Best London restaurants 2016: the top 10 openings of the year
Culture Whisper editors whittle down 2016's 270 odd restaurant openings, to discover the 10 we can't get off our minds
Parabola, Kensington High Street
How it turned heads in 2016: The stunning new Design Museum, with its parabolic roof, has its own restaurant of equal merit, with best-in-class seasonal British produce.
Getting in: Booking online is required a day days ahead.
Read more ...Kiln, Soho
How it turned heads in 2016: Clay pot-fired and grilled Thai street food from 5 star-rated Smoking Goat founder, Ben Chapman.
Getting in: Queue, or reserve tables of four or more online (popular times require booking one week early)
Read more ...Padella, Borough Market
How it turned heads in 2016: This is the place to queue in 2016! But seriously. Best-in-class Italian small plates are order of the day at Borough Market's top new destination.
Getting in: No reservations! Save this for a rainy day, or embrace the queue, which can take hours.
Read more ...Frenchie, Covent Garden
How it turned heads in 2016: Frenchie in Paris' 2nd arrondissement now has a second outpost in London, with superb internationally-focused sharing plates, and it's all London's chefs can talk about.
Getting in: Book two weeks ahead of time to guarantee the right table
Read more ...Luca, Clerkenwell ★★★★★
How it turned heads in 2016: British food "through an Italian lens", this is the new restaurant from the trio behind Clove Club, the world's 26th best restaurant.
Read our interview with Luca's front-of-house maestro, Johnny Smith
Getting in: Book two weeks ahead of time for a guaranteed best spot - book a table in the dining room for the sumptuous décor.
Read more ...Eneko at One Aldwych, Covent Garden ★★★★★
How it turned heads in 2016: Thrice-Michelin-starred chef Eneko Atxa brings his exquisite Basque cuisine to London
Getting in: Leave a day or two's notice, but you'll get a table by booking online
Read more ...Elystan Street, Chelsea ★★★★★
How it turned heads in 2016: Phil Howard, head chef of The Square in Mayfair, has returned with a new seasonal British restaurant with Nordic influences that is simply game changing.
Getting in: Book two weeks ahead if you're after a table at a prime time.
Read more ...Aquavit, St James
How it turned heads in 2016: NYC's only world-class Nordic restaurant since 1987, Aquavit's second outpost is now open in London.
Getting in: Book a few weeks ahead of time to secure the perfect table
Read more ...The Barbary, Covent Garden★★★★★
How it turned heads in 2016: Following game changer, The Palomar, The Barbary is a bustling no reservations spot with food from the Barbary coast. Best spot: up on the high bar stools, by the open kitchen.
Getting in: No reservations are taken - go on a rainy Tuesday, or be prepared to queue.
Read more ...London Shell Co, Regent’s Canal ★★★★★
How it turned heads in 2016: This is a revolution in river boat dining: this cruise on the Regent's Canal does everything right, from service to plate.
Getting in: Bookings are taken online, and the boat (excitingly) is now running all seasons
Read more ...And finally, Motu Indian Kitchen, a new kind of takeaway service, is turning heads too
How it turned heads in 2016: The power siblings behind London's best Indian restaurants (Gymkhana, Hoppers, Trishna) have launched a takeaway service.
Getting in: Live in South West London? Order online
Read more ...