London is reopening on 12 April and by that point, restaurants will have been closed in London for almost four months. But with everything reopening - there are also brand new restaurants to visit...
Brand new openings
Baz & Fred
71-72 Granville Arcade, Brixton Village, SW9 8PS
The duo opened their first place in Flat Iron Square after years working the wedding and festival food circuit and have had the highest praise from none other than Giorgio Locatelli. Pizzas have included chorizo and sobrasada with rosemary honey and fior di latte.
The Farrier
North Yard, Camden Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AH
This new neighbourhood pub and restaurant is taking over a Grade II listed building in Camden and will have both a big focus on natural wine as well as a very handy heated courtyard. The menu sounds extremely promising (we love the sound of the aerated toffee popcorn cake) and they'll even be serving Sunday roasts that you can carve at your own table.
Fenn
194 Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham, London SW6 2UF
The team behind popular Hackney spot Nest, are expanding to West London with this new seasonal British restaurant with an ex Anglo chef in charge of the menu and dishes that include hand-dived Scottish scallop with chicken butter sauce.
Homeboy
6 New Union Square, Embassy Gardens, Nine Elms, London SW11 7DN
Homeboy, the modern Irish cocktail bar run by Aaron Wall and Ciaran Smith in Islington, is expanding to Embassy Gardens (near Darby's and right next to the US Embassy at Nine Elms). Expect their top cocktails and an all-day food menu too, including toasties and curried chips.
Native at Browns
39 Brook Street, London W1K 4AH
Native closed in London in 2020 and moved out to Osea Island on the Essex Coast but now they're returning to London, taking up a space in the luxury retailer Browns' new store in Mayfair. They're kicking off things with a small plates menu in the courtyard.
Mike’s
Unit 4.1 Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Rd, Peckham, London SE15 3SN
This new pizzeria in Peckham's Copeland Park comes with a high pedigree - it's from the same people as the Camberwell Arms and Frank's Cafe. They aim to serve up what they say is London-style pizza - with toppings including smoked pork belly, burrata, chard and salted chilli.
Mr Ji
72 Old Compton St, Soho, London, W1D 4UN
Inspired by trips to Taipei, Mr Ji's founder has teamed up with the TĀ TĀ Eatery team to completely relaunch his Taiwanese fried chicken restaurant on Soho's Old Compton Street. Expect a completely new menu with food including Prawn in Toast - that's fried brioche filled with bechamel, sweet corn and prawns, parmesan. Sounds amazing.
The Light Bar
233 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6PJ
The Light Bar is taking over a listed building in Shoreditch that once held a classic bar that was beloved by many - "The Light". For this new take, expect a modern British menu in this three-floored affair, with bar, restaurant and a large terrace too.
Opening to diners for the first time
These restaurants have already opened for delivery and takeaway, but this is their first time serving customers at their restaurants.
Buvette
9 Blenheim Cres, Notting Hill, London W11 2EE
Buvette is a New York import that's hugely popular not only in its original West Village location, but also in Paris and Tokyo. The bistro landed in Notting Hill for takeaway in December, but this will be the first time you can sit down and eat there with an all-day bistro menu on offer.
The Terrace by Megan's
10 Rookery Road, Clapham Common, London SW4 9DD
Megan's already have a successful restaurant in Clapham - but they've opened a second. This has one key difference, it's in the middle of Clapham Common and it's an alfresco restaurant. Already open for takeaway if you're in the park, this will be very handy for park visitors.
More about The Terrace by Megan's
The Red Duck
1 Ramsden Rd, Balham, London SW12 8QX
This Balham Chinese has already received raves for its deliveries, with The Standard's Jimi Famurewa saying that its "takeaway-only form builds anticipation for a full dine-in incarnation". It's from veteran chef and former Alan Yau partner Chi San and is celebrating the very best in Chinese cooking. Expect this to be on a few reviewers' must-visit list.
Schnitzel Forever
119 Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 0UD
This Stoke Newington restaurant actually started life early in lockdown as a delivery-only venture. Now, following delivery success, they're opening as a full restaurant. Expect a lot of breadcrumbing and frying.
Sumi
157 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RS
Endo Kazutoshi opened a new sushi restaurant. If the name sounds familiar, it's because he's the man behind Endo at Rotunda, the very well rated high-end Michelin-starred sushi restaurant with a view in White City. They've been open for takeaway and delivery since launching - now's your chance to get their sushi made to order.
Also see...
These restaurants managed to open in December before swiftly shutting again. They're now reopening in April for alfresco dining.
Cafe Bao (King's Cross) - Bao comes to King's Cross and adds a new bakery
Joan (Shoreditch) - Mediterranean food (with an emphasis on Greece) as its starting point, headed up by an ex-Caravan chef.
Nobu Portman Square (Marylebone) - We actually managed to visit in the two short weeks it was open for. Now they have a terrace just outside the hotel.
Only Food and Courses (Pop Brixton) - This new addition to Pop Brixton has its roots in greasy spoon cafes but is very much taken to the next level.
Raw (Brick Lane) - Seafood, cocktails and a handy fishmongers make up this Brick Lane restaurant which opened briefly in December.
And more...
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