Here’s the ultimate guide to the capital’s foodie mecca. With a barrage of new openings every month, check out the Luxe Bible list of London’s hottest new restaurants for 2022. Get booking.
Din Tai Fung, Centre Point – Opening 1st October
Michelin Guide recognised restaurant Din Tai Fung will open its third outpost at Centre Point on 1st October. This cult foodie favourite, known the world over for its iconic Xiao Long Bao (steaming hot soup dumplings which take 40 minutes each to make,) will feature the same menu as the Covent Garden and Selfridges sites, while taking on its own personality through the design. Din Tai Fung at Centre Point will offer chic dining with floor-to-ceiling double height windows along with a separate bar area – perfect for after work cocktails.
M Canary Wharf – Opening 15th August
Martin Williams has brought his fabulous restaurant concept to Newfoundland! M Canary Wharf is set to open on 15th August with a bar, restaurant, private dining room, wine tasting room, café, members’ lounge, and terrace, all by the water! Introducing St. Tropez brunch, a sensory menu and Sunday movie screenings, the menu is made up of ingredients which are all ethically and sustainably sourced. You can look forward to M’s signature and most exclusive cuts of Wagyu beef, whilst being transported to Provence through dishes like octopus carpaccio, lobster salad with wasabi and avocado and seabass with garlic, herbs and lemon.
Ochre at National Gallery, Trafalgar Square – Opened July
From the founders of Muriel’s Kitchen, comes Ochre – a beautiful British restaurant at the National Gallery. With a lively cocktail bar and lounge, DJs and an incredible private dining room with views of Nelson’s Column, the menu will showcase seasonal ingredients with sharer smaller plates like saddleback pork and Westcombe cheddar croquette with sage and onion pesto and aged parmesan; Scottish scallops with baby turnip, chorizo, preserved lemon and Cime di Rapa; and Sweet potato & English pea samosa with mango, chilli, heritage cherry tomato, lime and coriander. Bigger plates include Pan fried monkfish with charred hispi cabbage, romesco sauce and toasted almonds; and 21-day aged black faced lamb rack. The cocktail list meanwhile has a mouth watering selection of house-crafted and classic drinks like Bathers Club – a mix of Little Birds Gin, rhubarb jam and lemon juice and the Sunflowers Sour, a blend of Del Maguey Vida mezcal infused with turmeric, apricot liqueur, lime juice, agave syrup and egg white.
Compton – Opened July
Now open, Compton on St. John’s Square in Clerkenwell is a new restaurant, bar and deli offering Mediterranean style dishes with quality produce from small scale British suppliers. Serving food from breakfast through to dinner, you can expect delights like fruit compote with Greek yoghurt, homemade granola, pancakes with streaky bacon and Compton smoked salmon with scrambled eggs. From lunch onwards, there’ll be smoke haddock croquettes, hand rolled pappardelle with asparagus and a changing BBQ ‘Catch of the Day’. Check out that gorgeous new menu here.
Riding House Bloomsbury – Opened June
The original Riding House Café Fitzrovia celebrated its 10th birthday last year, and what better way to bask in the glory than by launching Riding House Bloomsbury?! Opening on Wednesday 8th June at the Bloomsbury Brunswick Centre, the kitchen will be overseen by Exec Chef Henry Omereye with the food offering an evolution of the Riding House Café menu with signature dishes like coconut and cardamom dhal with aubergine pickle, black quinoa and mango with corn, black beans and cashews and a range of delicious healthy options, bowls and skewers. With those members club vibes and the signature open kitchen along with scrumptious food, this is definitely on our hottest list. Keep an eye on their website for updates.
Amethyst – Opened May
Mayfair’s coolest new gastronomic experience boasts a chef’s table made of real amethyst and quartz, and a tasting menu which constantly changes. This so-hot-right now opening from Neapolitan chef Carlo Scotto (of Xier fame), has just 21 seats on the ground floor for an incredibly intimate dinner with a full view of the pass. The menu draws inspriration from Carlo’s travels through Europe and Asia with a focus on Scandinavia and Japan. While there are three and five course dining options, it’s the 12 course menu that will really impress. Expect dishes like croquette with liquorice, tarragon and parmesan; foie gras with rose petal salmon, yuzu and Piedmont hazelnuts and Burnt Hay Black Cod. The lower ground floor will house Amethyst’s wine cellar showcasing fine and rare vintages. Open Tuesday to Saturday, set menus start from just £45.
