London’s Hottest New Restaurants For 2023

Food & Drink / 3 weeks ago

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New restaurants pop up all the time in the capital – but which ones are worth shouting about? Here we bring you the lowdown on the culinary openings you need on your radar for 2023. The year has been off to a strong start, with notable launches including the latest trattoria from Big Mamma Group, Carlotta, and two new restaurants from Tom Sellers. Coming up, there’s a reincarnated Manzi’s, fin-to-gill restaurant Kima, a larger Chishuru and much more. It’s time to start planning your year in food. These are the new London restaurants opening in 2023.

New London Restaurants For 2023

Open Now

Kima

We’ve heard about nose-to-tail, but what about fin-to-gill? This concept sits at the heart of Kima, a new Greek-inspired eatery from restaurateurs Nikos Roussos and Andreas Labridis. Just opened in Marylebone, Kima will practice a ‘waste not, use all’ philosophy, where all parts of the fish and animal will be used: think fried tails with aioli, and charred fish collars drizzled with olive oil and lemon. An impressive fish counter will serve as the restaurant’s centrepiece, displaying the catch of the day – from whole turbots to freshly caught langoustines. Alongside this, diners can enjoy fine Greek wines and cocktails.

57 Paddington St, London W1U 4JA, kimarestaurant.com

Empire Empire

Putting a fun twist on Indian dining is Empire Empire, a new venture from Gunpowder’s Harneet Bawej, located in Notting Hill. Inspired by the 1970s Indian disco era, the restaurant will have a strong focus on music and art, with a custom-made Marshall jukebox and a soundtrack of Bollywood bangers, plus artworks from respected Indian artists, Jogen Chowdhury and Rabin Mondal lining the walls. Of course food will be fundamental too, with the menu predominantly inspired by the northwestern cuisines stretching across the old Punjab Empire, from Bihar across to Afghanistan. Dishes like the Lasooni Tangdi Kebab and Nizam Chicken Kebab will be made by slowly charring the meats over hot coals, alongside a showpiece signature of Lobster Dum Biriyani, complete with the crustacean’s head emerging from the pastry lid. 

16 All Saints Rd, London W11 1HH, empire-empire.restaurant

Lilienblum

The name behind cult Notting Hill favourite Miznon, Eyal Shani, has launched a new restaurant in East London, Lilienblum. With Israeli chef Oren King heading up the kitchen – whose CV includes the likes of Roka and Hide – the new spot serves family-style sharing plates, with dishes cooked in an open kitchen. In Shani’s typically quirky style, the menu is divided into ingredients rather than the classic starters, mains format, with standout dishes including ‘pearls from the ground swirled with farro and clams’ and ‘ribeye steak, the way GOD intended’: served straight on the table, no plate or anything.

80 City Rd, London EC1Y 2BJ, sevenrooms.com

Carlotta

Hot off the heels of the Instagram-famous Jacuzzi, Big Mamma Group is back with yet another opening: Carlotta in Marylebone. Expect signature maximalist interiors, with a Venetian marble bar and a ruby red terrace, alongside a new menu focusing on Neapolitan and Sicilian dishes with an American twist. For the first time, grills play a big part, as well as Italian classics like penne alla vodka.

77, 78 Marylebone High St, London W1U 5JX, bigmammagroup.com

Maene

Nick Gilkinson was behind one of 2020’s most exciting culinary launches, Townsend in the Whitechapel Gallery – and now he’s back with a new restaurant, Maene. Set atop a four-storey Victorian warehouse in Spitalfields, the venue is inspired by European bistro culture, with a terrace overlooking the city skyline. Open all day from breakfast through to dinner, the menu will focus on seasonal, modern cooking made using the best of British produce. Highlights include Mersea oysters with pickled jalapeno and sorrel, Springfield farm chicken with rosemary, garlic and burnt lemon, and a Yorkshire rhubarb pudding served with honey cream and bronze fennel.

