9 Best New Restaurant And Bar Openings This October
October is a big month for restaurant openings in London, as places aim to firmly establish themselves in the scene before the Christmas rush. We have new restaurants from hyped chefs like Santiago Lastra, casual spots from cult favourite The Tamil Prince, and the reopening of Soho’s best dive bar, among much more. Here are the nine restaurants and bars we’re most excited to try in October.
Fonda
Chef Santiago Lastra has decided – very justifiably – to cash in on all the hype surrounding Kol (the best restaurant in London according to the World Restaurant Awards) to open a new site. Fonda is one of the most anticipated openings this year, aiming to showcase the evolution of Mexican cuisine. In Mexico, a fonda is a family-owned eatery, serving traditional dishes inspired by personal recipes that have remained in families for generations.
Chef Santiago Lastra has decided – very justifiably – to cash in on all the hype surrounding Kol
The new restaurant will put Lastra’s contemporary take on his favourite fondas and the nostalgic foods of his childhood, featuring an array of different masa preparations, a regular menu of items cooked in a clay comal, as well as regular changing specials all to be dressed with a combination of piquant salsas, oils and sauces fundamental to Mexican cuisine.
where: 12 Heddon St, London W1B 4BZ
opening date: October 3rd
website: www.fondalondon.com
Lima Shoreditch
Opening on the 9th of October, LIMA SHOREDITCH will bring LIMA’s classic dishes alongside new menu creations to the Sun Street Hotel. The menu will offer a modern take on traditional Peruvian cooking, with references to Nikkei cuisine and Chifa (a blend of Japanese and Chinese cooking techniques with native Peruvian produce).
On the new menu will be dishes like trio de ceviches, with ceviche clásico, ceviche mixto and bluefin tuna ceviche with rocotto tiger’s milk, gambas and bluefin tuna tiradito with rocoto tiger’s milk and avocado, wagyu beef saltado and much more.
where: Sun St, London EC2A 2EP
opening date: October 9th
website: www.limalondon.com/shoreditch
Tamila
The latest launch from the team behind The Tamil Prince and The Tamil Crown, Tamila sees their first entry South of the river. Based in Clapham, its a new standalone concept with a casual edge, evolving from its food hall beginnings at Hackney Bridge in Hackney Wick to a fully-fledged restaurant.
The menu echoes co-founder and executive chef Prince Durairaj’s South Indian heritage, featuring dishes from Tamil Nadu and across the subcontinent. Whilst roti and curries will be a central component of the menu, guests can expect new additions and regular specials cooked in the tandoor for authentic Indian flavours.
where: 39 Northcote Rd, London SW11 1NJ
opening date: October 1st
Searcys at Surveyors House
Searcys glamourous new location, the new Brasserie at Surveyors House, is situated amongst some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including Big Ben, the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and Parliament Square.
The venue comprises a stylish bar and brasserie on the ground floor, complemented by an elegant event space on the first floor. This new Bar and Brasserie is the perfect spot for cosy Autumn dishes and winter warmers alike, while seasonal main courses include chestnut tortelloni, stuffed courgette, braised lake district beef bavette, and signature croque monsieur and madame.
where: 12 Great George St, Greater, London SW1P 3AD
opening date: 22nd October
website: www.searcysatwestminster.co.uk
Three Darlings
Chef Jason Atherton is one of London’s most recognisable Chef names, so a new venture from him is always a big deal. This one is a family affair, co-helmed with his wife Irha and inspired by the tastes of their daughters. Described as embodying the ‘spirit of West London’, apparently, these tastes are quite refined.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, expect English-bistro-type fare with a focus on seasonality and quality of ingredients.
where: 241B Pavilion Rd, London SW1X 0BP
opening date: October 24th
website: www.threedarlingslondon.com
Delamina Townhouse
Delamina Townhouse is the latest entry from the wife and husband team Limor and Amir, coming after Delamina EAST in Shoreditch and Delamina in Marylebone. It follows a similar pattern to the previous two, inspired by Limor’s fusion Eastern Mediterranean home cooking, and featuring wines from small-batch wineries across the Mediterranean,
It’s inspired by Limor’s fusion Eastern Mediterranean home cooking, and featuring wines from small-batch wineries across the Mediterranean,
where: 100 Draycott Ave, London SW3 3AD
opening date: October 28th
website: delaminakitchen.co.uk
Below Stone’s Nest
Technically a reopening, one of Soho’s coolest dive bars has gotten a makeover and is ready to relaunch. This bar has live music and a short, classic drinks list including iconic cocktails and a rotating selection of wines from the cellars of Brunswick House. The bar is a collaboration between two of London’s foremost restauranteurs, Frank and Jackson Boxer, and the arts organisation Stone Nest.
where: 136 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 5EZ
opening date: October tbc
website: www.stonesnest.org
Fantǒmas
Restaurant duo George Bukhov-Weinstein and Ilya Demichev are more restauranteurs looking to continue their hot streak. Belvedere and Lita recently opened to rave reviews, and Fantômas sees them take over the 28-50 spot on the King’s Road in collaboration with chef Chris Denney, previously of 108 Garage and Fiend.
You can expect a modern European menu with great cocktails and excellent wine, with dishes like farinatas, Italian chickpea flatbread with smoked mozzarella or lamb heat ragu, and crispy veal sweetbread.
where: 300 King’s Road, London, SW3 5UH
opening date: October tbc
website: www.fantomas.com
