London’s Best New Restaurant Openings to Know in 2026

Cato

Opening in Seven Dials this January, Cato blends New York bar culture with British produce and a boundary-pushing cocktail programme. Created by Bart & Taylor alongside award-winning bartender Angelos Bafas, the venue unfolds across three spaces, including a julep-focused ground floor and a synesthesia-inspired cocktail menu built entirely around British ingredients. A serious contender for one of 2026’s most exciting bar openings.

When: January 2026
Where: 17 Mercer St, London WC2H 9QJ
Website: www.catobar.co.uk

DakaDaka

DakaDaka is a modern Georgian restaurant and natural wine bar landing on Heddon Street in Mayfair, with a menu centred on live-fire cooking. The drinks list is expected to lean heavily into Georgian natural wine, alongside chacha-led cocktails.

The drinks list is expected to lean heavily into Georgian natural wine, alongside chacha-led cocktails.

99 Sushi

Blending Japanese and Spanish influences, this is the next restaurant to open at the London Hilton on Park Lane. While 99 Sushi already has flagships in Spain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, this one is seemingly expecting to be a little bit higher end than its predecessors.

When: January 2026
Where: 22 Park Ln, London W1K 1BE
Website: www.99sushibar.com

Tiella Trattoria and Bar

Opening early 2026 on Columbia Road, Tiella marks chef Dara Klein’s first permanent restaurant after a sold-out pop-up residency at The Compton Arms. The menu champions Italian classics rooted in regional tradition — think hand-rolled pasta, seasonal produce, and wholehearted hospitality — all within a restored Victorian pub setting that reflects the warmth and community of its neighbourhood.

Tiella marks chef Dara Klein’s first permanent restaurant after a sold-out pop-up residency at The Compton Arms.

When: January 2026
Where: 109 Columbia Road, London, E2 7RL
Website: www.tiella.co.uk

Tortello

Opening January 2026, Tortello is a contemporary Italian trattoria launching inside Royal Lancaster London, overlooking the Italian Gardens of Hyde Park. Led by Chef Giuseppe, the restaurant will centre on handmade pasta, using specialist Italian flours, golden-yolk eggs produced exclusively for the restaurant, and produce sourced from artisan farmers. The menu will showcase regional Italian dishes, from pumpkin-filled tortelli with brown butter and balsamic to slow-cooked beef shin ragù and seafood calamarata, all served in a design-led space featuring a vineyard mural, olive-lined walkways and a Hyde Park-facing terrace.

When: january 2026
Where: Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY
Website: www.royallancaster.com

Sale e Pepe Mare at The Langham

Sale e Pepe Mare marks a Riviera-inspired evolution of the iconic Knightsbridge institution, opening inside The Langham in February 2026. With a strong seafood focus, expect Italian coastal classics alongside tableside theatre, a central seafood display and a Josper grill. It’s a confident, glamorous reimagining that brings la dolce vita to one of London’s grandest dining rooms.

When: February 2026
Where: The Langham Hotel, 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London W1B 1JA
Website: www.saleepepe.co.uk

Hell’s Kitchen

Gordon Ramsay is bringing the UK’s first Hell’s Kitchen restaurant to The Cumberland Hotel in Marble Arch in 2026. The immersive, open-kitchen concept will serve signature dishes like beef Wellington alongside theatre-driven cooking and a relaxed yet polished atmosphere.

The immersive, open-kitchen concept will serve signature dishes like beef Wellington alongside theatre-driven cooking and a relaxed yet polished atmosphere.

FENIX

FENIX brings its contemporary Greek-Mediterranean dining concept to Mayfair following its Manchester success. Led by head chef Zisis Giannouras, the menu centres on sharing plates inspired by Greek traditions and Mediterranean flavours, delivered with polish and drama. Expect a high-energy room with serious visual impact.

The menu centres on sharing plates inspired by Greek traditions and Mediterranean flavours, delivered with polish and drama.

MA/NA

Opening on Upper Grosvenor Street, MA/NA is set to deliver refined Japanese dining and cocktail culture under chef Leonard Tanyag, famed for Los Mochis. With an elegant interior and focus on elevated omakase-leaning experiences paired with bespoke drinks, this will be one of Mayfair’s most talked-about openings.

When: January 2026
Where: 30 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1K 7PH
Website: www.manarestaurants.com

Osteria Vibrato

Opening in February 2026 on Greek Street, Osteria Vibrato marks chef Charlie Mellor’s return to London with a new Italian restaurant and bar. Developed with sommelier Cameron Dewar and menu co-creator Gaia Enria, the trattoria will focus on classic Italian dishes (including handmade pasta, grilled fish and pre-order specials like Brodo di Vasto), alongside a tightly curated wine list of around 250 bottles and a rear cocktail bar. With warm interiors and a welcome cover charge that includes bread, olive oil and Parmigiano, it’s poised to be one of Soho’s most talked-about openings of the year.

