The Best New Restaurant Openings in London this Spring

It seems London has officially defrosted – and before daylight savings, no less. With the new season upon us, we thought it’d be the perfect time to bring you a list of the best and latest restaurant openings in London.  Whether you’re chasing long, lazy lunches in the sun or late-night tables worth dressing up for, these are the new spots to book now.

The Brook and Badger - Fulham 

A Sunday spent in a West London pub is a Sunday well-spent. As a greener, sleepier part of town, it’s primed for a long lunch with loved ones. For the latest go-to, head to The Brook and Badger in Fulham, just launched by experienced publican Eamonn Manson and pop art dealer Adrian Palengat, who has designed the space to be a pub with benefits – centred on great food, drink and a warm welcome but with the added perks of a chic design. The daily offering is exactly as you’d expect, featuring all the pub classics: chicken pie, fish and chips, cheeseburgers and steaks. Proper food, done right. What more could you want?

Visit brookandbadger.com

Teal by Sally Abé – Hackney

Described as a “little British bistro”, chef Sally Abés first solo restaurant is filled with food she’d want to eat herself. Honest, generous and deeply satisfying. Formerly at the iconic Bull at Charlbury, Sally’s seasonal bold flavours promise to convince even the snobbiest of East London “foodies”. The menu looks like it’ll start with snacks, labelled as “savouries”, featuring all the good stuff – brawn scotch egg, devils on horseback, bread and butter. As the rest of the offering unfurls, we see the same unpretentious confidence (with a retro twist) in dishes like artichoke and mushroom vol au vent, baked bone marrow and mussels.

Bookings are now open tealbysallyabe.com

Sova – Notting Hill

Eastern European cuisine seems to have flown relatively under the radar in London up until recently, thanks to a slew of hyped new openings like Daka Daka and Sino. The latest joining that list is Sova, the wine and vinyl bar opening in Notting Hill this April. The Slavic-inspired menu has been created by Moldovan chef Denis Calmis, who combines classical European technique with distinctive Eastern European character. Unsure what this looks like? Well, starters will span slow-roasted peppers with anchovies and dill oil and beef tartare on borodinsky bread with horseradish mayonnaise. Mains feature whisky and honey-roasted baby chicken, crispy sea bass with fennel and grapefruit and miso-glazed confit duck. It’s the desserts that have us salivating, particularly over the chocolate mousse and sour cherry crumble. All to be enjoyed alongside the soothing sounds of guest DJs.

There’s a mix of bar stools and table seating, which can be reserved at sova.london

Miko Mei Fair – Mayfair

Conceived as a home away from home, MIKO Mei Fair promises to be an elegant take on convivial dining. Set in a Georgian townhouse, the space is intimate, catering for up to 50 guests. Led by Chef Soonthorn Apaipat, Head Chef of KOYN Thai, the menu is crafted with the art of Thai balance: freshness and heat, lightness and depth. Featuring dishes from across Thailand, fire-led cooking is at the heart of the offering. Menu highlights include netted spring rolls, toasted rice beef tenderloin, lobster cho chee and apple wood fire Peking duck Penang curry.

For a taste of maximalist interiors and refined yet relaxed cooking, head to mikomeifair.com

Sabine – Holborn

Following on from its success in St Paul’s, Sabine London is opening a second spot in Holborn this April, replicating the year-round rooftop destination with sweeping city views and bright, joyful interiors. Tasty small plates and a cocktail programme will be at the centre of the experience, featuring some signature dishes – fingers crossed, the salt and pepper calamari fries or bourbon braised short ribs. An electronic retractable roof and fully retractable windows allow the venue to open to the sky in warmer weather and create a comfortable enclosed atmosphere during cooler months.

Tables at Sabine can be reserved at sabinelondon.co.uk

MITSU - Shoreditch

“Where East London edge meets East Tokyo soul” is the tagline for new neighbourhood izakaya, Mitsu, in Shoreditch. Opening in early April, you can expect Japanese small plates with big flavours. At the heart of the kitchen here is the robata, producing smoky flame-kissed cuts designed for sharing. If you’re happy to be led by the chefs, opt for the set menu to get a taste of the full offering, which spans squid karaage, pork belly sandos, seafood dumplings, pork tomahawk and more. Dessert is not to be skipped either, where you can choose between matcha tiramisu, sesame basque cheesecake and miso ice cream.

