In this month’s new opening feature, we take a look at the best new restaurants opening in London, from Borough Market’s new Sri Lankan-influenced outpost from Cynthia Shanmugalingam to the exciting forthcoming venture from two Michelin Star Chef Tom Sellers. These are the restaurants worth knowing about this month…
Rambutan
The long-anticipated arrival of Cynthia Shamnugalingam’s debut restaurant, Rambutan, finally comes to a close as she prepares to open up the brick-and-mortar site this month. Inspired by her Tamil roots and summers spent exploring markets, milling spices and cooking over fire in her family’s Sri Lankan village, this Borough Market restaurant will serve up village-style Sri Lankan regional dishes found in the north of the country.
Using produce from neighbouring suppliers, the daily changing menus will feature street food snacks eaten on the go in the north’s cultural capital Jaffna, from aged mutton rolls to spicy fish malu buns. Expect plenty of traditional karis, including cashew nut curry, black coconut pineapple curry, pickled pork curry and red beef and bone marrow curry, all served alongside classic hoppers, egg hoppers, dosas and rotis.
Opening Date: march tbc
Where: 10 Stoney Street, Borough Market, SE1 9AD
Kibako
Kibako, the new contemporary Japanese restaurant opening in Fitzrovia, will offer an array of dishes featuring traditional techniques with a modern flair. Its signature will be the ‘kibako’ omakase-style boxes containing between six to 12 hand-crafted sushi and sashimi dishes chosen by the kitchen staff.
There’ll be set menus to choose from too, featuring a kibako box to start, grilled saba (blue mackerel) with spicy oroshi (daikon radish); 48hr marinated grilled black cod with saikyo miso (sweet rice miso); and grilled aubergine with saikyo miso and truffle.
Nessa
Created by Maslow’s founder Guy Ivesha (Mortimer House and Mortimer House Kitchen) and executive chef Tom Cenci (Loyal Tavern, Duck & Waffle), Nessa is the new modern bistro making waves in Soho.
The rich history of Soho, artist Vanessa Bell and others from the Bohemian movement inspires the space. It will sit on the ground floor of the new 1 Warwick members’ house and has been designed by boutique interior architecture and design firm Fettle. Expect elements of eccentricity and colour, weaving in references to the Edwardian baroque architecture and features from the original building.
The menu draws on British influences and Cenci’s passion for global cuisine. Menu highlights include brioche with black pudding and brown butter noisette; celeriac carbonara, confit egg, parmesan breadcrumbs, truffle; bulgar wheat stuffed cabbage, parsnip purée and herb oil; mussels, cider, parsley and seeded garlic baguette – a British-version of the bistro staple; and seabass with beurre blanc, pickled dulse and pink fir potatoes.
The Ninth
Returning to Fitzrovia this month will be The Ninth following a full refurbishment after a kitchen fire left the restaurant closed for over seven months. The restaurant will feel familiar but different, with refreshed interiors including leather banquettes, new tableware and bathrooms.
Expect to fall back in love with their classic dishes including salted beef cheek with sourdough, pickled radishes and dulse; langoustine ravioli with Merinda tomatoes; and their signature pain perdu with tonka bean ice cream. As well as some fresh new flavours including pork cheek tortellini with lardo and salsa verde; and venison tartare.
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Story Cellar
Two Michelin star chef Tom Sellers is set to open up a Parisian-inspired rotisserie style restaurant this month, complete with counter dining and small plate dishes.
The main focus of the menu will be rotisserie chicken, served alongside a small menu of house-cured charcuterie and classic dishes including house terrine, a daily changing house grill and fish of the day. Set in the heart of Neal’s Yard, this is set to become the new pre-theatre stop-off.
Lio London
Enjoy your dinner with a side of theatrics thanks to the Pacha Group’s new venue Lio London. Set to open on Friday 17th March, this one-of-a-kind dining experience will bring that Ibizan glamour to the West End.
Expect a fully immersive show complete with artists, acrobats, singers and dancers. With space to seat 200 for dinner, the restaurant is just as flamboyant as the show, bringing Pacha’s Mediterranean spirit to life through every dish.
The Parakeet
Posh pubs are quickly becoming a favourite here in London. Another to add to the evergrowing list is The Parakeet, the new venture from chef Ben Allen (previously at Brat).
Located on Kentish Town Road, the pub-cum-dining room will serve up all of your favourite pub elements in a more refined setting. Ben and his team’s menu will change with the seasons, focusing on the highest quality ingredients and produce.
Out the back there’s a beautifully decorated private dining room, complete with its own private bar perfect for celebrations of any kind.
Opening Date: 22.03.2023
Where: 256 Kentish Town Road, London, NW5 2EN
Website: www.theparakeetpub.com
Yard Sale Pizza
Launching its tenth site this month will be Yard Sale Pizza. Renowned for their mega toppings and giant 18 inchers, it’s firmly made itself a favourite amongst Londoners and tourists alike. This new location will land in West Green Road in Tottenham.
Expect to be chowing through their signature pizzas, from the ‘Holy Pepperoni’ topped with pepperoni, smokey gyula pepperoni and nduji sausage; ‘Sloppy G’, a blend of spicy ground beef, red onion and guindilla chillies; and of course ‘The Fulle House’, packed with pepperoni, fennel sausage, spicy ground beef, mushrooms, peppers and black olives.
Looking for more of the best new restaurants in London? Check out our openings section
