November is traditionally one of the busiest months for new openings and that's no different in the pandemic age. Here's our pick of restaurants that are opening their doors for the first time this month.
Hawksmoor Wood Wharf
Canary Wharf - 1 Water Street, London E14
It's been a while since the last Hawksmoor opened in London (in Borough back in 2017) and they've gone BIG this time around. Not only is their newst restaurant floating on the water with two big riverside terraces, but it also has their largest bar to date, called The Lowback. There will be new dishes on the menu (taking some of the best from their NYC opening) and cocktails by the (large) bottle too.
More about Hawksmoor Wood Wharf
The Maine
Mayfair - 6 Medici Court, London W1S 1JY
The Maine is on one side of the completely revamped Hanover Square and features a warren of restaurants both above and below ground (as well as a huge covered terrace space that will be a huge draw for any Oxford Street shoppers). Expect a big focus on New England cuisine in the menu, particularly seafood with dishes like lobster poutine, Maryland crab cake and Oysters Rockefeller.
Dai Chi
Soho - 16A D'Arblay Street, London W1F 8EA
This sees the people behind Dalston hit Angelina take their Soho bar (formerly Golden Gai) and give it a complete makeover. It's being changed into a restaurant that focuses on Osaka's kushikatsu dining - best summed up as panko-breadcrumbed deep-fried skewers of meat, fish and vegetables. With options like "Scallop, bergamot ponzu and Exmouth caviar" or "Lobster tail and hokkaido brioche" on the menu, these should be very fancy skewers indeed.
Mallow
Borough Market - 1 Cathedral Street, London, SE1 9DE
Mildreds have been leading London's vegetarian and vegan cuisine scene for decades, and this sees them opening something brand new. It'll be the first fully plant-based restaurant in Borough Market and will use much of the produce from the market itself. Look out for dishes like "Porcini truffle croquettes" and "Banana blossom tacos with smashed peas, pistachio mole and pink grapefruit"
Mowgli
Fitzrovia - 5 Charlotte St, London W1T 1RE
Mowgli has been a big hit all over the country, but this is the first time that founder Nisha Katona has brought it to London. Taking over what used to be the Cote brasserie on Charlotte Street, it's a new take on Indian street food with a pretty huge menu that covers everything from Gunpowder Chicken to the Mowgli House Keema. All the restaurants look pretty impressive, so we wait to see what they're unveiling in Fitzrovia.
Fallow
St James - 2 St James’s Market, London SW1Y 4RP
After popping up and then staying a long time in Heddon Street, Fallow have now found a permanent home, taking over what used to be Duck & Waffle local (not too far from the original). Here you can expect both Fallow favourites (like their corn ribs) as well as new dishes like salmon belly with marrowbone brioche and chives. They've also added a new pastry chef who comes from Dinner by Heston, so desserts should be well worth a look.
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Le Petit Beefbar
Chelsea - 27 Cale St, London SW3 3QP
Beefbar is a big hit in high-end holiday destinations like Saint-Tropez, Milan, Mykonos and Sao Paolo and now it's coming to London - but as an offshoot version of the restaurant. "Comforting classics" is the order of the day with prices a little south of the standard Beefbar tariffs (no Kobe beef for £250 here). Dishes like steak frites, a double cheesburger and a Croque Sando will show up and we'll bet they're hoping they can attract some returning holidaymakers looking for the Beefbar vibe at home.
Carousel
Fitzrovia - 19-23 Charlotte St, London W1T 1RL
Carousel brought in some pretty impressive residencies during its Marylebone days (Kol made its start there) and now they're moving to a bigger space in Fitzrovia. As well as residencies, this new space will add a new permanent wine bar with Mediterranean-influenced food and a small space that will act as a restaurant incubator.
Warehouse
Covent Garden - The Conduit, 6 Langley Street, London, WC2H 9JA
The Conduit members club is launching their first restaurant that's open to all - and sustainability is at the heart of things. To that end, they've brought in Brendan Eades, who used to head up the kitchen at Hackney's Silo.
Manteca
Shoreditch - 49-51 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3PT
Manteca has moved around a bit - starting in Mayfair and then moving to Soho - but now they've found permanent digs in Shoreditch. There will remain a focus on open-fire cooking and nose-to-tail cooking, as well as the mix of Italian/British influences. Meat will be on show in their basement hanging room and the menu will be a mix of old favourites and brand new dishes like pig's head fritti.
Il Borro
15 Berkeley St, Mayfair, London W1J 8DY
This Tuscan restaurant has taken over the high-profile location that used to be Nobu Berkeley Street. The latest in a series of high-end Italian restaurants to open in London, it comes from the Il Borro Estate in Tuscany so you will certainly see a few of their wines on the list. They have a strong focus on biodiversity and organic farming so expect to see that reflected in the menu.
Also opening in November
Yatay (Soho) - Japanese grill in Soho, inspired by the izakayas and street vendors of Tokyo.
El Norte (Mayfair) - High-end Spanish dining in Mayfair from the people behind Kensington's Zuaya.
Fat Badger (Richmond) - The Gladwins (The Shed, Nutbourne, Sussex and Rabbit) are adding another restaurant to their collection.
The Chelsea Pig (Chelsea) - A new pub from a well known furniture designer
Sarap Filipino Bistro (Mayfair) - Sarap moves into central London with a modern take on Filipino cuisine
Booking Office 1869 (King's Cross) - the restaurant at the Sta Pancras Grand gets a big overhaul with Patrick Powell in charge of the menu
All London's newly opening (and upcoming) restaurants...
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