Best new restaurants in London of 2026 so far

What is it? Regional Italian knockouts in a revamped pub on cobbled Columbia Road.

Why we love it: The debut restaurant from Dara Klein takes over a gorgeously gabled Victorian boozer on the eastern fringes of Colombia Road. It still feels pubby, with a handpainted sign, 1930s-styled stained glass windows, mahogany wood-pannelling and, inexplicably, a giant portrait of Cher above the bar. The menu dips into rarer regional cracks of Italian cuisine, with historic offerings such as anchovies in saor (a ye olde Venetian marinade), alongside a hypnotic passatelli in brodo, and a furiously fresh chicken Milanese served with dill, fennel, celery, tarragon and crisp green apple.

Time Out tip: Getting a table here can be tough, but the bar area is always reserved for walk-ins. Chance your arm on a drop-in perch, where the full food menu is available.

Address: 109 Columbia Road, Bethnal Green, E2 7RL.

Opening hours: Mon-Tue closed, Wed-Fri 6-10pm, Sat 12-3pm & 6-10pm, Sun 12-4pm.

Expect to pay: Antipasti £5-16, primi £15-19, secondi £20-27.

What is it? A roaming, contempo Cantonese-inspired concept from chef Jenny Phung and partner James ‘Shep’ Shepherd, now in residence at ‘wine pub’ Godet until the end of 2026.

Why we love it: Godet feels like a Provençal country cottage meets a grubby old scroat boozer. There are cutesy cafe curtains, the occasional church pew, jugs full of fresh flowers, and candles on every table. Despite this discreet backdrop, Ling Ling’s swiftly sets about trying to get into your pants with full-throttle flavour and seductive kitchen technique. Top of the Ling Ling’s charm offensive are exceedingly crunchy fried pork and water chestnut wontons, radish cakes slathered in soy pomegranate dressing, and a delightfully sloppy charred hispi cabbage with pickles and hoisin. Do we, as a city, need yet another hispi cabbage dish? If you’d asked me moments before setting foot inside Godet, I would have said no, but Ling Ling’s have changed my mind. Here, the omnipresent brassica has been released from its small-plates prison and been given a new lease of life, slathered in an ultra umami, near-nutty sauce.

Time Out tip: Order the addictive glass-skin chicken, where soft and bouncy meat rests in a thin but extra-flavourful broth, tender shimeji mushrooms and tong ho greens adding to the soupy melee.

Address: 382 Essex Road, Islington, N1 3PF.

Opening hours: Wed 5-11pm, Thu 5pm-midnight, Fri 5pm-12.30am, Sat 3pm-12.30am, Sun 3-9pm.

Expect to pay: Small plates £3.50-12.50, bigger plates £17-24.

What is it? The latest from Martin Kuczmarski, the man behind The Dover, which has remained a searing hot ticket since it opened in 2023.

Why we love it: Martino’s is a little less New York and a little more Milan, with a simple pasta, pizza, meat and fish menu, and all-day dining (it’s open from 8am on weekdays). Home to the Sexiest Dining Room of The Year, like the Dover, it’s all very sensual; glossy walnut walls, film noir-worthy venetian blinds, extremely flattering light, and staff who glide across the parquet floor like Fred Astaire mid-foxtrot. Food is unobtrusive, yet occasionally surprising. Shoestring zucchini fritti is a stand-out, skinny strands of courgetti that retain the crispness of the batter thanks to vinegar-infused salt. The taste is Brighton chip shop by way of a Calabrian trattoria. There is also beef and pork tortellini in a delicate chicken brodo, tonno tonnato, meatballs zuppetta and aglio e olio spaghetti.

Time Out tip: Can’t decide what to drink? Opt for a Martino’s Shakerato; a fabulously fluffy combo of Campari, gin and orange juice. House wine is also very decent value at £27 for a 500ml carafe. 

Address: 37 Sloane Square, Chelsea, SW1W 8AN.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm & 5.30pm-12.30am, Sat 9am-4pm & 5.30pm-12.30am, Sun 9am-4pm & 5.30pm-midnight.

Expect to pay: Pastas £15-30, mains £24-49, pizza £16-22.

What is it? An intimate Filipino restaurant in Kentish Town.

Why we love it: It’s compact and candle-lit, and (at the time of writing) one of the hottest restaurants in town. One of Belly’s ‘viral dishes’ is cured scallops in big, shallow shells, swimming in coconut cream with basil oil and little pickled chillies. They are things of beauty, fat and meaty and incredibly rich. We also try the soft and tender smoked trout kinilaw – a Filipino take on a ceviche – which I like even more. Almost everything we try is subtly spicy with a tickling, warm heat.