Find out more at mitsurestaurant.com

The Latimer – North Kensington

A true family affair, The Latimer is the culinary-led boozer from St John co-founder Jon Spiteri, Rochelle Canteen matriarch Melanie Arnold and their children Fin, Lorcan and Molly. Once the former neighbourhood stomping ground for Britain’s musical elite, the Latimer will reopen to serve reworked classics and traditional British pub grub – think black pudding confit potato, masala monkfish, oxtail with mash and horseradish to tempura mushrooms. We expect the Sunday roasts to be a huge draw with sharing platters of the best British meats with all the trimmings. Thanks to Fin’s long-standing relationships with independent brewers, winemakers and distillers, the drinks list is set to be just as exciting as the food.

Drop in or book a table at thelatimer.co.uk

Kinz - Notting Hill

All-day contemporary Lebanese dining lands in Notting Hill Gate on 15th April with the opening of KINZ. Set in a former bank designed by architect, Sir Edward Maufe, known for his work on Heal’s department store, you’ll find the wine room in the original bank’s vault and an all-day deli at the opening of the mesmerising triple-height dining room with mezzanine seating. From a full Lebanese breakfast to a delightful array of mezze – think baba ghanoush with crisp pita, tabbouleh and spiced lamb – every dish is designed to be a shared celebration of vibrant flavours.

Book a table at Kinz kinzrestaurant.com

The Sea, The Sea – Chelsea

After supplying some of London’s best restaurants with seafood, including Ikoyi and Kol, the beloved Chelsea seafood bar and fishmonger is now opening a bistro. Just across the road from the original outpost, The Sea, The Sea will open in May. Chef Nick Marsden’s ethos for sourcing directly from fishing vessels using low-impact methods will lead the menu, which will feature the likes of hand-dived scallops and line-caught bass. Guests can expect small plates such as cuttlefish, pickled salsify and cauliflower purée or confit sea trout, white asparagus and mustard greens. Larger dishes come from the grill, featuring the likes of skate wing, trombetta courgette, nettle and Gordal olives, and grilled half Cornish lobster with vin jaune sabayon and brown butter. White wine makes up the lion's share of the wine list, but there will also be a capsule collection of reds, orange wines, and sake, as well as playful cocktails.

Secure a seat at theseathesea.net

Sale e Pepe Mare - Marylebone 

Sale e Pepe has welcomed everyone from Priscilla Presley to Rod Stewart in its longstanding – 50 years – Knightsbridge establishment. Arriving at The Langham this week, is its waterside rendition, Sale e Pepe Mare, capturing the charm and tranquillity of the Italian coast. With curving archways, deep blue-accented interiors and a seafood-centric menu, guests get a taste of the Riviera through dishes such as tableside salt-baked sea bass and linguine vongole e bottarga.

Peruse the menu via sale-e-pepe-mare-the-langham-london

MA/NA – Mayfair

Situated on Upper Grosvenor Street in Mayfair, MA/NA is a luxurious new restaurant bridging Japanese culinary rituals and meticulous cocktails in a space designed to move seamlessly from dinner to drinks. No detail is accidental, from the dragon-shaped banquette guiding guests from bar to table to resident DJ sets that carry the evening through. The menu, curated by chef Leo Tanyag, offers indulgent renditions of familiar favourites, from teriyaki edamame with black truffle to grilled bone-in ribeye glazed with ginger, garlic and sesame soy.

MA/NA opens in April. Join the waitlist at manarestaurants.com

Bulbul, Tudor Street 

If you’re looking for an injection of colour and culture to your diet, you’re in the right place. Mere moments from Blackfriars, South Bank and St Paul’s Cathedral, you’ll find a fresh take on traditional Indian cuisine. Set to launch in early Summer, Bulbul will feature a range of vibrant small plates, immersive cocktails and inventive design. The man behind the mission? Rohan D’Souza, named Young Restauranteur of the Year in 2023 by The Economic Times. Indulge in an explosion of bold flavourings with their mouthwatering Forest Papper Crab Dossa – dosa stuffed with crab meat, tossed together with a punchy pepper masala, served on a bed of house pickle. Pair this with one of their many cocktails, all inspired by different regions and culinary traditions.

