Best new restaurants London June 2026: The team's top-rated new spots

On the hunt for the best new restaurants in London? London is home to some of the best places to eat in the world, with the capital’s dining scene growing exponentially over the last decade, and pretty much every cuisine imaginable being accounted for. With so many great spots to choose from, dinner can become somewhat overwhelming. New restaurants open in London every day, but how do you separate the great from the good? Well, we've done the hard yards for you, heading out to every new opening to see what's what, then rounding up all the cool new restaurants London has to offer.

So, if you want to visit good new restaurants in London, 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, and under-the-radar gems 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.

How do we choose London's best new restaurants?

The SquareMeal team reviews a whole host of new London restaurants every month, so when something appears here, you can be sure that it has been vouched for by one of our expert restaurant critics. We visit a wide spectrum of restaurants, from top-end tasting menus right down to neighbourhood pizzerias and burger joints, always on the lookout for spots that deliver on food, atmosphere and service.

If you want to read the full review, just click on the read more link for more information - each SquareMeal listing features an independent review, as well as reviews from diners who have visited, together with booking details and unique special offers such as limited edition menus and discounts.

What did we add in June?

New to the guide in June 2026: Vesper - Jackson Boxer's sultry new wine bar on Exmouth Market; Ornella - a Milanese Italian from the trio behind Highbury favourite Lupa; MAAI - Great British Menu champ Nikita Pathakji's debut, family-run Clapham restauraunt; Cue Point - a permanent site for this genre-defining Afghan-Texan BBQ joint; and The Latimer - a glorious return for the Spiteri brothers (formerly of Caravel) as their fun, nostalgic British cooking finds a gastropub home in Notting Hill. 

Best new restaurants London 2026

This list is home to London's hottest restaurants - the places that everyone is talking about, ranging from fine dining, white tablecloth luxury to rustic gastropubs and easy-going takeaways. 

Vesper, Clerkenwell

Why: Jackson Boxer does it again. The culinary mastermind behind Dove and Brunswick House has landed on Exmouth Market with Vesper, bringing more of his distinct, effortless cookery to London. Vesper is as chic as the name might suggest (for James Bond fans at least) - candlelit tables, a lovely terrace, and a flexible menu boasting everything from Arnold Bennett croquettes to glazed lamb shoulder.  
Critic's verdict: 'Boxer is still, for our money, one of the most exciting, ingenious cooks in all of London; Vesper delivers yet again with a raft of fantastic new dishes, all wrapped up in a sultry dining room. We're in love.' Pete Dreyer, Senior Content Editor 
Where: 8-10 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QA
Must-try dish: Squid stuffed with shrimp and Middlewhite pork boudin, with salted egg yolk
Price: £££
Read more: Vesper

Ornella, Hackney

Why: Hot off the success of Rome-inspired Lupa, hospitality trio Ed Templeton, chef Naz Hassan, and co-owner Theo James - of The White Lotus and The Gentleman fame - have turned their attention north with Ornella. This new East London spot leans fully into Hassan's Milanese roots, serving up more hearty, Alpine-inspired fare, from rich burro e parmigiana to a deeply comforting tajarin al brodo di cipolla, served with molten cheese toast. The room is gorgeous too - it takes cues from Lupa with its fluttering bistro curtains, but dark timber lends it a more serious, romantic vibe. If Lupa was the breakout, Ornella proves that this trio has a finger on the pulse when it comes to neighbourhood Italian dining in London.
Critic's verdict: ‘Simple, charming, with reliably excellent cooking - Ornella is exactly the kind of neighbourhood restaurant you’re always hoping to stumble across.’ Holly Butterfield, Staff Writer
Where: 51 Wilton Way, E8 1BG
Must-try dish: Tajarin al brodo di cipolla
Price: £££
Read more: Ornella

