December is when things finally start to slow down on the new opening front, but there are still some places to look forward to. From the latest opening by James Cochran to a great-looking rotisserie in Mayfair, here's what's opening in the run up to Christmas.
The Brave
Islington - 340-342 Essex Road, London N1 3PB
This year saw the sad closure of James Cochran's 1251 in Islington, but the chef has quickly bounced back in a new Islington pub. He's looking after the food at The Brave, which is being described as a bistro pub. He'll be cooking up some great-sounding dishes like a jerk spiced chicken Scotch egg, hash browns with chip shop curry sauce and Scottish razor clam ceviche with quince, bacon and pine nut. Islington's been doing well on the pub front of late, and this opening looks to continue that trend.
Opening: 5 December 2024
Don't Tell Dad
Queen's Park - 10-14 Lonsdale Road, London NW6 6RD
This Queen's Park opening comes from one of the founders of Coco di Mama and is a combo bakery/restaurant. Keren Sternberg (previously Head Baker at Layla) takes on bakery duties with pastries like a hazelnut brown butter croissant to look forward to. Meanwhile, chef Luke Frankie (Noble Rot, Forza Wine) is in charge of the restaurant, with dishes like crab tart with crab oil mayonnaise and watercress on the menu.
Opening: Soft launching in December (date TBC), official opening in January
Toum
Mayfair - 18a Maddox Street, London W1S 1PL
Arriving in Mayfair, Lebanese rotisserie restaurant Toum comes from the same team behind Aline, which is just three doors down the same street. They're describing it as a "modern take on Lebanese cuisine with some French and Mediterranean influences" and beside the chicken, you'll find dishes like sea bass with spicy walnut, coriander and tahini. There's also a listening bar downstairs, and while there have been a lot of those lately, this is one of few in Central London.
Opening: 4 December 2024
Osteria del Mare
Strand - 366 Strand, London WC2R 0JF
Osteria del Mare is the third restaurant from the Bocconcino team but this time they're opening something a little different. This will still take Italian cuisine as its jumping-off point but it's specifically the Italian coast that the team are looking at, with a much bigger focus on seafood. That'll be most in evidence in the fresh fish display where you'll be able to choose what you want (and how you want it cooked). They've taken over an old bank and the PDR happens to be inside the old vault.
Opening: 9 December 2024
Babbo
St John's Wood - 29-31 St John's Wood High St, London NW8 7NH
Having previously been located in Mayfair, Babbo is the latest restaurant to open in St John's Wood which has had a run of new openings. They've taken over the old Harry Morgan's for what will be an all-day Italian restaurant. Dishes on the menu include their Babbo Parmigiana as well as spaghettoni gragnano cooked in fish broth, clams and datterini tomatoes. They're planning a bar and lounge area here, so you should be able to pop in for a drink (and maybe some snacks) too.
Opening: 9 December 2024
Pinna
Mayfair - 43 Curzon Street, London W1J 7UF
The latest opening from the crazily busy restaurant duo George Bukhov-Weinstein and Ilya Demichev (who literally just opened Fantomas) is this shiny new restaurant serving up a taste of Sardinia in the heart of London. Sardinian-born chef Achille Pinna is charge of the kitchen while the Italian-focused wine list will feature some of the area's big hitters.
Opening: 2 December 2024
Also look out for...
- Flat Iron (Victoria) - Their latest steak restaurant is right opposite the station
- Berbere (St Giles) - 24-hour proofed sourdough pizzas
- Pick Your Own (City of London) - New sustainable salad bar for the City
All of London's newly opened and upcoming restaurants...
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