As summer slowly draws to a close, it's time to cast an eye forward and look at some of the most promising restaurants coming out later this year...
17-21 Elizabeth Street, London SW1W 9RP
Dominique Ansel Bakery hails from New York and is best known as the place where the cronut was created, alongside the epic queues for them. So this will be the place to get an official cronut in London as well as lots more pastry goodness.
When? September
125 Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 0UH
We've had our fair share of Neopolitan style pizzas in London of late, but this is the one to really watch out for. The original Da Michele is one of the most well-respected pizzas in the world, so its arrival in London is definitely one to watch. Expect the traditional Margherita and Marinara pizzas, overseen by chefs from the original restaurant.
When? September
58 Brewer Street, London W1F 9TL
This is the next restaurant from Ben Chapman, who's behind the very successful Smoking Goat. Once again, the restaurant will be inspired by Thai cooking but with more influences based on the produce available. Expect their Aged Lamb & Szechuan Skewers to be a big thing and for simplicity to be at the heart of the menu.
When? September
43 Elystan Street, Chelsea, London SW3 3NT.
He left The Square earlier this year after winning the restaurant two Michelin stars, but it hasn't taken Philip Howard too long to get back into the kitchen. This new restaurant will see British cuisine at the heart of the menu, with more details still to come.
When? September
1 Earlham St, London WC2H 9LL
We're such fans of the original in Dalston that we can't be anything but excited about the next Chick n Sours, this time right in the heart of the West End. The usual chicken (pieces, burgers or whole) will be on offer, as will the wonderful Szechuan aubergine and the Mexinese Nachos sound worth crossing town for.
When? September
St James's Market, London SW1Y 4SB
A new opening from Tonkotsu is always welcome, but this sees the group opening something completely different in the new St James's Market development (just down the road from Piccadilly Circus). Expect a big focus around the daily teishoku set lunch here, but we've also got our eyes on the king crab gyoza.
When? September
45 Great Queen St, London WC2B 5AA
This is the first solo restaurant from Paulo De Tarso, best as the former Maitre d’ of Bar Boulud. He's teamed up with Nicolas Jaouën, general manager of Mayfair’s La Petite Maison, and Head Chef will be Maurizio Morelli. Expect a traditional Italian restaurant and for the service to be top notch too.
When? October
7a Stoney Street, London, SE1 9AA
This new taco restaurant is from the Hart Brothers, and if they can bring some of the magic they have to Barrafina, this should be a huge opening. You'll see all the corn tortillas will be made in-house in their own "tortilla factory" and the Al Pastor taco will be the main draw here.
When? October
No 1 St James’s Market, 1 Carlton Street, London SW1Y 4QQ
The original Aquavit brought Nordic cooking to the New York dining scene in a very big way and now they're heading to St James's Market for their follow-up. The main person behind the success of the original, Executive Chef Emma Bengtsson, will be overseeing the London menu too. Expect similar seasonal Nordic cooking to the original.
When? November
St James's Market, London SW1Y 4SB
This is the third restaurant from the upcoming St James's Market on the list, which should indicate how much of a big restaurant spot that area will become. This is the latest from Salt Yard, their first since the opening of Ember Yard, and expect this to have a big Venetian cuisine influence.
When? Late Autumn 2016
Kricket
12 Denman Street, Soho, London W1D 7HH
The original Kricket is part of Pop Brixton, based in a shipping container, and has been a huge hit since it first opened. Now the Indian small plates restaurant is coming to Soho for its first "proper" restaurant. Expect a bigger location and new dishes too.
When? November 2016
25 Broadwick Street, London W1F 0DF
This is the next restaurant from Neil Rankin, and as you can expect, there's a big focus on meat - particularly on making the most of the whole animal (even the fat will be used in the tortillas). There will be lots of rare breeds on the menu and the restaurant will have a fire pit as a focal point too.
When? November 2016
15 Old Burlington, London W1S 2JL
David Munoz's first London restaurant has been a LONG time coming, but it's finally opening just before the end of 2016. He's gained three Michelin stars for DiverXo and this is his equally popular offshoot. This may well be one of the biggest openings of the year.
When? November 2016
That's not all, of course - a lot more restaurants are due before the end of the year and you can read all about them on our invaluable Upcoming London Restaurants feature.
