New opening

There's a distinct trend in chefs leaving London for the country life, to set up shop in the South West. We've had East London's Pavilion Cafe opening in Newquay, the Jolene team heading to Fowey along with ex Portland chef Merlin Labron-Johnson opening in Bruton in Somerset and Pitt Cue's Tom Adams behind the much-loved Coombeshead in Cornwall.

Some - like the Prawn on the Lawn team - are returning

The original Four Quarters in Peckham Rye was a game-changer - a bar meets gaming arcade. Five years ago they opened their second bar, this time in Stratford, and now they're expanding again.

Their latest bar will be in the huge new Elephant Park development in Elephant & Castle. It's going to be the group's biggest opening to date with over 30 retro arcade machines, eight vintage console booths and two

Plant-based restaurants and vegan are starting to hit the next level of late. No longer simply "vegan restaurants", they're becoming focused on the style of food first, which is seeing a broader range of vegan options available. Islington has recently seen the arrival of Rudy's Vegan Diner on Upper Street (as well as the long queues for their Vegan Butcher) and now, just up the road, Tofu Vegan

A Hot Dinners exclusive

If you've been around Soho, you might have noticed a new bar and restaurant called Pam's. It turns out that it's from Barworks, the same people behind The Diner as well as Mare Street Market, who have completely relaunched that site with a new look, name and new menu too. The aim was to make it a more casual space than before and they told Hot Dinners they want it to be

Bringing Korean drinking culture to London, Hongdae Pocha is serving up hotpots, soju cocktails and more.

Updated 25/5/21 with opening date and soft launch offer

As things open up again, it's time for another new London pizzeria, but this one has had success elsewhere first. Rudy's Neapolitan Pizza has been mainly serving pizzas in the north - in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Birmingham and they've been very popular there. But they've now headed south, straight into Soho,

Inspired by London's artisan producers, this new Hammersmith pizzeria is serving up pizzas, desserts and even drinks from the local area. 

The Garden Bar has been a big hit in its Elephant & Castle location - so much so that they're getting ready to open a second Garden Bar in Bromley. 

As with the original, it's all about alfresco dining - but on the very large side. This new Garden Bar will seat 400 on a multi-level terrace - and there will be a rooftop bar too. It'll all open in stages over the coming

Over in Belgravia a new bakery opened its doors for the first time this weekend. But it seems that Chestnut Bakery - which has taken on the old Dominique Ansel site - is trying to do things a little differently. They set out their stall as "celebrating international baking traditions in the golden age of breadmaking."

They've certainly assembled an impressive team to help them do that. Senior Baker, Mauro Gizick from

24/5/21 - updated with new opening date

A new dessert bar is coming to Wembley Park after making its name around the country first. Haute Dolci has opened in Birmingham, Leeds and Leicester among others - and this is their first London launch, part of the development around the arena at Wembley Park. They say dessert bar, but going by the look, it's more like a

Updated 24/5/21 with soft launch offer

Following the Camberwell original and the Tooting follow up, Good Neighbour are getting ready to open a third wine bar/restaurant - this time in Peckham. 

They're taking over the space from Pedler (who are heading east to a new location). Once again it's from the team of Paul Williamson (ex Soho House) and Josue

Anyone searching for a new Korean food hit, should hotfoot it down to Charing Cross Road. Just opposite the big Oseyo supermarket, a fast food joint has just opened, called Bunsik.

Bunsik specialises in Korean Street Food - namely corn dogs, cupbap (rice in a pot with toppings) and Ddukbokki (fried rice cakes).

There are six hotdog/corndog options - original, octo legs, potato, potato mozzarella, cheese and cheese

400 Rabbits have settled on Elephant and Castle for their latest pizzeria, bringing both their London sourdough pizzas and a brand new range on gelato made in-house. 

We've only just written about a Greek restaurant opening in Crouch End and now there's news of a Greek street food restaurant, Smashing Plates, opening in London Bridge.

Smashing Plates comes from Neofytos Christodoulou and is his take on Greek and Cypriot

Moving up from street food truck and market stalls, Kalimera is launching as a restaurant in Crouch End. There will be modern interpretations of Greek and Mediterranean dishes and plenty of Greek wine.