Keep up to date on Bulbul's Instagram here. 

Horsemen & Fitzgerald's 

These “two food cultures have more in common than people realise,” says Esteve Prats Grau, Executive Chef at the Horsemen & Fitzgerald’s. This April marks the opening of a new American Irish pub and clubhouse at No.1 Broadgate. Connected by horse racing, this cultural fusion has something for everyone, whether it’s whiskeys and American bourbons or Guinness on draught. Feast your eyes on their transatlantic menu, serving dishes such as the traditional American waffles, Irish breakfast or Kentucky fried chicken – the ultimate comfort food.

Book your table now thehorsemenlondon.com. 

Tavern, Old Street

A Sunday afternoon is not complete without a quick trip to a pub. Tavern is set to open its doors on Old Street, Shoreditch on 28th April, serving refined bistro-style food in a cosy, classic pub atmosphere. Executive chef, Brendan Appleby, will work alongside Johnnie Crowe, modifying the menu on a regular basis with a strong focus on British produce, whole animal butchery and open fire cooking. Nestle yourself next to the fire and enjoy the selection of pub snacks, including their fire bread and white garlic butter or the Tavern sausage served with curry sauce – a nod to the British classic. 

Bookings are now open at tavernlondon.co.uk. 

FENIX, Mayfair

As the evenings become lighter and the al-fresco season is nearly upon us, a Greek Mediterranean meal might be just what you're craving. FENIX opened its doors last month, serving modern Greek flavours with local produce, in the style of sharing plates. From Athenian tartare to the refined interpretation of the classic moussaka, enjoy hearty cuisine in a timeless dining experience. Head Chef, Zisis Giannouras, honours the heritage of his native Mykonos, while tying influences from Japanese, Peruvian and French cuisines. With a selection of hot and cold meze, open fire cooking and vegetarian options available, FENIX has something for everyone and, be sure to save room for the creme brûlée. 

Explore their menu now fenixrestaurants.com. 

Kumori, Soho

Rooted in Japanese culture, Kumori, a modern counter-only hand roll restaurant coming to the heart of London’s West End, opens this April. Using only the highest-grade seafood, head chef John Randy De Guzman, is overseeing both sushi and menu development with signature classics including spicy tuna with jalapeno miso, unagi foie gras and torched scallops with various vegetarian options. This made-to-order experience is bound to impress with its carefully curated Japanese-inspired cocktails, and of course, we can’t forget the sake.

Find out more kumorirestaurant.com. 

Cooper's Cut, Tower Bridge 

Each series of White Lotus might carry different stories of similar themes, as rich, problematic characters go on holiday, but an unwavering thread throughout is the backdrop, which is the often tropical and always sun-drenched Four Seasons. Understandable then to forget this crème de la crème of hotels has long called London home too, particularly its tucked-away spot in East London. Bang opposite the striking Tower Bridge, the impressive, grey-stone façade now hosts a new steakhouse, Coopers Cut, named after the architect of the property, Sir Edwin Cooper. 

Like its setting, the restaurant is taken to the most exemplary of heights, led by Luke Armstrong who will ring a bell for anyone hot on the culinary scene, as he counts Oud Sluis, The Ledbury and L’Envol among his roster of kitchens. The promise of meticulous craft and exceptional sourcing might sound like happy words thrown out from a press office, but the proof is in the cut – it’s perhaps London’s finest (and we’ve had Ibai). The small, curated tasting menu, hands-on service you can expect and wagyu steak that’s juicy and buttery with an immaculate outer crisp – will make you delighted to rediscover the hotel in this neck of the city woods.

Book your table here. 

Burro, Covent Garden 

From Trullo to Burro, Conor Gadd has finally opened his Italian sister restaurant. Situated in the heart of Covent Garden on Floral Street, anticipate authentic dishes rooted in regional traditions, with a seasonally focused menu. Burro, meaning butter in Italian, will change its menu twice a day, but fresh pasta and charcoal-grilled meats will remain constant features. From fettuccine with duck and porcini ragu to lamp rump with olives and tomatoes, the selection is impressive. You simply can’t leave without trying the tiramisu ‘bomboloni’ doughnuts.

Bookings are now open at trattoriaburro.com.