Leonie Cooper

May 2025: It’s finally here! Welcome to Time Out’s brand new list of the very best restaurants in London for 2025.  We’ve spent the past 12 months eating our way through the city, re-visiting some all-time classics, checking out low-key neighbourhood favourites and getting stuck into the best newcomers on the scene. After some serious deliberation we’ve ranked London’s 50 finest restaurants. The result is this: your indispensable guide to where you’ll find the best food right at this moment in one of the world’s most exciting places to eat. There’s a focus on new openings and places that we’ve visited recently, so we can hand-on-heart vouch for their deliciousness.  A new Top 50 also means a new Number 1, as well as a whole bunch of brand new entries. From modern Korean masterpiece Miga in Hackney, through to slick Italian-American joint The Dover in Mayfair, and stealth sandwich bar and diner Cafe Mondo in Camberwell, you’ll find something for every budget and neighbourhood.  This is your guide to eating out in the capital. Don't forget to sign up to our free newsletter for unbeatable London restaurant news and tips. Tuck in.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor and she eats out pretty much every night in the city. It's terrible for her cholesterol, but incredible for getting you the best recommendations. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. RECOMMENDED: All the best new restaurant openings in London this July. The hottest new open

Ever since Padella opened in Borough Market, and queues started to snake outside for its simple, affordable pasta small plates, London has become a city of pasta-fiends, lusting after linguine and Instagramming anelli. More and more hip Italian restaurants have opened across the capital serving up stylish, saucy, cheesy and downright-delicious strands of dough and we're also stocking up on perfect fresh pasta from delis like Lina Stores and diving into plates of trad pasta at Ciao Bella in Bloomsbury, as well as bottomless lasagna at Senza Fondo. Here are the finest pasta places in town.  RECOMMENDED: London's best Italian restaurants. 

Bottomless brunch. These words strike excitement – and also a slight sting of terror – into our hearts. Endless quaffing of fizz, usually within a 90 minute time limit, and some hearty breakfast foods seem like the perfect backdrop to catching up with mates on a weekend. Simply bash your cash down and let the London restaurant of your chosing do the rest. Will you get drunk? Most likely. Will you be so full of food that you're worried you may explode? Also possible. Are you in? Yes, you are. In London, you’ll find bottomless bubbles and bloody marys, as well as options with red wine, and cocktails. The food doesn’t have to be straightforward breakfast stuff either. Brunch can be anything from bao to barbecue. Time to go hard then go home! All that sounds a bit too much? You could just stick to regular old brunch. RECOMMENDED: Find more great breakfasts in London.

June 2025 update: Hacks, The Rehearsal and Overcompensating are the latest shows to earn a spot on our ‘best of the year’ list this week. The former sees Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder’s co-dependent star-and-assistant double act delivering another ten episodes of pass-agg magnificence, while Nathan Fielder delivers more must-see TV with his second season of The Rehearsal. Overcompensating, meanwhile, is one of the year's surprise hits, a raunchy-but-warm college comedy featuring several breakout performances. We’ve all heard the phrase ‘TV’s golden age’ enough times over the past couple of decades to get wary of the hyperbole, but this year does seem to be shaping up to be a kind of mini golden age for the TV follow-up. Severance, Andor and The Last of Us all look like building on incredibly satisfying first runs with equally masterful second runs (even more masterful, in Severance’s case). The third season of The White Lotus has proved that, whether you love it or find it a touch too languorous, there’s no escaping Mike White’s transgressive privilege-in-paradise satire. Likewise for season 7 of Charlie Brooker’s dystopian-flavoured sci-fi Black Mirror. Watercooler viewing is everywhere at the moment,  and that’s not going to change anytime soon. Netflix has announced the finale of Squid Game this summer, along with the end of Stranger Things, a second run of Tim Burton’s Wednesday, and about a zillion other things. Here’s everything you need to see... so far.  RECOMMENDED

Shoreditch is a dining destination for tourists, hipsters and ravenous city workers alike, so it’s no wonder that there are restaurants of all cuisines and price ranges in this always-buzzy area. But which of the many options deserve your time and money? Let us tell you, with our list of the best restaurants in Shoreditch and Spitalfields, which only features places that we know will hit the spot. Check out everything from Michelin-starred favourites for big spenders to stellar plant-based joints and some of the best Italian restaurants in the capital. Go east and feast. June 2025: We've just given this list a proper revamp, removing those Shoreditch spots that are no longer up to scratch and adding a load of new must-visit restaurants in their place. There's also a brand new number one - Plates, which is the UK’s only Michelin-starred vegan restaurant. Other new entries include sleek Ukranian restaurant Tatar Bunar, Japanese-Italian fusion spot Osteria Angelina, and bottomless lasagna paradise Senza Fondo. Plenty of local classics remain, from Brat and Smokestak to Smoking Goat, Rochelle Canteen, Manteca and The Clove Club.  RECOMMENDED: The best bars, pubs and rooftops in Shoreditch. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Battle through the chain boozers of Upper Street and you'll find a host of charming pubs all across Islington, from Canonbury and Barnsbury to De Beauvoir and Highbury. Whether you're in the mood for a proper old-school palace of pints or a slap-up gastropub with fancy food, there's a watering hole for you in Angel and Islington. Here are some of finest pubs in the area, and if you want to find something a little further afield, then these are the best pubs in nearby Dalston, as well as the best pubs in Stoke Newington and the best pubs in Hackney. RECOMMENDED: Don't forget to check out Islington's best restaurants.    Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  

