Given the situation we’ve all been in for the past two years, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the outlook for 2022’s new bar & restaurant openings would be just a little murky. But despite everything, somehow the next few months are absolutely packed with a huge roster of ribbon-cuttings from some truly extraordinary chefs.
We can look forward to some of the best Burmese food outside of Myanmar, a new place from a man who may as well have been designed in a lab to be the perfect fresh pasta chef, a hotel with six bars & restaurants, another hotel with eleven bars & restaurants, a spot from the chef responsible for the 6th best restaurant in the world, and a three storey “love letter to Lisbon” to name but a few.
Take a look for yourself…
Boiler & Co | Southwark
Boiler and Co is a bar & restaurant named after “caramel-coloured beverages that get their depth from the boilers they are made in”. That means beer, whiskey, and coffee, which will be quite easy for the bar to acclimate to, but will require some creativity for chef Kerth Gumbs (former head man at Ormer in Mayfair), who’ll be creating a menu of Anguillan-inspired small plates…
Opening: Breakfast from 14th January, tasting menu (bookings only) from 26th January, bar from 31st January & full service from 16th February
Soft launch? £1 coffees 14th-26th January; complimentary cocktail pairings with the tasting menu (£65) for the preview period – book here
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The Ledbury | Notting Hill
Two Michelin stars. Highest climber in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants lists. Crowned ‘best restaurant in London’ too many times to count. Iconic fine diner The Ledbury closed its doors indefinitely during the pandemic… but now it’s coming back, baby. READ MORE
Opening: Probably early February
Soft launch: Ahaha. No.
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Holy Bar | Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge’s vegan restaurant Holy Carrot is about to get a naughty side. With access hidden somewhere inside the restaurant, they’re doubling down on the illicit nature of the speakeasy with a mystical theme: that translates to cocktails named after tarot archetypes; live card readings; and plenty of smoke and mirrors… READ MORE
Opening: 4th February
Soft launch? None 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: 14th February 2022
Soft launch? Nudge Members’ exclusive preview night, with 50% off, on 7th February (register here), or sign up here to stay updated about Blacklock’s public soft launch.
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Vinoteca | Borough
A little news from the grapevine: Vinoteca, London’s growing family of small producer-focussed wine bars, is adding to its number with a brand new bar in Borough Market this February. And we mean in the market, with bifold doors opening onto the marketplace and views over Southwark Cathedral… READ MORE
Opening: Mid-February
Soft launch? Nudge Member-exclusive previews on 10th & 11th February – find out more HERE.
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Itaku | Fitzrovia
Here’s a sentence we never thought we’d be writing: a second Japanese Italian fusion restaurant is opening in London. But no matter how strange the combination may seem, it clearly works well in the right hands (as evidenced by Angelina over in Shoreditch). Now we’re about to get Itaku, landing on in Fitzrovia early next year – and the chef used to man pans at the three Michelin Star Osteria Francescana… READ MORE
Opening: 10th February, bookings now open
Soft launch? None announced
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100 Shoreditch | Shoreditch
Despite playing their cards very well over the past few years, The Ace Hotel has had to fold. Taking its place is 100 Shoreditch, and it’s going to pack a whopping six bars and restaurants into it, including a brand new cocktail bar from Mr. Lyan… READ MORE
Opening: February 2022
Soft launch? Watch this space.
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Lahpet | Covent Garden
Lahpet’s sophomore branch is about to land in central London with its spectacularly delicious Burmese food. Classics like the mohinga (catfish chowder) and lentils with roasted chow chow squash are like a hot water bottle for your belly… READ MORE
Opening: February 2022
Soft launch? Watch this space
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Mano | Mayfair
Mano Mayfair is set to be a Japanese-Brazilian – or Nikkei – restaurant that, with neighbours like Sarap, is aiming to turn Heddon Street into one of the city’s primo culinary destinations. And because this is Mayfair, it’s going to have a gold-plated ceiling, too. READ MORE
Opening: February 2022
Soft launch? None announced
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Noci | Islington
Angel is about to get its first fresh pasta restaurant – it’s called Noci, and it’s the work of chef Louis Korovilas, who’s carby CV is almost unrivalled – he was taught by Giorgio Locatelli himself, before becoming head chef at the excellent Bancone, and the equally lovely pasta palace, Tavolino… READ MORE
Opening: 11th March, book here
Soft launch? Possible, we’ll keep you posted.