MAAI, Clapham

Why: Fresh off winning this year’s series of Great British Menu - as a surprise, last-minute entrant to the banquet, no less - MasterChef champion Nikita Pathakji has teamed up with her mum and sister to bring her acclaimed supper club to a permanent Clapham home. Named after the Hindi word for mother, MAAI brings together everything that has made Pathakji's cooking so highly regarded in previous kitchens, from The Princess of Shoreditch to Core by Clare Smyth - classical French technique, running side-by-side with Pathakji’s Indian heritage. Her cooking here manages to blend fun with serious technique and sophisticated, with global influences all wrapped up into a restaurant that feels approachable, but still has a bit of magic. 
Where: 33-35 Abbeville Road, SW4 9LA
Must-try dish: Squid 'tako yaki' doughnut
Price: £££
Read more: MAAI

Cue Point London, Latimer Road

Why: After a decade of hit pop-ups, Mursal Saiq and Joshua Moroney finally have a permanent home for their incredible Afghan-Texan barbecue, and frankly, the food is as good as it has ever been. The fairy-lit courtyard sets the stage for majestic smokery and barbecue with big personality. Highlights include beautifully tender chicken torshi skewers, flaky grilled sea bass, and their spectacular signature brisket steak served alongside blistered naan. Don't skip the date-dense sticky toffee pudding topped with rich kulfi.
Critic's verdict: ‘Migration and remembrance shape Cue Point, but its joy is driven by a universal doctrine: big portions, personality, and generosity always mean a good time.’ Aoife Silke, Staff Writer
Where: 41 Bramley Road, W10 6SZ
Must-try dish: The signature oak-smoked Wagyu brisket
Price: ££
Read more: Cue Point London

The Latimer, Notting Hill

Why: The legendary Spiteri family has dropped anchor in west London with striking corner pub, The Latimer. Led by brothers Lorcan and Fin - formerly of barge restaurant Caravel - this charming spot easily shifts from sun-soaked boozer to elegant gastropub. A dining room at the rear serves Lorcan’s playful, seasonal cooking: pillowy milk buns; sticky cider-braised pork belly skewers’ and masala-spiced haddock bites. Backed by Fin’s superb cocktails and considered service, The Latimer is a stellar addition to Notting Hill.
Critic's verdict: ‘Between sun-soaked pints, clean-cut cocktails, and deftly poised plates, you’d struggle to not have a lovely time at The Latimer.’ Beth Lane, 
Where: 274 Latimer Road, W10 6QW
Must-try dish: Tagliatelle with Romana courgette, stracciatella and lemon
Price: ££
Read more: The Latimer

MA/NA, Mayfair

Why: Thesleff Group (the talented people behind Los Mochis and Sale Pepe) are on a roll at the moment, and there's reason to be excited about their brand new Mayfair spot. MA/NA is high-glam, offering the same luxurious Japanese cooking that the group has shown at omakase spots JUNO and LUNA, with group exec chef Leonard Tanyag leading the way with some properly opulent cooking, like an insane Wagyu, bone marrow, foie gras teriyaki dish. Expect dramatic interiors and wall-to-wall indulgence, before DJs and sleek, Japanese-leaning cocktails take over after dark.
Where: 30 Upper Grosvenor Street, W1K 7PH
Must-try dish: Robata-grilled Wagyu and bone marrow with foie gras and teriyaki
Price: ££££
Read more: MA/NA

Oudh 1722, Southwark

Why: Chef Aktar Islam’s London debut, Oudh 1722, marks a departure from Islam’s signature modern Indian cooking. Set across a listed three-storey Victorian building, the menu is a riot of silken kebabs, layered biryanis and aromatic curries shaped by dum pukht cooking - the practice of slow cooking in dough-sealed pots over a low flame. Awadhi food is rarely given a platform in the UK, and Islam - the two-Michelin-star chef behind Opheem - presents it with clarity and true Nawabi hospitality.
Critic's verdict: 'Oudh1722 presents itself quietly – no loud interiors or over-the-top theatre – but the food says it all. Aktar Islam has done it again.' Ellie Donnell, Head of Content
Where: 66 Union Street, SE1 1TD
Must-try dish: Mutanjan Dum Biryani, oxtail, aged basmati, sweet carrot
Price: £££
Read more: Oudh 1722