Islington is no slouch when it comes to dining out. From Highbury and the fringes of Holloway Road to Angel via Canonbury, the gastronomical delights on offer in this north London neighbourhood almost put the best restuarants of Soho to shame. Whether it's heavy metal-styled live-fire houses you're after, perfect Italian pasta joints, sexy small plates or mouth-numbing platters of Chinese mapo tofu, you’ll find plenty to satisfy you in Islington. Ready for your restaurant crawl of Upper Street and beyond? Let’s get started. Going further afield? These are the 50 Best Restaurants in London.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Every week, a frankly silly amount of brilliant new restaurants, cafés and street food joints arrive in London. Which makes whittling down a shortlist of the best newbies a serious challenge. But here it is. The 20 very best new restaurants in the capital, ranked in order of greatness and deliciousness. All of them have opened in the past year and been visited by our hungry critics. So go forth and take inspo from this list, which is updated regularly. Check in often to find out what we really rate on the London restaurant scene.  June 2025: New additions include fun bistro action at Hello JoJo in Camberwell, sleek Ukranian comfort food at Tatar Bunar, Japanese-Italian fusion at Osteria Angelina in Spitalfields and Parisian wine bar flair at Marjorie's in Soho. They join bawdy British fare at Rake in Highbury, vegan Michelin star goodness at Shoreditch’s Plates, Iberian inventiveness at Tasca in Bethnal Green and The Most Controversial Restaurant in London™, The Yellow Bittern in King’s Cross. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. RECOMMENDED: The 50 best restaurants in London. The hottest new openings, the tastiest tips, the spiciest reviews: we’re serving it all on our London restaurants WhatsApp channel. Follow us now to tuck in.

Sometimes, tinnies in the park, a rowdy beer garden or one of London’s perenially over-subscribed rooftop bars just isn’t going to cut it when it comes to spring and summer drinking. For a more classy way to socialise when the sun comes out, what you want is a table on one of London’s drinking terraces or chic bars. Finding great sunshiney spots in London can be a bit of a challenge, so read on to discover some of our favourite locations for alfresco drinking done the right way. RECOMMENDED: The very best of outdoor London. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  

From swanky skyscrapers to casual warehouse hangouts and hidden pub terraces, London has a real crush on a rooftop bar. Sometimes we’re even blessed with perfect weather when we’re up there. To enjoy natural high, there are all kinds of rooftops which offer a winning combination of incredible city views and perfect drinks, be they on top of carparks, or hotels. So take your pick from spots in stylish Shoreditch, buzzing Soho and Covent Garden, hipster haven Peckham and more – it’s time to soak up those sunsets. Some are only open in the summer, but quite a few are year-rounders, where you can sit under heaters, or, if you’re hardcore, in the brisk London breeze. If you’d rather something a little more grounded, then have a look at London’s best beer gardens.  RECOMMENDED: Fancy a majestic meal up in the air? Check out London’s best rooftop restaurants. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. April 2025: We've rejigged and edited this list in time for London's sunny season (well, we hope it'll be poking through the clouds at the very least). Some of these bars aren't yet open – the always-amazing and utterly iconic Peckham rooftop spot that is Frank's Cafe launches in May, as does the brand new Setlist at Somerset House, which we're very excited about. Even so, we've gathered together all our faves, so you'll have them in once place to help you plan this summer's rooftop cocktail sessions. Now we sim

Fancy a burger? Of course you do. The simple meat-between-bread combo is always a winner, whether for a quick fast-food fix or a decadent, gourmet feast. We’ve selflessly toiled away, trying and tasting a vast range of patties to compile this list of London’s best burgers, including the inescapable smashburger. London’s finest are utter meaty marvels: juice-seeping, oozing with flavour and far more complex in creation than they’re ever given credit for. Roll up your sleeves and tuck in to the best burgers in town. RECOMMENDED: These are London's best pizza restaurants. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Feburary 2025: The yearly unveiling of the Michelin Guide’s ‘Great Britain and Ireland’ edition is always big news in the UK food-nerd world. For very good reason, too – London is one of the top-ranked cities in the world for fine dining. And it’s got plenty of those coveted stars. Newcomers on this year’s list include the excellent Oma in Borough, and AngloThai and Lita in Marylebone. The UK's first vegan restaurant to win a Michelin star was also awarded this year, with Plates in Shoreditch scooping the accolade. They join plenty more places that also appear in our meticulously compiled list of the best restaurants in London. Newly minted two star restaurants include the Ritz Restaurant and Humble Chicken in Soho. No London restaurant has been awarded three stars this year.  While Michelin’s expertise on expensive, upmarket restaurants is well known, the Michelin Guide has been criticised for its lack of relevance to ordinary diners. Conspicuous by their absence yet again are London’s more affordable places to eat. Still, if you’re feeling flush, read on to find all London restaurants with a Michelin star (or two, or three). RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in London.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Bold move, Lupa. Very bold.  There’s already a glut of great Italian restaurants in London, and quite a lot of them happen to be right here in Highbury. The incomparable Trullo, for example, is just around the corner! But Lupa has something the others do not. Lupa not only promises ‘Roman comfort food’, but the slim chance of catching sight of its Very Handsome co-founder, the actor Theo James.  This is a ballsy offering of big, bold food, heavy with hearty guanciale  That man’s intense bone structure and dreamy eyebrows are not the only draws however. Carousel co-founder Ed Templeton is also behind this new opening, and in the kitchen is the extremely capable Naz Hassan, who we last encountered during his tenure as head chef of the much-missed Pidgin. Hassan has done time in some of London’s most esteemed kitchens, from high-end Indian at Bibi, supercharged steak at the Cut at 45 Park Lane, and non-specific Euro sharing plates at Crispin. And it’s evident from our first bite that such a gifted all-rounder hasn’t encountered any trouble turning his hand to Italian cuisine.  It’s a courgette flower, lightly battered, deep fried and stuffed with smooshy burrata, then draped with a fat anchovy and resting in a pool of its own green courgettey juices. Sure, it’s steep at £10.50 for a single courgette flower, but it sets the tone for the cavalcade of sturdy Roman flavours that are about to descend upon us. This isn’t a delicate menu of rural farm fare, but a ballsy offering of big