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Caia | Notting Hill
Caia, landing on Golborne Road this Spring, comes to us from chef Rishabh Vir (who has taken stints at both The Fat Duck and Kiln, in Soho) and his business partner, Tim Lang (who had a hand in both Street Feast & Dinerama). Together, they’re opening a modern, grill-focussed eatery with a wine room tucked away at the back, and vinyl-spinning guest DJs… READ MORE
Opening: 26th March
Soft launch? None yet announced
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Walter’s | Dulwich
The Oystermen are shelling out and opening a second restaurant. This time, it won’t just be about seafood, though – you can expect all-day dining showcasing British ingredients, from whole sea bass to share to roasted venison, Jerusalem artichoke risotto, and more – all overseen by a chef well acquainted with Michelin star cooking… READ MORE
Opening: March
Soft launch? None yet announced, watch this space
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Apricity | Mayfair
Chantelle Nicholson is one of those chefs who’s done so much, opened so many places, and won so many awards, she has her own Wikipedia page. The one thing she doesn’t currently have is her own restaurant. Well, tha6’ll all change early in 2022 with the opening of Apricity, a Mayfair restaurant which will “pioneer the principles of a circular economy”. What does that mean? Well, in short, it’ll be a sustainable, zero waste spot with a hyper seasonal menu… READ MORE
Opening: March 2022
Soft launch? Possible. Watch this space.
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Friends of Ours | Wandsworth
Wandsworth’s Ram Quarter, the new development on the site of the country’s oldest brewery, is singlehandedly giving the whole area a reboot. And joining South London’s first boutique bowling alley and the excellent London Stock this Spring is the second outpost of this Hoxton Antipodean brunch spot…
Opening: March 2022
Soft launch? None yet announced
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Roxanne | Shoreditch
Who is Roxanne? Well, there’s about 100 hip hop tracks from the 80s that’ll answer that one, all stemming from one of the biggest rivalries in the genre. And now she’s being honoured with her own ‘hip-hop speakeasy’ from the Dirty Bones team, hiding out somewhere in Shoreditch this Spring… READ MORE
Opening: March 2022
Soft launch? None yet announced
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Stem & Glory | Broadgate Circle
Stem & Glory is a vegan restaurant that first laid down roots in Cambridge. People loved it. It won a lot of awards. And when they decided to branch out and crowdfund a London location, it took them a whole six hours to hit their funding goal. And now they’ve decided to do it again… READ MORE
Opening: April 2022
Soft launch? None yet announced
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Dumpling Shack & Sichuan Fry | London Fields
Dumpling Shack is about to become a Dumpling Bricks and Mortar Restaurant – but they’re keeping the name, and their cult shengjianbao (pan-fried bao dumplings filled with soupy pork & gelatin). That’ll all be down in the basement, while upstairs will be a permanent version of their Sichuan Fry outfit, specialising in indulgent fried chicken sandwiches with Sichuan flavours. READ MORE
Opening: April 2022
Soft launch? None yet announced
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Tatale | Southwark
Akwasi Brenya-Mensa is taking his supperclub from pop-up to permanent in 2022, serving a broad menu that draws on his own Ghanaian heritage as well as the techniques and ingredients used across the length and breadth of the African continent. The idea is to promote conversation and collaboration, and it’s all fittingly set within the cultural, charitable and educational institution The Africa Centre.
Opening: Spring 2022
Soft launch? None yet announced
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Arcade | Bloomsbury
The JKS restaurant group already have restaurants like Gymkhana, Hoppers, and BAO under their belts, which is enough to know that they have a knack for this sort of thing. So it’s definitely good news that they’re taking over the space formerly known at Arcade Food Theatre… READ MORE
Opening: Spring 2022
Soft launch? None announced.