Idalia at Pillar Hall, Kensington

Why: Idalia brings modern British cooking to Olympia’s historic Pillar Hall, pairing grand architecture with an easygoing, all-day vibe. From breakfast to dinner, expect seasonal dishes from chefs Samantha Williams and Lorena Tommasi, plus oysters and seafood towers from the raw bar. It’s all highly luxurious - mains span lobster linguine to charcoal-grilled steaks and Wagyu burgers, with English wines and cocktails at the bar. Elegant by day, lively by night, Idalia is a star in the making, especially during its soul and jazz evenings.
Where: Olympia Way, W14 0NE
Must-try dish: Whole spice-flamed turbot with shichimi togarashi butter
Price: £££
Read more: Idalia at Pillar Hall

MIKO Mei Fair, Mayfair

Why: MIKO Mei Fair transplants the open-fire Thai cooking of KOYN Thai to Mayfair, taking up residence in MiMi Mei Fair’s Georgian townhouse. The latest opening from Samyukta Nair (Jamavar, Bombay Bustle, Nipotina) channels regional Thai flavours through a robata-fuelled menu. Expect netted spring rolls, Chiang Mai sausage, yellow crab curry and a show-stealing applewood-fired Peking duck Penang. The chic, teal-and-brass dining room seats 50, with a cracking cocktail list to boot.
Critic's verdict: ‘Like all of Nair’s restaurants, the design does a lot of the talking, but the food is certainly no withering wallflower.’ Ellie Donnell, Head of Content
Where: 55 Curzon Street, W1J 8PG
Must-try dish: Penang duck curry
Price: £££
Read more: MIKO Mei Fair

Impala, Soho

Why: A new opening from Super 8 - the team behind Kiln, Brat, and Smoking Goat - is always worth noting. This time, it’s former Kiln head chef Meedu Saad stepping out with his debut solo venture, inspired by Egyptian summers and classical French training. Frankly, this might be the most exciting new opening in Soho - perhaps even the whole of London - in years; Saad channels inspiration from far and wide, somehow capturing the essential parts of North Africa and the Middle East, by way of Stoke Newington and Green Lanes. The menu is astonishing, diverse, full of ideas you'll never have seen before, all served in a 1960s-style Soho dining room. 2026 could end up being the year of Impala.
Where: 58 Brewer Street, W1F 9TL
Must-try dish: Pistachio custard tart
Price: £££
Read more: Impala

Tavern, Old Street

Why: We were big fans of Shoreditch restaurant Nest, but as sad as we were to see it close, Tavern is an excellent reinvention. The monochrome, candlelit room wraps around an open kitchen, where Brendan Appleby and crew turn out some utterly delicious British cooking: Chunion puffs are magnificent (essentially cheese and confit onion gougeres), and there's hogget scrumpets, pork aand cuttlefish sausage, Tamworth pork and a showstopper Welsh Wagyu rib. There's also an off-menu veal sweetbread burger worth crossing town for, some showstopping desserts, and a bar pouring classic cocktails and low-intervention wines. 
Where: 374-378 Old Street, EC1V 9LT
Must-try dish: Pumpkin seed brown butter cake
Price: £££
Read more: Tavern

Willett’s, Chelsea

Why: This slick new British bistro at The Cadogan brings something new and exciting to Chelsea, blending neighbourhood warmth with polished, seasonal cooking. Executive chef Michael Turner delivers the sort of confident, modern British cooking you'd expect from an alumnus of the Savoy Grill - we love the sourdough crumpets, the Sutton Hoo chicken pie and an exemplary prawn cocktail with a surprise twist. The redesigned dining room feels welcoming, but still has a contemporary edge that makes it a solid choice for meetings and upscale occasions. We recommend booking a cosy booth and going all in on the menu and a tightly curated wine list.
Where: 75 Sloane Street, SW1X 9SG
Must-try dish: Jam roly-poly with woofruff custard
Price: £££
Read more: Willett’s