28°-50° Oxford Circus – Opened May
Who wouldn’t want to sip a glass of delightful vino sat at this bar?! 28°-50° Oxford Circus is the latest opening addition to the family, following in the footsteps of the already successful Marylebone, Chelsea and South Kensington locations along with 28°-50° by Night. Offering an incredible wine selection and an a la carte menu with a focus on European cuisine, new dishes on the menu include moules marinière and octopus ceviche. As well as the bar and restaurant inside, 28°-50° Oxford Circus also has a gorgeous al fresco terrace.
San Carlo Cicchetti Knightsbridge – Opened May
San Carlo, known the country over for their delicious Italian fare have opened their latest restaurant in Knightsbridge. With a small plate sharer concept, dishes include seasonally inspired choices and Cicchetti classic signature dishes like the famous black truffle ravioli; burrata with smoked aubergine and burrata with smoked aubergine and toasted hazelnuts; and black salt sea bass with herb and olive oil salmoriglio. The stunning restaurant designed by Fettle and inspired by classic Venetian architecture is spread across two floors with a glamorous private dining room for special events. Book your table, here.
Chotto Matte Marylebone – Opened May
Chotto Matte have just opened at their new site in Marylebone. Launching alongside the new restaurant is a brand new Nikkei Brunch curated by Exec Chef Jordan Sclare. Celebrating Japanese and Peruvian cuisine, Chotto Matte’s new offering is available from 11am – 4pm every Saturday priced at £75pp. Expect dishes like Bao Pato Crujiente with crispy duck, honey orange ponzu and jalapeno, along with a selection of sushi and Argentinian red prawn truffled and wagu sirloin. A veggie brunch is also available priced at £55, while drinks on the new menu at the new Tokyo to Lima bar include a special selection of ‘Paddington Street’ cocktails, plus sake and whiskies.
Cellar – Opened May
Cellar has just opened in West London, offering all day dining from award-winning chef Andrew Clarke. Located on the ground floor of Hammersmith’s private member’s club Kindred, Cellar’s micro-seasonal menu will have all day dining options such as fried cod cheeks with harissa mayo and lemon, ox cheek puffs, home cured sea trout and grilled Tamworth pork chops. The accompanying wine list is definitely worth diving into, focusing on Central European wines. Cocktails curated by mixologist Julian de Feral complete the experience.
The Maine Mayfair – Opened May
We all love the launch of a new terrace and The Maine Mayfair seems to tick all our boxes – location being one of them! With its private terrace open now, the gorgeous space in the gardens of the original Hanover Square is the perfect place for lunch, dinner and drinks Tuesdays to Sundays. Complete with champagne and cocktail bar as well as a delicious a la carte menu and raw bar (think oysters, shellfish and crudos), you can book in by emailing reserve@themainemayfair.com
Tattu – Opened April
It’s been a long wait! Tattu has finally opened at Outernet’s The Now Building, bringing its signature style and incredible Chinese cuisine to the capital. Located on the corner of Tottenham Court Road, Tattu’s contemporary dishes can be enjoyed in the heart of London at this new site which includes a stunning rooftop bar with gorgeous views. Designed by the award-winning Joyce Wang studio, the space features original artworks by Shanghai native Shan Jiang. With marble floors, a stone garden and mythical creatures, the restaurant ‘anchors the narrative of a traditional Chinese courtyard house’ says Joyce Wang.
The menu meanwhile has been curated by Exec Chef Andrew Lasseter, featuring a number of brand new dishes, dim sum, small plates, large plates, show stopping desserts and innovative cocktails. This is the group’s fifth restaurant, with Tattu already a popular choice in Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh and Birmingham.
The Ivy Asia, Mayfair – Opened April
For stylish dining, you can’t go wrong with The Ivy Asia, Mayfair. Open 7 days a week and offering something for everyone, diners will love the striking gold bar, signature flooring and colourful walls. Including open kitchen, sushi counter and bi-folding doors leading to five alfresco tables, the menu from Exec Chef Simon Gregory features dishes that take guests on a journey around Asia. Aromatic half crispy duck with pancakes and The Ivy Asia black shell are among the highlights, as well as the Wagyu beef truffle yakiniku – pictured.
