All restaurant openings, reviews, and dining picks in London
Malaysian-Chinese comedian Nigel Ng (better known as Uncle Roger) launches his first London restaurant in Chinatown over Easter weekend. He's partnered with restaurateur Keng Yew (of YiQi and The Eight) and former Hakkasan chef Daren Liew for Kawan (meaning 'mate' or 'friend' in Malay).
Kawan Uncle Roger Resturaunt
Chinese restaurant · 4.6 ★
Rake is the latest kitchen residency at Canonbury's Compton Arms pub, known for attracting fine cooking talent. Time Out gave it a glowing five-star review calling its menu a 'line-up of endless hits' with retro-British dishes like deep fried cockles and browned oysters rarebit.
The Compton Arms
Pub · 4.4 ★ · $$
One of London's most technically impressive restaurants, 2210 has been added to the Michelin Guide. Known for its innovative tasting menu and precise technique.
2210 by NattyCanCook
Caribbean restaurant · 4.6 ★
Ibai is a Basque-style steak restaurant in London that has been ranked the 7th best steak restaurant in the world by World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants list - making it the highest-ranking steak restaurant in the UK. The restaurant was praised for careful sourcing of produce, respect for Basque tradition, and being 'one of the most distinctive grill-led restaurants in London'. It was also the first restaurant in the UK to receive The Beef Advocate - Global Meat Standard Certification.
Ibai
Restaurant · 4.4 ★
The Papi team (who left their London Fields restaurant last month) are opening a new pub on Green Lanes. Following their successful restaurant background, this marks their entry into the pub scene.
The Den
Third London restaurant from Berenjak brings Persian-inspired cuisine to Mayfair with a glamorous new spot. The review tests their latest location and new menu offerings.
Berenjak Soho
Persian restaurant · 4.7 ★ · $$
Popular viral TikTok matcha cafe from King's Cross is expanding to Covent Garden. Hanife Hursit built a following documenting her first cafe's journey.
Frothee
Cafe · 4.4 ★
Belgravia pub shortlisted for National Pub & Bar Awards 2026.
The Forge
Jay Rayner (Financial Times) hailed this as "one of the most impressive openings in a long while" - an East/West hybrid from Romanian-born chef Alex Craciun, who was last seen in London 10 years ago as head chef.
Aces Foodcraft
Fine dining restaurant · 4.9 ★
First solo restaurant from former Kiln head chef Meedu Saad, inspired by cooking from North London to North Africa, with Egyptian heritage influences from his father's background and summers near Ismailia on the Red Sea coast.
Impala
Restaurant · 5 ★
New Hackney pub-diner-co-working space on Mare Street, operated by the team behind Leytonstone Tavern and Tavern On The Hill. Modernist interior, food from Bone Daddy Burger, local brews from East London Brewing Co and Howling Hop.
Empire Tavern
Pub · 4.6 ★
Listening bar with record collection curated by Rough Trade and regular DJ nights. Central and Eastern European wines with Slavic snacks like slow-roasted peppers with anchovies, beef tartare on Borodinsky bread.
sova
Wine bar
Third Padella location joins their Borough and Shoreditch sites. The Trullo offshoot serves fresh pasta including legendary pici cacio e pepe and pappardelle with 8-hour Hereford beef shin ragu.
Padella
Italian restaurant · 4.7 ★ · $
Shoreditch restaurant ranking #17 globally for steak. Known for quality grill cooking.
BRAT Restaurant
Basque restaurant · 4.5 ★ · $$
Our favourite Forza Wine location - the balcony on top floor of National Theatre is perfect for sipping pét-nat. Open all-year round.
Forza Wine at the National Theatre
Wine bar · 4.4 ★
One of London's top bakeries according to The Telegraph's ranking of the best bakeries in Britain. Located on Warren Street in Fitzrovia, run by pastry chef Shaheen Peerbhai. Uses high-quality French ingredients including Normandy flour, Charentes butter, and Valrhona chocolate. All pastries and breads baked small-batch throughout the day. The newspaper praised its striped hazelnut gianduja croissant.
Miel Bakery
Bakery · 4.4 ★ · $$
Scottish-Italian chef Nico Simeone has relaunched one of his Six by Nico venues in Manchester as Lennox, describing it as his 'most personal restaurant project to date'. The prolific chef has 15 Six by Nico restaurants opened in the past decade.
Lennox
Restaurant · 4.9 ★
Rossella, the popular Kentish Town Italian restaurant, is expanding to Muswell Hill with pizzas, pasta, and a signature tiramisu trolley.
Rossella