“If a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”
Those wise words by Samuel Johnson couldn’t ring truer in today’s today and age, courtesy the city’s eclectic and continually-evolving culinary scene. At some point, a Londoner’s life can pretty much be summed up as: another day, another dinner.
Keeping track of the myriad of new openings can be a daunting task. Prioritising how you work your way across them even more so, especially as restaurants sometimes fall flat of the surrounding hype and built-up-expectations.
So purely in public interest, I’m taking it upon myself to meticulously chronicle the most noteworthy new spots visited in London in 2017. I’ll keep adding to this post as the year progresses, so do keep checking in for the latest recommendations… A foodie’s job is never done!
New This Winter
Indian Accent, Mayfair
Textural thrills and a colourful explosion of East-meets-West flavours abound at the London Chapter of Indian Accent, a restaurant credited with redefining the vocabulary of Indian cuisine. Don’t just take my word for it though; the original in Delhi ranks within the World’s 100 Best List… Full review, here.
The Blue Posts, Chinatown
The good folks behind The Palomar have reopened The Blue Posts, a pub in Chinatown tracing its origins back to 1739. There’s a cocktail bar upstairs – The Mulwray – and a bar menu overseen the executive chef of The Barbary. Early verdict? Restorative eats; a deep drinks list and style in spades… Full review, here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcr5hlXl7ke/?hl=en&taken-by=the_foodiediaries
Harry’s Dolce Vita, Knightsbridge
The latest from Richard Caring’s Caprice Holdings is a throwback to the ’50s and ’60s ‘La Dolce Vita’ period in Italy. Expect sybaritic-style but a sublime-sense of satisfaction too, with plenty of white truffles and Dolci in the offering. Full review, here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BckfTb4l4lS/
Bombay Bustle, Mayfair
Opened by the A-team behind Jamavar London, Bombay Bustle is a homage to the spirited pace of life in the Maximum City. Think interiors styled after vintage train carriages, subtle tributes to Bombay’s iconic dabbawallas and a menu which reflects the melting pot of cultures characteristic of a city that has historically attracted people from all over India. Full review, here.
The Good Egg, Carnaby
Stoke Newington’s The Good Egg has just hatched a new café in Carnaby’s Kingly Court and it definitely looks like one that’s on the sunny side up. The menu is a hosanna to classic Jewish dishes, from shakshuka to sabich; and there’s an on-site bakery too if you fancy a slice of babka. Full review, here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcRwtMlFIjc/?taken-by=the_foodiediaries
New This Autumn
Pastaio, Carnaby
Felicitous plates of handmade pasta from Stevie Parle in Carnaby, including *that* Cacio e Pepe. Full review, here.
Rambla, Soho
Memorable, impeccable and ridiculously well-priced tapas and wine are just three stand-out reasons to visit this slice of Barcelona in Soho’s Dean Street. Read more about Chef Victor Garvey’s new Catalan restaurant, here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ5iURmFU9E/?taken-by=the_foodiediaries
Frog by Adam Handling, Covent Garden
Hopping over from E1 to WC2, is the latest incarnation of Chef Adam Handling’s Frog. Pretty-as-a-picture plates are a-plenty, playing on complex techniques to compose an intricate assembly of decorative textures. Read the full review, here.
Wulf and Lamb, Sloane Square
Meanwhile, vegan foodies have reason to rejoice with the genteel arrival of Wulf and Lamb off Sloane Square. Describing itself as “fiercely kind food,” the entirely plant-based menu includes the likes of Chili ‘non’ Carne and the signature Wulf Burger (made with seitan). It’s the Mac n Cheese which proved the surprise winner on our visit, tinged with turmeric and other spices for the a comfort-laden side. More details on their website, here.
Farm Girl, Carnaby
Spinning off from the original in Notting Hill, Farm Girl has found a new home in Carnaby. Expect the same vibrantly fresh and oh-so-Instagrammable breakfast bowls, brunch-appropriate dishes and swirls of art festooning your butterfly matcha latte. In an added bonus, you can pack in a spot of shopping and workout before and a blow-dry after, as the café is part of the new all-encompassing Sweaty Betty studio! More information on their website, here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZqRiIkF0n3/?taken-by=the_foodiediaries
Hoppers, Marylebone
There’s Hoppers Soho and then there’s Hoppers in St Christopher’s Place which takes the original menu and raises it by a few fiery notches. Egg hoppers remain the perfect mopper-uppers for the rambunctious curries, their heat soothed by the cinnamon-tinged sweetness of the love cake ice cream sandwich for dessert. The best part? They now take bookings.
Opened earlier this year
Jacob The Angel
Brought to us by the good folks behind The Palomar & The Barbary (two of my favourite restaurants if you didn’t already know), is this tiny café in Neal’s Yard taking it’s cue from England’s first coffee house. What the airily bright space lacks in size, it more than makes up for with heaps of Ottolenghi-style salads, sandwiches and beautiful cakes. The coconut cream pie is already something of a classic, while the sesame-studded tahini madeleines are a detour-worthy reason to revisit this colourful courtyard in Seven Dials. More on London’s café culture, here.
