December is usually a pretty dry month in the restaurant opening world, but here to prove that theory wrong is this year’s mega line-up of establishments swinging opening their doors for the first time. From the arrival of Tom Kerridge’s The Butcher’s Tap & Grill Chelsea spot to Dishoom’s latest embarkment, these new restaurants and bars are worth knowing this month.
New Openings, From The Butcher’s Tap & Grill To Roti King
Temper Paddington Basin
It may be December but that isn’t stopping legendary barbecue restaurant Temper from throwing things onto the grill. The fifth restaurant opening from the brand, expect a spectacular menu of sizzling steaks, smoked meats and expertly mixed cocktail concoctions.
Opening up at Paddington Basin, the restaurant’s fires will be lit from lunch through to dinner. Tasty sharing starters include beef-fat cornbread with gochujang; caramelised spicy corn and aged beef nachos; and yellowfin tuna tostadas.
Save room for Temper’s famous steaks, featuring cuts like Porterhouse, Pincaña, Château and T-Bone, all sourced from North Yorkshire farmer Charles Ashbridge.
Opening Date: 06.12.2023
Where: Paddington Basin, North Wharf Road, W2 1LF
Website: www.temperrestaurant.com
The Butcher’s Tap & Grill
The latest endeavour from Tom Kerridge sees the celebrity chef bring his famed Marlow pub to London’s Chelsea. The Butcher’s Tap & Grill brings Kerridge’s signature hearty, yet refined pub grub to the table, serving up a British-focused menu.
Expect to be dining on the likes of towering beef burgers, sizzling hot dogs, butcher-style cuts and sharing light bites.
Taking over the old Queen’s Head pub, The Butcher’s Tap & Grill has been transformed with a new redesign. You’ll find a classic pub-style space, with green bar stools lining the pub counter and dark wood furnishings completing the look.
Opening Date: 05.12.2023
Where: 27 Tryon Street, SW3 3LG
Website: www.tomkerridge.com
Whyte Rushen
Renowned for his outlandish pop-ups, notably known for serving up pickled onion Monster Munch-topped oysters, Whyte Rushen will finally be opening his own restaurant this month.
Firmly landing in Hackney, little is known as to what we can quite expect from his debut restaurant but with a varied CV having worked at restaurants including Brat and Kerridge’s, we know we’re in for a treat.
A few sneak peek photos have graced Instagram of the space and it looks very parred back, with neutral tones and industrial-style accents. We’re excited to see what’s in store.
Opening Date: 07.12.2023
Where: Unit 3, 143 Mare Street, E8 3RH
Website: www.whytesrestaurant.com
Gilgamesh
If you’re a noughties foodie, you’ll remember this flagship spot. If you aren’t, let us introduce you to Gilgamesh. Back by popular demand, the institute will reopen its hallowed doors this month in Covent Garden with a reincarnation of its iconic Cameden site.
Designed with theatrics in mind, this space combines drinking, dining and late-night antics. The 160-cover space spans across three floors and is inspired by ancient mythology.
On the ground floor, you’ll find a lounge bar with a mezzanine space bursting with lush foliage, cocktails and sushi. Hero dishes include crispy duck; watermelon and cashew nut salad; and a Robata grilled selection, from Black Angus ribeye to aubergine miso.
Opening Date: 04.12.2023
Where: 4A Upper St Martin’s Lane, WC2H 9NY
Website: www.gilgameshlondon.co.uk
Clap
Embark on a multi-sensory journey through Japanese cuisine when you book into Clap, the new Knightsbridge eatery changing the way we dine.
Located on Basil Street within the One Hooper’s Court project, Clap is set to boast an electrifying energy. First founded in Beirut, Lebanon, the brand has since opened restaurants across Dubai, Riyadh and now London.
An expansive space, expect to be dining on elaborate dishes including scallops with foie gras and wagyu beef topped with caviar – you know, just standard everyday dining.
Opening Date: 18.12.2023
Where: 6th & 7th Floor, 12-14 Basil Street, SW3 1AJ
Website: www.claprestaurant.com
Alfi
Pubs might classically serve up beer but Alfi is determined to change that. Created by Ben Hodges and Alex Lewis, this new all-day ‘wine pub’ will be taking over Crispin Place, serving up small plates and an extensive selection of wines on-tap from across Europe.
The focus is, of course, the wines, with most biodynamic from small, organic farms across Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Germany available. There’ll be an array of small bar plates, from grilled courgette with goat’s cheese and fried basil to charred Charlotte potatoes with chive crème fraîche, available.
In February, a restaurant will open with Lorenzo Brigandi leading the kitchen. Having worked in restaurants including Nobu, Restaurant Story and Coya, expect a mix of British and European plates on offer.
Opening Date: 01.12.2023
Where: 3 Crispin Place, E1 6DW
Website: www.alfi.ltd
Fatto a Mano
Fatto a Mano is something of a Brighton institute, with three locations in the small seaside city and famed for its Neapolitan-style pizzas. Having successfully opened in King’s Cross in 2022, the group is branching further into London with its new Covent Garden location.
The laidback restaurant uses fresh ingredients to create authentic Neapolitan pizzas, using only on the best Italian 00 flour, salt, water and yeast in the pizza bases.
The new Covent Garden location will serve up Fatto a Mano’s signature dishes, including arancini with ‘nduja, mozzarella and parmesan cheese; diavola pizza with tomato, spianata, chilli, mozzarella, parmesan cheese and basil; and the artichoke pesto, aubergine and gorgonzola calzone.
Opening Date: 04.12.2023
Where: 30 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ER
Website: www.fattoamanopizza.com
Roti King Waterloo
Malaysian street food specialist, Roti King, has expanded once again, opening its third restaurant in the foodie centre of Lower Marsh, Waterloo.
Expect all of your favourite menu staples to arrive at the table, including its authentic roti canai that’s made fresh every day, right in front of diners. Other highlights include the beef rendang and nasi lemak; char kuey teow noodles with prawns and chicken; and kari laksa with egg noodles in a warming coconut broth, seafood and tofu.
Opening Date: 01.12.2023
Where: 97 Lower Marsh, SE1 7AB
Website: www.rotiking.com
Dishoom Battersea
Continuing the love for renowned London establishments, Dishoom is set to open its next venture in Battersea. Specialising in Bombay delights, from its rich food history to its vibrant culture, the all-day eatery will be a celebration of the area’s comfort food.
The Battersea menu will feature a chef’s special dish – the Bhatti chicken. Cooked with fire, it’s marinated with black spices for a smoky flavour and can be enjoyed on the bone, in whole or half portions with a fresh green chutney and onion lachcha salad.
Opening Date: 06.12.2023
Where: 42 Electric Boulevard, Nine Elms, SW11 8BJ
Website: www.dishoom.com
