Best London restaurants opening soon: Hotly anticipated launches of 2026 and beyond

If it feels like a new restaurant opens every day in London, well, that might not be far from the truth. More than ever, London's restaurant merry-go-round feels like it spins faster and faster, throwing new sites at us at rapid pace. With a new hotly anticipated London restaurant opening every week, how do you separate the good from the great, to work out where to spend your hard-earned money? At SquareMeal, we've taken that on as a mantra - our expert restaurant reviewers are here to give you the lowdown on every new restaurant, and give you our informed opinion on what we like, what we didn't, and what we think is worth your money. 

In fact, that’s what we do right here, in our guide to the best new restaurants in London.

That means we have our finger on the pulse when it comes to the best upcoming London restaurants. The capital's upcoming restaurant calendar gets packed out real fast, so much so that it's hard to keep track. That’s why we created this list: each of the restaurants below has been handpicked by the SquareMeal team as something to look forward to. Scroll down and you’ll see our reasons why, as well as when we’re expecting the restaurant to open, and a link to find information, pictures and more.

Alright, enough chat. You want to read our expert picks for the best London restaurants coming soon - keep scrolling, and as always, let us know via our Instagram if there’s anything you’re looking forward to.

The best London restaurants opening soon

Restaurants continue to open in the capital at breakneck speed - we've rounded up all the big new openings coming up in the next few months and beyond.

Lunette, Temple

Why: London has waited very patiently indeed to see what Florence Knight would do next. After making a name for herself at Polpetto, Knight helped to launch one of London’s most successful, striking new restaurants of the last few years when she led the kitchen at Sessions Arts Club. Lunette will be her first new restaurant since then, as she joins forces with ex-Soho House CEO Nick Jones at new hotel - St Clement - near Temple.
When: September 2026
Where: St Clement Hotel, 180 The Thames, WC2R 2NF
Read more: Lunette

The Horses, Clerkenwell

Why: The Public House Group (the masterminds behind legendary boozers like The Pelican and The Hero) are back refurbing another iconic London pub - this time it’s Clerkenwell's iconic Coach & Horses getting the treatment. Reinstating its historic moniker, The Horses on Ray Street promises more of those stunning Public House interiors, with a fresh focus on British seafood.
When: September 2026
Where: 26-28 Ray Street, EC1R 3DJ
Read more: The Horses

Subsume, Covent Garden

Why: Sibling duo Agastya and Varuna Singh are launching this ambitious all-day dining concept in Covent Garden. Drawing inspiration from Japanese omotenashi hospitality and wabi-sabi philosophy, Subsume weaves Japanese techniques into classic European dishes. The result? Inventive offerings like miso caramel French toast, Japanese omurice with sobrasada, and carpaccio tonnato, served across a gorgeous two-floor venue featuring a green marble bar. It all sounds pretty mad, but we’re excited for it.
When: October 2026
Where: 37 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7LJ
Read more: Subsume

Cloth Cornhill, City of London

Why: Fresh off the highly successful debut of Cloth, founding trio Joe Haynes, Ben Butterworth and Tom Hurst are lining up something rather special. Cloth number two will revive Simpson’s Tavern - a City institution that has fed Londoners since 1757, but sadly been closed since 2022. Cloth was (and still is) one of the most quietly beautiful, atmospheric restaurants in London, so we’re expecting more of the same, alongside the modern British, produce-led cooking that went so well in the original.
When: 1 October 2026
Where: 38 1/2 Cornhill, EC3V 9DR
Read more: Cloth Cornhill

ENDO, Chelsea

Why: Third-generation sushi legend Endo Kazutoshi is opening a hyper-intimate 10-seat omakase counter in a Chelsea townhouse, following the unfortunate fire that closed Endo at the Rotunda last year. Pull up a stool at the bespoke Kyoto hinoki wood counter for arguably some of the best sushi in the world, pairing wild British catch with rare Japanese ingredients. The tranquil space feels straight out of a Tokyo ryokan, and upstairs, vinyl listening bar Moga awaits with tea-infused cocktails to keep the magic going.
When: October 2026
Where: 8-9 Blacklands Terrace, SW3 2SP
Read more: ENDO

The Hero’s Return, Battersea

Why: Former St. JOHN head chef Jonathan Woolway returns to London, bringing unpretentious, produce-driven British grub to the Thames waterfront. Set right next to Battersea Power Station, The Hero’s Return mixes industrial cool with proper pub comfort - serving up seasonal dishes like ox heart with hand-cut chips and cold-roast Gower lamb. Throw in a 40-cover terrace with front-row river views, and you’ve got your new favourite spot for long, breezy pub lunches.
When: Autumn 2026
Where: Unit 29, Circus West, Battersea Power Station, SW8 4NN
Read more: The Hero’s Return

Le Perroquet, Mayfair

Why: Michelin-starred heavyweight Daniel Rose (the brains behind NYC's iconic Le Coucou) is making his London debut at The St. Regis Mayfair. Taking the helm at all-day French brasserie Le Perroquet - the star attraction of the soon-to-open St Regis London hotel - he’s serving up unapologetically classic French fare. Hotel restaurants can often flatter to deceive, but with Rob Aikens (yes, brother of Tom Aikens) installed as head chef, we reckon Le Perroquet could be the rare one that delivers.
When: Autumn 2026
Where: 37 Conduit Street, W1S 2YF
Read more: Le Perroquet

