London’s restaurant scene shows no signs of slowing down. The past few months have seen a flurry of exciting launches, resurrections, and revamped menus.
A West End legend opened a new site to recreate the hedonistic playground of its heyday. A Mayfair heavyweight has quietly ushered in a fresh era with a new chef taking the reins and in Shoreditch, a Brooklyn stalwart makes its UK debut.
Read on for more on the eight hottest new restaurants in London to book now on OpenTable.
The best new restaurants in London to book ASAP – read on for a guide.
For a new seafood haven – try Manzi’s in Soho
London seafood institution Manzi’s makes a triumphant return to the West End. This highly-anticipated reopening by The Wolseley Hospitality Group in Soho’s Bateman’s Building pays homage to its legendary (but now shuttered) Leicester Square predecessor, which fed and entertained Londoners for over half a century. Marble mosaics, a grand Poseidon statue, and maritime motifs transport diners to the Mediterranean while also channelling the playful spirit of the original family-owned edition. Expect world-class seafood like moules marinière, lobster rolls, and Dover sole. A buzzing bar on the top-floor, DJ booth with live music, and a spacious outdoor terrace keep the party going into the wee hours at this warm and inviting reboot.
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For an exciting British bistro – visit Claridge’s Restaurant in Mayfair
Claridge’s Restaurant quietly emerged from a two-year pause over the summer, marking a new era for the legendary British establishment. After stints where the restaurant was known as Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s, Fera, and Davies and Brook, it has returned to in-house management and gone back to its roots with the name, Claridge’s, which was last heard 20 years ago. Irish chef Coalin Flynn oversees the refined all-day menu, specialising in dishes like artichoke agnolotti, grilled native lobster, and an irresistible bacon, scallop, and yuzu breakfast bap. Enjoy it in a 1920s-inspired space complete with mosaic floors, leather banquettes, and Art Deco pendant lamps. Walls are decorated with artwork from Claridge’s private collection, adding to the glam vibes at this lavish fine-dining icon.
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For a Peruvian meal on a rooftop – head to Llama Inn at the Hoxton in Shoreditch
Llama Inn at The Hoxton, a revered New York restaurant that channels chef Erik Ramirez’s American-Peruvian background, made its London debut in September. The hidden gem is only reachable through a discreet yellow doorway on Willow Street. Once you’re inside, prepare to be blown away by a lush, glass-covered rooftop. The menu is just as swoon-worthy with modern Peruvian dishes like scallop ceviche and pork shoulder sliders with salsa criolla. It’s a great setting for golden hour, best fueled by cocktails like the Chupetini, an umami bomb of gin and blue cheese olives, best paired with panoramic East London views.
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For one of the most beautiful restaurants in London – book at The Midland Grand Dining Room in King’s Cross
One of London’s most striking settings and exceptional French food make a spectacular combo at executive chef Patrick Powell’s newest restaurant The Midland Grand Dining Room. Start with cocktails at the adjoining Gothic Bar, a regal space with an emerald marble counter and vaulted ceilings with gold accents. Then prepare for a decadent meal in the beautiful dining room, replete with more marble and delicate stucco. Seasonal dishes could include confit lamb navarin with summer vegetables and mint or chalk stream trout with sorrel, smoked butter, and vermouth beurre blanc. For the ultimate treat, add a side of creamy cheese potato dauphinoise.
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For a new Italian neighbourhood gem – try 64 Old Compton St in Soho
64 Old Compton St is the eagerly-awaited sibling to another Italian favourite, Forty Dean Street. The cosy, cobalt blue space pops with orange accents, creating a lively ambience that’s already a hit with locals. Italian food shines at this small, family-run operation, including pappardelle with porcini mushrooms and truffle oil, fried squid and zucchini with aioli sauce, and chicken Milanese with spaghetti. Bonus points for the restaurant’s original spin on tiramisu—64 Old Compton St’s version features pistachios.
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For a playful Australian brunch – visit England’s Grace in St John’s Wood
The long-anticipated England’s Grace opened in August and makes a charming addition to St. John’s Wood High Street. The sunny, Aussie-inspired spot comes from the team behind Belsize park favourite, Terra Moderna, and cranks out a playful brunch menu of blueberry buttermilk pancakes and crispy sweetcorn fritters. Dinner leans more European, featuring imaginative dishes like sea bream ceviche with zesty chile dressing and roasted guinea fowl in shiitake broth.
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For Asian cuisine with spectacular river views – head to Sticky Mango in Tower Bridge
Vietnamese and Indonesian dishes get the spotlight at this sprawling Tower Bridge beauty Sticky Mango (a follow-up branch opens in Islington later this year). Chef and restaurateur Peter Lloyd was inspired by his travels across Southeast Asia for dishes like spicy tuna spring rolls, sea bass grilled in banana leaf with pickled vegetables and lime, and peanut nougat satay with charcoal ice cream. Add a theatrical backdrop featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, crystal lotus motifs, and a stunning marbled floor, and you’ve got one of the hottest new special occasion spots in town.
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For elegant French-inspired dishes – book at 64 Goodge Street in Fitzrovia
The latest from Woodhead Restaurant Group (The Quality Chophouse, Quality Wines, Clipstone, Portland) landed in Fitzrovia in August to much fanfare. It’s easy to see why: the revamped space, a former travel agency, is now a sleek dining room with a dynamic open kitchen. Head chef Stuart Andrew, who has been with the Woodhead group since 2015, took cues from classic French cooking techniques for dishes like scallops in a beurre blanc with lentils, snail, and bacon bonbons; and a Niçoise salad which swaps tuna for the subtle richness of rabbit. If you’re drinking, consider a glass from the deep wine list, which boasts an impressive Burgundy lineup.
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Shekha Vyas is a London-based reporter, writing about business, lifestyle, and food. Follow her on Instagram at @shekhav or on TikTok at @tastingbritain.
