All The August Restaurant Openings You Should Be Booking
August may signal the end of summer, but London’s restaurant scene has no intention of slowing down. This month brings everything from hand rolls and live-fire cooking to nostalgic soft serve, tiramisu cafés and one of the year’s most anticipated steakhouse openings. Whether you’re planning a long lunch, hunting down your next viral dessert or simply looking for somewhere new to book, these are the London restaurant openings to have on your radar this August.
Waterhouse
Following the closure of the acclaimed Water House Project earlier this summer, chef Gabriel Waterhouse and Patricia Wakaimba return with an exciting new chapter. Set inside a Victorian warehouse just off Columbia Road, Waterhouse is an intimate 24-cover restaurant inspired by Gabriel’s Northumberland upbringing, with a menu celebrating the landscapes and produce of North East England. Expect hand-dived scallops, Lindisfarne oysters, wild game and a pantry of house-made ferments, misos and infusions, while a dedicated wine bar and garden will follow later this year.
When: 6 August
Where: 7A Ezra St, London E2 7RH
Website: www.instagram.com
Whippies
Big Kid Ice Cream is giving the classic Mr Whippy an upgrade. Its new concept, Whippies, lands in Seven Dials Market with brown butter and Madagascan vanilla soft serve, towering sundaes, nostalgic Flake 99s, colourful slushies and playful limited-edition creations. To celebrate opening weekend, the first 99 Flake 99s each day will be available for just 99p.
When: 8 August
Where: 1 Kingly St, Carnaby, London W1B 5PA
Website: www.bigkidicecream.com
Marrone
If London’s obsession with dessert has taught us anything, it’s that a café dedicated entirely to tiramisu was only a matter of time. Marrone opens in Soho serving classic espresso tiramisu alongside pistachio and Valrhona chocolate versions, with both alcoholic and alcohol-free options available. Expect this one to generate queues.
When: 8 august
Where: 15 Sherwood St, London W1B 5AP
Website: www.studiomarrone.co.uk
Saltwater
Hand rolls continue their takeover of Soho with Saltwater, the latest opening from the Milk Beach team. Pull up a seat at the counter for bluefin tuna, hamachi and salmon hand rolls, alongside nigiri, donburi and Japanese small plates from a team with experience at Endo at The Rotunda and Asa Izakaya.
When: 13 august
Where: 3-4 Berwick St W1F 0DR
Website: www.saltwatersushi.com
Humble Crumble
London’s favourite crumble specialists are opening their fifth site, this time on James Street just moments from Selfridges. Better still, it’s their first location with outdoor seating, making it the perfect stop for a summer dessert. Alongside favourites like Apple & Cinnamon and Rhubarb, opening specials include Strawberries & Cream and Blueberry Lemon Meringue.
When: 13 august
Where: 28 James St, London W1U 1EW
Website: www.humble-crumble.com
Two Twins Tacos
The Brixton-born taco brand continues its rapid expansion with a fourth London site inside Spitalfields Market. Known for generous Californian-inspired tacos, £3 Taco Tuesdays and affordable margaritas, this is set to become one of the market’s busiest new lunch spots.
When: august
Where: Spitalfields
Website: www.twotwinstacos.com
Soul Mama
After the success of its original Stratford venue, YolanDa Brown’s Soul Mama is opening a second home at Westfield Stratford. Expect the same winning combination of Caribbean food and live music, with jerk wings, curries, one-pots and sharing plates taking centre stage alongside a packed programme of performances.
When: august
Where: The Street, Westfield stratford city, Montfichet Rd, London E20 1EJ
Website: www.soulmama.co.uk
It’s Bagels
One of London’s most talked-about bagel shops heads north with a fourth site in Hampstead. Expect all the cult favourites, from The Works loaded with lox and schmear to the classic bacon, egg and cheese, served from a New York-inspired café that’s perfectly placed for grabbing breakfast before a walk across Hampstead Heath.
When: august
Where: 60 Hampstead High St, London NW3 1QH
Website: www.itsbagels.com
Cordelia’s
One of the month’s biggest restaurant launches comes courtesy of Cordelia’s, a dramatic new live-fire steakhouse on Clarges Street. Head chef Jordi Sebastianelli, formerly of Le Petit Beefbar, will showcase dry-aged British beef alongside prized heritage breeds from across Europe, all cooked over bespoke charcoal grills. Add an agave-led cocktail list and resident DJs, and this looks set to become one of Mayfair’s hottest new tables.
When: 26 august
Where: 6 Clarges St, London W1J 8AE
Website: www.cordeliasmayfair.com
