Besides pricey cocktails, late-night Amazon purchases and city breaks, I’d say that most of my feel-good spending goes towards food. So, when I hear of a buzzy new restaurant? Take my money now. From new London restaurants on the water to a whole host of launches taking over Mayfair and Michelin star chefs, these are the hot openings to have on your radar for 2023.
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January
Ikoyi 2.0, Strand: previously located in St James, Ikoyi has set up shop at 180 The Strand for the second iteration of their two-Michelin star restaurant. The menu has shot up in price too, with the fine dining take on West African cuisine costing an eye-watering £300 for a tasting menu. Read my previous review of the top London restaurant here.
05/01 | Sichuan Fry, London Fields: purveyors of delicious dim sum and French toast that makes my mouth water, Dumpling Shack have ventured east to serve crispy chicken buns, wings and Hong Kong milkshakes in Hackney.
18/01 | Humo, Mayfair: with the Michelin-starred Endo at the Rotunda and sushi restaurant Sumi already under their belts, the Creative Restaurant Group’s latest venture is located in the space that once housed Wild Honey. Expect wood-grilled dishes in an intimate setting.
20/01 | Jacuzzi, Kensington: the fourth London restaurant from Parisian brand Big Mamma, this is set to be bigger and more Instagrammable than ever. This is top of my list for January.
24/01 | Mister Nice, Mayfair: central London is getting a huge foodie injection this year, with Mister Nice being a sexy string in W1’s bow. With an ex-Seabird and Barrafina chef at the helm, you can expect a menu that includes yellowtail sashimi crudo, burrata and elevated club sandwiches.
30/01 | Darjeeling Express, Soho: Located at Kingly Court, famous chef Asma Khan’s celebrated restaurant will see its third coming at the beginning of 2023.
February
14/02 | Papi, London Fields: what started as a lockdown project named Hot 4 U, chef Matthew Scott and drinks pro Charlie Carr’s passion project is getting its first bricks and mortar site in Hackney.
15/02 | Socca Bistro, Mayfair: chef Claude Bosi and Jamavar restaurateur Samyukta Nair have joined forces to launch a modern bistro on South Audley Street, where French and Mediterranean cooking takes centre stage to make this one of the top restaurants in London.
15/02 | TBC (The Butter Club), Notting Hill: Golborne Road locals will be happy to know that this brand-new restaurant is bringing caviar-topped fried chicken, lobster rolls and a whole host of cheat day faves to their neck of the woods, courtesy of chef duo Gabriël Verheij and Alexandre Scour.
16/02 | Joia, Battersea: spread across 3 floors of Battersea Power Station, two-Michelin-starred chef Henrique Sa Pessoa is bringing British-Iberian flavours at what’s gearing up to be one of the best restaurants in london with a view.
March
06/03 | Nessa, Soho: Tom Cenci, of Duck & Waffle and Loyal Tavern fame, has joined forces with Mortimer House’s Guy Ivesha for this modern bistro on Brewer Street.
11/03 | Sheesh, Mayfair: one of the most famous restaurants in Essex is coming to London, as celebrity haunt Sheesh sets up shop in the West End. I’m talking cheesy pastry rolls, wagyu burgers and fancy charcol-flamed kebabs in Insta-worthy surroundings.
16/03 | Lio, Leicester Square: Ibizan favourite Lio is landing in the West End, as the party-loving Pacha group revamp the old Cafe de Paris site. Think live cabaret, Mediterranean food and flowing drinks.
16/03 | Forno, Bethnal Green: Mitshel Ibrahim, of Ombra, is bringing his moreish Roman buns, giant tiramusi and spongy focaccia to what’s looking like one of the best new restaurants in east London.
17/03 | Rambutan, Borough Market: named after the Southeast Asian fruit – and also the name of her debut cookbook – Cynthia Shanmugalingam’s Rambutan centres on Sri Lankan cooking.
April
06/04 | Noble Rot, Mayfair: third time’s a charm for this much-loved wine bar and restaurant, as Noble Rot adds Mayfair to its collection with a menu devised by head chef Adam Wood. Think whole roast duck, smoked eel, sea bream and oyster tartare matched with a stunning selection of wines.
May
12/05 | Carlotta, Marylebone: yet another Big Mamma opening, this one sees the Italian purveyors going for a Las Vegas theme. Things are scaled down slightly, but the interiors are just as photogenic, and food is still as deliciously carb-heavy.
26/05 | Leo’s, Clapton: if you like Juleit’s Quality Foods in South London, then you’ll love this one. Owners Julian Porter and Lauren Johns have gone east with all things Italy; from the coffee to the low-intervention wines and Sicilian-inspired dishes.
June
21/04 | Little Kudu, Peckham: the sibling to South African spot Kudu, this vibey outpost is promising wines and small plates like Kalahari spiced biltong, braaied courgettes and chicken parfait tartlets with spiced pineapple.
22/06 | Sonora Taqueria, Stoke Newington: a name on the street food market scene, these guys have opened their first bricks and mortar site on Stoke Newington High Street.
July
11/07 | Mountain, Soho: when it comes to new restaurants, Soho has some of the finest. First came the Michelin-starred Brat, and now Tomos Parry has launched Mountain.
13/07 | Dovetale, Mayfair: another multi-Michelin-starred chef for the list, Tom Sellers has taken to 1 Hotel Mayfair for his latest project. There’s talk of classic grilled dishes and retro knickerbocker glories served from a fancy dessert trolley at what could be one of the best restaurants in central London.
15/07 | Arcade Food Hall, Battersea: coming up even bigger and better than the first West End installment, Arcade Food Hall Battersea will have space for up to 500 diners. You can expect multiple bars, a beer-fuelled tap room, a food hall with 13 traders, plus 3 standalone restaurants that include BAO, Manna and Solis.
22/07 | Tendril, Mayfair: landing on Princes Street this month, Tendril is the third installment of the vegan restaurant that has proved a hit with many a celebrity.
25/07 | Kima, Paddington: from the brains behind OPSA and Pittabun, this Greek restaurant is all about fresh seafood.
29/07 | Manzi’s, Soho: seafood lovers – this one’s for you. The Wolseley Hospitality Group (of The Wolseley, The Delaunay, Brasserie Zédel and more) has launched a huge new spot with stunning interiors (have you seen the giant mermaids?) and old-school service.
August
02/08 | Fazenda, Bishopsgate: Fans of Birmingham’s South American rodizio restaurant will be happy to know that you can soon get your meat fix at this hot opening.
To be confirmed:
Chishuru, location unknown: Brixton’s much-loved West African restaurant is relocating in 2023. Watch this space for details on the new outpost.
Mare Street Market, King’s Cross: Hackney’s cool space is headed north, with a huge 18,000 square foot venue that includes 8 retailers, a café and co-working space, deli, restaurant, and bar – all spread over 2 floors with alfresco dining available.
Nammos, Knightsbridge: from the same group that brought us the iconic venues in Dubai and Mykonos, Nammos is offering a relaxed Greek menu with an upscale vibe… and, most likely, a pricey bill at what is set to be among the best new restaurants in London for 2023.
AngloThai, Fitzrovia: authentic Thai cooking and natural wines come together from husband and wife duo John and Desiree Chantarasak. From famed supper club to West End fixture, this is heating up to be among the coolest restaurants in London.
Sarap, location unknown: one of my favourite restaurant pop-ups of last year, Sarap is the modern Filipino spot from Budgie Montoya. Stay tuned for details on the brand new permanent site.
Image credit: Manzi’s
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