Stuck in a restaurant rut? Read on to find our edit of the best London restaurant openings to book this January.
From the new venture from the Big Mamma Group to sustainable eats in Hackney, these are the best London restaurant openings this month.
Jacuzzi
Big Mamma Group, the team behind Gloria, Ave Mario and Circolo Popolare, are preparing to take over Kensington High Street this month.
One of the hottest London restaurant openings of 2023, Jacuzzi will boast a staggering 170 seats and four spiralling floors. Expect the interiors to blow your mind as always, complete with alabaster walls, a botanical mezzanine and a giant limone tree that’s spread its canopy across the stucco ceiling.
Head chef Manuel has crafted a menu featuring ingredients from their beloved Italian suppliers. Look forward to the return of their epic cheese wheel pasta, pizzettes topped with seasonal ingredients and their first-ever shareable chocolate fondue, made with half a kilo of Valrhona chocolate.
HUMO
Brought to life from the team behind Michelin-starred Endo and Notting Hill sushi favourite Sumi comes HUMO, a brand new wood-fired concept. Translating as ‘smoke’ in Spanish, this restaurant will make way for a four-metre-long grill, fired using no electricity or gas.
Led under the culinary wing of Miller Prada, the team will serve dishes inspired by Japanese cooking techniques, specialising in the finest fresh produce and fish delicacies. This intimate restaurant will make way for a chef’s table for those wanting to see the real heat of the kitchen in action.
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EDIT
Led by former architect-turned-restaurateur Elly Ward will launch an exciting hyper-seasonal veg-forward restaurant in Hackney this month. EDIT, located on Mare Street, is a London restaurant opening to look out for. It will offer a unique approach to dining, celebrating the whole, and championing organic and sustainable produce with a low-waster philosophy.
The kitchen will be led by chefs Fabrice Jacquet and Beth Olivier who hope to reinvent and refine the age-old culinary principle of ‘less is more’, offering a menu of British plant-based dishes.
The daily-changing menu will focus on seasonal availability and zero-waste cooking. Expect dishes such as roasted salsify with smoked aioli, crispy kalettes with purple potato mash; beetroot à trois; wild mushroom fricassée with creamed barley and wilted chard; and homemade chaga ice cream with blood orange granita.
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Akub
This one has been delayed a couple of times but will definitely be worth the wait… Making his UK debut this year will be chef and restaurateur Fadi Kattan. Opening up in Notting Hill, akub is a celebration of the under-represented culinary history of Palestine with a more refined, modern approach that Fadi and his business partner, Rasha Khouri, have mastered.
The menu will showcase the best of Palestinian produce while incorporating quality British seasonal ingredients. Expect a mix of small and larger plates for sharing, such as labneh balls; arak cured sea bream; freekeh risotto; crunchy mansaf balls; and dead sea chocolate cake. Pair these with a glass of natural wine from Palestine and you’ll be transported back to Fadi’s home country in seconds.
The interiors have been designed by award-winning hospitality designer Annie Harrison of FARE INC, incorporating a colour scheme that mirrors Palestine’s landscape – think olive green, earthy pinks, oranges and sandy tones. There’ll also be an internal courtyard covered by a glass roof filled with olive trees and jasmine.
OPENING DATE: 16.01.2023
WHERE: 27 UXBRIDGE STREET, NOTTING HILL, W8 7TQ
WEBSITE: WWW.AKUB-RESTAURANT.COM
Darjeeling Express
From endless pop-ups to lockdown struggles, Darjeeling Express’ journey hasn’t been easy, but they have pulled through the other side and are set to open a permanent site at Kingly Court this month.
Asma Khan, a renowned Indian-born British chef, cookbook author and restaurateur, is known for her flavour-packed dishes. Expect dishes such as Badami Baingan, aubergine with coconut, almond and peanut base with tamarind; Praw Malaikari with coconut milk; and Bengali Aloo Dam, spicy and tangy potatoes garnished with fresh coriander.
OPENING DATE: 23.01.2023
WHERE: KINGLY COURT, KINGLY STREET, W1B 5PW
WEBSITE: WWW.DARJEELING-EXPRESS.COM
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Lino
Reopening later this month is Lino, the neighbourhood bar serving up exquisite cocktails to the Lonsdale Road community. Guided by ethical practices, the bar’s interiors are crafted with character, filling the space with upcycled furniture and unique pieces. The same goes for the menu, with both the cocktail and food menus changing with the seasons.
Birley Bakery
Not so much a London restaurant opening but worth a mention all the same, Birley Bakery is a brand new sweet treat destination that’s opened up in Chelsea Green.
The latest venture from Robin Birley, the owner and founder of private members’ clubs 5 Hertford Street and Oswald’s, the bakery will serve a range of bread, pastries, cakes, chocolates, ice creams and spreads, as well as takeaway coffee.
Executive pastry chef Vincent Zanardi and head baker Eshak Belabed will be overseeing the daily operations, offering a selection of classic French treats, as well as their own unique creations.
Looking for more London restaurant openings? Check out the most anticipated openings of 2023