Best new restaurants London: new openings and restaurants opening soon

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 of London's best new restaurants into a handy list. 

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, or just 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. 

Scroll down even further and you'll find a little round-up of the exciting London restaurants opening in 2024, with all the biggest names on the horizon. If you want to stay current in this city, it pays to know what big openings are right around the corner. We have our finger on the pulse when it comes to upcoming restaurant openings in London, and you can read more about the most exciting new openings in our 'Best new London restaurants opening soon' section.

Every one of the places featured in the top section of the guide below 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 diners who have visited, together with unique special offers such as limited edition menus and discounts.

Best new restaurants London

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. 

Arlington, St James’s

What: Jeremy King has been much-missed from London’s dining scene, but he returns in style with Arlington - a restaurant that delivers all the trappings of King’s old restaurants, in the original Le Caprice site in St James’s. Expect classic European cooking throughout the day and peerless service, with Caprice classics like the bang bang chicken making a welcome reappearance.
Opened: March 2024
Where: 20 Arlington Street, SW1A 1RJ
Read more: Arlington

Lita Marylebone

What: We've long been fans of head chef Luke Ahearne and his cooking at Corrigan’s Mayfair (and Luca before that). Modern Mediterranean cooking is the name of the game here, with a menu that includes a good helping of live fire cooking and beautiful interiors that mix patterned wallpaper, mottled limewash and warm timber tones. 
Opened: March 2024
Where: 7-9 Paddington Street, W1U 5QH
Read more: Lita

Carmel, Fitzrovia

What: We’re big fans of the original Carmel in Queens Park (one of many excellent restaurants on Lonsdale Road). Josh Katz brings his delicious signature flatbreads and natural wines to a more central location, with Carmel 2.0 open in Fitzrovia and doling out more of the same excellent puffy flatbreads and fire-licked sharing plates.
Opened: March 2024
Where: 7-8 Market Place, W1W 8AG

Unlock, Hackney Wick

What: Simultaneously functioning as a pizzeria, cocktail bar and art space, Unlock is bringing more Neapolitan pizza to London, this time courtesy of Napoli-born siblings Arianna and Giovanni Izzo. Cocktails are just as enticing, with twists on Italian classics served along a 10 metre concrete bar.
Opened: March 2024
Where: 1 Monkwood Way, E3 2EG
Read more: Unlock

Rucola, Covent Garden

What: One of London’s more lovely (and eco-conscious) member’s clubs, The Conduit has gone all in on rebranding the rooftop restaurant. Rucola will be open to the public when it opens (Thursday and Friday evenings, and all day on Saturdays) and the menu will be similarly sustainable and plant-forward, with a focus on northern Italian cooking.
Opened: March 2024
Where: 6 Langley Street, WC2H 9JA
Read more: Rucola at The Conduit

Josephine, Chelsea

What: Without question one of London’s most recognisable and successful chefs, when Claude Bosi does something, the city sits up and listens. Josephine is the classic Lyonnais bouchon we've always wanted from the Lyonnais chef - traditional southern French dishes cooked with Bosi's uncompromising technique and quality. There's also a fantastic plat du jour menu that features a daily special for just £15.50 at the time of writing, as well as a good value set menu as well. We expect Josephine will be a tough restaurant to book for some time.
Opened: March 2024
Where: 315 Fulham Road, SW10 9QH
Read more: Josephine

Morchella, Clerkenwell

What: Perilla has long been one of London’s most underrated ‘if you know you know’ restaurants, and messrs Marks and Emerson have finally branched out into a second site. Morchella takes up residence in a grand old banking building on Exmouth Market and the Mediterranean-inspired menu still has the signature creative flair that has made Perilla such a hit. The pair are joined by Dan Fletcher (most recently head chef of 28 Market Place in Somerset), who completes the dream team for this exciting new restaurant, which is already staking a claim for one of 2024's best new openings.
Opened: February 2024
Where: 84-86 Rosebury Avenue, EC1R 4QY
Read more: Morchella

Sale e Pepe, Knightsbridge

What: To celebrate its 50th anniversary, this luxurious Italian spot has undergone a major refurbishment, returning the site to its old-school glamour. Extravagant interiors feature patterned wallpaper, bronze mirrors and an impressive marble-topped bar, while the revamped menu includes tagliatelle caviar and plenty of crudi, alongside longtime Sale e Pepe classics. 
Opened: February 2024
Where: 9-15 Pavilion Road, SW1X 0HD
Book now: Sale e Pepe