7-9 Fashion St, London E1 6PX, maenerestaurant.co.uk

Cantinetta Antinori

The Antinori family is behind some of Italy’s most prestigious wines, including Tignanello and Cervaro della Sala. Now in its 26th generation, the family-run business is also known for its restaurants, with outposts in Italy as well as glamorous locations like Monaco and Vienna – and this spring, a London branch has opened. Occupying a period building on Harriet Street in Knightsbridge, the restaurant offers all-day Tuscan-inspired dining amid stylish settings. Seasonal, Mediterranean dishes like handmade pasta, crispy octopus with potato cream and prosciutto di wagyu will be on offer, alongside a carefully curated wine list complete with exclusive vintages from the Antinori family estates.

4 Harriet St, London SW1X 9JR, cantinetta-antinori.uk

Harvest

The chef-owner behind London restaurants Parlour and Six Portland Road, Jesse Dunford Wood, has opened his third venture in the capital. Harvest, found on Chamberlayne Road in Kensal Rise, is a bright and airy all-day restaurant with natural interiors and a lived-in, homely feel. Dunford Wood has spent 20 years cultivating relationships with top-quality suppliers, and this comes across in the ingredient-led menu, which includes a variety of vegetarian, meat and fish dishes. There’s also secret heated garden, alongside a street-facing terrace.

68 Chamberlayne Rd, London NW10 3JJ, harvestrestaurantuk.com

Apoy

Great British Menu chef Ferdinand ‘Budgie’ Montoya is opening his own street food joint, Apoy in Market Halls Oxford Circus. Designed to celebrate his heritage Filipino cuisine, the new spot will offer a fun take on barbecued skewers. A mix of meat, fish and vegan skewers will be marinated in the likes of 7UP, banana ketchup and coconut vinegar, then grilled over charcoal to get that smoky flavour. Enjoy alongside fluffy steamed rice, atchara (pickled green papaya) and a choice of dipping sauces. Don’t miss Budgie’s signature fried chicken skins either.

9 Holles St, London W1G 0BD, markethalls.co.uk

Midland Grand Dining Room

After a decade in the business, Marcus Wareing’s Gilbert Scott restaurant at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel closed its doors last year. It has just been replaced, though, with Midland Grand Dining Room: a new eatery from Irish chef Patrick Powell, who spent time in the kitchen at Chiltern Firehouse before launching his own restaurant, Allegra in Stratford. This is the third time Powell has worked with hotelier Harry Handelsman, the man behind the restoration of the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, with architect Hugo Tore heading up the project.

St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Rd., London NW1 2AR, midlandgranddiningroom.com

Dim Sum Terrace at Harrods

Celebrate warmer days at Harrods’ new dim sum terrace, just launched on the store’s fourth floor. The conservatory-style space benefits from plenty of natural light, with impressive views over the rooftops of West London. From here, guests can tuck into handmade dumplings – both classics and more unusual flavours, alongside creative takes on Chinese cuisine. Think scallop and prawn siu mai topped with foie gras, lobster and coriander dumplings, and BBQ pork char siu bao. Enjoy alongside cocktails like the Picanteria, a zingy number made with Jose Cuervo Reposado, fresh coriander, agave syrup, fresh lime juice and jalapeño. 

Room, 87, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL, harrods.com

The Freak Scene

Ex Nobu chef Scott Hallsworth is bringing his Pan-Asian cooking to Fulham with The Freak Scene, a joint project with Australian comedian and presenter Adam Hills. Launching this March in Parson’s Green, the restaurant will showcase some of Scott’s signature dishes, including Singapore Chilli Crab Wonton Bombs, Chicken Fried Chicken, Salmon Sashimi Pizza, and Black Cod Tacos, alongside fresh seasonal sushi and sashimi plus fish dishes based on the catch of the day. 

28 Parsons Green Ln, London SW6 4HS, freakscenerestaurants.com

Story Cellar

It’s a big year for Tom Sellers: alongside Dovetale, he’s also opening a Parisian-style rotisserie restaurant in Neal’s Yard. Rotisserie chicken will be the main focus, served alongside house salad and French fries, alongside dishes like crab linguine, hand-dived scallops, and a re-interpreted version of a signature dish from Restaurant Story: snail bolognese on toast with parsley butter. A special wine programme, meanwhile, will mean guests will have the opportunity to try rare and exceptional wines which would usually only be available in full bottle format. 

