The best new restaurants: London, 2023
From a chance to sample the flavours of Palestine in Notting Hill, to a culinary trip to the French Riviera via Mayfair, here are 2023’s biggest restaurant openings
Jacuzzi, Kensington
The Big Mamma group (Gloria, Circolo Popolare, Ave Mario) is expanding again, serving its decadent Italian dishes in a four-storey mansion complete with – a disco toilet.
Read more ...Akub, Notting Hill
Shining a spotlight on modern Palestinian cooking is chef and restaurateur Fadi Kattan, who has rooted his UK debut, Akub, in an olive-green Notting Hill townhouse. Dishes – collectively a homage to the grandmother who taught him how to cook – include a starter of arak-cured sea bream; mains of crunchy mansaf balls and grapevine leaves stuffed with skate; and a dessert of Dead Sea chocolate cake. Drinks, meanwhile, bring a chance to try Palestinian arak, beers and cocktails muddled with ingredients local to the country.
Read more ...Socca, Mayfair
Claude Bosi and Samyukta Nair’s eagerly awaited, French Riviera-inspired restaurant, Socca, is expected to finally open its doors in February 2023. The Michelin-starred chef is said to be taking inspiration from French stalwarts including La Columbe d’Or.
Read more ...Rambutan, London Bridge
Following her hit ice cream pop-up last summer, chef, restaurateur and author Cynthia Shanmugalingam’s restaurant proper is due to open on Borough’s prestigious Stoney Street this spring. Menu highlights include aged mutton rolls, Jaffna crab fried rice with bitter greens, and bone marrow curry.
Read more ...Sonora, Stoke Newington
Michelle Salazar de la Rocha and Sam Napier’s pop-up taqueria took foodie haven Netil Market by storm last year. Now, the husband-and-wife duo are giving their stellar Mexican concept a bricks-and-mortar home in Stokey.
Read more ...Manzi’s, Soho
Delayed by three years in part because of the pandemic but all the more exciting as a result, Manzi’s fish restaurant in Soho, courtesy of Corbin & King, will serve affordable seafood on the corner of Greek Street and Bateman Buildings. It will be in the same spirit of Brasserie Zédel: fun and affordable with a distinct nautical theme by interior designer Brady William who made Soutine so stylish.
Read more ...Forno, Hackney
London has undergone something of a pasta renaissance in recent years, with the expansion of Padella and Lina Stores, and the openings of Bancone and Manteca just some of the highlights. Peddling a similar narrative over in Hackney is Mitshel Ibrahim’s Ombra, which is now looking to capitalise on our pasta obsession by opening a visible production site across the road. As well as a chance to watch the dough shaped into ribbons and parcels of deliciousness, visitors can tuck into pastries, pizza and more.
Read more ...AngloThai, Central London
A permanent home for successful Thai pop-up AngloThai is set to be another culinary highlight of 2023. Run by chef John Chantarasak and his sommelier wife Desiree, the restaurant’s USP is its commitment to making Thai dishes using British ingredients. That and the fact they can be enjoyed with a glass of natural wine.
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