Spring has sprung and the new season brings with it many new restaurant openings. From swanky Mayfair openings to hot things in Hackney, here's what's opening in March.
Nessa
Soho - 86 Brewer Street, London W1F 9UB
Nessa sees chef Tom Cenci (previously Duck & Waffle and Loyal Tavern) opening a restaurant in Soho in a team-up with the people behind Mortimer House. We're told to expect a British bistro affair and, while we love the idea of a cheese mille-feuille with Baron Bigod and hot honey, we're really looking forward to the chef's take on a roly-poly.
Story Cellar
Covent Garden - 17 Neal's Yard, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9DP
He's had a big hit with Restaurant Story and this is the first of two new restaurant openings from Tom Sellers this year. This Covent Garden spot promises to be a Parisian-inspired rotisserie-style restaurant. In practice, that means a mix of rotisserie chicken and lots of wine (including a big by-the-glass selection).
The Beefsteaks
Islington - 74 Chapel Market, London N1 9ER
The Beefsteaks have taken on the task of completely renovating the Islington Manze pie shop (after a fair bit of damage from squatters). Lovingly restored, it's going to kick things off as a wine bar to get it all started (with seasonal British small plates) slowly evolving to become a steakhouse a la Brat.
Papi
Hackney - 1F Mentmore Terrace, London E8 3PN
They were one of the first big successes of lockdown. Now what was previously Hot 4 U has become Papi in Hackney. Here you can expect some of the dishes that have been a hit in their previous guises as well as dishes like veal brain cacio e pepe or smoked rabbit kielbasa.
London Shell Co
Highgate - Unit 4, Sonny Heights, Swains Lane, London N6 6AG
Until now, London Shell Co has mainly been known as very much a water-bound affair, with two boats (one permanent moored) in Paddington. Now they've come to terra firma, opening a fishmonger and seafood bar in Highgate. Expect a changing seafood menu and also a special deal on oysters every afternoon.
The Parakeet
Kentish Town - 256 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2EN
This pub comes from the people behind Jazz Café and The Blues Kitchen, taking over what used to be The Oxford pub. They've brought in ex-Brat chef Ben Allen who will be bringing his live-fire cooking skills to the kitchen, with dishes including wood roasted rabbit, kohlrabi and curry leaf.
Sheesh
Mayfair - 1 Dover St, London W1S 4LD
You may not have heard of Sheesh but it's very big in Essex where they've managed to attract a parade of stars to the restaurant, including Russell Crowe. Expect the Mayfair location to have that same party feel, backed up with food that includes shish kebabs (of course), truffle chicken spaghetti, lobster rolls and more. Look out for the paparazzi parked outside at all times...
Also opening...
- Archway (Battersea) - Ex-River Cafe chef Alex Owens teams up with Spook London's Emily Few Brown for this Battersea restaurant.
- Empire Empire (Notting Hill) - The people behind Gunpowder try something different with this new opening with combines Indian food and disco.
- Treats Club (Shoreditch) - Creating hot doughnuts to order, this is Treats Club first permanent location.
- Lio London (Mayfair) - Taking over the ex-Cafe de Paris site with a menu by Adam Rawson
All London's newly opened and upcoming restaurants...
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