17 Neal’s Yard, London WC2H 9DP, storycellar.co.uk

Nessa

You’ll never be short of places to eat in Soho – but buzzy openings help keep the neighbourhood interesting. New for 2023 is Nessa, a modern bistro from Guy Ivesha (Mortimer House) and Tom Cenci (Loyal Tavern, Duck and Waffle), sitting on the ground floor of the 1 Warwick members’ club. The restaurant will pay homage to the area’s rich history with an eclectic, colourful look, with a menu drawing on Cenci’s passion for global flavours. Think playful twists on British classics, including a new take on the hotpot made with ox cheek and confit potatoes, brioche with black pudding and brown butter noisette, and black forest trifle. A separate bar area, meanwhile, will serve wine, cocktails and small plates. 

86 Brewer St, London W1F 9UB, nessasoho.com

Humo

Live fire cooking is all the rage at the moment, and now we have another hot London restaurant in the mix. Now open in Mayfair is Humo (which translates as ‘smoke’ in Spanish), spearheaded by Chef Miller Prada, protégé of Endo Kazutoshi of Michelin starred Endo at the Rotunda. Influenced by Japanese cooking techniques, the restaurant revolves around a four-metre long grill, with all dishes prepared using a selection of widely sourced woods – all of which impart subtle flavour differences on the food. Rather than being focused on a specific cuisine, Humo is produce-led, with some key influences from Miller’s Colombian background. Hero dishes include 14-day aged trout and caviar, and hand-dived Orkney scallop with Speyside whisky barrel and white konbu.

12 St George St, London W1S 2FB, humolondon.com

Kapara

Israeli chef Eran Tibi, the name behind Bala Baya in Southwark, has launched a new restaurant in Soho called Kapara. Taking inspiration from the buzz of Tel Aviv’s rooftop bars and artistic neighbourhood Neve Tzedek, it has a laid-back vibe, with an all-day, all-night food offering and subterranean chef’s table experience. 

James Court, Manette St, London W1D 4AL, kapara.co.uk

The Parakeet

Great gastropubs are popping up all over the city – the latest being The Parakeet, a new venture from ex-Brat chefs Ben Allen and Ed Jennings. Opening this March in Kentish Town, the eatery will focus on seasonal dishes cooked over a custom-made grill, with signatures including poached oyster with pickled elderflower, and braised leeks with pecorino and smoked mushrooms, alongside meat and fish dishes built around locally sourced ox cheek and bream. Housed in Victorian landmark pub The Oxford Tavern, it will have a characterful, neighborhood feel, with antique furnishings and a carefully curated wine list focusing on biodynamic and low intervention varieties. 

256 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2AA, theparakeetpub.com

CAVO

One of the capital’s biggest launches of 2022, the Outernet in Tottenham Court Road was designed predominantly as a music venue – but it’s becoming a bit of a foodie destination too. Glitzy Manchester import Tattu opened there last year, and soon to come is CAVO: a Mediterranean restaurant taking over the building’s fourth floor. It’s going to be huge, spread across 10,000 square feet, complete with a roof terrace focusing on seafood and champagne. Floor-to-ceiling windows will ensure great views from inside, too, with the menu split into two sections: the CAVO Seafood & Raw Bar and CAVO Josper Grilled meats menu. Diners can tuck into tapas-style dishes like chiperones (baby fried squid with beetroot mayonnaise), artichoke hummus with fried artichoke leaf and goat yoghurt, and crispy lasagne made with 36 month dry aged parmesan cream.

The Now Building, Outernet, Denmark St, London WC2H 0LA, cavorestaurant.com

Opening In 2023

Outcrop

Arriving at 180 The Strand this June is Outcrop, a restaurant and arts space from the team behind Secret Cinema, alongside the founders of Italian-inspired restaurant Luca. Set within a courtyard at 180 The Strand, a Brutalist building which serves as a cultural hub, Outcrop has been designed as a ‘green social club’ which strives to have a positive impact on the planet. Opening for an initial three-month run this summer, it will feature a restaurant spearheaded by John Chantarasak of AngloThai, who will be bringing his signature style of Thai cooking to British ingredients. He’ll be focusing on seasonal vegetables alongside native breed animals and line-caught fish, all cooked over charcoal.

