announced
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Eataly | Bishopsgate
Eataly.
No, that’s not a phonetic guide to saying the word “Italy” in a vaguely offensive fashion.
It’s a new Italian dining hall coming to London next year, in what amounts to basically a massive food theme park. They’re packing everything good about Italian food into one grand space, and it’s going to be amazing…READ MORE
Opening: Sometime in 2021
Soft launch? Not yet announced
Last updated: 8th October 2020
Want to read about somewhere that’s actually open, like, now? Check out our pick of the best Recent Openings.