If the Pocket feels familiar, that’s because it comes to you from the same independent pub pros as Gospel Oak’s incredibly good Southampton Arms. Despite appearances, the rustic-leaning Pocket hasn’t been here for 100 years, but was opened by stealth in the spring of 2025, complete with new-old wood panelling, a 1930s anaglypta ceiling, a nerdishly impressive collection of 1970s pub ashtrays (on the walls alas, not the tables), and a battered upright piano (which gets played three times a week).  The Pocket’s premise is simple, and, let’s be honest, perfect: ‘No reservations. No green food. No shit beer. No terrible modern music,’ they say. The bar snacks come in various shades of beige (scotch eggs, sausage rolls, pasties, and pork pies), the music comes from either the piano or a vinyl record player which favours vintage jazz and soul, and the crowd is gorgeous. Beer is priced in order of strength, meaning it’s possible to get that rare thing - a London pint for a fiver. We are fully in the Pocket’s pocket. Time Out tip The Pocket is mere steps away from another great Islington pub, the Compton Arms. If you’re looking for more of a gastro experience, pop over for one of their unfailingly good kitchen residencies; as of summer 2025, it’s the powerhouse Rake boys.

I’ve long attempted to work out what exactly people mean when they call something a ‘neighbourhood restaurant’. In the London context at least, I have arrived at the conclusion that it is simply a restaurant that isn’t in Soho (or Shoreditch at a push). Pasero then, plonked on the Seven Sisters end of West Green Road in Tottenham, certainly makes the cut, a welcoming space with something of the 1960s primary school aesthetic about it, with shades of beige, terracotta and British racing green, as well as a small deli and bottle shop.  It’s like Monty Don’s offering a helping hand in the kitchen Opened in 2022, the idea was for it to be a hub for a series of rotating chefs, a bit like Carousel in Fitzrovia. Of course, this is a lovely idea – Marie Mitchell one week, Ling Ling’s the next, and Anna Sogaard right after – but surely a logistical pain in the arse. After almost three years, the Pasero people have decided to make their lives easier and go steady with a full-time chef. It’s a good one, too - previous Pasero pop-up champ Diamantis Kalogiannidis, who honed his skills at double Michelin star wonder Da Terra in Bethnal Green.  His blackboard menu is short and sweet. A ham-hock croquette is a powerful thing. Almost as large as a scotch egg, and with a crunch to rival on a Twiglet on the outside. Inside, it’s densely packed with sweet, moist and perfectly pink hock. This is a hearty, Hampton Court Palace banquet-worthy snack, the ideal thing for King Henry VIII to nibble on

Bancone is a sleek Italian restaurant in Covent Garden with a short, simple menu that’s split into three sections: antipasti, pasta and dessert. Chefs in the front window roll out pasta dough almost all day: putting on a show for people passing by, frantically cutting and shaping for those patiently waiting for their pasta inside. There are generally around eight plates of pasta on the menu, and half of them are usually suitable for veggies. Proper al dente pasta is slightly undercooked, and hard to get right, but the chefs here nail it. Their best dish is the poetically named ‘silk handkerchiefs’ (it’s technically called fazzoletti) with walnut butter and confit egg yolk. Simple, but delicious: soft sheets swimming in a rich sauce, with little chunks of walnut for texture. The restaurant itself is a little office-like (it looks like it used to be one), but no matter, you don’t come here for the looks. You come to Bancone to devour cheap, delicious pasta at the bar, and to people-watch those around you doing the same thing.  Time Out tip Check out the other branches of Bancone across the city, in Soho’s Golden Square, Borough Yards and Kensington.  Order this Alongside those glossy, infamous handkerchiefs, check out Bancone’s signature negroni menu. We like the one with orange blossom.

