The votes are in! We asked you to vote for your favourite new restaurant of 2019 - and here's what you said.
1 - Readers' vote winner - Bubala
65 Commercial Street, Spitalfields, London E1 6BD
What: Vegetarian Middle Eastern cuisine in Shoreditch.
The winner in our readers' vote (by some margin) was Bubala, the Middle-Eastern vegetarian restaurant in Shoreditch from Berber & Q and Palomar alumni Marc Summers and Helen Graham. You were effusive in your praise for the place with the expression "I didn't miss meat" coming up time and time again. In a year when vegetarian and vegan food was bigger than ever, this is a very worthy winner of our readers' vote. Congratulations Bubala!
Here's what you said about Bubala:
"I’m not a vegetarian but I love the option to go out for a good, satisfying (all filling!) meal for such a reasonable price. The owner is so lovely and seems like he genuinely cares if each guest has a good time and the service is so friendly without being overbearing. It’s my favourite new restaurant for so many reasons!" Emilie
"Quite simply, the most delicious, affordable, non pretentious, vegetarian feast I have ever had. The cocktails are great too!" Ed
"They've made vegetarian food something to look forward to. It's a joy to bring friends to this secret little hotspot where the service is as full of love as the food." Robert
"Inexpensive, delicious food representative of everything good about the London Food scene." Emily
"Just simply gorgeous. An approachable and vibrant menu that celebrates the vegetarian cuisine of the Middle East." Nick
2 - The Grand Duchess
Sheldon Square, Paddington, London W2 6EP
What: Floating seafood restaurant in Paddington
You said: "Such a unique experience. Brilliant food, brilliant wine, wonderful staff. It’s grand, it’s homely, it’s also like no other place in London. Floating on a boat and eating seafood - it’s distinctively London with the sense of being on holiday for an evening. Bliss." Charmaine
3 - Gezellig
Holborn Hall, 193-197 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BD
What: A formidable restaurant team take on the old Holborn Town Hall
You said: "Great diverse menu that thinks as much about the grape varieties in the wine as the ingredients in the dishes. A winning combination!" Richard
4 - Plu
12 Blenheim Terrace, London NW8 0EB
What: French fine dining in St John's Wood
You said: "An artist chef who besides demonstrating an excellent technique and a solid French school behind him, literally draws the dishes, perfectly balanced between taste and creativity. A cosy, warm and romantic restaurant where you can surely experience a food and wine experience" Giusy.
5 - Allegra
Olympic Park, 20-22 International Way, London E20 1GQ
What: High Rise in Stratford from Patrick Powell
You said: "The food and atmosphere are brilliant. The space is super special and it is game-changing for east Londoners and those outside of London wanting a truly special experience. The cocktails are also on point and it's very welcome to the area" Erika
6 - Church Road
94 Church Road, Barnes, London SW13 0DQ
What: Rebecca Mascarenhas and Phil Howard's revamped Barnes restaurant
You said: "Beautiful decor - a room you want to stay in all night. Modern, tasty but light food. And the best front of house team in London in my opinion." Jennie
7 - Daffodil Mulligan
70-74 City Rd, Old Street, London EC1Y 2BJ
What: Richard Corrigan goes east.
You said: "Great food, wonderful atmosphere, friendly staff and best bar in London to end the evening."
8 - Wilder
2-4 Boundary St, London E2 7DD
What: Seasonal food in the basement of Boundary
You said: "Eating out as it should be: a real treat! Excellent, quality produce beautifully prepared. Relaxed but attentive service."
9 - Norma
8 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 2LS
What: Ben Tish does Sicilian in Fitzrovia
You said: "The food is just delicious and it honours Sicilian cuisine, elevating it beyond expectations. The arancini are not the traditional ones that grandmas would do in Italy, but with truffle and mushrooms you cannot go wrong, and they are one of my favourite things to eat. And the pasta alla norma is the reason we are all here, right?" Eleonora
10 - Flor
1 Bedale St, London SE1 9AL
What: The Lyle's team go to Borough
You said: "After a lifetime of believing that tomatoes are a crime of evolution, the chefs at Flor served me dish on dish of raw, dressed tomatoes. Not only did I like the food, not only did I go back for more, but I loved every bite. True, startling talent." Grace
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