Time Out tip: The dish to order for a bit of a palette switch-up is the smoked aubergine and tomatoes with bagong (shrimp paste) - a nice fruity, fresh accompaniment to all the fish and cream going on.

Address: 157 Kentish Town Road, NW1 8PD.

Opening hours: Mon-Tue closed, Wed-Thu 5-10pm, Fri 5-11pm, Sat 12-11pm, Sun 12-10.30pm.

Expect to pay: Small plates £8-17, large plates £22-32.

What is it? DakaDaka - which is Georgian slang that translates as ‘big mood’ - is a boisterous Eastern European dining room on Mayfair’s buzzy food hub, Heddon Street. 

Why we love it: Georgia is kind of at the crossroads of the Middle East and Eastern Europe – between Turkey and Russia – and the cuisine very much reflects that in a ‘you get dumplings, but you also get pomegranate’ type of way. Chef Mitz Vora is not trying to offer a slavishly nostalgic ex-pats only experience, but neither is this about culinary reinvention. It’s traditional food, served smartly, with an emphasis on flame-cooked stuff. 

Time Out tip: If you know one thing about Georgian food, you may be aware of khinkali; elaborate hand twisted, stew-filled dumplings. They’re great here. The shitake mushroom variant (there’s also a pork version) is superb, with rich, hot soupy goodness spilling out of firm dough.

Address: 10 Heddon Street, Mayfair, W1B 4BX.

Opening hours: Sun-Mon closed, Tue-Thu 12-2.30pm & 5.30-10pm, Fri 12-2.30pm & 5.30-11pm, Sat 12-11pm. 

Expect to pay: Small plates and skewers £10-16, mains £18-36.

What is it? The new project from chef Spasia Dinkovski of acclaimed British-Balkan bakehouse Mystic Burek. 

Why we love it: Doma has taken over a kebab shop space in Sydenham, just across the road from the original Mystic Burek location, but will be doing things differently. Open only at weekends, during the day Doma will serve grab-and-go second-generation Macedonian cuisine, while Saturday and Sunday evenings will be reserved for special dinners, for which you’ll have to buy tickets in advance. Expect everything from Balkan barbecue to fried doughnut-esque mekici served with jam and cheese, sausage baps, stuffed cabbage sarma, loads of burek and baklava buns. 

Time Out tip: Come by for burek, their legendary filo pies, on the last Saturday of every month.

Address: 172 Dartmouth Road, Sydenham, SE26 4QY.

Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday, 11am until sell-out. 

Expect to pay: £5-35 a head. 

What is it? A fun and fabulous first restaurant from head chef Nathaniel Mortley, aka NattyCanCook.

Why we love it: 2210 is a vibe from the moment you walk in. There’s a slightly rowdy playlist that will have you questioning whether you’re in a club or restaurant. You’re coming here for Natty’s inventive plays on Caribbean signatures. The ackee and saltfish spring rolls; the confit pork belly; the wiri wiri lamb rump which comes with a light and smoky baba ganoush, sharp pickled onions, mint oil and tamarind jus. Of course, there is jerk chicken on the menu, but it’ll be the lamb that creates the most extreme food envy. 2210 is also a perfect place for the age-old jollof vs rice ‘n’ peas debate to be properly hashed out. The jollof won for us, thanks for asking. 

Time Out tip: Natty’s Sunday lunch is already a firm favourite, offering a Caribbean twist on the classic roast dinner, and prices start from £25.

Address: 75 Norwood Road, Herne Hill, SE24 9AA.

Opening hours: Mon-Tue closed, Wed-Thu 5-10pm, Fri 5-11pm, Sat 12-11pm, Sun 12-9pm.

Expect to pay: Starters £5.50-12.50, mains £24-42.

What is it? The latest from Nieves Barragán Mohacho, the visionary chef behind Mayfair’s Sabor (which was awarded a Michelin star in 2018).

Why we love it: Nieves goes deep into her own personal history in this superlative Spanish spot, starting with her Basque roots. An unmissable starter is the quisquillas de cadiz: raw bodied shrimps with crunchy, cooked heads. The Legado sandwich is another must-order, inspired by Nieves’ grandmother: consisting of Swiss chard, cecina (Spanish cured beef) and smoked cheese, woven together with fried breadcrumbs. The headliner is unmistakably the quarter Segovian suckling pig, which is the ultimate indulgent self-treat: the depth of flavour, tenderness of the meat and salty umami of the crackling skin is an unforgettable combination. 

