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 09 March 2020

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.

Ugly Butterfly

Ugly Butterfly

55 King’s Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 4ND

Adam Handling’s low-waste concept might have a more casual vibe than some of his other sites, but the food is still seriously good. Expect innovative dishes made from leftover food once destined for the bin.
£30 - £49
Modern European
Book now
Darby

Darby's

3 Viaduct Gardens, Vauxhall, London, SW11 7AY

The latest restaurant from Irish chef Robin Gill takes inspiration from his roots, which means you can expect fried breakfasts and proper Guinness. Don’t forget to stop off at the oyster bar on your visit.
£50 - £79
British
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay

Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay

10 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London, W1K 6JP

Overseen by chef Gordon Ramsay (and replacing his long-standing Maze Mayfair), Lukcy Cat is inspired by Asia. Tuck into the likes of wagyu tataki with truffle ponzu or pork belly skewers slicked with nikka whisky.
£50 - £79
Pan-Asian
Book now
Madera at Treehouse London

Madera at Treehouse London

14-15 Langham Place, Oxford Circus, London, W1B 2QS

This organic ingredient-led restaurant offers creative interpretations of Mexican food and cocktails, placing it at the intersection of elevated Mexican cuisine and experiential dining. Found 15 floors up, Madera at Treehouse also boasts sweeping views.
£50 - £79
Mexican
Book now
Cafe Murano Bermondsey

Cafe Murano Bermondsey

184 Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey, London, SE1 3TQ

The third site for this spin-off of Angela Hartnett’s Michelin-starred Murano is a large space, but still manages to feel intimate. A menu of beguilingly simple, well executed pastas adds to the homely, welcoming feel.
£30 - £49
Italian
Book now
The Ivy Asia London

The Ivy Asia London

20 New Change Passage, St Paul's, London, EC4M 9AG

Over the top interiors and luxe updates of pan-Asian classics are the order of the day at this spin-off from The Ivy Collection. A lively atmosphere and plentiful opportunities for Instagram posing are guaranteed too.
£50 - £79
Pan-Asian
Book now
Sussex Restaurant

Sussex Restaurant

63-64 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1D 3JW

Soho might seem a random choice for a restaurant that makes you feel like you are in the Cotswolds, but we’d be happy to enjoy Sussex’s menu of homespun comfort food anywhere in the capital.
£30 - £49
British
Book now
Ayllu

Ayllu

25 Sheldon Square, Paddington, London, W2 6EY

Found in the basement space beneath Smiths Bar & Grill in Paddington, Ayllu is a seductive and stylish offering, serving up a fusion menu of Japanese-Peruvian dishes, ranging from pork bao buns to fish tacos.
£30 - £49
Peruvian
Japanese
Fusion
Book now
Amazonico

Amazonico

10 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London, W1J 6AA

Undoubtedly flash and eye-wateringly expensive, Madrid import Amazonico could so easily have been a case of style over substance, but the restaurant has two aces up its sleeve – excellent, attentive service and consistently good food.
£50 - £79
Sushi
South American
International
Book now
14 Hills

14 Hills

120 Fenchurch Street, City of London, London, EC3M 5BA

Somewhat of a departure for D&D, this indoor jungle is aimed squarely at the millennial generation. Expect a buzzy central bar and menu of modern European fare which sees you through from brunch until dinner.
£50 - £79
British
Book now
Norma

Norma

8 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 2LS

Elegantly fusing Italian cuisine with Moorish influences, Norma runs a line-up of dishes ranging from a raw bar to a handful of pasta plates. Service is light-hearted and bubbly, but cooking is certainly taken seriously.
£30 - £49
Italian
Book now
Soutine

Soutine

60 St John’s Wood High Street, St John's Wood, London, NW8 7SH

Soutine doesn’t set out to re-invent the wheel, and instead offer a very reassuring package which is slickly presented. Anglo-French comfort food is served up in atmospheric fin-de-siècle–style bistro surrounds by smart white-aproned waiters.
£30 - £49
French
Book now
Dehesa

Dehesa

25 Ganton Street, Soho, London, W1F 9BP

Having reopened with a new look, Dehesa earns its place on our list thanks to the stellar menu of Spanish tapas, which is among some of the best we have tried in a long time.
£30 - £49
Tapas
Spanish
Book now
Chucs Belgravia

Chucs Belgravia

25 Eccleston Street, Belgravia, London, SW1W 9NP

The sixth London site for international brand Chucs is as elegant and traditionally Italian as you would expect. Truffle arancini and linguine piled high with sweet crab are among the highlights of the all-day menu.
£50 - £79
Italian
Book now
Wild Honey St James

Wild Honey St James

8 Pall Mall, St. James's, London, SW1Y 5NG

Anthony Demetre has moved his famed Wild Honey restaurant from Mayfair to St James. While it is difficult to shake off the constraints of a Sofitel hotel setting, Demetre’s food is as distinctive as ever.
£50 - £79
Modern European
British
French
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
Bancone Golden Square

Bancone Golden Square

10 Lower James Street, Soho, London, W1F 9EL

The original Bancone gained cult status in Covent Garden thanks to its affordable plates of handmade fresh pasta. This second Shoreditch site is just as much of a success and the queues are shorter too.
Under £30
Italian
Book now
Wild by Tart

Wild by Tart

3-4 Eccleston Yards, Belgravia , London, SW1W 9AZ

It’s easy to lump Jemima Jones and Lucy Carr-Ellison in with the ‘clean eating’ brigade, but that doesn’t do justice to their homely, rustic style of cooking. The enchantingly pretty space adds to Wild’s appeal.
£30 - £49
Modern European
Book now
Daffodil Mulligan

Daffodil Mulligan

70-74 City Road, City, London, EC1Y 2BJ

The first London restaurant outside of Mayfair for chef Richard Corrigan, Daffodil Mulligan finds its home in Shoreditch with a more casual vibe to match. On the menu, expect seafood sourced from Corrigan’s native Ireland.
£30 - £49
Irish
Fish
Book now
Le Comptoir Robuchon

Le Comptoir Robuchon

6 Clarges Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 8AE

This much-anticipated revival of the Robuchon brand in London is a runaway success, combining an arresting dining room (marble bar, velvet banquettes) with a menu that uses luxury ingredients with purpose, rather than for show.
£50 - £79
French
Book now
Peckham Cellars

Peckham Cellars

125 Queens Road, Peckham, London, SE15 2ND

There is much to love about Peckham Cellars, a hip neighbourhood restaurant which combines seasonal small plates with a thoughtfully curated wine list. Not least the Marmite dauphines coated in shavings of rich Montgomery cheese.
Under £30
Modern European
Wine Bars
Book now

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

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