61 Charterhouse Street, Farringdon

Why: Karla Knowles made her name as head chef at Kiln, where her Thai-inspired claypots and open-fire cooking earned serious critical acclaim. Now she's going it alone with her first permanent restaurant, opening in partnership with Romain and Edouard Bourrillon of Maisons Vivantes (the hospitality group behind Cocotte and Casa Felicia). Expect fire-led cooking at its core, with Knowles building anticipation through a run of summer pop-ups and collaborations ahead of the main event.
When: Autumn 2026
Where: 61 Charterhouse Street, EC1M 6HA

Salone, Mayfair

Why: Fortune Family scored a Michelin star within a year of opening Marylebone's Lita, so expectations are high for their follow-up. Salone will take over the old Burberry Thomas's Café space just off Regent Street - a gorgeous double-height room that's sat empty since it closed during Covid - with acclaimed Milanese chef Luca Natalini (of Autem in Milan) leading the kitchen. The all-day Italian concept promises a ground-floor pizzeria, a first-floor pasta station, counter seating and a communal table for daytime walk-ins, plus a dedicated aperitivo bar for evenings.
When: Autumn 2026
Where: 5-6 Vigo Street, W1S 3HB

Edmondo, City of London

Why: The Big Mamma group is bringing 1930s Milanese glamour to Bank with a typically ambitious new City destination. Housed inside the Grade II-listed No. 6 Lombard Street, this opulent 200-cover venue promises Art Deco flourishes, a central cocktail bar, and Big Mamma's first London private dining rooms. The menu leans into rich Italian comfort food, serving up giant focaccia, gorgonzola gnocchi, and prime steaks. Big Mamma in the City should be a match made in heaven.
When: November 2026
Where: 6 Lombard Street, EC3V 9LJ
Read more: Edmondo

Kong, Shoreditch

Why: We haven’t seen a new restaurant from Andrew Wong since Kym’s unfortunate demise, so to say we’re excited for Kong is an enormous understatement. Wong - of two Michelin-starred A. Wong - is one of the world’s most acclaimed Chinese chefs, and Kong will see him turn a hand to more casual cooking - Cantonese food with a gastropub attitude. The project is a joint venture between Wong and Dishoom co-founder Amar Radia, so we're struggling to see how it isn't going to be a storming success. We’ve been promised ‘dumplings at dawn, noodles at lunch, and grilled with a cold pint at dusk’ - sign us up.
When: Late 2026
Where: 9-11 Folgate Street, E1 6BX
Read more: Kong

Coreus by Clare Smyth, St. James's

Why: When Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud were announced as the chefs leading the charge for the upcoming Admiralty Arch Waldorf Astoria hotel, they instantly became two of 2026’s most anticipated new openings. Smyth has been on a bit of a charge, opening a new bistro Corenucopia, as well as closing her Sydney restaurant. Coreus promises a more seafood-led menu, and the same luxury as three Michelin-starred Core by Clare Smyth. Stars may be on the horizon.
When: 2026
Where: Admiralty Arch Waldorf Astoria, The Mall, SW1A 2WH
Read more: Coreus by Clare Smyth

Café Boulud at Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch, St James's

Why: Daniel Boulud is finally coming back to London. The Michelin-starred French chef - whose eponymous restaurants span New York, Toronto, Montreal and beyond - is opening the rooftop restaurant at the new Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch, sitting alongside Clare Smyth's seafood-led Coreus as one of two signature openings at the hotel. Expect an all-day menu built around Boulud's classic French style, from breakfast through to dinner, plus afternoon tea, all served up on a south-facing terrace with views over The Mall towards Buckingham Palace. Two of the world's most decorated chefs under one roof is about as good as new-opening pairings get.
When: 2026
Where: Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch, The Mall, SW1A 2WH
Read more: Café Boulud at Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch

Major's Grill at Cambridge House Auberge, Green Park

Why: Love it or loathe it, Carbone was one of last year’s biggest new openings - who would bet against Major’s Grill capturing the headlines, when Carbone trio Jeff Zalaznick, Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi throw open the doors in 2026? Major’s promises to be equally glamorous, offering big wines and huge, top class grill cuts in the brand new Cambridge House Auberge hotel, opening on Piccadilly this year.
When: 2026
Where: 94 Piccadilly, W1J 7PB
Read more: Major's Grill at Cambridge House Auberge

Kiji, Mayfair

Why: News has been a bit quiet on this front, but we’re still expecting Kiji to open in 2026 - a new Korean BBQ restaurant from Ellia and Junghyun Park, the couple behind acclaimed NYC restaurant Atomix. The latter is lauded as one of the world’s very best restaurants, so expectations are high indeed, but the Parks’ restaurants have taken New York by storm.
When: 2026
Where: 60 Curzon Street, W1J 8PG

Dishoom South Bank

Why: London’s favourite Bombay café chain is set to expand its empire with a prime riverside spot at the Royal Festival Hall. Taking over the former Las Iguanas site, Dishoom South Bank plans to feature a sprawling outdoor terrace fitted with a year-round retractable roof. Throw in all the beloved staples - from legendary bacon naan rolls to 24-hour black daal - and Dishoom should be just what South Bank needs.
When: TBC
Where: Festival Terrace, Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX
Read more: Dishoom South Bank

Time to start marking dates in your calendars. Keep an eye on this list because we'll be updating it regularly as restaurants open and more restaurants are announced. Or, check out our definitive guide to London's coolest, trendiest restaurants of the moment.