Itaku – Opened March
Hotly anticipated new restaurant Itaku by celebrity restaurateur Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini opened on London’s Great Portland Street in March, featuring a unique produce-driven menu of Italian cuisine created utilising Japanese flavours and techniques. The new vibrant and colourful destination joins Fernandez-Versini’s well-established Fitzrovia and Marylebone eateries with a kitchen led by head chef Ivan Simeoli whose CV includes a stint in the kitchen at Massimo Bottura’s revolutionary, three Michelin-starred Modena restaurant, Osteria Francescana in Italy.
Nicholas Medicamento, previously a bartender at the Savoy’s American Bar, is in charge of curating the cocktail menu that features traditional favourites alongside innovative signature drinks and low and no-alcohol options. The intimate dining space has 55 covers spread over one level while the white marbled flooring and huge skylight towards the back of the room provides a sense of openness offset by the dark furniture and gold accents. For guests who are short on time but keen to discover the new menu, Simeoli has created a set lunch menu offering a compact selection of Itaku signature dishes with a choice of two or three courses, priced at £25 and £29.
Revolve Brasserie – Opened March
Revolve Brasserie in Broadgate, is inspired by the infamous beautiful brasseries of Paris and New York and features a rotating guest chef programme! Classic dishes with a twist are offered through the week, while the weekends see the space transformed into a lively hotspot with celebrity chefs. Lee Westcott (formerly of Michelin-starred Pensons and The Typing Room) opened the series, followed by John Javier (17 Little Portland St, Formerly of MASTER, Sydney), Josh Eggleton (Michelin-starred Pony Restaurant Group), Anna Hansen (Formerly of The Modern Pantry) and the newly-appointed two Michelin-starred Gareth Ward of Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms. You get the picture! Check out our review of Revolve here.
Lisboeta by Nuno Mendes – Opened Feb
Internationally renowned chef and author Nuno Mendes is back in town and brings with him the tastes of Lisbon at his new restaurant, Lisboeta. Located in a charming Fitzrovia townhouse on Charlotte Street, the all-day snack menu allows Londoners to experience the very best of Portuguese cuisine. Lunch and dinner are a communal affair with large sharing dishes for the table inspired by the popular ‘tasca’ (casual Portuguese eater) of Lisbon, all with Nuno’s original take. The wine list also focuses on local producers in the Lisboa and sub-regions, highlighting long-standing winemakers alongside exciting new brands. If you’re dreaming of a Portuguese escape, this is the place.
Blacklock Covent Garden – Opened Feb
Blacklock Covent Garden is new on the block, following on from the success fo the original chophouse in Soho which opened 7 years ago. You can now taste the best sustainably-reared meat that the country has to offer in the very heart of London Town. with all of Blacklock’s meats high-quality, dry-aged, and straight from Cornwall where the cows are reared by farmer and butcher, Philip Warren. The menu at Blacklock’s latest outpost features recognisably hearty dishes such as the ‘All In’ – the award-winning Sunday Roast and not to mention the dreamy White Chocolate Cheesecake. A great choice for both lunch and dinner.
Terra – Opened Feb
You’ll be spoiled for choice at Eataly London’s fourth and final restaurant Terra. With a menu which covers it all from antipasti to a market selection of fish, meat and vegetables, they’re all cooked on a traditional Italian grill, visible from the dining room. The wine list is just as impressive with over 2,000 labels from its neighbouring wine shop Il Vino. The vibrant restaurant is conveniently located next to Liverpool Street station at 135 Bishopsgate.
Lahpet – Opened Feb
Lahpet started as a food truck in Maltby Street by London’s Tower Bridge in 2017 before opening in Shoreditch and quickly solidifying itself as some of the best Burmese food in the capital. Founders Dan Anton and Zaw Mahesh expanded to Covent Garden back in February, serving up their well-loved classics alongside new regional specialities and dishes inspired by the street food of the cities of Myanmar. Lahpet West End spans two floors along with a large heated terrace and bar on the first floor so you can delight in their new cocktail menu. A new wine list supplied by Liberty Wines will be on offer, with a craft beer offering also available. Head to their website to find out more information.
Restaurant 1890 – Opened Feb
Overlooking The Savoy Hotel entrance, Gordon Ramsay’s Restaurant 1890 is one of our hottest restaurants for 2022. The tasting menu is seasonal modern French with European influences and comes with vintage wines menu to match. The kitchen is headed up by the talented Executive Head Chef, James Sharp, who has most recently been cooking as Senior Sous Chef at Michelin-starred Pétrus, also by Gordon Ramsay. Restaurant 1890 offers an intimate and elevated experience, opening for dinner only and seating 26 guests. Go all out and indulge in the exquisite tasting menu priced at £110 per person and bespoke wine pairing options available. Book now.
