London is arguably (definitely) the best restaurant city in the world right now, but with so many new openings each week, keeping up to date with the best new restaurants in London is a full time job. Which is why we’re here of course. Make sure you’re always in the know with our guide to the best new restaurant openings in London and you’ll be leading your mates and dates around the coolest new places around town in no time. Our guide is constantly updated with our curated selection of only the best new restaurant openings you need to know about, so you can always be sure that this little lot will be well worth checking out.
Updated: 17th February 2020
1. Chuku’s
After a host of successful pop-ups, winning a Young British Foodie award, and smashing a crowdfunding campaign, Chuku’s is going permanent with a new spot in Tottenham. Run by siblings Ifeyinwa and Emeka Frederick, Chuku’s serves up Nigerian tapas, with a backdrop of contemporary art and an afrobeats soundtrack designed to give you a little taste of Lagos. Signature Chuku’s plates like jollof quinoa, suya meatballs and plantain waffles are on the menu, along with new dishes from Northern Nigeria. Going permanent will also allow Chuku’s to offer a full drinks menu, which includes the hibiscus-infused Zobo Sangria, a Palm Wine cocktail and Nigerian beers.
Opened February 2020
274 High Road, Tottenham, London, N15 4RR
chukuslondon.co.uk
2. Hoppers
Hoppers King’s Cross is now open and it’s a beautiful space. The original Hoppers was way too small; the second one was much bigger but way too dark in the basement; but for the third location, they’ve got it just right. It’s a big site, entirely fronted by glass so there’s plenty of natural light, and the design is spot on, fusing Sri Lankan style with sleek modern London design flair. It’s worth going down just to take a few pics for the feed. The menu will still follow the sharing route, with new seafood grills and beachside snacks like Mussel Hodi & String Hoppers, Black Pepper Curry Leaf Prawn, Tempered Bean & Cashew Kari and Pettah Whole Quail Kari & Quail Egg Pahe being exclusive to King’s Cross.
Opened February 2020
Unit 3, Building 4 Pancras Square, King’s Cross, London NIC 4AG
hopperslondon.com
3. Bar Douro
We’re already fans of Portuguese joint Bar Douro so we are very pleased that there’s now a second one, this time in the City. Bar Douro 2.0 will be bigger than the Flat Iron Square original with more counter and table seating inside, plus space on an outdoor terrace. The food menu is set to be similar too, with a mix of snacks, small plates and larger dishes including croquetes de alheira, suckling pig sandwich, salt cod hash and those famous pasteis del nata.
Naturally, there’ll be plenty of vino too, with the restaurant offering one of the largest selections of Portuguese wines, focusing on independent producers, in London. Sounds like it’s going to be another hit.
Opened February 2020
1 Finsbury Ave, London, EC2M 2PF
bardouro.co.uk
4. The Connaught Grill
It’s not often that a London restaurant comes back from the dead but legendary Connaught Grill is doing just that. Open at The Connaught Hotel from 1955 to 2000, The Connaught Grill was an old school celeb haunt that served up old school French cuisine, and has just made its return at the swanky Mayfair Hotel.
Times have changed so this Connaught Grill is a much more contemporary affair, with Jean-Georges Vongerichten taking charge of the food here, as well as his eponymous restaurant in the hotel. There’s a wood burning grill and rotisserie offering up everything from langoustines and Dover sole to British game, and seasonal vegetables. There will also be the odd homage to the old school classics, including the ‘oeuf en surprise au Connaught’.
Opened January 2020
Carlos Pl, Mayfair, London W1K 2AL
the-connaught.co.uk
5. Ampéli
Founded by Jenny Pagoni, with Oren Goldfeld (ex-Nopi) heading up the kitchen, Ampéli is serving Greek and eastern Mediterranean dishes like feta saganaki with tomato jam; smoked cod’s roe with lavash crisps; herb and sheep’s cheese manti; braised cuttlefish with orzo and red pepper; Jerusalem-spiced pan-fried lamb sweetbreads with almond sauce; short rib stew with quince; poppy seed loukoumades; and chocolate mahlab mousse.
Greek Master of Wine Yiannis Karakasis is curating the wine list, choosing indigenous, natural and low intervention wines from across mainland Greece and the islands, plus a selection of rare native wines for the real connoisseurs out there. Spirits like ouzo, raki, mastica and tsipouro will also feature across the drinks menu.
Opened January 2020
18 Charlotte Street, London W1T 2LZ
ampeli.london
6. Barboun
What used to be a cabinet makers studio on Great Eastern Street is now home to a very impressive looking Turkish restaurant called Barboun. In a nod to the building’s previous life, pale wood, rattan screens and oxblood leather accents set the place apart from the usual industrial chic aethstetic you see round these parts. Open from breakfast through to dinner, chef Fezile Ozalgan (previously of Yosma) creates Eastern Mediterranean-inspired dishes, from small plates like spinach & feta borek with sun-dried aubergine to larger dishes like braised octopus with coal-roasted potato, and aged Texel lamb rump with smoked aubergine, lemon & yoghurt, cooked over the grill for a smoky feel. Don’t miss out on THAT halloumi saganaki smeared in London honey, walnut and apricot. It’s amazing.
Opened December 2019
61 – 67 Great Eastern Street London EC2A 3HU
barboun.com
