07 January 2026
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With the London dining scene evolving so quickly that it can be hard to keep up, we thought we’d give you a head’s up on the restaurants that all your foodie friends are going to be talking about in the coming months. From those that have just opened their doors to those still adding the finishing touches, these new London restaurants have caught our eye with their intriguing concepts and the top-level talent behind them. So, whether you’re a local or a visitor, ensure these spots are on your must-visit list so you can stay ahead of the curve.
Café Boulud: A French Master Back in London
Opening Date TBCOne of the biggest stories in 2026 hospitality is set to be the opening of the Waldorf Astoria Admiralty Arch. The stunning Arch is a bona fide London landmark and has had many uses over the years, including as the home of British military intelligence. Soon, it will begin a new chapter as a luxury hotel, and Waldorf Astoria have recruited two of the best to head up the food and drink offering: Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud. The latter will be returning to London with a new branch of Café Boulud, his all-day dining concept which has had success in New York and Riyadh.
Coreus by Clare Smyth: The Revered Chef’s Latest
Opening Date TBCThe second of the Waldorf Astoria Admiralty Arch’s headline attractions – and with one of its best views down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace – Coreus is equally exciting for being a new venture from Clare Smyth. Having recently added to her Three-MICHELIN-Star CORE with the luxurious Corenucopia in Belgravia, it will be exciting to see what Smyth has in store next. Coreus is billed as a celebration of British produce, with a special focus on lesser-known varieties of seafood. The venue will also include a branch of the Whiskey & Seaweed bar debuted at CORE.
Simpson's in the Strand: Restaurant Resurrection
Opening FebruaryIt’s always exciting to see an icon of the London dining scene being brought back to life. Once one of the capital’s most talked-about destinations, Simpson’s fell on hard times before closing its doors. But then Jeremy King came along. The renowned restaurateur – who has been involved in some of London’s biggest success stories – previously rebranded former celebrity hotspot Le Caprice as Arlington with fabulous results. At Simpson’s, the huge space will house multiple bars and restaurants, plus a small ballroom – which gives you an idea of the vibe.
Burro: Trullo Chef’s New Trattoria
Opening Early 2026Fans of Trullo should look forward to this new opening from its chef and co-owner Conor Gadd. Taking over the space that was once The Petersham in Covent Garden’s Floral Court – a prime modern development in the heart of the city – Gadd is promising to combine the Italian cuisine he loves so much with decorative touches from his native Ireland. If the promise of enticing bowls of pasta crossed with warm Irish hospitality isn’t enough to get you excited, then perhaps the promise of tiramisu ‘bomboloni’ doughnuts will seal the deal.
Osteria Vibrato: Mellor the Tenor Returns
Opening FebruaryAnother new Italian (London can never have enough of them, surely?), Osteria Vibrato is the new project from Charlie Mellor. The man behind the now-closed Laughing Heart, Mellor knows a thing or two about running a restaurant and has indicated that his return to the London dining scene will be focused on simplicity. Few cuisines are more delightful when stripped back to basics than Italian, so that’s something to look forward to. The restaurant’s name is inspired by Mellor’s pre-chef career as an operatic tenor.
Oudh 1722: Birmingham’s Hero Ventures Down South
Opening SpringA chef making their first foray into the London dining scene is often an exciting prospect, and that’s no different with the opening of Oudh 1722 from Chef Aktar Islam. The man behind the terrific Opheem in Birmingham, one of only two Indian restaurants in the UK to receive Two MICHELIN Stars, has been big news in Brum for years and has shown great love and care for his home city. Now, with Opheem and his other Birmingham projects still running, he will open a new restaurant in Borough that focuses on Awadhi cuisine from the northern Indian city of Lucknow.
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Daka Daka: Georgian Dishes and Fire-Licked Flavours
Opening JanuaryThe foodie hub of Heddon Street will soon be welcoming a new resident with the arrival of Daka Daka, which combines Georgian dishes and flavours with on-trend live fire cooking. Produce grilled over open flames has been all the rage for years now and the opening of Daka Daka, which is also a zeitgeisty natural wine bar, suggests there’s no sign of that slowing down. It will make an interesting addition to the small but mighty Heddon Street, a tiny Mayfair spot that already houses Sabor, Fonda and Ambassadors Clubhouse.
Orion by Alex Webb: A New Wimbledon Winner?
Opened DecemberIt’s always exciting to have a high-profile restaurant opening in an outer London district. Neighbourhood eateries are a tentpole of many Londoners’ lives and having a good one at the end of your street is something to be cherished. Here’s hoping, then, that Orion by Alex Webb – a recently opened, French-inspired spot – can provide just that for the residents of Wimbledon. The eponymous chef trained in some of the city’s best kitchens and is now cooking a menu that includes seasonal British seafood.
Maset: Coastal France Lands in London
Opened NovemberMelody Adams, the thriving restaurateur behind the dual Basque-inspired successes of Lurra and Donostia, is now turning her attention beyond its borders and into France. Specifically, the recently opened Maset focuses on the region of Occitanie and its coastal cooking, which has absorbed influences from Spain and North Africa over time. It’s located on Chiltern Street, not too far from Adams’ other restaurants in Marylebone, the elegant neighbourhood south of Regent’s Park.
Field Notes: Produce and Provenance Come First in Hackney
Opened OctoberIvan Tisdall-Downes is a chef you may know from the multiple incarnations of his restaurant Native (both in and out of London). There, his focus was on planet- and produce-led cooking that moved with the seasons. He’s now bringing a similar ethos to Hackney with Field Notes, a restaurant and bar where the menu is always evolving with what’s available, while the wine list champions natural and low-intervention producers. It sounds like a perfect fit for the chef and right at home in East London’s alternative foodie capital.
Dué: Mexican Cuisine From Global Talents
Opening Date TBCPotentially representing the next step in the evolution of London’s mouthwatering Mexican dining scene, Dué comes from the mind of Jesús Durón, who was previously the Executive Chef at Two-Star Pujol in Mexico City. We’re unsure what other influences Durón will incorporate at Dué, but such talent arriving in London is always exciting, especially when he’s joined by restaurateur Lindsay Jang, who launched MICHELIN-Starred Yardbird in Hong Kong.
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Hero Image: The Admiralty Arch, which will soon house the Waldorf Astoria hotel and new London restaurants from Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud. © 2026 Hilton