Time Out tip: It would be a crime to miss out on their lengthy dessert menu: deep-fried churros come with saffron ice cream and white chocolate mousse drizzled in olive oil and decorated with roasted pistachios. 

Address: Unit 1C Montacute Yards, Shoreditch, E1 6HU.

Opening hours: Mon-Sun closed, Tue-Sat 12-2.30pm & 5.30-10.30pm.

Expect to pay: Small plates £7-25, large plates £14-85.

What is it? An eatery attached to Bermondsey’s produce market Spa Terminus, helmed by former St John chef Emily Chia, with Klaudia Weisz and Alex Keys ex-of Rochelle Canteen.

Why we love it: Their ethos really works: make great food with great ingredients from trusted people that you want to work with. Sometimes, it really is that simple. All 1970s dark wood and posh-smelling candles, with an open plan kitchen to add a pleasing level of bustle, inside it’s like being in the dining room of a classy older relative’s New York loft. The menu is a small but perfectly formed selection of plates designed for sharing. Eighty per cent of the dishes are sourced from local traders, including the tasty ‘banh mi’ terrine, crab raviolo and cacio e pepe dauphinoise.

Time Out tip: Drink their tallow martini, a small but perfectly crisp take on the classic, with fino sherry and a rendered suet that gives the smoothest of finishes.

Address: 1 Dockley Road, Bermondsey, SE16 3AF.

Opening hours: Mon-Tue closed, Wed-Thu 5.30-9pm, Fri-Sat 12-2.30pm & 5.30-9.30pm, Sun 12-3.30pm.

Expect to pay: Dishes £8-29.

What is it? A chophouse in Chingford.

Why we love it: Opened by husband and wife team Ravneet Gill and Mattie Taian after months of renovations, setbacks and test recipes (all shared candidly on @ravneeteats’ Instagram), Gina has done the impossible; put Epping Forest on the gastronomic map. Collectively, the couple have spent over 15 years working in London’s most acclaimed kitchens, but Ravneet is probably best known for her time judging on Junior Bake Off. Gina finds itself somewhere between an authentic Italian and modern British bistro, serving the likes of sweet monkfish cooked with bacon and oak leaf, as well as beetroot served in a pool of its horror movie-worthy juices, swirled with crunchy pistachio butter. Try also ‘Gina’s Pasta’, which is simply a damn good plate of spaghetti in a rich and comforting marinara sauce. 

Time Out tip: You must order the chocolate cake, a light but indulgent sponge, swimming in sauce, with a perfect sphere of vanilla ice cream perched on top and a little jug of cream on the side. It’s a naughty little pud and it absolutely slaps of pleasure.

Address: 92 Station Road, Chingford, E4 7BA.

Opening hours: Mon closed, Tue 5-11pm, Wed-Sat 12-11pm, Sun 12-6pm.

Expect to pay: Starters £10-15, mains £16-36, steaks up to £98 for two sharing.

What is it? The not-that-little sister of one of central London’s most important restaurant launches of the past few years, Dover Street Counter sits two doors down from its glossy sibling, The Dover.

Why we love it: Just as elegant, but with a naughty glint in its eye, it’s almost enough to make Mayfair cool for the first time since the Beatles played on that roof. Unlike The Dover, Dover Street Counter is an all-day affair. The short, easy menu is made up of things everyone wants; tuna melts, burgers, lobster, salmon steak, pasta, and a raft of juicy sandwiches. Order the ‘disco fries’, loaded chips drowning in pickled chilli and ginger, which are true to their name and as addictive as a primo Donna Summer heater. The cheeseburger is so on point as to almost be a cartoon-like rendition of the all-American meal, the perky beef patty topped with luminous yellow cheese, pickles, ketchup and mustard. I had a hangover before I ate it, and after three bites, I did not. Surely the sign of a burger doing its job. 

Time Out tip: Get a martini. Cocktails here are very, very good.

Address: 31 Dover Street, Mayfair, W1S 4ND.

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 12pm-midnight, Thu-Sat 12pm-1.30am, Sun closed. 

Expect to pay: Snacks £7-13, sandwiches £13-18, mains £18-36.

What is it? A witty modern Ukrainian bistro, with smart spins on European classics.