Mortimer House Kitchen, Fitzrovia

What: Not so much a reopening as a refresh, Mortimer House Kitchen is now under the guidance of Tom Cenci (who also looks after sister restaurant Nessa in Soho). Looks like a solid appointment to us, as Cenci has introduced a slick Italian menu that nods to influences across the Atlantic, with dishes like a hulking chicken parmigiana with marinara sauce, and an absolutely wonderful zucchini Caesar salad.
Opened: February 2024
Where: 37–41 Mortimer Street, W1T 3JH
Book now: Mortimer House Kitchen

Juno Omakase, Notting Hill

What: Not content with running a knock-out Mexican-Japanese fusion restaurant, the Los Mochis team have set up a diminutive omakase upstairs too, which has instantly become one of London’s most unique, interesting food experiences. Juno seats just six guests in a sitting, with two chefs doling out a joyful 15-course omakase.
Opened: January 2024
Where: 2 - 4 Farmer Street, W8 7SN
Read more: Juno Omakase

The best new 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.

abc kitchen at The Emory, Belgravia

What: One of the world’s most celebrated chefs arrives as the signature attraction at one of London’s biggest new hotel openings - Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s renowned abc kitchen brand has finally made it to London and promises lux-dining at its finest, all wrapped up in a stunning space designed by French architect Remi Tessier.
Opening: April 2024
Where: The Emory, Old Barrack Yard, SW1X 7NP
Read more: ABC Kitchen at The Emory

NIJU, Mayfair

What: We thought 20 Berkeley (and indeed, the Nipperkin bar underneath) were both rather fantastic when they opened in 2023, but Creative Restaurants and Endo Kazutoshi are keen to mix things up, rebranding the space as NIJU and shifting to a modern Japanese menu. The menu features premium sushi, sashimi and nigiri, as well as lots of large and small plates and a separate menu of grill dishes, with beef aged in-house.
Opening: April 2024
Where: 20 Berkeley Street, W1J 8EE
Book now: NIJU

Henri, Covent Garden

What: Fresh off their collaboration at Cowley Manor in the Cotswolds, Experimental Group and Jackson Boxer are teaming up again, this time in London at Henri - a French bistro at The Henrietta Hotel in Covent Garden. Boxer has been on a flyer recently so we’re expecting big things here too.
Opening: Spring 2024
Where: The Henrietta Hotel, 14-15 Henrietta Street, WC2E 8PS
Read more: Henri

Yasmin, Soho

What: One reserved for members of Soho members’ club 1 Warwick Street, Tom Cenci’s rooftop Middle Eastern restaurant - a tribute to his love and time spent cooking in Turkey - is now open to the public. What a spot it is too, with a little rooftop terrace right in the heart of the city.
Opening: April 2024
Where: Warwick Street, W1B 5LR
Read more: Yasmin

Kolamba East, Shoreditch

What: A follow-up restaurant for the excellent Kolamba in Soho, Kolamba East promises more of the same sleek interior styling alongside a new menu of feasting plates. Fear not - the delicious signature hoppers are coming back here too, but Kolamba East will be much larger - around 92 covers - so there should be plenty of room for more of us to enjoy one of London’s best Sri Lankan spots.
Opening: May 2024
Where: 12 Blossom Street, E1 6PL
Read more: Kolamba East

All'onda, Fitzrovia

What: What's the next step for London's obsession with Italian food? A restaurant dedicated to risotto, it seems. The hook is pretty interesting but All'onda has some serious pedigree behind the scenes, with head chef Andrea Granzarolo arriving after six years with Helene Darroze at The Connaught. Opening on the ever-stylish Charlotte Street, All'onda could be a dark horse for one of this year's most exciting new openings. 
Opening: May 2024
Where: 67 Charlotte Street, W1T 4PH
Read more: All'onda

Kioku by Endo, Westminster

What: The last piece of the OWO puzzle is yet to come, in the form of another restaurant for Endo Kazutoshi - the multi award-winning master sushi chef behind Endo at The Rotunda. This rooftop spot will feature a Japanese-influenced menu from the sushi master, as well as a sake bar on the ground floor.
Opening: Early 2024
Where: 57 Whitehall, SW1A 2BX
Read more: Endo at The OWO

