The votes are in! We've tallied everything up and here's what you chose as your favourite new restaurant of 2021 and why (with the rest of the top 10 for good measure).
Sachi
Belgravia - Pantechnicon, 19 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8LB
Japanese and Nordic cuisine meet at the basement of the Pantechnicon
"A beautiful, calm oasis serving fabulous Japanese food. Love everything about it - friendly staff, great play list, great Japanese vegetable and grilled dishes - the chicken takes me back to Japan" - Kylie
"Head chef Chris Golding is the reason why I love Sachi, his creativity is unparalleled and I would advise anybody to let this talented man show you why he is making big circles in the big smoke" - Ian
"That interior design, the Sake list is incredible, the attention to detail is amazing. Sakaya drinks followed by dinner in Sachi is the best Japanese experience in London right now" - Ben
Kudu Grill
Peckham - 57 Nunhead Ln, London SE15 3TR0
A third outing for the Kudu team, this time all about South African braai, is another hit.
"A real neighbourhood/community vibe in a stunning setting; you immediately feel at home and at ease. Reasonably priced drinks to suit any mood. But of course, the star of the show is the food. We've never eaten even an average dish in Kudu Grill; everything is simply exceptional." - Matt
"South African food is a rare find in London. The whole experience from beginning to end was faultless. The food is full of flavour and paired with the perfect wine. Knowledgable staff and it's in South London!" - Mona
Bar Crispin
Carnaby - 19 Kingly Street, Soho, London, W1B 5PY
A new wine bar in Carnaby for the Crispin team is going down very well.
"Goes well beyond expectation of a regular wine bar. Wines are really interesting. Food is delicious. Interior really cool. Very good vibe all round." - Felix
"Fantastic food, delightful staff and great atmosphere- I had my birthday dinner there in the PDR and it was a real highlight of the year because of the fantastic team at Crispin" - Lily
Jiji
Islington - 6G Esther Anne Place, London N1 1WL
Mixing Japanese and Middle Eastern cuisine in Islington.
"Jiji has an inventive and exciting menu, lovely staff and that Tuna tartare sushi with truffle sauce is to die for. It lived up to the hype, which is no easy feat." - Elline
"Loved the fusion of cuisines as it provided a creative way of serving delicious food! Service was very good and ambience was great!" - Caonabo
Temaki
Brixton - Unit 12 Market Row, London, SW9 8LD
Japanese handrolls and more in Brixton.
"The quality of their ingredients is unparalleled, very few places in London do such like this. And they completely have the atmosphere and vibe down, once you're in you really do feel transported to Japan." - Liz
"Serious sushi can be so...well, serious. Temaki cuts through that barrier like a well-honed katana, serving outstanding hand-rolls in a relaxed and approachable way in a stylish little izakaya-style counter place in Brixton Market." - Gareth
Eataly
135 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3YD
Italian superstore with an array of eating spots.
"There is nothing else like it in London. Proper taste of Italy with an amazing supermarket." - Sophie
"As well as the divine meat counter, and Natoora produce, the different spots around the whole place mean whatever dining occasion, there's a spot to enjoy, before resisting taking half the store with you too..." - Yasmin
Sarap Filipino Bistro
Mayfair - 10 Heddon Street, London W1B 4BX
The Filipino restaurant sets up a second home on Heddon Street.
"As someone with Filipino heritage, I’m always looking for amazing Filipino restaurants, which are few and far between since it’s such an underrated cuisine. Sarap takes all the great ingredients and flavours that are present across Filipino food and makes the dishes we know and love from home high-end restaurant quality." - Jade
"Sarap Mayfair takes every diner back to the Philippines through food. I miss my mom's cooking and it's been 2 long years since I have been home due to the pandemic, Sarap's authentic Filipino flavours bring back that home-cooked feeling. Must try if you would like to explore and discover the taste of the Philippines! (Sarap means delicious in Tagalog. Just how I would describe their food!)" - Angelica
More about Sarap Filipino Bistro
The Cheese Barge
Paddington - Sheldon Square, Paddington Central, London W2 6HY
Cheese. On a barge!
"Cheese is LIIIIIIFE!" - Daniella
"A cool, innovative, engaging, yummy concept put on a boat! No playing it safe for the cheese barge and delivering a great experience in wonderful surroundings makes it my fave new resto of 21." - Jonni
Fenn
Fulham - 194 Wandsworth Bridge Road, London SW6 2UF
The team behind Nest serving seasonal cuisine in Fulham.
"Really lovely front of house team, delicious and inspiring dishes and a wonderfully intimate setting. The floral design within the space really compliments the seasonal British food and dining experience." - Eleanor
"Had such an inventive menu with little extras for a very reasonable price - and it coped very well with my 'dietary requirements'" - Diana
Sessions Arts Club
Clerkenwell - 24 Clerkenwell Green, Farringdon, London EC1R 0NA
Florence Knight in beautiful Clerkenwell surroundings.
"Because it is a place where time stands still, before Instagram and photos of food. It's a place to meet loved ones and simply be happy. Adore it." - Lorna
"This is a restaurant where everything comes together and from the moment you walk in the door, you feel special. The room is gorgeous, the staff are so welcoming and the food and drink phenomenal. Definitely don't skip the cocktails!" - Heather
Plus - some special mentions...
Here are some more of your popular picks:
Brutto: "They have perfectly captured what a neighbourhood Italian restaurant should be. No fuss and no faff. Good wine by the jug and the best tiramisu I have eaten in a long time." - Richard
Bibi: "Small but exciting. We sat at the counter right by the chefs and chatted to the lovely Chet. The food was unusual and delicious. Indian food reinvented." - Lyn
El Pastor Soho: "Banging food, banging cocktails and the downstairs always playing banging tunes!" - Thomas
Carousel: "Just what Charlotte Street needs. An institution on the London restaurant scene. This new site is Dynamic, friendly, modern and sheer quality. Always fantastic staff and service. Great variety of offering. And the bar menu is brilliant!!" - Alex
Pizzeria Mozza: "They make memorable pizzas! I've never had one with strong favours such as onion cream and aioli. Their courgette fritters were stunning - light, ungreasy and morish. It's the only place that I've returned to within a week, which says a lot." - Suzy
Oxeye: "Unbelievable dining experience and genuinely innovative food. Plus, reading about their commitments to improving standards of working conditions in the industry, alongside the amazing advocacy for British produce and wines just shows me they are genuinely trying to pioneer and change the industry." - Richard
More of the best of 2021
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