It may be the final month of 2023, but there are still big new openings to come in December, from a new Tom Kerridge pub to a supperclub star going permanent and lot more.
The Butcher's Tap and Grill
Chelsea - 27 Tryon St, London SW3 3LG
It's been a while since Tom Kerridge opened his first London restaurant Kerridge's and he's doing something quite different with his follow-up. This is the second Butcher's Tap pub (the first is in Marlow, of course) and it's a more casual affair with steaks, burgers and hot dogs on the menu. He is, however, planning to keep the place as a proper drinking pub too.
Opening date: 5 December 2023
More about The Butcher's Tap and Grill
Whyte Rushen
Hackney - Unit 3, 143 Mare Street, London E8 3RH
Whyte Rushen's supperclubs have been a big hit wherever the ex-Brat and Scully chef has popped up, so his first permanent restaurant in Hackney should be one to have on your radar. Dishes planned include brown butter sweetbreads, chicken fried lamb chops, and turnip cake with Chinese sausage. Hopefully, his smashed burgers (pictured) will turn up too. Our advice - get in early on this as it could be very big.
Opening date: Early December
Gilgamesh
Covent Garden - 4A Upper St Martin's Ln, London WC2H 9NY
Pan-Asian restaurant Gilgamesh was last seen in Camden where it became known for its slightly mad Babylonian-style interior. The restaurant's new home is in Covent Garden (where it's taken over the old Tredwell's space) and it seems that they're not planning on toning down the look at all - they're billing it as a Mesopotamian-inspired space.
Opening date: 4 December 2023
Ottolenghi
Hampstead - 32-34 Rosslyn Hill, London NW3 1NH
it's hard to think of anywhere more suited to a new Ottolenghi than Hampstead, which we can see fitting in perfectly in the area. Expect something broadly similar to the current Ottolenghis - there will be lots of fresh salads, cakes, pastries, desserts and their huge meringues. This will also have a pretty big terrace, if sitting down with a cake is your idea of being outside instead of a walk around the Heath.
Opening date: 6 December 2023
Alfi
Spitalfields - 3 Crispin Place, London E1 6DW
Hospitality folk Ben Hodges and Alex Lewis are trying something a little different with Alfi in Spitalfields. They're calling it a "wine pub", meaning that as opposed to focusing on beer, they'll have at least 10 wines on tap at any time (there will be a couple of beers too, mind). A promising drinking spot with bar food pre-Christmas, they'll also be serving restaurant dishes in February from an ex-Hind's Head and Restaurant Story chef.
Opening date: 1 December 2023
Roti King
Waterloo - 97 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AB
Originally getting a glowing reputation in Euston, Sugen Gopal's Roti King has been slowly growing - opening in Battersea and now in Waterloo. The fresh roti canai are at the heart of the menu, paired with either chicken, mutton, dahl or fish kari. You'll also find beef rendang and more on the menu. This is a great addition to Waterloo which hasn't been blessed with interesting new restaurant openings of late.
Opening date: 1 December 2023
Clap
Knightsbridge - 12-14 Basil Street, London SW3 1AJ
At this point, we've somewhat run out of puns with regards to the name of "Clap" in Knightsbridge. But while that name still seems an odd choice in the UK market, it does sound like the restaurant itself should look rather impressive. It's spread across three floors in Knightsbridge serving a high-end Japanese menu, including a rooftop space, so it might be worth popping up there to get a dose of Clap (sorry).
Opening date: Early/mid-December 2023
Also look out for...
Capilungo (Covent Garden) - Puglia-inspired wine bar and cafe with an impressive pedigree.
Temper (Paddington) - Steaks and tacos come to Paddington with an Argentinean-style mixed grill too.
Phat Buns (Bayswater) - DIY burger joint
Fatto a Mano (Covent Garden) - Neapolitan pizzas via Brighton
All of London's newly opened and upcoming restaurants...
Subscribe to hear the latest from Hot Dinners