Padella, a sleek but casual pasta bar from the duo behind Islington’s Trullo is just a stone's throw from Borough Market. Dishes are small enough – and, at around £10-15, cheap enough – to let you to order three between two. Do this. In fact, bring extra friends so you can order a bit of everything. Who cares if you’ll likely be sat in a row? Talking is so overrated. There’s a changing mix of classics and lesser-spotted varieties such as tagliarini (skinny tagliatelle) or pici cacio, a kind of hand-rolled no-egg noodle from Siena. Padella’s version is not just chewy and satisfying (a bit like Japanese udon), but comes smothered in a simple yet moreish sauce of parmesan, butter and cracked black pepper. Order this Trullo fans will be pleased to see the signature eight-hour beef shin ragu (served over pappardelle) here. Time Out tip There are no bookings at Padella, yes, you have to join a queue, but come for an early lunch (11.30am), or early dinner (5pm) when doors open, and you won’t have to wait long to get fed.

Going for dinner at a hotel is A Very American Thing To Do.  Most Brits will only eat at a hotel if they are actually staying there and can’t be arsed to leave the building in order to get fed. It’s fitting then, that the NoMad’s newly revamped in-house restaurant is a high-octane tribute to the big, ballsy American brasserie.  It’s good, but it’ll send your arteries straight to hell Previously known as the slightly more descriptive ‘Atrium’, the roomy, well, hotel atrium’s rebrand as Twenty8 NoMad also reeks of flashy New York, utilising the kind of chaotic jumble of letters and numbers that brings to mind Manhattan staples Bungalow 8 and Eleven Madison Park. It’s brash, even grating, but we’ll give it a pass, as it fits the aesthetic bang on, which is all Manhattan-by-way-of-the-Marais, an extravagant Yank take on the French brassiere, complete with excessively high ceilings, balustrades and balconies. ‘Intimate’ it is not, but cosy is overrated, and we’re struggling to think of anywhere else in London that seems at once like peak Studio 54 and the ideal date spot for Romeo and Juliet.  Into this truly special space steps a lavish ‘raw bar’, supersized-steak frites and an entire menu devoted to the martini. Our dirty vodka offering comes with a whole second helping, courtesy of a sidecar on ice, as well as three blue-cheese stuffed olives. It’s the first in a carnival of oversized (read: American) offerings. A starter of crispy artichokes, which, though deep fried, are sur

The Camberwell Riviera has surely reached its final form.  The gastronomical possibilities on the lively Church Street strip are now nigh-on endless; there’s the holy meat juice bread at FM Mangal, posh pub fare at the Camberwell Arms, burly bargain wraps at Falafel & Shawarma, lamb skewers at Silk Road, panuozzo and pizza at Theo’s, Kurdish soul food at Nandine, superlative sarnies at Cafe Mondo, and cult croissants at Toad, as well as Vietnamese, Nigerian and Greek spots. Is there even room for another restaurant? Hello JoJo seems to think so.  There’s something faintly medieval about the menu Though the concept doesn’t bark originality (Hello JoJo is planning to open as a bakery by day, while in the evening it serves seasonal plates both small and large), when we visit on a Friday, the place is rammed. The people of Camberwell truly love to eat! Their name might sound like a brand that makes hemp dungarees for toddlers (and the red and blue colour scheme does give off some serious preschool energy) but the Hello JoJo crowd are pleasantly pitched in the mate date and actual date hinterlands. Everyone blethers raucously and the front door is propped open so you can enjoy the tender chugging sound of the 171 bus. Such heady conviviality is helped no-end by £6 glasses of house wine. A warm, mini loaf of brown bread comes to the table alongside a requisite pickle plate, and a serving of cool, deftly whipped goat’s curd topped with a pool of luminous celery splodge and crunchy

It’s wild that nobody before has ever thought to name a restaurant ‘Town’. Think of the endless possibilities of ‘Town’! It’s the place everybody wants to go; the place where so many thrilling things happen; the place where, if you can make it there, you are highly likely to make it anywhere.   Town isn’t about the chaos of the city, but super seasonality, regenerative farming, and letting the produce speak for itself This new, shimmering incarnation of ‘Town’ can be found on the fringes of Covent Garden, far enough away from the frantic piazza so as not to be heaving with tourists and/or street performers. It’s a truly grand room, a Ballardian boudoir in shiny, wipe-clean burgundy, with an open kitchen framed by a massive, oval-shaped and lime green opening. The retro-futurism thing is further dished up via the soundtrack; Dorothy Ashby’s ‘Afro-Harping’ slinks groovily in the background, and there’re a vinyl copy of Lou Donaldson’s 1968 sax odyssey ‘Alligator Boogaloo’ perched on a record player (which nevertheless remains switched off for the duration of our visit).  Such a space-age aesthetic is perhaps at odds with Town’s menu, which has more in common with the rustic likes of surrealist late-1990s cookery show River Cottage than it does Barbarella. You see, Town isn’t about the chaos of the city, but super seasonality, regenerative farming, and letting the produce speak for itself. It is, essentially, a plotline from The Archers. In practice, this means that the food is

