Spring proper starts in March and as the days get notably longer, we have some great new openings including the return of Jeremy King, Claude Bosi's Chelsea bistro, top burgers, sandwiches and much more.
Arlington
Mayfair - 20 Arlington St, St. James's, London SW1A 1RJ
It's been a while coming, but the return of Jeremy King to the London restaurant scene has finally happened. A lucky few have already had the chance to try out what is essentially Le Caprice 2.0 in all but name, with the classic decor echoing the original in its former heyday. The British/European menu features many of the original's classics like bang bang chicken and salmon fish cake with sorrel sauce as well as an homage to Russell Norman with Russell’s Caesar Salad. This will be one of the hottest restaurants openings in March and don't be surprised to see the odd celeb there.
Opening: 11 March 2024
Photo by David Loftus
Josephine
Chelsea - 315 Fulham Road, London SW10 9QH
Rounding off Claude Bosi's recent trio of openings, this sees him teaming up with his wife Lucy to launch a very classic-style neighbourhood French bistro. Like Arlington, there have already been some previews and the word on this one is very strong, with the restaurant leaning into Bosi's Lyonnaise roots. On the menu are dishes like a pot of rabbit in mustard & tarragon sauce (pictured) and the very French frogs' legs in garlic sauce, alongside onglet steak, Lyonnaise vol au vents, Sole Grenobloise and more.
Opening: 2 March 2024
Lita
Marylebone - 7 Paddington St, London W1U 5QE
This Marylebone restaurant is from the people behind Wild Tavern who have teamed up with an Irish chef (Luke Ahearne, formerly Head Chef at Corrigan’s Mayfair) and a Canadian restaurateur for a new live-fire restaurant. Taking over an old Carluccio's, they've completely made it over with a central open kitchen turning out dishes like whole grilled south coast turbot and rib of Galician beef. We note that even desserts get a taste of the open fire with a rum baba and charcoal cream chantilly appearing on the menu that feels like a must-have.
Opening: 16 March 2024
Niju
Mayfair - 20 Berkeley St, London W1J 8EE
When it first opened, 20 Berkeley got some pretty decent reviews but it clearly wasn't quite enough and the restaurant is being reborn as Niju. it's from the same team, Creative Restaurant Group, but this time top chef Endo Kazutoshi is taking a stronger hand in the relaunch. It's being reborn as a Japanese Grill & Sushi Bar with Endo behind some of the key dishes on the menu. Don't expect the look of the restaurant to change too much (it was already a beautiful space) and the downstairs Nipperkin bar is also staying, although that's getting a new sando menu.
Opening: 27 March 2024
Three Sheets
Soho - 13 Manette St, London W1D 4AW
Three Sheets have had great success over in Dalston and founder Max Venning has been behind the cocktail list of many a popular restaurant opening. The bar's first foray into central London sees them opening in the new section of Soho where Daroco and Milk Beach are and it's a much larger building than the original. That extra space means that food will be a bigger deal at the Soho outpost with an ex-Lyle’s chef creating salt beef sandwiches and croquettes for the menu. We also like the sound of some of the new cocktails, like the Scottish Coffee, featuring buttered scotch, salted coffee and shortbread cream.
Prelude by Oriole
Covent Garden - 23 Slingsby Place, London WC2E 9AB
Another bar making its central London debut in March is Oriole. They're planning a permanent bar but in the meantime a fairly long-term pop-up is doing exactly what it says in the name, acting as a prelude to the permanent space. Much like Three Sheets above, while cocktails remain a big part of the new bar, they're also leaning much more into the food side of things with this Covent Garden opening also billed as a full restaurant. On that menu, we predict that the beef tartare sandos (pictured) are going to be a big hit.
Opening: 13 March 2024
Fat Whyte Slims
London Fields - Unit 3, 143 Mare St, London E8 3RH
Whyte's in London Fields has proven to be a somewhat underground hit. We're yet to see it hitting the mainstream press but we hear stellar things about the restaurant. Whyte Rushen has picked up a reputation for his smash burger and this weekend, lunchtime-only operation focuses on that. We think this will be London's next burger obsession, but at least you don't have to queue for this one as they take pre-orders online. And as much as the burger menu looks excellent, we find ourselves desperate to try the burnt Basque cheesecake and rum milkshake.
Opening: 2 March 2024
Unlock
Hackney - 1 Monkwood Way, London E3 2EG
This new Hackney Wick restaurant features two Napoli siblings teaming up to launch a new pizzeria, with a little bit of art on the side. The pizzas will feature the usual traditional takes, but they will also have an "artisanal" section offering toppings like truffle cream, mortadella DOP, burrata from Andria, hazelnut crumbs and fresh basil. The restaurant will also have a set menu which pairs slices with cocktails and features both local and Italian art showcased throughout the building.
Opening: 18 March 2024
Gerry's Hot Subs
Exmouth Market - 50 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QE
This sandwich shop comes from Andre Blais, the man who founded BBQ restaurant Bodean's. It was originally set up as a delivery-only venture from Battersea and got a huge following. The permanent shop sees him bringing his hot subs to Exmouth Market, with fillings like Texas BBQ Brisket and fish goujons on the menu alongside poutine, wings and more.
Opening: 23 March 2024
Thirty7
Covent Garden - 37 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9EN
This will be the second opening in Covent Garden from The Oystermen. This time it'll be a restaurant with a basement bar that's going for a Manhattan feel. Food will be brasserie-style and there will still be oysters on the menu, of course.
Opening: 27 March 2024
Also look out for...
- These Days (Bermondsey) - The Aperitivo bar launches a full kitchen with an ex-Culpeper chef in charge.
- Nancy Spain's and The Tipperary sees two new Irish pubs open in time for St Patrick's Day.
- TT (formerly TT Liquor) - They're relaunching the rooftop as a permanent restaurant with an ex-Oren chef in charge
- Carmel (Fitzrovia) - The Queen's Park Eastern Mediterranean restaurant comes to Oxford Circus
- The Caviar Bar (Mayfair) - Not just caviar, mind, with seafood platters and more besides.
All of London's newly opened and upcoming restaurants...
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