From Buzzy Pizzerias To Authentic Mexicans: 12 New Restaurants Opening This Month

Cicchetti 

San Carlo, the restaurant group behind the likes of Alto by San Carlo and Isola by San Carlo, is set to open another restaurant this month in Knightsbridge. 

The opening follows the success of San Carlo Cicchetti in Piccadilly and Covent Garden, and will transport guests to Italy in an instant. Expect a buzzy atmosphere, as well as dishes such as gnocco fritto; black truffle ravioli; burrata with smoked aubergine and toasted hazelnuts; and black salt sea bass with herb and olive oil. 

The interiors are set to be as Insta-worthy as they come, with the 100-cover restaurant featuring pink banquette seats and plenty of foliage. It’ll also make way for a standalone bar and a private dining room perfect for seating up to 18. 

The Twenty Two

Grosvenor Square has welcomed a new all-day restaurant and private members’ club. Named The Twenty Two, the lifestyle destination’s interiors are inspired by 18th century classical French design, boasting playful textures and custom upholstered pieces to create some striking elements. 

Over at the restaurant, Alan Christie is at the helm, serving up a seasonal menu of Devonshire crab salad; chargrilled grass-fed ribeye; and desserts of almond cake with poached pear and clotted cream, and homemade ice creams. 

The Club element will be split across the ground and lower ground floor, boasting four exclusive spaces that are reserved for patrons and hotel guests only, including the Living Room and outdoor terrace, the Dining Room, the Music Room and the Vault Room. 

The Black Sheep

The latest restaurant opening from the Gladwin Brothers will arrive this month. The bistro-style restaurant, named The Black Sheep, will take residence on Wimbledon’s High Street, offering Londoners the chance to sample some of the best wild and British produce. 

Focusing on seasonality, chef patron Oliver Gladwin’s menu will pay tribute to its sister Local & Wild restaurants, featuring spring dishes such as Wye Valley grilled asparagus with crispy duck egg, roasted flaked almonds, pan-fried scallop, confit chicken wing, elderflower gel and sorrel; sweet cured confit hogget shoulder with foraged wild garlic, anchovies and white bean salsa; whole baked by megrim sole with nutty butter sauce; and English summer berry jelly with elderflower cream. 

During the week, however, they’ll offer a plant led set menu, with the likes of grilled purple sprouting broccoli with goat’s curd, toasted sunflower seeds and honey dressing; and Jersey royal gnocchi with garden peas, mint gel, whey cheese and Nutbourne tomato.

Laurel’s on the Roof

London’s rooftop lovers need to know about this not-so-hidden secret. Laurel’s on the Roof is a brand new rooftop restaurant and bar that’s launching this month at the Mondrian Shoreditch. 

Inspired by 1970’s Hollywood and the legacy of Laurel Canyon in LA, this new dining spot will serve up Californian inspired dishes and cocktails, from dawn through to after dusk. Expect the rooftop to be clad with long-hanging rattan chandeliers, lounge seating and a playful neon ‘Laurel’s’ sign. 

The perfect spot for summer catch-ups and cocktails, there’ll be dishes such as sea bream tacos with pickled red cabbage, white cabbage, chipotle mayo and beer battered fish; and the Malibu shrimp cocktail served with roma tomatoes, jalapenos, red onion and marie rose sauce.

W/A Restaurant

Located inside 100 Queen’s Gate, W/A Kensington is a brand new restaurant which opened late last month. A Belgian inspired bistro and bar, the restaurant takes its name from its former owner, William Alexander and can be found serving up a delicious menu inspired by his travels. 

The menu features the likes of beef tartare with capers, cornichon, shallows, parsley and olive; oysters maldon with a mignonette sauce, lemon and tabasco; and their signature waffle burger, available with beef, spicy breaded chicken, halloumi and falafel burger or vegan with a beetroot patty.

Audrey’s 

For classic cafe-bar vibes, look to Audrey’s, the brand new venture from the team behind Flat Iron Square. Opening on the 5th of May, the cafe will serve up seasonal dishes, cocktail classics and tasty brunch options. 

The ultimate suntrap, there’s indoor and alfresco seating available underneath the red and white striped sunshade. Enjoy dishes such as Audrey’s cobb salad; leek gratin with chablis, Ogleshield fondue and parsley crumb; grilled lemon sole with fennel, lemon and olives; and chocolate and orange trifle.

Palazzo

Brought to Crystal Palace by the team at Made of Dough, Palazzo is a brand new bar and all-day diner landing this month. The perfect spot for music lovers, the new hangout will feature its very own record library, late-night licence on weekends and DJ nights. 

On the food front, there’ll be a selection of small and large plates to graze on, from Italian classics such as pork and veal meatballs; chicken Milanese with lemon and aioli; and of course Made of Dough’s legendary pizzas. 

Expect an exciting cocktail range too, including the Sgroppino made with Prosecco and lemon sorbetto – delicious.    

Cavita

Opening its doors in Marylebone Village is Cavita, a new restaurant from chef Adriana Cavita. The restaurant, due to open on 20th May, will be a celebration of Cavita’s Mexican heritage, guiding diners on a culinary journey through the culture and cuisine of the country. 

Inspired by flavours of her childhood, every dish has been created with love, drawing on memories from her family, celebrations and adventures. There’ll be a menu featuring mussels esquites with Nixtamalize heirloom corn and blue bay mussels; smoked beef shin quesabirria tacos; mole verde, a dish of wood grilled herb fed chicken, green mole with coal-roasted vegetables, green herbs and pumpkins; and chargrilled octopus guajillo and pasillo adobo, nopales and spring onion.