Cometa

Carousel co-founders Ed and Ollie Templeton are transforming the venue’s wine bar into Cometa, a Mexican restaurant led by Ollie alongside José Lizarralde Serralde (ex-Relæ, Nicos) and Alejandra Juarez (ex-Estela, Máximo). The menu will showcase British seafood through a Mexican lens, taking inspiration from Mexico City favourite Contramar, with ceviches, aguachiles and dishes like crab chilpachole rice and lobster with chintextle butter.

When: February 2026
Where: 19-23 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 1RL
Website: www.carousel-london.com

Logma

Logma, the supper-club turned restaurant concept rooted in Iraqi-Iranian heritage, is preparing to launch a permanent site in East London in 2026. Founded by Ziad Halub and Farsin Rabiee, the project aims to bring the rich, shared food traditions of Iraq and Iran into a full-time kitchen after sell-out supper events in 2024. This opening will mark one of the city’s most exciting newcomer narratives, celebrating deep cultural flavours and social dining.

This opening will mark one of the city’s most exciting newcomer narratives.

When: Early 2026
Where: Hackney
Website: www.logmaldn.com

Brasserie Angelica and Gambit Bar

Launching inside The Newman hotel, Brasserie Angelica will offer all-day dining with Northern European influences, led by chef Christian Turner. Downstairs, Gambit Bar is set to become a destination in its own right, with refined cocktails, alcohol-free options and an events programme that includes DJs and chess nights. Thoughtful, design-led and quietly ambitious.

When: Early 2026
Where: 49 Newman Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 3DZ
Website: www.brasserieangelica.com

Jul’s

Ibiza-born Mediterranean restaurant Jul’s is making its London debut in St James’s in early 2026, taking over a former bank on Waterloo Place. The new venue will bring a contemporary Mediterranean menu inspired by Greek and broader southern European cooking, alongside a late-night bar and wine selection that reflects the coastal influences of its origins. This is one of the year’s most anticipated entries from a well-established leisure group.

Simpson’s in the Strand

Simpson’s in the Strand is set to reopen in February 2026, relaunched by Jeremy King Restaurants. The revived space will include two dining rooms (Grand Divan and Romano’s), two bars (Simpson’s Bar and Nellie’s Tavern), plus a private ballroom space.

When: February 2026
Where: 100 Strand, London WC2R 0EZ
Website: www.jeremykingrestaurants.com

Burro

Burro is an upcoming Italian restaurant opening in Floral Court, Covent Garden in early 2026, led by Conor Gadd, chef/co-owner of Trullo. It’s taking over the former Petersham Nurseries site, with early menu details pointing to Italian classics alongside signature dishes (including a Roman fettuccine “Alfredo”).

When: Early 2026
Where: 2 Floral Court, London, WC2E 9FB
Website: www.trattoriaburro.com

Hoppers Shoreditch

Hoppers celebrates its tenth year with a fourth London opening in Shoreditch, expanding beyond Sri Lanka to explore the southern regions of India. The new site in the Tea Building will spotlight the flavours of Chettinad, Madurai, Bangalore, Kochi and Chennai, marking a bold new chapter for one of London’s most influential restaurant groups.

When: Early 2026
Where: Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6JJ
Website: www.hopperslondon.com

Langosteria at The Owo

The celebrated Milanese seafood restaurant group makes its UK debut at The OWO in spring 2026. Known for immaculate sourcing, Italian technique and refined hospitality, Langosteria’s London opening signals a major moment for the capital’s luxury seafood scene. A global heavyweight landing in suitably grand surroundings.

Impala

Impala, from the Super 8 team behind Brat and Kiln, is one of the most anticipated new kitchens of 2026. Named after chef Meedu Saad’s childhood car, the restaurant will bring North African-inspired cooking to Soho in spring 2026, with spice-rich, memory-driven flavours and mindful sourcing at its heart.

When: Spring 2026
Where: 14 Dean St, London W1D 3RS
Website: www.impalasoho.com

Kiji

From Junghyun Park — the chef behind New York’s twice-Michelin-starred Atomix — Kiji is set to open in Mayfair with an elevated Korean BBQ concept. Taking over the historic 60 Curzon Street site once home to Mirabelle, Kiji promises slick service, dedicated bar and lounge spaces, and a premium take on Korean grilling.

When: 2026
Where: 60 Curzon St, London W1J 8PG

Kebapci Iskender

The renowned Istanbul institution, founded in Bursa in 1867, Kebapci Iskender is bringing its iconic Turkish kebab to London’s Beauchamp Place in 2026. Famous for its Iskender-style doner served with tomato sauce, melted butter and yoghurt, the opening will mark a rare UK arrival for one of Turkey’s historic eateries. It’s shaping up to be a landmark moment for lovers of authentic Turkish cuisine here.