Test Drives

Test Driving Banquet 88, a riverside dim sum spot by Tower Bridge where it pays to dine with a group

Information: 03 June 2026

London has plenty of restaurants that are great for dates, but we also need restaurants that are perfect for group dining. Step forward Banquet 88 a new high end dim sum spot on St Katharine Docks.

Trying out the chic new-look Fifth Floor Terrace at Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge

Information: 03 June 2026

Harvey Nichols' Fifth Floor Terrace in Knightsbridge has just reopened for the summer after a bit of a makeover. We took the lift to the store's top floor for a lovely lunch in the sunshine.

Test Driving The Latimer, where the Spiteri family have united for an excellent neighbourhood pub

Information: 28 May 2026

The Spiteri family have joined forces as a hospitality super group to open this new West London pub, fronted by the sibling duo behind Caravel. We went west to check it out.

Test Driving Oudh 1722 - Aktar Islam brings his Michelin magic to a Victorian townhouse in London Bridge

Information: 26 May 2026

His Birmingham restaurant Opheem has two Michelin stars and now Aktar Islam has opened Oudh 1722, his first London restaurant. We went down to see what he's cooking in his London Bridge home.

Test Driving Igni, a sophisticated take on fire dining in Mayfair

Information: 21 May 2026

Chef Theo Clench has taken an existing live fire restaurant and given it a very different identity. Expect Michelin stars to follow for Igni in Mayfair.

Test Driving MA/NA in Mayfair, where the Los Mochis team offer up sizzling wagyu and high-end Japanese dishes

Information: 19 May 2026

The team behind Los Mochis have opened a high-end Japanese restaurant in Mayfair, with a big focus on wagyu and Kobe beef. We went down for a first look.

Checking into Crafted at Powdermills, an oasis that's filled with things to do and great food in East Sussex

Information: 16 May 2026

One of the founders of Birch has opened a new hotel and members' club in the south of England with a big focus on community and the surrounding natural area. We headed down to Battle to check out Crafted at Powdermills.

Test Driving Kawan by Uncle Roger, a textbook case of how celebrities should open restaurants in London

Information: 14 May 2026

Celebrity restaurant openings aren't new in London, but given how he roasts others for their cooking there was a lot riding on Kawan by Uncle Roger. Thankfully, it delivers.

Test Driving Ornella, the assured Hackney follow-up to Theo James & Co's hit Lupa

Information: 12 May 2026

The dream team of actor Theo James, restaurateur Ed Templeton and chef Naz Hassan has joined forces once more to open a second restaurant, Ornella, this time in Hackney. We went to see if the sequel was even better than the original.

Without Papers, a Shoreditch bar where seasoned Italian hospitality folk have it all sussed out

Information: 08 May 2026

Three incredibly experienced bar professionals have set out on their own, opening Without Papers, a Shoreditch bar serving up excellent Italo/British cocktails. We pulled up a stool at the bar.

Test Driving Bar Etna, a London/Philadelphia take on the 'special relationship' we can get behind

Information: 07 May 2026

What does a collaboration between one of America's best pizza chefs and a super-hot North London restaurant group look like? We went to Bar Etna on Newington Green to find out.

Test Driving Kumori, serving up extra crispy handrolls in its stylish Soho sushi bar

Information: 05 May 2026

In the heart of Soho, Kumori is a vinyl/sushi bar serving up innovative handrolls. We went down to take a look.

Test Driving Padella Soho, still the best of the pasta bar bunch after a decade

Information: 30 April 2026

As they reach their 10th birthday, Padella have just opened their third restaurant. We went down to Soho to see how the leaders of London's pasta revolution are faring after a decade.

Test Driving The Golden Tooth, where the Papi team deliver an instant-hit pub

Information: 28 April 2026

The team behind Papi have opened their first pub on Green Lanes. We went in to see just how they have adapted their menu for the pub and it turns out they've done it incredibly well.

Slavic sips at Sova, the new vinyl wine bar in Notting Hill with a list to broaden your wine horizons

Information: 23 April 2026

We went to expand our wine tastes with the eclectic Eastern European-focused list at new Notting Hill wine bar Sova.

Test Driving Weezie's, marrying pizza and good wine in Belgravia

Information: 21 April 2026

Weezie's brings pizza and wine together, coming from the same team as Amie Wine Studio (and opening next door). We went down to Belgravia to check out London's latest wine bar/pizzeria.

Test Driving Orrery by Pierre Minotti, well on its way to earning that Michelin star

Information: 16 April 2026

Orrery in Marylebone has relaunched under new chef Pierre Minotti, who intends to win it a new Michelin star. We went down to see just how much has changed and how his Michelin hopes are faring.

Test Driving Teal by Sally Abé, heralding a sophisticated new era for this Hackney restaurant

Information: 14 April 2026

After years in other people's kitchens, chef Sally Abé has finally opened her own restaurant, in Hackney. We went to see how she's settling into her new Wilton Way home.

Test Driving Maza Mayfair, a Greek party vibe without the plate smashing

Information: 10 April 2026

The latest addition to Mayfair's restaurant alley, Bruton Place, is a Greek restaurant offering true hospitality. We visited Maza Mayfair to see why they're already a hit.

Test Driving Holy Carrot Bistro, going vegetarian with their new Spitalfields restaurant

Information: 08 April 2026

After opening a hit vegan restaurant in Notting Hill, Holy Carrot have turned vegetarian for their new Spitalfields bistro. We went down to see what's new.

Test Drives

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