11 New Restaurants You Can Check Out From TODAY!

Food & Drink, Latest Launches

17th May 2021 | By Lottie Woodrow

Restaurant openings are always exciting but with the uncertainty that the last year has brought, this month’s are extra exciting. We’re finally on the reopening path and restaurants can finally operate indoors from 17th May, and with this comes an influx of new restaurants swinging open their doors for the very first time. 

From London’s hottest new rooftop bar that everyone’s eyeing up to the seaside Italian that’s taken the leap to open up a restaurant in the city, here are the hottest new openings to look out for this May. 

Sabine

It’s the summer of alfresco socialising and where better to head than to London’s hottest new rooftop bar, Sabine. 

With views looking out to St Paul’s Cathedral and London’s lit up skyline, Sabine is home to two outside terraces, one of which has a retractable roof that’ll soon become the home of all-weather drinking and dining. 

The botanical theme from the interiors lives on through the cocktail menu, with signature serves made with fresh ingredients and garnishes. Pull up a pew at the bar and order in one of the What the Dickens, mixed with Beefeater 24 Gin, Grand Marnier, orange and lemon juice, fresh raspberries and topped with Fever-Tree Blood Orange soda or try the Whizz Fizz. It’s a mix of Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb and Ginger, elderflower cordial, creme de cassis and lemon juice. 

For food, enjoy sharing plates of grilled octopus with Mojo Rojo sauce, lemon and crispy shallots; and roasted aubergine with confit onions, pomegranate and zhoug.

Opening: 20th May
Where: 7TH FLOOR, LEONARDO ROYAL HOTEL LONDON ST PAUL’S, 10 GODLIMAN STREET, THE CITY, EC4V 5AJ
Website: www.sabinelondon.co.uk

NYX Hotel London Holborn 

Granted this one isn’t exclusively a restaurant but we wanted to raise a little noise for this new hotel arrival that’s launching later this month. 

Arriving in the capital on 17th May, NYX Hotel London Holborn is the UK’s first NYX Hotel and champions the best of London’s culture and vibrancy through its design and interiors. The rooms and spa will offer guests a place to relax and rejuvenate from the busy streets outside, while the restaurant and bar is home to eclectic interiors that are guaranteed to become an Instagram favourite. Here find all-day brunching options, from panettone French toast to chorizo shakshuka. 

To celebrate the opening of the hotel, they are offering exclusive new opening rates! Right now, there are 999 rooms available at £99 B&B for one night or stay for two nights for just £169 B&B. 

With travel abroad off the cards this summer, book in for the ultimate staycation at NYX Hotel London Holborn.

Opening: 17th May
Where: NYX Hotel London Holborn by Leonardo Hotels, 50-60 Southampton Row, Holborn, WC1B 4AR.
Website: www.jurysinns.com

The Cheese Barge

The long wait for the arrival of The Cheese Barge will finally come to an end this month as it’s scheduled to dock up on Grand Union Canal at Paddington Central from 20th May. 

The vessel comes from the team behind The Cheese Bar and Pick & Cheese. Designed by Adam Richards Architects, the design draws influence from the Electra bookstore in Venice and boasts a copper ‘veil’ which will act as an awning for the 40 cover lower deck dining room. The upper deck will boast a 20 cover open-air area, which will be perfect for the warmer summer evenings to come.

Opening: 20th May
Where: Sheldon Square, Paddington Central, W2 6HY
Website: www.thecheesebar.com

FENN 

FENN is an all new seasonal British restaurant from the team behind Hackney’s popular restaurant, Nest. 

Opening in Fulham, the restaurant will focus on creative, seasonal and produce-driven cooking that celebrates the best that the UK has to offer, through an a la carte and set menu. Hero dishes include Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese and Truffle Dumplings; Halibut Cornish Crab and Sea Herbs; and Nutmeg Custard Tart.

Opening: Outdoor dining already operating, indoor from 18th May
Where: 194 WANDSWORTH BRIDGE ROAD, FULHAM, SW6 2UF
WEBSITE: WWW.FENNRESTAURANT.CO.UK

INO 

Brought to you from the team behind Marylebone’s OPSO and the Athens based two Michelin-starred restaurant Funky Gourmet comes INO, a restaurant inspired by the ancient Greek technique of cooking over charcoal.