If you’re seeking a historical feast, you’ve come to the right place. One of London’s most elderly restaurants, Wiltons has been in the game since 1742. Beginning life as simple shellfish mongers, Wiltons became a proper restaurant in 1841, and, after numerous address changes, moved into their current premises in 1984. Still, 40+ years in the same room is pretty good going for a city that turns restaurants over like pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. You’ll find a carving trolley here that’s almost as famous as their regal regulars Foodie lore runs deep at this London institution; they supplied oysters to Queen Victoria (there’s a signed picture of Her Maj in the ladies loo), and you’ll find a carving trolley here that’s almost as famous as their regal regulars. The dining room itself is pitched somewhere between Victorian grandeur and Jilly Cooper camp, with giant oil paintings of be-suited board members hanging next to jolly wooden booths, perfect for politicians who might need to plot the downfall of a colleague over an ice-cold Chablis. Red velvet swags hang heavy with portent over indoor windows which seem to lead nowhere, and the female waiting staff wear matronly tea dresses. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the food at Wiltons was as old school as the decor, but there’s some seriously impressive cooking happening here. An implacably good, twice baked stilton soufflé is wildly cheesy, served in a sterling silver dish, perfectly crisp on the outside and cashmere-soft on the insid

Remember The Nest, or, if you’re even older, Barden’s Boudoir? The excellent basement club below what is now the Red Hand has finally got the relaunch it deserves. A roomy 150 capacity cocktail bar from Andy Kerr (founder of Discount Suit Company and The Sun Tavern) and Tom Gibson (Ruby’s, Corrochio’s, The Bluecoats), they’re calling it a ‘1980s NYC style mutant disco’ with classy cocktails and regular DJs. Much cosier than any of its former incarnations, Parasol features little booths spread around a main dancefloor. Drinks are not just delicious, but pretty reasonably priced - there's a £7 martini (the Umbrella Vesper), and all the rest are a tenner. We like the smooth and chocolately Kinder Bueno, made with whiskey, Irish cream liqueur, hazelnut, cacao and clarified milk, and the punchy Korean Jesus, with tequila, mezcal, plum soju, gochujang, sesame, coriander, ginger and honey. Time Out tip Run by some of the same team as Parasol, line your stomach with extremely good tostadas and tacos at nearby Corrochio’s (one of Time Out’s favourite Mexican restaurants in London) before getting on the cocktails here. What’s nearby? Dalston is simply riddled with bars. Go on a proper crawl with help from our list of the best bars in Dalston. Not after any more drinks? Here are the best 20 things to do in Dalston, from Turkish grill houses to independent cinemas, live jazz, and drag shows.

Japanese and Italian may seem unlikely bedfellows, but this mash-up – also known as itameshi – dates back to the 1920s in Japan. And though Angelina opened up on Dalston Lane Terrace’s restaurant strip in 2019, it's still a pretty unique concept in London. Inside, it’s a restaurant of two halves: the front is all monochromatic fancy dining with ashen marble tables, bold foliage and lantern lighting, while the back is home to a bustling L-shaped bar overlooking the kitchen. On offer is a 13 dish kaiseki tasting menu for what feels like a rather reasonable £68 a head. Though it changes every five weeks, our most recent visit saw the production line of laser-focused chefs rattling out creamy and crispy (and pleasantly sizable) starters, such as cod cheek karaage and tempura courgette flower stuffed with miso ricotta. Fun to eat and even more enjoyable to say is the wagyu ragu, which comes layered on a pleasantly goopy dashi and egg custard. A nori-dusted focaccia is a revelation, served with a marmalade and uni butter that tastes like breakfast in the best possible way. There’s more wagyu to come, slivers of A5 dolloped with citrus ponzu, before a ravioli souped in a tonkotsu-style broth. Previous visits have seen velvety soy butter on a John Dory fillet, sea bream sashimi delicately infused with bergamot, and bonito-dusted doughnuts with anchovy aioli.  Time Out tip If you fancy an a la carte taste of itameshi, Angelina have a second space in Spitalfields. Osteria Angelina spec

Since opening in late 2024, myriad rants have been inspired by The Yellow Bittern. Largely, these haven’t been about the food, but rather the pretentious-leaning lore around it. To wit; you can only book this lunchtime-only bistro by phone (or a giddily anachronistic postcard), it’s expensive but cash-only, and proudly displays two portraits of Lenin. The food itself has been painted as a sort of spartan, St John-ish take on meat pies, luxe gruel and many, many stews.  I have never felt more like George Orwell seeking sustenance after a morning’s grind at the typewriter Now that the dust has settled on The Most Controversial New Restaurant in London™, it seemed time to finally check out this contentious font of day drinking, stodge and socialism. A 2pm booking on a Friday is secured (it is only open on weekdays and seatings are at 12pm or 2pm) and we step off the chaotic King’s Cross end of the Cally Road into a room that’s somewhere between a French village luncheonette and an interwar Lyons teashop. There are brown tiled floors, chunky wooden dressers, vases of floppy astrantias, and the interior are walls painted primrose yellow, which gives the impression that the decorator was simply decades-worth of cigarette huffing. Oh, and don’t forget the communist bookshop in the basement. I have never felt more like George Orwell seeking sustenance after a morning’s grind at the typewriter.  We start as we mean to go on (in 1934, essentially), with Belfastian chef Hugh Corcoran t