Why we love it: That’s not ‘‘Sino’ as in the Ukrainian word for hay. It’s the first of many beguiling details about this Notting Hill restaurant from founder Polina Sychova and chef Eugene Korolev, which deftly subverts cliches about nostalgic diasporic Eastern European cuisine. That is to say, it is nostalgic, but the nostalgia lies in the evocation of the smells and flavours of the old country, rather than simply serving up retro cuisine for ex-pats and exiles. And the focus of that is hay: Ukraine is a massive agrarian country and the smell and taste of dried grass touches much of the menu here. If that sounds slightly alarming – you are not a horse after all – then don’t overthink it. The food is great. I guess you could call it modern Ukrainian, either deconstructed takes on classic Ukraine dishes or European staples given a cheeky Ukraine twist.

Time Out tip: If you’re a bit vague about the ins and outs of Ukrainian cuisine, the £80, five course tasting menu is pretty good place to start.

Address: 7 All Saints Road, Notting Hill, W11 1HA.

Opening hours: Mon-Tue closed, Wed-Sun 12-3pm & 6-10pm.

Expect to pay: Small plates £5-22, large £24-36.

What is it? The second branch of Thai canteen Plaza Khao Gaeng. In Borough Market. 

Why we love it: At 78 covers, it’s at least twice the size of the original Plaza, and makes the most of a spacious railway arch. There are two dining areas, both rowdy and roomy, with a pleasing soundbed of clattering cutlery and buzzing strip lights which reflect the full-on, nowhere-to-hide flavour of the food. Menu favourites from the first location remain, such as creamy massaman curry and  perfect fried chicken. But there are also plenty of dishes unique to Plaza 2:0. A sexy strawberry dish might look like it was made for Instagram clout, but is actually the hardest fruit salad in south London; a sour orange curry with fillets of flaky sea bass is puckeringly spoonable; the saucy little prawn with red curry and coconut cream surprisingly refreshing. Like most things on the menu here, it’s spicier than a Gaspar Noé movie, but that’s why you’re here, right? 

Time Out tip: It’s £37 a head for the ‘Deep South’ sharing menu of Plaza’s greatest hits, including fried chicken, sour orange curry, beef massaman and strawberry salad. 

Address: Arch 207, 18 Stoney Street, London Bridge, SE1 9AD.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12-10.30pm, Sun 12-8.30pm.

Expect to pay: Starters and salads £6.50-15, curries £15-18, stirfry £14-19. 

What is it? A wine bar with food and no wine list.

Why we love it: This is the second outing from eccentric wine guy Luca Dusi, whose Shoreditch bar, with its ‘no list, purely vibes’ approach to serving customers has been enchanting Londoners since 2015. If the space looks familiar, that’s because they’ve taken over the original home of long-running Clerkenwell tattoo parlour, the Family Business (don’t worry they’ve not closed, just moved next door). It’s appropriately candlelit inside, and copper-topped tables reflect the glow making the whole place feel like a 1970s-era Tinto Brass movie set. It’s warm and sexy, but equally, not so sexy that you couldn’t take your mum here for an afternoon Chianti. 

Time Out tip: With this much wine, food is an imperative, and small plates span far beyond classic charcuterie and cheese plates (though both are on offer, and very good). Sicilian red prawn tartare with a dauntless orange dressing is excellent, as is  sheep ricotta accessorised with baked pear and caramelised walnuts, and jazzed further with thyme and honey.

Address: 58 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, EC1R 4QE.

Opening hours: Mon-Tue 4.30-11pm, Wed-Sat 12.30-11pm, Sun 12.30-5pm.

Expect to pay: Wine from £8 a glass, plates £5-18.

What is it? A glam, gallery-style space for posh seasonal food.

Why we love it: South Ken has been waiting for something like The Lavery for years. Bored of Profumo roleplay at Daquise? Then head to this grand Georgian townhouse in the shadow of the Natural History Museum for super seasonal, furiously fresh Med-inspired plates from former Toklas head chef Yohei Furuhashi. Miss, at your peril, the asparagus slathered with decadent fonduta.

Time Out tip: Cocktails are a strong point, we enjoyed a highly potent grapefruit daiquiri.

Address: 4 Cromwell Pl, South Kensington, SW7 2JE.

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 12-3.30pm & 5.30-11pm.

Expect to pay: Starters £6-21, mains £24-34. 

What is it? A new school Vietnamese with an adamantly no pho menu. 

Why we love it: Lai Rai has local roots (it’s run by the same family as nearby Peckham mainstay Bánh Bánh) but is a snackier, share-ier proposition than its big bowl-proffering sibling. Food here is is fun and flavour-packed: try the slow-braised pork belly pieces, sweet and sticky nugs of crispy, crunchy, and fatty flesh, or papaya jellyfish salad with pellets of juicy pineapple and smooshed tomatoes, all slugged together with peanuts, and a windowbox of fresh Vietnamese herbs.