Launching 24th May, the restaurant’s menu will be centred around the Greek ‘Psistaria’ grill and will draw influences from the dining culture seen in tavernas across Greece. The menu will boast small plates designed for sharing, including charcoaled prime short rib chops, house cured mackerel and lamb sweetbreads skewers. Plus there’ll be fresh off the boat fish dishes and signature dishes cooked over premium charcoal include ‘Secreto’ Souvlaki with Iberico pork and Fish ‘cheeks’ with tomato and parsley salsa.

Opening: 24th May
Where: 4 Newburgh Street, Carnaby, Soho, W1F 7RF
Website: www.inogastrobar.com

Café Bao 

The trio behind BAO were inspired by the Western style cafes commonly found dotted about Asia, and wanted to honour their traditions by opening up one in central London. This month, Cafe BAO will open up its doors in Pancras Square, just a short distance from King’s Cross, and they’ll be serving an all-day menu brimming with new dishes and innovative twists on their best-sellers.

Eataly 

The UK’s first ever Eataly site opened up in late April, bringing with it over 5,000 quality Italian products, a dedicated La Via del Dolce and outdoor dining area La Terrazza di Eataly. 

Bringing a fresh slice of Italian hospitality to the city, the site welcomes Londoners to explore a new side of Italy through fine food, take-away options and traditional produce. 

The grand opening is set to truly take place from 20th May, which will see the launch of two of their on site restaurants. Cucina del Mercato, meaning ‘kitchen of the market’ in Italian, will be a counter-to-table concept celebrating fresh ingredients and produce from the in-store fresh counters, while Pasta e Pizza will serve up wood-fired pizza and traditional pasta dishes. Indoor bars and seating areas will also open up too.

Opening: Cafe, Takeaway counters and market open now, Cucina del Mercato & Pasta e Pizza will open from 20th May
Where: 135 BISHOPSGATE, EC2M 3YD
Website: WWW.EATALY.CO.UK

Sixes Cricket Club 

Co-founded by Mac and Wild’s Andy Waugh and Calum Mackinnon, Sixes Cricket Club is the only venue in London that provides guests a place to play cricket and dine. 

Diners can enjoy the sport in a whole new light. The Sixes Cricket Simulator, styled as batting nets, draws on the style of Top Golf, Flight Club and Puttshack, and takes the immersive experience and the famed sport to new heights. 

They’ll be launching their second branch in Fitzrovia later this month, bringing with it a gastro-pub inspired menu. Expect dishes such as Sixes Sausage Roll, classic Prawn cocktail cups with king prawn, baby gem and avocado; Dorset cider steamed mussels creamed with shallots, leeks and herbs; and lemon fried chicken with kiev butter dip.

Opening: 26th May
Where: 170 Great Portland Street, Fitzrovia, W1W 5QB
Website: www.sixescricket.com

Cin Cin

Hailing from the seaside city of Brighton, Cin Cin will be launching its first London site this month in Fitzrovia. 

Arriving onto the scene on 18th May, the neighbourhood Italian restaurant will boast a stylish 20-seat dining room and a south-facing terrace. On the menu, expect to find dishes such as roasted garlic and Lardo di Colonnata flatbread, creamy burrata with grilled baby leeks, toasted almond and preserved lemon, and crab arancino with warm basil emulsion; delicate involtini of brill with spring cabbage and brown butter, handmade farfalle with peas, mortadella and Tropea onion; and ravioli of truffled potato with asparagus and confit yolk.

Opening: 18th May
Where: 21A Foley Street, Fitzrovia, W1W 6DS
Website: www.cincin.co.uk

081 Pizzeria

Adding to London’s ever expanding pizza scene is 081 Pizzeria, south London’s newest Neapolian pizza spot that’s certain to become a foodie favourite. 

Born out of the pandemic, 081 Pizzeria is founded by one of the guys behind Bravi Ragazzi. Influenced by the urban culture and hip hop music, Andrea Asciuti wanted to challenge the typical tradition of pizzerias in London with a new funky, bold aesthetic. 

The pizzas here are next level, boasting a light dough with an airy, pillowy crust that’s topped with classic combinations, plus a few unusual twists thrown in. Enjoy dishes such as truffle mushrooms and the signature ‘081 Pizza’. It’s topped with San Marzano tomato, buffalo mozzarella, parmesan cheese, basil and EVO oil. Yum.

Opening: 1st May
Where: F1-F6 Peckham Town Centre Carpark, 95A Rye Lane, SE15 4ST
Website: www.081pizzeria.com