Ever heard of the Prix Versailles? Well, it’s a series of architecture awards given to outstandingly impressive buildings and interiors and they’ve just announced their 2025 list of the World’s Most Beautiful Restaurants. Among this list of 16 downright gorgeous eateries is a single London entry; the very fit Julie’s in Holland Park.  The list is made up of new openings and re-opened restaurants, and Julie’s is one of the latter. The west London bistro has been around since 1969, but relaunched last spring, with a brand new interior and fancy new menu from chef patron Owen Kenworthy. Julie’s is named after its first owner, Julie Hodgess, an interior designer who kitted out stores for high-end hippy fashion house Biba in the 1960s. ‘Her restaurant set the template for bohemian west London with stained glass, expensive antiques and fabrics bold enough to make your grandma blush,’ we wrote when we visited the restaurant last year. ‘The latest incarnation of Julie’s doubles down on the fabulous interiors, with fresh chintz, chicly mismatched furnishings and staff in Laura Ashley-esque outfits complete with frilled necklines.’ Other restaurants in the final Prix Versailles 16 included the art deco-styled Beefbar in New York, and the cutesy branch of macaron bakery Ladurée on Rue Royale in Paris.  Want to check out some other quite beautiful London restaurants? Then have a look at our list of London’s most romantic restaurants, which features some absolute stunners. The 8 best new

Truly, pizza season is upon us. Practically every other restaurant opening in London this July is dedicated to the perfect culinary offering that is a round-ish slab of dough covered in cheese and assorted veg/meats. And you won’t hear any complaints from us about it. As well as ‘za, you’ll soon be able dine in Mayfair’s highest restaurant, eat at a swish supper club at 180 Stand, and drink in a scuzzy Bethnal Green bar that pays tribute to the long-lost Crobar. Find out how, below. Lateef 1. The Italian pub Elephant, Clapton A long time ago, this place was known as the Elephant's Head. On July 9 this Victorian-era pub takes on a new lease of life as Elephant, a southern Italian-inspired gastropub with ex-Manteca chef Francesco Sarvonio doing imperious things with pasta. Come for ziti genovese ragù, buffalo mozzarella with tomato carpaccio and fried courgette flowers with spicy honey aioli, as well as a daily pizza menu. Hackney dads will be more than happy to hear of the ‘kids eat free’ policy, so you can stuff little Milo’s face with marinara while necking a negroni.   43 Lower Clapton Road, Lower Clapton, E5 0NS  All My Gods 2. The dive bar All My Gods, Bethnal Green Fans of Denmark Street’s foremost whiskey den Dram will be excited to hear that the same team are behind new dive bar All My Gods. Opening at some point in July, the knowingly sleazy spot is a passion project of tattoo artist Roxy Velvet, who founded the now-shuttered Velvet Underground, London’s first fem

Steakhouse pros Hawksmoor have announced plans for their summer holiday - and everyone’s invited. This August, they’ll be hosting four nights of al fresco dining in the ancient woodlands of Hertfordshire. The five course menu will include a host of Hawksmoor classics, from barbecued pork ribs, to Caesar salad, and scallops in garlic butter, with two mega dishes for the mains; Hereford rib of beef roasted over charcoal, or grilled Brixham monkfish with parsley and garlic oil.  There’ll also be some serious sides; ash-baked potatoes, barbecued bone marrow, heritage tomato salad, and grilled purple sprouting broccoli. For pud – if you have room – there’ll be a seasonal pavlova, and Tunworth cheese with blossom honey on toasted sourdough. There’s a wine pairing too! How much for such delights? £195, and that includes all your food and booze. The outdoor dinners will take place in the grounds of posh spa hotel The Grove, which is just north of glamorous Watford, on August 1, 2, 8 and 9, from 6.30-9pm.  If you’re feeling particularly flush, you can book an overnight package that includes a room at the hotel, which is £1012, based on two people sharing. London’s best restaurants for steak.  This foodie feast one hour from London is the perfect summer day trip.  Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel. Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best o

Been struggling to get a table at Speedboat Bar in Chinatown? Well your chances of eating at one of London’s best restaurants have now doubled, as a second location for the Thai-inspired spot will be opening next month. Set inside the Electric House in Notting Hill, Speedboat Bar 2.0 will feature the same menu as the Rupert Street original, reports Restaurant Online. Electric House is run by the Soho House Group, but this won’t be a members club affair – all will be welcome to feast on Speedboat Bar’s iconic chicken matches with green mango kerabu, and tom yam mama noodles with squid, pork and prawns. The original Speedboat Bar opened in 2022, and has been a feature of Time Out’s 50 Best Restaurants in London ever since. A project of chef Luke Farrell – who also runs the southern Thai-leaning Plaza Khao Gaeng in the Arcade food hall by Centrepoint – the food at Speedboat Bar is inspired by dishes popular on the Yaowarat Road in Bangkok’s own Chinatown area. It’s part of the all-conquering JKS restaurant group, who are also behind the likes of Hoppers, Bao and Gymkhana.  Our original review praised Speedboat Bar for its ‘blow-your-socks-off’ way with flavour. ‘For all of Speedboat Bar’s flashy, fabulous chaos – the real Thai racing boats strung from the ceiling, the pool table in the first-floor bar, the wobbling three-litre towers of Singha beer that are constantly being carried across the room and the 1am weekend licence – there is some seriously sophisticated cooking going