Time Out tip: Ordering the mussels in coconut and lemongrass broth? Then also get the bahn mi baguette bits, so you can soak your bread in the fragrant liquid until it almost disintegrates. 

Address: 181 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4TP.

Opening hours: Tue 6-10pm, Wed-Thu 12-3pm & 6-10pm, Fri-Sat 12-3pm & 6-10.30pm, Sun 12-3pm & 6-9pm.  

Expect to pay: Small plates £5-15, bigger plates £15-20.

What is it? An elegant ode to southern Italian family dining in Queen’s Park.

Why we love it: Casa Felicia is helmed by chef Francesco Sarvonio, formerly of Manteca and currently of Elephant. The menu switches up daily, but always promises southern Italian ‘soul food’. We loved the pleasing heap of puntarelle salad embellished with pear and hazelnuts, faultless seabass crudo and the most intriguing take on parmigiana we’ve ever seen (the whole vegetable roasted, skinned and fried in a tempura batter, then cocooned in cheese fondue). Pasta is great too; fettuccine porcini and the paccheri with mussels and squid are both simple but impeccable. 

Time Out tip: Stick around for post-dessert roasted chestnuts delivered by chef Francesco, who tells us that dinner at his grandma’s house wouldn’t be complete without them. 

Address: 79 Salusbury Road, Queen's Park, NW6 6NH.

Opening hours: Mon closed. Tue-Wed 6-10pm, Thu-Sat 12-3pm & 6-10pm, Sun 12-5pm. 

Expect to pay: Antipasti £4-15, pasta £16-21, secondi £23-95.

What is it? London’s most-loved Thai restaurant has relocated to Shoreditch.

Why we love it: For anyone who managed to score a booking at the Leytonstone original, the move is surreal. The new location sits under a railway arch and is a fresh, pared-back space with a stainless steel bar. Singburi 2.0 will be navigating a balancing act of nostalgia and renewal for a while. Some cult dishes haven’t made the jump. There’s no moo krob, salted fish rice, or stir-fried clams yet. But those that have been revamped feel even more accomplished; the fiery yet refreshing watermelon salad now stars peak-season strawberries. Lamb short rib is a revelation, as it their take on nam tok, where wobbly smoked pork belly is offset by nutty roasted rice powder.

Time Out tip: There’s still no dessert, but there is a wine list full of funky naturals, and cocktail menu. Try the lemongrass-infused paloma.

Address: Unit 7, Montacute Yards, 185‑186 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6HU.

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 12-3pm & 6-10.30pm, Sun 12-3pm & 6-10pm.

Expect to pay: Dishes £8-22.

What is it? A casual curry house. 

Why we love it: From the gang behind Tamil Prince and Tamil Crown comes this Tamila. Without the loveable musk of an ex-pub, the space is much airier and restaurant-y, while the service is sharper and more attentive. Onion bhajis are as good as they get, as are the loaded chilli cheese dosa and  masala dosa. Centrepiece dishes are of the tandoori and curry persuasion. And the roti? Supremely fluffy, a mighty and worthy signature dish.

Time Out tip: Try and get an upstairs table. Not only do you get to sneak a peek into the kitchen, but Cally Road buzzing by only makes Tamila feel more intimate.

Address: 8 Caledonian Road, Kings Cross, N1 9DU.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12-10pm. 

Expect to pay: Snacks £7-14, dosas £9-12, curries £10-14.

What is it? Dishes full of aromatic spice from Hunan, a region in south central China often compared to Sichuan.

Why we love it: Follow the neon glow from the street and enter a restaurant drenched in bold red interiors, where the acoustics mean your meal inevitably comes with a raucous soundtrack provided by the table next door. There’s a chaotic but infectious energy, the kind of place where a meal naturally turns into a minor celebration. Head chef Jianren Zhou, a veteran of 30 years in his hometown cuisine, oversees a menu that builds on Hunan tradition. The signature steamed fish head with chopped chillies (yes, just the head) is a must-order for curious diners and collagen enthusiasts.

Time Out tip: If you’re intrigued, the Changsha stinky tofu has an umami kick I can’t get enough of. That said, one English friend spat it out immediately, so you can make up your own mind there.

Address: 176-178 Lower Road, Surrey Quays, SE16 2UN.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 12-10pm, Fri-Sat 12-10.30pm, Sun 12-9.30pm.

Expect to pay: Small dishes £7-14, dim sum dishes £6.80, signature dishes £16-30.