Poke House – Opened Dec
Bringing Californian soul and instagrammable interiors to London, there have been four new openings for Poke House this year. The new restaurants are now open in Spitalfields, Victoria, Canary Wharf and Bloomberg Arcade with further expansion and 15 new London sites already planned! Feast on famous poke bowls like Heat Wave with tricolour quinoa, juicy salmon, fresh avocado, cucumber, red onion, spicy mayo, coriander and sesame seeds… and the Sunny Salmon with a luscious serving of sushi white rice, juicy salmon, fresh avocado, edamame, red cabbage, special dressing, avocado cream and sesame seeds.
Mano Mayfair – Opened Dec
Mano Mayfair is a must-visit. Fusing Latin American vibes with 50’s St. Tropez, and featuring an incredible jungle themed exterior, inside, there’s more of the gorgeous designer interiors, with the main restaurant featuring a gold ceiling and mirrored walls. With Brazilian Japanese cuisine at the heart, you can feast on sharing plates like carne seca bun (dried beef in a home-made Brazilian bun); smoked picanha with yakiniku Sauce (Brazil’s national steak, hickory smoked with a traditional Japanese sauce); and Luciana’s signature moqueca (Brazilian seafood stew with coconut milk & grilled seabass). Alongside the food, the beats are served with DJs playing deep house music Thursdays to Saturdays. Incredible cocktails and sake will complete the overall hedonistic vibe. Follow them on Instagram, here.
LaLee at The Cadogan – Opened Dec
The LaLee at The Cadagon opened in Chelsea at the end of last year, but deserves a spot on our hottest restaurants of 2022! The all day café restaurant features a gorgeous menu curated by Exec Chef Chris Hill (formerly of Whatley Manor and The Ritz) and includes high quality dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients. Small plates like Burrata with Pumpkin and Pomegranate and Lobster Cocktail, or a sharing platter of fresh Oysters will tempt the tastebuds along with mains like Aubergine Parmigiana, Steak Frites with Béarnaise Sauce, Wiener Schnitzel and Seabream Carpaccio. Cocktails come served with a little bit of theatre and are inspired by Chelsea socialite Lillie Langrtry’s London escapades, while 80 wines are served by the glass so you’ll be spoiled for choice!
The Chelsea Pig – Opened Dec
The Chelsea Pig designed by the world renowned Timothy Oulton is now open on Old Church Street. If you’ve ever visited in the past, you’ll know The Chelsea Pig has its own vibe and a great crowd, now further elevated by the new, stand out interiors. The all day dining menu features classic British dishes created by Head Chef Fionnan Flood using local ingredients. How about Fish Pie to share, Cornish Hen Pot Roastwith herb and suet dumplings or Hereford Dry-Aged Rib-Eye with treacle marinade and café de Paris hollandaise?! Sundays meanwhile will play host to the classic roast with all the trimmings. For design fans and foodies all across London, The Chelsea Pig is on our must-visit-this-month list.
The Pig’s Head, Opened Dec
Clapham’s latest pro-planet pub is The Pig’s Head offering a farm to fork experience at the site of the former Rectory. With sustainable drinks that ‘don’t cost the earth’, the menu offers up daily a la carte delights like fried Cooley gold oyster with smoked seafood mayo and the house special – crispy pig’s head. Sharing boards along with veggie and vegan dishes will ensure there’s something for everyone, while the interiors feel rustic with exposed pillars and original timber walls. The Pig’s Head comes from Maria and Scott Hunter who are behind some of London’s best loved dining pubs. Check out the website here and their Instagram here.
Sarap Filipino Bistro – Opened Dec
Slowed roasted whole suckling pig – now how good does that sound?! Sarap Filipino Bistro in collaboration with The PEPPER Collective is one of our faves on Heddon Street, following on from the success of Brixton’s Sarap BAon which opened last year. With sleek and industrial interiors, Budgie Montoya’s menu showcases cuisine from the Phillipines like never before. While the Lechon suckling pig has to be ordered in advance (serving 4-6 people), other modern interpretations of classic Filipino dishes include Rellenong Crispy Pata (twice cooked adobo pork rice stuffed trotter), Escabeche (grilled monkfish, sweet and sour red pepper sauce, pickled peppers) and Adobo Pork Rice – Jasmine rice cooked in adobo sauce, pork hock. Wash down with their brilliant selection of cocktails and beers.
