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 01 January 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.

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
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
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
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
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
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
Tavolino

Tavolino

Unit 1, Riverside, London Bridge, London, SE1 2DA

Don’t be put off by the tourist trap location, as this Tower Bridge Italian boasts romantic views and an affordable, comforting menu. It’s perfect for date night - order the ‘silk handkerchiefs’ to impress your beau.

£50 - £79
Italian
Book now
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
Book now
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
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
Fallow at 10 Heddon Street

Fallow at 10 Heddon Street

10 Heddon Street, London, London, W1B 4BX

Proving that sustainable dining doesn’t have to mean free of fun, Fallow is an enchanting restaurant that you will want to return to again and again. Order the signature cod’s head and thank us later.

£50 - £79
British
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
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
Book now
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
Book now
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
Book now
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
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
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
South American
Japanese
Fusion
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
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
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
Book now
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
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
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
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
Issho-Ni

Issho-Ni

185 Bethnal Green Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 6AB

This lively restaurant and cocktail bar proves you can find high-quality Japanese food outside of SW1. Order the butterfish sashimi and save room for dessert too, where you can try seriously good sake-infused ice cream.

£30 - £49
Sushi
Japanese
Book now
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
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
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
Cinquecento Pizzeria

Cinquecento Pizzeria

1 Cale Street Chelsea, Chelsea, SW3 3QT

Offering gorgeous Neapolitan-style pizzas in the heart of Chelsea, Cinquecento Pizzeria is a cosy restaurant set up by a team with some pretty impressive pizza credentials

Under £30
Pizza
Italian
Book now
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
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
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
Book now
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
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
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

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

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