We've added up the votes (just over 2000 of them!) and the results are in. Out of a shortlist we gave you of nearly 50 new restaurants (itself taken from almost 250 restaurants that we tracked as opening in 2022) here are your favourite new restaurant openings of 2022 - plus the runners-up.
Hot Dinners readers' favourite new London restaurant of 2022
Bubala Soho
15 Poland Street, London W1F 8PR
The Middle-Eastern-inspired vegetarian restaurant opened a second, much bigger outpost in Soho this year, and it's clearly been a hit with you, topping this year's poll. This actually makes Bubala a two-time winner, as its original restaurant also won the readers' vote back in 2019. You REALLY love Bubala. Here are some of your top comments:
"Incredibly authentic and relaxed. So easy as a meat eater to go veggie and feel fulfilled. Love the halloumi." - Lewis
"Every single morsel was outstanding. Some of the best challah I've found in London and great non-alcoholic options. Lovely service and great ambience. Well done team." - Hannah
"Best vegetarian food in London! Incredible atmosphere and the friendliest staff. Feels like they’re having a party and we’re all invited!" - Sarah
"It’s just amazing. The mastery and variety of cooking is unbeatable, with dishes that stay in your mind long after your first of many visits." - Sonnie
"Most moorish, delish veg/vegan food. Truly proving that meals with veg as the hero are far from boring! Beautiful, stylish interiors with a sexy, cosy, warm atmosphere." - Hannah
The rest of the top 10
Parrillan
Borough Yards - 4 Dirty Lane, London SE1 9PA
"Dining outdoors here in the summer months was like being transported to Spain." - Daniel
"Passionate cooking of very high standard. Gorgeous location. Taking the Borough market offer to very high standards. The outside space is amazing, an oasis in a busy market." - Caroline
Cycene
Shoreditch - 9 Chance St, London E2 7JB
"Delicious, refined superbly presented. The experience blew me away...I can’t remember a better experience from start to finish." - Jenny
"Loved what Theo Clench and his team had done as the menu was phenomenal and the space oozed subtle warmth and class. Interior was a level above too. PS - the brown butter old fashioned was ridiculously moreish." - Alex
Saltie Girl
Mayfair - 15 N Audley St, London W1K 6WZ
"Lovely ambience and most delicious food with a caring team. Great addition to Mayfair and perhaps even competition to Scott’s." - Joanna
"The best seafood by a long shot. A unique and fantastic experience unlike anything else in London." - Andrew
Cavita
Marylebone - 56 Wigmore St, Marylebone, London W1U 2RZ
"Mexican food has always been around, but not like this. This takes you to the actual roots of Mexican cooking and the variety it entails, cooked to perfection." - Faisal
"The best Mexican food ever! And I have been going to Mexico for decades. Cavita's is the best." - Brian
Lisboeta
Fitzrovia - 30 Charlotte St., London W1T 2NG
"Nuno's Love Letter To Lisbon feels so personal. And whilst it can be a blowout treat, you can also go for a casual bite, and either option feels completely special yet also casual and welcoming. The perfect restaurant." - Susannah
"Have never been to Portugal, but a meal in Lisboeta is a great introduction to the cuisine and flavours new to me. I have Lisbon bought to me." - Christina
Caravel
Hoxton - 172 Shepherdess Walk, London N1 7JL
"It's an exciting place to find, you feel like you're in a secret spot as you have to be buzzed through security and then walk along a pontoon. We very much enjoyed the delicious food and felt the cost was reasonable. Have recommended it to others." - Louise
"Caravel, my sweet baby Caravel. Not only does this barge deserve yacht status, but the recognition of true, authentic dining. A truly unique experience. I shall see you again soon Caravel!" - Joseph
Dorian
Notting Hill - 105-107 Talbot Road, London W11 2AT
"This restaurant is not only giving us good quality dishes but also great service and a nice ambience. They have really made Notting Hill what it once was and we are forever grateful for that." - Sara
"Dorian is the perfect place for endless encounters. It goes without saying that the food and drink is faultless but it’s the atmosphere that is hard to come by. You could go for lunch with a parent or relative, you could have an intimate, quietly raucous important birthday there, you could attend a festive reunion with old friends… the fact that it is perfect for all of these occasions without falling down on any of them is why this is my favourite restaurant." - Mel
Mount St. Restaurant
Mayfair - 41-43 Mount St, London W1K 2RX
"A special dining experience with a perfect setting with the artwork. However, we also a fantastic menu from head chef Jamie shears. A full round fantastic experience." - Nathan
"Beautiful surroundings, incredible artwork and delicious food - Mount St. is my new favourite haunt" - Claudia
More about Mount St. Restaurant
Koyn
Mayfair - 38 Grosvenor Street, London W1K 4QA
"By far the best Japanese in London and definitely the most memorable new opening of 2022" - Gaya
"Koyn is a refreshing new Japanese concept that lives up to its expectations as the most awaited opening of the year." - Arjun
Plus - some special mentions...
Here are some more of your popular picks:
Caia - "Amazing setting; love sitting at the bar watching chefs cook on the coals and dress the plates, whilst sharing plates with companions; food is amazing - so unusual mix of subtle smokey coals flavour with fine dining quality." - Kim
Cadet - "You go for a glass of wine and a nibble and three hours later you've tried everything on the menu and had some seriously good wine into the bargain." - Simon
Maresco - "Because both food and service are top-notch!" - Enrico
Restaurant St Bart's - "A beautifully-designed restaurant serving simple-but-complex modern British food from a team that has been flying too far under the radar too long." - Alari
Bottle & Rye - "Literally could not ask for a better local restaurant." - Will
Arcade Food Hall - "A sceptic of food halls, I've been completely blown away on the three times I've been,,, The atmosphere and energy always seems to be 'right' for the time you're visiting AND there's arcade machines. Seriously, what more could you want?" - Matt
Acme Fire Cult - "A staggeringly brilliant addition to London’s dining landscape" - Alexandra
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