Jean-Georges at The Connaught, Mayfair
Bringing a breath of fresh air to Mayfair, globe-trotting chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’ new opening at The Connaught is an all-day, laid-back affair. Black truffle pizzas and melting candy floss are involved. Full review, here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXNxJ1_Fkg5/?taken-by=the_foodiediaries
Xu, Chinatown
The latest restaurant from the trio behind Bao (Soho & Fitzrovia) offers a cinematic reinterpretation of 1930’s Taipei. There’s also a dedicated tea kiosk (with a tea and whisky pairing), Mahjong rooms and insanely-Instagrammable shades of pink. As for the menu, the focus spans traditional Taiwanese dishes (including some street-style eats). Veggie options are limited, but more than compensate with their comforting depths of flavour… Full review, here.
The Ned London, Poultry
A luxury hotel, private members club (lending access to a rooftop pool) and nine restaurants and bars all under one roof. Reasons a-plenty to visit London’s largest opening since… I don’t know when! If you have a passion for poke, I couldn’t recommend Kaia (the Asian-Pacific inspired eatery) enough. Full review, here.
Duck & Waffle Local, St James
Duck might be the quacking name of the game at this “fast casual chef curated” offshoot of the iconic Duck & Waffle in the City, but Chef Dan Doherty does plenty right by us vegetarian folk too. Don’t miss out on the sweet waffle cones for afters! Full review, here.
Bun House & Tea Room, Soho
Recently opened on the corner of Greek Street, this striking new Chinese café specialises in traditional Cantonese-style closed buns and pickles, with bao options ranging from sticky barbecue pork belly to chicken and fish. It’s worth popping in for those exploding custard buns alone… Read more as part of my foodie’s guide to Soho.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSLBhtFAvMx/
Cheese Bar, Camden
Spinning off from the Cheese Truck, this much-awaited new eatery in Camden Market dials up the lactose by a few decadent notches. *Those* grilled cheese toasties feature prominently of course; more enticing still are dishes which range from a Mexican-inspired take on fondue, to poutine and a blue cheese ice cream sundae… Full review, here.
Kricket Soho
So this may very well be remembered as the year that cemented the edgy transformation of Indian cuisine in London.
And quite unexpectedly, one of the frontrunners leading the charge is a young British chef Will Bowlby. Inspired by his time living and working in Mumbai, his modern dishes marry familiar Indian flavours with seasonal British elements – think samphire pakoras and a Delica pumpkin styled in the fashion of a boisterously-buttery paneer-makhani…
Find out more in my recent guide to the best Indian food in London.
Palatino and Il Pampero
Italian cuisine is also back in the spotlight this year.
To do as the Romans do, head to Palatino in Clerkenwell – the latest (and fifth) restaurant from celebrated chef Stevie Parle. It’s a laid-back space with friendly service, freshly-made pastas and dishes which are ravishing in their beautiful simplicity (we all but lapped up the warming pea and broad-beans stew).
Palatino, 71 Central Street, Clerkenwell, EC1V 3AG
Meanwhile Il Pampero at the boutique hotel, The Hari in Belgravia, embraces a nostalgia for old-world glamour, whilst serving up a contemporary twist on traditional cooking. Expect bartenders clad in white jackets, champagne in coupe glasses, and a theatrical touch with dishes finished table-side including a creamy Cacio e Pepe prepared in a giant wheel of cheese! Full review, here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRQuupng2rH/?taken-by=the_foodiediaries
Hai Cenato
And then there’s Jason Atherton’s impossibly trendy American-style Italian, Hai Cenato. The focus here is on pizzas (along with pastas and grills), and although the cooking isn’t as sensational as you’d expect of the Michelin-starred chef’s other establishments, it’s reasonably good and worth a visit if you find yourself in the vicinity of the new Nova Victoria development! Full review, here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQcjbr7gPTR/
Six Storeys
Spread over six storeys of a Townhouse in the heart of Soho, this new drinking and dining den is a throwback to all the revelry and decadence of the prohibition-era.
We loved the cosiness of the Victorian-inspired Parlour Restaurant; but it were the thrilling cocktails – more than the dinner – which emerged the main draw. The house infusions here show a great degree of brilliance, imparting flavours as varied as quince & blue cheese or venison and summer truffle, to subtly lace the spirit in your chosen tipple!
Six Storeys, 11 Soho Square, Soho, London W1D 3QE
https://www.instagram.com/p/BP576WvBG-r/
Ralph’s Coffee & Bar
When Ralph Lauren serves coffee, cocktails and food, you can instinctively expect it to do so in a setting which wouldn’t be out of place in a gentleman’s club on the East Coast.
The menu is inspired by classic club-like fare too and although it was simply a whelming affair for us (neither overly-impressive, nor something which merits critiquing), there’s no denying the appeal of this intimate hideout in the heart of London’s shopping district! Read the full review, here.
So 2016
There are a couple of openings from late last year that I only managed to visit recently…
Jinjuu Mayfair (the cocktails here are as compelling and the Korean eats as satisfying, as at their original restaurant in Soho); and Cinnamon Bazaar (a vibrant new restaurant in Covent Garden dishing up the best chaat I’ve had this side of Bombay.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPvfa-Uhltf/?taken-by=the_foodiediaries
But in case you’re hungry for more, here’s my list of favourites from 2016.
Still hungry?
Find a comprehensive list of all my reviews indexed by cuisine and location, here.
I’m so keen to try Ferdi!
I know of the Ferdi in Paris but didn’t realise it was in London too! thankyou! great post