Whiteley’s Kitchen, Bayswater

Why: Set within the new Six Senses Hotel - part of the exciting new renovation of The Whiteley in Bayswater - Whiteley’s Kitchen is so much more than your average hotel restaurant. The menu is curated and cooked with real care, offering fiercely seasonal dishes shaped by fire and fermentation. The breakfast is also excellent - though more characteristically British - but we’d recommend going for dinner and taking plenty of time to enjoy the grand, foliage-laden interiors.
Critic's verdict: 'For the most part, this is tasty, dependable cooking. We admire the desire to do something different with the menu (even if the prospect of a sourdough crumble with Marmite foam was a step too far for us). Service is warm and efficient too. We reckon Six Senses is onto a winner with Whiteley’s Kitchen.' Pete Dreyer, Senior Content Editor
Where: Six Senses London, 1 Redan Place, W2 4SA
Must-try dish: Cornish mussels with chicken dashi and guanciale
Price: £££
Read more: Whiteley’s Kitchen

Simpson's in the Strand, Covent Garden

Why: It has been a long time coming, but was there ever any doubt that Jeremy King would restore this grande dame of London dining to glory? The Grand Divan at Simpson’s in the Strand pulls off the big return with panache, somehow feeling slick and new whilst also retaining much of what made it special. Silver trolleys roll between tables, the room is an utter delight, and service is charming and personable. Upstairs, Romano’s is a little lighter, brighter and more modern, serving a slightly more contemporary counterpoint to the retro snacks and roasts downstairs. If you’re looking for the hot new restaurant of the moment, this is it.
Where: 100 Strand, WC2R 0EW
Must-try dish: Roast rib of Devonshire beef, carved at the table, with Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings
Price: £££
Book now: Grand Divan at Simpson's in the Strand; Romano’s at Simpson’s in the Strand

Teal by Sally Abe, Hackney

Why: We’re thrilled to see Sally Abe back in London, cooking her own food once again. As if it was ever in doubt, Teal is a wonderful little restaurant - it breathes new life into the Hackney site that was once home to SESTA and Pidgin, and Sally’s cooking evokes some of the free spiritedness of those restaurants, but with a touch of precision technique and a nod to British food history. Dishes like the baked bone marrow with snails have a certain British heft to them, but there’s still a light touch at play here too, and a nicely curated wine list too. Outstanding stuff.
Critic's verdict: 'It maybe small in scale, but Teal lands with real heft; Abé has authored something new, personal, and ever elegant.' Aoife Silke, Staff Writer
Where: 52 Wilton Way, E8 1BG
Must-try dish: Baked bone marrow, snails, garlic, parsley and malt
Price: £££
Book now: Teal by Sally Abe

Wild Izakaya, City of London

Why: Wild Izakaya brings a bold new Japanese concept to Old Jewry in the City, courtesy of the team behind hit restaurants like Pinna, Wild, and Goodman. Led by executive chef Satoru Hashimoto (formerly Koyn and over a decade at Nobu), the menu showcases some serious technical finesse across sushi, robata skewers and izakaya-style small plates, with plenty in the way of lux ingredients. Tokyo-inspired interiors are chic too - rustic wood tables, sculptural lighting and neon accents, with a dedicated bar for post-work drinks. We were pretty blown away by every aspect of Wild Izakaya - expect to see it packed over the coming months. 
Critic's verdict: 'A buzzy Bank counter spot serving killer sushi, snacks and sharp cocktails. Wild Izakaya brings serious Japanese cooking to the City without the corporate stuffiness.' - Pete Dreyer, Restaurants Editor
Where: 33 Old Jewry, EC2V 8EY
Must-try dish: Jidori chicken tsukune with egg
Price: £££
Book now: Wild Izakaya

Sale e Pepe Mare, Marylebone

Why: Storied Knightsbridge Italian Sale e Pepe has struck out to a second site, moving into the grand setting of The Langham with plush banquettes in sea tones, and starched white tablecloths as far as the eye can see. The headline is old-school glamour, and Sale e Pepe Mare dials up the luxury with a seafood-focused menu full of classy cooking, from lobster pasta to paccheri alla vodka, wild porcini and truffle risotto, and butterflied grilled sea bream. Timeless dining in one of London’s grandest hotels - what’s not to love about that?
Where: 1C Portland Place, W1B 1JA
Must-try dish: Linguine alle vongole e bottarga
Price: £££
Book now: Sale e Pepe Mare

