London’s Best New August Openings
As London heats up for the last month of summer, we’ve got our eyes on summer drinks, alfresco restaurants, and glorious rooftop pools But what’s also hot this month are these lovely new openings, that we can’t wait to visit. From a Nepalese momo place to some of London’s best pizza – these are the new August openings we’re excited about:
Marceline
Marceline is where Parisian charm is all set to meet New York’s vibe, with a dining experience that blends classic French cooking with a modern twist. At the helm is Chef Robert Aikens, known for his work at Le Gavroche and Pastis, serving up dishes like skate kiev, escargots de bourgogne, steak frites, and ravioli du dauphine. The drink menu is just as enticing, featuring signature cocktails and a carefully curated wine list highlighting independent, family-run producers.
Marceline is where Parisian charm is all set to meet New York’s vibe, with a dining experience that blends classic French cooking with a modern twist.
opens on 5th august
Wood Wharf, 10 Water St, London, E14 5GX
marceline.london
Lolo
The renowned chef José Pizarro is set to launch his latest venture, Lolo, this month. This new all-day dining spot on Bermondsey Street is designed to capture the joy José feels when cooking his favourite dishes at home and will have a summery Mediterranean feel that transforms from cafe by day to an intimate wine bar at night. Some exciting dishes on the menu include the octopus, roast tomato, and blackeye bean salad and the Iberico pork ribs and crisps with mussels in escabeche and black salt. When it comes to cocktails, the Bloody Marys look fab – and make the perfect accompaniment with the meat, fish and vegetable dishes. The breakfast looks like another standout with a selection of deviled eggs such as spicy sobrasada and salted cod and saffron.
opens on 14th august
102 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UB
josepizarro.com/venues/lolo/
Alley Cats
Alley Cats, one of London’s best pizza places. is launching its second site this month, for walk-ins only. An artisan NYC-style pizzeria, Alley Cats uses only the best quality produce from Southern Italy, so you can expect sweet San Marzano tomatoes, creamy buffalo mozzarella from Campania and aged mozzarella from Molise, on 14-inch, thin and crispy style pizzas. Chef Macri’s signature pizza-making style combines recipes passed down from his grandmother, and his pizzas have taken London over by storm ever since the pizzeria launched its first branch in Marylebone. On the pizza menu, we spotted a vodka sauce variety that’s crafted with four-hour slow-cooked vodka in a creamy tomato sauce topped off with aged mozzarella and buffalo mozzarella, plus the pepperoni dressed in tomato sauce, aged mozzarella, smoked pepperoni, jalapeno and honey sounds excellent.
An artisan NYC-style pizzeria, Alley Cats uses only the best quality produce from Southern Italy.
opens on 9th august
342 King’s Rd, London SW3 5UR
www.alleycatspizza.co.uk
Eat Momo
Eat Momo comes from sister duo Trishna and Dipa Chamling, who will be bringing the traditional momos from their childhood in Nepal to London. Drawing inspiration from regional recipes, the menu is designed for sharing – think large family gatherings and plenty of momos to go around. The menu includes chicken, pork, beef and vegetable momos flavoured with coriander and spices, that are prepared in a traditional Nepalese steamer called the moktu. There will also be some delicious tomato chutney and spicy chilli pickle for dipping. The simple, no-frills space with an open kitchen will add to the authenticity of the experience with a playlist of traditional Nepalese folk songs, curated by their father.
opening on 5th august
1 Bank End, London, SE1 9BU
www.eatmomo.uk
Ambassadors Clubhouse
Adding to London’s already impressive list of Indian restaurants is Ambassadors Clubhouse. Drawing inspiration from summers in Dalhousie and North India’s abandoned party mansions, the restaurant is set to reflect the founders’ Punjabi heritage. The menu highlights the cuisine of Punjab, showcasing rare regional recipes and culinary traditions. You can look forward to classic papads, chaats, and bitings, along with kebabs, curries, pilaus, biryanis, and tandoor-roasted bread. Don’t miss the paan patta chaat, mooli and dahi kebabs, nalli chapli kebab, karahi saufiyan langoustines, Punjabi atta chicken, and the haryali rara rabbit keema.
Drawing inspiration from summers in Dalhousie and North India’s abandoned party mansions, the restaurant is set to reflect the founders’ Punjabi heritage.
opens on 20th august
25 Heddon Street W1B 4BH
ambassadorsclubhouse.com
Kolamba East
Following the first restaurant, this new opening will bring Colombo’s vibrant flavours from Soho to east London, with a new menu showcasing a modern take on Sri Lankan home cooking. The food here will revive dishes from the founders’ childhood spent in Colombo, with a menu that brings to life Sri Lankan island memories. Look forward to mas paan, a fluffy bun filled with slow-cooked black pork curry served with pineapple jam, idli with sambar served with sweet and spicy chutneys, Jaffna lamb shank served in a rich and spicy tamarind sauce, a tangy red mullet in coconut, and lots more.
opens on 6th august
12 Blossom Street, Norton Folgate, Shoreditch, London
kolamba.co.uk
Oriole
Oriole is reopening in London again, now with a swanky new location with two floors. On the ground floor, you’ll find the Bamboo Bar which serves a range of aperitivo-style cocktails, plus a delicious small plates menu. Downstairs, the restaurant has a plush basement space reminiscent of the original Oriole speakeasy. Here’s where you’ll find more innovative signature cocktails alongside a new á la cartè food menu, which celebrates the fusion cuisines of Latin America. Plus, your evening will be soundtracked by live jazz, cabaret and world music, from some of London’s finest talent.
Bamboo Bar serves a range of aperitivo-style cocktails, plus a delicious small plates menu.
opens on 28th august
St. Martin’s Courtyard, Covent Garden
www.oriolebar.com
Cornus
This rooftop fine dining restaurant from David O’Connor and Joe Mercer Nairne of Chelsea’s, Medlar is officially launching this month after a soft launch till 3rd August, when guests can get 30% off the menu. Leading the kitchen is Gary Foulkes (of Michelin-starred Angler) who has put together a seasonal à la carte menu that’s inspired by traditional French cuisine. Perched on the rooftop of Grosvenor’s “The Ice Factory” at Eccleston Yards, highlights on the menu include hand-rolled spaghetti with lobster, Lake District farmer’s lamb with romero pepper piperade, lamb kofte, fried capers and olives and a lovely summer lemon tart for dessert.
opens on 6th august
27c Eccleston Place, Belgravia, SW1W 9NF
cornusrestaurant.co.uk
Hot Dogs by Three Darlings
Michelin and hotdogs are not two things that regularly go together, but here you go: Michelin-awarded chef Jason Atherton is making hot dogs luxe with his new concept at Harrods Dining Hall that’s the first of four dining ventures set to open this year. You’ll find an elevated version of the classic hotdog here, with each hot dog celebrating a different global cuisine. You’ve got the fiery Texican, the Souk dog that’s inspired by Arabic cuisine and the Filipino-inspired Chori Dog. It’s only just opened its doors this week and makes for a great post-shopping lunch spot.
Open now
Harrods Ground Floor, 87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL
sevenrooms.com