OMA, London Bridge

What: In Smokestak and Manteca, David Carter has his thumb in two of London's hottest pies, so a third project was bound to cause a stir when announced. OMA promises much - a 60-cover dining room with plenty of white-stone and Aegean architectural details, and a broad Greek menu that focuses on wood-fired cooking. A 400-bin wine list will focus on lesser-known Greek wines too. 
When does it open? April 2024
Where: 2-4 Bedale Street, SE1 9AL
Read more: OMA

Julie’s, Holland Park

What: A restaurant with some pedigree, Julie’s is returning to Holland Park a year after closing, complete with split two-floor dining area and a lovely al fresco terrace. New owner Tara MacBain has drafted in Owen Kenworthy (formerly head chef of Brawn and most recently of The Pelican) to lead the charge in the kitchen, so we’re expecting big things.
Opening: May 2024
Where: 135 Portland Road, W11 4LW
Read more: Julie’s

Wildflowers, Pimlico

What: Wildflowers will open in early 2024 in Pimlico's recently developed Newson's Yard. The restaurant, deli & wine bar, which comes from interior stylist Laura Hart and chef Aaron Potter (previously head chef of Trinity and Elystan Street), will serve dishes inspired by the Mediterranean, albeit with a twist - think crispy Cadiz shrimp fritters, cuttlefish and crab fideua and fig leaf pasteis de nata. We loved Potter's cooking at Maria G’s, so Wildflowers is high on our hit list for 2024.
Opening: Early 2024
Where: Newson’s Yard, SW1W 8NE
Read more: Wildflowers

The Cocochine, Mayfair

What: After much anticipation, head chef Larry Jayasekara and Hamilton Gallery owner Tim Jefferies are one step closer to opening their elegant restaurant at Bruton Place. Jayasekara’s rap sheet covers 20 years in fine dining restaurants including Petrus where he was head chef. The menu is very much under wraps, but we are told to expect influences from his varied travels and a celebration of ‘the joy of eating’.
When does it open? 2024
Where: 27 Bruton Place, W1J 6NQ
Read more: The Cocochine

Akira Back at the Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair  

What: Michelin-starred Korean chef Akira Back is the starring attraction at the brand new Mandarin Oriental in Mayfair, where he'll be looking after an exciting new dining experience consisting of two restaurants and two bars. The stunning triple-height dining room will be adjoined by three separate private rooms available for hire, whilst the rooftop ‘ABar’ will afford unbeatable views over Mayfair. As expected from such a renowned chef, the dinner menu is set to be a culinary journey mostly based in the chef's Korean heritage but also featuring Japanese elements and executed with French cooking techniques. The Mandarin Oriental is still a way off completion so don't expec this until late 2024 at the earliest. 
When does it open? Late 2024
Where: 22 Hanover Square, W1S 1JP
Read more: Akira Back at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair

Row on 5, Mayfair

What: The newest venture from Jason Atheron, Row on 5 is set to be a new flagship for the renowned chef - his first new opening in London since The Betterment, which closed in 2019. Spread over two floors in a brand-new building on the famous tailor's street, there will be an open kitchen downstairs with counter seating and tables available on the ground floor. There is limited information available concerning the menu, however, rumours are it will be a ‘culinary voyage’ journeying through a multi-course dining experience.
When does it open? 2024
Where: 5 Savile Row, W1S 3PB

The Park, Bayswater

What: A welcome return to London for Jeremy King, The Park is planned for Spring 2024 and will open inside the new Park Modern Building, opposite Kensington Palace Gardens. Little is known at the moment but King himself has said we can expect a restaurant that riffs on the same European ‘grand cafe’ style that made Corbin & King so iconic.
When does it open? 2024
Where: 123 Bayswater Road, W2 3JH
Read more: The Park

Fonda, Mayfair

What: When restaurants are as successful as KOL, a second restaurant is always round the corner. Sure enough, Santiago Lastra and MJMK have nabbed a corner spot at the top of Heddon Street in Mayfair, promising more of his creative modern Mexican cooking, this time centred around the ‘comal’ - a clay griddle used to cook corn tortillas.
Opening: 2024
Where: Heddon Street, W1
Read more: Fonda

Carbone, Mayfair

What: Headlining London’s new obsession with Italo-American food is Carbone - New York’s iconic Italian restaurant slash mob wife immersive experience. Carbone will likely be the star attraction at the upcoming Chancery Rosewood Hotel in Mayfair, still under construction and coming in 2025.
Opening: 2025
Where: The Chancery Rosewood Hotel, 30 Grosvenor Square, W1K
Read more: Carbone

If that’s whetted your appetite, check out our pick of London's coolest, trendiest restaurants.