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Lina Stores | Clapham
Lina Stores operated as a deli for 75 years before opening a restaurant – and now it’s seriously making up for lost time. Joining its branches in Soho, King’s Cross and the City, Lina Stores Clapham will serve their famous fresh pasta (hand-made daily in the original deli) alongside mains to share and amazing cocktails… READ MORE
Opening: Early 2022
Soft launch? None yet announced, but watch this space
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Riding House Bloomsbury | Bloomsbury
Now that it’s celebrating its 10th year of being open, if there’s one you can say about The Riding House Café is that it’s stable. And now, it’s making moves. Specifically, it’s going to spawn a sister venue over in Bloomsbury… READ MORE
Opening: Spring 2022
Soft launch? Likely, watch this space
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Cavita | Marylebone
Adriana Cavita was born & raised in Mexico City, and has spent the last decade & a half honing her craft at some of the best restaurants on earth, including El Bulli (three Michelin Stars), Pujol (currently 12th on the World’s 50 Best list), and Aska (two Michelin Stars). This will be her first solo outing, and it’s going to capture both her incredible cooking skill, and her rich culinary heritage… READ MORE
Opening: Spring 2022
Soft launch? None announced
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Lisboeta | Fitzrovia
Nuno Mendes has done a lot for the London dining scene.
From the highly innovative Loft Project, to the Michelin Starred Viajante, to the celebrity magnet Chiltern Firehouse, to the also Michelin Starred Mãos, his kitchens have been the training grounds for half of the great chefs working in half the great restaurants in the city today. And now he’s back with another project… READ MORE
Opening: Spring 2022
Soft launch? None annouced
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Socca | Mayfair
Chef Claude Bosi has won two Michelin Stars at every restaurant he’s ever run. And now he’s opening another one. It’s going to be called Socca, and it’ll be landing in Mayfair this summer. Expect a Southern French, Mediterranean-style bistro with plenty of good wine… READ MORE
Opening: Sumer 2022
Soft launch? Probably not.
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Borough Yards | Borough Market
Somehow, a sliver of undeveloped land has still been identified in London Bridge, and next year it’s going to be unveiled as a kind of Coal Drops Yard 2.0, cramming in a slew of new shops and restaurants to the patch surrounding the revived railway arches. And amongst the names already announced, there’s going to be a new Brother Marcus, plus another Barrafina and Parrillan joining the mix, alongside a sherry-slinging Spanish bar from the same team… READ MORE
Opening: Early 2022
Soft launch? None yet announced, but likely
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The Aubrey
London’s Mandarin Oriental has, finally, had some good news. After almost burning down in 2018, then having the covid fairy permanently close the excellent Bar Boulud this summer, things could certainly have been better. And now at last, they are. Because word on the street is that The Aubrey is moving in to take over the space left by Boulud… READ MORE
Opening: Early 2022
Soft launch? None announced, nor likely
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Björn Frantzén at Harrods | Knightsbridge
Some people are born to be chefs. Some people are Björn. This man is both. And next year, he’s taking a break from running the 6th best restaurant in the world to open his first spot in the UK… READ MORE
Opening: Early 2022
Soft launch? Unlikely…
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Raffles London at the OWO | Westminster
So, here’s one to file under ‘quite ambitious’. The Old War Office (so-called because it’s the old war office) over on Whitehall is being refurbed & reimagined as a hotel with eleven bars and restaurants inside it. Yes, eleven. Whatever happens, the odds are at least one of them will be good… READ MORE
Opening: Late 2022
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Alkebulan | TBC
After a barnstorming debut in Dubai, chef Alexander Smalls is launching his African food hall both in London and in his local neighbourhood, Harlem. It’ll showcase around ten up-and-coming chefs of African heritage, each working with a different regional speciality or culinary tradition, and it’ll all be complemented by artwork and live music, too… READ MORE
Opening: TBC
Last updated: 26th January 2022 | Main image: Holy Bar
Want to read about somewhere that’s actually open, like, now? Check out our pick of the Best Recent Openings.