Acme Taco, Blackhorse Road

Why: One of our favourite fire-led restaurants in London - Acme Fire Cult - has spawned a little sibling, as Andrew Clarke takes Acme north-east, opening Acme Taco just outside 40ft Brewery on the Blackhorse Beer Mile. Andrew reckons that tacos are the best hand-held food on the planet and frankly, we're not about to argue. These supersized tacos take things to the next level too - they're so stuffed with filling that you need two tacos just to maintain structural integrity. We didn't get to try the shrimp taco or the delicious-sounding chicken taco (achiote chicken, pistachio mole, grilled spring onions and sesame) but both the beef and pork tacos are bang-on, perfect washed down with a 40ft Disco Pilsner.
Where: 40ft Brewery Blackhorse, 10 Lockwood Way, E17 5RB
Must-try dish: Castacan - chopped pork belly, crackling and gooseberry poblano ketchup
Price: £
Book now: Acme Taco

Osteria Vibrato, Soho

Why: Osteria Vibrato marks Charlie Mellor’s return after closing The Laughing Heart - a beloved Hoxton wine bar and restaurant. With sommelier Cameron Dewar, it promises classic, indulgent Italian cooking - antipasti, fresh pasta, grilled fish, and dolci, plus a curated 250-bottle natural wine list. Elegant design, a 12-seat cocktail bar, and a tempting fixed-price lunch make this one of 2026's most interesting openings so far. 
Critic's verdict: 'A lovingly crafted Soho trattoria pastiche, Osteria Vibrato dials up the theatre with linen suits, artisan olive oils, stellar pasta and a heaving wine list.' - Ellie Donnell, Managing Editor
Where: 6 Greek Street, W1D 4DE
Must-try dish: Tagliatelle with white courtyard ragù
Price: £££
Read more: Osteria Vibrato

Cometa, Fitzrovia

Why: Carousel pair Ed and Ollie Templeton have done a smart thing indeed by turning the old bar area into a fully-fledged restaurant of its own, harnessing the talent of chefs José Lizarralde Serralde (Relæ, Nicos, Meroma) and Alejandra Juarez (Estela, Máximo, Makan) to open Cometa - a seafood focused Mexican spot. The space has had a lovely overhaul - all mood lighting, upbeat music and gorgeous terrazzo - and the cooking is excellent, with the kitchen throwing out dishes that dig into lesser seen Mexican flavours, with just the right amount of modern accent. Don't miss out on the excellent crudos, and possibly the spiciest Marg in London.
Critic's verdict: 'The Templeton's have relaxed dining down to a fine art by now, and Cometa soars thanks to a strong kitchen team, truly delicious, unique seafood cooking, and one of the best spicy Margs we've had anywhere.' - Pete Dreyer, Restaurants Editor
Where: 19-23 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RL
Must-try dish: Crab chilpachole rice with brown butter
Price: £££
Book now: Cometa

DakaDaka, Mayfair

Why: This modern Georgian restaurant and natural wine bar has moved into the Heddon Street spot that brought us Fallow and Manteca, so the auspices are good. Led by Giorgi Mindiashvili and Mitz Vora, it pairs open-fire cooking with a striking, craft-driven interior. There's good reasont to be excited - chefs Mitz Vora and Adrian Hernandez Farina have cooked at the likes of The Palomar, Canal, and HUMO between them, and they're tackling a menu that showcases Georgian flavours through a more modern lens, with dishes like khinkali, khachapuri, charcoal-grilled duck, and walnut-rich stews. There's a fabulous Georgian wine list too, courtesy of Sune's Honey Spencer. Frankly, we're in love with the whole place - it's beautifully designed, and already feels lived in. The food is excellent, delivered by knowledgeable staff. Go hungry and in the mood to explore the whole menu. 
Must-try dish: Shkemeruli - garlic roast chicken with confit garlic, in milk sauce
Where: 10 Heddon Street, W1B 4BX
Price: £££
Read more: DakaDaka

If that’s whetted your appetite, check out our pick of London's coolest, trendiest restaurants. Or if you're the kind of foodie who loves keeping tabs on the best up-and-coming chefs, then check out these stellar supper club events where you're sure to discover some of the UK's hottest culinary talent.