Last year Time Out crowned Leyton the coolest neighbourhood in London – and now things in this part of east London are about to get even cooler. A brand new street market is launching on Francis Road on Saturday July 5.  KERB – which recently announced plans for a new sports bar in Spitalfields Market – will be bringing 20 rotating food vendors to Francis Road, reports Leytonstoner. Vendors will include Uzbek plov rice bowls from Oshpaz, homestyle Syrian food from Utopia, Vietnamese family recipes from Hanoi Cà Phê, mother-daughter Japanese cooking from Banzai Kitchen, and tacos from Mexclub.  The market opens for business at 10am (and closes at 4pm), and there will also be vendors selling local produce from the likes of Woodkin Mushrooms micro-farm, pickle pros Shedletskys, cakes and bakes from Liv’s Baked Goodies and Jones’ Crumpets. You won’t be shopping in silence either, with DJs from local music shop Dreamhouse Records providing the soundbed.  Leyton is part of the mayor’s new ‘Summer Streets’ scheme, which will see some of London’s most popular neighbourhood spots go car-free for longer during the summer months. The areas are spread across the city, from Leyton to Brixton, Shoreditch and the West End, and the project is being funded by £300,000 from the Mayor’s Summer Streets Fund.  These are the best things to do in Leyton and Leytonstone.  You can read more about Time Out’s Coolest Neighbourhoods for 2024 here. ICYMI: the ‘best’ pub in London has been crowned for 202

Sushi heads, you’re in for a treat.  Chef Masayoshi Takayama – the man who launched one of New York’s most influential sushi restaurants, Masa – is set to open his first ever proper London restaurant.   Tobi Masa will open at Mayfair’s Chancery Rosewood hotel – aka the former US Embassy – in September. It’ll be serving up some of Masa’s signature dishes such as Masa toro tartare and peking duck tacos, as well as a host of brand new dishes, unique to the London opening. You can currently get a little taste of things to come at Sushi by MASA in the Harrods dining hall, but this outpost is set to close in the autumn.  Masa opened in New York in 2004 and is one of the most expensive restaurants in America, with the omakase offering set at $750 (£553) per person (and that’s before drinks, tax and tip!). It also offers a chef’s table experience for $950 (£701) per person. Oof. Masa has held three Michelin stars since 2009, which maybe justifies the cost. Maybe?!  Prices for Tobi Masa have yet to be confirmed, but we can’t imagine it’ll be cheap. ‘I’m so proud to be partnering with a creative and innovative brand like Rosewood. We are very excited to embark on this new adventure together, and especially in such a historic landmark building in the middle of Mayfair,’ said Takayama of the new opening.  Tobi means ‘to fly’ and draws its inspiration from the 10-foot high, 30-foot wide eagle on top of the building, which has been there since the site, built by architect Eero Saarinen, op

A bunch of London names have scored big at the Pub and Bar Awards 2025. The winners? The Red Lion & Sun in Highgate was named London Pub & Bar of the Year, while Soho’s The Devonshire scored the Industry’s Choice Award, which was voted for by 100s of pub and bar industry folk. Congrats to both of them, despite the fact that we’d say they’re actually gastropubs – complete with sitdown restaurants – rather than proper boozers.  If you prefer crisps, pints and a sticky carpet, take a look at our best 50 pubs in London list, with not a gastropub in sight. And if you do like a gastropub, then have a look at Time Out’s top 20 gastropubs list.   Another London win came for Mr Fogg’s, which weas named Bar Group of the Year for its trademark Disney-ification of the Victorian gin palace. Mr Fogg’s has venues in Mayfair, Covent Garden, Fitzrovia, Soho and the City.  The overall winner was the Bull in Charlbury, which was named the UK’s best pub. Which, granted, is very nice, but is another gastropub. Justice for the real pubs, say us! Since 2023, the Bull has been run by the Public House Group, which is behind The Hero in Maida Vale and The Pelican in Notting Hill.   Almost 100 county winners were announced at the awards, which took place at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, as well as 13 regional winners. The 50 best pubs in London, according to Time Out. Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsAp

A brand new sports bar – complete with an outdoor terrace – is set to open in Spitalfields Market this August. KERB Social Club comes from, funnily enough, street food folk KERB, who also run Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden. The plan is to create a space where ‘American sports bar energy’ meets ‘proper pub comfort’.  The bar’s outdoor terrace will overlook Spitalfields Market. Inside, there’ll be a large main room, as well as five private rooms, which you’ll be able to book for everything from karaoke to pool nights, darts, gaming and chess nights.  KERB Social Club will feature three food traders: fried chicken from Only Jerkin’, hot dogs from Oh My Dog, and Detroit-style pizza from Cutie Pies. Joe Howard Speaking about the new bar, general manager of KERB Social Club Abi Watson said: ‘KERB Social Club is what happens when you take the spirit of a proper British local, mix it with the casual chaos and fun of an American sports bar, and give it an inclusive, modern KERB twist. This isn’t about gimmicks – it’s a reminder that community hangouts really matter. And for us, opening our first Social Club in a legendary market like Spitalfields makes it even more special.’ Time Out’s ranking of the 50 best bars in London. Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your i