Opening 7 July, outcrop.social

TBC

Famed Amsterdam duo Gabriël Verheij and Alexandre Scour are bringing their much-loved comfort food to London with TBC, which stands for The Butter Club. The pair met in the kitchen at Vanderveen in Amsterdam’s Oud-Zuid neighbourhood, and went on to host pop ups and residences all over the world before deciding to open their own venture on Notting Hill’s Goldborne Road. Dishes draw inspiration from all over the globe: there’s fried buttermilk chicken brioche feuilletée, fried oyster mushroom bao buns, and BBQ langoustines with Sichuan butter sauce, plus their signature square croissant creations, filled with the likes of cinnamon and pecan praline.

Opening soon, thebutterclub.co

Pavyllon

One of France’s most celebrated chefs, Yannick Alléno is bringing his refined neighbourhood dining style to London, opening a new restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane this summer. Pavyllon will offer fine dining cuisine within relaxed surroundings, with dishes pairing French techniques with seasonal British produce. A key focus will be on Yannick’s signature extraction technique, seen in dishes like cheese souffle steamed with comte and celery extraction, and vegetable ravioli with spring extraction broth. This will be paired with wines from renowned sommelier Vincent Javaux, with bottles from some of the world’s top vineyards alongside family-owned chateaus. 

Opening early summer 2023, pavyllonlondon.com

Dovetale

Chef Tom Sellers is renowned for his two Michelin starred Restaurant Story, which offers a unique tasting menu experience on Tooley Street. Now he’s expanding his repertoire with Dovetale, an eatery at new eco opening 1 Hotel Mayfair, which overlooks Green Park and will launch this spring. Seasonal produce will sit at the heart of the menu, with dishes cooked over a grill alongside a raw bar, plus a special knickerbocker glory trolley which will whizz up the classic dessert tableside. 

Opening in 2023, 1hotels.com

Manzi’s

Manzi’s, located just off Leicester Square, was one of the city’s most beloved restaurants for over half a century. It closed in 2006 – but some years ago The Wolseley Group (formerly Corbin & King) decided to launch a reincarnation, which is finally coming to fruition this May. The new Manzi’s will be located at Bateman’s Buildings, a wide alleyway running south from Soho Square, and will pay tribute to its forefather with a seafood-focused menu and nautical-inspired interiors.

Opening in 2023, thewolseleyhospitalitygroup.com

Daroco Soho

Restaurant group Daroco has two very trendy restaurants in Paris’ 2nd and 16th arrondissements – and this year, excitingly, it’s expanding into London. Set to open this September is Daroco Soho, a new Italian restaurant from founders Alexandre Giesbert, Julien Ross and Nico de Soto. We haven’t got loads of information at the minute, but fresh handmade pastas and pizza will feature, alongside an intimate cocktail bar.

Opening September 2023, daroco.fr

AngloThai

After a string of sellout pop-ups, collaborations and even a book, AngloThai is getting a permanent restaurant, set to open in Fitzrovia next summer. The brainchild of husband-and-wife duo John and Desiree Chantarasak, AngloThai is all about marrying the cooking techniques and flavours of Thailand with the seasonal produce of the British Isles. This ethos will continue in the restaurant, which was picked up by MJMK Restaurants – the group behind Santiago Lastra’s Mexican fine dining eatery KOL. Chef John heads up the food side, while sommelier Desiree will be curating a selection of environmentally-friendly wines. No word on the menu yet, but a recent pop-up served dishes like soy-marinated Iberico pork skewers with roasted chilli, and garlic and coriander grilled poussin, to give you a taste of the vibes.

Opening summer 2023, anglothai.co.uk

Chishuru

Part of the charm of West African restaurant Chishuru is the story that comes with it. Nigerian-born chef Adejoké Bakare spent years hosting dinner parties and supper clubs before winning a competition which allowed her to set up her own restaurant in Brixton Market. It opened in September 2020, a tricky time for hospitality (remember the tier system?), but against all odds Chishuru survived – and thrived, cultivating a loyal fan following. So much so that the restaurant has outgrown its 35-cover site. Bakare recently announced the new space will be located in Fitzrovia, just a few minutes walk from Oxford Circus tube, with a larger dining area plus an open kitchen.

Opening summer 2023, chishuru.com

Featured image: Nessa