One of London’s favourite caffs is releasing a very special football shirt to celebrate 125 years of business. Founded in 1900, E Pellicci was opened by Priamo Pellicci and is currently run by Anna and Nev alongside their 84-year-old mother Maria. It is the oldest family-run restaurant in the UK. Pellicci’s was awarded Grade-II listed status in 2005 for its art deco-style panelled wooden décor, described by inspectors as ‘an increasingly rare example of the stylish Italian cafe that flourished in London in the inter-war years’. The décor was carved by regular customer and carpenter Achille Capocci.  The football shirts - which will be on sale for four days only – also boast an art deco-inspired design, with the caff’s famous logo on the front of the shirt. The shirts are £40, and come in blue or white. They can be purchased here.   Priamo Pellicci began working in the cafe in 1900, and his wife, Elide, ran the business after her husband’s death in 1931. Elide is the ‘E’ in the E Pellicci. Her son, Nevio Senior, who was born upstairs, ran the caff until he passed away in 2008. Nev’s wife, Maria, is the head of the family business today and has been cooking there every day since 1966.  E Pellicci is known for its fry-ups, pasta dishes and celebrity clientele. Since last year, the podcast Down The Caff has seen Anna and Nev interview famous regulars, including actor Ray Winstone and musician Hak Baker.  Read Time Out’s oral history of E Pellicci.   ICYMI: The award winning Londo

Crust Bros is set to open the brand’s biggest restaurant yet. A two-floor temple to pizza will open in Covent Garden on July 7 at 29 Bedford Street. Known for its natty Neapolitan-style pizzas, which have won Crust Bros two National Pizza Awards, Crust Bros already has locations in Waterloo and Earl’s Court.  Crust Bros’ Covent Garden branch will have space for 135 covers, and as well as serving up all manner of pizzas. The flagship will have a special menu of savoury bombas, including a lasagna-inspired take on the fried Italian dough ball, made with six hour ragu, parmesan, bechamel, and a deep fried lasagna sheet.  You’ll be able to order pizzas from a menu that includes classic marinara and margheritas, as well as the house ‘seven nation salami’, ‘veggie hot one’, ‘big poppa’ and ‘meat sweatz’ offerings. Personalised pizzas will also be available, allowing punters to pick their own dough, sauces, protein, cheeses and veg. So yes, you can order a chaotic gluten-free, green sauce, anchovy, burrata and chilli pizza if you so wish.    For pudding there’ll be a gelato menu from local ice-cream slingers La Gelateria, and the cocktail menu also sounds rather intriguing, with a house coffee negroni and negroni espresso martini up for grabs. The best pizzas in London, according to Time Out. Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Ou

Ever thought, ‘we make a damn fine martini here in London’? Well, it’s now official, as the World Class bartending competition has just crowned its 2025 GB Champion – and he’s based right here in the capital.  The winner is Emanuele Mensah, who was representing the Connaught Bar in Mayfair. After a gruelling three day piss-up, sorry, contest, in Edinburgh, Mensah scored victory and will now go on to represent Great Britain at the World Class global final in Toronto later this year.  Ten bartenders took part in the GB finals, and were tested on ‘everything from technique to storytelling and cocktail innovation’. They were judged by a panel of industry experts. ‘Emanuele impressed judges with his creativity, passion, personality, and storytelling,’ said a statement. ‘He brought something truly unforgettable to every step of the journey, and now, he’ll go on to represent GB on the global stage.’ It’s basically the Olympics, but for booze! Emanuele Mensah was born in Italy, and moved to London when he was 23. He previously worked at Lyaness and is currently prep mixologist at the Connaught Bar. The Connaught Bar is one of the finest cocktail bars in London. ‘What with the marble floors and plush leather sofas, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Bond movie,’ reads our Time Out review of the fancy joint. ‘Spiffy waiters wheel out a martini trolley and mix your indulgent beverage right in front of you.’ These are the best hotel bars in London. Get the latest and greatest from

Get prepped for a proper coming together of icons, as much-loved chef Angela Hartnett is set to open a brand new restaurant at London landmark, the Royal Opera House. The Michelin-starred founder of Mayfair’s Murano will be launching the new venture in September. The restaurant will be on the fifth floor of the Royal Opera House and will also spill out onto the venue’s terrace bar.  The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner and the Turin-inspired terrace bar will be open throughout the day, serving drinks and nibbles and offering impressive rooftop views of Covent Garden. You don’t have to be heading off to an opera to gain entry either - anyone will be able to visit.  Speaking about the restaurant, Hartnett said: ‘Opening at the Royal Opera House – such an iconic London institution – is a real privilege. We’re creating something entirely new for the space: relaxed, with food that celebrates exceptional produce and simplicity. Most of all we want the restaurant and bar to be for everyone, not just for those attending a performance.’  The menu for the restaurant hasn’t been released yet, but we’re promised ‘sophisticated yet simple, Italian-inspired cooking’. Sounds more than good to us.   Angela Hartnett founded Murano in 2008, one of London’s best Italian restaurants. It gained its Michelin star in 2009 - just a few months after opening. Hartnett then went on to launch the more casual Cafe Murano, which has sites in Covent Garden, St James’s and Bermondsey. She currently ho